"Boss, we've got a target."
"Is that so? What kind of marks are they?"
"Looks like a wagon from one of the farming villages. No escorts, either. It’ll be an easy take."
"Pass."
"Eh? Why? How come?"
"Listen, kid. What do you think you're going to get by targeting something so measly? The reward doesn't match the risk. Besides, farmers are a collection of people who spend their lives fighting against the earth itself. Show some respect. Proper respect. Wait—look at that wagon. It’s struggling on the slope. Let’s go give them a hand."
"E-Er..."
"Move it!"
"Y-Yessir!"
"Boss, prey!"
"What have we got this time?"
"A lone man. Looks like one of the Beastman Race. He’s lightly equipped. Actually... he isn't wearing any armor at all."
"And all he’s carrying is a wooden sword...?"
"Shall we jump him?"
"Pass."
"What's the reason this time?"
"The guy is a pauper no matter how you look at him! The poor are on our side. Don't go around doing something so stingy!"
"Y-Yessir. Sorry. Then we'll just let him pass through."
"Exactly."
"Boss, just for my own reference... what kind of prey is the ideal target?"
"The wealthy."
"Rich people... so, nobles! Got it!"
"Wait, wait. You’ve got it all wrong. Don’t move forward based on some narrow image of the word 'noble.' There are plenty of poor nobles out there. Besides, while nobles are rulers, they are also servants to the people. You don’t just attack them recklessly."
"I-Is that how it works?"
"Yeah. There are even great nobles who build things like orphanages."
"Ah, I’ve heard of that. That’s pretty amazing, isn't it?"
"Right? So, instead of nobles, we’re going to target merchants."
"Merchants, huh? Don’t those guys usually have a lot of escorts?"
"We can handle a few guards!"
"Ooh! As expected of the Boss!"
"Hahaha. Now that you understand, go keep a proper lookout."
"Yessir! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for a merchant!"
"Boss, Boss, Boss!"
"Did you find a target?"
"Yessir! It’s a merchant. They’ve got a lot of escorts, but it’s definitely a merchant!"
"Let’s see... No, those guys are no good."
"Eh?"
"Look closely. They’re flying a company flag, aren't they?"
"They are."
"That’s the Goroun Company. What’s more, that’s the elite unit that ventures into the Iron Forest."
"The Iron Forest? People actually go in there?"
"Yeah. Rumor has it they’ve even gone near a dragon's nest."
"That's incredible!"
"Even I’m not crazy enough to take on people like that. We're passing."
"Yessir. ...Ah, but it looks like they’re planning to camp around here."
"So it seems. They don’t look familiar with the area. I’ll head over for a bit and guide them to a watering hole."
"Eh?"
"It’ll be hard for us to move around if they decide to settle down right in our way."
"True. I'll come with you."
"A target hasn't come by in a while, has it?"
"True enough."
"At least the field we planted to keep us fed while we waited for marks has had a bumper crop."
"Yeah. It’s actually quite delicious."
"Should we take some of this to a village or city and trade it for coin?"
"Good idea. I’m getting tired of eating the same thing for every meal."
"I’ll get the supplies ready."
"What’s this?"
"Food."
"And the stuff next to it?"
"Blankets. It gets pretty cold at night out here, after all."
"And those things over there?"
"Seedlings. I thought we could grow these next."
"...Can amateurs like us really pull that off?"
"It'll be fine. I made sure to ask the person selling them exactly how to tend to them."
"I see. Alright, let’s get them planted around here then."
"Right. Let's get to work."
"A lot of people have been passing through lately."
"Yeah. More and more of them are greeting us as they go, too."
"It was a good move to start selling firewood and food."
"Yeah, and the rope we've been making has been selling pretty well too, one way or another."
"If people are going on a journey, I really wish they’d set out with proper preparations."
"Tell me about it. Oops, looks like those travelers can't get their fire started. Go give them a hand."
"Yessir."
"Also, warn them to set a proper watch tonight. Monsters still show up around here, even if they’re few and far between."
"Boss, it’s bandits."
"So it is. Even though they’re in the same trade, they’re just attacking anyone they please."
"Shall we take them out?"
"Yeah. No need to hold back."
"Yessir!"
"We’re in a real pinch now."
"Yeah, the mother of all pinches."
"To think that after the bandits, the soldiers would come for us..."
"There’s over thirty of them... Even for us, this is going to be tough."
"Ah, the man who looks like the captain is coming this way."
"I-It can't be helped. Steel yourself."
"Y-Yessir! I’ll follow you to the end, Boss!"
"Taxes?"
"That is correct," the soldier said. "You appear to be living here, but this territory belongs to a noble. That makes you subject to tax collection."
"Taxes... Ah, but, we don't have... that much money..."
"Hahaha. Don't panic. Normally, I would have to collect everything you've missed up until now in a single lump sum, but... it seems you’ve frequently been helping travelers in these parts. While we were investigating, we heard from various people who asked us to try and do something for you. I conferred with my superiors, and we’ve decided to exempt you from your past debts. As for this year’s portion... let’s just say it’s been paid in full by the reward for your bandit subjugation."
"..."
"Hm? Is something the matter?"
"Ah, n-no. I understand. Thank you very much."
"Umu. Continue to work hard. If you find yourselves in any trouble, feel free to call upon the City Security Team."
"Yes. We’ll be in your care then."
"Boss."
"What is it?"
"Was it really okay?"
"What was?"
"The fact that other people have started moving into the area lately."
"There’s no reason to be cold to them. Neighbors ought to look out for one another."
"Yessir. Well then, I’ll get back to the watch."
"Yeah. Make sure you keep a sharp eye out so the birds don't ruin the fields."
"Roger that."