''Before my company established itself here last month.''

Last month? Didn't they come here with Thibault two weeks ago? Hold on, that's a bit weird... Maybe people only established a timeline after the mercs went into the city as official peacekeepers?

''...she kept pushing for more.'' Good thing he hasn't noticed your lapse in judgment. ''Monsters kept fleeing into the forest during woodcutting expeditions, young lads here snuck into the village for unholy communion, and the ox went far enough to demand more space as more and more of their ilk kept popping up like bad seeds. So, like taming an ox, my guys had to grab their community by the horns and make them kneel.''

This kind of mingling isn't unusual. Branka might have been too ambitious with outright requesting more lands for the village, but this gods damned oppression is far too strong a response. Mamonos are a workforce that nearly all communities use during the summer.

''You sound like one of those fools who misunderstand the message of the Closed Fist.''

Unity.
The Closed Fist is one of two popular sects of the faith that believe in the perfection of mankind. Men and women are the clay of their excellence, and the strong have a duty to shape themselves in as perfect a form as they can be.
Unfortunately, far too many take this as a message of outright superiority.

''My faith is my own.''

''I question its existence.''

Your remark might have struck somewhere sensitive because the tall, lanky form of Jules gets close enough to be uncomfortable, but you stand your ground, even as you need to crane your neck upward to look into his eyes. This proximity gives no hints as to how he looks beneath that metal mask.

Your hand goes to grab your Focii hanging from your neck. It occurs to you now that he hasn't even asked your name yet.

''I've entertained you long enough. It's time I go tell your friends outside to leave.'' He feels like a mannequin with how motionless he is.

Just one more squeeze, right?

If this is the length of his talk, then... You're ready to blanket this entire mercenary company as irredeemable, power-tripping scums.

>No. You're walking out of here. He'll have to physically stop you.

>Question him if his group also handles escapees Mamonos. Reveal the fact that a dead monster has been found on your land, right when his group started this ''squeezing'' of the village.

>Free

Be careful.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be going on a family trip until Monday or Tuesday. I'll still have a laptop and internet to write, but I can't promise consistent updates until I'm back home.