The kid whos great grandfather was saved by a beastman was Garm? Or the black haired one who curses slavery in xir mind?

I want to know what that ex-present was, maybe Stark would have liked it.

???

What is the trick? Why do they want to appear weak?

Why do they want to appear weak? Is it related to this betting system? If so how?

like controlling the humans for war? I don't see a point in "showing dominance"

Why is MC taking over more human cities?

Yep, like a video game you got to personally deal the death blow. Like that first sea invader that MC defeated but that panda ended up killing.

Seems the killer gets a portion of the power and the rest goes to "The Darkness" dun dun dunnnn!!!

Exactly, what motivation do I have to obey your word policing?

That Lefany putting up a barrier or someone doing something stupid? Perhaps someone mind controlled by the parasite.

Cake?

If the guild had fled it would be the same, MC and Cat alone.

what's that from?

Well that doesn't make them silver/golden spoon babies, that just means they are a guild that has been at this for awhile and have things together very well. They most assuredly earned much wealth through dungeon crawling and realize deadly situations just come up and everyone needs to be prepared for terrible shit all the time.

They clearly see this is going to be be a dangerous battle yet they face it with grim determination.

both are "real worlds"

both are "real worlds"

So why did MC stay there if MC knew the field spell wouldn't hold? I suppose counting on the guild to actually protect with actual fighting? But MC sounded surprised they were going to fight.

Clearly a well prepared strong guild, that sounds like nonsense to me

Well no, this is stuff they already had on hand, preparing for the worst. Regular adventurers wouldn't have half this shit, they gave up armor and weapons and such.

I figured the monk rep would be good with the child being saved, not fooling anyone story.