Volume 3, Chapter 26 – Ainos’s Gratitude

The early spring sun gradually set, and a chilly evening breeze swept across the land. People on the streets pulled up their collars and quickened their pace home, creating a desolate scene.

In the past, Antonio City was a bustling place, but ever since the Flame Giant and the Calamity ravaged the area, the city had grown quiet. The thunderstorm over Antonio Lake last night had only added to the residents’ fear and unease. No one wanted disaster to befall them; staying home was the safest choice.

However, this world was not without its adventurous spirits. Even against this backdrop, groups of people still went out for leisure.

Yisi and Ainos’s group were among them.

Currently, the five of them were choosing a table in a tavern.

Like any other tavern, this place was filled with travelers and adventurers. Torches hung on the walls and pillars, their orange-red light mixing with the noisy chatter in the room. Combined with the aroma of ale and food, it created a lively scene unique to this other world.

“Mary, come sit here.”

“Okay~”

Mary obediently responded to Yisi and sat down beside her. The spot they chose was in a corner near the outer edge of the tavern. Yisi, being used to a homebody lifestyle, disliked sitting in the conspicuous center of the hall.

“Ainos, you suddenly asked us to come out. Is there something important you wanted to say?”

“Uh… it’s not quite what you’re thinking, Miss Yisi…” Ainos rubbed his nose awkwardly and exchanged a smile with his companions, Lala and Kuro. “Actually, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, Miss Yisi. Although the Guild Leader already held a welcome party, that was on his behalf. The three of us who were saved by you haven’t properly thanked you yet.”

It seems I guessed right.

Yisi couldn’t help but smile. Earlier in the afternoon, Ainos had suddenly approached her, hoping she and the others could go to the tavern to taste the local cuisine. At that moment, Yisi had suspected Ainos wanted to thank her.

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The female adventurer Lala, sitting next to Ainos, tilted her head.

“By the way, why is it only you and Mary, Miss Yisi?”

“Camilla said she wanted to get more familiar with her weapon, so she didn’t come. Tiffany is practicing how to use her divine staff.”

“I see. We’ll have to order a few extra dishes for you to take back later, Miss Yisi.”

“How can we let you spend so much, Ainos? I’ll take back Camilla’s share separately.”

She had noticed when they were ordering that the prices in this tavern were similar to those in Margaret’s tavern. For rookie adventurers like Ainos and his group, the dishes they had already ordered were quite an expense.

Completing a White Iron-rank commission would at most yield a reward of 1 silver coin, and adventuring was a life-risking business. Therefore, not to mention silver coins, every single copper coin was extremely precious to them.

Speaking of which, Yisi shifted her gaze from Ainos to a group of people at a table in the center of the hall. That group also consisted of adventurers. Normally, even if they spoke loudly, Yisi wouldn’t pay them any attention. But the information from the Omniscient Map told her that this group belonged to ‘Blue Sea’, with the strongest member being level 14.

If they find out people from the Flame Conquerors are nearby, they’ll definitely come over to provoke us. Although, if a real fight broke out, she could beat them all up without even leaving her seat. But if Clementine found out she had stolen his “prey,” he might not be happy.

After all, the look in Clementine’s eyes this morning had made it clear that he wanted to personally deal with the Blue Sea adventurers.

“How could it be a big expense!” Ainos’s voice rose a notch as he forcefully patted his red armor. “The lives of the three of us were given by you, Miss Yisi. Even if I have to sell this armor for money, I must repay your kindness. And of course, Miss Mary’s as well.”

“Eh? Me? I-I was just following Master’s orders…”

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Mary quickly waved her hands, her chestnut hair swinging back and forth.

Lala sat up straight, her eyes full of curiosity.

“Why does Mary keep calling you ‘Master,’ Miss Yisi? Mary doesn’t look like a slave at all. Her hair is beautiful, and her skin is well-maintained. Even though she’s a warrior, she always wears a different dress every day, just like a young lady from a noble family.”

“Master gave them all to me… Master said that as her servant, I must always maintain a respectable appearance, otherwise I would bring shame to her.”

Mary explained earnestly to the three of them while tightly clutching the hem of her clothes.

Seeing this, Yisi also explained with a wry smile.

“Mary is a slave I picked up when I was staying in Celtic City. Due to various circumstances, I ended up buying her. Although I originally intended to set her free, Mary said she didn’t want to leave me, so the title of ‘Master’ has remained to this day.”

“What a clever girl. Even being Miss Yisi’s slave is much better than struggling to live on her own.”

Clearly teasing Mary, Lala reached across the table and patted her head.

Mary was instantly hooked, her cheeks flushing red as she tried to defend herself.

“I’ve never thought that, okay? Really! It’s because I like the Master that I want to stay by her side!”

“Yes, yes, I know even if you don’t emphasize it, Mary. Lala was just joking with you.”

The waiter brought their dinner at the right time. The main course was still white bread, with side dishes of pickled cabbage, an unknown stir-fried vegetable, a purplish-red soup that looked like it was made from tomatoes, and a steaming plate of pan-fried meat that sizzled in hot oil, mixed with the fragrance of green onions and chili peppers.

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Saliva began to secrete uncontrollably. Yisi took out her utensils from her storage and was the first to cut off a small piece to taste.

“Oh! Is this the specialty of Antonio City, the pan-fried steak? This explosive flavor is simply the most delicious dish I’ve tasted since coming to this other world!”

It was already quite close to the standard of Chinese cuisine.

A look of pride appeared in Ainos’s eyes.

“Right? The next Pope of the Church of Ymir has also tasted the pan-fried steak from this shop. He praised the taste endlessly at the time.”

“But Miss Yisi, the ‘other world’ you just mentioned is…?”

“Master often says words like that. Master comes from a very, very far away place.”

The female adventurer Lala, who had asked the question, nodded in understanding and then waved her hand with regret.

“So that’s how it is. It’s a pity Antonio Lake was dried up by the Flame Giant. Otherwise, we could have tasted the pan-fried Antonio fish. The combination of the plump, tender fish meat and hot oil, along with the aroma of the spices, would wake even a sleeping person.”

I hope the Flame Giant wasn’t your doing, Ariel.

¹ TL/N: smhhh ahhh how shameless tsk tsk (ᵕ—ᴗ—)

Yisi resentfully chewed the explosive deliciousness in her mouth and drew a cross over Ariel’s head in her mind.

I’ll pay him a visit tomorrow night.

The other male adventurer, Kuro, crossed his arms and pursed his lips slightly.

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“I didn’t expect Miss Yisi to actually agree to the Guild Leader’s unreasonable request. Although you and Miss Camilla are strong enough and will definitely be a great help to us, Blue Sea will also be on this mission. I’m worried they might cause trouble for you, Miss Yisi.”

“Tch, those despicable scoundrels. I’ll beat up every one that comes.”

As if expressing his determination, Ainos tore off a piece of the steak with his teeth, completely unaware that the group from Blue Sea behind him had already turned their gazes towards them. In fact, ever since Lala started teasing Mary, the people from Blue Sea had been pointing at Ainos, having recognized his identity—that red armor was too eye-catching.

“It’s a pity that Lala, Kuro, and I can’t participate in this exploration mission. The Guild Leader gave a strict order that only the top-ranking members could go. We’re still far from that.”

“Even if we went, we’d only cause trouble for you and the Guild Leader, Miss Yisi. We should just stay obediently in the guild and guard the house.”

Lala patted Ainos on the shoulder comfortingly.

It was at this moment that a frowning voice reached Yisi’s ears.

“An adventurer who was chased around by a few slimes actually wants to participate in the exploration team organized by the Count. He should take a piss and look at himself to see how capable he is.”

Tsk, here they come.

Yisi pretended not to hear anything and took a sip of sweet wine.

The lean Blue Sea adventurer didn’t stop his mockery. On the contrary, he pointed at Ainos even more brazenly and turned to his companions.

“Look, this person in the red armor is Ainos. A mere adventurer who fancies himself a knight. He really doesn’t know his own limits. He talks about the knight’s code all day long, but he can’t even pass the Church’s apprentice knight examination.”