Volume 7, Chapter 40 – The Banquet

Soon, Yisi’s group arrived at the adventurer’s guild where the banquet was being held.

Compared to the guild during the day, the one at night was even more lively. Not only was the inside of the guild packed with people, but even the outside plaza had been taken over. The plaza was dotted with bonfires, food, and stacked barrels of ale. Adventurers and non-adventurers alike weaved between the tables. And because Gota lacked tall buildings, the night sky was on full display, unobstructed. Combined with the rising sparks from the fires and the thin clouds that occasionally drifted past the moon, the atmosphere of the open-air party was exceptionally rich.

It would be even more lively if someone started dancing around the bonfires, but that was probably a program for the climax. The party hadn’t officially started yet. While soaking in the lively atmosphere, Yisi observed the local customs of this foreign land. Compared to the elegant noble banquets, she much preferred this kind of unrestrained, commoner-style party. The excessive formalities really didn’t suit her, an otherworldly person.

“It’s Lord Dominic.”

“Lord Dominic is here!”

As soon as Dominic appeared in the plaza, countless adventurers enthusiastically stood up and greeted him. Occasionally, a scantily clad female adventurer would push through the crowd to hand him a flower. Dominic responded to each of them with a hearty smile.

Only someone with a unique personal charm could be like this. Following behind the group, Yisi nodded slightly. Normally, adventurers without a noble title would be timid in the presence of a city lord. But there was no hint of fear in the adventurers who were greeting Dominic. More than a city lord, Dominic was like a trusted leader, giving off a much more approachable feeling.

In addition, perhaps because she was seen as a competitor, Yisi noticed many women in the crowd casting jealous glances at her. Helplessly, Yisi could only take out the staff symbolizing her status as a cardinal from her inventory to announce her identity to the others.

“This reminds me of Mr. Clementine’s adventurer party, but it’s more lively here. Everyone has a smile on their face.”

“The people of the Age of Gods also often gathered like this to foster their relationships. Although civilization has regressed, the way people celebrate has not changed. I’m a little nostalgic for the gatherings with the Sixth-Rank Angels…”

“There are so many kinds of dishes. Even I couldn’t possibly master so many methods in such a short time…”

Mary and Laxy each gave their impressions. Especially Camilla at the end, who looked at the various dishes served in basins as if she were seeing an enemy, a fiery fighting spirit rising in her ruby-like eyes.

She must be very unwilling to be constantly outshone by Mary in cooking. Camilla had always wanted to take care of her just as Refina took care of Edith’s daily life, but because her cooking skills were so poor, she had to hand over the job to Mary. In Camilla’s eyes, this was a humiliating matter.

Clearly, a division of labor is the best way to balance work and rest.

Of course, she had no right to point fingers. She herself was a person with very poor self-control. Once she got lazy, she never wanted to move again. If she were the one doing the housework, Camilla and Mary wouldn’t be fighting. Yisi couldn’t help but sigh quietly at her own lack of ambition.

“Lazy.”

“You don’t need to point it out, Tiffany.”

Lightly flicking Tiffany’s forehead, Yisi ruffled her spring-green hair.

Tiffany’s mind-reading ability was becoming more and more incredible.

Yisi even thought that this might be related to Tiffany’s level, since she had gained three levels today.

When the group walked to the middle of the crowd, Dominic casually picked up a wine glass from a nearby table and raised it above his head. One by one, the adventurers quieted down.

Rеαⅾ oո ΚatReaⅾіnɡСafе

He must be about to give a speech. Unlike the elegant tone of a noble ball, even the speeches at an adventurer’s party were very casual.

“Thank you all for coming to the celebration. Now, let’s toast to the opening of the thirteenth floor! Eat and drink as you please. All of today’s expenses will be covered by Marc alone!”

“Ooooh!!!”

A cheer mixed with screams and roars erupted from the crowd. More than the opening of the thirteenth floor, people were more interested in the last sentence: “all expenses will be covered by the adventurer’s guild master alone.” On second thought, it was only natural. Most of the adventurers gathered here were still at Wood-rank, and the income of a Wood-rank adventurer was quite low. They often didn’t know where their next meal would come from, and sometimes the copper coins earned from adventuring had to be used for medical expenses. With such an opportunity to eat and drink as much as they wanted, it was only natural for them to scream with joy. In fact, they had probably come for the free dinner in the first place.

Dominic wasn’t finished.

“In addition, I would like to introduce to you all a distinguished guest who has just arrived in Gota. A warrior granted the Crest of Saint Mistilteinn by the 24th Pope of the Ymir Church, Her Holiness Evelyn Anna Ymir Shalu, the cardinal of the Ymir Church, Lady Yisi Enya! If it weren’t for her help this time, the expeditionary force, myself included, would have been completely wiped out. Cardinal Yisi is a great benefactor of our Gota adventurer’s guild. Let’s cheer for her!”

“Ohh!”

Although the sound was a little smaller than the previous cheer, the adventurers still applauded for Yisi. Some of the higher-level adventurers from out of town began to discuss among themselves. Although Yisi’s appearance did not appeal to the locals, who valued strength and dark skin, she had won the favor of the vast majority of the out-of-town adventurers.

Thanks to Dominic’s unnecessary gesture, Yisi became the center of attention.

Even without a stage light focused on her, it felt very nerve-wracking. It would be awkward if she didn’t say something, but she didn’t know what to say. Yisi couldn’t help but cast a pleading look at Camilla and Edith behind her.

Edith wore an expression as if she were enjoying the show, while Camilla, very understandingly, quietly approached Yisi.

“You’ll have to get used to this kind of occasion, Onee-sama. Just say anything~”

That’s not an opinion at all!

Even Camilla has turned bad.

But the longer she dragged it on, the more stage fright she would get. Yisi could only put on her usual brave face and respond with a slightly wry smile.

“Dominic’s description is too exaggerated. I only did a small, insignificant thing. As a gift for our first meeting, I’ve brought some local specialties to liven things up. I’m giving them to you all on my own personal behalf.”

In front of everyone, Yisi hoisted two barrels of Margaret and placed them beside her. Although the people of this world had a high tolerance for alcohol, and by normal standards, two barrels would be finished in a short while with so many adventurers, that was because the alcohol in this world had a very low alcohol content. By Yisi’s rough estimate, at most one and a half barrels of Margaret would be enough to knock out all these adventurers who had never had distilled liquor before.

“That’s…?”

“The smell of alcohol, and it’s very strong.”

“To bring out two barrels of good wine at once, as expected of a cardinal of the Church. So generous.”

“Ooh, I love this kind of strong liquor! Long live Cardinal Yisi!”

Rеαⅾ οո KatRеαԁіոɡСαfе

“Even though she doesn’t look very muscular, she easily lifted two barrels. Even a man would have a hard time lifting barrels of that size, right? I love this kind of strong woman!”

“Although her skin isn’t dark enough, that can be fixed with a little sun. Strength is the most important thing. No wonder she could save Lord Dominic. I believe it now!”

“Stop talking so much nonsense and give me some wine.”

It was the same as always. More than the favor of saving Dominic, the adventurers cared more about practical things. When Yisi brought out the barrels, the cheers were suddenly several times louder than before.

It seems I succeeded.

Without making the atmosphere awkward, Yisi let out a big sigh of relief. Beside her, Edith looked delighted.

“You did quite well, didn’t you?”

“Just luck, just luck.”

A welcome gift was a very useful thing in any world.

After speaking with the adventurers in the plaza, Dominic and Yisi entered the adventurer’s guild. Just like the plaza, the inside of the guild was also a lively scene. The tables were filled with dishes, with no room left for even a single plate.

And just like in the plaza, under Dominic’s introduction, Yisi had to give another speech to the adventurers. Then, she and Dominic went up to the second floor and sat down, watching as Dominic raised his glass to all the adventurers on the first and second floors.

“Now then, let’s all enjoy tonight! Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers~”

Hearing Mary’s energetic and clear voice, Yisi blinked and looked in her direction. At some point, the latter had already run to a crowded place and was happily raising her glass with the adventurers, completely immersed in the party atmosphere. However, Mary’s glass was not filled with wine, but with a sweetened fruit juice that Tiffany had prepared.

I’ll just let her be. With Tiffany watching, she won’t be persuaded to drink by the adventurers.

A smile couldn’t help but appear on her face. Yisi turned her gaze back to the front. Perhaps out of consideration for Edith and Camilla, who were clearly noble young ladies, Dominic had specially arranged for their group to be on the second floor, which was relatively quiet—though still very noisy—at a table with the guild master, Dominic’s family, and a few other unfamiliar but less boisterous adventurers.

But even so, the ones talking were still those few adventurers, and Yisi’s group couldn’t get a word in at all.

“I heard you’re planning to go to the Field of Revelry on the tenth floor tomorrow, Iman? That place is a forbidden zone. Even Dominic doesn’t dare to go. If you’re not prepared, you’ll lose your life.”

“Haha, didn’t I leave Gota for a long time before? That was to prepare for the subjugation of the Steel-Blade Bees. Everyone knows that besides the bees, there’s also that damned vine in the Field of Revelry. I’ve specially hired an adventurer party composed entirely of fire-attribute magic chanters this time. I’ll definitely be able to burn all those vines to the ground.”

“Then you’re going to make a fortune. From the pollen to the root, every part of the Bee Flower is a treasure. I remember that the nectar can be sold in the royal capital for ten gold coins a tael. Tsk tsk, when you get rich, don’t forget our guild. We were the ones who provided the information.”

Reaԁ оn KаtRеαԁiոgСafе

“Of course, of course. But even if I’ve hired fire-attribute chanters, we still have to defeat the Steel-Blade Bee swarm first. It’s not a guaranteed success.”

“Hehe, why don’t you hire us?”

Dominic suggested with a mischievous look.

The male adventurer called Iman gave him a look of disgust.

“Who would want to hire you? You’re ridiculously expensive.”

“Hahaha.”

A joyous atmosphere flowed through the table for a moment, and many adventurers from the other tables cast envious glances.

Yisi carefully leaned over and whispered in Camilla’s ear.

“How many Bee Flowers did we take back then?”

“We didn’t leave a single one, Onee-sama.”

“Uh…”

Yisi was a little embarrassed. But it was impossible for her to be so kind as to plant the Bee Flowers back. This was the spoils of war that her companions had obtained with their own wisdom, and it should be distributed by them.

I remember there are still many monster carcasses left in that room. I hope they can make up for the losses of this group of adventurers. Yisi silently sipped her ale—and then coughed violently.

“Cough, guhk.”

“My lord, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing…”

It’s just that the ale here is terrible.

Yisi waved her hand, signaling for Laxy not to worry. After wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, she turned her head to look at Laxy, who had been standing behind her all this time.

“Aren’t you going to sit down, Laxy?”

“Angels do not require food. To share a table with my lord would only spoil everyone’s mood.”

“So that’s how it is…”

Rеаⅾ oո KаtReαⅾіnɡCαfе

Although Laxy might think this was the normal situation, she always felt like she was treating Laxy differently. Even if she didn’t need to replenish her energy with food, they should have at least added a function for eating. Food and drink are one of life’s greatest pleasures. The gods were really lazy.

“By the way, Cardinal Yisi, was the wine you brought out earlier sake or ale? Many people in our Gota refuse sake, thinking it’s something only the weak drink.”

The adventurer’s guild master showed a look of hesitation.

Yisi waved her hand.

“It’s fine. Although that wine looks like sake, it’s actually a new type of wine called Margaret. The Hermion territory is right next to the Talia territory. You and Dominic should have heard of Margaret.”

“Ooh! So that’s Margaret! When I went home this year, my father specially showed it off to me. He was holding a bottle of Margaret at the time, drunkenly telling me that this was a high-grade item that he had gone to great lengths to buy from Duke Hebis. He was going to collect it and bring it out to celebrate when I took over his position.”

“Huh?” The adventurer’s guild instantly widened his eyes. “A wine that even the Marquis has to go to great lengths to obtain, isn’t that something extremely high-grade?! C-Cardinal Yisi brought out two barrels at once?”

“I knew you, a miser, would be interested. The Margaret sold outside now is either fake or a mixture made with real Margaret,” Dominic patted Marc on the shoulder. But as if realizing something, he suddenly flinched and quickly explained to Yisi in embarrassment, “I-I didn’t mean to belittle you, Lady Yisi. Even a wine made with a mixture of real Margaret costs several gold coins… After all, two barrels of real Margaret is just too exaggerated…”

More than the explaining Dominic, Yisi was more interested in the guild master Marc, who had stood up beside her and was repeatedly beckoning to a guild staff member with a serious expression. After whispering something to the staff member, the staff member led a group of people and ran towards the plaza without stopping.

Although she couldn’t hear the content, she could tell from his lip movements that the guild master was telling someone to quickly replace the Margaret with low-quality ale. Considering the adventurers’ interest in the wine earlier, the Margaret must have already been tasted by them. The guild master’s plan would definitely not succeed. I’ll just pretend I didn’t see anything.

The adventurer Iman, who was preparing to subjugate the Steel-Blade Bees, was also interested.

“The fire-attribute magic chanters I hired are from the Celtic territory. I’ve been hearing them talk about Margaret all the time recently,” Iman rubbed his hands together sheepishly. “Cardinal, do you have any more Margaret? Even a small bottle would be fine. I’d like to try it. As for the payment… you’re definitely not short on gold coins. In that case, I’d like to exchange something good that I’ve recently gotten my hands on with you.”

As he spoke, Iman took out a pair of black boots from the large backpack he was carrying. Although the craftsmanship was very different from what she had made, Yisi could tell at a glance that these were boots made from black slime, i.e., the new product she had recently had Fran and the others try to make.

I didn’t expect to run into it in this form.

To get Yisi to agree, Iman began to introduce it with great enthusiasm.

“These shoes may not look like much, but once you put them on, you will definitely experience a different world, Cardinal. They are neither as fragile as straw sandals nor do they rub your feet like wooden-soled shoes. They are both accommodating and soft. Even when walking on a mountain road full of pebbles, your feet won’t hurt. They are very suitable for a noble lady of your status.”

“Hmm…”

For the sake of his flattery, which made even her feel embarrassed, she should probably agree to this trade. It was a waste for this adventurer named Iman not to be a merchant. She could try to tempt him with a high salary to do promotional work for Margaret later.

After exchanging the Margaret for the black slime boots, the topic was steered in another direction by the adventurer’s guild master. He placed both hands on the table and said with a serious expression.

“I’ve heard from my subordinates that people from the Divine Religion have entered our Gota recently.”