Heroes (2)
Prosek had drawn in the poor, so there were no drinking parties or feasts. But this place, gathering the wealthy, felt like a modest banquet in a grand rented hall.
A gathering fit for a simple wedding, yet the guests numbered just six.
Me, Ashushikara, Inadia. No need to reintroduce those we've already met.
The remaining three, then.
"Ierpanashi, hero of Ier. Fifth son of a goldkeeper, here for the qualification exam."
A male elf. But with dark skin. He seemed more suited to the Demon King's army as a dark elf, but apparently this world didn't draw those lines. He barely changed expression and spoke curtly.
Wish Elias had this vibe.
I didn't ask his age. Just hard to approach.
His hair was a neat bob to his neck, giving him a prim, composed air.
His main weapon wasn't a bow, but a spear with an axe blade. A halberd, right?
"Ahem. Hodo of Pategmos. I handled support digging.
Er, well. My pa, the mine foreman, sent me to build guts for tunnel work. And, uh, here I am. Ahem. Next round, fruit wine if you please."
A goatee linking lip to chin. Not bushy—surprisingly tidy for a dwarf.
Dwarves here matched my preconceptions pretty well. Generations in the mines turn you out like that?
Hodo wielded a double-headed axe as tall as his 1.5-meter frame. Oddly, a bowstring hung below the blade. Screams "crossbow-axe hybrid" at first glance.
Tunnel work meant cave digging. For a miner, that made him a hero of sorts. Breaking rock at the face was life-on-the-line stuff.
"I do magic. From Kataril, sir. Sniff sniff... You'll all remember me, right? Ah, I'm Hairil. Wanna try new experiences, sir."
A boy—no, girl?—with subtle fangs peeking mid-speech, oddly charming.
Even at the banquet, floppy hat pulled low, body swathed in a long robe. The exposed face had androgynous appeal, like a pre-teen.
But a mage with that slurred speech? Kinda worrisome. Hope she's okay.
Long as she nails ancient tongue pronunciation, should be fine.
"Hey, Ashu. Mind if this lowly porter shares his thoughts?"
I murmured to her alone, after hearing everyone out.
"Go ahead."
"This party's a mess."
"……."
"We could bail right now... Whoa!?"
Hairil suddenly stared at me, face full of panic. If I asked "What're you looking at?", she'd burst into tears.
Did she overhear me?
"Talk later when we're alone."
What convinced me this gathering was doomed? It was everyone's first intros.
Meaning zero combat synergy. Fresh party, no shared battles.
No clear leader, either.
Inadia seemed the nominal head, but everyone had status—even a princess beside me. I worried if it'd even stay cohesive.
Veteran adventurers would spot the disaster instantly.
Before skills, an ungelled group spelled headaches galore.
Like showing up for a college group project.
Post-intros, the hall shifted to free mingling.
With six people, basically a high-end booze-up.
Ashu stuck by me, nibbling fruit and snacks, chewing forever.
Eating meant "don't talk." But her poise screamed strict etiquette training.
I eyed the others besides Inadia. Elf! Dwarf! Fantasy goldmine!
Curiosity kills the introvert—or makes 'em chat.
Ierpanashi was a dark elf.
Half-expecting grim banter, I approached.
"Kirgil here. Nice to meet you—let's get along."
"Likewise."
"You handle that halberd well. Any other specialties?"
"I pray to Pandelsinkarashi."
"Goldkeeper like a banker?"
"Guard what's vital."
"……."
Guy's a brick wall. Answers politely, no snub, but conversation killer.
So I checked Hodo, paring an apple with a weird chisel-tool. Perfect icebreaker—he'd carved it into a face.
Dwarf craftsmanship, live!
"Whoa, who'd you sculpt?"
"……Hm."
Ignoring me?
One more try...
"Someone here?"
"...Ack!? Gah!!"
"Whoa! What? Did I screw up?"
"Phew, when'd you sneak up? Nah, nah. Got lost in it again."
Hodo hid the apple he'd openly carved.
"Looked epic—oh! You eating it?"
Crunch. Whole thing gone, like it never happened.
That apple statue would've blown up online. Wrong era, wrong world for this dwarf. Or average dwarf fare?
He'd started to chat, but sipped juice, averted eyes, turned away.
Dwarf dodging booze!?
Anyway, killer focus, mega shy.
Next, Hairil—opposite Ashu—frog-pouching cheeks with snacks, swallowing in gulps.
Eye contact.
She flinched, gulped hard.
Duh, choke city.
I handed water to the chest-thumping kid.
"Pwah! Thanks, sir."
"No rush—ain't snatching."
"S-sorry, sir. Shoulda offered Kirgil first. Looked too tasty, so I... without thinking...."
"Huh? Why me first?"
"'Cause Kirgil's the strongest here, sir."
"What?"
"Eh? Ain't he? Weird...."
No clue on my end, but Hairil had weird senses.
Better warn her—no loose lips. I was just porter support.
"Mm, this country's tricky, sir. Got it. Thanks for teaching me heaps ahead."
Shaky mage vibe, but polite to me.
Wondered about quizzing her magic, but...
"I just can't comprehend.
Why, Princess Ashushikara, pair with that man?"
Inadia bulldozed Ashu's "don't engage" glare.
"No skill, no feats, no trustworthy acts. Shameless enough to tag along after dumping you on me.
Doesn't belong here, period."
Ashushikara dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
Finally set down the fork.
"You mean Kirgil?"
"Hate to name him, but yes.
I'm concerned. Kalderan's supreme priestess, pure and radiant princess—tainted by him? Whatever you've learned from him, I see zero merits."
Guy hammed it up, gestures and all.
Knew I was right there, but trash-talked loud for all.
Orio pulled this crap. Nobles thick with it?
"Inadia, your concern touches me deeply. One who boldly voices convictions deserves the hero title."
"Yes, grateful for your wisdom.
Instead of shunning him, spend a night of dignity with me?"
"First, inspired by this hero's courage, I'll voice my own impropriety."
"I'm all ears."
"You told me, 'My comrades and I can deliver great feats for you.'
Where are they?"
"Hahaha, right here? All fine scions of nobles from various nations..."
"Inadia. What're you saying?
Everyone here just met—first intros. Not your comrades yet, future ones.
Lying boldly to me?"
"N-no. I, uh, got prior intros."
"First for me here."
Ierpanashi dropped the fact bluntly.
Just correcting—no emotion. Back to eating.
"Oh my, goldkeeper says so. I know Ier's creed well."
"From Ier's documents. True."
"No documents sent."
"……."
Ierpanashi lobbed facts like pond stones, no malice or kindness. But one frog took a hard hit.
Inadia strained his playboy grin. Sweat beaded; smile twitched.
"...Never mind. Bright light blinds, heavy duty fogs memory sometimes."
"Your profundity..."
"But I can't agree he's skill-less, feat-less, untrustworthy, worthless, or tainted me. Kirgil..."
Oh no—Ashu's weird switch flipped! Abort?
Then she recited my saga.
Values life, miracle hub, selfless, trollslayers, solo countess rescue. Etc. Ugh, cringe hearing it. Shoulda stopped her sooner.
Was toying with Inadia before; now ground-and-pound into armbar.
His mental HP hit zero. Playboy mask cracked—soul fled the eyes!
"And you say he tainted me? Even last night, Kirgil to me..."
No bedroom deets!!
"Whoa whoa! Enough!! Cut it out, Ashu—er, Princess Ashushikara."
Hey, Ashu! Mad I can't speak?
Why glare at me too?