Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Various Friendships (3)
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Opening the old book again, a [Map] had appeared on the last page, which previously only bore traces of being torn.
It was indeed that map I had received when I lost consciousness.
The problem was that, at a glance, this map looked completely different in shape from Eohen's map...
‘For now, I should ask Catarina to get me the latest map.’
Returning to the inn, I could already hear a commotion coming from the second floor.
Ah, right—didn't Catarina say this afternoon that she was sending a tailor? Had they already arrived?
The moment I opened the door and stepped in, a fluttering piece of fabric flew straight into my face.
“I won't wear it!”
...It was Roshanak's voice.
I brushed the fabric off my face and glanced toward the source of the voice. There, Roshanak stood fuming, clutching a pile of cloth.
“What's going on?”
“That guy!”
“That guy!”
It was deafening. With El and Roshanak shouting from both sides, my head was ringing. I raised my hands to calm them down.
“Slowly, one at a time. Roshanak, you first.”
I called on Roshanak first, who looked ready to burst into tears at any moment. But for some reason, her face flushed bright red, she just huffed without saying a proper word.
“...Can't be helped. El, you go first.”
“Yes, Master.”
El glanced at Roshanak and spoke calmly.
“It's nothing much. This one was just being picky the whole time.”
“Can you explain in detail?”
“The tailor Catarina sent had come to pick out fabrics. But this one kept choosing the most ridiculous ones, so I gave some advice.”
“Advice?”
“Yes. About clothes suitable for the banquet.”
“Ah...”
El had been a lady of House Reinhardt, so she was already well-versed in the finicky etiquette of banquet attire. She must have been trying to help Roshanak...
I subtly shifted my gaze to the fabrics Roshanak was holding. They were all vivid colors, covered in every pattern and decoration imaginable. Hardly an elegant combination. I could see why El had stopped her.
Noticing my gaze, Roshanak hid the fabrics behind her back. Her face was still beet red.
“Roshanak, do you like those?”
“...”
“It's okay, just say it.”
“I like. Them.”
“Which one do you like the most?”
Roshanak hesitated, then thrust all the fabrics she was holding toward me. It wasn't like we could make an outfit using every single one. From among them, I picked out a soft sky-blue cloth.
“This would suit you well, don't you think? El, what do you say?”
“...It looks good.”
“She says it's good. What about you, Roshanak?”
“...Good.”
“Glad to hear that. Shall we go with this one, then?”
Roshanak finally nodded, her expression somewhat calmed. El could pick her own, so no need to check on her.
“They're all high quality, as expected from Catarina's merchant group.”
I would also need proper formalwear to attend the banquet. What would be good? Nothing too flashy, but not too drab either. To build connections, it had to catch the eye just enough.
‘...White, maybe.’
It was neat, and it could even come across as a sign of respect to Catarina, the white cat. All around a solid choice.
It might get dirty easily and not something to wear often, but having one such formal outfit would come in handy for formal occasions in the future.
I selected the cleanest, most luxurious-looking white fabric and called over the tailor. According to him, Lloyd had apparently left everything to the tailor out of laziness? For a knight not to fuss over formalities like this was pretty unusual.
And the next evening.
We headed to Catarina's mansion.
“The star of this banquet has finally arrived!”
Catarina, who had been greeting guests, spotted us entering the mansion under the guidance of a servant and shouted. Her white tail swayed gently, a sign she was in a good mood.
“Quite the grand banquet, Catarina.”
“Hehe, I put some effort into it.”
She wore an Egyptian-style outfit that gleamed gold, so revealing it made me want to cover the kids' eyes.
Catarina immediately linked arms with me and whispered.
“There are a lot of people I want to introduce you to.”
“Is that so?”
“You seem relaxed? But once you know who they are, you might not stay so calm.”
Catarina grinned wickedly, just like a cat.
“That's scary.”
“Sounds like you're looking forward to it. Come on, follow me.”
“Wait a second.”
I couldn't just leave the kids behind. I quickly scanned the surroundings. There was an opulent buffet set up in one corner. Pointing to it, I whispered to El and Roshanak.
“Full of fancy food. The nobles will be too busy keeping up appearances to touch it, so eat it all and bankrupt the merchant group.”
El and Roshanak nodded eagerly. I gave Lloyd a subtle heads-up too.
“Sorry, but keep an eye on the kids. We don't want any trouble.”
“...”
Lloyd didn't reply, but he soon followed El and Roshanak. He didn't touch any of the food or drinks at the buffet, just sipping from his own flask.
‘Isn't that alcoholism?’
It worried me, but right now, I had business to attend to.
As Catarina said, this banquet was attended by the 'big shots' of the Ekaitz Republic.
With word that rookies—not even veteran mercenaries—had conquered the troublesome deep-sea dungeon, attention was bound to focus here.
Everyone had their own agendas, but most would be eyeing me, trying to recruit me.
Using the excuse of being led around by Catarina's hand, I planned to mingle freely among these big shots and peek at their cards.
‘Maybe even get a hint on the Origin God quest.’
Familiar NPC faces dotted the banquet hall here and there. Humans might be hard to recognize, but other races like elves or dwarves didn't change much in appearance, making them easy to spot from my memories.
It was the time when major figures from various countries had visited Ekaitz for the Stag Moon Festival, so there were quite a few prominent continentals around.
“What do you think?”
“Impressive.”
I was genuinely awed. To gather people of this caliber, Catarina's influence was no joke.
“Just one warning.”
“Happy to hear it.”
“I know what your goal is.”
Catarina leaned in close and whispered.
“Crows.”
“...”
“You're a smart guy.”
“You flatter me.”
“So you already know what I'm warning you about.”
I lowered my voice to match hers and whispered back.
“You're telling me not to probe about the Crows here?”
“Exactly. Lots of eyes watching. So...”
“There must be eyes from the Crows too.”
Catarina nodded.
“That's not all.”
“Then?”
“The Crows have many friends and enemies.”
“Ah.”
Probing about the Crows would inevitably make enemies somehow. I nodded to show I understood, then smiled lightly.
“I'll be careful.”
“I hope so. I don't want to ruin a banquet after so long.”
“Hahaha. It's a splendid banquet, so I'll make sure not to ruin it.”
“Shh. Barduan's coming over there. A dwarf from Ergin.”
Ergin was the dwarf nation nestled beneath the steel mines. Ergin dwarves were famous for burrowing into the steel mines day and night like madmen. Elves mocked them as 'moles' for it.
“For an Ergin native to come all the way here, his influence must be considerable.”
“Spot on. Sometimes he doesn't even seem like a dwarf.”
Soon, a dwarf with a gray beard so thick his facial features were barely visible except his nose approached us. He grabbed Catarina's hand and greeted her warmly.
“Catarina! What a fantastic banquet.”
“Thank you, Barduan. It's all thanks to trade with Ergin.”
Catarina deftly flattered the dwarf. Standing beside her, I pondered, ‘I wonder where this dwarf's eyes are fixed?’ Fortunately—or unfortunately—the pondering didn't last long.
“This must be the druid I've heard about?”
Barduan's eyes sparkled as he looked at me. I bowed politely and offered a handshake.
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Theodor.”
A shrewd dwarf shuttling between Ekaitz and Ergin would make for excellent connections. I flashed a friendly, approachable smile and met his gaze. Those bean-like eyes sparkling—gotcha?
“I've heard a lot. Never dreamed a no-name druid would conquer that headache of a deep-sea dungeon.”
“It wasn't just me. Catarina's help was the biggest factor.”
I subtly passed the credit to Catarina and winked lightly. Building connections tonight required her help, so scoring points like this was smart.
“But you're not affiliated with Catarina's merchant group, right?”
In an instant, Barduan's beady eyes gleamed sharply. This guy went straight for the kill, huh? Very dwarven.
“Hahaha. I'm just a wandering mercenary. My skills aren't quite up to joining anywhere...”
“Enough! No need for false modesty. Us dwarves hate modesty. It's as bad a habit as boasting.”
“I see.”
“But we like the skilled. So, be frank. How about working for our Ergin? We're preparing to subjugate the cursed lands beyond the Steel Mountains—we need talent like you. Gold? As much as you want! You won't find it lacking!”
“Well...”
“And that's not all. We'll custom-make all your gear. Ever worn adamantite armor?”
“Ah, well, as a druid, metal armor isn't...”
Druids aren't friendly with metal, sir. I broke into a cold sweat watching Barduan charge ahead.
“Sir, you said honesty is best?”
“Yes. Honesty is the true virtue.”
“...No thank you.”
“...”
“...”
Silence fell, and Catarina's mouth gaped open as if she wanted to scream, but no sound came out.
“N-No... thank you?”
Barduan's beady eyes widened like they might pop out. Smiling, I repeated myself.
“Yes!”