A Banquet and New Bonds
The date with Selena was fantastic.
The two of them met at the clock tower plaza and immediately headed off to look at formal party attire made from luxurious fabrics. Since it was a first for both of them, they could barely make eye contact. Their conversation was awkward and sparse. Things only changed when Selena began chattering nonstop while helping Bagan choose his outfit. After all, she had been seriously deliberating because everything looked good on him.
She might be the Commander-in-Chief of the De Marinda Navy, overflowing with charisma and an aura that no one could challenge during duty hours, but in the end, she was still a woman. From the texture of the fabric to color coordination, pattern density, accent points, price, and overall harmony, she kept her chin propped on her hand, lost in thought all the way until lunchtime.
What she eventually chose felt like a slightly upgraded version of what Bagan was already wearing. It had taken a long time to decide, but Bagan liked the look too. Selena paid for the clothes. Bagan had more money than he knew what to do with, but she insisted so stubbornly on treating him that he ended up accepting the gift whether he wanted to or not.
In return, he promised to buy lunch. They ate at the most popular restaurant in De Marinda. It was the kind of place lovers might visit, which surprised him, but its location was even more striking—perched on a cliff with a clear view of the sea. A massive ship sat atop the cliff, though it wasn’t actually seaworthy. The entire building had been constructed to look like one.
Bagan remembered seeing similar novelty interiors even in modern times, so it didn’t feel too strange. Still, the overwhelming elegance of the atmosphere left him slightly flustered. It really felt like the two of them had become lovers.
Thanks to the restaurant’s ambiance, prime location, and premium reputation, the dishes were quite expensive. Even so, it was one of the most enjoyable meals he’d had recently.
“Bagan, thank you. For going along with this.”
It was just before the date ended when Selena suddenly said something embarrassingly sweet. First Razetta, and now her too.
“I should be the one thanking you. I’m just an adventurer, yet the Commander-in-Chief of the De Marinda Navy herself gave me the chance to go on a date with her.”
He held out his hand as he spoke.
“Pfft! That’s not what I meant. This is nice in its own way, but what I’m saying is… you’re chasing after something far greater than me. You must be incredibly busy, yet you still made time for me. That’s what I’m grateful for.”
“Is that how it seemed to you?”
“How could it not? From the moment you came to that cave while I was pretending to be a pirate, to all the achievements you’ve accomplished since… it’s impossible not to feel that way.”
Selena’s expression turned sympathetic.
“Whenever I look at you, I just feel sorry. Like I’m not helping at all.”
Listening to her, Bagan fell into deep thought.
“I appreciate you thinking that way, but it’s not beneficial. I’m only fighting my own fate. I don’t want anyone else to suffer because of it. The fact that you feel this way is painful for me too.”
“I suppose that makes sense. I’m sorry.”
Selena looked at him with a different expression now.
“But you don’t need to worry too much. I’m stronger than you think.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, that does seem true. I’ll let it slide.”
As they walked together, Selena suddenly moved ahead of him, placed her hands on her hips, and puffed out her chest.
“Today was fun, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“It would be nice if every day could be like this. But tomorrow I’ll have to put on that stiff uniform again and drown in paperwork.”
“If it’s too much, just say you need a few more days off.”
“I can’t do that. As much as I’d like to rest, I don’t want to burden Lady Razetta any further.”
Swish!
Her words and expression were so adorable that Bagan unconsciously reached out. His hand settled on her red hair and moved back and forth a few times. Her face instantly flushed crimson.
“This feels really good. Now I understand why Arien likes it so much.”
“R-really?”
“Yeah. It’s like my mind goes completely blank and I’m floating on a cloud. All my random thoughts disappeared.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Bagan tried to pull his hand away quickly, but because of what she said, he ended up stroking her hair a few more times before finally letting go.
“It’s become a habit.”
“It’s a good habit. If you did it during training, it would probably be even more effective.”
“Maybe I should have?”
Selena nodded, then turned around.
“I really have to go now. I can already see De Marinda Castle bustling with preparations for the banquet.”
“You’re right.”
After eating lunch and walking, they had somehow arrived right in front of the castle.
“Thanks for walking me back.”
“It was nothing.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Selena waved and disappeared behind the castle walls. Bagan hid his lingering reluctance and murmured softly.
“Take care.”
She probably couldn’t hear it, but for Bagan, it marked the end of a brand-new experience.
So this is what dating feels like.
His heart was still pounding, and the sensation felt strange. It was a feeling he had never experienced when he was with Sally and Arien, which made it even more surprising.
When exactly did I start seeing Selena that way?
It was different from any emotion he had felt before, so he was certain of it.
I don’t know.
His first date alone with a member of the opposite sex had been a success, leaving his heart filled with fluttering excitement.
Afterward, Bagan walked toward the De Marinda library with light steps. While he had been on his date, Sally and Arien had been waiting there. When he arrived, he approached the quiet table where they sat reading books in peaceful silence.
“You’re back.”
“How was it? Did it go well?”
“Yeah.”
“Bagan-nim. After analyzing your expression, I can confirm that your happiness index has risen significantly.”
“Can you stop? This is pretty embarrassing.”
Bagan couldn’t even lift his face because Arien was analyzing him in such a teasing manner.
“I’m glad. As long as you were happy, that’s what matters.”
Sally spoke as if she were proud of him. Bagan made a strange face.
“You sound like you just finished some major project.”
“Do I?”
Even as she said that, Sally couldn’t hide the satisfied look on her face.
“Sally unnie’s happiness index also increased after hearing about Bagan-nim’s date.”
Seeing Sally get analyzed so cleanly made Bagan feel good. In other words, he was getting his revenge.
The three of them proudly displayed their close bond as they returned to the inn.
The day of the banquet finally arrived.
Bagan had received a formal invitation from Razetta, and a luxurious carriage was waiting in front of the inn. He wondered why she went to such lengths, but he could understand her position. At this moment, if one were to name the hottest topic in the royal family of the Seiros Kingdom, it would obviously be Bagan.
As Razetta had said, their communication network was incredibly active. That alone made receiving a formal invitation to the banquet highly valuable. It was a way to publicly display their closeness and good relationship.
However, Bagan had zero intention of becoming a product of that power struggle.
I’ll gladly ride the carriage, but I have no interest in becoming anyone’s dog.
With that thought, Bagan, Sally, and Arien climbed into the prepared carriage and set off for De Marinda Castle, where the banquet was being held.
The distance between the inn and the castle wasn’t far, so the ride to the banquet hall didn’t take long.
“We have arrived!”
The servant, acting on Razetta’s orders, announced their arrival. Bagan nodded and stepped down from the carriage.
She really spared no expense.
The reason was obvious. A red carpet had been laid out from the carriage all the way to the entrance, and the banquet hall itself exuded pure extravagance. He wondered what kind of banquet required such grandeur. Just judging by the scale, one might mistake it for an event welcoming foreign dignitaries.
“Presenting the Spirit King of Condemnation, Lady Sally, and the Apothecary, Lady Arien.”
Using a witty tone, Bagan helped Sally and Arien descend gracefully from the carriage. Together, they stepped onto the spotless red carpet and made their way inside.
Sally was a woman whose elegant, classical beauty naturally stood out, and the black dress suited her perfectly, drawing many eyes. Arien usually wore white dresses, so blending into the banquet atmosphere was no problem for her either.
Walking like this… we really look like a family.
Since Arien had the appearance of someone quite young, they gave off the impression of a noble household on parade. At the end of the red carpet stood a welcome face.
“You’re finally here?”
It was none other than—
“Gion! I knew you’d come!”
“Hmph. As if I could hold back my curiosity about what you’ve been up to. I was just chatting with Brother Montihall when the invitation from Lady Razetta arrived. So I came straight away.”
“Heh. The dignity of the Adventurer Guild Association Chairman never fades, huh? Anyway, it’s great to see you!”
It had been about a month since they last met, so it was genuinely nice to see him.
“Hah, listen to this guy. But who are these ladies?”
Gion asked while looking at Sally and Arien who followed behind.
Had they never met before?
Now that he thought about it, Sally had only begun fully materializing after Arien joined their journey, so Gion had never seen her before. That explained his curious expression.
His eyes seemed to ask what kind of trouble Bagan had gotten into this time, but either way, he was clearly intrigued.
“Ah, let me introduce them. This is Sally, the spirit I contracted with. And this is Arien, an apothecary. We’ve been traveling together.”
Bagan gave a simple introduction. However, one word caught Gion’s attention immediately.
“A spirit that can take on a physical form like this…”
Gion wasn’t completely ignorant about spirits. Moreover, he was close with Elizabeth, so he couldn’t possibly be unaware.
“Ah, she’s a Spirit King.”
“Hup. I… I see.”
Gion quickly composed himself and offered a proper greeting.
“It is an honor to meet you, ladies. Especially Spirit King Sally-nim. I am Gion, Guildmaster of the De Meca Adventurer Guild and Chairman of the De Seiran Adventurer Guild Association. Since this guy Bagan is such a walking disaster, I ask that you please take good care of him.”
Not all adventurers were rough around the edges. While his voice, build, muscles, and face gave off a rugged impression, his manners were refined. He was certainly not the type to act crudely in front of ladies.
In response, both Sally and Arien bowed politely, showing proper etiquette.
After the greetings, Gion turned to Bagan with a complaint.
“More importantly, does every time I see you bring something new? You’re a mage, so why the hell are you traveling with an apothecary now?”
“Ah, well, she’s not an ordinary apothecary.”
“What, is she a Spirit King too?”
Gion made a wild guess, but he was wrong. Bagan wondered whether he should reveal Arien’s true race.
Well, Selena already knows. There’s no reason I can’t tell Gion.
With that thought, he finally spoke.
“Arien is a slime.”
“A slime? What are you talking about? And if she’s a slime, isn’t that a monster? How can a girl like her be a monster? Are you joking that she’s stronger than me? Do you want to hear a Lycanthrope’s howl after so long? Huh?”
“Sigh, she really is a slime… Arien, would you show him?”
At Bagan’s request, Arien spoke with a slightly worried face.
“Is it really okay, Bagan-nim?”
“Yeah. He’s fine.”
Because he had already explained things to her beforehand, Arien normally avoided transforming in front of others. But with Bagan’s permission, she began to change.
Slosh!
Arien’s form melted downward and quickly transformed into an ordinary-looking slime.
“Arien does not particularly like this form.”
She even spoke in that state. Gion rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
“Does this even make sense? You didn’t cast some spell on me, did you?”
“Why would I play a prank like that?”
Sluuurp!
Apparently quite uncomfortable, Arien returned to her human form.
“Unless you’re a druid living deep in the forest, changing shape like that is…”
Druids. It had been a long time since he’d heard that word. They were a race said to have once lived alongside Lycanthropes. But due to the whims of a mad dragon, rumors claimed they had gone extinct. Transforming one’s appearance was only possible with high-level magic, and turning into a flowing slime like Arien was something that should have been utterly impossible.
“I… I understand for now.”
He couldn’t deny what he had seen with his own eyes. In the end, Gion nodded with a dazed expression.
“Thank you.”
Arien bowed her head, and Gion waved his hands dismissively. Their interaction seemed a bit awkward, but Bagan found even that amusing. He smiled and said,
“Shall we head inside?”
“Ah, right. Brother Montihall is inside too. I should introduce you.”
Though still visibly shaken, once the suggestion to go in was made, Gion pulled himself together and led the way inside.
And so, they all headed into the banquet hall together.