Chapter 131
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: A Small Banquet in the Forest (2)
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'Liberic.'
Ash laid her head on my lap.
I tried to steady my emotions, slipping my cold fingertips into her warm fur.
"You said the sealing orb fragment was inside a seed."
I looked up at the Silver Guard Knight's calm voice.
"Yes."
"That seed seems like it could be our key. Draw what it looked like."
The Silver Guard Knight pulled paper and a pen from his bag and handed them over.
I sketched the image of the seed rising in my mind onto the rough paper.
It was round, about the size of my palm, with a thick white shell and a unique pattern of interlocking circles.
The Silver Guard Knight stared at my drawing for a long while.
"Have you seen it before?"
"No."
A bit disappointed, I handed the paper and pen back.
He had traveled the world chasing sealing sites, yet he'd never seen one.
"I've seen something similar with white trees. It's rare for plants to mutate into magical beasts, so I remember it. I saw it during the Eredina floods before."
"Eredina floods... In the Sernia Kingdom, right? Could the seed have come from there?"
"Hard to say. Speculating that far is difficult."
The Sernia Kingdom was far away, requiring a trek across multiple countries.
It was hard to imagine a seed from a mutated tree rolling naturally all the way here.
As I pondered quietly, pure curiosity sparked about his visit to the Eredina floods.
"What happened there? Was it a mission?"
"A mission, of course."
I thought he wouldn't answer, but surprisingly, the Silver Guard Knight spoke freely.
"We were searching for missing people. When we entered the flood zone, white trees were everywhere, swarming with magical beasts like Bartans."
"And the missing people?"
"Never found them. We took out all the obvious magical beasts, but no bodies. They might've been eaten already. We only found personal effects. After that, the Sernia Kingdom banned entry to the floods."
"Ah... That's horrible."
I bowed my head with a sigh.
"Compared to that, this turned out well. Let's head down. Better to help with dinner prep."
The Silver Guard Knight donned a new coat and headed for the door.
As soon as it opened, Ash darted out first, as always.
"It ended well this time, but we need a different approach next time, right?"
I muttered with a hint of dissatisfaction. The Silver Guard Knight chuckled.
"Yeah. You already knew it wouldn't be that easy."
"I knew, but..."
"Don't worry too much. With help from the other barrier lords, we'll find a better way. Just like Master Claus did."
Other barrier lords?
I perked up and hurried after him.
"Other barrier lord mages? Besides Master Claus and me?"
"There are more than one or two sealing sites. I'll introduce you later."
Barrier lord mages from other regions. Excitement welled up inside me.
If they were as skilled as Claus, we might get the help he hoped for.
"We'll eat dinner in the yard tonight."
As soon as we reached the first floor, Makina called out to us. She was carrying a chair in each hand, heading outside.
"Grab one each on your way out."
The large table was already outside, with just a couple chairs left.
The Silver Guard Knight and I split the chairs and followed her out of the cabin.
The aroma wafting from the front yard was no joke.
A pig roasted to golden perfection, chicken soup bubbling away. Delicious scents spread through the entire forest.
Even with magical beast corpses still burning nearby, the food smells overpowered everything.
By the time we set all the chairs around the table, three or four dishes were already done.
Hugo's special veggie stir-fry from his garden crops, a salad mixed with wild fruits, and Makina's reliable potato stew.
Soon, chicken and pork hit the plates on the table, and warm soup bowls sat before everyone.
Gordon took the last seat, supported by Wedin, and the boisterous dinner began.
"So I open my eyes, and holy hell. Everything's white, breath fogging from my mouth, whole body shaking like a leaf. The cave? Gone. Just me in some snow-covered forest!"
"All a hallucination?"
"Exactly! Wasn't just seeing it—felt the snow, freezing cold too."
Ilenia recounted the ruins adventure with gusto. Makina and Hugo listened raptly.
"Then snowfield shaikas pop up. Honestly, no clue where from. Looked like they sprouted from the snow."
Shuren chimed in to continue.
"So! I summoned Tureha. Ice lumps, weak to fire anyway."
"Tureha?"
Hugo tilted his head, and Ilenia promptly conjured a fireball atop the table.
The fireball named Tureha whooshed into view, startling Hugo into wide eyes.
"Like Ilenia's pet fireball."
Shuren shrugged, and Hugo burst out laughing.
"Ah, got it. Your flame, Ilenia. I know a fire arbat too. Tureha's a cute one."
"Right? Think so too. Anyway, thanks to Tureha, shaikas couldn't get close... but..."
Ilenia dove back in energetically, and Hugo and Makina were hooked on the knights' tales.
"Whoa, here he comes."
Hugo glanced at the cabin and stood.
Turning, I saw Max— who'd slipped away— approaching with an old wooden barrel on his shoulder.
"Seriously?"
Makina let out a dry laugh. Hugo guffawed.
"When else do we get to drink, Makina? Gotta give our young knights the best."
Thud. Max set the barrel by the table.
He'd carried it casually, but up close, it towered over table height.
Hugo fetched fresh wooden cups, and Max roughly pried off the lid.
"No need for this..."
A rich alcohol scent filled the forest air, drawing a wry smile from the Silver Guard Knight. But a cup landed before him mercilessly.
"Just a taste. Wild fruits gathered with care, aged long."
"Fine. When else does Hugo show off like this?"
Makina laughed resignedly and lifted her cup.
Hugo transferred the purplish liquor to a pitcher, then filled the cups.
"This old man's one joy. With you and Max always out, hardly drink anymore."
A glossy, fragrant purple liquid filled my cup to the brim.
Despite the "just sip," it brimmed over.
One sip couldn't hurt. Kinda curious...
I eyed those around and reached for my cup.
"No."
Shuren swiftly swapped my liquor and water cups, then pulled mine to his side.
Staring wistfully at my water, I saw him do the same to Wedin's cup, placing it before Ilenia.
"Hey, what?"
Wedin voiced open discontent.
Shuren wagged a finger like a five-years-older adult lecturing.
"Forgot? No booze till you're 18."
"That's knight academy rules. This ain't school or Prion."
"But you're Prius."
Wedin grumbled unhappily.
My face probably matched. And bro sneaked drinks in academy days too.
"Shuren's right. Travel resumes tomorrow—no detours."
At the Silver Guard Knight's words, Shuren shot us a smug "see?" wink.
"Leaving tomorrow?"
Makina asked, cup in hand, surprised. He nodded.
"Yes. Can't impose forever. We head west through the mountains—can we count on your guidance?"
"Of course. I'd volunteer anyway. Shame you're going so soon."
"Yeah, rare guests devouring my cooking like this. Alright, everyone—taste it."
Hugo set full fruit wine cups before everyone except me and Wedin.
Even before patient Gordon.
"Wait, before drinking."
Makina halted everyone.
She cleared her throat dramatically, stood with cup raised.
"Bit late, but wanna thank Prius knights for coming here."
All eyes on her, her face flushed slightly.
"You did something huge. Routine mission for Prius, but for me... for us, this place is home."
Makina smiled, scanning us warmly. Genuine gratitude shone in her gaze.
"And thanks to the knights sleeping here. Their sacrifice wasn't in vain."
"I think so too, Makina."
The Silver Guard Knight raised his cup slightly. Makina grinned, clinking hers.
"Good. Let's drink—to blessing the journeys ahead."
Cups clashed as she finished.
Wedin and I squeezed in with water cups, but her blessing words made it feel fine.
"Hugo, this is delicious."
Ilenia gulped half, beaming.
Hugo laughed heartily, refilling the pitcher.
"Glad you say so. Wasn't sure about young tastes."
"Perfectly sweet and tart. Sell it in taverns."
Shuren added his verdict.
I stared longingly, wanting a sip, but he shook his head firmly.
"Hmm, stronger than last week."
Max downed his in one go, smacking lips. Makina arched a brow.
"Wait—last week? Max, you drank this last week?"
Flustered Max froze speechless. Hugo roared with laughter.
As Makina grilled Max and Hugo, Wedin eyed Gordon sipping booze.
"Don't forget you're still a patient."
"Got it, just a taste."
"One glass, then. I'll do the same."
The Silver Guard Knight clinked with Gordon, leaving Wedin no choice.
He sighed, sipping water.
As booze flowed, the table grew rowdier.
Hugo kept refilling emptying plates.
Ingredients from the cabin seemed endless—menus shifted two or three times, yet plates emptied clean every time.
The real issue was Hugo's proudly served fruit wine.