At the end of the day, a banquet was held to welcome the heroes to the castle.
As the group of heroes entered the Great Hall, adorned with exquisite stone sculptures everywhere, fragrant dishes filled the tables.
Spotting fresh fruits and various wines, Rylie's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly took a seat.
"Wow, Jis! Hurry over! There's so much to eat here. Tee hee hee~"
Many were already seated in the Great Hall, enjoying their meal.
Sitting next to Rylie, Jis surveyed the array of foods in various shapes and colors. The dishes looked even more tempting with succulent grilled meat sprinkled with spices, ripe red fruits, and they were served on gleaming silver plates.
Rylie, who had claimed hunger upon their arrival in the port city, hummed in delight as she tasted dish after dish.
However, Chichi observed the surroundings with a wary expression, her little wings fluttering.
As Jis served food for young Longlong, the latter, seated on a chair taller than himself, swung his legs merrily, savoring every bite.
As the dinner progressed, Lord William approached Jis and his companions.
"Heroes! Are you enjoying the feast?"
"Yes~ It's delightful. My lord, you should try some too!"
Rylie responded, and the lord smiled warmly.
"Once you've had your fill, I'd like to request your assistance. Recently, a dragon has been sighted at the western mine where we extract Mithril."
"Tee hee hee~ I'm sorry, but what's Mithril?"
Chichi suddenly interjected, answering Rylie's question.
"Mithril is a precious metal, as light as bird's feathers but as durable as steel."
Upon hearing Chichi's explanation, the lord clapped in agreement.
"Exactly! As expected of a fairy queen familiar with nature, you know well. Mithril is one of the most important trade goods in our port city. So you see...."
"Impossible!"
Chichi exclaimed, anticipating the lord's next words.
"Even if we are heroes, a single blast of the dragon's breath can melt us instantly."
"Ah, you're right, you really are. However, the rumors suggest it's not the terrifying dragon you're referring to. Some say it's a Copper Dragon that's all talk and no action. There are also whispers that it might be an Earth Drake, a subspecies of the dragon."
"Uh~ An Earth Drake might still be a significant challenge...."
Seeing Chichi, hand to her forehead in deep thought, the lord replied emphatically.
"Don't worry, heroes! The Earth Drake is merely a large reptile without intellect. It's far from the noble dragons that evolved into intellectual beings. Would I ever ask you for such a ridiculous favor? Hahaha~"
However, Chichi remained hesitant. Seeing this, the lord promised a substantial reward and additional reinforcements.
With that, Chichi's demeanor changed, and she became proactive.
"That amount should cover our travel expenses. Jis, let's take this on."
"If it's the Earth Drake, won't it be dangerous?"
"Is this the time to be picky about cold or warm bread? We all have our strengths. Let's give it a shot."
"Wow~ that sounds fun! I'm in!"
"Longlong...."
As everyone eagerly nodded in agreement, Jis reluctantly decided to go along with the group's decision.
"A wise choice, heroes! Now, allow me to introduce three mercenaries who will accompany you on this quest."
As the lord's joyful voice resonated, one could feel the expectant gazes of the people.
The Lord Chamberlain, standing beside him, announced, "Our first candidate is a warrior who fears nothing on the battlefield!"
With the Chamberlain's proclamation, movement stirred on the second-floor railing. All eyes turned to see a massive gorilla-like warrior, standing over 1.8 meters tall, thumping his chest and descending with purpose.
He immediately caught everyone's attention, powerfully grounding himself with his muscular arms.
"Pleased to meet you~ My name is Grimbald Dawnbreak. Just call me Grimbald. I'll have your backs."
After the gorilla-warrior greeted them and took a seat, the Chamberlain resumed, "Our second candidate is an assassin, who appears and vanishes before you even realize!"
A tense silence filled the hall.
Suddenly, a feline-shaped assassin materialized from the shadows behind the lord.
The attendees gasped at her swift and silent appearance. Despite her endearing look, the Persian cat assassin, dressed in a sleek black ninja outfit, surveyed the room with sharp eyes.
"I am Tyria Shadowveil... the Shadow Assassin. My claws, veiled in darkness, can sever an enemy's life in an instant."
After her brief introduction, Tyria swiftly navigated between the tables and reclaimed her seat. Admiring glances, impressed by her agility and stealth, followed her.
"Lastly, our volunteer is a Hobbit wizard who braved the storms to land on Ragsa Island!"
With the Chamberlain's booming voice, the chandelier's candles flickered, and a drop of wax dripped to the ground. Upon contact, a fire erupted, revealing a middle-aged Hobbit wizard.
He wore a long robe that seemed ill-fitted for his short stature, and concealed his bald head with a hat that ended in a sharp point.
"I am Captain Blackbee Pirate... No, that's a bunch of nonsense. I am Blackbee, the great, great wizard. Heh heh heh~"
The wizard introduced himself, then lightly tapped the floor with the wooden cane he held, offering an awkward smile.
Following the wizard's introduction, the energy of the dinner party surged once more.
Joyful music echoed throughout, and the hall was brought to life with the dance and song of the performers.
Casting a skeptical glance at the wizard, Chichi remarked, "It's strange... How is it that I can barely sense any Mana from you, given you're a wizard?"
"Heh heh heh~ A truly great wizard never reveals his true power so easily. The more profound the magic, the closer it seems to mere mundanity."
Captain Blackbee, now claiming to be a wizard, discreetly tore a small, note-sized magical scroll behind his back.
Immediately, a brilliant flame burst forth before Chichi's eyes.
"Whoa, that's hot! You mad hobbit! I could have been killed!"
"Heh heh heh~ No worries. That was just a little welcoming magic. A fun spectacle for you. Heh heh heh~ Hmm. Hmm...."
"A spectacle? Look! My bangs are scorched!"
Realizing Chichi's bangs were indeed singed, Captain Blackbee responded with a hint of panic, "Ah, perhaps it was a faulty scroll? Anyway, let's enjoy the party! The Earth Drake hunt starts tomorrow. You shouldn't let such minor things bother you. Truly, heh heh heh~"
Hearing Captain Blackbee's words, a furious Chichi created a scene, but her anger was soon drowned out by the clamor of the dinner party.
As the night deepened, the party's atmosphere grew even more vibrant. Whispered conversations were exchanged among small groups, the mood further heightened by alcohol.
The gorilla-like warrior, Grimbald, despite his massive build and usual bravery, was surprisingly shy at such gatherings. He seldom drank due to his low tolerance.
Then, his gaze settled on a diminutive figure, Tyria.
"Excuse me, Miss Tyria...."
However, whether Tyria was aware of Grimbald's feelings or not, she responded with a cool indifference.
Instead, she seemed to gravitate towards Jis, disappearing and reappearing by his side as if solely captivated by him.
Seeing this, Grimbald's temper flared.
"Ahhh— How can the valiant Grimbald be treated this way?! I must show my true warrior spirit!"
Then, Grimbald, seized by his competitive spirit as a warrior, bravely gulped down the glass of wine in front of him.
Thump—
He then slammed his forehead onto the table and remained motionless.
Snore— Phew~
The onlookers were taken aback by his sudden action, and a few stifled their laughter.
Meanwhile, the supposedly solemn Blackbee wizard was becoming increasingly inebriated.
"Heh heh heh~ I once captained a formidable pirate ship!"
Captain Blackbee, growing more boisterous about his glory days, suddenly clambered onto the table and discarded his upper garment.
"Heh heh heh~ Why is it so warm in here?"
Then, feeling elated, he started a peculiar dance, swaying on the table as if rocked by waves on a ship's deck.
"What a lecherous old man...."
Disgusted, Tyria muttered to herself and retreated to her room.
Jis, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar scene, sought Chichi for comfort. However, Chichi had made an early exit, citing the party's loudness.
In contrast, Rylie, with her vibrant nature and laughter, easily blended in. She chatted animatedly with nearly every attendee.
"Come now, sir~! No, that's not how it went! Tee hee hee~"
Her nasal voice and endearing antics spread joy, making her an instant favorite.
Grimbald, having faltered after just one drink, continued his cacophonous snoring, face pressed against the table.
Before long, Jis felt himself swayed by the party's vibe, his thoughts muddled by drinks handed over by eager aristocrats.
Eventually, the world began to spin and darken.
"Huh? This feels familiar...."
* * *
"Ouch~ What went on yesterday?"
The next morning, when Jis awoke, everyone was already prepped and eager to head to the mine.
Jis, having overslept due to his night of drinking, quickly readied himself.
After a belated breakfast, Jis and a group of about 10 soldiers, including three mercenaries sponsored by the lord, set out for the mine.
Jis and the mercenaries occupied two wagons, while the soldiers rode their individual ponies.
Just as they were about to set off, a figure darted from the mercenaries' wagon to Jis' carriage.
Tyria, trying to escape Grimbald's incessant flirting since the dinner party, had sought refuge there.
She nestled onto Jis' lap and said, half-jokingly:
"Feed me."
Jis thought Tyria, in her small cat-like form, felt like a pet and found her adorable.
As Jis handed Tyria a treat she might enjoy, Chichi remarked with a hint of sarcasm:
"Is this stray cat still around?"
To which Tyria muttered, almost to herself:
"Where did this pesky fly come from?"
Throughout their journey to the mine, Chichi and Tyria exchanged playful barbs, but it was all in good humor, without any real malice.
Chichi perched atop Jis' head, and Tyria comfortably lounged on his lap, ensuring they maintained their respective spaces without crossing into each other's territory.
Sometimes, out of boredom, Chichi would sneak down and tease Tyria.
In response, Tyria would chase after Chichi, as if she were playing with a toy.
Engrossed in their antics, Jis felt the journey to the mine passed quickly.