The soldiers gather at the inn of The Illustrious Mop, a modest and comfortable bar located within the limits of the third wall, next to the west exit. A regular establishment for weary travelers in search of a good-priced rest, and also a favorite place for the army's bulk. A wide stone fireplace fills the tavern with light and warmth, crowned by a pair of giant sea serpent horns, easy to recognize by their emerald color and spiral design, ideal for penetrating the ships' keel.
"To Marcus, the unexpected hero!" exclaims Balto, raising a jug full of thick mead.
"To Marcus!" choruses the rest of the troop, raising their mugs as well.
Marcus drinks with them, giving discreet smiles to comrades who come to congratulate him. The story spread like wildfire, first as a rumor, then with certainty when Captain Lynel granted the squadrons a break and in passing paid for a full day's drinks at the bar. Marcus became a small local hero, and his front door was filled with baskets of gifts and food from those who wanted to curry favor with a promising new arrival in the army.
With the story confirmed, exaggerations soon surfaced of how Marcus managed to save two captains from a dark elf attack.... No, from 10 elves! Or perhaps 50 underdark worms!
True or false, none bothered to find out the truth despite Marcus insisting that Axiel did most of the work. The soldiers were happy just drinking and joking with each other, especially after hard days.
Marcus accepts the new fame with a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. Not just because he thinks Axiel deserves more credit, but because there is a force behind the scenes that he is unable to ignore. He sets the jug on the table and sneaks a hand under the neck of his shirt, grabbing the handkerchief and checking it feeling a lump in the throat, as much of fear as of admiration.
No proof, but no doubts either. Marcus believes that the Dungeon Core somehow guided him to help the captains. First it saves his family, and now it brings him glory. Marcus swallows, he doesn't know quite what to think or how to react, feels owes a lot to the crystal.
"How can you be so pensive with the pretty waitresses so attentive to you?" Balto asks with a smile.
Marcus raises his face and blinks in confusion, clearly he didn't even hear. Balto assumes that Marcus is worried and modulates his voice to speak in whispers.
"If it's because the warning, don't even worry, nobody knows it"
"We're a tomb," Pit says, sitting next to him as he steeps a fifth mug of beer.
Harris nods to show his support, although of the group he speaks the least.
With the warning, Balto refers to a new order given by the king. The troop knows that Claus was wounded, although they do not know the exact details, and many assume that the strongest man in the kingdom will return to the front line in a few days. No one is aware of the coma, and only Marcus, who was present when the first captain collapsed, recognizes the seriousness of the matter.
If the tragedy had occurred before they met the core, Marcus would be frightened for the future of the kingdom, but now, knowing they have the power of the crystal on their side....
Marcus returns the handkerchief to its place and widens his smile.
"It's nothing. Let's drink, life is two days!"
"When you born and when you die!" Pit exclaims in his booming bell-like voice.
"Yeah, sure, drink too much and your sister murders you," Balto says and slaps Marcus on the back.
Between jokes and casual chatter, the candles in the candelabra burn out. The general mood is light, although from time to time Marcus and his group comment on changes at work.
"It looks like Captain Hilda is moving out," Balto says. Wait, the brat knows more details.
"More than moving, she's changing rooms. She's going to the basement... I had to help carry the bed," Harris reports.
"The basement, wow... It seems that she's been left in charge of the important issue," Balto murmurs as he takes a sip of mead, filling his lips with foam, which he then sweeps away with an arm. "Interesting times are coming for the kingdom"
Marcus' lips curl into a bitter grimace. He knows that Hilda has a rough deal with the Dungeon Core. Still, he hopes that these interesting times ahead will prove positive for the people.
The door to the bar is pushed open by a strong hand, nearly being ripped off its hinges. The mood in the bar quiets, and glances fly to the new figure. He is a tall, strong, dark-skinned man with a bare chest and shoulders hugged by a bearskin cape. From his neck hangs a necklace with a concave silver plate with an X engraved in the center. The man does not come alone, three companions accompany him, all women: Sorceress, priestess, and archer, each one with a costume more revealing than the previous one, the last one with a steel choker that denominates her as a slave. Clear is the guy's harem.
A silver adventurer.
The mood and expressions of the soldiers darken. Despite their respect for Hilda, they cannot ignore the friction and rivalry they feel towards the adventurers. It is evident from the guy's wide grin that he wants trouble.
"I'm looking for the soldier capable of saving the lives of two captains! Come on, let him step forward if he's got the guts!"