Chapter 390 - 389: Another Summons
’This guy really knows how to say the most shocking things...’
The Half-Orc’s words made a cold sweat break out on Colin’s back.
He quickly said, "That’s not what Kase meant."
"I know what Kase is thinking." Albert silently sipped the apple wine before him. "If my father were willing to chat with you for an afternoon, I’m sure you two would get along great, Kase."
Sitting beside them, Ale also asked, "Your father’s leg—can’t Magic or a Divine Art fix it?"
"Can’t you guys speak like normal people?" Colin couldn’t help but interject.
"Hm?" Ale glanced at him, and through the gap in her cloak, he could see the hurt in her large eyes.
Colin sighed.
He was incredibly grateful that he was usually the one who dealt with people. If it were up to this lot to do the talking, they would’ve long since ended up on the tavern’s bounty board.
"A part of his soul has already been offered as a sacrifice and is now in the clutches of the Deity of Destruction. There’s nothing anyone can do, not unless we kill the Deity of Destruction." Albert said with a smile, waving his hand dismissively.
After a moment, he took a deep breath and his friendly demeanor returned. The atmosphere at the dinner table slowly calmed down.
Colin mulled over Godfrey’s views as he ate.
This old noble was clearly an extremely traditional one. He had likely been a powerful Warrior before his disability changed him.
’Given his views on commerce... Albert’s relationship with his father probably isn’t very good.’
From what Colin understood, Albert was the type of traditional noble who was rather adept at business. He had just mentioned reaching some kind of agreement with a merchant guild.
’But this is all their family’s private business. Best to just keep these thoughts to myself.’
With that, Colin put the matter out of his mind and began to enjoy this precious dinner time.
After they finished, the group went to the restaurant entrance.
Now that she was done eating, Ale once again pulled the Cloak over her head, returning to her previous state.
"Well then, goodbye for now, Colin," Albert said with a smile.
Colin nodded slightly. "Goodbye, Albert."
"To be honest, I’d really love to go adventuring with you all. Slay a Giant Dragon, or a Giant, or something..." Albert said with a smile, rubbing his hands together.
"We probably can’t handle a Giant Dragon or a Giant. Most of the time, we’re just dealing with things like goblins," Colin said.
Albert waved his hand again. "Forget what I just said. Good luck to you all."
After the group parted ways, Colin returned to his lodgings.
Entering the main hall, Dorn climbed onto a chair and sat at the table.
After a moment, he asked, somewhat puzzled, "Say, that old noble is already a cripple. Why doesn’t the young one just kill the old one and become the Family Head himself?"
"I am sincerely grateful that you held that question in until now," Colin said from the bottom of his heart.
"What’s the big deal? Lots of nobles do it." Dorn scratched his bald head.
Hearing that, Colin no longer knew how to discuss the matter with him, so he just gave a perfunctory reply. "It’s nothing. As for why Albert doesn’t do it, it’s probably because he doesn’t want to."
Since they were in an unfamiliar place, no one was particularly inclined to go out to train. They decided to just gather in the main hall to rest.
The fire in the hearth crackled, its warm, orange light flickering gently.
Ale and Orelia were reading a book together, while Kase and Dorn inspected and maintained their equipment.
Even though something like the [Repair Technique] existed, they still preferred to check everything over themselves a few times.
Colin flipped through his Spellbook, planning to review his Magic formulas.
But out of the corner of his eye, he kept noticing Ale nearby.
The Half-Elf had taken down the Cloak wrapped around her head. Although she was sitting and reading with Orelia, he could tell she was somewhat distracted, as if in a daze.
Seeing her like this made it hard for Colin to focus as well.
Up until now, he’d always found Ale to be quite reliable.
Even though the girl was a bit unworldly and not great with words, she had never dropped the ball at a critical moment. In fact, she had saved the entire team on several occasions.
But there was no denying it, she definitely hadn’t been acting normal lately.
Her reluctance before entering Silver Star Court, the business with wrapping her head in a Cloak, her fear when facing the White Dragon... all these actions were at odds with what she’d said before.
After spending this much time together, Colin trusted Ale.
He just felt he should probably check in on her. It would be disastrous if she ended up dropping the ball at a crucial moment.
With this in mind, Colin quietly sidled over and cleared his throat twice.
"Colin?" "Mr. Colin, what is it?"
Ale and Orelia, who had been reading, both looked up, tilting their heads in the same direction.
At this point, Colin once again found himself at a loss for words.
He asked, "What book are you reading?"
"The Golden Knight of the Lake," Orelia said.
"What’s it about, exactly?"
"The kingdom falls, but the Golden Knight, who was living in seclusion by a sacred lake, upholds the ancient code of honor and returns to the world! With an iron fist and a sharp blade, he rights wrongs and restores the rightful line!" Orelia explained, her voice firm and full of longing.
Colin glanced at Ale beside her.
She said, somewhat blankly, "Yeah, that’s about it."
"What a traditional Knight novel. That stuff was popular before Thousand Masts City was even founded, right?" said Dorn, who was sitting nearby oiling his Dagger. He grinned. "None of that stuff is real, little Elf Princess."
"I don’t have time to argue with a boring little Dwarf right now." Ale silently turned a page of the Knight novel in front of her.
Dorn shifted in his seat and grumbled, "Hmph. I can see you’re in a bad mood, so I don’t feel like arguing either."
After that, Colin didn’t know how to continue the conversation either. Even Dorn could tell Ale was in a bad mood; that’s how obvious the Half-Elf was being.
Colin silently returned to his spot and went back to flipping through his Spellbook.
CRACK—
Another sound came from the fireplace. The room fell completely silent, leaving only the soft rustle of pages turning and the sounds of equipment being maintained.
-----------------
「After a day off, it was the morning of the third day.」
Having washed up, Colin came into the main hall.
After glancing at Dorn and Kase, who seemed to be perpetually maintaining their gear, he quietly went over to the teapot and started boiling water.
Since there was free floral tea to be had here, he wasn’t going to be polite about it. After all, tea was very expensive in Thousand Masts City. Even Edwin usually only drank tea dust—though, of course, using a Paladin accustomed to poverty as an example might not be entirely appropriate.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
Just as Colin was waiting for the water to boil, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.
He opened the door and, sure enough, it was a Wood Elf in a Cloak.
"Gentlemen, ladies, there is another mission for you."