I Have a Task Log

Colin did some quick math.

If they sold all of this, along with the Leather Armor and Wide-Blade Machetes they’d also found, they could probably make over 1,600 Gold Coins... He couldn’t remember making this much from their past few difficulty-six missions.

’Clearing out monster nests is surprisingly profitable,’ Colin thought to himself.

This meant that from this mission alone, each of them would get a share of over three hundred Gold Coins.

While they were chatting, there was a soft knock on the door.

Colin went to open the door and saw a fully armed Edwin standing outside.

The Paladin smiled and said, "I hear you’ve taken care of another tricky mission?"

"Right, the Elves said we have to hand over half the spoils," Colin said. "Do we need to turn in the Armor and things we seized?"

"You don’t need to worry about that. Just turn in the stolen jewelry, coins, and the like. They’ll give you a fair price for them."

Edwin joked, "When your enemies are all wearing Leather Armor or Cotton Armor, most Adventurers don’t bother stripping them of their armor and weapons. That stuff doesn’t sell for much, anyway."

"But we’re broke!" Kase yelled from across the room.

Orelia chimed in, echoing Ale’s way of speaking, "Every little bit counts, Mr. Helder."

"You all should be resting tomorrow, right? Well, there’s a ball in the afternoon. I’d like you to go, just to make an appearance. A Wood Elf will come to escort you," Edwin said.

It took a moment for Colin to process that.

He frowned and asked, "At a time like this?"

"It’s a more private affair. Mainly, someone wants to meet you. You’ll probably find out who by tomorrow. Other squads will be there too, so don’t worry."

"Our formal wear is still back in Thousand Masts City," Colin added.

They hadn’t even worn them once since picking them up from the tailor.

Edwin waved his hand dismissively. "Just wear your gear. Don’t worry about the small stuff."

"I hope it’s just a small thing," Colin muttered.

The Paladin was completely reliable when it came to most things, but his judgment on matters like this was questionable.

"Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow. Oh, right, give me the spoils. I’ll give you the money and the mission reward all at once when we get back to Thousand Masts City."

The group then stuffed the inventoried valuables into a box and handed it to the Paladin.

Once everything was settled, Edwin picked up the treasure chest, turned, and walked off down the path between the trees.

’And he doesn’t even have a Dimension Bag or anything...’

Grumbling to himself, Colin closed the door and returned to the table.

"Wonderful. As if crawling through mud pits to fight a bunch of damn lunatics wasn’t enough, now we have to go play the fool at a ball," Dorn said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I think we’re just going for afternoon tea," Orelia said.

Colin shrugged. "Yeah, we’re just meeting someone."

He said as much, but he had a distinct feeling.

Based on what Edwin had said, this so-called private ball was likely arranged by Edwin and the Elves specifically for certain squads to attend.

If that was the case, this ball was more than just a simple meeting. Or, to put it another way, the person they were meant to meet was anything but simple.

But he’d have to wait and see what it was really about.

After all, other squads would be there, so it couldn’t be anything too troublesome. Besides, they were just sitting around in the cabin with nothing to do anyway.

With most things settled, the group sat in the main hall and went about their own business.

Orelia began reviewing her herbalism notes, while Ale silently walked over to the fireplace to boil water for tea.

However, after putting the kettle on, she just stood there, staring blankly at it.

Kase and Dorn were off to the side, oiling their weapons. To them, Colin figured, weapon maintenance was a form of rest and relaxation.

Colin sat at the table and opened his Spellbook.

He went ahead and spent the 150 Skill Level points he had just earned on Empowerment Armor, bringing the Skill Level to: Armor (Reliable) 1659/2000.

There was no noticeable change.

"Hey, hey, Mr. Colin?"

A hushed voice reached his ear. Colin turned his head and saw Orelia had leaned in close at some point.

Colin lowered his voice as well. "What is it?"

"How did you know Ale was angry? Can you teach me?" Orelia asked, sounding a little dejected. "Why is it that I feel like her expression is always the same, but you can tell when she’s angry?"

The question took Colin by surprise.

He sighed and crossed his arms.

After pondering it for a moment, Colin said, "I don’t really know. Maybe it’s because I have to talk to people often, so I’ve learned to read them.

"But I can offer one piece of advice. Ale is always very deliberate and efficient. If her movements slow down when she’s eating or doing something, it means her mood is off."

"What are you two talking about?"

Ale’s voice suddenly came from behind them.

Startled, Colin and Orelia, who had been whispering to each other, quickly sat up straight.

’Wait, it’s not like I was doing anything wrong.’ Realizing this, Colin calmly explained, "Nothing. Just chatting about how to talk to people."

"Oh..." Ale silently picked up the teapot from the table and poured four cups of tea.

After doing all this, she raised her voice and said, "I’m sorry, everyone. I lost my temper just now."

"It’s not like you were mad at me. Are all you Elves like this?" Dorn scoffed dismissively.

Kase sniffed, glanced around in confusion, and then went back to tending to his Big Axe.

"It’s no big deal," Colin said. "But I hope that if you have something on your mind, you won’t keep it bottled up. You can always talk to us."

Ale was silent for another moment.

"I will in the future," she said, then sat down next to Orelia, took out her small notebook, and began to write and doodle.

-----------------

Before they knew it, it was the following afternoon.

Since they had been invited to the ball, Colin and the others simply continued to sit in the cabin’s main hall to pass the time.

After a while, sure enough, there was a knock at the door.

He opened the wooden door. A Wood Elf in a small, navy-blue servant’s tunic stood outside and said, "It is time for the ball, gentlemen and ladies."

"We know. Lead the way," Colin said.

"Hmm? But you all are..." The Wood Elf carefully sized up the people inside the cabin, looking as if he wanted to say something but was holding back. After a moment, he said, "Very well. Please follow me."