Tavern and Settling the Bill

Early that morning, Lorist exercised bare-chested in the courtyard. He was practicing the Eighteen Forms of the Fierce Tiger, one of the three foundational arts of the Golden Water Sect from his previous life. The name was tacky, but the fist technique was extremely lethal. It was easy to learn, yet difficult to master. Its eighteen movements had been adapted from a tiger descending a mountain, hunting, confronting enemies, fighting, and launching deadly ambushes, among other actions. In a sense, it was a form of animal-style boxing.

The Golden Water Sect's other two foundational arts were the Eighteen Forms of the Golden Water Sword Art and the Eighteen Forms of Stepping on Waves. The former consisted of eighteen basic sword movements, while the latter combined body movement and footwork, emphasizing close coordination between the mind, eyes, and body.

As a child in his previous life, Lorist had heard his grandfather recount how their ancestral Golden Water Sect originated from the Five Elements Sect during the Southern Song Dynasty. Their ancestor, a military officer, had found its teachings too complicated, so he retained only the elements of metal and water and founded the Golden Water Sect. Its principle was to attack like a sharp blade that could cut through anything and defend like encircling water, flowing endlessly. By the end of the Late Qing Dynasty and during the Republic of China era, when guns and cannons reigned supreme, the sect's predecessors had reversed the meaning of metal and water: defend like a mountain of metal, unshakable even by thunder, and attack like flowing water, pouring down in a waterfall.

Absorbed in his training, Lorist practiced the Eighteen Forms of the Fierce Tiger three times in succession. Only when heat rose from his entire body and sweat beaded on his forehead did he finish. His skin was flushed red, and his joints cracked sharply. That morning's practice had been thoroughly invigorating. He did a few loosening exercises, then prepared to rinse himself off by the well.

Applause came from the courtyard gate. Lorist looked up and saw El clapping.

"What brings you here?" Lorist glanced to either side. El really had come alone.

Knowing what Lorist was looking for, El said irritably, "That brat refused to come. Once he heard you were only Black Iron rank, he wouldn't learn swordsmanship from you. He even had the nerve to say he'd knock you flat once he reached Black Iron in a couple of years. What a brainless idiot. He has no idea how big the world is."

Lorist chuckled. He hardly cared what anyone thought. Agreeing to El's request to teach someone swordsmanship had already been a considerable favor. If the fellow refused to come, that simply saved him the trouble. He was happy to have one less burden.

"You've got a nice place here, but it's a little too quiet. How about I find you a couple of personal maids? They can work during the day and warm your bed at night. I guarantee they'll pamper you like a noble lord. Don't worry, I'll find you two real beauties." Standing in the sitting room and surveying Lorist's new home, El suddenly hit upon the idea of giving him two women.

"No, thanks. My swordsmanship requires a calm mind. How am I supposed to stay calm with two women chattering around me? Don't blame me if I lose a duel because of it." Lorist flatly rejected El's kind offer.

"We'll talk about it later, then. The duels come first. By the way, what were you practicing in the courtyard just now? For a moment, I thought I saw a magical beast standing in front of me," El asked curiously.

"Oh, that was a method of physical training. My ancestors observed how magical beasts fought and developed a set of movements imitating them. It improves coordination and reflexes, as well as fighting ability when unarmed."

"Oh." El asked no more. Training methods like that were usually family secrets. Even as close as he was to Lorist, it would have been inappropriate to pry.

"Why did you come to the academy so early? Is something wrong?" Lorist asked.

"Ugh, don't remind me. I didn't come early this morning. I brought a keg of ale and some roast meat to see Fatty Shi last night, but he hid my ale and brought out a keg of fruit wine instead. He said it was freshly brewed and wanted me to try it. Can you even call that stuff wine? It was sour and astringent, and it packed one hell of a punch. He was so eager that I couldn't bring myself to refuse. A few cups later, I was drunk. I woke up this morning with a splitting headache and had to fill my stomach with cold water before I felt a little clearer. I'm still half asleep. Fatty Shi was nowhere to be found this morning. He just left a piece of parchment saying everyone should meet at the Red Raven Tavern tonight to discuss taking bets on the academy duels." Mentioning the previous night brought out a torrent of complaints from El.

Lorist felt like laughing. He had heard that, while taking over Yellow Ribbon Academy, Fatty Shi had discovered a large patch of berry bushes in a corner of the grounds. The berries were so sour and astringent that they had escaped the students' clutches. Fatty Shi, however, had treated them like treasure, picking them all to brew fruit wine himself. Unfortunately, his brewing skills were dreadful, and the resulting wine was vile. Lorist had spat out his very first mouthful last time. To think El had managed several cups. He had to admire the man's ability to swallow it.

"...I wanted to invite you over for a drink last night, but Fatty Shi said you were exhausted from settling into your new home these past two days and had gone to bed early. We didn't want to disturb you, so we left it at that..." El was still complaining.

Damn it, that fat bastard was obviously afraid I'd come to settle the score. He gave me eight large silver coins for seven hefty books and cheated me out of three gold coins. Now he doesn't even dare face me. These past two days, he's sent messengers whenever he needs something instead of showing his face, all because he's scared I'll deal with him. I'll go to his office one of these days and take those seven books back. No way am I letting that money-grubbing fatty get off so easily. Lorist made up his mind.

"Oh, right. Before I came over last night, Louise asked whether you still wanted her to keep your guest room. The payments for those private commissions you took before going to the Ruins Archipelago have all been collected, so you should go settle up. Your luggage, clothes, and everything else have been washed, aired, and packed away, too. And Louise said not to forget what you promised her." El remembered the message the Red Raven Tavern's future proprietress had asked him to deliver.

"What I promised Louise? What was it? I can't remember. Do you know, El?" Lorist racked his brains for a while, then turned to ask him.

"How would I know? Just ask her when you go to the tavern tonight. If you can't remember now, stop thinking about it. My head's killing me. Locke, let me sleep on your sofa for a bit." El could barely keep going. He looked ready to fall asleep right there on the sofa.

That evening, the brightly candlelit Red Raven Tavern rang with voices and bustle.

Holding a large mug of Blackberry Mead, Lorist leaned against one corner of the counter, speaking quietly with the tavern owner, Garilando.

"...You completed all nineteen commissions. The total payment comes to one hundred and thirty-nine Gold Fude, thirteen large silver coins, and four small silver coins. The tavern's five-percent cut is seven Gold Fude. Deduct another five large silver coins and three small silver coins for your room and expenses—we'll forget the coppers—and that leaves you one hundred and thirty-two Gold Fude, eight large silver coins, and one small silver coin. Oh, and El's eighteen gold coins go on top of that. Little Locke, do you want to leave it on account or take it with you now?" Garilando asked.

"Leave it on account for now. Look at the racket they're making together. They probably won't stop until they're all drunk, and you'll have to arrange rooms for them afterward. Put everything tonight on my account. That'll save El trying to wriggle out of paying you tomorrow morning." Lorist pointed toward a corner of the tavern. El's men and their friends from the academy occupied three tables there. Since he wasn't paying for his own ale, Fatty Shi was the loudest of the lot.

"Mm, all right. Have you settled the betting arrangements?" Garilando asked.

"Yes. My share is twenty percent, and Fatty Shi and the academy crowd get ten. After expenses and paying off the right people, El's group should still make thirty percent. I hope we make a tidy sum this time. I'd like to buy a building, just in case. Honestly, Old Gar, that damned old Dean Levens shoved me into the spotlight for these academy duels. You know I don't like showing off. But this time, I really had no choice. That old bastard boxed me in completely. It's left me feeling rather cold toward the place. Who knows whether he'll keep using me in the future? If it gets too bad, I'll just resign and leave the academy. I've already graduated, after all. Having a building to rent out would give me something to fall back on..." Lorist had drunk a little too much. Somehow, he found himself telling Garilando things he had kept buried in his heart.

"If you really feel you can't stay at the academy anymore, then leave, Little Locke. With your abilities, you could live very well as a mercenary. You'd be free to do as you pleased. Why put up with anyone else's whims? Take this trip to the Ruins Archipelago. After deducting your costs, you must have made more than sixty Gold Fude, right? One trip a year would be enough. Or you could gather a few good friends and form a mercenary squad. Once it grows, you could turn it into a mercenary company." Garilando also thought Dawnlight Academy had gone too far by pushing Lorist into the dueling ring. He urged him to resign and become a mercenary, perhaps even founding his own company someday.

Lorist could not help laughing. Old Gar really was obsessed with founding a mercenary company. Now that his nephew El was a lost cause, he had set his sights on Lorist instead. "Haha, Old Gar, that's not how it works. Mercenaries may have more freedom, but sleeping rough, constantly traveling, and risking your life every day isn't easy. It's nothing like the comfortable life of an academy instructor. You know I'm a dual Gold Instructor, but do you know how much the academy pays me every month? Thirty Gold Fude. Instructor Krudd only makes twenty gold coins a month. I'm the academy's highest-paid instructor. Even though that old bastard tricked me this time, I can only accept it. As an instructor enjoying such generous treatment, I can't run away when I'm needed. So, Old Gar, can I really decide to resign that easily?"

"Shit, you earn more in a year than I do running this tavern. The academy really does treat you well! With pay like that, even I want a job there." It was rare for Garilando to swear. He had just been saying that Lorist had made a fortune earning more than sixty Gold Fude during half a year in the Ruins Archipelago. Who would have thought he could earn that much in just two months of comfortably teaching students? Clearly, Lorist was not going to take his advice and resign to become a mercenary.

"By the way, Old Gar, El said you proposed to Louise? I only just got back and haven't congratulated you yet. I'll be sure to give you a fine wedding present. But what suddenly changed your mind? Didn't you used to say you'd stay single for life?" Lorist asked Garilando.

"Nothing much. I suddenly felt spending my whole life alone would be pretty dull. Besides, Louise has been at the tavern for ten years. That young girl who came here is twenty-eight now. Her parents have passed away, and she doesn't want to go back and live with her brother and his wife, so she was planning to spend the rest of her life here. I thought we might as well spend it together. I mentioned it to her, and she agreed. Speaking of Louise, she wanted to see you. She's waiting in your room upstairs. Go on. It's something good." Garilando winked at Lorist several times, looking thoroughly lecherous.

"Old Gar, what's with that look?" Lorist drained his mug in one gulp, set it on the counter, and headed for the stairs.

Actually, Old Gar doesn't know I hardly spent any capital at all. I made around a hundred and twenty Gold Fude on this trip to the Ruins Archipelago. I killed those magical beasts and skinned them myself. I didn't buy the hides from anyone else. Does Old Gar think I can't handle high-ranking magical beasts? Hmm, which room was mine? Let me think. And what exactly does Louise want with me? Why can't I remember...? Muttering to himself, Lorist climbed to the second floor, then stood there trying to remember which room he had rented.

This one. Lorist finally remembered. He rubbed his face to clear his head, then went over and knocked.

Once inside, Lorist discovered that Louise was not the only one waiting for him. There was also a full-figured girl with a round face.

Louise was delighted to see him. "Little Locke, this is the girl from my village I told you about. Her name's Molly, and she'll be working here as a serving girl. It's her first time tonight, so be gentle. Don't get too rough."

Lorist abruptly sobered up. He suddenly remembered what Louise had told him on the day he returned. Apparently, he had not refused, and she had taken his silence as agreement. Damn it. At this point, I'll just have to go along with it. Otherwise, Louise will think I'm going back on my word because I'm too stingy to spend two gold coins.

"Uh, h-hello..." Lorist greeted the girl with a red face. Without a trace of shyness, she looked him up and down, then smiled and nodded. She was clearly pleased with the man who was about to become her first lover.

Louise clapped her hands. "All right, I won't interrupt your fun. The bathwater's ready. Molly, take good care of Little Locke. Don't forget what you learned at the temple. Use all of it to make him happy, and he'll give you a tip."

Louise left. The round-faced Molly readily invited Lorist to soak in the tub first, then stripped naked. Just as she was about to join him, she remembered something. She rummaged through the clothes on the table, took out a test tube, uncorked it, and drank all the red liquid inside.

"What did you just drink?" Lorist asked.

"Mithralla Divine Fluid," Molly answered.

Oh. Now that she had said that, Lorist understood.

Mithralla, the Goddess of Desire and Joy, was the youngest daughter of Sigvar, the Sun God, God of Light, and God of War, and Sufina, the Blood Moon Goddess. She was known for her willfulness and indulgence. Legend said she possessed a paradise filled with handsome men and beautiful women, who pursued pleasure there without restraint or worry. All men and women who believed in her would enter that paradise after death and enjoy eternal bliss.

To free her female followers from the worries that came with indulging their desires, the goddess Mithralla had specially created Mithralla Divine Fluid. After drinking it, they could enjoy themselves with men without fear of pregnancy. If a follower wished to marry and become a good wife and mother, she could buy another potion from the temple. After drinking it and abstaining for three months, she would regain her ability to bear children.

Mithralla Divine Fluid did not work on women who had already borne children, however. Through this potion, also known as the water of desire, the goddess Mithralla had gained a vast following. Her temple had made a fortune selling the two potions, becoming one of the wealthiest temples in Galintea.

"What made you decide to work as a serving girl at a tavern?" Lorist lay on the bed with his hands behind his head, watching the girl take his hardness into the softness of her body.

"Ah... it hurts." The girl gave a long, pained cry and froze. Only after a good while did she slowly begin moving up and down.

"I... I want to earn... twenty... twenty gold coins, then... buy ten... ten mu of land... in our village. That would... be enough... for my dowry..."

Her answer came in broken fragments. She seemed to be beginning to feel pleasure. Her movements quickened, and involuntary moans escaped her lips.

Lorist could no longer restrain himself either. Nearly a year had passed since his last night with the young lady, and he had not touched another woman since. Now the girl atop him had stirred his desire. With a tigerlike growl, he wrapped his arms around her, rolled her beneath him, and began a fierce assault...

The next morning, the sun was already high when Lorist finally came downstairs, refreshed and in excellent spirits. He ordered a hearty breakfast. After keeping at it nearly until dawn, he needed to replenish his strength. Then Old Gar brought him the bill for the previous night...

Damn it! Lorist gritted his teeth. El, I'll remember this...

The previous night, once El heard Lorist was paying, he had switched from ale to fruit wine and ordered two bottles for everyone...

Damn it, Fatty Shi, you've gone too far...

After breakfast that morning, Fatty Shi had also taken two bottles of fruit wine and a keg of ale to go...

No way. Telman's an honest fellow...

After drinking too much the previous night, Telman had booked both serving girls, Jumili and Sarah, for the whole night...

"All right, I'm never playing the rich man and paying everyone's bill again," Lorist declared...