Parting and Toast

"You mean?"

"Every year, a distinguished spellcaster arrives in town with Lord Mel's caravan. They use magic to bless the star plums, ensuring they won't rot during transport."

Catherine reminded them, "If you intend to use magic to pass off inferior goods as high quality, you must be careful."

"I'll try to distract them then, so Kuru isn't too conspicuous."

As a continuous spell, maintaining an illusion requires the caster to stay nearby and remain focused.

[I hope readers will remember our domain name here: read Taiwanese novels on Taiwan Novel Network, ẗẅḳäṅ.ċöṁ is super hassle-free.]

If anyone notices, there's a risk of the deception being exposed.

However, if they can use a performance to deliberately draw some people's attention, then the overall plan is still quite optimistic.

The ordinary star plums will eventually be hidden at the bottom of the "Shining Star," and unless someone exposes the theft of the star plums, no one will bother to rummage through the fruit at the bottom.

"If you already have a plan, then I wish you good luck tomorrow."

Catherine said sincerely, "As for now, it's time to enjoy the food--"

They went downstairs together. At the familiar long table in the tavern hall, Anbi deliberately left several tables between herself, Black Snake, and Gravel, sitting at opposite corners from each other.

Her eyes were red, clearly having cried not long ago.

Children are very concerned about their reputation, which is why Catherine insisted Tang Qi stay away.

He couldn't guess what had happened and maintained his distance, not asking any further questions.

As for the two mercenaries, the bloodstains on their bodies had been cleaned.

As if to celebrate the festival, Black Snake had even changed into a silk shirt and tied his hair into a small braid at the back of his head. The scruffy middle-aged man in his forties looked much more presentable because of it.

Catherine placed the prepared food on his table with a "bang," her expressionless.

"Hey, hey, it's a festival for once, can't you be a little nicer to me?"

Black Snake said with a playful smile.

"What kind of attitude do you need for free food and drink?" Catherine didn't even glance at him.

"I didn't say I wouldn't pay!"

"But this meal is on me."

Black Snake was stunned for a moment, then exchanged a look with Gravel:

"We've hit the jackpot, getting to eat and drink for free in front of Catherine?"

Having shared some adventures, Tang Qi greeted Gravel and wasn't sure who to sit next to.

Fortunately, Anbi waved him over and apologized in a small voice:

"Brother Tang Qi, Anbi might have to break her promise."

"Oh?"

"The star plum wine I promised you... I won't be able to drink it."

Afraid of disappointing Tang Qi and afraid of angering him, she quickly explained what had happened earlier.

"I'm really sorry I couldn't let you have Anbi's first drink!"

Only then did Tang Qi realize why she had been crying. He felt he had found some material, and shook his head:

"We can't just look at the surface, can we?

I've already tasted your first drink.

It was a bit bitter, but the aftertaste should be sweet.

If we were to give it a name, perhaps it should be called—

'A Lesson'?"

Catherine also came over with food at the right moment. Hearing these words, she met Anbi's gaze and they blinked at each other simultaneously.

After a moment, the beast-like eyes of the wolf-eared girl lit up. She mused, "That's right. 'A Lesson'... Anbi will definitely remember this lesson for a lifetime!"

Catherine breathed a sigh of relief:

"Thanks to you, otherwise I would have had to figure out how to comfort her into eating."

Tang Qi's gaze then fell on the food on the table:

"Fried pork chop, mashed potatoes, and pan-fried ham... You wouldn't normally eat these things, would you?"

"We only indulge like this once a year."

Catherine gracefully sat down opposite Tang Qi, took off the necklace around her neck, and placed it in her palm.

It was a silver ring with a ruby embedded on a thin string. The gem had a wine-red luster--

"As dazzling as your hair." Tang Qi exclaimed subconsciously.

"Bang—"

A sound of a table being slapped reached his ears. Turning his head, Tang Qi broke out in a cold sweat under Black Snake's unfriendly gaze.

But likely thinking Tang Qi would be useful tomorrow, he merely issued a warning with his eyes.

Catherine glanced at Black Snake, sighed, and then spoke to alleviate Tang Qi's awkwardness:

"Then perhaps I should thank my mother for inheriting all of her traits.

Come, let us pray to Gullagas, and hope for the blessings of fine wine and harvest next year."

Seeing Anbi place her hand on her ring, Tang Qi and Kuru followed suit.

"Do you have to hold that stick even when eating?"

Tang Qi asked curiously, seeing Kuru clutching his staff as if he would never let go.

Kuru shook his long staff and stated confidently:

"Partner!"

Everyone has their own peculiar habits.

Kobolds are people too.

After a brief prayer, Catherine scooped some mashed potatoes from the table, drizzled with a layer of dark purple star plum sauce, which was sour, sweet, and smooth upon entering the mouth:

"Right, perhaps we should discuss our future earnings from performing at the tavern?"

Tang Qi took a bite of pork chop, and amidst the crisp "crackling" sound, the rich aroma of meat spread from his lips and teeth, making it difficult to distinguish between the juices and the saliva produced by his tongue:

"Regarding that, I'm afraid I have to apologize."

"Mhm?"

"Actually, my original plan was to perform at the tavern to earn some living expenses, so that one day in the future, I could travel through the Twilight Forest with the help of passing caravans."

The pork chop was almost too delicious. Tang Qi saw Kuru beside him, who, seemingly unaccustomed to using cutlery, was stuffing food into his mouth with his slender claws while holding his staff:

"But I've already received a sum of money. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll try my best to hitch a ride with a caravan tomorrow and head to Dragon Gold City with them."

"Is Brother Tang Qi leaving?"

Anbi hadn't expected the parting to come so soon.

But Tang Qi knew that if he wanted to record more stories, he could never stay in one place.

Seeing the little girl's dejected mood, Catherine changed the subject at the right time:

"Anbi, parting is for a better reunion.

Perhaps one day in the future, we'll hear the name 'Tang Qi' again from others, or in their journals?"

"Then will Brother write Anbi into his book?"

He seemed to have already written her in.

But Tang Qi didn't mind making a promise:

"Of course, I'll do my best to make everyone on the continent know that at the Golden Oak tavern, there's a cute and well-behaved little girl and a shrewd and beautiful proprietress."

The kobold suddenly looked up: "Kuru!"

"Alright, and a talking 'wise' kobold."

"Then I'll be counting on you to become famous soon and bring more revenue to the tavern."

Catherine raised her glass of star plum wine, "Then let us toast to the future 'Legendary Poet Tang Qi'!"

Black Snake and Gravel watched everything from the sidelines, never participating.

But the atmosphere on their side seemed to infect them.

Now, they also raised their wine glasses and clinked them together.

"Cheers!"

In the student dormitories of the Bard's Song, several poets, drunk and sprawled haphazardly around the room, once again drained their mugs of ale.

Geya quietly covered her face, letting out a subtle hiccup. After confirming no one noticed her lapse, she resumed her bright smile for her friends.

The competition for official assistant instructor positions in the academy has always been fierce.

Building good relationships with classmates to gain their votes is also a crucial part.

Therefore, Geya dedicates time each week to participate in academy social events.

Her alcohol tolerance is good; she's still sober despite drinking until late at night.

But the others seem to have lost their composure—

"Damn it! I just wanted to write a legendary ballad about a common hero who, after his family was destroyed, became a disciple, and ultimately avenged his nation against a dragon."

Why reject it on the grounds that "the protagonist isn't a Tyran Noble"? Do commoners only deserve to be saved by others?

"Me too—I clearly wanted to write a novel about a noble young master who indulged in a life of debauchery, got lost, then fell from grace as his family lost power, hit rock bottom, and finally redeemed himself.

The reason the manuscript was sent back was actually, 'You're not allowed to smear the Noble lords'!?

Come on, to get it approved, I even wrote an ending where he redeems himself!

"And me! Me—"

Another person, also grumbling indignantly, slammed the table and stood up, followed immediately by, "Gag!"

He threw up.