Silver-Tongued

In the dim twilight, four figures walked toward the village step by step.

Behind them, enormous black wing membranes fluttered in the wind like banners.

The wing membranes of a Giant-winged Bat!

The terrifying presence that had cast its shadow over Creek Valley Town and filled the villagers with dread was now displayed before them as nothing more than spoils of war.

Several seconds of silence passed. Then—

"We won!! The adventurer party won!!!"

No one knew who had shouted first, but the entire village entrance erupted into earthshaking cheers.

"Thank the Adventurers' Association! We're saved!"

"Heroes! They're the village's heroes!"

Before Zeliel and the others even reached the village entrance, they were surrounded by excited villagers rushing toward them.

The threat of death that had weighed on them for days had finally vanished, and tears of excitement streamed down many faces.

At last, they no longer had to live in constant fear of being torn apart by a diving Giant-winged Bat.

"Brave adventurers, on behalf of the entire village... on behalf of the entire village, thank you!"

Old Village Chief Bart was equally emotional. "You are the heroes of Creek Valley Village!"

Even Marcus felt a little embarrassed by the grand reception. He scratched his head. "We only did what the mission required, Village Chief."

"You must be hungry and exhausted, right? You there... Lenner! Hurry up and slaughter some chickens and ducks!"

Village Chief Bart immediately began making arrangements. "Old Henry, bring out the fine wine you've hidden in your cellar too. We're throwing a feast for our heroes! You'll stay in the village tonight!"

"Ah, no, no, no... that won't be necessary."

Marcus hurriedly waved his hands in refusal. "You're too kind. There's no need to go this far. We appreciate the thought, but we won't be staying."

After several rounds of back-and-forth with Village Chief Bart, Marcus finally persuaded him to abandon the idea.

However, Village Chief Bart still made things convenient for the party. He had someone bring over the village's only hay cart and insisted on having the driver personally take them back to Blackstone Town.

Marcus could hardly refuse this time. Besides, walking after such a fierce battle really would have been exhausting, so he accepted Village Chief Bart's help.

The cart rumbled along the country dirt road.

Zeliel sat inside the carriage.

Looking back, he saw the villagers of Creek Valley Village still standing at the entrance, waving their hands and seeing them off from afar, their faces full of sincere gratitude.

Seeing this, Zeliel could not help being affected by their emotions, and a trace of reflection welled up within him.

Ordinary people in this other world really had it hard...

Any monster rated [Difficult] could become a devastating disaster capable of destroying their homes.

What if there had been no Adventurers' Association nearby? How would they have faced the Giant-winged Bats' attacks?

It was hard to imagine...

Without power strong enough to change one's fate, one could only drift like duckweed in the waves, helpless and liable to be swept away at any moment.

It was truly sobering.

Zeliel quietly clenched his fist, and his resolve grew firmer.

When he withdrew his gaze, he noticed that Gray was also staring at the crowd seeing them off.

The setting sun cast long shadows, and the pines roared like an ocean.

A complicated emotion seemed to show in Gray's usually frivolous blue eyes as well.

So Zeliel spoke softly.

"You think ordinary people have hard lives too, don't you?"

"Huh?"

Zeliel's words brought Gray back to himself. He showed a rather regretful expression and shook his head.

"I was just thinking that girl in the burlap dress was really pretty. What a shame I'll never see her again... Don't you think so?"

Zeliel silently turned his face away. He did not particularly want to respond to Gray.

Inside the carriage, only Vales let out a snort of laughter, as though he had expected this all along.

The cart smoothly delivered the party back to Blackstone Town. Although the driver repeatedly declined, Marcus still paid him one silver coin for the ride.

After turning in the mission at the Adventurers' Association, Marcus collected the reward for the commission.

Giant-winged Bat bounty: four gold coins.

Five Giant-winged Bat Pups: two gold coins and fifty silver coins.

Giant-winged Bat wing membranes: three gold coins.

Giant-winged Bat magic core: five gold coins.

Five Giant-winged Bat Pup magic cores: two gold coins.

Total: fourteen gold coins and fifty silver coins.

Zeliel and Marcus each received four gold coins and thirty-five silver coins, while Vales and Gray each received two gold coins and ninety silver coins.

All in all, it was another rather generous reward.

Zeliel now possessed a total of five gold coins and sixty silver coins.

"Let's have a celebratory meal!"

Gray enthusiastically suggested, "We have to celebrate properly after finishing a mission!"

"Sure. Find us a place," Marcus readily agreed.

He rolled his neck to loosen his muscles, clearly wanting to relax as well.

Zeliel did not mind either. Going back to the Nightflower Inn would only mean having his usual serving of beef shank in red wine sauce before going straight to sleep, so it would not be bad to follow Gray around for a while.

Vales's refusal nearly slipped out. He truly had no interest in this sort of activity.

But considering that Gray had saved him today, he tacitly agreed.

"Why bother looking for a place? Of course, it's the Drunken Boar!"

Gray's brows danced. "Let's go! I'm treating today!"

The Drunken Boar had a bold name for a tavern, and the scene inside was even bolder.

The moment they pushed open the creaking wooden door, a wave of heat mixed with ale, roasted meat, and tobacco rushed at them.

The tavern was deafeningly lively. The excited shouts of drunks and gamblers even drowned out the bard's earnest singing.

Looking around, the entire place was a boisterous spectacle, with miners practically standing on tables as they clinked their cups.

At a gambling table surrounded by more than a dozen people, dice flew as they were shaken. The instant the dice cup slammed down, everyone widened their eyes to see the result.

There were also plenty of lone patrons chatting away. Fueled by alcohol, they were far bolder than usual, and the grand boasts spilling from their mouths made listeners click their tongues in amazement.

This was the Drunken Boar Tavern, the favorite haunt of local adventurers and miners!

The strong smell made Zeliel sneeze, while Vales's brows twisted into a knot.

Gray, on the other hand, was completely at home. Returning to the tavern was like returning to his own house.

After letting out a loud whistle, a curvy waitress in a tight short skirt immediately came over.

"Well, if it isn't Gray? Finally remembered to come see me?"

The waitress pouted coquettishly and lightly punched Gray in the chest, only for him to pull her into his arms.

"Ho ho! My dear Marianne."

Gray gave her cheek a hearty kiss. "You have no idea. To see you, I risked my life crawling back from the jaws of monsters."

"Smooth talker!"

"Whether my tongue is smooth or not, Marianne, you know best." Gray wore a suggestive smile.

Big brother, do you have to be this wild? We can all hear you. Zeliel stared in astonishment.

"I can't take this anymore. I'm leaving."

Vales turned to head for the door.

"Don't, don't... we're already here..." Zeliel hurriedly grabbed Vales.

Despite Gray's verbal teasing, Marianne did not seem particularly angry. She shot Gray a sidelong glare, but her expression gradually broke into a smile.