A Small Banquet (Part 1)

As a druid, Romon would officially receive documents certifying him as a Free Citizen. His status would also be roughly equal to that of an ordinary knight, on equal footing with priests and mages. Naturally, he was qualified to attend dinner.

Previously, even if Miss Eileen favored him, Romon could not have attended a dinner banquet.

When he entered the dining room and looked around, he found a long table placed in the center. Two bronze candlesticks stood on it, their candles already lit.

Madam Salin quickly arranged the seats. Priest Tennis was naturally given the first seat, followed by Miss Eileen.

Next came Baka, captain of the Temple guards; Ansen, the apothecary; and Madam Salin, the housekeeper. Now, Romon had been added to the group.

Once everyone was seated, Temple servants brought out the food.

Since nothing had been specially prepared, it was an ordinary meal—the main course was white bread, with jam, butter, and cheese available to spread generously over it.

The soup was a stew of carrots, potatoes, onions, and chunks of meat.

"Thanks to the goddess for granting us food." After briefly offering thanks to the goddess, everyone began to eat.

The food was simple, but it more or less met the normal nutritional needs of a person.

"Romon, do you know the story behind this soup?"

"Miss Eileen, I don't." Romon spoke as he ate. Being able to gain Miss Eileen's favor was undoubtedly a tremendous thing. Of course, Priest Tennis's slightly gloomy expression at the table made it perfectly clear to Romon what he was thinking.

Priest Tennis had become a priest at nineteen and had been assigned to this Temple. Over the past ten years, he had reached the Fourth Level. That was neither fast nor slow, but at twenty-nine, Priest Tennis was still unmarried. Rumor had it that he had once pursued Baron Rokas's eldest daughter, then later pursued the second daughter, Miss Eileen.

In this world, priests were not hereditary. They enjoyed treatment comparable to that of great nobles during their lifetimes, yet could not pass it down to their descendants. Only nobility could be inherited generation after generation.

Therefore, it was not hard to understand why he had certain thoughts and feelings about being viewed differently.

Romon did not want to offend Priest Tennis, but he was not so timid that he dared not even speak.

"Back when the Ruard Kingdom invaded our country, Dunsha City, a strategic stronghold, was completely surrounded by enemy forces. Queen Vibelis Shamd was only thirteen at the time, but she sent a letter to the soldiers and civilians within the city by Royal Griffin, asking them to hold out until reinforcements arrived. The people inside defended the city for half a year, until their food ran out. Then a heavy rain fell, and the river suddenly rose several meters. The kingdom's fleet reached the city walls, and the people rushed out to join the reinforcements. At the time, they searched everywhere for food, but found only potatoes, carrots, and onions. They threw those three vegetables into a huge pot and stewed them together, then killed several wild beasts to add a little meat. Everyone received a portion to fill their stomachs. After eating that great pot of stew, the people in the city all said it was the best food they had ever tasted. It later became a tradition and spread widely." Miss Eileen seemed to be in high spirits as she spoke while eating.

"Miss Eileen, we need to move quickly. Tomorrow is also the Sharm Lineage's family celebration. Someone in their family is getting married, and they invited us to officiate." Priest Tennis set down his plate. "We need to go over tonight and prepare."

"Yes, you're right." Eileen fell silent, lowered her head, and quietly continued eating.

After Romon finished eating, Eileen and Priest Tennis left. Romon felt somewhat awkward and was just about to speak when Madam Salin, the housekeeper, said, "Li... Romon, you've become a druid now?"

"Yes, though I'm only a Level 1 druid." Romon rose as he answered.

"A Level 1 druid is still a druid." Apothecary Ansen smiled. "Congratulations, Mr. Romon. I only became a druid by chance when I was forty, and even now I'm only Second Level."

Only then did Romon use Spirit Eye to look at him. He discovered that Ansen carried the same hidden power of nature and said happily, "So Mr. Ansen is a druid too. That's truly hard to imagine. I'll have to ask you to teach me more about herbs in the future."

"Hehe, I became a druid only because I spent my whole life dealing with plants. It will be difficult for me to advance any further, but you're different. Well, if you want to learn, come learn from me." Apothecary Ansen had always thought highly of him. He stepped forward and patted Romon on the shoulder. "Romon, becoming a druid at such a young age—once the lord learns of it, he'll surely be delighted. Go back and rest for now. I believe the lord's reward will arrive soon."

After chatting a little longer, Romon headed back, fully satisfied.

But the news spread faster than he had imagined. The moment he turned from the Temple onto the street, people immediately noticed him.

"Romon, it really is you!"

"I heard you became a druid. Is it true?"

"Romon, you're really something."

Amid the crowd's noisy cheers, Romon was escorted back to the Motte Inn.

"Oh, little Romon? You became a druid?" When he reached the entrance, the first person he saw was Haiwavi, the mercenary captain who often appeared around town. Haiwavi was the first to greet him.

Romon looked at him and said, "Ah, yes, though I've only become a Level 1 druid."

"Oh, that's truly amazing." Haiwavi touched the hilt of the sword at his waist. "We're acquaintances, after all. Come on, I'm treating everyone today!"

Haiwavi spent plenty of time in town. Mercenary work meant living with one's life on the edge of a blade, and mercenaries often had to visit the Temple for treatment. Druids not only possessed healing spells, but also knew herbs. Treating Romon would naturally help strengthen their relationship.

Before Romon could respond, Motte and his wife came out. Motte's face was flushed with joy as he shouted, "Haiwavi, you've got it wrong today. This meal should be on me. Come on, I'm buying everyone a drink!"

Everyone present burst into laughter.

Once they were inside, Motte indeed kept his word and gave everyone one drink. They were all townsfolk, so no one tried to take advantage.

"Oh, I'm making pancakes today. Everyone, have a taste!" Mrs. Motte called loudly.

Several people immediately cheered. Mrs. Motte's pancakes were a family recipe. The pancakes were golden brown, piled with a layer of fresh seafood—fish, shrimp, mussels, and clams cooked in rich colors. Purple-red sauce was poured over the seafood, with several slices of green vegetables laid on top.

They were delicate and tender, with an exceptional flavor—unusually fresh and delicious. This was Mrs. Motte's specialty, the inn's signature dish.

"Romon, go take a bath first. I've brought you some clothes that should fit. They're a little old, but still good." Motte shouted.

Bathing for a happy occasion was customary, and Romon smiled as he accepted the arrangement.

A hot bath was a luxury. Apart from wiping himself down with cold water, Romon normally could not enjoy such treatment. He was going to wash properly this time. Once inside, he soaked in the hot water and found it hard to leave until Mrs. Motte called from outside. Only then did he get up and change into the new clothes—clothes Motte had worn in his youth. Their style was a little old-fashioned, but they were still quite new and had clearly been well cared for.

Dressed neatly, Romon entered the inn's main room. Everything had already been prepared. Those who had merely come to watch the excitement had left; those remaining were all joining the meal and would also give him gifts.

Two full tables were laid out with grilled fish, ham and eggs, roasted meat, and a pot of meat soup stewed until tender. For the Romon of old, it would have been an enormous temptation.

But Romon was in no hurry to start eating. He was waiting.

Before long, his good friend Fafier arrived. Fafier carried a string of meat. He had clearly already heard that Romon had become a druid. The moment they met, his face broke into a broad grin. He came over to congratulate Romon and gave him a punch on the shoulder.

Once everyone had arrived, the inn quickly became lively. Everyone wolfed down the roasted meat while excitedly discussing the news. Romon, his heart at ease, joined them in competing for the food. Fortunately, while the dishes were not especially fine, there was plenty of them.

By the time everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, it was already evening.

"Fafier, we'll talk again in a few days." As he saw the guests off, Romon spoke in a low voice.

Fafier immediately understood and nodded happily, leaving behind the gift money he had brought.

The inn would not open today. Romon still helped clean up the mess on the tables. Motte declined several times before finally accepting with a smile.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Motte counted the gift money. To her surprise, it totaled eleven silver coins.

Once the cleaning was finished, the inn closed for business. Motte shut the door, and the three of them sat down.

"What are you planning to do now?" Motte asked directly.

Romon was a druid now. Naturally, things were no longer the same, and he could not continue working as an inn hand.

Romon immediately thought of his debts and said, "Well, I want to open an apothecary. Apothecary Ansen's potions have to be sold through the Temple, but mine can be sold directly to the public. Apothecary Ansen has also agreed to let me help and learn at the herb garden in the future, which counts as a job. That way, I can repay the money I owe the Guild and you."

To learn druidry, he had borrowed fifty silver coins from Motte.

"Working at the herb garden is a good idea. Apothecary Ansen has always treated you well." Motte immediately said, "Opening a shop will require money, won't it? How about I lend you more? No interest."

Romon sighed inwardly and quickly waved his hands. "Actually, I plan to gather some wild goods in the forest and save up money to repay you. Later, I can open a small herb garden too."

"That's a good idea. You'll have prospects in the future!" Motte was relieved to hear it. It was a perfectly normal plan.

Romon nodded repeatedly, indicating that this was indeed his plan. Then he added, "But for now, I don't have anywhere to live."

"Of course. Actually, there are always vacant rooms at my inn. I'll clear one out for you, and you can stay there for now. Once you have money later, you can buy some land and build a house!" Motte said readily. Seeing Romon nod, he added, "Then come with me. Let's clear out a room!"

"Wait, take this gift money first. You'll need to buy clothes and other things!" Mrs. Motte handed the gift money back to him.

Romon declined a little, then accepted it.

Romon followed Motte upstairs. They cleared out a room nearest the eastern side. It was not large, but it had a wooden bed, a table and chairs, and a wardrobe.

For Romon as he was now, that was already enough.

The room had been quite clean to begin with. After the three of them tidied it up again, it was finished. Mrs. Motte said, "Buy a lock yourself later. Lock it whenever you go out, so the other guests don't enter."

Romon lowered his head slightly in thanks. Only after the two of them left did he sit on the bed and let his thoughts wander. Starting today, he would no longer have to rise early to work.

Seeing that no one was around, Romon took out a peach from his space, eating it as he thought.

Although he had already become a Level 1 druid, a true druid's training included knowledge of identifying thousands of plants, their growth habits, and how to cultivate them.

It even included knowledge of how to prepare herbs into potions.

Moreover, traditional druids lived in the wilderness. They also learned wilderness survival, how to communicate with and control animals, and even combat skills. After all, someone traveling alone in the wild needed the ability to survive. He could learn about herbs and potions from Apothecary Ansen, so that would not be much of a problem.

As for combat skills, he could learn from Captain Richard's squad. He could acquire quite a few skills there, after all, because Captain Koirilo had instructed them to look after him.

But first, he needed a weapon. For Romon, that meant choosing a sword. The short sword he had obtained last time was basically a dagger. If he wanted to fight, he needed a longsword. He would go collect that sword from the old blacksmith.

Romon lay down on the bed, and gradually, his heart calmed.

!!