Small Banquet (Part 1)

As a Druid, Romon would officially obtain papers granting him free citizen status. At the same time, his standing was basically equivalent to that of an ordinary knight, equal to priests and mages. Naturally, he was qualified to attend dinner.

Before this, even if he had won Miss Eileen's favor, Romon would not have been allowed to join 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 upon it, their candles already lit.

Madam Salin promptly arranged the seating. Priest Tennis was naturally seated first, followed by Miss Eileen.

Next came Baka, captain of the temple guards; Ansen, the apothecary; and Madam Salin, the stewardess. Now, there was one more: Romon.

Once everyone had taken their seats, the temple servants brought out the food.

Since nothing had been specially prepared, these were everyday dishes—the main course was white bread, with jam, butter, and cheese available to spread thickly over it.

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

"Thanks to the goddess for granting us food." After offering a brief word of thanks to the goddess, everyone began to eat.

Though simple, these things more or less met the normal nutritional needs of the human body.

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

"Miss Eileen, I don't." As Romon spoke, he knew that earning Miss Eileen's goodwill was undoubtedly a tremendous boon. Naturally, Priest Tennis's slightly gloomy expression at the table made Romon fully understand what he was thinking.

Priest Tennis had become a priest at nineteen and been dispatched to the temple here. In ten years, he had reached the fourth priest level. That pace was neither fast nor slow. Yet Tennis, now twenty-nine, remained unmarried. Rumor had it that he had once pursued Baron Rokas's eldest daughter, and later pursued the second daughter, Eileen.

In this world, priests were not hereditary after all. They enjoyed treatment equal to that of great nobles during their lifetimes, yet could not pass it on to their descendants. Only nobles inherited their status without end.

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

Romon did not wish to offend Priest Tennis, but neither was he so timid that he dared not even speak.

"Back when the Ruard Kingdom invaded our country, Dunsha City, a strategic stronghold, was surrounded on all sides by the enemy army. Queen Vibelis Shamd, only thirteen at the time, sent a royal griffin to deliver a letter to the soldiers and civilians inside the city, ordering them to hold fast until reinforcements arrived. The people in the city defended it for half a year until all their food was exhausted. Then a great rain fell from the heavens, and the river suddenly rose by several meters. The kingdom fleet sailed right up to the city walls, and the people inside rushed out through the gates to join the reinforcements. At the time, they searched everywhere for food, but found only some potatoes, carrots, and onions. They threw these three vegetables into a great pot and stewed them together, then slaughtered a few wild beasts to add a little meat flavor. They gave everyone a portion to stave off hunger. After the people of the city ate that great-pot dish, they all said it was the most delicious meal of their lives. It later became a tradition and spread far and wide." Miss Eileen seemed to be in high spirits as she spoke while eating.

"Miss Eileen, we need to move quickly. Tomorrow there is also the Sharm Lineage's family celebration. Some newcomers to the lineage are getting married, and they have invited us to preside over it." Priest Tennis set down his plate. "We must go over tonight to prepare!"

"Yes, that's right." Eileen fell silent, lowered her face, and quietly ate her meal.

After Romon finished eating, Eileen and Priest Tennis departed. Romon felt somewhat awkward and was just about to speak when Madam Salin, the stewardess, said, "Little... Romon, you've become a Druid now?"

"Yes, though I'm only a first-level Druid." Romon rose as he spoke.

"A first-level Druid is still a Druid." Apothecary Ansen said with a smile, "Mr. Romon, congratulations. I only became a Druid by chance at forty, and even now I am merely second level."

Only then did Romon open his Spirit Eye and look over. He discovered that Ansen carried the same hidden power of nature, and said delightedly, "So Mr. Ansen is a Druid too. That's truly hard to imagine. I'll have to ask you for much guidance on herbs in the future!"

"Hehe, I became a Druid through a lifetime of dealing with plants, more by chance than anything. It will be difficult for me to develop further. You are different. Well, if you want to learn, come and learn." Apothecary Ansen thought well of him. He stepped forward and patted Romon's shoulder. "Romon, becoming a Druid apprentice at such a young age—when the lord hears of it, he will certainly be very pleased. Go back and rest for now. I believe the lord's reward will arrive soon."

After speaking a few more words with him, Romon headed back, thoroughly satisfied.

But news spread faster than he had imagined. He had barely turned from the temple onto the street when 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 clamor, Romon was surrounded and 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 came through town. Haiwavi was the first to call out to him.

Romon looked at him and said, "Ah, yes, but I've only become a first-level Druid!"

"Oh, that's truly remarkable." Haiwavi touched the hilt of the sword at his waist. "We're acquaintances, after all. Come, today's treat is on me!"

Haiwavi often traveled through town. Mercenary work meant licking blood from the blade, and they often had to visit the temple for treatment. But Druids not only possessed healing spells, they also understood herbs. Treating him to a meal would naturally help bring their relationship closer.

Before Romon could reply, Motte and his wife came out. Motte's face was beaming, his complexion glowing red as he shouted, "Haiwavi, you've got it wrong today. This meal should be my treat. Come on, I'll buy everyone a drink!"

The people present burst into loud laughter.

Once inside, Motte indeed kept his word and gave everyone a drink. They were all townsfolk, and no one tried to greedily take more.

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

Several people immediately cheered. Mrs. Motte's pancakes were a family heirloom. The pancakes were golden-brown, piled with a layer of fresh seafood: fish, shrimp, mussels, and clams cooked in a riot of colors. Purple-red sauce was poured over the seafood, and several green vegetable leaves covered the top.

They were truly delicate and tender, with peerless flavor—exceptionally fresh and delicious. This was Mrs. Motte's finest specialty, the inn's signature dish.

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

Bathing for a joyous occasion was customary. Romon smiled and followed the arrangement.

A hot bath was rather luxurious. Apart from wiping himself down with cold water, Romon normally could not enjoy such treatment. Now he gave himself a thorough wash. The pleasure of the hot water made him reluctant to leave, and he only got up to change into new clothes when Mrs. Motte called from outside—these were clothes Motte had worn in his youth. Their style was somewhat old-fashioned, but they were still very new, having been well cared for.

Fully dressed, Romon entered the inn's main room. Everything had already been prepared. The onlookers had left, while those remaining were all there to join the meal and offer him gifts.

There were two full tables, laden with grilled fish, ham and eggs, roast meat, and a pot of meat soup stewed until falling apart. To the Romon of old, it would have been an immense temptation.

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

Before long, his good friend Fafier hurried over. Fafier carried a string of meat. Clearly, he had already heard that Romon had become a Druid. The moment they met, his face bloomed with smiles. He came up to greet him and punched him lightly on the shoulder.

With everyone present, the inn soon grew boisterous. Everyone wolfed down roast meat while excitedly chatting. Romon, his heart unburdened, joined the crowd in fighting over the food. Fortunately, though 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. He nodded happily and left behind the gift money he had brought.

The inn would not open today either. Romon still helped with the work, clearing the tables that looked as though a battlefield had swept through them. Motte declined several times before finally accepting with a smile.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Motte counted the gift money. Added together, it came to eleven silver coins.

Once the cleanup was done, the inn was no longer open 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 different from before, and he could not continue working as an inn hand.

Romon immediately thought of his debts and said, "Well, I want to open a potion shop. Apothecary Ansen's potions must be sold through the temple, but mine can be sold directly to everyone. Apothecary Ansen has also allowed me to help and study in the herb garden in the future, which counts as work. That way, I can repay the money I owe the guild and you!"

To study Druidry, he owed Motte fifty silver coins.

"Going to the herb garden is a good idea. Apothecary Ansen has always treated you well." Motte immediately said, "Opening a shop requires money, doesn't it? How about I lend you more? No interest."

Romon sighed inwardly and quickly waved his hands. "Actually, I plan to go into the forest to gather wild goods, save some money, and repay what I owe. Later, I can also open a small herb garden."

"That's a good idea. It'll have prospects in the future!" Motte relaxed after hearing this. It was a perfectly normal plan.

Romon nodded repeatedly, indicating that this was indeed his plan. And it was true enough. "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 live there first. Once you have money later, you can buy a plot of land and build a house!" Motte said readily. Seeing Romon nod, he added, "Then come with me! We'll clear out the room!"

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

Romon declined slightly, then accepted it.

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

For the current Romon, that was already enough.

It had been quite clean to begin with. The three worked together to tidy it once more, and that was enough. Mrs. Motte also said, "Buy yourself a lock later. Lock the door when you go out, so none of the other lodgers can get in."

Romon lowered his head slightly in thanks. Only after the two left did he sit on the bed, his thoughts running wild. From today onward, he would no longer need to rise early to work.

Seeing no one around, Romon took a peach from his spatial storage and ate it as he thought.

Though he had already become a first-level Druid, true Druid training included the identification of countless plants, their growth habits, and knowledge of 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, one had to possess the means to survive when traveling alone in the wild. 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 learn quite a lot of skills there, after all, Captain Koirilo had instructed Richard to look after him.

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

Romon lay down on the bed, and little by little, his heart grew calm.