"So, this is the Fighter"s Retreat."Standing outside of the said place, Gray was able to find its location after asking the townsfolks for directions.
From the looks of the establishment outside, the premises of the tavern seemed to be inviting and modest, as evident by the people being seen to be coming in and out every once in a while. Planks made out of softwood and intricate wooden carvings that depict the Lion can be seen making up the building"s exteriors.
It"s rather unfeasible in peeking through the tavern windows, but Gray unmistakably could hear the delightful sounds of singing and dancing inside the tavern from where he currently stands outside.
Entering the place through a wooden door, Gray could only marvel at the huge place as he was welcomed by the festivities and sights that are currently ongoing inside.
The interior of the establishment is as engaging inside as it is on the outside. Circular wooden beams are shown to be supporting the upper floor with the large candles attached to keep the place lighted up. The walls are scattered with all sorts of different paintings that portray Warriors savoring the battlefield with blood and steel everywhere.
The tavern itself is jammed with the many locals of the town, no doubt here to enjoy the merriment of the place and also served as means of a great company. Several long tables are seen all over the place in the middle and are occupied by the locals, travelers, adventurers, tourists, and anybody else who wishes to join in for a good couple of drinks and food. There are also small tables around the corner and are mostly occupied by the people who are either strangers to each other or merely desire to wallow in an intoxicated pleasure all by themselves.
It"s as clear as day that everyone relishes the happenings inside, with some of the patrons are shown to be singing and dancing as they go along with the lively beat of the music being performed by a group of Bards playing different musical instruments grandly in front at the stage.
Indeed, the place is like what Gray might have expected in a generic pub house set in the medieval age of a typical RPG fantasy troupe.
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As such, the Elf himself could not help but be excited by all of this as he enjoys the scenery of the bar locals going about with their affairs.
"If it isn"t the Elf himself!!"
A familiar voice greeted Gray coming from his side. Turning around to face the one hailing him friendlily, indeed it was no other than his new friend, the Cat-folk Champion, Isamu Meiyo with his civilian attire, a blue s.h.i.+rt with long pants and brown boots, just like the one he usually wears when they make camp back when they traveled together days ago.
"Hey, Isamu." Gray greets the Cat-folk with a grin. "This place sure is rowdy, hehe."
"Heh, never a dull moment here, that I can very much a.s.sure you," Isamu responded as he unveils his toothy smirk. "Let"s go have a seat."
Being only two, Isamu led the Elf in one of the small tables at the corner of the tavern and settled themselves in comfortably.
"Oi, fair la.s.s!!" Isamu calls one of the barmaids that is tasked to serve the customers. "A pint of your finest mead for me and my Elven friend here."
"Right away, sir." The barmaid nods with a smile as she went her way to bring the order to the pair.
While waiting for their order, Isamu opted to break the ice by initiating a conversation with Gray. "So, what can you say about Chadena so far?"
"It"s a delightful place." Gray nods with a sincere smile. "The townsfolk are nice, willing to show me the directions around the district. Not to mention, the sights are certainly astounding, especially the Boscage."
"The Garden District, yes," Isamu answers as he strokes his furry chin. "The beautiful garden is unquestionably a spectacle to see. Although the main reason why I visit the place is to pay my respects and prayers to the G.o.d of War, Agveyr at the temple."
"The temple huh," Gray said. "One of the townsfolk that I met did mention about the place. I kind of forgot about it as I made my way to the Magus" Emporium instead, the Magic shop just right beside the temple."
"If there"s a temple, then there"s a shrine, which means shrine bonuses." The Elf added in his thoughts as he could not deny the benefits of praying to a symbol of a G.o.d. He"s surely going to visit the temple the moment when he has the chance.
"Heh, you Mages and your fascination for unworldly things," Isamu comments with a playful tease. "I a.s.sume you have met the owner of the shop, right? He"s a rather eccentric man as what I heard from what the people speak about him."
"Yep." Gray nods. "Our first meeting though almost gave me a heart attack as he was outside at that time and approached me in a surprising manner when I was making my tour at the gardens of the Boscage."
"Ah, yes. The Lizardling is also the gardener, I keep forgetting that." Isamu said with a nod. As he was about to continue their chat, they were interrupted by the barmaid as she brought their order. The Cat-folk eyes her with appreciation and thanked her.
The barmaid simply nods. "Is there anything else you need, gentlemen?"
"Maybe later, la.s.s." The Cat-folk answers as the barmaid left them alone to their devices. Then, he faces Gray again as he now holds the wooden tankard and took a gulp of his mead, savoring the strong yet distinctive honey taste of the liquor. "Ah, now that hit the spot!! Now, where were we? Ah, yes, about you and your time at the Boscage, tell me more about it."
Seeing no harm in telling his new friend about it, Gray agrees as their conversation now talks about his moments at the Garden district and by extension, inside the Magus" Emporium.
The Cat-folk"s slit eyes could not help but be filled with interest the more the Elf indulges him about his story, leaving out no details. Isamu listens as Gray tells him regarding the favor or quest that was asked by Rarsu, involving the Arcanist in helping the Druid in a ritual involving the operation of an Arcane Sentinel. Isamu was unquestionably perplexed as the said ritual requires a portion of his soul to activate the Arcane Sentinel, in the form of a crafted body of a little girl. After the ritual, Gray was rewarded with his a.s.sistance by being offered an Apprentices.h.i.+p and the Arcane Sentinel that he and Rarsu had activated.
"Soul Transfusion." Isamu states with slight confusion. "Can"t say I"m knowledgeable about anything regarding magic given my profession, but d.a.m.n, that must hurt like a f.u.c.king a.s.s, your soul being rip out and all."
Having little knowledge about magic overall, Isamu did not question Gray of how the latter managed to be here at a normal condition and not suffering from the after-effects of the ritual.
Gray also realizes it and decided not to bring that particular topic into the light until he finds out more about it.
"It f.u.c.king hurts indeed." Gray nods as he s.h.i.+vered at that particular horrifying memory of the pain that is forever engraved at the depths of his very mind. "But I guess it was worth it. Having my own Sentinel as well as being mentored more about magic is beneficial in my part. Not to mention the ma.s.sive Experience boost that I gain from the quest."
"Heh, so I"ll be seeing more of you here in town then." Isamu grins at the prospect of the Elf staying in Chadena. "It appears we have similar situations of the sort. You doing some magic training with the Lizardling while I myself am also having plans of training with two of the senior members of the Guild."
"Good for you." Gray solely smiles. "And yes, despite initially not my plan, I suppose I"m not much of a hurry in reaching the capital. After all, Arkanos University won"t be having legs anytime soon to be running away from me now, would we?"
"Haha, you got that right, partner!!" Isamu chuckles at his statement.
"How goes the talk with the Guild Master by the way?" Gray now asks the Cat-folk"s story. "Is he mad about what we did?"
"Nah, don"t worry about it." Isamu waves his hand in dismissal. "Quite the contrary. He was rather impressed by your actions overall as well as us thinking sensibly instead of acting brashly amid a delicate situation. As such, I was granted a blade from his personal armory for the troubles."
"Nice." Gray nods with utmost approval, feeling happy for the Cat-folk.
As they continue their conversation, Gray took a sip from his pint of mead. The Elf absolutely loved the intense yet sweet flavor that he tastes from the mug.
"Wow, this mead sure is amazing." The Elf compliments on the alcohol"s taste. "I"ve never tasted anything quite like that."
"This my friend is the "Golden Lion."" Isamu grins widely as he takes another huge gulp from his drink. "The specialty of Fighter"s Retreat and one of the reasons why this establishment is renowned throughout the public and the best part? The mead is inexpensive, only costing 15 gold per mug."
"I can definitely see that." Gray nods with utmost approval at his remark as he too took a huge chug of the mead down inside his throat.
Being a heavy drinker back on his time on Earth, The former human prides himself on his respectable tolerance of the alcohol, developed from the frequent Friday nights of company parties and social gatherings as well as his moments alone during the weekend where he regularly spends his time drinking cans of strong beer while playing video games and trash-talking other players online in a fit of drunken rage.
As a matter of fact, none of his colleagues and friends at the game company had ever bested him when it comes to the reveling art of alcohol drinking.
Good times indeed…
"Thank whatever G.o.ds above that my resistance to alcohol has pa.s.sed through in this Elven body of mine." The Elf thought as he managed to remain control of his faculties despite taking the huge load of the alcoholic drink. "Hehe, time to indulge in some drunken splendor."
"Say Isamu." Gray smirk challengingly at the Cat-folk. "How about a drinking contest, just for fun"s sake, what do you say?"
[+3 CHAOS]
Isamu undeniably was provoked by the challenge being issued to him as he bares his fangs defiantly for the Arcanist to see.
"You"ve just read my mind, Elf."