“Hey! Lucien, cut Eileen some slack if you want—but why are you saying that too?!”

  Russell protested again, his voice rising in indignation.

  “Huh? Who are you calling ‘some slack,’ you idiot?!”

  Eileen snapped, squeezing his head harder.

  “Ow ow ow! Let go! My skull’s gonna crack......”

  While Eileen disciplined Russell, Hulim Heyerar studied the group carefully.

  As the leader, Lucien had brown hair and dark eyes, clad in a full set of armor with a sword and shield slung over his back—undoubtedly the party’s vanguard, with Rank B strength.

  The rear guard, Eileen, had green eyes and chestnut hair tied in a single ponytail, wearing a gray mage’s tunic over her clothes. She was top-tier among Rank C adventurers.

  The scout, Frots, had black bangs covering half his eyes, dressed in simple black attire with two daggers tucked at his waist—his strength was on par with Eileen’s.

  Adding in the troublemaker Russell, the four formed a perfectly standard adventurer party. With a Rank B leader and all members being elite Rank C fighters, Hulim deduced that the Silver Party was classified as a Rank B party at the guild.

  “......I see. I roughly understand what’s going on now.”

  Hulim finally spoke up.

  “Really? That’s a relief!” Lucien smiled, though there was a hint of helplessness in it—as if this kind of incident had happened more than once. “Russell.”

  “I know, I know... Ugh......”

  Russell replied dejectedly, his shoulders slumping.

  Eileen released her grip on his head. Freed at last, Russell rubbed his sore skull and turned to face Hulim, looking thoroughly unwilling.

  “I’m sorry for offending you!”

  Thud!

  Eileen punched him on the head, then shook her fist threateningly.

  “Apologize properly!”

  “Whoa!”

  Russell jumped in fright, nodding his head so fast it blurred, spitting out apologies in a rush.

  “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have mocked you! I’m blind to true talent! You’re so generous—please forgive me......”

  His apology was flawless, delivered without a moment’s hesitation. Every gesture screamed years of practice, not natural instinct.

  “Um... That’s enough. I’m not angry anymore.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Hulim, startled by his over-the-top display, quickly stopped him.

  “Really?! ”

  Russell’s head snapped up, his eyes lighting up.

  “Then it’s settled!”

  “......?”

  Hulim barely reacted to his sudden mood swing. She stared blankly at Russell, who had already regained his cocky demeanor.

  After a moment, her expression darkened, and she said in a flat, emotionless tone:

  “No. Actually, I don’t think I’ll forgive you after all.”

  “Eh?! ”

  Russell’s face froze, panic flooding his features.

  “What?! But you said you weren’t angry anymore! ”

  “I said I wasn’t angry—I never said I forgave you.”

  “That’s cheating—”

  Thud!

  Another heavy punch landed. Russell crumpled to the ground, defeated.

  Eileen glared at him, her fist still raised.

  “You idiot! Can’t you even apologize right?!”

  After scolding him, she turned to Hulim and bowed deeply.

  “We’re truly sorry. Our fool here doesn’t have a brain cell to spare—please don’t take him too seriously. As compensation, we’d like to treat you to lunch. What do you say?”

  “Treat me to lunch? That’s fine......”

  It was almost noon, and having just arrived in Bongisto, Hulim had no reason to refuse.

  “Great! It’s decided then! Oh, and Russell—you’re paying for lunch.”

  “Ah？！！”

  Russell shot up from the ground, his eyes wide with horror.

  “Why do I have to pay?!”

  “Why? Do you have a problem with that?”

  Eileen raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp.

  “N-No......”

  Intimidated by her stare, Russell quickly backed down. But thinking about his wallet, he mustered up the courage to ask in a sycophantic tone:

  “Um, Miss Eileen... Can we go somewhere cheaper?”

  “Don’t worry~, Russell,”

  Eileen said with a sweet smile—one that didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Why would I make things hard for you? It won’t be too expensive. Just the Golden Pavilion.”

  “What——！！？”

  Russell’s wail echoed down the street in front of the Adventurer’s Guild.

  ......

  Some time later,

  Hulim and the four members of the Silver Party arrived at the tavern called the Golden Pavilion.

  Taking a closer look,

  the decor was indeed exquisite, and the tavern was quite large—most importantly, it was packed with customers. Almost all of them were adventurers with impressive strength.

  Hulim could sense no fewer than a dozen High-Rank Adventurers just with her aura perception. No wonder Luigi and 洛尔 had recommended this place—it was clearly a high-end tavern catering to High-Rank Adventurers.

  “......This place is really popular.”

  “Absolutely!” Eileen exclaimed. “The food at the Golden Pavilion is super creative and delicious—no adventurer new to Bongisto should miss it~! It’s a bit pricey, though—most ordinary adventurers can’t afford it.”

  “Did you know I just arrived in Bongisto, Miss Eileen?”

  Hulim asked.

  “I guessed it on the way. You looked unfamiliar with the streets, so I figured it was your first time here.”

  “Eileen, there’s an empty table over here!”

  Lucien waved them over from a vacant table.

  “Coming! ”

  The group walked over and sat down around the table. Eileen picked up the menu casually.

  “Hulim, is there anything you’d like to order?”

  “Do you have any recommendations?”

  “Hm, let’s see...... Since you’re new to Bongisto, I recommend their most popular signature dish—the Golden Feast Set.”

  Eileen pointed to a dish on the menu.

  “Golden Feast Set?”

  “Yeah! It’s drizzled with honey from golden bees, giving it a color like liquid gold—hence the name. It’s so tasty~!”

  “Golden bee honey?! Then I’ll have that!”

  “Great~! Lucien, Frots—what about you two?”

  “I’ll have the Layered Dried Meat Floss and a glass of Shooting Star Nectar.”

  “Layered Dried Meat Floss, and... seriously? Drinking alcohol at noon?!”

  “Haha, don’t worry—it’s low-alcohol. I won’t get drunk.”

  “Suit yourself! I’m not dragging you home if you do. Frots?”

  “The Emerald Forest Set and a glass of Blackberry Wine.”

  “Why are you drinking at noon too...... Ugh, whatever! I give up!”

  “Hmm, let’s see what I want...... I’ll just get the Golden Feast Set too!”

  After ordering, Eileen set down the menu.

  “That should be it. Should be enough for us.”

  “‘That should be it’—?!”

  Russell protested, his face contorted in grief.

  “Why are you all ordering the expensive stuff?! ”

  “You gonna order or not? If not, I’ll just wave the waiter over.”

  As she spoke, Eileen raised her hand to signal. A waiter not far away immediately started walking over.

  “I......”

  Russell was lost for words. Finally, he gritted his teeth.

  “I’ll order!”

  ......