343 Chatting While Jack Rests (2/2)
The men didn't say much until they returned to the privacy of the office, where they found a grandiose pot of spider stew and a stack of bowls.
Serving himself, Daruun spoke up, ”So, Vixus, what are your intentions for the Leisure Guild?”
”I-I… I'm excited to join such a prominent guild and am excited to help revive it under the guidance of the Legend, who was able to summon even a god.”
”There's no need to be so nervous, Vixus. Just make sure to treat the guild right, or Jack will have to take care of you personally. Got it?” While intimidating Vixus with a smile, Daruun put his bowl to his lips, slurping away at the delicate broth. ”Ah… It's like I remembered. I'm glad that at least this remained from ancient times.”
Argyle tried to think of something to ask that wouldn't be put off for later, but he struggled to find such a question.
'Daruun, can you tell me what happened to Jack's avatar?'
”I already told you, I'll fill you all in about that once Jack wakes up.” The men were confused at what Daruun said until the god added, ”Oh right, Jack hasn't fully leveled up your telepathy skill yet… I guess it won't make much a difference to do this.”
The same strange, transparent energy that had altered Mooldrat's mind gathered around Bowzer's forehead. It was gone in the blink of an eye, but the next thing that happened shocked them all.
”I can speak! I can speak!” the fox shouted. ”I can speak like everyone else!”
”Calm down, little fox. You can speak normally now, but that's all. All I did was max out the telepathy skill that Jack has ignored all this time. It won't have any effect on his fate, so consider my thank to you, Bowzer. Thanks for staying with Jack all this time.” Daruun nodded his head to the fox, smiling warmly.
”Thank you, Daruun!” The bowed in turn, giddy to finally feel more included with the party.
”How about I answer your question, as Jack wasn't going to ask it anyway?” Daruun pointed at the beholder who was quite cramped in the back corner of the office. ”You want to know what happened to your race, correct?”
With a nervous smile, Mooldrat bowed. ”Thank you for thinking of me, oh great God of Fate.”
”Like many other races, yours was hunted by the gods. They were forced to either participate in the war or to be removed from existence,” stated Daruun, startling everyone in the room apart from Mooldrat. ”You beholders are proud, especially you Dark Beholders. Though the Scarlet Beholders and the Deep Beholders acquiesced and joined a side each, your people chose extinction, which is arguably my fault.”
”Great God of Fate, don't feel bad for me or my people. Unlike other races, our lifespans are enormous, which allows us to better remember things before the godly pantheons were formed. We were proud to fall so long as it proved to honor you, our--”
”That's enough.” Daruun held up a hand and used his energy to keep Mooldrat from moving his lips and tongue anymore. ”That's not something I'm willing to discuss right now, but I'm grateful to know that you and your people have remembered me after all these years.”
Feeling the energy release his jaw, Mooldrat smiled and bowed, not uttering another word.
”As for what you just hear, don't expect any explanations from me,” stated Daruun, looking back to the startled men across from him. ”That information is useless to you at the current moment, therefore, it's useless to waste words on it. Let's all eat and enjoy some soup while Jack recovers. In an hour or so, Kims should wake up and I'll introduce myself to him as well.”
While Daruun served himself seconds, Tralon sighed and served himself his first serving. Argyle was next and finally Vixus. Tralon also gave Bowzer a bowl and offered some to Mooldrat, who claimed to be full from his feast of rations.