44 Contrac (1/2)
”Lad, what is the meaning of this?” whispered Old Thane. ”Will you be fine?”
Li patted the old man's back, planting a defensive seed on him as he had done before with the bandits. ”I can take care of myself. Follow the adventurers out and get to the farm as soon as you can.”
The adventurers stumbled their way out, their movements lagged down by drink and stupor. But even weighed with alcohol, they still formed an orderly queue to stream out the tavern, the less drunk adventurers helping the more incapacitated ones out with stunning efficiency.
Teamwork and unity were probably the most important lessons that adventurers learned, and it really did show.
As the adventurers left, the less drunk ones gave short bows to the duchess while glaring at the man in the golden bodysuit.
”Thank you for all your service to the crown, dear adventurers,” said the duchess as she returned the bows with a smile.
When she spied Launcelot, passed out drunk and carried on the backs of his friends, she sighed. ”Oh, dear me, Launcelot, what will your mother say to such unbecoming conduct? Alas, I suppose that is youth.”
”Adventurers!” said her golden guardian. He crossed his arms and gave all the adventurers an almost laughing smile. It looked the same as the duchess's, just as wide and warm and showing perfect teeth that shone. ”I don't know where heroes like me would be without you adventurers to keep the lands within our borders safe. You folk are incredible!”
The adventurers ignored him, some scoffing at him, others rolling their eyes as they left.
”Sunstar, do control your voice. The adventurers are tired after a long night of merriment. I am sure the last they wish to hear is your booming ruckus.”
Li took a second look at Sunstar. This was the man that the vampire count had spoken about. The strongest of all heroes whose strength could topple mountains. The man whose powers came from an entirely different world.
He tried to use [Power Sense], but it came up with nothing, not even a profile. It was like he had tried using it on a rock. The count had mentioned that powers related to the game – stats, classes, and magic – came from a mutation, something within the body, and it was very apparent that Sunstar had no such thing.
”It appears the easterner is interested in you, Sunstar,” said the duchess. Her smile was warm, wide, and brimmed with an easygoing energy, but her eyes were far sharper, far quicker, paying attention to Li's every movement. ”But that is to be expected. You are the savior of humanity, after all. Go, bid him an introduction.”
Sunstar floated forwards, his cape of flowing light billowing behind him. He stopped when he was directly in front of Li. He still had a smile on, and though it was hard to tell because his eyes were solid dots of light, Li could tell the hero was analyzing him.
Li stood from his chair and shoved it behind him. He looked directly into Sunstar's eyes. ”Is there a problem?”
Sunstar stared at Li for a few seconds, and for the faintest of seconds, it seemed his smile wavered, but he laughed. ”Not at all, good sir! I am Sunstar, the might of humanity, incarnation of Helius upon this desperate world, slayer of the Burning One, and keeper of the Light. Though, I am sure you've heard of me?”
”Your name, maybe. Anything else? No.”
Sunstar laughed again. ”Of course. It is difficult to pay attention to heroics when you are busy adjusting to a foreign land.”
”Nope, I just didn't care to know.” Li shrugged.
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Sunstar kept his smile, and Li narrowed his eyes. Either the man was just that good of a person, or he was good at regulating his emotions. ”Why are you here?”
Sunstar pointed to himself with a black-gloved hand. ”Me? Oh, I have no business with you, easterner. It is the duchess that wishes audience with you. I am only here to ensure her safety, and rest assured, that is not because I suspect you of danger, it is an hour to hour job, you see.”
Li waved the hero away. ”I understand.”
Sunstar nodded, his smile still the same as ever, and floated backwards, allowing the duchess to come forward. She didn't care about stepping on the spilled alcohol and mess on the floor, Li noticed. She took a wooden chair and dragged it in front of Li, but before she sat, she motioned to the barkeep behind them.
”Barkeep! Be a dear and leave, would you? And lock the living quarters upstairs. I wouldn't want anyone to eavesdrop on royal matters. And don't fret – you will be handsomely paid for the lost business.”
The barkeep nodded, moving fast as he rushed his wide body up the stairs, disappearing with a loud thunk as he closed and locked the doors to the inn behind him.
”Ah, there we go,” said the duchess as she sat in the chair, stretching her arms out.
”I see you didn't want to be spotted.” said Li, eyeing the duchess's clothes. Very common and plain. Long, roughshod robes over woolen shirt and leather trousers.
”Oh, a keen eye you have, but not quite.” She motioned to Sunstar. ”He flew me here, so there was no chance for prying eyes to spot me. These clothes are simply the most comfortable for flights. It gets awfully cold up high, I've noticed.”