Chapter 26: A Merry Tavern

After enjoying the food, the Cross sibling and Ralph is chatting with the other customers.

"I want to hear the story of Ralph. Come on. A story please." Adrian's words attract the attention of the crowd and Marylyn as well. Ralph gulps down his saliva hearing the young master's request.

"Hahaha… You want to hear his story? Sure, sure." A rugged man laughs out hearing about the interesting topic. Everybody else begin to perk their ears up. They either know about it or not, it is interesting to hear the story about a man that is adored by the commonfolk.

"It's like this Adrian boy, Ralph like us is of common birth. He had a humble family but life is difficult. His siblings are not too healthy because they had a bloodline disease from his mother's side. That left of his family his father and himself."

"After he finish his studies at the academy at the age of 15, he joined the Lightbearer Mercenary Corp. The mercenary group is the 3rd best at that time in the south. He is not the best but his kindness is what makes people hire the Lightbearer Mercenary Corp."

"Yeah, I heard he sucks when he first joined them. Hahaha…" Someone in the crowd adds made the atmosphere a bit cheerful. The looks like Ralph story are quite well known.

"Although he sucks, he is still under the Lightbearer name but they kick him out after 2 years working as a scout for them. After that he works at the capital as a guard. He still treats everyone with respect until he came across a marquis's son."

"It seems like higher nobles don't like politeness. Before thing get ugly, a viscount intervenes. The viscount slaps the marquis's son hard and the marquis said, "Oops… my hand slipped.". From there, the whole debacle escalates but the First king stepped in and settled everything."

"The news about it spreads and Ralph's name along with it. The viscount defended him and tells the king of Ralph's deeds for everyone that passed through the gate. After that is settled, Ralph applies to work with the viscount as a butler."

"Yeah, he still sucked at it. At one time, the mansion was caught on fire because he blew the fire so hard that it spread to the mansion. It is one of the highlights of his life to gain him his fame. Hahaha." Another person adds making the crowd laugh.

"Please not in front of the kids." Ralph said hiding his face from embarrassment.

"We know. That is still not the worst coming from your clumsiness." The rugged man said.

"That is an interesting story. No wonder you always kept a professional look. Don't worry, improvement is good. You are different now." Adrian said brazenly making everyone jaws dropped.

"Is he really 10 years old? Why does he speak like a sage?"

"I know right? His temperament is like an adult."

"What did the count and Ralph feed him?"

"Cough… the young master is a prodigy. He starts studying from the age of 2. Please don't mind much from him. Just treat him like the others." Ralph proudly announces the reason he didn't leave the mansion for 10 years.

"Yeah, don't mind much. Miss Lily drinks on me for today." Adrian shrugs his shoulders while drinking his tea. The crowd cheered.

"Hahaha… the count sure had some interesting kids. One is a prodigy and the other one is super adorable."

"This kid really did know his stuff. A toast to Adrian and Marylyn."

"Cheers!"

They all drunk the afternoon away. Adrian goes to the counter where Lily is making drinks, like he wants to orders something.

"Some bread with soup and a good juice please." Adrian orders while sneakily slips 2 gold to Lily.

"As payment for today." Adrian speaks in a soft voice.

That should be enough. Most commoners never had a gold coin so 2 gold is plenty. Lily understands Adrian did not want to trouble her with her holding gold coins. She nodded.

"A serving of soup and bread for the young master. I will bring it to your table later with the juice of course." Lily smiles.

"Mary, do you want some more juice or anything?" Adrian asked his little sister that had been shy since they enter the tavern. Some people just speak gibberish to her so she eases up.

"No, big brother." Marylyn replied.

"Okay, we leave after I finish my second serving." Adrian finally said they will leave soon.

Time passed by and many mercenaries come by the tavern to relax. They greet Ralph and Adrian after hearing drinks are on him. They merrily spend their afternoon. Adrian quietly sneaked out bringing Marylyn and Ralph.

"Okay, that is quite wild but it's a good atmosphere." Adrian leaves his review.

"I'm too shy. It's like my 5th birthday, big brother is the one paraded me around." Marylyn felt depressed.

"Don't worry young miss, you are lucky to have a big brother like young master." Ralph cheering up Marylyn.

"You are right Ralph. Big brother is the best." Marylyn instantly cheered up after hearing about her beloved brother.

"Alright Ralph, bring me to a good craftsmen carpenter. I need to order something first then we go for a tour." Adrian orders Ralph.

"I know a place. Follow me, young master, young miss." Ralph begins to walk to a certain direction.

Arriving at a wide workshop that is full of saw dust and woods piling up, Adrian saw a dwarf who is arranging his tools.

"Hello, Rupert. I came here with the count's children." Ralph greets the dwarf named Rupert.

"Ah, Ralph what else do you want. Last time you want a training sword for a kid than come back making me bedazzled it up for a prince." Rupert seems to be annoyed to be bothered.

"If you don't have time, so be it. What I want to request is something new. I guarantee it will be famous soon. We will be off searching for a qualified wood craftsman." Adrian presses the dwarf rage buttons.

"Kid, you sure are sharp tongue as they said. Don't ever say those words in front of a dwarven craftsmen." Rupert starts fuming.

"So, do you accept the challenge or not?" Adrian asking for confirmation.

"Who do you think I am, kid? Show me what the challenge is." Rupert asked don't want to be looked down.

"I want you to make these…" Adrian starts to cast earth magic. He pulls off a chunk of rock from the hard ground and shape it into a 25 cm diameter disc. He shapes it properly to make a prototype.

"Done. This is just an example. I want it to be made of wood that is light enough for it to glide in the air when tossed and durable enough for it to withstand from crashing repeatedly. Make 3 examples for me first each must be different types I want to test it myself. Can you do it or not?" Adrian describes his vision.

"I must say that is one good earth magic. Kid, you should be around 10 years old now, right? You must have an affinity with earth magic. Also, what with the question that I can do it or not? Of course, I can. Give me 5 days. I hope what you say is true." Rupert accepted the challenge from Adrian.

"Sure, see you in 5 days. Let's go for a tour." Adrian left with Marylyn and Ralph who had curious expression on what is Adrian planning.

"Hehehe… I will introduce to Etterra simple sport that everyone can play." Adrian excitedly thought.