End of the Banquet

"Since there is a pressing matter that abruptly arrives in our midst, then I announce the end of this banquet!" Sigmund delivered what was deemed to be the last piece of his speech as his guests decided to leave to encounter the giants. "But I suggest others to stay. We still have large numbers of barrels of juice wine to empty. Chief Rafa, do you know how to play chess?"

The village chief was startled when his name was called.

"Father, I will assist the adventurers through the portal." Larry surprisingly requested as he watched Sigmund nod in a ceremonial affirmation. "Ladies and gents, let's go!"

The village elders watched the adventurers passing through the spatial rift in large numbers. With anxiety painted on their faces, the elders placed their hope on these mages for the survival of Greston Village.

"Harry, indulge Lord Rainier while Rafa and I play some rounds," Sigmund commanded as he gestured Rafa Libera towards the main hall. "Eldora, Markito, and company, please make yourselves comfortable."

After giving his command and request, the guests witnessed the immediate appearance of various seats including couches and lounge seats facing the area where the multiple hologram screens showed the South Gate area. A large throng of giants could be seen on those screens.

"These giants are nasty! I can't wait to kill one of those though." The grumpy dwarf spoke as he selected one of the cozy seats. He was served by two beautiful female servers. "But I think I am too drunk to do that now."

"Seeing you're too comfortable with beautiful servers around you, I don't think you want to fight head-on. Hmph! You see they're giants and you're a dwarf!" Miraith stated as she intended to provoke the dwarf.

"Are you underestimating the dwarves, milady Miraith?" Andvari Jari groaned, clearly displeased by the vexation.

"Hey, you two! It's not time for conflict. I think Lady Miraith and Lord Andvari should join hands to see if the barrier is still working." Zemeni interrupted which put the two demi-human elders to stop their bickering.

"Rowetha, fetch the formation masters to fortify the barrier if needed. Inform the elf guards to patrol the district. Signal the elves to return to their homes. Got it?" Miraith called her vassal as she relayed the instructions.

"Yes, your Majesty!"

"Andvari, aren't you going to check on your clan?" The elf elder asked.

"I already did after Sigmund mentioned the giants."

"Oh!"

"That's efficient!" Zemeni sent him a compliment.

"We may be small but we act fast. Anyways, I am confident about Sigmund, so what is there to worry about?" Andvari lazily stated while he was sipping more glasses of juice wine.

However, both Zemeni and Miraith were astounded. They felt that the dwarf elder knew something they didn't.

"Woah! The giants are coming through the gate!" Ricarford Berry exclaimed, driving other guests to anxiety.

"What?"

"The barrier this time is that sturdy? Does your clan reinforce the strength of the barrier, Miraith?" Ricaford queried.

"It's the dwarves. We are only requested to prepare a large supply of herbs, pills, and potions!" Miraith responded with bafflement. She and the other elders stared at Andvari who was drinking wine like water.

"Don't worry about me drinking much wine. I intend to help in emptying the barrels. I find out that this wine does not really bring intoxication to dwarves. Instead, it's like a tonic to us." The dwarf jovially uttered, a contrast to the previous grumpy disposition. But then he suddenly stopped as several pairs of eyes were in his direction. "Why are you looking at me as if you're looking at a culprit?"

"When did your barrier become an offensive type? Look at the screens! Giants are instantly scorched into ashes when they pass through the gate. Even in other areas of the barrier, the giants were petrified and then turned into ashes! How did you manage to devise that kind of formation barrier? Why was it not employed during the beast tide?" By this time, General Markito Lora displayed his astonishment, which he shared with other elders.

"Woah! Those are a lot of questions! Easy peasy! Did I not tell you my confidence in Sigmund? Anyways, I was working with Larry and Harry regarding the formation barrier. That's all I can tell. So, please let me enjoy this moment with these beautiful ladies. It pisses me off to see those ugly giants!" The elder dwarf nonchalantly replied as he shrugged and even went to lie down on the couch. "This couch is too comfortable. Isn't it like a bed?"

"This dwarf…"

"Miraith, I think he's right." Zemeni interrupted. "Let's see how those giants will survive."

"I don't think there is much to see. Almost all those giants are too dumb to realize their brethren became ashes when they attempted to fly through the gate and the perimeter, not knowing about the formation barrier." Ricaford remarked while his surprise didn't subside yet.

"Wait, just how many are these giants? Didn't your spies check the primeval forest for their exact number, general?" Zemeni inquired as she continued watching the screen while her target was Markito Lora.

"The reports initially relayed are in the hundreds of rogue giants. But there are cyclops, which are intelligent giant beings." Markito Lora responded.

"Cyclops!"

"How many are they, general?" Miraith asked with concern.

"They are more than a hundred as we estimated." The general muttered as his report would surely bring chaos once announced in public.

"That's numerous!"

"Cyclops are not yet included in those giants that turned to ashes," Miraith informed.

"Indeed. So are we expecting thousands of giants swarming in our village?" The grand elder continued to ask.

Markito Lora, with no other avenue to vent, only clenched his fists.

"General?"

"I don't think we need to be too concerned about that, seeing these giants immediately die as they passed through that barrier. Let's wait if the employed barrier will still work with the cyclops." the elder elf spoke, trying to placate the tense atmosphere.

"We can't be over-complacent because of this offensive-type barrier!" Zemeni yelled. Other village elders were taken aback. "Why are you not saying anything, Carlson?"

The guild master of the Adventurers Guild whose presence was perennial during the banquet but his gregariousness was left to be desired.

"It's as Andvari said. Worrying too much will get us nowhere. The barrier has been employed. I have witnessed it myself." Carlson Brand replied despite being tipsy.

"So, how about those adventurers?"

"They are served as the backup. No immediate risk as I can see. Well, the screens are showing what I have been expecting. But you're right that we can't be too complacent." The grey-haired, muscular, handsome, middle-aged mage garbed in a dark blue noble coat replied. His lack of anxiety even pissed off most of the elders.

"The Cyclops are coming!"