Chapter 63 - Tavern

Upon the center of their attention, Joan can only prepare to grip his wooden sword. Thinking that if anything happens, he was prepared to defend both of them.

Mind tensed, heartbeat racing, gripping the wooden stick tighter and tighter. Their stares became focused and the time seemed to stop for a second. Throat went dry and hoarse, sweat went down his face and to the floor.

As Joan was tensed, Isaias tapped his shoulders and they smiled at him.

"Calm down, they are friendly," Isaias said.

"Please tell me ahead beforehand okay?" Joan said then felt at ease.

Isaias then leaned on the counter table then inquired to the teller..

"A hot soup for our tummy and a drink for two," Isaias said then poured the silver coins he had. Not much but it was enough.

The coins spun a bit then Joan stopped it by taking a push on its top. Clanking the coin to the wooden counter.

"Let's eat while hearing rumours, so focus on the objectives," Isaias instructed.

"Okay, I got it," Joan replied.

Moving to the center of the tables, the two went to where they could properly hear any rumours to have a clue. Still, Joan thought of asking themselves but they will be snubbing him.

As he has low charisma, it would be awkward if he will just crash into their conversations without respecting their privacy. But on higher charisma, he can pretty much converse with them without problems.

Thinking of it not working, they started listening to the rumours.

Starting on their backs, they can hear small laughs with conserved speech. They were talking about the current lockdowns of the village and how their families can survive.

Others were merchants that sell to the visitors of the village. No visitors, no revenue. Except to the villagers themselves.

Upon hearing some more, they started to turn serious.

"The cults are recruiting in these past days, saying that they will award them with a huge salary. Hmph, these bastards will surely make something nasty," said the adventurer.

Drinking an ale of wine then smashed it to the table.

"I heard some villagers joined as they wanted power and money. We better be careful as they attacked the neighbour village," The other male adventurer said that has long hair and dagger pouches on his chest.

He then grabbed one of his knives and then stabbed it to the table.

"I didn't expect our other comrades will be lured by those bastards! I curse those sons of bitches for good!" The adventurer said to the others.

Joan went to hear to the other guards located at the other side of the table. They were eating cheese stabbed by a knife then tucked it into their mouths. Drinking ale in succession.

"I heard that the King was recruiting an army for the threat. I also heard many heroes will rise from this predicament. I hope that the King will succeed. They will launch their attacks to the dark side of these plains that was rooted with evil seeds. Uprooting it for kingdom come. The revival of The Lord of Affliction is just the start of this turmoil. Much worse will soon come my friends, much worse will come soon," Said one of the guards.

Upon hearing it all, Joan and Isaias looked at each other. Thinking that they heard enough for the meantime. Waiting for several minutes, their ordered food arrived. Making the two smile in the process.

The food was pork soup and a drink for two. Grape wine as they both saw the content of the drink.

"So Isaias, what are our plans now. You heard all you need to hear," Joan said to him. Sipping on the soup then biting the pork.

"Hmm, you can guess that I will take this one step at a time. We are still lacking when it comes to preparations. The enemy is one step ahead compared to us. The difference is just we are ready to meet these problems compared to the past," Isaias said to him. Eyes still full of hope as it glitters in the light.

Joan smiled at his speech. Making him have hope that was about to flicker in just moments if not for him.

"Hmm, let's enjoy first the drinks and the soup. They hit the jackpot in this one. Now, how about the past travels of your companion in the past? You seem hesitant to say it now," Isaias said to him. Hands clenching the spoon.

"We travelled for many years in the past. There was a time when he was just a boy and resurrected a bird to live. Just by his breath, it has been called to going back to this life. Many things happened and he died. By being killed for the crimes he didn't made. He says in his last breath that the ones who killed him didn't know what they are doing. I am willing to defend him but I am reprimanded. Saying it is the will of his father for him to die," Joan said sadly.

Eating more meat, he slowly regained his lost energy. Sipping the warm soup that was cooked for them.

Isaias then tapped his shoulders. As he can feel that Joan felt remorse and guilt. Being distracted from eating the food.

"Joan, you did your best. I can feel that you are having some regrets but you accomplished the mission of the father. As he needs to pay for our sins and so he died for us. Not something ordinary of a tale but it was what the father see as a perfect sacrifice. You've done well, and as for other problems. We are faced with a reality that we need to solve. And that are the cultists. I have sensed that they are growing in numbers recently. But still, we need to be wary of them," Isaias said to him.

The adventurers were starting to have a heated conversation. Making one of their voices rise.

"There are many monsters in the roads appearing this lately in this kingdom and many neighbour villages are attacked. We should be prepared for the worst." Said the adventurer in their back.

"Looks like we are not the only ones who have that problem," Isaias said to Joan.

"Yeah, we sure do," Joan replied. Eating more chunk of meat.

Upon their backs, they listened again to the adventurers while sipping the drinks they ordered.

"The roads are infested now and our merchant caravans are having more trouble recently. Recruiting more adventurers in the guild to make sure to have safe travel. Even more so, fate is still very unforgiving. Many are killed just this past weeks and I don't know how much more in the future," the sad adventurer then chugged all the contents of his drink. Slamming it to the table.

"We should be more prepared Joan, we didn't know everything at first glance and it will only result in more bloodshed. Remember that we can't save everybody in this predicament. Even with your powers Joan. You can do everything but not everything will flow by your plans. This world is a lot harder than you thought compared to your past world. You should be prepared," Isaias said in a grim voice.

"Yeah I got it, should we order again? I like grilled pork or grilled chicken. You want too?" Joan asked him.

Isaias coughed a bit then changed the mood.

"Yeah, how about grilled pork and chicken. I still got plenty of coins." Isaias said as he went to the counter.

Joan who was sitting then summoned his crow. On his hands was perching while standing upright.

"Tengu, patrol in the surroundings of the village. I can feel evil entities lurking in this village," Joan said then Tengu flew towards the exit of the tavern.