Chapter 31 - 31. Side Characters Getting All The Attention.

"Knock... Knock... I'm back..." I greeted everyone the moment I opened up the door and entered. "Look at what I've got here... Its Musa Belle and this is great to eat after being steamed until it is soft and mushy..." I said as Prius looked up from a letter that he had read and was looking a bit worried.

I went to the kitchen and placed a pot and a weaved basket in it and poured enough water until it reaches the base of the basket. I fired up the stove and tore some bananas off its comb and places it in the steamer and closed the cover. I gave the bellows a few pumps and the fire that had been stocked with firewood and coals flared up.

"Heya Prius, what's the matter? You look kind of weird and quiet today. Is anything bothering you?" I asked out of curiosity since he didn't speak a word since I had come in.

"Ah... Sorry. This letter here, it says that there is a band of thieves lurking around underground. They called themselves White Hand. I'm not sure who and how they looked like but it was said that if they were caught by the authorities sent by the officials, the operators of the Great Hall will suffer the consequences and might be blamed as part of the conspiracy."

"Come, let me take a look and when I held it, an announcement ring in my ears saying that I had learnt a new skill. Language: Gaelic. After I read it I understood that Prius had never picked up a sword in his life. "Where is Trish now? She usually would be hanging around here before dinner time" I asked as the steam from the pot was pouring out from the lid, as it would take some time until the water had almost evaporated for the bananas to be properly steamed.

"Pat had gone to gather some information, she would be back shortly. Don't worry, she works discreetly and no one knows she is gathering such information to decimate to people whom she trusts," he said as he placed the letter in his pocket and looked up at me.

From the way he looked at me helplessly, I knew he would be seeking for my help very soon and since I am indebted with him and his sister, I felt that the only way to repay them is to hunt those thieves and clear the Keating family name.

The sun had dipped low on the horizon when Patricia made into the door but not before she looked around as if she was being followed or not. She hurriedly sauntered in and went to sit at the table and an offscreen crew brought out a soda drink for her and poured it into a mug before he disappeared offscreen again.

HEY...!!! Side characters get to be treated with soda drinks and the MC had to watch them savour in front of my eyes or what? HELLO... Did you forget who I am here? Yours Truly is thirsty too you know after battling 360 goblins and carrying those planked shield even though I am encumbered within the battles.

"Max didn't leave the key to his trailer, so we can't get the stash of Frappucino for you. Sorry...!" hollered the crew who had gotten Patricia the drink. "You can share mine, Audemars," said Patricia as she held her mug to my face. "Is she really wanting me to be in a relationship with her since she is willing to share my saliva in her drink?" I thought to myself as I muttered thanks and took a swig and returned the mug.

She smiled when I handed the mug and she drank from it too. I don't know if she did gargle inside the mug earlier before she handed it to me but I'm hoping there won't be any bits and pieces of today's meal in there.

I excused myself and went to the kitchen to see how the bananas were doing and I poured a bit more water in the pot, pumped a few times on the bellows and watched the steam worked on the bananas. Parts of it had turned brown but I need it to be totally cooked so it would take another 20 minutes or so.

After checking the dessert, Patricia came in and asked what I was doing as she smelled a nice fragrant coming from the kitchen. "Steamed Musa Belle bananas. One of the best there is." I replied as she prepared dinner and carried them over to the Great Hall.

"It's fortunate that you both had prepared both lunch and dinner today, if not we would have takeouts." Prius said casually as he mentioned the word 'takeout'.

"Is it possible to have takeouts here? I see a Tavern and it's only serving bread and some stuff. Not like those proper meals in a restaurant." I said as I observed the whole northern and central district. I had not gone to the southern district but I suspected it to be similar to the northern one.

"Ah Yes... We so have takeouts. We just order online and they would deliver it over here. It is as simple as that... Don't you have a mobile phone? Tsk tsk tsk... We would be caught dead without one these days you know." Prius answered me as he waved his latest Note 10 in front of me and slipped it back.

WHAAATTTT....?!?!? Side characters now are holding to mobile phones? I'm not even carrying one and I've missed carrying one too. I'm busting my ass farming those goblins and yet both of these side characters had enjoyed a rather laid back lifestyle. I saw Patricia showed me her iPhone 11 Pro and smiled as she snapped a photo of me ...huu huu huu...

The air inlet for the stove had been closed and the fire slowly died off, heating the pot by depending on its embers only. We had dinner with the similar dishes that were cooked for lunch as we sat in deathly silence as no one mentioned about the letter or the band of thieves that had called themselves the White Hand.

"Trish, leave the plates here. I'm going to get dessert. Don't worry, you can settle the plates later." I said as I went to the kitchen to get 6 pieces of steamed bananas which the skin had turned almost dark brown due to the steaming process.

I placed them on a plate and brought it to the Great Hall where I took one myself and showed everyone how to peel it off and eat. Sheesh... It is like as if they had not eaten a banana in their whole life. Because the way if eating it seems abit alien to them. Hah Hah Hah.

Each took a piece and peeled away the dark brown skin away and when they looked at the banana inside, it was pearly yellow and the taste was even sweeter and compliments the end of our meal. When Prius sliced the banana up with his fork and brought it into his mouth, he was surprised at how different the banana tasted like and he closed his eyes as he chewed it slowly and thoroughly in his mouth.

Same goes to Patricia and she thought I had steamed it with sugar water as it tasted very sweet indeed. They finished theirs in their plates and took the remaining one. "Don't worry, there's some more inside the pot. Go right ahead and dig in. So tell me about this White Hand gang."

Opening a discussion like this during meals would break the ice somehow and Patricia had somehow gathered enough information that she needed.

"Go to the Strongbow Tavern, meet with the owner, his name is Silas. He is known to be involved with the White Hand in one way or another but since he had been a citizen here throughout his life, we had doubts he was involved directly with them." Patricia said as she made her findings known to me.

"Silas? He's as scared as a kitten for all I know and he wouldn't harm a single fly in his life. He is a soft-spoken fellow. I think he has been forced into this involvement somehow. Audemars, my good friend. I sincerely hope you would lend a hand to ensure the good name of Keating household."

"I didn't mean to spy on your activities yesterday, but I just wanted to make sure that you are not a spy or an opportunist. I hope you forgive me. But please, right now I need your expertise in eradicating these thieves in the name of Keating and the safety of its citizens. Would you do it for us?" Prius explained and implored for my assistance since he knew somehow I had unlocked several of the classes.

"Small matter. Don't you guys worry about it. I had been taken care of by both of you for 6 months and didn't mention about repayment for such services. Let me repay you back by clearing your family's name. I'd see the owner of the Strongbow Tavern and I'd be back once everything is settled." I reassured them even though I won't know what the results going to be.

I finished up the other piece of steamed banana and let out a loud belch... Hah Hah Hah... At least I'm satiated and had my full to the max. I took my leave and headed straight off to the streets.