Arad smiled, staring at the man, “Did you know about us?”

Edward smiled, “She sent a letter talking about you. She said a newcomer has been showing off in the guild.”

Arad pulled two chairs and sat down, urging Edward to sit with him, “What did she say?”

“She called you a magic and martial monster, boasting both a powerful body and innate talent for fire that surpasses our elemental bloodline.” He stared at Arad’s chest and shoulders, “I say you can put some paladins out there to shame even though you’re a sorcerer,”

Arad stared at his own arm, “In what way?”

Edward smiled, staring to the back where a bulky man sat on a chair with a stern face, reading a book with a hard leather cover decorated with gold.

“That’s a paladin of Amaterasu, the goddess of the dawn and dusk. They boast a high resistance to curses and the power to smite with flame and holy magic.” Edward snorted, “Look at those muscles. He’s huge, like a bull. But nowhere near you.”

Arad looked at the paladin in the back. ^I can’t really mess with them, can I?^ He sighed, imagining an army of muscular men running after him with smiting blades held up high. ^I would die,^

“How many of them are there?” Arad whispered to the Edward.

“A lot, I don’t keep count, but the royal court had once said they have over five thousand paladins in the capital alone.” He stole a glance at the paladin in the back, “If they intended to crusade, they could gather over twenty thousand men in a week.”

^Holy hell, literally. I can’t win, but at least they can’t fly.^

“Even so,” Edward smiled, scratching his head, “There is an elite unit of holy blood sorcerers that took the paladin class as well. Those can manifest angelic wings, fly, rain holy swords from the sky, and even summon low-ranking celestial beings to fight by their side. I would count them like ten paladins each.”

Arad started sweating, “Holy **, they are insane.”

Edward laughed, “Holy bull** I say. But at least they aren’t as insane as the mages or bards.”

“What?” Arad gasped, staring at Edward, “The what?”

“Wizards able to drop meteors from the sky to obliterate cities. Bards with powerful enchantments and charms that could seduce the mightiest dragons and demons. I say those are more dangerous.” Edward smiled, “Isn’t that right?” He looked at the woman who was sitting on the edge of the tavern.

The woman sighed, “You give us more credit than we deserve. At least make it so that we can buy beer with it,” She growled, taking a large gulp of her mug. “It’s not that simple to charm a powerful creature like a dragon. Their brains are built differently.” She sighed.

“I mean, some of your people in the collage of words can, right?” Edward stared at her, and then back at Arad, “She’s a bard in the collage of words. They study the meaning of words like love, hate, fear, death, and more to inscribe into their songs.”

The woman smiled, “Words carry magic, names are important, and they don’t come back after being spoken.” She looked at Arad, “Have you heard of Princess Isdis? Her name carries the meaning of an ice goddess. Thus she can use its power to draw upon cold magic.”

“Then I can change my name, and get power?” Arad stared at her.

“No, your name is only given once.” she smiled, staring at Mira, “Make sure to pick a nice one for your child.”

She stood and approached the counter, paying the bartender for the beer and looking at Arad with a smile. He glared at her, ready to strike.

“Don’t look at me like that. There isn’t that man’s reason for a man to lung like you did, but protecting a child. Treat them well,” She then left.

Aella looked at Arad, “So you have to avoid bards?”

“I guess. I don’t want to end up seduced by one.” Arad replied, looking back at Lydia and Mira, “Is she fine?”

“Told you I didn’t get hurt,” Mira replied, smiling.

“I’ve been sensing a lot of holy magic since we came here. It’s as expected from the capital with three massive churches and a lot of small ones.” Lydia smiled, taking a deep breath. “If it wasn’t ruined by the stench of beer and wine.”

Edward stared at her, “Beer and wine are good, not for your health, but your head.”

“Anything that muddles the mind is generally bad.” She smiled, “But I didn’t say you should stop it. Everything has its place.”

Eris looked at Arad and then at the bartender, “Care to bring us something decent? A wine, not too strong nor weak.”

Edward smiled, “Something to discuss a top with? I got the right thing,”

Eris sat with Arad, “I checked the city. This place is beautiful at night, but going to the back allys is a deadly mistake.”

Arad blinked, “Did you get attacked?” ｂ𝚍ｎｏ𝚟ｌ.

“Of course I was,” She sighed, waving her palm, “Robbers, kidnappers, scammers and even weirdos. Alas, I can handle it myself,”

Arad stared at her face. ^She killed them or fed on their blood. I hope she didn’t leave any traces.^

“Here you go,” Edward gave the drinks they asked for, “Halflings deadknock wine. It’s made of glitter grapes and is known for its sweet yet strong taste. And even though it’s as strong as the dwarf’s firewire, its effect only lasts for a few seconds. You won’t remain drunk for longer than five seconds.”

Eris took a sip, her eyes rolling back, and quickly came to their place, “Wow, this thing holds a punch. Try it.”

Arad took a sip, feeling nothing. He then gulped the whole thing, sensing a shiver in the back of his head, radiating to his lower back, but quickly faded. “It’s weaker than firewine. But good,”

“Man, you’re going to get some hate. Halflings are stubborn about their wine.” Edward smiled.

Arad looked at Eris, “You better go sleep. After we deliver our package(Isdis). We’re going to the marketplace to buy some clothes for you and the rest.”

Eris smiled, “I can sleep this early,” She looked back, “Aren’t I used to staying late up with you,”

Arad stared at her, confused, “That’s your fault, learn to sleep,”

She smiled, standing and heading up. On her way, she stopped and pointed at the holes in the stairs, “What happened here? Who’s going to pay for it?”

“Of course me,” Arad sighed, looking at Edward, “How much is the repair?”

“I don’t know. I need to hire a carpenter to look at it first,” Edward smiled.

“I don’t know the prices around here,” Mira stared at the stairs, “But I would say about ten to fifteen silver coins. Arad, do you have some wooden planks?”

Arad stared at her, wanting to cry, “I have,” He screamed inside, ^You shoved your whole workshop down my throat!^

He then glared at her, “But you aren’t fixing it. Leave the work for someone else and rest.”