Published: August 10, 2026
Before Judge and Stud, a wide variety of dishes were lined up so tightly on the table there was scarcely room to spare.
Meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruit. Fried dishes, grilled dishes, pickles, and stews. The colorful spread was not exactly splendid in a luxurious sense, but it had a charm that made one's heart lift without any sense of intimidation.
Seeing the two younger boys' eyes sparkle, Lizel, sitting at the same table, softened his eyes with an affectionate smile.
"How is it? If there's not enough, just say so."
"This is more than enough. I'm shocked by how much of a feast this is."
"You're our guests, after all. We have to make sure you eat until you're full."
An elderly woman brought out yet another plate of food and said that with an elegant laugh.
Lizel tried to help, but she only chuckled and refused with a, "No need." Lizel looked over the dishes spread across the table, wondering if they would even be able to finish it all. Large plates, deep bowls, and in between them, wine bottles tucked into every available gap.
Still, Judge and Stud were both in their prime. These two could eat while drinking, and in fact, drinking only made their appetites bigger. Lizel already knew they ate more than expected from the times they had shared meals in the Capital City.
"Did you go to the labyrinth with Eleven today?"
"No. That guy's after magic circles, isn't he? He doesn't come along for unexplored ones."
There was also Gill here, so even without Eleven, they would probably have no trouble finishing everything.
As for Eleven, he had simply gone out as usual. Lizel had told Judge's group that they were coming, just to be polite, but all he got in response was an "Oh, I see," followed by some idle chit-chat. As usual, no one made a fuss over it.
Quattro was out adventuring too, bright and active as always. He might be back soon.
And Gill hadn't been waiting around for them either; he was just here in the same way one might be at dinner in a dining hall.
"W-Wait, Mr. Gill, there's still an unexplored labyrinth?"
Judge, sitting across from Lizel, looked at Gill beside him with obvious surprise.
Gill leaned back against his chair, casting a tired glance off to the side. Lizel, smiling as if amused, poured a drink for Stud, who sat beside him, and said,
"You've been given some harsh criticism, Gill. According to the judgment of a first-rate appraiser, it seems like it wouldn't be strange if you'd already fully cleared all of them."
"Huh!?"
"Sorry about that. True, I wasn't exactly in a hurry."
"N-No, I mean..."
At the playful exchange, Judge hurriedly started to explain himself.
But the amused eyes turned toward him, and the corners of the mouth that twisted with a hint of irony made it clear he had quickly realized he was being teased. His face flushed as he lowered his head, shoulders curling in as he let out a meaningless groan.
"What's with that expression, you idiot?"
"I-I don't look disgusting... I think."
Stud piled on.
Then the old woman who had brought the water jug said, "Please, enjoy," and the four of them finally began to eat.
Judge and Stud talked a lot about what the Capital City had been like after Lizel and the others left.
That said, they hadn't been away for very long. From time to time, other adventurers at the guild would say things like, "I saw some nobleman in Sars," or customers at the item shop would mention, "Haven't seen him around lately."
Lizel was used to such rumors from his former position, but Gill couldn't help finding them strange. Why was he even being talked about? What was even stranger was that Judge and Stud discussed it so casually.
"Oh, it's lively here."
Just then.
An elderly man appeared after swinging the dining hall door open wide, with several wine bottles hooked between his fingers and hanging there. The way he held them up and grinned proudly, showing his teeth, made it seem like he'd brought them as a gift. Lizel smiled and thanked him, while Gill, still seated, glanced over the selection of bottles and lifted the corner of his mouth.