Chapter 18: Sweet Rest And?

We arrived at the port city of Rabata in Roshan.

The merchant leader seemed thoroughly pleased as we had reached Rabata without even the slightest damage. Moreover, the head of the guards was so impressed by my skills that he spoke highly of me to the merchants, resulting in a reward that exceeded our original agreement.

Having completed the long journey, it was time for a well-deserved rest. With a recommendation from the merchants, I rented a room in the finest inn in Rabata. The escort mission had been quite long, so unusually for me, I chose to take a bath before eating. This was because I wanted to soak my body in hot water and check on both my financial situation and my skills.

"Let's see, my level is now 28…"

I carefully reviewed the list of skills available to me.

The [Dimensional Garden] skill I acquired at level 26 was literally a skill that allowed me to create a "garden" accessible only to me. With this garden, I could grow any plant in optimal condition without interference.

I haven't created the garden yet, though.

Now, I finally had the environment to grow the seeds I had collected so far, especially the "Black Opium" seeds I received from Khalid.

The quality and size of the [Dimensional Garden] depended on one's skill level, so it was best to create the garden in perfect condition after taking enough rest. That's why, even though I acquired the skill during the escort mission, I hadn't used it yet.

But now in this peaceful state, it was the perfect time to create the Dimensional Garden.

I sat cross-legged in the wooden bathtub filled with warm, rippling water and focused my mind.

I slowly drew up pure and clean energy from within while praying to Lynshaka…

"…Garden Open."

I whispered those words while drawing in the purest form of magical power, and then this carefully selected power spread out in all directions before gathering together. When I slowly opened my eyes, I saw a vast expanse of land stretching out in front of me.

"This is beyond a mere garden…"

I didn't say that to boast, but objectively speaking, this size was too grand to fit the quaint term "garden". It wasn't just a garden or a field, but a massive plain that stretched out as far as the eye could see.

"…I could live here; I could really live here."

It was excessively vast. Overwhelmed, I let out a disbelieving laugh and took a walk through this "garden". Mild weather and fertile land. It couldn't be more perfect for growing seeds.

"Hm? What's that?"

As if to validate my thoughts, something was already sprouting in the center of the plain. A tree? I had never heard of such a thing growing here…

"...."

But it seemed wrong to uproot something that was already growing. The land was vast enough to spare this space. Using the [Breath of the Forest] skill, I gathered dew and sprinkled it over the tree, then exited the Dimensional Garden.

"Haah… Anyway, it's time I learned [Moon Light]."

[Moon Light] was literally a skill that borrowed "moonlight" from Nemeya, the goddess of the moon and mercy. As the moonlight bursts forth from the spot where the evening primroses bloom, it burns anything impure with its silvery flames.

The skill required the specific ingredient of evening primroses, but this was hardly a challenge for me as a druid.

Similar to the [Radiance] used by clerics, [Moon Light] was especially effective against demons and the undead, making it the perfect skill to learn currently.

I have plenty of evening primrose seeds too. If I grow them in the Dimensional Garden, I can keep harvesting the seeds.

I soaked in the warm water, enjoying the comforting feeling of relaxation.

Everything was going smoothly. It was perfect.

"Master?"

"Hmm?"

"The time you mentioned has passed."

"Already?"

An hour had flown by just checking the skills.

I rose from the bath, tidied up a bit, and stepped outside. El was still organizing her gear.

"El, just tidy up enough and come down. I'll order us some food."

"Yes, Master!"

El responded enthusiastically. She was evidently looking forward to a luxurious meal after such a long time.

This escort request had been a long one. Since we were part of a large caravan, we weren't short on food, but it was far from exquisite. As with all preserved food, the bread was dry, the jerky was tough, and the stew was bland. Even though we occasionally shared the lunches I had packed in my space ring, they hardly offered much satisfaction.

I headed straight for the inn's attached restaurant upon our arrival. For me, indulging in good food was the pinnacle of true rest. As soon as I sat down, I ordered a cold beer. I remembered a mercenary's advice about the unique flavor of the red wheat grown near Rabata, from which an exceptional beer was brewed.

-Gulp, gulp, gulp.

"Aaah…"

Sure enough, true to the mercenary's word, the red wheat beer was full of distinctive flavors: bitter, savory, and addictive. Thanks to that, I couldn't stop and had no choice but to empty the entire glass.

I ordered another beer and, on the innkeeper's recommendation, chose the fresh reef turtle steak, a clam-filled cream soup, and coral shrimp fritters. When El who came down later saw the spread and drooled, I also ordered five servings of sea quail roast.

We started by tearing into the sea quail roast that arrived first. The whole sea quail, which was roasted slowly over charcoal after removing the fat, was small, but much more chewy and delicious than ordinary roasted chicken.

"Eat slowly."

"It's just too delicious…"

Even when I thought about it again, I couldn't believe that the kid eating with her mouth full of meat juice and grease was that <Silver Lion Reinhardt>.

Yet it wasn't a far-fetched tale at all since El was steadily growing. Eating well, sleeping soundly, and repeating training almost daily had built up her muscles and improved her skills significantly. Feeding her felt rewarding in that sense.

After giving the last piece of sea quail roast to Ayla, who was waiting patiently under the table, I began slicing the reef turtle steak. Simply seasoned with salt and pepper, the reef turtle steak tasted like a blend of veal and lobster. Since the portion wasn't large, I quickly followed it with a hot bowl of soup. The creamy soup, rich with clams and simmered for a long time, warmed my insides and relaxed my tension.

"Ouch, that's hot!"

"That's why I said to eat it slowly."

El who had carelessly followed my lead and gulped down the soup, screamed in surprise. Tsk tsk, being able to handle hot food is almost a Korean specialty. It's no wonder she who came from a noble background and was accustomed to dining etiquette that often involved eating cooled-down soup couldn't cope.

I passed a glass of water to El and squeezed a lemon. Squeezing half a lemon over the coral shrimp fritters, the zest spread a salty and tangy aroma that involuntarily made me swallow. I dipped a crispy fired shrimp into a rich sauce and popped it into my mouth. Ah, this is the taste… Coming to the sea was indeed a great decision.

"El, if there's anything else you want to eat, just tell me. I'll buy it for you."

I firmly believe that one should never skimp on food. And this was especially so for El, who was in her growing years. Ensuring she was well fed and never hungry was important for her muscle development. After all~ this is all about raising that <Silver Lion Reinhardt>.

"I-I'll have another roast sea quail and a bowl of soup, please…"

"Landlord, make that three roast sea quails and two bowls of soup. And add a glass of milk and some blackberry juice. Oh, and another beer, please."

As I sipped my beer with the fried shrimp, I started thinking.

Now that we're in this port city, maybe I should look for a caravan heading to Lysette?

Lysette, the land of elves, was brimming with quests. Unlike Roshan, where level-ups were difficult due to its region-specific dangers, Lysette offered abundant opportunities for leveling up. Waiting for an escort request to Lysette might be a good option.

The quest to find the Temple of the Origin God surely seems like endgame content.

Attempting such endgame content at my current level was akin to madness. Clearly, focusing on leveling up was the priority for now.

"I heard there's a druid here."

…Huh?

A group of mercenaries barged into the inn and bluntly inquired about a druid. In this inn, no, in this entire city, the only druid was…

"Over there."

…me.

The innkeeper's gaze naturally shifted towards me and the mercenaries' eyes followed suit. Wait, this doesn't feel right. I downed the rest of my beer in one gulp while trying to maintain my calm.

Thud, thud.

Clank, clank, clank.

These bastards were fully armed.

Ayla who had been quietly munching on a sea quail under the table began to growl softly at the approaching mercenaries.

This doesn't bode well.

Was it fortunate that we were almost done with our meal? Slowly, I reached for the dagger at my waist, ready to act at the first sign of trouble…

"Are you Sir Theodore?"

I was prepared to stab first and run… Huh? Sir Theodore?

It was rare for mercenaries to use such a respectful title. It was usually reserved for nobles, knights, those of great fame, the wealthy, or the exceptionally strong.

I didn't fit into any of those categories. Although I held the title of [Saint of Purification], I had only cleansed a portion of the cursed lands in a corner of Roshan which was hardly enough to be considered "famous".

Yet, they addressed me as "Sir Theodore"?

"…Yes, I am Theodore."

The one who seemed to be the leader among the mercenaries glanced at our table and continued speaking.

"I apologize. You must have just arrived and not yet had the chance to shake off the journey's fatigue."

To think he could speak so politely, he was quite the educated mercenary. I subtly moved my hand away from the dagger and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Indeed, that's the case, but please go ahead with your matter."

The mercenary fell silent for a moment. It seemed as though he was hesitating about something.

"We are from the Rabata mercenary guild."

To be from the Rabata mercenary guild meant they were a group that operated solely within the city. Unlike the mercenary guilds floating around here and there, they still have roots. They were more akin to a proper institution, closer to city guards.

"I am not interested in any offers to join."

"That would be an unfortunate misunderstanding. Sir Theodore, you are far too distinguished to be confined to a place like this. Even the captain of the Echaits Union guards has said as much."

"You speak too highly of me; I'm quite embarrassed."

"However, we were hoping you might be able to help us just this once."

It seemed we were getting to the heart of the matter.

As the mercenary spoke, the old book within my possession trembled. Wait, could this be…?

"Please help us purify the mines. Oh [Saint of Purification]."

A quest?!

I hurriedly pulled out the book and opened it. To my surprise, the previously empty pages now burst forth with familiar letters that shone brightly.

[Quest: The Rabata Mine Subjugation]