[It wasn't a test. You've been recognized.]
Teest placed his hands on Nol's shoulders, resembling a solid spirit behind him. [Truly deserving of the title 'Golden Sword'. His discernment is sharp.]
It seemed that Mr. Enbillick Alva's rise from being a wanderer to his current stature wasn't just due to luck and business acumen.
Having just completed a time-travel journey, God knows how much Nol wanted to find an inn and sleep. His favorability towards Billy gradually decreased, like seeing a boss suddenly announcing overtime.
Nol steadied himself and simply took off his hood. "Yes, sir. My brother happens to be away. He's waiting for me to return for dinner. You can chat with Mr. Painter. I'll take my leave first."
Golden Sword Billy apparently knew the former Pope Painter. It was now up to Mr. Painter to divert the attention.
Painter quickly intervened. "Yes, you see, this gentleman also happens to be busy. It's not appropriate for me, an outsider, to stay with your close-knit family. Thank you for your hospitality. We can meet again next time."
Billy's smiling eyes flickered between the two for a few seconds. "That's a shame… By the way, you two should be careful. The auction lost the 'Time Reversion' potion, and mercenaries are searching throughout the city."
Nol: ".….."
Painter: ".….."
"I guess you two are new here. Even if you have identity proof, you might still face trouble. Wait, your identifications are fake, right? You must be careful!" Billy earnestly said.
Painter, with a warm and perfect smile, responded, "I suddenly feel like having grilled ribs and onion bread. Sorry to bother you."
[Is this guy okay?] Nol wondered.
They had the "A Midsummer Night's Dream", so they didn't really care about being chased. But if they refuse here, Billy would 200% guess that they have a way to "completely avoid the patrollers".
[Follow him. I want to see what he's planning,] Teest hummed. [I'll deal with that shield later. Let's eat first.]
"I'll join," Nol responded slowly. "You're still so generous."
[I hope the grilled ribs come with apple mash.] Behind Nol, Teest wished with great anticipation.
Billy's residence was surprisingly modest.
But to put it another way, just looking at the house, Nol would guess it belonged to a slightly affluent commoner. "Golden Sword" Billy's mansion in the big city of Grape Collar was almost like the Flama family's neighborhood residence.
A small yard, a cozy two-story house, and windows filled with warm honey-like light. As soon as the door opened, the aroma of hot food wafted out.
The first floor was the living room. By the fireplace on the west side of the living room, the food on the dining table was fresh out of the pot. The onion bread gave off a scorching aroma, and the ribs on the iron plate sizzled. The table also had slightly burnt potatoes paired with roasted chicken, small duck tarts sprinkled with tomato and fried basil, plus a colorful vegetable soup.
Teest was pleased to find apple mash as a side dish on the table. The accompanying drink was juice mixed with soda, and he didn't smell any alcohol.
Billy's wife, Avra, took off her apron and greeted them with a smile.
"Daddy!" "Dad!"
Two kids stumbled towards the porch. Billy bent down, laughing, and wrapped one child in each arm. "Kids, we have guests today!"
"Guests!" The children shouted in his arms, turning to look at Painter and Nol following Billy.
"Yes, daddy's important guests. Did mommy feed you pumpkin milk porridge? How about going to bed early, hm?"
"Okay!"
"Sorry, it's a bit messy here." After ushering the kids upstairs, Billy, removing his coat, casually walked back. "We had just cleaned up five minutes ago, and those two little rascals will mess it up."
Nol sat at the table, while Teest lazily leaned against the back of his chair.
[There are at least fifty protective magical items in this room.] Teest was amazed. Any one of them was worth more than this house. [No wonder this guy had the confidence to bring people home.]
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Avra," Painter said, lifting her hand and giving a standard hand kiss. "It's been a long time since I've seen such a sumptuous dinner."
Avra, smiling radiantly, said with a heavy accent in the common language, "You're too kind, Mr. Painter." When her gaze met Nol's, her eyes widened slightly. "You are…"
"The young man we saved that day." Billy smiled. "He's with Painter, so I invited him over. Sir, would you like to introduce yourself again?"
"Ross." Nol bluntly gave the fake name.
Billy simply hummed. "Eat while it's hot. Try my wife's cooking."
Nol bravely picked up the fork, and the real battle began.
He had to avoid the gazes of Avra and Billy from across the table while feeding food to Teest. Even though the couple didn't notice Teest, it was still a highly challenging task. If he wasn't careful, he might be seen as a madman performing with cutlery in someone else's house.
Watching Nol sneakily feed the Mad Monk, Painter suppressed several laughs with a cough.
"Why are you going to such lengths?" Drawing Billy's attention, Painter's voice flowed like a gentle stream. "Mr. Alva, you don't need to take care of a minor thug like me—I suppose the renowned Alva Merchant Group wouldn't need the services of the Drifting Mercenary Group."
"You must have many enemies eyeing your courtyard. Hosting us tonight might stir gossip."
"It's been many years since we last met, hasn't it?" Billy tore a piece of onion bread, sharing half with his wife. "We knew each other when you were still at the Temple of Life. A friendship of twenty-one years, aren't I allowed to host an old friend?"
Nol's ears perked up, slowing his actions. Teest quietly scratched his earlobe, prompting Nol to stealthily grab another rib.
Painter laughed naturally. "That was in our younger days."
"Don't say that. I've always admired you," Billy said, raising his fruit soda. "The first apostate Chosen One, and such a heavyweight figure. If I had been in your shoes back then, I might not have had your courage. It's a shame no one else has done anything as exciting since then."
Nol, while eating baked potatoes, shook his head secretly in his heart.
Twelve years ago, another Chosen One betrayed God and became the infamous Mad Monk. Coincidentally, he's now sneaking around eating ribs at your dining table.
He glanced anxiously at Mrs. Avra. Billy's comments were rather heretical, and he was unsure how she would react…
"My wife is just a common believer. Her devotion to the gods is less than her interest in fresh vegetables." Catching Nol's gaze, Billy grinned. "I personally don't believe in such things either. Don't be too formal, young man."
"You and your wife's love story is widely known." Painter took over the conversation. "Wasn't our first meeting because of that?"
"Really?"
Nol immediately looked on with bright, curious eyes. Please, continue the conversation and don't focus on me.
Teest's actions also slowed. He leaned into Nol's shoulder, and their heads nearly tilted at the same angle.
"Yes, Mrs. Avra was originally a slave from a foreign country with a tragic background. Mr. Billy rescued her from the slaver group. When they wanted to marry, they faced strong opposition from Duke Alva…"
Duke Alva vehemently disapproved of the marriage.
At the time, Billy was emerging as a prominent figure. Duke Alva was looking to arrange a suitable marriage for him. Avra, being a former slave, wasn't highly educated and couldn't even speak the common language.
The idea of his adopted son marrying such a woman nearly made the Duke faint from rage. He publicly declared in front of the entire Alva family that he would only accept their marriage if the Pope himself officiated it.
[And then, Painter resigned because he was annoyed?] Nol turned to Teest, curious.
Teest stifled a laugh and shook his head vigorously.
In fact, something within Painter had never changed. Upon hearing of this, Painter, who was then the Pope, willingly stepped forward and happily officiated the wedding.
"I remember, back then, Mrs. Avra had just come of age." Painter reminisced. "The love of young people is truly heartwarming…"
"I didn't expect it to go so smoothly," Billy said with a chuckle while shaking his glass. "Most people would've been wary of the relationship between the Temple and the Alva Group and would've never helped me out."
"That's also why I couldn't hold that position for long." Painter took a bite from a chicken leg, rather ungracefully.
Billy also took a piece of chicken. "I've heard rumors… about the Flama family incident… Rumor has it that you couldn't accept the church's tacit approval of people's actions."
Nol paused with his fork.
Did the Pope renounce the faith twenty-one years ago because he couldn't stomach the atrocities against Teest's family?
"Seeing too much filth, that was just the last straw." With a clang, Painter threw the chicken bone onto the plate. "So, Mr. Alva, did you invite me over just to reminisce about the past?"
"I'm just very curious about a former Chosen One," Billy replied.
"Theoretically speaking, I'm still a Chosen One by God." Painter laughed. "Shamefully, my concept of 'God's Chosen One' isn't quite the same as ordinary people—'God's Chosen One' should rather be people choosing God. Does it matter if God exists or not? And does it matter if one believes or not?"
Billy chewed on his chicken, raising an eyebrow. "You really are blasphemous."
"Flattery will get you nowhere." Painter bared his teeth and stabbed his fork towards the ribs again. Despite all his talk, his pace of eating meat hadn't slowed down at all.
[The Chosen One is someone who chooses God? Interesting thought,] Teest said. [Then I choose you, honey.]
Nol choked on his vegetable soup, coughing till his face turned red.
[I'm really curious about his oracle.] Nol tried to change the subject in his mind while handing Teest a piece of duck meat pie.
Teest hummed, biting the tip of the fork. [I'm curious too. How about we set fire to the Immortal Church here?]
[…Just eat your food.]
They actually ate quite peacefully afterwards. Billy seemed to have invited the two just for a meal. Throughout the dinner, it was mainly Billy and Painter conversing back and forth. The probing Nol had imagined never occurred.
"…Something happened at the auction. I'll be leaving Grape Collar in a few days." Billy sighed. "I originally wanted to buy that 'Time Reversion Potion', but I guess it wasn't meant to be."
Painter, nibbling on the last rib bone, pretended he heard nothing. Billy turned to Nol. "What do you and your brother plan to do? If you want, the job offer at the jewelry store still stands!"
"No thanks," Nol said lightheartedly. "We want to explore other places."
"That's a pity." Billy lowered his eyebrows. "Oh yes, try not to go to the Black Forest. There's a group called 'Paradise' that has emerged recently. The Temple is still assessing the danger. All merchant groups have to detour for now."
"Thank you for the warning." Nol continued to force a smile. In fact, 'Paradise' wasn't a big deal—it was just a small community from another world. As far as he knew, the members of Paradise were busy farming.
Billy looked at him meaningfully for a while, then turned to Painter, continuing the casual conversation. "I've heard that something's happening at the border between New Gemino and the Shiva territory. The people from the Temple of Life are gathering there."
"Ah? I'll need to pick a new route then," Painter muttered. "I don't want to run into them."
Teest looked at Billy for a while, stole a potato tip with Nol's fork, and poked Nol. [Ask him about it. He's hiding something.]
"What happened over there, if you don't mind sharing?" Nol cleared his throat and aggressively speared a piece of potato.
Billy shrugged. "I heard that the Demon King's corruption is spreading rapidly, and monsters have become very rampant. I don't know much beyond that. The Alva Merchant Group never ventures to such places."
With that, he looked at his wife with a smile.
"Avra, you can bring the dessert now—you must try it. It's a new product from the 'Good Blessing Bakery'. We poached a great chef from Whitebird City!"
Nol tensed up immediately, fearing another plate of peach cupcakes. Fortunately, Avra brought large peach jellies accompanied by homemade orange cookies.
Billy personally served a cup in front of Nol.
"Please, enjoy," he said with a smile.
...
At midnight, Nol crashed headfirst into his inn pillow. The meal had been exhausting—gathering information, feeding Teest, and acting all in one. Being an introverted techie, his socializing cells were nearly drained.
"That Golden Sword Billy—why does he feel like a messaging NPC." Nol mumbled with his face buried in the pillow. "Talking to him feels like you might get some strange quest at any moment."
Now he was completely honest with Teest, speaking freely. This feeling was simply amazing.
When talking to neighbors, he always had to gauge their mental state. With Teest, he had no such concerns. After all, considering the Mad Monk's mental state, any change was considered an "improvement".
"He's selling you a favor." Teest stood by the bed, moving his shoulders. "The former Pope, needless to say, might have guessed that you are the Master of Paradise. After all, you've met before."
Nol sat up in shock. "Is that even possible?"
"Merchants live on information. That guy's nose might be sharper than an Investigation Knight." Teest threw himself onto the bed, lying beside Nol. "Alright, honey, we'll talk about these minor things tomorrow—I want a bedtime story."
"…Huh?"
"About 'Tahe', the story you promised." Teest turned to Nol. Only one oil lamp was lit in the room, but those golden eyes shone brighter than any flame.
"Okay, what would you like to hear?" Nol chuckled. "The design concept, production anecdotes—anything is fine."
Teest moved closer, eyes narrowing. "Then, let's start with the novice village."
"I have to think about where to start. Oh, did you know? Actually, that tavern…"
Nol recounted freely.
He told Teest about the NPCs that should have existed, described the discarded drafts, and hummed the background music that should have been played with flutes and harps… The surroundings seemed to transform from a dim inn to a sunny office.
And he was joyfully sharing his world.
The feeling of exhaustion faded, and his spirit seemed to be rejuvenated. Even as his mouth got dry from talking, Nol's mood lightened, and his eyes sparkled with laughter.
Teest knew well the different states of a person.
For instance, he knew that at this moment, Nol was completely off guard. He leaned in, blissfully talking about the origins of this world.
Teest listened carefully, observing even more intensely. His gaze followed every movement, every inch of skin. Without realizing, Nol's hands played with Teest's hair tips, his entire focus evident. The black strands swayed with his breath, and the faint lines on his soft, rosy lips became more visible. When he got excited, a blush painted his face, and Teest could hear his slightly accelerated heartbeat.
No different from an ordinary human.
A beautiful young man, yet speaking of the deep truths of the world. The scene was both madly captivating and enchanting.
Teest couldn't help but reach out.
Like ripe fruit bending a branch, offering itself to a thirsty traveler, it was undeniably an enticing invitation.
Taking a deep breath, Teest's hand finally rested on Nol's arm.
Even though he jokingly called Nol a god, in reality, even Nol himself was unclear about his status.
Though they seemed inseparable at this moment, Teest still yearned to know more, to understand better. To wash away the superficial mysteries and unveil the truth would be the perfect time.
But it wasn't the right time yet.
So, his hand simply caressed Nol's arm, feeling the ambiguous warmth. Nol's storytelling paused for a moment, and his voice got softer. He didn't shy away.
Shoulders, arms, the back of the hand. Every finger, fingertip, waist.
Teest's touch was very light. It was hard to tell if he was caressing a lover, a trophy, or a treasure.
"…When designing the specialty bread, we discarded several drafts…"
Nol's voice got softer, and just as he decided to halt the topic and address the wandering hand, Teest sat up.
"I guess you're thirsty."
He touched Nol's hair.
"It's time to prepare the Eclipse Shield."
The author has something to say:
Such a dynamic duo (.