"The nightingale's song drifts softly through the quiet grove toward you."
Amid the tender serenade of the Bard, Lucian left the bar and slowly walked over to sit across from the three adventurers, startling the flaxen-haired half-elf girl who had been lost in the music. She straightened her back with a jolt.
"Esteemed guest, you wish to hire us?" The mature and beautiful half-elf woman gently slapped the tabletop in front of her and asked with an amused smile.
Though she, like every other adventurer, figured Lucian was one of those sheltered noble sons who had run away from home after reading too many chivalric novels—and there was a hint of gentle teasing in her smile—she maintained her politeness on the surface. After all, such young men were always extravagant spenders and among the best possible employers. Nobody hated Gold Thalers.
Lucian nodded unhurriedly. "I need to get to Coss City. Would you three be willing to accept a commission?"
The half-elf woman seemed to be the one in the group responsible for handling communication with employers. She smiled and gestured to herself and the two beside her. "I'm Johanna, a two-handed greatsword fighter with High-level Knight Squire strength. This is my husband, Simon, a sword-and-shield fighter, also at the High-level Knight Squire level. And this is my sister, Betty, an outstanding archer—not much weaker than either of us. So, esteemed guest, hiring us won't come cheap. Of course, our reputation has always been excellent. It's not like some of those people whose employers just love to vanish. On that point, you can verify it with Uncle Hansen."
Hansen was the tavern owner and the local head of the Adventurers' Guild.
Johanna did not lower her voice, and for a moment, the faces of several adventurers and mercenaries in the tavern turned rather ugly. But Simon and the other two had well-known strength in the area, and their party composition was perfectly balanced. Unless they were facing a knight-class powerhouse, you would need at least three times their number to even think about making trouble for them.
"Coss City? That's wonderful! I heard that a musical genius named Bert from the Duchy is going to hold a concert there, and I've been looking for a chance to go back!" Before Lucian could even answer, the half-elf girl Betty blurted out in great excitement, earning a fierce glare from her sister. This underage girl never seemed to grasp the situation—this was the critical moment for haggling.
In a world with limited means of communication, music spread by Bards traveling from place to place was one of the few common forms of entertainment available to ordinary people. Things like circuses and operas required special occasions. This was also why musicians were so widely popular, even though they couldn't really offer much material benefit to other musicians.
Betty only realized her mistake after being glared at by her sister's beautiful eyes. She quietly stuck out her tongue and clamped her mouth shut, but her flaxen-colored eyes remained fixed on Lucian, full of anticipation, her slightly long ears wiggling faintly.
"How much would you require in pay?" Lucian asked casually, without much concern. Though he had spent generously on fine food and other luxuries along the way—twenty Gold Thalers in total—he still had a full eighty-five left. Besides, if he ever really ran short on money, all he had to do was find a major city, hold a concert, and he would be wealthy again. That was the benefit of being a famous musician.
Tsk, sure enough, a wealthy noble son. Johanna narrowed her eyes slightly, sighing inwardly while considering what price to set.
"One Silver Naler per person per day." Seeing his wife hesitating, Simon—with his short brown hair and lean, sturdy build—smiled and answered in her place.
Johanna couldn't help shooting her husband a glare, her eyes demanding: What's with you acting the same as usual? Have you gone stupid like Betty too?!
Simon hung his shield and longsword onto the small hooks on the back of his leather armor. "I don't want to destroy the reputation we spent years building. It's all on record at the Guild. Oh, and one more requirement, esteemed guest: daily pay must be given each day, directly to me—not to Betty. She never learns to value money, so we're saving it up for her. Once we get back to Coss, we'll put her through proper knight training."
In the nations of the south-central continent, fallen nobility were nothing like the genteel ones in Altor. So free knight training—designed to cultivate loyal retainers—had become a way to make money. Of course, this also gave ordinary people more opportunities. After all, in northern countries like Altor, ordinary people could only access proper knight training by passing a knight's examination, where money could do very little.
Betty pouted and looked pitifully at her sister and brother-in-law, but her long record of indiscretions could only earn her a merciless shake of the head.
Seeing that their asking price was only half that of comparable groups in Altor, Lucian pointed toward the bar. "Let's go draw up a contract."
With the Adventurers' Guild guaranteeing the contract, the chances of problems arising would be greatly reduced.
At the bar, Lucian handed his identity document and proof-of-credentials to the tavern owner, Hansen, asking him to verify their authenticity and draft a contract.
"It would be my pleasure to serve you, esteemed guest." Hansen smiled as he accepted both documents, but upon looking at them carefully, his expression immediately became peculiar. Still, he was no young man—he had a wealth of life experience—and he quickly suppressed his surprise without drawing anyone's attention.
Hansen bowed his head and examined the documents several times over, then checked the Divine Arts seal. Afterward, he spoke with an even more courteous smile: "Your identity documents are in perfect order. I'll draft the contract for you right away, Mr. Evans."
He felt a small thrill—the thrill of being able to boast to his grandchildren someday: "Hey, a big shot actually came to your grandpa's tavern—the famous musician of the entire continent, Lucian Evans!"
The contract was drawn up quickly. After both parties reviewed it and found no issues, Lucian was the first to sign his name and affix his seal.
Johanna accepted the contract and the three Silver Nalers of advance payment, examined the seal, then pressed her own thumbprint onto the document.
"You truly are a generous gentleman. By the way—may I address you as Mr. Evans?" Johanna asked with a charming and polite smile. None of her family could read.
Lucian nodded lightly. "You may."
Betty, seeing that the contract had been finalized, beamed brightly. "You're Mr. Evans too? Hehe, you have the exact same surname as the genius musician Lucian Evans from Altor! He's my absolute favorite musician—brilliant, young, and handsome! I heard he's traveling across the continent gathering inspiration. I wonder if he'll ever come to Gibuti." Her face was full of longing.