22.The Banquet of the Lord of Sailent

Merslin and his companions finished preparing and headed toward the lord's manor in Sailent. The mansion was lavishly decorated, and a large crowd had gathered at the entrance. Music and laughter filled the air, enhancing the festive atmosphere of the banquet.

As they entered the grand hall, Serena and Elena immediately caught the attention of the guests with their stunning appearances. Serena, dressed in an elegant gown, charmed those around her with her radiant smile, while Elena, exuding intelligence and dignity, effortlessly engaged in sophisticated conversations.

Serena gracefully moved through the crowd, effortlessly drawing attention with her charisma. "This is truly a magnificent banquet! The lord of this city must be quite an extraordinary figure," she remarked smoothly as she maneuvered closer to the host.

Elena, observing the architecture of the hall, added, "The design of this manor is quite unique. It showcases the lord's refined aesthetic sense." Her comment earned nods of agreement from the guests.

Despite their efforts, the lord was preoccupied, moving about the banquet without giving them a chance for a private conversation. Though slightly disappointed, Serena remained persistent, staying within proximity of the lord.

Meanwhile, unexpectedly, Merslin and Lisa began drawing significant attention. Merslin, with his composed yet kind demeanor, found himself surrounded by a group of admiring women, while Lisa, with her strong and confident aura, became particularly popular among the female guests.

Sailent, being a city of trade and pleasure, had a high degree of social openness, including towards same-gender attractions. As a result, Lisa found herself the subject of particular interest from a group of women who subtly and playfully flirted with her.

One woman gently placed her hand on Lisa's arm and whispered, "Lisa, you are such a strong and admirable woman. It's a rare delight to meet someone like you at such an event."

Lisa, slightly caught off guard, responded with a polite smile, "Thank you. I'm just here to observe and learn about the city."

Another woman brushed her fingers lightly along Lisa's shoulder and murmured, "Your muscles are quite impressive. How did you become so strong?"

Lisa felt her face heat up slightly but maintained her composure. "Just lots of training. But you might not want to get too close—I might react on instinct," she teased.

Meanwhile, Merslin found himself surrounded by a group of curious women. One of them smiled warmly at him. "Merslin, you're quite an intriguing person. It's rare to meet someone like you at an event like this."

Merslin, slightly flustered, replied with a gentle smile, "Thank you. This city seems like a fascinating place."

The women leaned in closer, attempting to pull him into their conversation. "Tell us more about your adventures, Merslin. Join us for a drink."

As the unexpected popularity of Merslin and Lisa continued, the lord's aides took notice and approached them.

"Lord, these are some remarkable individuals we had the pleasure of meeting tonight—Merslin and Lisa," one of the aides introduced them.

The lord of Sailent, finally taking notice, turned to them and spoke with interest. "Merslin and Lisa, welcome. You both seem to be quite exceptional individuals. What brings you to my city?"

Merslin responded with a polite bow. "We are travelers who take on various tasks throughout the land. We've come to Sailent seeking crucial information."

Lisa added, "We also wish to help maintain peace in this city. If we can be of assistance to you, Lord, we would be honored."

The lord gave a thoughtful nod. "I see. Then perhaps we should speak more in private."

With their unexpected success at drawing the lord's attention, Merslin and Lisa secured a one-on-one conversation with him. Serena, who had been watching the scene unfold, smirked in satisfaction.

"We've got our chance," Serena whispered.

Elena, standing beside her, agreed. "Yes. We need to make the most of it."

As the banquet continued, Serena seized the opportunity to mingle and gather information, while Lisa, despite her initial discomfort, found herself at the center of admiration from the female guests.

"Lisa, you're truly amazing," one woman sighed.

Another, emboldened by the lively atmosphere, playfully loosened the strap of her dress to draw Lisa's attention. Another gently caressed Lisa's waist and smiled suggestively.

Lisa chuckled, shaking her head. "You're all quite lively, aren't you?"

Merslin, on the other hand, continued engaging in conversations, expanding his network of acquaintances within the city.

"You're quite the charming one, Merslin," one woman complimented.

Merslin chuckled slightly. "I appreciate the kind words. I'm glad to be here."

Through the banquet, Merslin's group gained a valuable opportunity to dig deeper into the hidden truths of Sailent. The lord, intrigued by their abilities, subtly hinted at an offer.

"In fact, I may have a task suited to individuals of your caliber. If you're interested, I could use your assistance," the lord suggested.

Merslin's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered the proposal. "We are always willing to fight for justice, Lord. But in return, we hope for fair compensation and trust."

The lord smirked. "Of course. If you accept my request, I will ensure that you are well-rewarded."

Serena and the others exchanged glances. This could be dangerous, but if they wanted to protect Sailent, they couldn't ignore the opportunity.

Elena murmured, "Merslin, we need to take this chance. Working with the lord might be the key to securing this city's future."

Lisa nodded. "Agreed. With the lord's support, we can do much more."

Merslin took a deep breath before nodding. "Very well. We accept your request."

Thus, their mission in Sailent took a new turn, plunging them deeper into the city's intricate power struggles.

The Steel Crisis and the Tower of Taragon

Following the banquet, Merslin's party was tasked with resolving a supply issue—iron shipments had stopped, causing blacksmiths to halt production. The blacksmith, Goble, explained the situation.

"The supply of iron has been cut off, and our forges are at a standstill. The merchants' guild is interfering," Goble said with frustration.

Lisa clenched her fists. "We won't let them get away with this. We'll deal with the guild's schemes and restore the iron supply."

The party set out to infiltrate a secret warehouse controlled by the merchants' guild. Under the cover of darkness, they moved stealthily, quickly dispatching guards.

Serena picked off enemies with her crossbow, while Elena's lightning spear struck down foes in rapid succession. Merslin unleashed powerful flames, and Lisa cut through adversaries with her greatsword. Meanwhile, Aria provided support, healing any injuries sustained in battle.

During the skirmish, a shadowy faction emerged to assist the guild's guards. They were no ordinary opponents.

"This is no simple supply dispute," Merslin muttered, fending off a dark mage's attack.

After a hard-fought battle, they secured the iron and discovered a letter instructing them to meet someone at a luxurious bathhouse within the city.

The bathhouse was like another world—misty, tranquil, and filled with the sounds of laughter. Half-naked men soaked in hot water, while women in sheer robes attended to their needs. Though no illicit acts took place, the atmosphere was undeniably suggestive.

Amidst the steam and luxury, Merslin's party spotted a key figure—a young noble from the shadowy faction.

A fierce battle erupted within the bathhouse, with steam rising like battlefield smoke. Serena swiftly eliminated foes with her dagger, Elena's chain lightning struck multiple enemies at once, and Merslin's fire magic turned the baths into boiling infernos.

Lisa clashed with armored foes, her strength overpowering them, while Aria worked tirelessly to keep the group in fighting shape.

As the noble fell, he let out a final warning. "This isn't over… A greater power awaits you…"

Realizing that they were up against something far bigger than expected, Merslin's party prepared for the next phase of their mission—the mysterious Tower of Taragon.