The entire bar fell silent as Lucian removed his hood, revealing his long ears and green hair.
Ebony began to worry when she didn't hear a single insult directed at her companion. After all, half-elf hybrids were hated to death by the other races.
However, just as she was expecting a sudden attack while discreetly gripping the shield on her back, a laugh broke the silence.
She didn't know who the laugh belonged to, but in an instant others joined in, and suddenly the whole bar was laughing as if it were some great joke. Even Lucian let out a light chuckle as he brought one hand up to his head.
"Long time no see, old greenie. Come on in, come on, sit down with old Russel," said the bartender, a man with a thick beard and a belly just as large, which jiggled as he stepped out from behind the counter toward an empty table.
Lucian and Veronica, as if this were a reunion of old friends, walked over to the chairs and, before sitting down, gave the bartender a hug. He already had a few gray hairs mixed into his red beard.
"Long time no see, Russel. How's your wife and the kids?" Lucian asked in such a calm, familiar voice that it completely confused Ebony.
"Ah, you know how it is. The oldest left the hexagon a long time ago. The youngest is still at home, won't move his ass at all. He's starting to worry his mother and me," the bearded man said as he lit a wooden pipe he used for smoking.
"And how have you been, Lucian? I see you brought some new company with you," Russel said, looking at Ebony with a hint of distrust.
"Actually, it's more than just company, old man. That one over there is his wife! The proud bastard finally got married, can you believe it?" Veronica shouted jokingly, teasing Lucian with such natural ease that it left Daniel staring with his mouth wide open in shock.
"Oh, don't tell me! You should've said so sooner! Welcome to the family, little one. Don't be shy, come give old Russel a hug," said the big man as he stepped toward Ebony, hugging her and lifting her effortlessly despite the heavy shield she was carrying.
"Ho ho ho, I'm so glad you dragged this stubborn old elf out of his cabin! Now we're family, so relax. Maybe I was rude for ignoring you. I'm Russel Rukert, pleasure to meet you. What's your name?" he asked as he set the blonde back down.
"Heh heh heh… Thanks… I'm Ebony Strange, nice to meet you, sir, but… family?" Ebony asked, looking at Lucian in confusion.
"Oh, he didn't tell you? Son of a bitch. This long-eared one's always been this mysterious. I guess time doesn't change elves much, ho ho ho," he said as he guided Ebony to the table, seating her between himself and Lucian.
"Well… oh right, and what about that other companion? Is he trustworthy too?" Russel asked Veronica quietly, trying to be discreet in front of Daniel, who was still standing a few meters away from the table.
"Yeah, yeah, he's fine. He can come," Veronica said, raising her hand and calling Daniel over. He sat down beside her timidly. Despite everything they'd been through, the young man had no experience with places so crowded, having grown up in the countryside.
"Daniel, this is Russel, an old friend. Russel, this is Daniel, a new friend and the guardian of our marriage," Lucian said, introducing them with a wave of his hand.
"Nice to meet you, kid. Guardian, huh? Mmmmm. Well, we'll have time to talk more later. First things first, girl, let me tell you a bit about your husband," Russel said, pausing as he puffed on his pipe.
"This long-eared one belongs to our mercenary guild. Believe it or not, when he first arrived here, he was actually pretty sociable. He talked so much that almost no one could shut him up, ho ho ho," Russel said with a huge grin on his face.
"HIM?! Seriously? No way, I don't believe it. He barely even laughs," Ebony said in surprise, tugging at the elf's clothes as he let her shake him from side to side with a serious expression.
"Oh yes, and what's more, even if it doesn't look like it, this kid's got the heart of a little chick. He always took cheap jobs because he said the poor deserved protection too. You know, merchants just starting out," Russel said, glancing toward Veronica.
In that moment, Ebony understood how Veronica and Lucian had met. Even so, it only left her with more questions than answers.
"Now that you're his wife, you can consider yourself part of the guild even if you don't bear the contract mark!" the old man said, then lightly smacked Ebony on the back. She didn't move an inch and seemed to be enjoying the moment.
Old Russel looked at Ebony carefully. That tap had been a small test of resistance. When he had lifted her earlier, he'd felt the weight of her shield. It was abnormal to see such a skinny girl with that kind of strength—something he confirmed with that simple gesture.
"Well, well. Anyway, tell me, Veronica, did you bring the client's request?" the bearded man asked as he continued smoking his pipe.
"Of course I did. Here you go," Veronica said, immediately pulling out a silver necklace with a blue magic crystal embedded in the center.
"Ah, excellent work. Not a single drop of blood, not even a speck of dirt. As always, a fine job from the guild's dynamic duo," Russel said. When he spoke those words, Lucian's and Veronica's eyes met.
For a moment, they both smiled, then lowered their gazes as if resigning themselves to letting go of the past.
"You can collect your payment from the lady whenever you want. She'll be happy to see you, I'm sure. It's been a long time since you came here, little one. But anyway, can I help you with anything else?" Russel asked, looking at the elf in front of him with mild suspicion.
"I suppose it's hard to hide anything from you… Well, it's a long story, but we're very tired. Would you mind if—" Lucian began, only to be interrupted.
"Of course you can stay here, no problem. You still remember where the rooms are, right? You can stay in number 15," Russel said as he stood up from the table.
"Yes, of course. Thank you for your help," the elf said, shaking the old man's hand. Russel handed him a key and walked away, returning to his place behind the bar.
The group stood up from the table, and just before heading toward the stairs leading to the first floor, Veronica let out a sigh.
"Well, it was a nice trip, guys. I'm glad we all made it here in one piece. Still, I hope you make it to wherever you're headed," the cat girl said, her gaze tinged with sadness.
"You're leaving? But… well…" Daniel searched for the right words to stop her, but it was impossible. "…Thank you, Veronica. Take care."
"Hey, don't be reckless and stop taking those shortcuts so often. We barely made it out alive! Heh heh heh…" Ebony lowered her gaze and, with a light punch to the cat girl's shoulder, said goodbye. "Take care, you arrogant cat."
When Daniel and the blonde walked away, Lucian looked at Veronica and bowed his head. She lowered her gaze, turned around, and slowly walked off.
"Take good care of those two, idiot! See you!" Veronica shouted before disappearing into the crowd of the bar.