Goblin Dependency
Chapter 152 - 101: Consideration and Return

Chapter 152: Chapter 101: Consideration and Return

The annual Midsummer Festival had been over for many days, yet traces of the festivities could still be seen throughout River Valley Town.

The usually lethargic receptionist "Moli" at the Association had put on a pair of pure silver earrings she bought during a shop sale;

Ms. Edwina from the "Green Grass Cauldron" had newly developed a hangover cure, which was highly praised during Midsummer, and it’s said they are considering mass production.

The massive bonfire in the town center plaza had been cleared with the help of the staff.

But in the corners of the plaza, in the inconspicuous gaps between the tiles, you could still see the burn marks from the remaining ashes.

In contrast, the adventurers at the White Sparrow Tavern seemed unaware that the festival had passed.

Even though the various activities had ended, the atmosphere in the tavern remained lively.

From sunset, as dusk deepened, to the break of dawn and the bright morning light, the sound of music, chatter, cheers, and even some off-key singing never stopped.

For these adventurers who lived life on a knife-edge, with their heads tied to their belts, "Midsummer Day" was just an excuse to celebrate.

After a mission, every day was a festival, and every breath was worth commemorating.

"Hey, there was quite a commotion over in Kalanfor the other day. Do you know what’s going on?"

At the wine table, an adventurer in simple leather armor deliberately raised his voice to ask his teammate next to him.

Given that they knew each other well, they naturally understood the implication.

Even though they had discussed it countless times in private, the teammate still pretended as if it was the first time he’d heard about this topic.

The act was obvious, and he deliberately strained his voice to shout in response:

"Man, that glowing ball was so bright that when I went out to take a piss, I thought it was already daytime."

"The next day, nobody could explain it clearly. I’m still puzzled now!"

As expected,

No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice, thick with drunkenness and rendered somewhat blurry, came from the next table.

"It’s just that matter, nothing much to say!"

A red-bearded Dwarf, already flushed and reeking of alcohol in broad daylight, was seen swaying his stout, tree stump-like body.

Pretending to be cheerful and indifferent, he leaned back on his chair.

Yet, the slightly upturned whiskers on the corners of his mouth and the sidelong glances he occasionally cast revealed his thoughts.

"Oh, what exactly happened? Tell us."

Seeing the Dwarf took the bait, the adventurer who first spoke smoothly took over the topic, his tone laced with deliberate curiosity as he pressed on.

He even sent over his nearly two-thirds-empty bottle of ale to the Dwarf’s table.

The adventurer’s gesture seemed to please the Dwarf.

Taking the bottle, he tipped his head back and drank all the ale inside in one go.

With satisfaction, he let out a belch.

Without beating around the bush, he began to recount the "specific details" he knew:

"According to my buddy who happened to be resupplying in Kalanfor the other day, hic..."

"A deranged Cultist, under the noses of the Church, used some evil ritual to lure a powerful Demon from deep within Mist Forest to Kalanfor."

"In the end, even the Priests from the Sun God Church got ’blown up.’"

"Boom!"

As he spoke, the Dwarf drew his hands to his chest, spreading his thick, carrot-like fingers wide in an explosive gesture.

His face full of mockery, he showed not a hint of sympathy for the deceased Priest.

"That power... tsk tsk."

"You’re lucky, being in River Valley Town; at most, you just heard the noise and treated it as a spectacle."

"But my buddy wasn’t so lucky. Focused only on escaping, an entire cart of goods burnt to a crisp."

"Half a year’s work down the drain!"

Hearing the Dwarf say so, suggesting he really knew something, the adventurer who had just casually been gathering information showed genuine surprise on his face.

He actively stepped forward to refill the Dwarf’s empty glass.

"With such power, even River Valley Town could see it; what about Kalanfor, wasn’t the whole town gone?"

"Not exactly." The red-bearded Dwarf waved his hand, the other hand caressing his round belly, squinting in complete comfort.

"Probably only half the town."

"But it’s said that the Cultist was a High-level Magician of the Magic System. Not only the air, but even the nearby water sources were contaminated, so even if the townsfolk are alive, they’re not likely to live there anytime soon."

Their conversation was in no way concealed, and combined with the Dwarf’s naturally loud voice,