Taste of Magic: Ambassador's Voice

Heiliger and her priests left Sunglow the very same day, departing on the first ship that sailed south. Melina felt intense relief when she heard the news. She had somehow managed to avoid the worst-case scenario—being dragged away to the main monastery on the grounds of being a System user.

However, it had been far from the flawless exchange Melina had hoped it would be. Heiliger suspected her, and she promised to return, likely together with someone who could see her full status screen. That meant that her time was limited. She'd have to work and improve fast and also establish herself as someone important in Sunglow so the townspeople would support her.

I could always just run, but I'm really starting to hate that idea. I like living with Master Gilbert, I like running a bakery and I love all the new things I'm discovering in Sunglow. I will not let the Church ruin it all. Even they can't just force people into submission without a good reason.

As Melina sat in the Fireside Inn's cafeteria, she wondered whether it would be difficult to gain the support of the townsfolk. At that moment, it seemed easy.

"Let's raise a toast to Miss Melina and Lord Sinclair! They single-handedly managed to get those Church goons out of our town," said a middle-aged man which Melina believed was one of them who had previously grumbled about her bringing Sienna into town.

"You said it, Carl! Three rounds of applause to our wonderful newcomers!" Another man cheered and there was a loud "hip-hip-hooray" as they eagerly downed the mugs of beer.

Melina stared down at her own mug, wondering whether to drink it or not. She wasn't a fan of this particular beverage, but not joining in might be perceived as rude.

"You don't seem very happy, Melina," Remi noted, eagerly drinking her beer. She along with Barrett and a few more members of the Guild were sitting around the same large table. Of course, Alistair was sitting right next to her, and it was a good thing too. She felt that without him next to her, she would have been long since squashed by the rowdy crowd.

"Oh, no! I'm happy. I just find it odd that everyone is celebrating Church's departure so much," she said, carefully taking a sip from the mug. The drink was just as bitter as she remembered and she subtly pushed it away from herself.

Alistair noticed that and pushed her mug in front of Barrett who downed it in one gulp, not knowing or caring where it came from. His face was already flushed red from all the alcohol in his system and he was barely able to piece a sentence together. "Twee… hic… Three more… hic… cheers for Melina!"

People cheered in the response nonetheless, more than happy to continue losing themselves in the drink.

"Of course, we're celebrating! Church is the reason why everyone perceives elves and drow and other races from the Monster Realm as well… monsters!" Remi said angrily and took a large gulp from her mug. "Bastards never even bother to learn anything about us."

"Is the reason why Sunglow hates the Church somehow related to why elves live here?" Alistair asked.

"Yeah. You know Sunglow has been welcoming towards other races. My parents used to live here some five hundred years ago when it was still a small village and they said it was the best human settlement they had ever visited. It's the reason why I came to Sunglow too."

Five hundred years ago? So that's why Sunglow is so accepting of monsters. If it was the norm for centuries, then no wonder it's so deep-rooted into everyone who lives here. It also explains why they're willing to even accept a drow in their midst.

"But then we built a port in Sunglow, a proper port mind you that could take in even large sailing vessels," one of the older men from the Guild, an archer named Dorian, took over the story. "It was some forty years ago, and Sunglow really began to grow then. Eventually, we were named a proper town, not just a village, and representatives from the Church were sent here to acknowledge the fact."

"We were all so excited then, especially us elves. We wanted to show one of the most important human organizations that humans and elves could in fact live in peace. We were hoping that perhaps, other places could become like Sunglow too, if the Church supported it," Remi continued, but her expression grew somber along with that of other elves at the table.

"But those bastards ordered us to round up all the elves and kill them on sight!" Dorian slammed his fist angrily down on the table, making the beer slosh out of the mugs. The cheer in the cafeteria died down a little as everyone listened. "They were asking us to kill our friends, our family, just because they originated from the Monster Realm."

"So what did you do?" Melina asked. She knew how brutal Church could be towards Monster Realm inhabitants, but even so, the story unsettled her stomach.

"We said no, of course," Dorian said with a satisfied smile.

"And they just left nicely?" Alistair raised an eyebrow.

"System, no! Bastards started yelling something about calling upon the Tribunal, but we didn't back down. Gilbert and his wife were the first to make a stand. They rallied everyone against the Church, and when the whole town was against the Church they had no choice but to back down."

"Master Gilbert did that?" Alistair seemed surprised.

Melina however had expected him to be the one to make a stand. These events might have unfolded right after he renounced his position as the Holy Knight. Who knows, perhaps, he was the reason why the Church really came to Sunglow.

"Oh, yes! You know my father was skeptical about him at first, but after that, we all knew that he was one of us," Dorian said and laughed jovially. "And now we know that his apprentice is just like him. Sunglower through and through."

Another round of cheers erupted around the cafeteria. Melina couldn't hide the smile—it felt nice to be cheered at. It was different from the way people cheered when she was an [Archmage]. It felt more personal and heartfelt.

"What was Master Gilbert's wife like?" She asked. In the end, Melina never dared to ask Gilbert about her.

The chatter at the table died down a little as everyone looked at Dorian and Remi.

"Lady Jasmine… I've never seen a woman as beautiful and gentle as her. She was extremely smart too, it felt like she knew everything about everything," Dorian said with a distant gaze.

"You actually look a lot like her, Melina," Remi said cheerfully.

"I do?"

"Now when you mention, you do. Except Lady Jasmine kept her hair shorter and she had green eyes not blue. But you two do seem to share some similarity," Dorian said thoughtfully.

"Maybe that's the real reason why Gilbert accepted you as his apprentice. He saw a bit of Lady Jasmine in you," Remi mused.

Melina wasn't sure how to react to this information. She had believed that he accepted her because Gilbert saw that she was a System user seeking to hide from the Church. Perhaps, it was part of the reason, but resemblance to his wife would certainly be a good incentive for him to take her under his wing.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

I wonder if I could find out more about Lady Jasmine if I asked Master Gilbert himself. I'll just have to find the right timing.

The next day, despite the party the previous night, Melina woke up early. She was filled with excitement. The Church was gone, at least for the time being, she had a new magical class in her hands and a skill that would let her identify all the magical ingredients she could get her hands on. Best of all, it was Sunday, meaning that she had her whole day free.

Melina was determined to head into the Monster Realm and find the ingredients necessary to create an actually tasty healing pastry, instead of that monstrosity she made before. After all, what was the point of calling it a pastry if it didn't taste good?

Of course, such a trip wouldn't be without its set of difficulties. There were many things to consider. She wondered whether it would be best to head alone, sneaking out of town without anybody noticing. But last time, she hadn't been too successful at that and it led to Alistair discovering that she was a System user.

She had to tell Gilbert for sure. If she suddenly came home with a bunch of magical ingredients from the Monster Realm, then the old baker would quickly deduce where she had been. Not to mention, that she had promised not to lie to him anymore. Sneaking around without telling him felt equivalent to lying.

Telling anybody else about her departure, however, would come with a whole different set of problems. She was technically not allowed to leave the city unaccompanied, but would the Guildmaster even let her go to the Monster Realm? It seemed unlikely.

"Let's start one thing at a time," Melina said, gently waking up Sienna. The wyrm yawned sleepily but climbed onto her outstretched palm. It didn't look like the wyrm was willing to do anything yet, curling up in Melina's palm and continuing to sleep. She didn't mind and gingerly carried the wyrm downstairs.

Gilbert was already awake, cooking pancakes. The wonderful smell filled the kitchen and instantly made Melina's stomach grumble with anticipation. "Good morning, Master!"

"Good morning. You're up quite early," Gilbert noted. "Usually you sleep in on the free days."

"It doesn't hurt to wake up early, does it?" Melina said and took the kettle, pouring water into it.

Gilbert gave her a suspicious glance. "You're plotting something again, aren't you?"

Melina flinched. Gilbert was far too observant for her liking. Sometimes it felt like the man could read her thoughts.

"It's nothing horrible," Melina retorted, putting the kettle on the stove.

Gilbert turned his head towards her and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "So there really is something. The Church is barely gone and you're already up to no good."

"I merely want to learn more about my new class."

"Oh," his glare softened a bit. "What are you planning to do exactly?"

"I wanted to make proper healing pastries," Melina said and motioned Gilbert to sit down. He hesitated at first but then allowed her to take over the cooking process.

"Proper healing pastries? You mean the kind that doesn't taste like barf."

Melina winced at the comparison, but couldn't refute it. "Yes, those. I don't think ingredients used in potions will work."

"I don't think you could make healing pastries with apricots and your intent alone. Even feyfruit has its limits, and even if it didn't we basically have none left."

"Yes, exactly. That's why I decided to go out to get new ingredients," Melina said and flipped the pancake over. It was a perfect golden brown.

[You've made . You've gained + 2 exp.]

"Get new ingredients…" Gilbert drew out the last word. "Why do I get a strong suspicion that you don't mean to just go to the local market?"

"I was thinking of heading into the Monster Realm," Melina said, pointedly looking at the pancake mix she was pouring into the pan. There was a prolonged silence, but she didn't dare to turn to look at Gilbert.

Finally, he let out a loud sigh. "Of course… the Monster Realm. Because it is the prime spot for obtaining fresh ingredients. Not like it is filled with dangerous monsters and whatnot."

"I'll go together with Sienna," Melina said, pointing at the wyrm who was snoozing on the hot stove.

"I sure as hell hope you'd at least take your familiar with you on this dangerous venture!" Gilbert grumbled. "Seriously. You say it with such ease as if Monster Realm was your backyard."

"I believe I'm more familiar with it than most," she said seriously. "Actually, I believe there is nobody else who knows the workings of Monster Realm as well as I do."

[You've made . You've gained + 2 exp.]

"Really? So where exactly will you be going? Do you have a map to guide you? Are you certain you'll be able to find your way back?"

"It's a new passageway so it would be impossible for me to determine the exact location or have a map. However, I never intended to stray far. I just wanted to check the closest area. I could draw a map as I explored the Monster Realm, so I wouldn't get lost."

Gilbert let out another sigh. "I'm not even going to try to stop you. I know it's pointless anyway. If I were twenty years younger, I'd go with you, but it's impossible at my age. But please, ask somebody to go with you. Talk with Arianne, organize a proper party. I'm sure she'll be just as eager to explore the Monster Realm without Church breathing down her neck as you are."

Melina considered his suggestion for a moment. "Would she let me go to the Monster Realm? I'm not part of the Guild after all."

"Normally, no. Civilians would never be allowed to accompany adventurers on their missions. However…"

"However?"

"You're not exactly a normal civilian. You've already solved two issues they could not."

"They don't know about the second one. Only Alistair knows about that."

"Whatever. You've got an ember wyrm with you. I'm sure they'll feel more at ease with a powerful monster on their side."

"Or they might feel like they are endangered on two fronts."

[You've made . You've gained + 2 exp.]

[Congratulations! You've reached Level 2.]

"At least go talk to them first. If that fails, then you can enact your crazy sneaking around scheme."

Melina arranged the prepared pancakes in three neat stacks and set the plates on the table. She pondered his words while setting the jam, honey, and tea on the table. Finally, she said, "Alright. I'll talk with the Guildmaster."

"Good. Learn to rely on others a little bit. You're not an Archmage anymore, so you can't just go around spells blazing, removing every obstacle in your path."

Melina nodded absentmindedly at his statement and began thinking how to exactly best approach the strict Guildmaster with her request. It definitely wouldn't be easy to convince her to send a party to the Monster Realm, Melina was sure of it.

"You want me to give you people so you could go galavanting through the Monster Realm to search for ingredients for your pastries?" Guildmaster Arianne questioned Melina from behind her desk.

Melina was standing in front of her desk, her muscles tense like a bowstring. The rough woman didn't look very pleased by the suggestion, but Melina couldn't tell. Her face looked equally displeased most of the time. Just like Gilbert's.

"Yes," Melina confirmed with as much confidence as she could muster.

"Would these pastries be similar to the healing ones you made before?" She questioned, tapping her finger against the table.

"Yes. I was hoping to make them… actually tasty," Melina forced out.

"Do you have any combat experience? What about the wyrm?"

In reality, Melina had plenty of experience but of course, she couldn't admit that. An orphan girl like her shouldn't have had any opportunities to get into real combat if you discounted some minor scuffles in the orphanage.

"Sadly, no. As for Sienna… I was intending to bring her along."

"In her… large form, I presume."

"Yes."

There was silence as the Guildmaster stared at Melina for a moment. She wasn't sure what the woman was trying to do, but she remained calm and looked at her. "This isn't a farmer's market you know? We cannot predict what could happen in the Monster Realm."

"I understand that. Even so, I'd like to go."

Arianne let out a thoughtful hum, then wrote something on a paper in front of her.

"Approved. Give this to Captain Sinclair, have him organize a party to accompany you," she said and passed the paper to Melina. It was a quest in which Arianne explained what Melina wanted in two short sentences and that she was to be accompanied by at least three people.

"Really?" Melina asked in surprise.

"Yes. You've proved yourself to be a resourceful girl, more reliable even than some of our Guild members. I don't mind letting you go, as we also want to see what's in there before the Church sends their expedition and sucks the place out of all resources. But I want you to mark any other resources you find and carry at least a sample of the said resources back."

"I… Of course! That's not a problem," Melina said, bowing politely to the Guildmaster.