People started to come to the tavern for lunch. The waiter began to get busy and two more started their shift. As one passed by the trio, they interrupted him:

Shen: Waiter, could we have some dishes?

Waiter ???: Of course, Sir. What would suit your taste? We have either fish or meat?

Shen: Hmm...Both for me. You guys?

Atem: The same.

Tempest: Two of each for me.

Waiter ???: ...Alright. I will bring it to you shortly, Sirs. Anything else?

Tempest: More booze.

Waiter ???: Right away, Sir.

At the same time, Shen handed some coins to the waiter who eagerly took them. There was very slightly more than required. A tip of sorts. And by now, the waiter had received enough tip to equal an entire day of work itself. This was the reason he remained close to the table fo the trio.

As they were enjoying themselves, a bulky man in his forties took a seat at their table as he roughly said 'don't mind me' and ordered as well. They did not bother with him as they continued to eat and drink merrily until the man spoke:

???: I am Sandlorn, I heard you guys plan to go to the capital and register as adventurers?

The trio stopped instantly and turned towards him. They had been waiting for this. Even as the era changed, some things don't. And one of them is the spread of information. There is always money to be spent and earned from that. And new arrivals into a village in such a raucous way? It attracts attention. And people in certain lines of business.

Shen: Yeah. So?

Sandlorn: Ahah, well, I could not help but notice that your party seems to lack some. I wonder if you would be interested in some matchmaking services?

Tempest could not help a bosterous laugh to escape him.

Shen: What makes you believe that our party is lacking?

Sandlorn: This Sir here seems to be a warrior and this Sir seems to be a Magus. I believe you should be a Rogue? This party misses at least a very crucial component, a healer.

The three looked at each other and chuckled. They decided to entertain the man. In reality, they did not need any such thing as there probably wasn't anyone or anything capable of hurting them in this secular world.

Shen: A fair point. How could you help us deal with this issue then?

Sandlorn: It just so happens that i met a healer that was searching for a party to go work from the capital.

Atem: How good is he?

Sandlorn: Without a doubt at a compatible level with yours, Sir.

The wolfman laughed even harder while the two others did have a hard time containing it inside. Still, after calming down slightly, they asked the man:

Shen: Alright, why not meet this healer then?

Sandlorn: Dear Sir, i could introduce you for a small fee...of a single silver!

A silver. It was worth a hundred coppers. Considering that they had not even spent half a silver yet at the tavern after drinking and eating so much, it showed how big of a scam this was.

Atem: 10 coppers or fuck off.

Sandlorn: ...Sir, I do need to make a living and your party really won't be able to go anywhere without a healer. You won't even qualify for any jobs.

Shen: When could we meet the healer if we were to agree?

Sandlorn: I could go inform her right away, Sir!

Shen handed him a silver and as the man was going for it, he pushed strongly on it and coldly said to the man with a gaze that send shivers down his spine:

Shen: You better bring us a healer here or you will never be able to bring anything anywhere. Capiché?

Sandlorn: Yes, Sir! Of course!

The man took the silver and hurried off. Then, the trio began to laugh loudly without a care.

Shen: Did you see him run?! He nearly fell from tripping on his own feet!

And then, they took their sweet time eating and drinking until the man came back with someone in tow. A priest judging from the outfit made from pure white robes. As to which Gods this one was related to? No one fucking cared at the table.

Shen: Is he the priest?

Sandlorn: Ah, yes, Sir. Well then, now that my job is done, i will be going.

The man left in a hurry. Can't help it since they had used intimidation magic on him when he pocketed the silver... Jokes aside, they were now facing a random priest that stood there without moving or speaking. It was very awkward to say the least.

While directing towards a chair left, Shen spoke with a smile:

Shen: Why don't you take a seat and we can start introducing ourselves? I am the leader, Shen. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.

???: ...

The priest sat yet remained silent. Shen nudged the other two on each of his sides.

Tempest: Tempest. Nice to meet you.

Atem: Atem, Magus, Pleasure to meet you.

After a silence, the priest spoke in a very crystalline and sweet voice:

???: Adeline. Are you guys really going to the capital to become adventurers?

It was at this moment that the trio realized two things:

1 ) The priest was a young woman.

2 ) After having been sealed for so long with just themselves and having been refused access to the gentleman's establishment, they would likely be facing problem with the coming discussions...