Here's the next chapter. It made me a bit hungry actually. I wish I could cook in real life.

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Itsuki pulled Eulina to her feet, but he noticed that her face had gone completely scarlet. She stood there in a trance, clearly confused about something.

Itsuki: “Eulina? Are you ok?”

Eulina: “Ah! I’m sorry. Um, Itsuki, you’re a conductor correct?”

Itsuki: “Yup. Is something the matter?”

Eulina: “Euterpe, the Muse of lyric and song, just told me that you are on a perilous quest. It seems I am meant to help you.”

Itsuki: “Seriously? I can’t believe I found you so quickly! That’s…”

Thud! A spatula slammed onto Itsuki’s head, causing him to scream in pain.

Itsuki: “Ow!”

Sarah: “I asked for workers not lollygaggers! Get moving! We need to be able to start cooking once lunch hour starts!”

Itsuki and Eulina: “Sorry!”

In no time, the preparations had all finished, and the kitchen was ready for the lunch hour. After confirming Itsuki’s skills, Sarah was pleased and left him in charge of cooking the special of the day, chicken paella. A swarm of guests began to pack the inn’s dining room.

Man A: “Martha! Can I have a today’s special with a beer?”

Man B: “One pork sandwich for me!”

Woman A: “I’ll have a salad and beer please!”

Martha: “No problem! Itsuki, one order for the special. Mom, take care of the pork sandwich. Eulina, please get the salad ready.”

Itsuki: “Got it. I believe the special today is paella. That should be simple enough.”

Eulina: “I’ve already finished the salad! Order up!”

Itsuki: “Geh! That was fast! I know it’s just salad but come on! Haha”

Itsuki began to cook the rice with garlic, onions, and oil. In no time, the scent of the garlic and onion pervaded the inn, and growls of anticipation began to be heard.

Man C: “Oh man, is that the special today? I’ll have an order of that!”

After the rice was cooked long enough, he used a combination of herbs and spices like saffron, cloves, and parsley. After adding the marinated chicken pieces, he shook the entire pan in order to mix up the ingredients evenly and scorched the rice just enough to add an extra flavor to the dish.

Itsuki: “Order of chicken paella ready!”

Martha: “Here’s your order sir. One today’s special. Enjoy!”

Man A: “Oh it smells so good!”

Digging his spoon into the paella, the man gulped it down greedily. Immediately, a look of sheer satisfaction appeared on his face.

Man A: “Oh man. The food here is always so good, but today, it’s simply divine. Munch munch gulp. Haha. It goes perfectly with my beer. Damn if this isn’t living life, I don’t know what is!”

Seeing the man’s state of bliss, hearing the man’s words, and smelling the scent of the paella caused the inn to be packed in no time. Orders began to pile in for the paella, and Itsuki had to work multiple pans at once in order to fill the orders. Almost every customer ordered the special paella, causing Itsuki’s workload to never slow down. Seeing his increased workload, Eulina moved to help him. Together, their efficiency became a sight to behold. When Itsuki was ready to add the herbs and spices, Eulina had already prepared them for him and moved on to the chicken. In this case, adding one to one made something greater than 2. Their sheer speed and in tune movements allowed them to finish the lunch time rush with energy to spare.

Itsuki: “Phew. That sure was intense. Are you holding up alright, Eulina?”

Eulina: “I’m fine thanks. I’m used to helping in a kitchen anyway. Now that we have a break, could you explain to me what’s happening?”

Itsuki: “Yea, sure thing. It starts with…”

Itsuki spent his small break filling Eulina in on the details of his quest, and she listened attentively. Once he was done speaking, she looked ecstatic.

Eulina: “My! That sounds wonderful. Traveling is very fun, and I’d love to see the other kingdoms!”

Itsuki: “That’s right. I heard you traveled a bit before arriving here. Were you all by yourself? If so, that’s really dangerous.”

Eulina: “Well, I traveled with a mercenary group for a short while, and they taught me how to defend myself. After they retired, I left on my own. I wanted to see the world for myself because the greatest inspiration for a bard is what they see and hear for themselves. However, I noticed that when I sang while traveling, monsters didn’t attack me. That’s why it was never dangerous.”

Itsuki: “Haha, that’s convenient. I’m also interested in seeing the many things this world has to offer. Would you come with me then?”

Eulina: “Of course! I don’t know how much I can do to help on your quest, but I get this feeling that I’ll have plenty of inspiration traveling with you. I should tell Sarah about this.”

Sarah: “Hahaha! If you two ever come back to the Renaissance kingdom, you’re welcome to work here any time. Man, we made a killing today thanks to you both!”

Eulina: “How did you know I was leaving? I was just about to tell you…”

Sarah: “Silly girl. I’m not deaf. I could hear everything from across the room. But seriously, you two work well together.”

Itsuki: “I think it was more Eulina’s conscientiousness more than anything. She made sure to not get in my way while preparing everything I needed right when I needed them. She’s amazing.”

Eulina: “Hehe. Thanks for the compliment. I’m just used to observing others due to singing to my audience.”

Sarah: “Well, whatever it was, I’m grateful. Now, you two better get some quick rest! Since we’re closing the eatery tonight, I’ll handle the food for the little party we’re having! I want to hear some good performances from you both later!”

Itsuki: “Aye Aye. Sigh, all I have is my lyre though. I can’t really think of any song that would be proper for a celebration party…”

Eulina: “Hm? Could it be that you can play other instruments Itsuki?”

Itsuki: “Ah yea. I can play a lot of them, though most of the pieces I know use the violin or piano.”

Eulina: “Then you can borrow mine.”

Itsuki: “Eh!! You have a violin? Really?!!”

Eulina: “Yea. It was a parting gift from the mercenary group I talked to you about. I still haven’t been able to play it very well, but maybe I can learn from watching you use it.”

Itsuki: “Even better, I’ll teach you as we travel. That should be fine right?”

Her beautiful face smiled radiantly at this promise.

Eulina: “Yes!”

With promises made, the two kicked back and relaxed until the time of the celebration began. Bruno had brought Polly and Natalia, and Sarah had cooked her special meat skewers with a secret sauce. Martha brought out the kegs of beer, and the party officially started.

Bruno: “To Itsuki who saved my life, Polly who’s finally spreading her wings, and haha Eulina who’s going to travel with them, I propose a toast!

All: “Cheers!”

Veri: “Oi Sarah, these skewers are seriously good! What kind of sauce did you use on them?!!”

Sarah: “Hoho Veri, even if it’s you, I can’t tell you that. I might the next time you come back though, so make sure you bring Itsuki and the girls back here safe and sound ok?”

Veri: “munch munch you got it!”

Natalia: “Ha…being a priestess and all, I don’t join celebrations like this anymore, but chugging down beers feels so nostalgic.”

Bruno: “Hahaha drink drink! It’s all good. No one except for us is around. Just be yourself.”

Itsuki appeared on the stage with Eulina’s violin in hand. Eulina was behind him, also ready to perform.

Bruno: “Oh, let’s see how good he is with that violin.”

Itsuki began to play an upbeat song for the party, leaving everyone present stunned. It was upbeat and intense, setting the mood for the party. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B42dozDeEfA

Following his great performance, applause came from everyone, and Hina stood up clapping the loudest. Afterwards, Eulina went to the forefront and began to sing a song she wrote. Her song of hope and adventure, combined with her honey like voice, enraptured everyone present. Once the performances were done, the two high-fived each other for a job well done and began to dig in to the food Sarah made.

Natalia: “You’re really good with that violin Itsuki. Probably one of the best I’ve ever heard haha. That girl, Eulina was it? Her voice was fantastic.”

Bruno: “Ah, Sarah said Eulina was a maiden as well right Itsuki?”

Itsuki: “That’s right. She’s the maiden of Euterpe. I got really lucky finding two of them right from the get go.”

Meanwhile, at another table

Eulina: “Nice to meet you Polly. It looks like we’ll be traveling together from now on.”

Polly: “Yup! I’m actually kind of excited. I’m a little scared of leaving, but I think I’ll be safe with Itsuki and my self-defense skills.”

Hina: “Big brother Itsuki is super strong! Wham pow boom! He knocked the wolf down so fast!”

Polly: “Hahaha Hina, I can’t believe how attached you’ve become to him. I hope you don’t feel too sad that he’s leaving tomorrow.”

Martha: “I think she’ll be oka-…huh?!”

Hina: “hic sniff Why? Why is he leaving? Does he not like Hina anymore?”

She dashed off to find Itsuki.

Martha: “Oh dear…I guess she didn’t expect him to leave so soon. Well, considering what he has to do, time could be of the essence.”

Hina jumped onto Itsuki’s lap and stared at him with puppy eyes so powerful, no man could truly resist.

Hina: “Big brother Itsuki, please stay longer with Hina. Please!”

Itsuki: “I’m sorry Hina...but I have something very important to do. I’ll send letters and what not, and I’ll be back when I finish my mission. Promise.”

Hina: “Muuu…”

She dashed off once again.

Bruno: “Don’t worry lad. She’ll be ok. I don’t know how long your mission will take; perhaps it’s a fast one. Maybe it’s a long one. Just send a letter every once in a while so she can be happy.”

Natalia: “That’s right. I want to hear from Polly you got that? She’s definitely strong enough to defend herself from sleaze balls, but big monsters may be tough. Don’t let her get hurt.”

Itsuki: “Definitely. Let me go see the others.”

Eulina and Polly were having a toast, and Itsuki walked over to join them. After chugging their glasses, Polly began to sway a little.

Itsuki: “Hey Polly, are you a good drinker?”

Polly: “Natalia made me learn a lot of things despite never having a chance to show it. I’m quite proud of how much I can drink! Hahaha!”

Itsuki: “Um…that’s the wall.”

Polly: “Huh…what are you talking about? Your face is right there haha! Hmm…you’re quite hard …that’s not good…you need self-restraint got that? Got that?!!”

Eulina: “She’s…hugging a wall. Haha she’s so funny!”

Martha: “Haha I think Polly might need to head to bed soon. She’s probably going to collapse any time now.”

Eulina: “She can spend the night with me in my room. I don’t mind. Though if she wasn’t drunk, we could have talked about girl stuff.”

Itsuki: “Sigh you two will probably do just that on this trip-ah!”

Again, Itsuki was headbutted by a little hyperactive girl.

Hina: “Hina…Hina won’t cry anymore!”

Itsuki: “Hina…”

Martha: “Ah, what a good girl.”

Hina: “Hina wants to give this to big brother Itsuki! If you have this, you’ll never forget Hina!”

She took out a small blue colored object. It was an ocarina.

Hina: “This is Hina’s treasure, so please take care of it!”

Itsuki: “Thank you. I will. Promise.”

Once given to him, the lyre in his bag began to glow furiously. Seeing this occur, Itsuki grabbed the lyre, and it proceeded to engulf the ocarina.

Itsuki: “What!”

However, it was not gone. Rather, once Itsuki thought of the ocarina, the lyre disappeared from his hand, and replacing it was that blue ocarina, leading to shocked faces all around.

Itsuki: “Wait…don’t tell me I can store my musical instruments in this! That would save so much space! Man, you can never expect a goddess to give a simple gift.”

Hina: “That was so cool! Haha do it again!”

Martha: “I wonder what else it could store…”

Natalia: “That’s incredible! Do you think it could store a piano as well?”

Eulina: “Hmm, it probably didn’t happen with the violin since it’s mine.”

Sarah: “I think I’ve got enough surprises today to last me till the day I die! Haha”

Veri: “I mean there’s no way a goddess could give a simple gift anyway. They’re proud people. They have to make it the best gift possible.”

Polly even sobered up at the sight.

Polly: “I’ve never seen such a thing before…”

Bruno: “Boy, you got this from a goddess you say? Don’t tell me it was Demeter!”

Itsuki: “Geh! How did you know?”

Bruno: “It was just a guess. You had the lyre before I met you, and you were walking in a direction away from the forest. Furthermore, you are a special person, so meeting gods and goddesses clearly isn’t impossible for you. Finally, it would explain why Demeter’s forest experienced an eternal spring this year.”

Itsuki: “For an old man, you’re a bit too smart!”

Natalia: “To have probably received blessings from both Demeter and Artemis. What a special child. Haha. I really do believe he can do this.”

The party continued on till past midnight. Martha had long taken the sleepy yet resisting Hina to bed. At this hour, almost everyone had passed out from all the alcohol they imbued. The only ones left awake were the young ones, namely Itsuki, Polly, and Eulina. The three helped to clean up the mess as quietly as possible, and they brought blankets for everyone else. Once done, they prepared to head to bed. Itsuki made sure to grab Veri before heading to his room.

Itsuki: “Good night girls. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us, but I’m depending on you.”

Polly: “Of course! Though, a priestess and a bard first huh…We don’t have strong damage dealing skills so you’ll be fighting by yourself. All we can do is support you.”

Eulina: “Yea…I’d be more comfortable if we had another close ranged fighter. I don’t want Itsuki to have to handle it alone and get hurt.”

Itsuki: “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. My skills will help me out, and your support will make me stronger.”

Eulina: “I guess you’re right.”

Polly: “It’s ok! If he gets hurt, I’ll just heal him! No big deal.”

Eulina: “Haha, you’re so pumped up. Then we should really head to bed. Good night Itsuki.”

Polly: “Night!”

They all made their way to their respective rooms, and sleep quickly took hold of them. Except someone forgot to transcribe the musical piece for tomorrow's Barrier Symphony...

Itsuki: "Oh crap!"

Needless to say, he was up all night.

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We prepare to leave the Renaissance Kingdom. Their stay was short, but they didn't have to stay long. It won't be as fast in the other kingdoms because of issues. I mean everywhere can't possibly be as peaceful as here right? Yup. Next chapter they officially leave, and we'll head towards side quest! Thanks for reading!