The next day, we ate breakfast on the first floor of the guild, as usual. Today, the other adventurers were eating breakfast as well.

"Goooooooooooo........I could have eaten it yesterday, too........

　Mek looked at us for breakfast with a resentful look in his eyes. He seemed quite regretful that he missed the chance to eat his food when we were back to normal for two minutes yesterday.

'Two more days and we'll be back to normal again...'
Noooo, two days feel like a long time. Since I've been like this for decades, two days should be nothing at all. But time feels long when there is something to wait for.

　I think it's pretty surreal to see a stuffed animal talking like an old man with a lot of life experience.

I can't wait to see Master return to normal.
Hmmm, don't sit up and take a look at me. Tetsuya was in a panic, his face turning red.
Didn't I tell you that the next time you insult me, you're going to have to use a release?
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You're too funny.

　That's not why you're apologizing, at all. I don't know if it was that funny - my being upset.

　And then we finished our breakfast.

'You should be getting ready to go to the Free City of Vafol today.
'Yes, I know. It's a long way to Vafol, and we must be prepared for the treacherous terrain we'll have to cross, and we'll need food, water, and the tools we'll need to get there. You'll need food and water, and you'll need to camp out on the way, so you'll need your gear.
Let me ask you something, though. Can't you get a carriage from the city to Verful?
I'm afraid not.
Okay. Well, I'm gonna go shopping.

　We were just about to go shopping when a group of adventurers sitting nearby, chatting over breakfast, came up to us.

'Come to think of it, I heard that a brave man invaded the elven nation of Faracion. The elves and the humans didn't have such a bad relationship.
Yeah, I heard. I heard that two of the castles have already fallen. It's a very good idea to have a good time with them. It's a disgusting story.

　They were having that conversation.
　When Mek overheard the conversation.

What is...?

　He muttered in a low voice, then approached the men and

Tell me more about it!

　I said loudly.

'Whoa, what the hell is this guy?'
Some kind of magical creature?
"Tell me the details! When did the brave men invade the country! How many men did you attack? What the hell did we just walk into? What's the damage?

　Meku shouted to the adventurers as if he had lost his cool.

''No, we only heard about it through rumors too, so we don't know the details.
'You know at some point, I think it was about ten days ago? But to bring down multiple castles in just ten days, it looks like the stories about the brave men being terribly strong are true.
'But why are you so desperate to ask about the elves? Do you know anyone there? You can ask the town crier for details. Then we'll be in a hurry.

　The adventurers left.

　Meku then shuddered, shaking his body.

I have to go...

　I muttered.