Chapter 251: Vegetable Soup

The mission details were clearly outlined on the docket, firmly pinned to the large Mission Board at the far end of the hall.

The parchment fluttered slightly in the breeze coming through the windows, boldly announcing the first official commission of the Riverdale Adventurer Guild Branch: fifty thousand gold for investigation and elimination along the Twilight River route.

As soon as Boren stepped back from the board, a wave of excitement swept through the Adventurers gathered in the hall.

Some moved closer to read every line carefully, while others began whispering about forming teams, debating who had river combat experience and who did not.

But Garen Holtweiss didn’t leave. Instead of turning around and walking out like a typical merchant would after commissioning a mission, he remained planted in front of the counter.

His tiny bead-like eyes followed Boren as he returned to his desk, his wide belly swaying slightly with each shift of weight, rings glinting under the afternoon light.

Boren noticed this and forced a polite smile as he folded his hands on the counter. “Merchant Holtweiss, the mission has been posted. Our Adventurers will begin organizing teams shortly.”

Garen beamed as if he’d just received a compliment on his appearance. “Ah, brother! No need for such formality,” he said loudly. “Call me Garen; we’re practically family.”

A few Adventurers at a nearby table choked quietly on their drinks.

Boren’s lips twitched. “Family?” he echoed, maintaining his steady tone.

Garen leaned forward over the counter, causing it to creak slightly under his weight. “Of course! Look at us.”

He gestured broadly between them. “Two successful men, two pillars of our respective industries, two figures of… similar stature.”

Several Adventurers quickly looked down at their boots to stifle laughter.

Boren instinctively glanced at his own belly before returning his gaze to Garen’s noticeably larger one that swayed dramatically with every movement.

He coughed lightly. “I see.”

Garen slapped the counter with one plump hand. “Brother! When I stepped into this hall and saw you standing there, I felt something deep in my heart, a connection! Like meeting a long-lost relative.”

Valeria, who had been near the Mission Board, turned slightly away so her expression wouldn’t be seen clearly; her shoulders trembled ever so slightly.

Boren maintained his professional demeanor. “That is… kind of you to say.”

Garen nodded seriously. “We are men of prosperity, men who enjoy life’s finer things! You understand, don’t you? The appreciation for a well-cooked meal? The value of comfort?”

One Adventurer at the back bit his knuckle to suppress laughter.

Boren forced a laugh that sounded more like a cough. “Moderation is important,” he replied carefully.

“Moderation?” Garen gasped dramatically. “Brother! Life is too short for moderation!”

He leaned in closer once more. “Tell me honestly, how many meals do you eat each day?”

The hall fell silent.

Boren blinked in surprise. “Excuse me?”

Garen waved a hand dismissively. “Just professional curiosity! A man of our stature must keep his strength up.”

Boren’s expression tightened as he realized dozens of ears were tuned in to their conversation. “I eat normally,” he replied slowly.

Garen nodded thoughtfully. “So, three meals? Four? Maybe five smaller ones?”

A warrior at a nearby table bent over, pretending to tie his boot while shaking with suppressed laughter.

Boren forced a smile. “Three.”

Of course he lied. If Sage was here he would have rolled his eyes at him.

Garen looked astonished. “Only three? Brother, you must take better care of yourself! The mind needs fuel, and the body needs support.”

Valeria turned her head slightly, biting her cheek to suppress a grin.

“Now for me,” Garen continued without missing a beat, “I start my day with a light breakfast, roasted duck, sweet buns, perhaps a bowl of river fish stew, followed by a modest mid-morning snack, lunch, tea time, dinner, and then a late evening reinforcement.”

Several Adventurers were now openly stifling their laughter.

Boren’s expression grew more rigid. “That is… impressive.”

“Discipline,” Garen corrected proudly. “Consistency breeds success.”

He leaned back slightly, his belly bouncing as he laughed heartily. “Tell me, brother, do you own any ships?”

Boren straightened up. “No.”

“Caravans?”

“No.”

“Warehouse contracts?”

“No.”

Garen’s tiny eyes widened in disbelief. “Then how do you maintain such prosperity?”

Boren’s eye twitched slightly in irritation. “Through management of Guild affairs.”

“Ah!” Garen exclaimed enthusiastically. “Leadership! A different path but equally commendable.”

He leaned in again. “Have you thought about diversifying? We could partner up, the Holtweiss Consortium and the Adventurer Guild together! Just imagine the possibilities!”

Boren felt a headache beginning to throb at his temples. “The Guild doesn’t engage in trade partnerships lightly.”

“Lightly?” Garen laughed heartily. “Brother, nothing about us is light!” The hall erupted into muffled laughter.

Valeria finally let out a soft cough that almost sounded like laughter before turning away again.

Oblivious to the subtle discomfort around him, Garen continued enthusiastically: “You must visit my estate sometime! We have a banquet hall with tables sturdy enough for… generous gatherings.”

Boren clenched his jaw slightly. “I’m quite busy.”

Garen wagged his finger playfully. “Work-life balance is key! You can’t build an empire on an empty stomach.” A warrior near the front nearly toppled off his chair from laughter.

Boren took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay composed. “Merchant Garen, is there anything else we need to discuss about the mission?”

“Yes!” Garen replied with enthusiasm. “There’s a very important detail: I need discretion.”

Boren nodded appreciatively at the shift back to business. “Of course.”

“My rivals along the Twilight River must not know that I’m seeking outside help. If they find out my ships are vulnerable, it could jeopardize our trade.”

“Understood,” Boren said calmly.

Garen let out a dramatic sigh. “It’s tough being at the top, brother. Everyone’s watching you, waiting for a chance to take advantage.”

Boren fought the urge to glance at Valeria for support.

Garen’s gaze dropped momentarily before snapping back up. “Brother, have you ever thought about slimming down?”

The hall fell silent.

Boren’s expression hardened.

“I mean purely for health reasons,” Garen added quickly. “We need to live long enough to enjoy our wealth!”

Valeria visibly shook with suppressed laughter.

Boren inhaled slowly. “I find my current condition satisfactory.”

“Ah, confidence!” Garen exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “I like that!”

He leaned in closer again. “So tell me, what’s your favorite dish?”

The question felt like a setup.

“Soup,” Boren replied flatly.

“What kind?”

“Vegetable.”

Garen blinked in surprise. “Vegetable?”

“Yes.”

Silence hung in the air for a moment before Garen erupted into laughter so loud it echoed off the wooden walls. “Brother, you’re quite the comedian!”

At this point, several Adventurers couldn’t hold back any longer; laughter bubbled up around the hall as many tried to stifle it behind coughs and lowered heads.

Boren’s professional smile began to look strained and tense.

Valeria discreetly wiped away a tear from her eye.

Finally catching his breath from laughing, Garen straightened up. “Very well, brother! I won’t keep you any longer but I expect results! And perhaps… dinner sometime?”

Boren nodded stiffly. “We will focus on the mission.”

With one last hearty laugh, Garen turned and waddled toward the exit, his entourage trailing closely behind him. His belly swayed dramatically with each step as his rings glimmered one last time in the sunlight.

As soon as he stepped out of the hall, an eruption of laughter filled the space openly now.

Boren stood behind the counter, staring at the doorway with an expression that clearly wished he could make someone disappear entirely.

Valeria leaned against the wall, shaking her head slowly in disbelief.

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