I Have a Task Log

Chapter 454: Chapter 453: The Rowdy Drunkard

Colin glanced over and saw that Sela’s father was seated at one of the secondary tables further inside.

It was clear that even though they were both new nobles in Thousand Masts City, there was still a gap in their social standing.

As Colin was surveying the room, a servant approached him. "Mr. Colin," the servant said, "if you and your companion would please be seated over here."

Colin looked in the direction the servant indicated.

That seat looked like the place of honor, and considering the servant had approached him first, it almost certainly was.

Colin asked, "Where is Sela sitting?"

"Ms. Hawkeley is seated over there." The servant pointed to a spot on the side of the long table.

"Alright, then I’ll sit next to her," Colin said.

Hearing his words, Sela glanced over from a distance, a look of surprise on her face.

The servant said awkwardly, "But this..."

"She invited both my friend and me. Is there a problem with that?" Colin asked in return.

When the servant didn’t respond, he walked straight over to Sela, pulled out the chair beside her, and sat down. Ale, as always, took the seat next to him.

The young people nearby exchanged glances and began whispering amongst themselves.

Given the situation, the servant tactfully dropped the issue of seating arrangements. He quickly seated the other young guests, and Sela took her seat in the middle of the long table.

Once things quieted down, Sela whispered to Colin, "Thank you so much, Colin."

"Isn’t this why you invited me?" Colin said bluntly.

It was obvious to anyone that Sela and her family were not particularly prominent, occupying an awkward middle-ground. She had invited Colin to make the other clans see them in a new light.

Sela smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I..."

"Don’t worry about it. You are my Mage Teacher, after all." Colin smiled, smoothly changing the subject.

Immediately after, several serving carts were wheeled in.

Food on enormous platters was brought out one by one and laid out on the expansive long table.

First came several neatly arranged cold seafood platters.

White clams, smoked fish fillets, and cheese rolls were arranged on platters of crushed ice, looking quite tempting.

Colin watched the people around him, then copied Ale, who moved with the most expertise, picking up his utensils to select the food he wanted.

All this food was cold, serving as the appetizer course.

Once they were mostly done with the appetizers, waiters returned to clear the empty plates and replace them with steaming bowls of crab and seafood chowder.

Colin served himself a bowl and took a few sips.

It tasted similar to the Treasure Stew from Flint Village, only the ingredients and flavor were far superior.

When the soup was nearly finished, the main course was brought out with great ceremony—a whole roasted seaside grouse, browned and dripping with fat; thick-cut roasted sea-pork chops; all accompanied by butter-roasted root vegetables and creamed beans. The food took up half the table.

The strangest sight, however, was at the main table.

Several servants carried an enormous platter over with great fanfare. On it rested a whole peacock.

Not a single one of its feathers was out of place. If it weren’t lying motionless on a platter, you would think it was still alive.

As Colin stared, Ale leaned in and whispered, "That big peacock tastes terrible."

"Is it? It looks beautiful, though," Colin replied.

Ale continued, "It only looks good. The meat is dry as wood and has a strong, gamey taste."

"You’ve had peacock before, Ale?" Sela asked from his other side, a hint of envy in her voice. "They’re all shipped from the south. They’re terrifyingly expensive."

"I used to see it often at banquets. Everyone just cuts off a tiny piece, so most of it goes to waste," Ale explained.

The three of them chatted as they ate.

After the main course was finished, plates of honey cake, almond pudding, and candied berries were brought out for dessert.

Looking at the desserts on the table, Colin immediately thought of Orelia’s little face. ’That little one loves sweets like cake.’

Besides, the sheer spectacle of the banquet was immense, a clear testament to the Lowell Clan’s wealth.

Once dessert was mostly finished, a servant standing near the table announced, "Everyone, the meal has concluded. You are now free to mingle as you wish."

The guests at the table began to rise, forming small groups to chat just as they had before dinner.

Colin picked up his glass of red wine.

Just as he was about to find a place with Ale to ride out the rest of the banquet, several lavishly dressed young people came over.

One of the young women said to Sela, "Sela, is this the Dragon Slayer we’ve all been reading about in the papers? I can’t believe you actually invited him! It looks like we’ll have to re-evaluate you."

"Introduce us to the hero," another young man added.

"Oh, please don’t say that... This is Colin, my friend, and the Dragon Slayer from the newspapers." Sela said, a little embarrassed. "Colin, Ale, these are my classmates. They aren’t in my class, though, so you probably haven’t met before."

"A pleasure to meet you all," Colin said with a smile.

Beside him, Ale also gave an elegant curtsy. "And I as well."

Hearing this, the woman who had spoken earlier quickly complained, "That’s it for the introductions? You haven’t even said my name, Sela!"

Just as Sela was about to speak, a young man with a large, hooked nose and wearing a black formal suit walked over.

Seeing him approach, Sela, who was standing nearby, said hurriedly, "I’m going to go check on my father, Colin. I’ll see you in a bit."

Before Colin could even ask, she had scurried away.

At that moment, the man closed in.

His face was flushed red and his eyes were half-lidded; it was obvious he was completely drunk.

The man brazenly slapped a hand on the shoulder of another man in the group and stared blankly at Colin. He then suddenly reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pocket watch.

"Got one of these, Dragon Slayer?" the man slurred.

Colin glanced at the pocket watch, which glowed with a Magic Radiance.

[Precision Pocket Watch / Ordinary-Level Magic Item]

[Precise Time: This watch is always accurate.]

He answered honestly, "No."

"Heh. I spent a fortune—hic—on this. Of course you don’t have one." The man tapped the watch with his index finger. "Such a beautiful little thing."

His words made the others in the group look awkward. Since the man was talking like that, Colin lost interest in engaging with him.

Fortunately, the drunkard turned and left right after he finished speaking, not lingering any longer.

"Well, I’ve had enough relaxing for one day," Colin said with a smile. "I think I’ll just..."

Just then, an abrupt laugh came from behind him.

Colin turned around to see the drunken man standing in front of Sela, shouting at her.

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