I was exhausted, physically and mentally. The debt with Durin, now 15 coins because of the destroyed mine, was a constant weight, and Melina's song about "the strippers of the mine" was already being sung even by the bakers of Vaelor. My head was chaos. Elara, Vespera, and Liriel messed with me in ways I couldn't understand. Elara with her shy ways, Vespera with her teasing smiles, Liriel with that jealousy she tried to hide—every moment of closeness turned into a disaster. I wanted to pay the debt, clear our reputation, and maybe have a chance to flirt without becoming a joke. But with this group, that seemed like an impossible dream. The amulet and the mine's scepter, glowing in my backpack, gave me chills. They were clues about the Demon King's general, but I had no idea where to start.
At the guild, I found a mission that seemed perfect: "Help at Torin's tavern during a games tournament. Reward: 80 silver coins." Serving tables and keeping order in a card and dice tournament couldn't be that hard, and the money would settle the debt with Durin. Dragging Liriel out of the inn was the same old story. "Mortal games? Unworthy of a goddess!" she complained, clutching her wine cup. Elara seemed excited. "I'll use simple spells to help, I swear," she said, staff in hand. Vespera, adjusting her bow, smiled. "Tournaments are thrilling! I can't wait for the chaos!" I tried to be firm: "No crazy spells, no crooked arrows, no succubus charm. Just keep everything under control." They nodded, but I knew it was all talk.
Torin's tavern was packed, with adventurers and townsfolk shouting, betting, and drinking. Torin greeted us with his suspicious look. "The mine strippers? Don't wreck my tavern again," he said, pointing at the counter. Melina was there, strumming her lute and laughing. "My song's becoming epic!" she said, as a new verse about the mine echoed. My stomach churned. Torin introduced Zara, a short-haired, sharp-eyed player known for cheating. "Watch her, but keep the tournament running," Torin said. Zara winked at me. "I've heard of you strippers. Let's have some fun." The mission was simple: serve drinks, prevent cheating, and keep the tournament going. Torin, in passing, mentioned rumors of bandits tied to the Demon King's general lurking around Vaelor. "Nothing you can't handle, right?" he said before returning to the bar.
The tournament began, and chaos came quickly. Elara tried a light spell to expose cheaters. "Just to help!" she said. The glow lit the table for a few seconds before she collapsed, panting. "Mana… gone," she groaned, falling into my lap. Her face was so close that my heart raced, but a table flipped when the light failed, scattering cards everywhere. Vespera saw Zara hiding a die and used her succubus charm. "Confess, cheater!" Half the players fell under her spell, starting a brawl. Vespera shot an arrow to scare Zara, but hit a barrel, exploding beer over everyone. "What a delicious mess!" she laughed, while an enraged player chased her—and she seemed to enjoy it.
"Liriel, do something!" I shouted. She raised her cup. "Divine purification magic!" The beer turned into sticky slime that clung to everyone's clothes—ours and the players'—leaving them semi-transparent. Again. I tried to break up the fight but slipped on the slime and crashed onto Zara's table. "I like the enthusiasm, stripper," she said with a wink as she helped me up. My face burned, and I noticed Elara and Vespera glaring at me, with Liriel fuming in the background. I tried playing cards with Zara to calm things down, but Vespera butted in, "accidentally" bumping into me. "My turn, Takumi," she said, with a smile that left me breathless. Elara, trying to help, stumbled and fell on top of us, murmuring: "You're good with games…" before fainting. Liriel, annoyed, tried another spell, which only made it worse: the slime spread, sticking everyone to the table.
The crowd roared with laughter, and Melina sang: "The strippers play and strip, in the tavern none can keep their grip!" Zara, laughing, said: "You're better than the tournament." Torin, furious, shouted: "My tavern!" The tournament went on, but our new fame was now "the strippers of the tournament."
At the guild, we received 60 coins, discounted for damages. We paid off the debt with Durin, but Torin charged us 10 coins for the mess. At the inn, I sat exhausted while Elara and Vespera argued over who "saved" the tournament. "My light exposed the cheating!" said Elara. "And my charm distracted them!" retorted Vespera. Liriel, sipping wine, scoffed. "You're pathetic. I did everything."
When they left to get food, I pulled Liriel aside. "If you're a goddess, who's on your throne now?" She shrugged. "Celine, my assistant. She's annoying, but she takes care of things." She took a sip. "Why? Thinking of sending me back?" She smirked, with a look that left me confused. Zara stopped by the inn, returning a die she had "borrowed." "I heard the Demon King's general is behind some bandits buying magic dice," she said before leaving. I looked at the amulet and the scepter, which glowed together. Those moments with Elara, Vespera, Liriel—and even Zara—messed with me, but always turned into humiliation. And now more clues about the Demon King? My life was a circus, and I just wanted one day without being called a pervert.