"That stupid little brat! HOW dare he cut your path? I saw the way he looked at you," Raum shouted in anger. "I should have pulled his eyeballs out... On second thought..." He turned his attention to the guild door.

"Stay here. I'll go and give him a taste of my claws. I'll be quick."

Before Raum could take off, Aron swiftly grabbed him by the neck.

"Relax, buddy; don't bother yourself with a worm. We have more important things to do," Aron said calmly.

Confused, Raum inquired, "What do you mean?"

Aron's tone turned serious as he replied, "First, we get a good meal and a well-earned rest. Then you're going to tell me everything about the people that captured you—the way they dress, talk, behave, and every other detail, no matter how small. Basically, tell me everything you remember."

A warm smile spread across Raum's face as he hugged Aron's neck with his wings. "Of course, anything for my friend."

Aron glanced once more at the guild door. 'That masked man was strong—much stronger than me,' Aron admitted to himself. A determined look crossed his face as he clenched his fist. He was now even more resolved to grow stronger.

Time passed, and Aron and Raum found themselves standing in front of the 'The Drunken Chef' inn. Wood and stone made up most of the building's outer structure, giving it a warm and cheerful atmosphere. Through the windows, the glow of numerous candles illuminated the lively energy of the people inside.

Stepping through the thick wooden door, they were greeted by a delightful waitress carrying four large mugs of beer. With a smile, she welcomed them as she hurried toward a table occupied by four men.

The inn was lovely on the inside, just as it was on the outside, with wooden beams supporting the upper floor and beautiful yet simple lanterns hanging from them. Given that it was evening, the inn was not yet fully packed. There were still empty tables where Aron and Raum secured one in a cozy corner—a round, dark wooden table with enough space for two or maybe three people max. A single candle adorned its center.

"Ahhh! My legs," Aron settled comfortably at the table and began scanning the inn and its patrons. Most of them were town guards seeking respite after a long day of work.

Laughter and merriment filled the air as people engaged in games and entertainment. In one corner, a group huddled around a large table, engrossed in a serious card game, placing bets with great enthusiasm.

As Aron admired the lively scene, a friendly waitress approached their table. She possessed short brown hair, honey-colored eyes, and fair, ivory-like skin. Her cheeks were as round and rosy as those of a newborn baby.

"Good evening, sir. What can I get you?" The waitress inquired cheerfully.

Aron responded with calm excitement, "Hello there, young lady. I've heard that you serve a meal so divine that it can make anyone drunk with delight. Is it true?"

The waitress couldn't help but chuckle. "Hehehe, where did you hear that from?"

Aron smiled at the waitress, feeling amused by her cheerful energy. "Cila told me. She recommended this inn to me."

"Huh?.." The waitress's eyes widened in slight shock, her mouth agape. She looked at Aron with a perplexed expression.

"Cila? You mean Cila from the mercenary guild?"

"Yes, that's the one," Aron confirmed. "Do you know her?

The waitress narrowed her eyes. "Of course, she's my best friend. That's why I find it hard to believe she would suggest something to someone, especially a man."

Aron tilted his head curiously. "Why is that?"

The waitress hesitated before replying, "...Well, you see, she's quite cold and reserved. She never shows her emotions, always wearing a blank expression. Plus, she really dislikes men."

Aron placed a hand on his chin, pondering the waitress's words. "Really?... I mean, I didn't feel any hatred from her. She was kind and helpful, and... Oh! She even smiled."

The waitress froze in shock, standing still for a moment that felt like an eternity.

"Impossible! Are we talking about the same person?" she exclaimed incredulously.

'...That cold woman can smile, and what do you mean by kind? She always sparks my butt when I joke with her a little,' she felt her butt hurt a little when she remembered. Then she narrowed her eyes, observing Aron's face for the first time.

'...Holy!!..He's handsome, very handsome... Oh! Now I see, that cold woman got mesmerized by his face... hehehe, I know your weakness now, Cila. Revenge shall be mine!... hehehe~' she started laughing in a low and creepy voice.

"Hello! Are you still there?" Aron waved his hand close to her face, and she snapped back.

"S-sorry!" She coughed a little. "Ahem... So, one special meal and a dark beer?"

"Make that two meals," Aron added, turning to Raum. "You can eat human food, right, Raum?"

"Yes, I can," Raum answered casually, still angry about the incident at the guild.

"Wow! A talking raven. How rare."

Aron tapped the table with his fingers. "The food, young lady. I'm dying of hunger here."

"Oops, sorry. And by the way, Amy is just fine. 'Young lady' is too fancy for me," Amy said before making her way with light and energetic steps to the kitchen, preparing Aron's order.

After a short wait, Amy returned with two steaming plates and two large cups of dark beer.

"There you go, enjoy." She placed the food before them, wearing a bright smile, before darting off to attend to another table.

The meal before them was simple: a slice of bread, two eggs, and a generous serving of succulent meat smothered in a special red sauce. Without delay, Aron dug in, taking a sizable bite.

"!!!" And it was delicious. The flavors exploded in his mouth, and the meat basically melted.

Raum, too, was captivated by the extraordinary taste of the meat. The little raven had never once in his life tasted such a delicious meal.

"Hmm!... Good! GOOD!... Huh??" Not even three minutes had passed, and both of them cleaned their plates, gazing at the emptiness before them.

"We need MORE!" they said in unison.

"AMY!!"

…

In the end, they ate to their fill. The meal was irresistible. Aron booked a room from Amy and paid for the food, then headed straight to get some rest.

Their room, located on the second floor, featured a single bed, a small desk, and a wardrobe. Through the window, Aron could observe the inn's entrance. As the night progressed, more people flocked inside, seeking refuge from the darkness.

Locking the door behind them, Aron shed his armor and weapons, seating himself on the edge of the bed. With one leg crossed over the other, he rested his head on his fist.

"Now, tell me everything."

Raum nestled next to Aron, nodding in agreement. He began recounting the details of his capture.

"It happened so quickly, so don't expect much, but I'll share what I remember. The day before my capture, I was searching for food in a certain part of town. As I was flying, I spotted a green light in the distance. I decided to investigate." He paused, collecting his thoughts.

"When I arrived at the location, I saw a hooded man in a gray robe standing next to two dog-like creatures, lifeless on the ground. Suddenly, he turned his head to me, and when he noticed me, he froze."

"Froze?" Aron interrupted him.

"Yeah! He was shocked to see me or something; I don't know, but then he raised his hand toward me and spoke in a weird language. His voice scared the shit out of me. I felt like he was sucking my soul, so I fled in fear." Recalling the encounter, Raum shivered, the memory of that creepy voice still haunting him.

"When facing the unknown, fleeing is a good choice," Aron shared his opinion.

"After that, I quickly made my way to a large tree in the forest. I lived there for a time. The next morning, I woke up to the sound of approaching footsteps. Looking down the tree, I saw more than five people surrounding me. From there, everything happened rapidly. They used nets to capture me."

"Those men, can you describe them?"

Raum shook his head. "I didn't get a clear look at them. They used some kind of potion that made me lose consciousness. They wore ragged clothes, like beggars or bandits... There is something, but I'm not sure of it." He paused to collect his thoughts.

"The one who used the potion on me, I saw on his forearm when he lifted his sleeves, a tattoo of a rat?... Yes, probably a rat."

Aron rubbed his chin, contemplating the information. "A rat? That's a start. Do you remember anything else?"

Raum shook his head. "No, only a few words I overheard while I was inside their caravan; words like 'rare,' 'master,' 'working materials,' and 'experiment.' After that, the goblin attacked, and you know the rest."

Aron pondered aloud, processing the information. "Not much, but it's better than nothing. And based on Amy's reaction, I suspect you're a rare creature. Sooner or later, someone will likely try to capture you again."

A shiver coursed through Raum's body, and he sought solace in Aron's embrace. Aron held the little raven close, gently rubbing his back.

"Don't worry," Aron reassured him with a calm yet resolute tone. "As long as I'm alive, no one will dare lay a finger on you. And for those who do, death will be a mercy for them."

Silent tears fell on Aron's chest as the little raven enjoyed the warmth and kindness that he found. For the first time in his life, Raum felt safe.

Suddenly, Aron's eyes lit up as he heard a familiar voice within his mind.

[Analyzing completed]

[Master, I've made some intriguing discoveries.]