Aozaki Aoko Case File [509] (Patreon)

It had to be said, Cori’s cooking was truly top-notch. Even someone as picky as Aoko, a modern-day person, found this dinner quite impressive after trying it.

Although the city’s food supplies, like those of Bryn Shander and Targos, were running low, the Northern Lights Inn seemed to be better stocked. As a result, its restaurant function was still operating.

Aoko and her companions enjoyed their dinner while discussing what equipment they would need for the climb and which route to take up the mountain. Trovus whose flask had been taken couldn’t help but slow his eating, listening intently to their conversation.

Because their table was a bit large, for the sake of easier conversation, the five of them mostly sat on the same side, eating and chatting, leaving the other side empty.

Trovus, without a word, brought his food over and sat down with a friendly grin.

“Mind if I join you?” Trovus’s smile was unusually warm for a Dragonborn, reminding Aoko of the tadpole’s charm in BG3.

“Uh, and you are?” Edgin was a little surprised to see Trovus come over but drew on his years of bardic social experience to keep his composure.

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Trovus, a retired adventurer,” Trovus said amicably, sitting across from Aoko and the others. “I’m a Silver Dragonborn, once a soldier, now the spokesperson for the people of Caer-Konig.”

“Hello, Trovus,” Edgin nodded. “What would you like to talk about?”

“I overheard you’re preparing mountaineering gear and planning to go to Kelvin’s Cairn?” Trovus asked. “May I ask why?”

Edgin hesitated slightly. Among adventurers (even former ones), prying into someone’s quest was borderline rude, but Trovus’ friendly demeanor made him hard to dislike.

So Edgin looked at Aoko, who, after thinking it over, nodded in agreement. She sensed this Silver Dragonborn was genuinely good-aligned, and seeing no harm, allowed the conversation to proceed.

“We’ve taken on a commission to find a missing guide in Kelvin’s Cairn,” Edgin replied, choosing his words. “He took a job guiding a group of adventurers up the mountain some time ago but went missing. His wife has asked us to find him.”

“Hm, I seem to recall someone like that,” Trovus mused, stroking his chin and squinting as he tried to remember. “Did that party bring six sled dogs up the mountain?”

“They did!” Edgin said more seriously. “Have you seen them since? Either the adventurers or the guide?”

“No, I’m afraid not,” Trovus shook his head. “I only saw them buying gear in the village and then heading off towards Kelvin’s Cairn by sled. I haven’t seen them return to Caer-Konig since.”

“I see...” Edgin mused, not showing disappointment or joy. “Still, thank you. At least this proves we’re in the right place.”

“That guide’s wife must be wealthy, to afford adventurers of your caliber,” Trovus remarked, eyeing the group meaningfully.

“We didn’t take any payment,” Edgin admitted, after a moment’s hesitation, trusting his instincts. “She’s my neighbor, and my friends are helping because of me.”

“Hahaha! I knew it!” Trovus laughed heartily. “I can’t imagine a spellcaster of this lady’s level would risk Kelvin’s Cairn for a bit of gold.”

Oh?

Aoko was a little surprised. This Dragonborn veteran could actually gauge her strength?

“How could you tell my level?” Aoko asked curiously.

“Never mind your rather unusual attire,” Trovus tapped his head and gave Aoko a sly look. “As a Dragonborn, I have certain special abilities.”

He must have a high Perception score, Aoko thought, though she kept her face neutral.

“Besides, I heard from Allie that the magical fire in the lantern at the door was your doing, wasn’t it?” Trovus added. “To cast an Everlasting Flame spell with just a snap of your fingers—well, you’re clearly far above the local adventurers.”

“Say what you like; it’s just a second-level spell,” Aoko said calmly. “Why don’t you tell us your story?”

“Oh! Finally, someone’s interested in my past!” Trovus looked delighted, reaching for his hip before remembering Cori had confiscated his flask.

Aoko snapped her fingers, and several glass cups appeared on the table. She then produced a bottle of wine from home out of thin air, filling each cup, which floated to everyone.

Trovus eagerly took a sip and immediately looked pleasantly surprised.

“This is excellent wine!” Trovus praised. “Probably the best I’ve ever tasted!”

“Well, since I’ve had such fine wine, let me tell you about my adventures!” Trovus said enthusiastically.

He then launched into stories of his adventures: from kicking an ogre into a river and watching it drift away cursing, to pretending to be a humanoid dragon in front of a pack of kobolds—he recounted it all in vivid detail.

To be fair, the old veteran’s level wasn’t very high, but his experiences were certainly colorful. He had traveled all over the Sword Coast, and his insight was broad; even someone like Aoko, a world-walker, found something of value in his tales.

“To be honest, now isn’t a good time to be in Caer-Konig,” Trovus sighed after his stories. “There’s not only the Everlasting Rime but also a lot of thieves lately. Everyone’s on edge, and even the Shorard sisters’ magical lantern was stolen.”

“I’ve heard a bit,” Edgin said. “Did these thieves just appear, or have they always been around?”

“They haven’t been caught yet, but I’ve started patrolling the streets every day,” Trovus said. “But so far, no luck. Still, this seems to be a recent phenomenon.”

“In addition to the magic lantern, the townsfolk have lost a pair of goats and a bag of decorative pearls—the owner is the proprietor of Frozenfar Expeditions.”