Chương 84: Reputation Improvement

Richard opened his eyes abruptly and found himself in a spacious, luxurious room, lying on a soft double bed.

Beside the bed was Grace, who was dry heaving while clutching her throat.

"—What are you doing?"

"I was imitating bird calls, and a ladybug accidentally flew into my throat!" Grace said, then gagged again until she felt a spark in her throat before calming down.

"Okay, there's no ladybug now."

Richard paused for a second to mourn for the poor ladybug, then asked, "Why are you imitating a bird's call?"

"Of course, it's because I wanted to awaken my little poet in the most natural way!"

Grace sat on the edge of the bed, her full breasts pressing into the bed, creating rounded curves. She grinned mischievously and said, "Or do you prefer a less natural way, like me suffocating you with these weapons in front of me—" It's supposed to be a very erotic game, so why does it sound so bland and uninteresting when you say it?

And why do you have to wake me up? Can't you just wait for me to wake up naturally?

It's really — Richard rolled his eyes, got out of bed, and saw his clothes neatly arranged on a nearby cabinet. Unconcerned that Grace was right next to him, he changed while asking, "Did I miss anything last night?"

"There was nothing wrong last night. After you fell asleep, the others quickly left and went to rest."

Grace rested her chin on her hand, helping Richard recall the events, then changed the subject, saying, "But today is different. In the early hours of the morning, Master Ignas hurriedly led a small group away from Thumb Island—"

"Wait, Ignas's already gone?"

Richard's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

After all, the reason they were able to so easily destroy the church yesterday was because Ignas was there, and now that he's gone...

I knew you'd worry about that~ Grace guessed Richard's thoughts and then said, "Don't worry, that paladin master is a man of his word. Before he left, he forced Puzo to sign a contract in the name of the goddess and even summoned the high priest of the Phoenix City Church of Radiance."

"With these arrangements in place, the Church of the Goddess of Wealth dares not go back on its word."

"By the way, the high priest is currently with Isabella in yesterday's council chamber. He said we can go see him after we wake up, and he has a nice gift for us."

"Levin and the others are already awake and having breakfast in the dining room. Now you're the only one missing."

Richard dressed, then put on his shoes, and asked, "Is this the real reason you were in such a hurry to wake me up?"

"No, I just saw you sleeping so soundly and suddenly had a whim to see if you would be angry if I woke you up."

". ————"

"So, are you angry?"''

"Say something! If you don't answer, I'll try again next time!"

And so Richard understood once again why the copper dragon, like the brass dragon, was considered the most troublesome of the benevolent dragons.

Unfortunately, he couldn't dye Grace silver.

Then a few minutes later.

He and Grace left the bedroom, planning to first go to the dining room to meet up with the Forest Arrow Squad, and then go together to find Isabella and the High Priest of the Church of Radiance.

Since the palace on Thumb Island was very small, the two of them walked a few steps and found the semi-open-air restaurant built by a creek.

Before Richard could even get there, he heard the dwarf's loud laughter.

"That's right, that's right, it was me. I used this axe in my hand to cut down four warriors and their horses on the beach—" Iron Hammer was sitting at a long table, holding a leg of lamb in his left hand and an axe handle in his right, telling stories to the guards who were also eating across the table, as well as seven or eight people who looked like ordinary adventurers.

At the same moment, Hammer also saw Richard and Grace.

Then he coughed sharply and changed his tune, saying, "—Of course, this isn't just my achievement; the poets in our team also contributed a great deal!"

Alright, Hammer, you're bragging without including me, aren't you?

Richard walked closer and crossed his arms.

"Excuse me, are you Richard Targaryen?"

At this moment, the seven or eight people who had been listening to Hammer turn to look at Richard. When they saw him nod, they all bowed to him in various different ways!

"Salute to you! Noble thief, magnificent poet, warrior who broke through the encirclement!"

Hey?

Richard was taken aback by the group's "enthusiasm".

Just then, Levin and Mendel walked over from the stream carrying washed fruits and vegetables.

Seeing Richard surrounded by a crowd "spying" at him, Levin smiled and said, "Good morning, Richard. Let me introduce you."

"These are all followers of Master Ignas, each with a righteous heart and extraordinary abilities."

"Due to transportation issues, they were unable to depart with the master this morning and will need to stay in the vicinity for two more days."

"They've heard about our story and they admire you greatly!"

Even if you admire someone, you can't just shout it out indiscriminately.

Robin Hood? I haven't even admitted to being Robin Hood yet, so don't talk nonsense.

Richard thought this to himself, but on the surface, he put his hands on his hips, happily accepted everyone's greetings, and then waved his hand in a pretentious manner, saying, "Everyone, you flatter me, you flatter me. I only did a little bit of work."

Across from them, a long-browed man with a harmonica and a small drum tucked into his belt approached and said, "Mr. Targaryen, I am a bard like you. Would you mind if I told your story?"

You're giving me a bit too much credit.

"I don't mind."

Richard's mouth once again betrayed his pure and humble heart, giving a straightforward answer.

Then, as if remembering something, he took out the one-handed sword he had used since the Red Dragon's lair, and pulled out leather gloves from his dimensional bag. He said to the poet, "Remember to bring them with you when you spread the word."

"Huh? Is there anything special about them?"

"They are my most trusted treasures. For example, this sword is actually called Excalibur, and this gauntlet is called the Infinity Gauntlet."

"But they look so ordinary—"

"What's the point of us bards having long beaks?"

"Oh, I get it, a cool name is enough!"

For a time, Richard and his colleagues got along very well and chatted happily!

Among Ignas's followers were two young and beautiful women who, upon seeing Richard's face, which already possessed 19 points of charm, couldn't help but approach him with dreamy eyes.

Then Grace stopped him with a smile.

Richard noticed this and turned to Grace, muttering a complaint, "Hey, be nicer to my fans!"

Grace raised an eyebrow and replied, "Didn't you say you weren't the stereotypical poet?"

"I can be that when necessary."

"Ugh, I'm about to yell at you. Wait a minute, I'll have Zoya talk to you right now—"

"?"

Ten minutes passed.

Richard, who had been dazzled by the praise, finally remembered his business.

After casually grabbing a sausage from the table, he called over the three members of the Forest Arrow Squad, along with Amy, whose belly was swollen from eating potatoes covered in creamy mushroom sauce, and together they went to the council chamber from the previous night—