A party with the nobility… not something Benedict expected to be subjected to. In every fantasy he’d ever read, such an affair would include eating, drinking, and general revelry with every guest dressed in their finest.

  “What’s the party for?” Shiyo asked.

  “A celebration of our victory, of course,” Ordra said. “Every adventurer in the city is invited. They even gave us instructions on where to go for the proper attire.”

  “At the risk of sounding uncultured, what does one wear to a nobleman’s party?” Benedict asked.

  The others just stared, eyes wandering as if searching for an answer.

  “I’ve never even seen such a party,” Amalyn admitted.

  “Neither have I,” Celica said.

  “I have actively avoided them,” Shiyo said.

  “Nobles don’t appreciate adventurers intruding in their affairs,” Ordra said.

  Kirion raised his hand. “Generally, at these functions, both sexes wear whatever maximizes their attractiveness while remaining socially tasteful. For men, this is normally a plain shirt under a tailored doublet that emphasizes poise and stature. Women generally wear ankle length dresses with a variety of tops designed to enhance their silhouettes.”

  Every eye fell onto Kirion like he’d spoken in tongues to them.

  “I’ve had to infiltrate such parties before!”

  “As skeptical as we may be, that doesn’t sound like much of a lie,” Amalyn said.

  Ordra motioned for the others to follow him. “Then we should visit our tailor. I was told he’s the best in the city. He would better answer the question, anyway.”

  “I promise my overview is accurate!” Kirion shouted.

  “We’ll see about that.”

  “Kirion, I wouldn’t be surprised if your idea was meant to give you a chance at ogling us more than you already do,” Amalyn said.

  “You shouldn’t be so transparently lecherous,” Celica chastised in her typically sweet voice. “Benedict has been a perfect gentleman to us. You should learn from him.”

  Benedict found himself imagining what Celica would look like in a dress with a distinctly plunging neckline. Her normal clothes may not flatter her in the same way. Kirion elbowed him in the side, stopping the thoughts. No words were exchanged, but Benedict felt judgment and doubt emanating from Kirion’s stare. He turned away as they walked.

  Ordra’s tailor had his shop near the lift platform, and it was decorated for being noticed. Whoever had painted the building had decided the conical roof needed to be bright pink while the walls underneath should be bright blue. In front of the double white doors stood two statues of big cats painted in only the gaudiest combination of primary colors. A young woman walked out briefly wearing a bright pink dress and bright blue bodice. The clothes flattered her body, but the colors didn’t.

  “Are you sure this is it?” Benedict asked.

  “Maybe it’s better inside,” Celica offered.

  “You won’t forget his building, at least,” Ordra said as he pushed the double doors open.

  The interior, at least, showed some understanding of the concept of “contrast”. Muted colors covered the walls, while the floor was a darker wood and the ceiling lighter. Even the clothes on the mannequins showed a variety of muted and garish colors. Only the workers—men and women—wore the combination of pink and blue that seemed to be their signature.

  A woman met them just inside the door. “Greetings, adventurers. Are you here about the party?”

  “How did you know we’re adventurers?” Celica asked.

  “It’s well known that adventurers travel in attire that is often put together for comfort and practicality with almost no thought spared for fashion. Such a disregard for fashion does not fit within the upper classes, which is why Astei has worked to get all the adventurers referred to us.”

  “How helpful of him,” Amalyn groaned.

  The woman clapped in a specific rhythm. Moments later, a man pranced up to them dressed in a tight, pink sleeveless top that was open from his chest to his stomach, and just below that a pair of uncomfortably tight, bright blue pants. More bright blue and pink flowed about his face in the form of his dyed, strategically messy hair. Benedict wondered if he fashioned himself to match the store or if the store was fashioned to match him.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  He bowed to them all in an exaggerated fashion. “Greetings, adventurer heroes! I am Vellat, the greatest tailor in the Tyne region. To me, fashion is a statement, and with my help, yours will rival the mightiest of soliloquys, and all I need is a quick look at you.”

  As he walked through the party, Vellat continued monologuing. “My job is not to show off your personalities. Everyone in the noble class wears a mask, after all. Not even their lovers know their true selves. Thus, all I need to do is figure out how to best put you on display to impress the fools at that party which I will also be attending, so my reputation is also on the line here. There is one exception, I think. You!” He pointed to Ordra. “You lead this rabble, yes?”

  Ordra nodded.

  “Then you will have a cape! Normally that’s only for specific nobility, but the looks on their faces when you show up with one will be reward enough.”

  “You are positioned well to serve them, for disliking them so much,” Amalyn observed.

  “I may not like them, but I do like their money.” Vellat clapped his hands. “Assistants!” Three women and three men ran to Vellat’s side, stood at attention, and listened to their boss give them a complete rundown so quickly that it sounded to Benedict like gibberish. “Please follow my people to receive your measurements.”

  One of the men came to Benedict and showed him to a room at the opposite end of the building, skirting through and around groups of shoppers more concerned with Benedict’s presence than anything else. They arrived at a half pink, half blue door which Benedict’s escort opened before shoving him inside. The floor had a small circle drawn on the floor just large enough for his two feet, and around it was just enough space for his handler to walk around him with a fabric ruler.

  “Master Vellat already knows what style you need,” he said. “My job is to gather your measurements. I need you to remove all your clothes.”

  “Couldn’t you just measure what I’m wearing?” Benedict asked.

  “And copy those ill-fitting rags? No, no, no. Out of the question. If you’re to impress the nobility, you must follow my instructions. Worry not, I’m the only one who will see anything.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Benedict said.

  It couldn’t be much worse than being in an onsen, right? He removed his clothes as instructed and kept himself as calm as possible. That lasted right until the fabric ruler snapped against his bare hip.

  Benedict left Vellat’s store feeling utterly violated. That accursed ruler came far too close to his most intimate areas. He looked about the party, and they also walked with their shoulders and heads hanging. At least they wouldn’t have to visit again; their clothes would be taken to their dwelling.

  “Does anyone else feel… odd?” Celica asked, hugging herself.

  “My girl wouldn’t stop talking about how nice my body was,” Amalyn said.

  Kirion shuddered as he spoke. “Mine called me the perfect specimen of a young man.”

  “I know they were trying to be helpful, but they are way too touchy there,” Benedict groaned.

  “Ordra party!” a woman called.

  Tirra and Daena both ran up to them, waving and smiling. Benedict attempted to return the gesture, but it came out more half-hearted than he would have liked.

  “Oh dear, you all just met Vellat, didn’t you?” Tirra said.

  “How could you tell?” Ordra asked.

  “The look on your faces of utter defeat and a little disgust is something everyone shows when they first leave his shop,” Daena said.

  “We were told he’s the best.”

  “He is, but his assistants have more intrusive touches than my last lover,” Tirra growled.

  “At least it’s all over,” Amalyn said.

  Daena grabbed Celica’s hands. “If you have nothing else, then I’m ready for today’s lesson!”

  “Absolutely! I’ll see you all later!” Celica said, waving to the others as she walked away with Daena in tow.

  “Celica’s been helping Daena with her thaumaturgy,” Amalyn explained.

  “And I came to check on the heroic injured.” Tirra’s smile brightened as her eyes darted between Benedict and Shiyo. “You seem to have healed well.”

  “Well enough, despite Vellat’s assistant,” Shiyo said.

  “We both got hit by a pretty nasty curse,” Benedict said.

  “A doctor’s blessing is keeping the pain away for now.”

  “That’s the risk of the adventurer’s lifestyle.” Tirra looked around. “A risk that has brought peace back to these people.”

  Ordra turned to the lift platform. “We have time, and our comrades haven’t seen the fruits of our labors. Should we visit the base city so they can see what’s happened?”

  “We’re even bigger heroes down there,” Kirion said.

  “Tirra, would you come with us?” Amalyn asked.

  “Count me in!” Tirra said.

  They climbed into a lift and started the long trip down. Benedict leaned on the outer railing and watched the city below grow larger. Tirra lounged on the central bench between Amalyn and Shiyo.

  “Word around the canopy is that your entire party will be receiving medals at the party,” Tirra said.

  “We just killed a few monsters, not even as many as the other adventurers did,” Benedict replied.

  “Oh, come off it! You destroyed a nest. Before you found it, no one even knew they existed as such. You can’t imagine the number of messages sent out detailing your discovery to every adventurer in the region. Surely, they have all sent more messages to the others. Eventually, this may put us out of a job.”

  “Not a negative in the slightest, I think,” Ordra said.

  “Where’s the rest of your party?” Shiyo asked.

  Tirra shrugged. “We disbanded two days ago. Mireth left the city headed west to continue some kind of journey. Klugen followed because he said he owes her for saving his life. Vex has just disappeared completely. We just noticed he was gone one day. Worst is Astei. He abandoned us completely after you brought news of the nest’s destruction. Instead, he’s been spending all his time with the nobles in the canopy. It’s not like we had any real attachment to him, but he should have stayed on to finish the battle.”

  “Why are you here, then?” Benedict asked.

  “Daena wanted to learn more about thaumaturgy, and I’m just having a holiday before I leave the city. The base is coming back to its lively self. Besides, I was worried about you. I hated the way Astei dismissed you and thought we should have gone with you. Would have made things easier, at least.”

  The lift came to a stop, and the party disembarked. Immediately, Benedict was met with the sight of buildings being rebuilt just beyond a market that had been set up around the platform. The people gathered around stopped and watched for a moment, then a cheer erupted.