The town mayor

Our journey to the quiet town of Silverbrook was as mundane as carriage rides come, aside from Cyrus channeling those playful lusty gazes through Esther and Nia. Though nothing happened since I'd didn't want to awaken Zarah and Oman's curiosity.

Silverbrook was a picturesque locale nestled in a lush valley, characterized by its timber-framed homes and cobblestone paths. Verdant fields surrounded the town, contributing to its idyllic charm. Although quaint, the sense of community here was tangible, with children playing in the town square and adults conversing amicably.

Upon arriving, we made our way to the mayor's house, a charming cottage with rose vines curling up its wooden walls. I knocked, calling out a polite greeting. The response was a strained feminine voice requesting patience.

When the door swung open, a woman of around forty stood there. She was a striking figure, despite the weariness in her eyes. Her dark hair was neatly pulled into a bun, with a few strands defiantly falling onto her forehead. Fine lines traced the corners of her eyes and mouth, speaking volumes of the burdens she bore. Her attire was simple but well-kept, speaking to her position in the community.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice sounded as if she didn't want to open the door in the first place.

I showed her our Guild IDs, explaining our purpose in Silverbrook. "We're here to help with your ooze problem," I added.

Her gaze scrutinizing us, she sighed in relief. "Finally. I'm Raven, the mayor here. We've been waiting for assistance."

Apologizing for the delay, I reassured her of our commitment to the task. She nodded, providing directions to the mine, "Meals on the house" she said, keeping her face emotionless.

"In terms of accommodation, you'll need to find something yourselves. Our town is running tight on space," she warned.

Upon inquiring further about the ooze infestation, she shared that while their numbers were staggering, capable adventurers like us should handle them effectively. She then disappeared briefly, reappearing with a map, which she handed over to us.

"Thank you, Raven. We'll get this sorted out as soon as we can," I assured her, signaling the team to proceed towards the mine.

Following my lead, the rest of the group began the trek towards the mine, but Esther's voice suddenly cut through the farewell pleasantries. "I'm sorry, Miss Raven, may I use your restroom? I'm not feeling too well," Esther requested with a gentle grimace.

A sigh escaped Raven's lips, and she wearily gestured towards a corridor. "Adventurers... it's the second door on your left," she instructed. Esther apologized to us, urging us to proceed without her. I didn't dwell on it, trusting Esther to catch up shortly.