With the help of Madriel and the other lodge staff, we managed to break down the fight. At the moment, Madriel was talking with the rest of the adventurers, while I had a little talk with Nis.

“Nis, did you forget what I asked you to do?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong though? They were the one that started it. I was just minding my own business.”

“Yeah, as if that’ll hold in court. Do you know what you did?”

“I didn’t kill them.”

“That’s not the point, Nis. You beat them up at an inch of their life. One wrong move, and you could’ve been charged with murder.”

“But! He drew his sword first! You can ask the other people, they saw him do it. I was scared.”

“Shut up! Reflect on your actions, you dys-” I stopped myself before I actually finished that sentence. “I’m sorry, that was too much. Still, that doesn’t mean you’re free of of guilt. Say sorry to those men.”

Nis cringed and averted her gaze from me. She was reluctant, of course, but this was for her sake.

“To learn to forgive is to be human, Nis. To learn from your mistakes and apologize is also important.”

I’m sorry. I was obviously manipulating her to forgive them, but it is true. I don’t want her to become a person so malicious. Besides, what I said is true.

I rustled her hair and smiled at her. “Come on, I’ll be with you.”

Nis could only sheepishly nod, reluctance was clear on her face, but there was also a contemplative in there that I was happy to see. It means she was serious.

I brought her to the group that Madriel was talking with. Nis had her head down the entire time, and refused to look up.

“Sorry Madriel, It took a bit time to convince this brat to apologize.” I said as I lead Nis by the hand.

“Oh, Immersed! Yes, it seems a mutual agreement is in order.” Madriel happily spoke up and looked behind him, to the group that was unconscious earlier. “Right?” There was a forcefulness in his voice that I didn’t expect from his gentle face.

At this, Madriel stepped to the side and let the group step forward. There were eight of them, all men looking in their mid-30s. The one at the center at at the front seemed to be their leader.

The man, who had a sword on his hip and a shield on his back, his armor of a piecemeal variety. His face was rugged, with a deep scar running across his left eye and one more across his lip. One look, and you could tell the man was experienced.

“We’re...” He paused and looked at Nis. “Sorry. I lost my temper.” The man said.

“He was drunk, apparently, and was in a horrible mood. Your companion’s provocations didn’t help the situation.” Madriel explained, putting his hands behind him.

“Oh, I’m sure this little minx is sorry, isn’t that right, Nis?” I pulled her up to face the man.

She fidgeted under my care, but ultimately apologized, even bowing her head.

“I’m sorry, I was bored, and you demanded me to-”

I stopped her there by smacking her in the head lightly. “No excuses. You were both in the wrong.”

I sighed and faced the man. “I don’t mind paying you for your troubles, if you want.”

The man shook his head and just gave defeated smile. “It would ruin my reputation if I asked some kids for money. One of my mates told me leave anyway, and it was my temper that got us into this mess.”

“Yeah, Dylan’s just a cranky old man.” One of them chimed in with a snicker.

I beamed at them and gave them a thumbs up. I’m not sure if they knew what it meant, but they probably realize it’s a good thing.

“Isn’t that great, Nis. You got to forgive, and to apologize. You’re learning.”

Nis merely nodded, but I knew she was happy. She had a bit of a tic that was easy to catch. Her ears would wiggle when she was happy, and she was doing that exact thing. Honestly, I’m quite surprised that she was dexterous enough to do it, even more since it hasn’t been long since she had a ‘real’ body.

I smiled at the group of men. “Hey, next time we see each other, I’ll treat all of us a round, what do you say?”

At this, the man that chimed in earlier whistled and acted as the voice of the team.

“Hell yeah! Your words are good as gold, right, right?”

“Yep. My name’s Imm-” As I was about to introduce myself, I realized how stupid that name was for this world. It was uncommon, or maybe it was downright strange. I shouldn’t use it. Hmm...

“I’m Sed, Sed Immer, though in my country, it’s reversed.”

Madriel chimed in. He was apparently listening in even now.

“Ah. Then I must apologize for mistaking it, Sed.”

“Nah, it’s fine. You wouldn’t have known. Then, this lady here is Nis Immer.” I pulled up Nis to me and pushed her forward, my hands holding on to her shoulders.

After our introductions, they started to introduce themselves. Dylan was their leader, and their second-in-command was Kyle. His group was called the ‘Eight Wonders’. I couldn’t help but chuckle, but it seems they also think it a weird name, but they had grown attached to it.

They definitely seem to be good, if flawed, people. I would love to adventure with them sometime, just to enjoy the company and teach Nis valuable life experiences, but that’s for the future. I pray for their future and success.

They left soon after though. They said they had a monster subjugation request that they needed done or they’d be flat broke for the week.

Madriel had a content smile on his face and stepped near us.

“I appreciate your initiative to make friends despite the precarious situation. You seem mature for a child. Are you really not lying about your age?”

“Of course not, what would I gain from doing so?”

“Hmm.” Madriel didn’t speak and only stared at me. I have to admit, a pretty guy looking at me intently made me uncomfortable.

“One last thing, Madriel. Is there another adamantium adventurer in the city right now?”

“Currently, there are only 20 adamantiums in our registers... 21, I mean. Most of them are certainly busy but, there is one adamantium. He has locked himself in the 2nd floor of the archives room. Do you wish to meet him?”

“Oh, interesting. What’s his name?”

“If I remember correctly, it was... Slavos Darsin.”

... Interesting development.