Jeremy sat down across from McKenzie and Gregory. After Belethor left, Gregory had stolen his chair and moved the stool into position as, what McKenzie called it, the hot seat.

"You said your name was Jeremy? What brings you to Lady Rhodes manor this evening?" the constable asked.

"More or less, just a prank," Jeremy said, nodding at Gregory.

"Yeah, it's kind of my fault he's here. Olivander has some kind of fixation on him, and I thought it would be funny to have him make an unexpected appearance. I asked Lady Rhodes for permission last night. I think she agreed because she knows Olivander."

"And you think she wanted to, what, confuse or anger the man?" McKenzie asked.

"More to put him on the back foot. He's somewhat hard to get along with. I think anyone would jump at knocking him down a little from his high horse. That sort of thing."

"I see. And you went along with this Jeremy? Why?"

"I have pretty simple motivations. I thought it would be fun, and I definitely want to make connections here in my new city. As a guild representative, I am duty bound to expand my influence to further the causes of the guild. Making a connection or two with the likes of yourself or Lady Rhodes is reason enough to come. The bit with Olivander was more or less just for fun."

"Have you ever met Mr. Grumel before today?"

"I haven't met anyone here besides Gregory and his companions before today."

"You heard about the power that masked the attack, yes? Do you possess any powers similar to that?"

"I'm not a very high leveled person, and my only combat class is lesser magician. Most of my powers are utility skills, like levitation and some small amount of construction magic from my non-combat classes."

The Constable General continued grilling Jeremy for a few minutes, but it was clear he had no idea who any of the others at the party were, aside from simply hearing their names before. Gregory knew Jeremy couldn't be involved, he had absolutely no reason for it.

The next person they called in was a little more suspicious, at least to Gregory.

Allison Foudes sat across from her interrogators, looking nervous already.

"Lady Foudes," McKenzie began, "you seem anxious. Why is that?"

"Ahh, I'm sorry, Mr. McKenzie. I'm just a little nervous. When I heard what happened with Wentzle I was frightened. It was just so…unexpected."

"I think it gave us all a little scare. Did you know Mr. Grumel well?"

"I'd like to think so. We're friends. Yeah, we've been acquainted for a few months now. I met him through a mutual friend and we just connected."

Gregory thought that Lady Foudes —Allison— spoke more casually than any other nobility he had met, though that was a rather small number of people. He remembered that she and Wentzle had been having a hushed conversation that Cooper had overheard parts of earlier.

There was a lull before McKenzie responded, and Gregory ventured to ask his own question.

"What was it that you and Wentzle were talking about earlier, in the great hall? You both seemed a little out of sorts."

Allison flushed immediately and McKenzie leaned forward like he was a wolf who had just spotted an injured deer. Hungry for the kill.

"Ahh, you heard that? Ha…that was nothing, really."

"I'd like to hear what you spoke about, Lady Foudes. I need to know anything that could be relevant, and if the two of you had a disagreement…well, who knows how that might have affected Mr. Grumel's judgment, or caused an unexpected row somewhere else."

Allison took a deep breath.

"I guess this will come out sooner or later…I was having an affair with Wentzle. Reginald and I are in a committed relationship, but we're not married, so it wasn't so grave a sin…but still. He found out a few days ago —Reginald, that is, and when we found out Wentzle was going to be here, Reginald made me end things. Wentzle was upset, but I told him we both knew that either of us could back out of things at any time. It wasn't that serious…"

She trailed off, staring ahead without seeing anything. She shook herself and tried to put up more of a defense.

"It wasn't that serious, but I wouldn't have tried to kill him or anything. Things were already out in the open. I don't know what happened to Wentzle."

McKenzie rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Do you have any idea what happened to him?" he asked with a raised brow. "You do know him better than most. Who might be an enemy?"

"I really don't know. Everyone loves Wentzle. He's a powerful and wealthy spice merchant, so I suppose some people might be jealous of that. But the only other person at the party that's really involved in the same markets is Leviana."

Gregory recalled Leviana encouraging Wenzle to work with Gloria, not exactly the actions of a rival. Now that he was thinking about it, Wentzle himself said that he used House Rhodes logistics to plan routes. So they weren't even rivals but business partners.

The only two people that he wasn't sure about were Elizabeth and Reginald. After hearing about Allison's cheating, Reginald seemed like a likely suspect.

McKenzie finished asking Allison questions. She wasn't an adventurer at all and didn't have any classes awakened. Gregory thought that was a little odd, but didn't question it. He didn't know how people from non-adventuring families handled that kind of thing. But she didn't have any magic, so she couldn't have caused the effect that almost killed Wentzle.

Allison left the room and McKenzie turned to Gregory.

"What do you think?"

"I think after hearing that, Reginald sounds like he might be interesting to talk to. We know he's an adventurer of note."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

McKenzie nodded. "I agree. Elizabeth was absolutely horrified about Wentzle's condition, so unless she's an excellent actress, I doubt she had anything to do with this."

Gregory went to fetch Reginald.

Reginald wasn't happy to be interrogated, but he didn't question the Constable General.

"So, Reginald. We've been hearing a few interesting things. Tell me, where were you when Wentzle was attacked?"

"I was downstairs with Jeremy, looking for the next clue of that ridiculous scavenger hunt that Leviana organized."

"Jeremy claims you were separated at the time. You were looking for clues in somewhat separate locations?"

"I guess we might not have been together at that exact moment, but we were both downstairs. Do you think I had something to do with this?"

"Allison told us about her affair."

Reginald's face took on a deep red, and Gregory wasn't sure if it was from anger or shame. Probably a bit of both.

"I really wish she had kept that between us. I was willing to let bygones be bygones. Yes, Allison has been unfaithful, but I still love her. At the same time, I don't blame Wentzle for her mistakes. I may not particularly like the man, or even want to be in the same room as him anymore, but that's a far cry from killing him. It's not like I caught them in the act and was possessed by a fit of jealous rage."

"So you bear no ill will towards Wentzle?"

"Of course not. He certainly doesn't deserve to die," Reginald took a deep breath and readjusted himself on the uncomfortable stool. "Listen, I've dedicated my entire life to protecting the people of this city. I do that regardless of whether they are good or bad people. It's the same thing with Wentzle. I may hate what he did, and not agree with how he conducted himself, but I would still put my life on the line to protect him. Just like I would for any other resident of our city."

"I do appreciate what you do, Reginald. I would be neglecting my duty if I didn't continue with the questioning, however."

Reginald just waved McKenzie on, inviting more questions.

"You possess a wide area time slowing ability, do you not?"

"Ah, you're familiar with my powers? Not surprising considering how often I work with the contables. Yes, I do possess such a power. Why do you ask?"

"Would you mind demonstrating it on Gregory and myself?"

Reginald just shrugged, then Gregory felt the exact same thing he had earlier. The only difference was that this time, there wasn't an overwhelming darkness. Reginald blurred in front of him, and he could only think.

When time resumed, Gregory found Reginald sitting in front of them again, but this time with a drink in hand.

"My power slows down the perception of time for everyone except me. It basically freezes them while I'm free to act for a short time."

"What do you think, Gregory?" McKenzie asked.

"It was exactly the same thing I felt before! Just without the darkness," Gregory said.

"I thought as much. I may be starting to piece some things together, but there are still too many unknowns. Reginald, do you know Belethor?"

* * *

Throughout his life, Olivander had undergone a number of different kinds of trials. Some trials were physical or combat related, where he had to push himself to the limit of his strength and endurance. The personal trial up to that point had been one such trial. Some trials were mental, where he had to push his mind to new heights to figure out some ancient secret or solve a deadly riddle so a Sphinx wouldn't eat him.

The feast with Barranch was a new kind of trial for him. One of pain. Pain was an old companion of any adventurer worth mentioning. You fought, you endured, you felt the pain of doing so. Eating so much that he thought he was literally going to burst was a new kind of pain. It was physical and mental. His mind fought him, begged him, to stop eating. His body protested every bite and he felt his gorge rising.

He wanted to open a portal inside his stomach to clear out some room, but unfortunately portals couldn't be opened inside of living beings. He wasn't actually sure about dead beings. He had never thought to check, and frankly, the idea sounded quite macabre.

The god of feasts was still going strong, he had no issues packing away food, but if Olivander stopped eating, the god did as well. Feasts were meant to be enjoyed together, after all.

After what seemed like an eternity and a superhuman effort in not throwing up all over himself, Olivander saw a blessed notification.

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Current Progress

* Feasted with the God: 1/1 (100%)

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"Well done my small friend. You have greatly pleased the god of feasts! You have also given me a fine number of new cooking golems!"

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You have cleared "Golem's Feast"

* You have earned bonus experience for your current class.

* You have earned a dungeon reward chest.

* You have unlocked "Blessing: Class Reward"

You have completed bonus objective "Complete the trial with over 200 golems active"

* You have earned a custom reward from Barranch, the god of feasts.

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Olivander was absolutely thrilled this waking nightmare was finally over. The first part had been fun. The second part had been some kind of insane torture.

"I have blessed you with a special class, but after giving me so many golems, I will give you a choice instead! Choose wisely!"

A glowing orb manifested on the god's outstretched hand, and then it shot into Olivander.

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You have been granted a special blessing, choose a class to evolve.

* Minor Conjurer (Uncommon/Evolved) -> Feast Golem Conjurer (Epic/Evolved)

* Summon sophisticated constructs to fight or cook on your behalf.

* Elemental Swordsman (Rare) -> Elemental Harvester (Epic/Evolved)

* A melee fighter who feasts on elemental aura to power devastating effects and grant unparalleled endurance in battle.

* Magus (Epic) -> Golden Magus of the Feast (Legendary/Evolved)

* A magus who wields a divine recipe book.

* Severs the connection to the Realm of Madness and ties the Magus to the Divine Realm instead.

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"Oh well that's just not fair! I'd be an idiot to pass up an evolution to my Magus class, but 'Feast Golem Conjurer' sounds like something I should not miss out on."

The god of feasts laughed.

"Hunger is the heart of any feast, and you certainly hunger for what you have been offered. But I am afraid you must choose."

"Hmm, the stats gain would be about the same, since I'd be bumping an Uncommon class all the way to Epic. The Legendary class would have a higher upper limit of course…this is tough."

Barranch was starting to become impatient, staring at Olivander and cracking his neck. Olivander continued mumbling to himself.

"And that's to say nothing about the differences in potential abilities. I assume I would be able to learn recipes and store them in the recipe book like I do with spells now. The spell functionality should stay, but severing the tie to the Realm of Madness…I wonder if drawing mana through from the Divine Realm would work the same way. I'd rather have a creature of madness angry at me for sucking power away from its realm than a god, though. Not always the most polite, gods."

Barranch clapped his hands for attention. Olivander looked up, but didn't seem to register the god.

"You will be able to leave this place once you decide. I look forward to seeing what you do with my power."

The god vanished, leaving behind the oblivious Olivander.

"Maybe Elemental Harvester would be interesting? No, I enjoyed my time with the sword, but spells are my bread and butter. Oh, but what if I can combine my new sword grimoire ability with the divine recipe book. Maybe I can make a sword that creates food? Feeding an army is no joke. That could have some real practical usage."

Olivander pulled out his notebook from his personal library to crunch some numbers.