It's been a week, since my party members left me but I have not given up yet. I tried buying a slave but that didn't work either...so, now all I can do is ask around other adventurers if they want to join the new dragonfall party. Back then, there where many adventurers who fought amongst themselves to be a part of this party but ever since everyone left, no one gives a damn about joining.

"Would you like to join the great dragonfall party?"

I was currently inside the guild hall, once again trying to recruit members for my party but there's still no progress.

Some of the adventurers didn't want to join because of the Celine is no longer with me.

"I'm sorry but if Celine isn't a member of this party, there's no reason for me to join."

Some were already recruited by other parties.

"Oh it's quite a tempting offer but I have already joined the WhiteSaber party."

Some were annoyed by my presence.

"Go away."

And some didn't even bother to hear the question.

"I have a boyfriend."

And then there were those who simply mocked me.

"Hahaha! aren't you that guy who just lost all of his party members? Did you ever had a thought that you might not be suitable for the role of party leader?"

After speaking to several adventurers, I got nowhere.

I was about to give up and leave, when I noticed a familiar figure...

"Uh... Is that Ru?"

Ru was chatting with some other adventurers when he noticed me. After whispering something to his new party membes, he walked towards me.

"Hey...uh.. didn't expect to see you here, Jason?"

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He tried to initiate a conversation with me but I could tell that he's definitely feeling awkward..

"Yeah...looks like you joined a new party?"

He suddenly became enthusiastic as he started to tell me about his new party and how much amazing they are. Before I knew it, he was singing praises of them. After listening to him for a while, I decided it's time to leave.

"it was nice seeing you here, but I should get going now."

He also realised he's probably praising too much about his new party in front of his previous leader and decided to end the conversation.

"Haha sure."

And with that, Ru walked back to his party members.

"Well... I'm glad at least he got a new party."

As I was leaving, I overheard a bit of their conversation.

"Hey Ru, who was that guy?

The person who said this was a girl with a pony tail and a long sword, Bianca, the sword maiden. After her, another member who was a big guy with a battle axe started to talk smack.

"Hey, isn't he that loser party leader of your previous party? The one who always banked on Celine's popularity."

I tried to suppress my anger as even though I heard him mocking me, he was still Ru's ally, and I cannot do anything that might be embarrass him in front of his new party. Still, why isn't Ru defending me... does he also think about me like that?

Well, for now, I decided not to cause a commotion and leave.

.

.

.

After walking for a while, I realised that I don't really need to recruit members from the guild, there's already someone who might be able to join me with enough persuasion.

And if there's atleast two members, more people might join as well.

After making my decision, I went to a blacksmith shop inside the town's market.

As I opened the door, I was greeted with a smell of hot iron and burning coal.

"Hey Borris, you got sometime?"

I said as I looked at the dwarf who was hammering a sword as his assistant was selling other adventurers A grade weapons.

.

.

.

After discussing everything with him, his answer was disappointing.

"No, I'm not gonna to join your party again."

I tried to reason with him.

"Hey, don't be like that!! At least hear me out!!"

He took a deep sigh, and then gestured his employee to handle the customers as he decided to chat with me.

"I'm a really busy person, Jason. The only reason I'm even talking to you is because you're my old friend. Now hurry up and speak and if you ask the same question, my answer will also be the same. No, I'm not joining your party."

He's too stubborn about his decision.

"But why?"

He looked at me for a minute then took a deep sigh before he answered.

"Look, sorry Jason, but this work, I find it better than risking my life on daily basis, knowing I might not even be able to see the next day."

As I was trying to open my mouth, he continued.

"I know the party was important for you, but nothing goes the way as we plan, no?"

After telling me that, he looked at me with a sad expression and said.

"Look, I grateful to you for what you did in the past and I still am. But this is my passion now... I hope you can understand."

I was at the lose of words, I was confident at the fact that I could remind him of our past adventures to persuade him but he's already made up his mind.

I looked behind him and noticed that he's not wrong, this blacksmith shop was filled with many customers.

After thinking for some time, I simply nodded and he gave an understanding smile.

"Well, fine. Thanks for your time."

As he turned around to go back and do his smithing, I asked another question.

"Say? You don't happen to know where I could find her, do you?"

He stopped on his tracks, knowing whom I was talking about.

He turned his head a little to look at me and asked.

"Are you sure about that?"

I nodded with a determined face.

"I'm already out of options, might as well try this."

He scratched the back of his head a little and scoffed.

"I don't know if she would still be there but I heard she was planning on exploring that place, so you might as well give a shot....just don't tell her that I told you, okay?"

After saying this, he gave me the location, which was the Founder's mountain.

"Thanks Borris, I should get going now. I know how things ended...but I'm glad you found your passion."

Saying this to him, I exited his shop.

"Alright, I'm coming for you Celine."

I wonder if I have to beg her....or grovel but once she join my party, I could easily gain more members.

"She will join me.....right?"