I Reincarnated as an NPC Witch

The Tavern

Before Abigail could even speak, she was suddenly pulled by Keeana out of her room. “It’s a refresher from a long journey! Besides, there’s a celebration in the tavern. The people will be questioning why we are missing you.” They walked downstairs. “I am not a hero, I am just someone who is accompanying you all with your travels. I am just with you because—” “You are a hero! Maybe not now but you will in the near future. It’s not that impossible that you will be one. In fact, you have already done a heroic deed! You have brewed something for us to heal our wounded friends.” Even with an enthusiastic encouragement, Abigail is still doubtful of the title that is bestowed upon her. “But, it’s not even an inch from what you guys have done. I am guessing that you all have saved someone from their death, from a dangerous situation. Not just one, but a collective of people.” Keeana smirks and looks at her, “And, what did you do to us?” She pinned her down in their argument. Abigail was speechless. “You saved us. Not just one person, but five people that are in need of aid to their injuries. That’s your definition of a hero right?” The purple-haired girl sighs, “But, that’s one time. And, I was forced and gaslighted by Gallant.” Keeana’s smile turns into a frown, “You didn’t mean your help?” She said in a cutesy sad voice as they stopped in their tracks.

Abigail realized what she just said. She shakes her head and sighs, “I didn’t mean to say that.” She takes a deep breath and thinks of her next word carefully. “It’s just…” Keeana looks at her, still holding her pout. “I just don’t think I don’t deserve the title of a ‘hero’, yet. It feels like it was forced to me because I was destined to fight the dark wizard.” Abigail looks at the girl in front of her, “I am sorry if I said that. I just don’t want to be called hero right now.” Her lips curve, “But, maybe I will accept it once I have proven myself worthy of it. I just don’t want titles that I don’t even deserve. You guys have done a lot in this world. Me being called a hero might change people’s opinion about the standard of this title.” Keeana smiles, “Anyone could be called a hero! Any kindness that is given to others willingly is a kindness that deserves the title hero. You literally saved the lives of the five of our friends. If I can call someone a hero in the streets that just helped me lift things, why wouldn’t you?”

Abigail still refuses, “I just don’t feel like being called one, okay? For me, it’s not enough. You guys could call me a hero all you want, anyone could. But, for me, I am not a hero yet.” Keeana nods, “I understand, you have a standard for yourself.” “I do. I don’t just call myself something because of small little reasons. I need bigger ones. I change attitudes quite often. If it’s not recurring, I will not declare myself that. There’s a lot of days I will spend with you all, I don’t know what decisions I will impulsively choose next. I know myself but not in a way that will be understood by others.” The brunette girl nods, even she’s a bit confuse yet curious about what she means. “Let’s go now, the others are waiting for us!” She’s back to her enthusiastic voice and rushes to the tavern with Abigail. The said establishment is just a few walks away in the opposite line of buildings from the inn. It’s as tall as the inn with the typical rock base walls and with the white walls on the second floor. Unlike the inn, it has some objects outside, mainly tables where all some of the guests of the tavern settle in. Even they are still far away, they can already hear the noises that people make inside the tavern. They can also hear melodic tunes. Keeana pulls her and squeezes their way through the crowd outside to enter the place. Inside has a greater crowd, all piled on a stage. On that platform, one familiar individual was standing on it, holding a banjo.

“Gallant is performing!” Keeana shouted through the noises as they pushed through the crowd once more, approaching a pile of individuals on the other end of the tavern. “Hey, just woke up, Crocus?” Wren greeted them as he stuffed his mouth with small beads of chips. “Yeah, Keeana was right on time when she got me there. I was already a bit conscious when she knock on the door.” Lavena shakes her head, “I am glad that Keeana didn’t disturb you to sleep. She and Gallant are already experienced with short periods of sleep. She shouldn’t treat you as same as them.” Abigail giggles as she shakes her head in disagreement, “I am already experienced with short periods of sleep as well. It’s just that it’s good to sleep long sometimes. Especially these people have the best bed mattress that I ever lied on.”

She received no answer after that as they all look at Gallant at the stage. He started strumming the strings of the banjo. “A song for this tavern from your one and only, Gallant!” He started grooving as he keeps playing the banjo. He started singing, which surprised Abigail. He has a pretty singing voice even though he has a bit rusty voice. “I never thought that brat is good at singing.” Keeana laughs, “Well, he has the right to brag sometimes. He has something to brag about anyway. It’s also unusual for a prince—well, a former prince to have a naturally good singing voice. That’s according to him.” The whole crowd cheers at the performance of Gallant. Ladies are squealing their lungs out, especially those who were noticed by him while he’s performing. The rest of his friends are watching him, eating or drinking something they ordered from the bartender.

“What do you want, by the way, Crocus? There’s a lot of snacks that are presented here. If you want a drink, you could ask it to Thallases’ over there in the counter.” Lavena offered Abigail, “What are these foods?” “We have onion beads, mustard hashbrowns, and dried Erel. The shop has more if you want to try them all. These are just our personal favorites.” Abigail reaches on the onion beads and eats them. The name didn’t lie, it tastes like an onion and is a bit spicy. “Forgot to warn you, almost every food here has some spice on it. Some are mild, some are heavily spiced up. Especially this dried Erel.”

“Why wouldn’t it be spicy? It’s literally a skin of a spicy fruit. Catrina is the only one who has the guts to even eat that thing.” Wren laughs as he stuffs himself with another handful of onion beads. Catrina just ignores him and eats her own snack. “How about drinks, Crocus? These things are best paired with beer!” Edsel gobbles down a whole pint of alcoholic drink as his twin just watches him with a disappointed face. “You don’t need to. He’s just literally an alcoholic.” “Hey!” Edsel protested. Abigail denies his offer, “I don’t drink beer.” “That’s a bummer! Maybe you could try?” Keeana pushes her a pint glass. The witch denies the offer once again. “N-no. I just don’t drink one.” Lavena stops them both, “Don’t force her if she doesn’t want to. Besides, you could order some juice here.” Keeana suddenly got excited, “Oh! Oh! Oh! Yes, they do have some! Their best selling is Moss Raspberry juice, especially if you want an earthy flavor and sweetness combined! Or Ashenens fresh from wild Ashen Bush! That will give you some strong sour-sweet action!”

Some of the names that are being said by Keeana are a bit familiar to Abigail. The Ashenens are one of the items in the game to make a basic bandage with the leaves of the bush itself. “I never thought a healing fruit could be a juice as well.” The brunette girl nods rapidly, “Yep! Also, wild Ashenens are better than domesticated ones. They are juicier and have fewer pulp residuals when extracted! I had created one before and it’s good but not as good as the ones made in taverns! Maybe they added some Vlel sugar on it.”

“Why are you talking about herbology in a tavern?” All of their heads turn as Gallant walks up to them. “Did you guys enjoyed my performance?” “Yeah! Cool as ever, bro.” Edsel gives him a thumbs up. Keeana agrees as well, “I never heard you sing with an accompaniment of an instrument for a while!” The warrior laughs, “I can’t always bring my guitar in adventures. Besides, there are a lot of talented musicians in every town we pass by. With my charm, I could just borrow their instrument and steal the attention all to me.” They all have different reactions to his bragging, some shake their heads, some laugh, and notably, Catrina didn’t express anything at all. She took a sip on her glass and eats another dried Erel. She wasn’t left unbothered as Gallant snatches one of her dried Erel sticks.

Abigail decided to order some juice with the persuasion that Keeana performed earlier. Since she’s in another world, she could just taste some of the delicacies here. She approached the counter with chairs that are full to the brim. “Ah, the floral witch! Welcome to Thallasses’ Tavern, my lady!” A human with a robust structure that is topless greeted her with such a loud voice. “I am Thallasses and welcome to my tavern!” He laughs loudly, “I just love saying that over and over again.” He clears his throat, “How can I help you?” She feels an awkward feeling between them. She never met someone like this before. She was new to this environment. She sighs, she needs to get used to it. Besides, what’s wrong with meeting strangers in a world full of strange things?

She studies the bartender. She from the top and below as she realizes the fur that he has from the bottom of his stomach. She looks behind him as she saw a much larger physique behind him. It was a horse’s body. “You seems surprised to see a centaur, my lady.” He said as he wipes the glasses clean. “Are you not acquainted with such beasts like me?” Abigail shakes her head and gulps, it’s getting more awkward than it should’ve been. “I am sorry. I have never seen something like… you, before.” Thallasses laughs which scared the life out of Abigail, it was so sudden. “It’s perfectly fine, young lady! We aren’t that common on the western side of the continent. Especially since humans live here. It’s not surprising for a human like you to not be accustomed to such magnificent creatures. Have you ventured to the eastern side of the continent? Have you been in the deserts?” She shakes her head, she can’t speak with this loud man. She’s scared with her small little voice to answer him. “Understandable! Not everyone wants to live in such a hot place. Anyway, what drink do you want for tonight, magical lass?” “Well, I’ll take anything, particularly the juices you are selling.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Your attitude rings me a particular juice. Since you are a floral witch, how about a Pipe Poppy Juice?” Abigail just nods at him, she doesn’t know that juice, but she’s willing to try. “Such a magnificent choice! It will be ready in a moment!” He also got the other customer’s orders and brewed them in such an efficient manner and served everything at the same time. “Drink up, ladies and gentlemen!”

Abigail grabs the drink and comes back at the rest of her companions. “There you are with something to drink!” She took a seat and took a sip. It has a bitter taste yet a warm tone. She was a bit hesitant to drink more but with the big mug that it serves in, she can’t just let it go to waste. She gulps everything, sip by sip. Until she feels an uncomfortable feeling. “Hey, Crocus, are you okay?”