บท 1683: Strange Allies (Part 1)

"Thanks, dear. It's good to see you, too. How did your trip to the Blood Desert go?" Jirni asked.

"Same old, same old." Manohar said with a sigh. "It's too hot, the people are too cranky, but at least the food is great and the kids love me."

"Were you a guest of Overlord Salaark as well?" Friya was too surprised by the revelation to care about the Mad Professor hijacking the conversation.

"In her dreams." He replied with the modesty of a male peacock during the mating season. "I go there for the same reason I go to any other place. Work. I have several side projects with both your father and Ily-"

A prompt kick from under the table stopped him before he could mention the god of death and Jirni's glare did the rest.

"Ilyana, a very nice Royal Forgemaster who's madly in love with me." Before someone could ask him any other question, Manohar stuffed his face with food.