Chapter 162
“Shilent-sama, have you decided which place we’re going to?” (Lemia)
“Yeah. We’ll go to the place our leader visited before. Melt, you liked their smoked fish too, didn’t you?” (Shizuma)
“Oh! That shop! I was worried about what happened to it, so I wanted to go check it out!” (Melt)
As we walked, Lemia stuck close to my side, while Melt pressed right up against my other side.
It felt like flowers on both arms, which was a little embarrassing, but I made sure not to let it show.
“Everyone, can you hear me! Today, we’re going to reserve a tavern that even I’ve been curious about: Melt’s favorite place! Apparently, their smoked fish and ale are great! Any objections!?” (Shizuma)
I checked with the members of the subjugation force gathered behind us…
“No problem!”
“Captain, are you serious about treating us!?”
Huh? When did that become the story…? Well, it’s true I have money to spare, and since I made them worry, I don’t mind.
“Yeah, it’s on me! Order whatever you want! They’re not open yet, but I’ll see if we can reserve the place ahead of time, so look forward to it.” (Shizuma)
I intend to spend plenty, partly as compensation for the trouble last time.
“When you say your leader, Shilent-sama…you mean that elderly gentleman?” (Lemia)
“Come to think of it, you met our leader, didn’t you? How was he?” (Shizuma)
“…He’s someone I would never want to be hostile toward. At the same time, I understand what you meant when you said his ‘good nature is strong.’ …To think he wiped out Abyss Fang in a single night and prevented human trafficking before it could happen. As expected of the one who stands above you, Shilent-sama.” (Lemia)
“Yeah. It seems he plans to put down roots in this country eventually. One day…he’ll probably hand the brigade over to someone else.” (Shizuma)
If, hypothetically, someone were to become the new representative…it would either be me as Shizuma, or…if it’s about protecting one’s own…Tistnard, the semi-strongest.
That semi-strongest, Tistnard…wasn’t an evil character ideologically. If anything, they are the most heroic, upstanding personality.
Burdened with the story forced upon him, he met an unjust death.
And because of that, he fell into despair, left the stage crying out in resentment…that was the scenario assigned to him.
But that tragedy led to ‘the true end of the story,’ and the scenario of the online game I played, Elder Sea Online, reached its ending.
That’s why all of my other characters -excluding the strongest- hold Tistnard in respect and worry for both his body and his heart.
“…I’ll try consulting them once.” (Shizuma)
“What, what? Consulting about what?” (Melt)
“Hm? Ah…about who should be the next leader of the brigade.” (Shizuma)
“What…! Then, could it be that you intend to put yourself forward, Shilent-sama? You submitted paperwork at the guild earlier saying you’d be heading somewhere far away… Are you planning to move while leading new members as the leader?” (Lemia)
“No, it wouldn’t suit me. And besides, one way or another, I’ve gotten too deeply involved with this country. Moving somewhere else now would just make things harder.” (Shizuma)
“T-Then! You’ll remain in this country!?” (Lemia)
“Yeah. I’ll wander alone for a while, mainly maintaining security and hunting monsters around the Golda region.” (Shizuma)
“I see. Understood.” (Lemia)
Shilent would probably do exactly that.
In the scenario, Shilent belonged to a mercenary band.
But it never felt like he intended to lead one himself.
Keeping some distance while contributing to people’s lives, maintaining ties with nations and individuals.
It felt like he feared that staying too close would only bring harm to those around him.
He simply lost too much.
That was the kind of story he bore.
Before long, we arrived at the tavern. A “Preparing” sign was still hanging, and I entered alone.
—————–
“Ah! Sorry, we’re still getting ready to…open…”
…The moment the owner turned toward me, I could see the color drain from his face.
A vicious-looking face, wild equipment, a massive greatsword on my back.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say my entire appearance was made up of elements that intimidated people.
“Sorry to bother you. Could you reserve today’s business for me and my companions? There are a bit over twenty of us.” (Shizuma)
“R-Reserve…? Um, what kind of group would that be…?”
Bad news: because of me, he probably thought the rest of them were dangerous types too.
I should have brought Melt with me at least!
“Adventurers from the guild. Also, I heard that an acquaintance of mine caused a bit of a disturbance here some time ago, so I was thinking of spending generously as compensation. Do you remember? A tall old man should have visited this place.” (Shizuma)
“Oh! That incredibly strong old man! I see…well, that’s much appreciated. In that case, the private reservation is fine. Please, bring your companions inside.”
Negotiations successful. I called over the members of the Shilent sub-squad who had been waiting outside.
—————–
“Then, Captain Shilent! We’ll be in your care!” (Nemuri)
“““Thanks for the treat!”””
“Hohoho, then I shall partake as well.” (Easton)
“I, um…” (Lemia)
“It’s fine. Lemia, today’s on me too.” (Shizuma)
“T-Then I’ll join as well?” (Lemia)
“Yeah, go ahead.” (Shizuma)
With the tavern reserved and the first round of orders delivered, Nemuri raised her mug with that declaration.
Following her lead, everyone lifted their cups, and the drinking party -with the excuse of announcing my survival- began.
“I wonder if the shop’s doing well? Everyone’s getting fish unlike before.” (Melt)
“Seems so. They’re probably able to procure sufficient quantities from processing vendors. Looks like they’ve added more kinds of alcohol too.” (Shizuma)
“They have! Looks like the Chef Guild finally released the recipes and started general sales!” (Melt)
Saying that, Melt cheerfully swirled a glass mug filled with a black, carbonated drink.
Ice clinked as she took happy gulps.
“It’s delicious! It tastes different from what I know, though! What is it…a sweet aroma? There’s a strange scent mixed in.” (Melt)
“Yeah, seems like there’s alcohol in it. Don’t drink too much, alright?” (Shizuma)
“Oh! So there’s alcohol that smells like this too?” (Melt)
It was probably some kind of rum.
Even though this should’ve been my first time, the combined knowledge of my various characters and the game’s creators seemed to identify it as rum.
“You’re familiar with this unfamiliar drink?” (Lemia)
Lemia, seated at the same table, held her mug and looked between it and my face with curiosity.
“Yeah. A cook in our brigade stayed with this city’s Chef Guild for a while. The recipe she left behind back then is being used in this drink too.” (Shizuma)
“Oh…so your brigade has a cook as well?” (Lemia)
“Yes! Her name’s Seira…she’s a super-beautiful lady with really huge boobs!” (Melt)
“…Melt, don’t say things like that in public.” (Shizuma)
“…I see. They’re large, then.” (Lemia)
Ah. Lemia-san’s voice dropped just a little.
…I see.
I’ll refrain from saying what exactly I ‘see.’
“Hm, it’s an interesting flavor. And sweet. I only knew sweet alcohols like fruit wine, but…this is nice. Once it gets warmer, I imagine it’ll be very popular.” (Lemia)
“Yeah, I think so too.” (Shizuma)
After taking a sip, Lemia-san relaxed her expression slightly as she gave her assessment.
It really was good…but the knowledge inside me was saying, ‘This can be taken further.’
And I want to drink that version too…!
“Owner, could you come here for a moment?”
I called for the owner, not the hall staff.
“Yes, what is it?”
“This drink uses the syrup recipe that was released recently, right?” (Shizuma)
“Yes, that’s correct. We’ve only been serving it for about two weeks, but it’s been selling like crazy every day.”
“Figured. Call it compensation for the trouble, but I’ll teach you a way to make it even better. Use lime and mint. In a glass full of ice, add crushed lime and torn mint leaves, then add the cola syrup and alcohol. Finish with soda water and give it a light stir.” (Shizuma)
I’ve never actually had it myself, but apparently there’s a way like that back on Earth.
A cola mojito, or a variation of a Cuba Libre, or something like that.
I really want to try it! Truly wonderful, this adult body.
“Oh ho! We have both. Shall we make the second round that way?”
“Please. And make the same for these two as well. If you like it, feel free to add it to the menu.” (Shizuma)
I watched the owner happily head back behind the counter, then bit into the smoked fish.
…Delicious! The strong saltiness and rich smoky aroma filled my mouth without losing to the cola’s sweetness.
Then I washed it down again with carbonation and sweetness. It was like a tug-of-war of flavors inside my mouth…yet strangely not unpleasant, a taste that made me want to repeat it again and again.
“Phew… Hm? What’s with you two making such strange faces?” (Shizuma)
“You know, Shilent, you’re surprisingly knowledgeable about tasty things?”
“I didn’t expect you to be so familiar with alcohol.”
“No… I just heard it from Seira.” (Shizuma)
Uh-oh. That probably didn’t fit Shilent’s character.
“Hm, the…large-chested cook you mentioned?” (Lemia)
“Yeah.” (Shizuma)
“…Are you close with her?” (Lemia)
“In general, everyone in the brigade gets along well.” (Shizuma)
“Right! I want to see Shire again too! Going back to what we were talking about earlier…if you were to entrust the brigade to someone new, I think Shire would be good!” (Melt)
The air around our table had started to feel slightly tense for some reason, but Melt blew it away.
Lemia-san really does seem to…like Shilent quite a bit…?
Whenever a woman comes up around Shilent, she clearly seems to be in a worse mood.
“No, it’d be better to keep Shire in this city…or by your side, Melt. She gets lonely easily.” (Shizuma)
“Really? But yeah, I love Shire too, so I’d like to be together!” (Melt)
This is just my guess, but I think it’s probably true that she gets lonely.
…If I can someday prioritize summoning someone and giving them independence, maybe letting Shire act together with me at some point would make her happy.
I should probably consult everyone about that beforehand…
—————–
After a while, once everyone enjoyed the newly served drinks, the cola mojitos, along with smoked fish and cheese, and the mood warmed nicely…
I noticed a group standing in front of the shop, looking disappointed, probably because they didn’t see the reserved sign from a distance. When I realized they were acquaintances, I called out without thinking.
“Hey! We still have room! You guys come on in too!” (Shizuma)
When I called to the people visible through the swing doors, the leader of that group noticed me.
“Hm… You are… I see. So you were safe after all. Then I’ll take you up on your offer.”
The new group that entered the shop was…
The members of the explorer clan, Killcrawler.
They seemed to be a large group as well, and among them were several familiar faces, including Busker, who had been in the same subjugation force as me.
I could also see the clan leader, one of the Thirteen Knights, Araza Miel, as well as Livana and Gark from the First Assault Team.
“Owner, we’ve got more guests. Is that alright?” (Shizuma)
“Of course! Ah, today’s a full house! We’ve got plenty of alcohol and ingredients, so order without holding back!”
The owner laughed at what must have been a happy problem, while the staff smiled a little awkwardly.
Meanwhile, my former squad members were visibly shaken by the arrival of Killcrawler.
Right…these people are also one of Lindblum’s four major powers…
“Shilent-dono. If you’d like, why not drink at the same table as us? There are a few things I’d like to discuss. I hear you’re part of that rumored ‘brigade,’ are you not?” (Araza)
“Sure. Melt, I’ll go have a drink with Araza for a bit. Lemia, you’re fine with that?” (Shizuma)
“Understood. I’ll keep an eye on Melt-san.” (Lemia)
“…I’ll join this side.” (Livana)
At that moment, somehow, an extra seat had appeared at my table.
And sitting there as if it were the most natural thing in the world was Livana-san…the leader of the First Assault Team, who had once been scouted to become one of the Thirteen Knights.
“Melt, what’s that?” (Livana)
“This? It’s suuuper delicious alcohol! I’ll order one for you too, Livana-chan.” (Melt)
“Thank you.” (Livana)
…They seemed to have gotten close before I even noticed, so I could leave things here without worry.
I headed over to the table where Araza-san, who apparently had something to discuss, and Gark-san, who also seemed to have business, were waiting.
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