Chapter 83: Gathering Information from the Drunkards
“There were a lot of Three-Horns and Two-Horns, but the Black Mage being a wolf was the real problem. Oh, hey, old man! Bring me five or six of them all at once!”
Dean seemed to think the wine was water.
The Black Mage is a type of Demon Beast we usually hunt, characterized by the dark patches around its eyes that spread out. Some grow horns without the black spreading, and there are quite a few variations. It’s said that the number of horns correlates with physical strength and appetite, while the extent of the black indicates the power held by Spirits—mainly magic—and a strong hatred towards humans, though it’s not entirely clear.
When the black spreads all over the body, something strange happens: warts and wrinkles disappear, and it becomes beautiful.
Since a lot depends on the container’s abilities, it’s hard to generalize, but aside from the exceptionally beautiful Demon Beasts, you can usually gauge their strength by the number of horns and the area covered in black. The color of the horns also plays a part.
Lizards are strong but not good at long-distance movement, so they’re manageable. However, if a Demon Beast that excels in mobility becomes strong, it poses a threat to humans. They can charge into towns, and it seems weaker ones tend to follow along.
It seems they managed to subjugate the wolf that was a threat to that town. In other words, I missed the highlight of the Demon Beast subjugation. Well, it’s whatever.
“There’s no way there aren’t more of them,” I said.
“From what I’ve heard about the situation in Nakahara, I thought we had a bit more leeway, both the Guild and myself. No, maybe the Guild had predicted it,” Dean replied.
“Three Gold Rank members were involved, after all.”
Chris and Dean continued their conversation, which was a mix of complaints and situational explanations, while I was too busy gnawing on a ribeye to pay much attention. It felt good to be eating meat!
“…Doesn’t suit you,” Dean remarked.
“The Lord of Dusk is quite wild, isn’t he?” Chris added.
“Just get back to the conversation,” I said. My eating habits shouldn’t matter to them.
“I feel like another country besides Haldia is using some dangerous magic. It’s good we figured it out before it was too late,” Retze shifted the topic back.
Ah, the synergy between the Hero and the war. I had been focused on the Hero, but it seems the Guild was paying more attention to the war.
Still, I really want some vegetables.
“Amedeo seems to be planning to gather everyone in the country for the next party. I wonder how many will participate?” Retze mused.
“It looks like it’s going to be a large-scale subjugation for the first time in a while!”
A party with three Gold Rank members is quite appealing, almost like those large guilds or clans in Japanese games. I had no idea who was in the Subjugation Squad just from the images on the water basin.
“Have you two been invited to Amedeo’s party?” the Butler asked cheerfully while pouring wine for Dean and Chris.
After hearing all this, I couldn’t help but think of Amedeo as Rosa. It seemed like he was gathering people to restore the country.
“I was invited, but I turned it down because it didn’t suit me,” Dean said.
“I wouldn’t mind fulfilling a beautiful person’s wishes as a Knight, but I’d rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of a cow!” Chris added.
That idiom exists here too? Or is it just translated into a language I can understand? Also, Chris is a Knight?
“Ash, you had an invitation too, right?”
“Yeah, I did, but I turned it down,” Ash replied while cutting up the meat, and the Butler just smiled.
“I didn’t get an invitation, though,” Retze said, pouting a bit.
“That just means they don’t see your worth,” Dean teased.
“Haha, thanks,” Retze replied, though he seemed to think it was just flattery.
It really feels like they’re choosing based on whether someone has a Spirit or not.
“It’s unlikely that someone possessed by a Black Spirit would mix in, but it’s still a bit troublesome,” Dean said.
“Ah, if it gets out that I turned down an invitation to Amedeo’s party, that would be bad. Good luck with that,” Retze said, sending a casual cheer to Dean, who looked displeased.
“It seems like he hasn’t given up on the invitation either,” I added, also offering my half-hearted encouragement.
“Are you not participating in the next subjugation, Lord of Dusk?” Chris asked.
“Of course not,” I replied without hesitation. I didn’t want to camp out, nor did I intend to get close to troublesome people.
“Your bag has become quite the talk among the three Gold Rank members since the Guild gifted it to you. It seems orders are pouring in at the Guild,” Retze informed me.
“It’s nice to earn money without risk,” I thought, grateful to the Gold Rank members for the bag.
A large party size is also quite nice! I’d recommend everyone get the same bag. I’ll leave the sales efforts to the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Well, whatever. Let’s drink!” Dean declared, downing his wine in one go.
I thought the alcohol was pretty strong, but he seemed fine. Thanks to [Healing], I didn’t think I’d get more than tipsy.
“Ah, I must enjoy this beef after so long,” Chris said, scooping up some stew with his spoon and bringing it to his mouth.
“It’s delicious! By the way, you eat so elegantly, Lord of Moonshadow, almost like a noble!”
“…Is that so?” Ash pondered, wondering if it would be better not to appear noble while hiding.
I listened to the stories about the suspicious man (me) who suddenly appeared until Dean and Chris got drunk, along with discussions about the Hero, Dean’s room search, and more.
I panicked when the conversation turned to dirty jokes and scrutinizing women with Ash present. Drunk people sure are loud!