Chapter 16: Stampede Subjugation Celebration!
“Cheers!!!”
“Cheeeeers!!!”
“Cheers!”
“Good work, everyone~!”
After I defeated the dragon and ended the Stampede, the kingdom provided support, and the guild, inns, and the lord’s manor were rebuilt.
We, who had subjugated the unprecedented Stampede that even involved a dragon, instantly became famous and received a reward from the kingdom.
Thanks to that, a lot of funds and personnel could be poured into reconstruction, and in just a few days, things were back to normal… No, the guild became even larger than before.
I was truly made aware of how amazing those magic architects and magic-wielding craftsmen dispatched by the kingdom were.
And so, it was decided that everyone would have a toast at the tavern annexed to this now-enormous guild building.
Stampede Subjugation Celebration!
Such large, handmade decorations were up, which was rather endearing.
Still, this was an official event with even the Lord-sama participating. I wonder if his health is truly alright?
Naturally, a drinking party held under such a pretext couldn’t possibly fit everyone in the tavern, even if it had gotten bigger. It didn’t even fit everyone in the guild, excluding the library and offices. Since the weather was nice, it had turned into a grand banquet utilizing the plaza in front of the guild, but…
When I fell into the deep floors, I wondered what would become of me, but I’m glad I made it back.
Seeing everyone’s bright, smiling faces as they chugged their drinks, I thought this with deep feeling.
While thinking such things, I wanted to drink in a corner of the tavern.
Yeah, that was just wishful thinking. Even though I was in a very good mood, it wasn’t like everyone around me would just leave me alone, and right from the start, I was called over by guys who were already drunk and plastered.
“Lux-san! Are you drinking!?”
“The guest of honor can’t be in a corner like that! Come over here~”
“I’ll pour for you.”
“C’mon, over here~”
“Alright, I get it. Thanks.”
So, naturally, I joined in.
Well, I am in a good mood, after all.
After that, people apologized to me again for believing Jekyll’s lies and for the terrible things they’d said or done to me.
Even those who had harbored complaints mostly seemed to realize their misunderstanding after hearing the Lord-sama’s and Shifa’s accounts.
Some of the tougher-looking guys got angry at me again, saying I was being distant, but I don’t get it…
“Ah, it’s Shifa-sama!”
“Michelle-san too!”
“Over here, over here! This way, please!”
“Um…”
“…”
Just then, Shifa and Michelle arrived.
However, Shifa, who was quiet to begin with, and Michelle, who was taciturn by nature, were hesitating at the entrance.
“Ah, Lux-san.”
“Lux.”
And then they came over to me.
You guys, if you do that in this situation…
“Unfair—!”
“Lux! Let’s have a go!”
“You get all the attention!!!!”
“Eh??”
Drunkards excitedly tried to pick a fight or started pouring sake on their own.
Shifa and Michelle looked even more bewildered.
This is bad. I should shut them down for a bit.
“Huh? You wanna go?”
“””””We’re very sorry!!!!”””””
I released just a little of my mana and glared at the surroundings.
Of course, I didn’t direct it at Shifa and Michelle, okay?
“Ah, thank you very much, Lux-san.”
“Lux, that helps.”
Blushing faintly, they sat in the empty seats next to me.
It’s that “a flower in each hand” situation, huh.
From then on, the three of us drank and talked amidst the lively atmosphere.
It had been half a year, and so much had happened; the conversation was endless.
Shifa asked about my family home and about Michelle.
Michelle asked about the deep floors.
I answered whatever they asked.
Occasionally, some adventurers or guild staff would start making a ruckus, but I silenced them all.
However, for some reason, a few adventurers approached me with intense determination.
Me.
“What’s up?”
“Whoa! Lux-san! Today’s the day I’m gonna say it!?”
For some reason, he had an angry look on his face.
What could this be? Is this anger about how I trained them somewhat strictly until six months ago?
And what’s more, next to the angry guy was Laila, glaring and looking furious…
Weren’t you just drinking happily at that table until a moment ago?
Since you were next to me, you were occasionally in my line of sight, and you were grinning whenever our eyes met. Isn’t this mood change too drastic?
For some reason, Shifa is looking at those two with a stern gaze, and Michelle is… Yeah, she was weak to alcohol, wasn’t she? It’s already sleepy time for her.
“Please go out with me!”
“Huh?”
“Unfair! Don’t try to get a head start, Ertena! Now that Elanda-sama is out of the picture, I should be first!”
“Huh?”
“No! Lux-san is mine!”
“Huh?”
“”””””””Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!?!?!?!?!?!?!?””””””””
Um, come to think of it, where did Elanda go…?
It’s not exactly a situation that allows for such escapism.
Eh? Since when did I become Shifa’s? Why?
In the first place, this girl is drunk…
However, the shock that followed made me abandon even my thoughts.
Incredibly, simultaneously with her declaration, Shifa jumped at me, stretched up as tall as she could, wrapped her arms around the back of my neck, and kissed me.
“”””””””Ahhhhhhh~?””””””””
Groans escaping from the mouths of the adventurers and guild staff, who adored the cute, angel-like Shifa, filled the tavern.
Furthermore, the Lord-sama, who had seen everything clearly, said something like, ‘It seems you and Shifa are not on bad terms. It’s selfish of me to say, but I’d feel at ease if you could let bygones be bygones and I could entrust Shifa to you, yes,’ so I steeled my resolve and agreed.
The next day, I talked to a sober Shifa, and what do you know, she confessed to me again that she’d liked me for a long time. For a noble’s daughter, she’s quite straightforward.
I’d always looked at her fondly, like a little sister, but this girl had always interacted with me without hiding her affection. Thinking back, I feel like I was rather cruel to her.
I did care for her, but I only ever saw her within the framework of “my fiancée’s younger sister.”
After hearing her out properly, when I said, ‘If someone like me is okay,’ she replied, ‘It has to be Lux-san,’ which made me feel embarrassed.
Furthermore, because we did that in the middle of the guild, I’ve been pestered at the tavern every day since…
Still, I wonder where Elanda went?
This isn’t me escaping reality, you know?