Chapter 91: The Drunkard
“Just give it a good chop!”
“—I cannot do that.”
I asked the butler to cut my hair, and he turned me down!
“How about I lend you some money instead of selling your hair?” Retze suggested.
“I have money. Why would I sell my hair?”
“I thought you might be in a situation where you had to sell your prized locks because you were broke,” Retze shrugged.
“Gene’s hair is beautiful,” Ash chimed in.
I was about to retort that my hair was just ordinary, but I hesitated. I hadn’t done any maintenance on it, but the water here is different. If I had been washing it with hard water, it would probably be a mess, but I can’t deny it has a bit more shine than the average local.
“I’m just getting lazy about washing it.”
If I cut it short enough to make a wig, I’d end up bald.
“Nobles usually grow their hair long; why not just let it grow?”
“Too much trouble.”
Retze was trying to persuade me, but I find troublesome things to be just that—troublesome. Maybe I should just shave it myself.
“Then I’ll cut it for you later, so don’t go cutting it yourself or shaving it bald, okay?”
Retze seems to have me all figured out… but we haven’t known each other long, have we? Am I really that predictable?
“Eventually, you might end up hiring a servant just for that…”
Just to wash and dry my hair, huh, Butler?
The Subjugation Squad had returned and was currently reporting at the Guild. We were invited to celebrate Dean and Chris’s safe return with drinks, so the three of us gathered at the Cow Party establishment, waiting for the two main stars to arrive.
Retze aside, Ash and I haven’t known each other long… I’m not sure about Chris, but Dean seems to have a lot of friends, which is a bit puzzling.
Could it be that he lost friends because of his sister…?
“There they are!”
Dean barged into the shop.
“Oh, my long-lost friend!”
Dean and Chris have different kinds of boisterousness, but both are lively.
“Hey sis, bring me a barrel of wine!”
Dean ordered drinks from the staff without even sitting down.
We toasted to their safe return with “Welcome back!” and “Good job!” I can’t shake the feeling that wooden cups don’t really go well with wine.
“How did Lord Amedeo and the others fare?” the butler prompted.
“The three of them definitely feel like Gold Rank. Amedeo’s physical abilities are impressive, and he meshes well with the other two.”
“Honestly, I envy their Spirit Weapons. I want to be loved by one someday!”
“That sounds like a declaration of being a loner…”
“Even if you get a Spirit Weapon, if it doesn’t like you, it’s just a dull blade. Being loved by a Spirit Weapon means you can actually utilize its abilities,” Retze explained with a strange expression.
—When I get back, I should take care of the Zanzenken.
“Those followers are just hopeless. It feels like blind faith.”
“They probably want to elevate their status within the Party.”
I’m glad I didn’t go.
“The latest intel is that there are four Heroes, and the Empire is letting them run wild. You can’t underestimate the information-gathering abilities of those followers.”
“Four?”
Where did that number come from? Are there others besides me getting dragged into this? I think the lifespan issue is probably because someone got into an accident on the road first, so it wouldn’t be surprising if there are more.
The Gods didn’t say anything, but it felt like they couldn’t really comment on the contracts with the summoned Spirits or the summoned ones (Heroes) from that world. I didn’t get to hear much about the abilities my sisters acquired, except for what the Ball of Light accidentally let slip.
“Normally, even if a Hero’s abilities are exceptional, they start with weak spells or prayers and gradually gather Spirits, but it seems like these four are doing whatever they want.”
Dean waved his hand dismissively, looking annoyed.
“I heard there are fewer people who can see Spirits in the West… Was there no one to admonish them?”
Ash tilted his head, his expression turning serious. The pressure was palpable.
I think I heard that seeing Spirits is rare here too, but is it even scarcer now?
“They didn’t mention that.”
I realized my cup was empty as I reached for the wine in a jug that looked like a water pitcher.
“Last time was three hundred years ago. There are many mysteries surrounding the Heroes and their surroundings.”
The butler snatched the jug and poured wine for Dean.
“Regardless, the risk of flooding has accelerated by years compared to the Guild’s predictions.”
Saying that, Dean tilted his cup back in one swift motion.
“Last year’s large-scale magic used in the war was unexpected too. I heard there were no signs of it in the previous investigations. It all came at once; it was dangerous.”
Chris placed a hand on his chest and closed his eyes, gesturing as if he were lamenting.
“Anyway, today we drink! Gene, let’s have a drinking contest!”
“Why me?”
Dean pointed at me dramatically.
“If you win, I’ll introduce you to Getsurakukan! If I win, you have to tell me one of your embarrassing secrets!”
“Oh, the Lord of Dusk’s secret! I’m in too. If I lose, I’ll introduce you to Heavenly Bliss.”
“You guys, aren’t both of those high-class brothels?”
Retze said, looking exasperated.
“The bet doesn’t matter, but Chris, you should really start calling me by my name.”
It seems the stakes between Dean and Chris involve introductions to high-class brothels. I guess you can’t get in without an introduction.
“I want to be called by my name too. By the way, isn’t it considered rude to frequent two brothels of that class?”
Ash tilted his head in confusion.
Wait a minute. Is that what you’re curious about? Young lady?
Three hours later, the three of us were slumped over the table, leaning against our chairs. Dean and Chris, and for some reason, Retze was caught up in it too. The butler hadn’t joined in on the bet, and Ash was drinking at his own pace.
“Should we just roll you home like this?”
Thanks to [Healing], I can’t get more than slightly tipsy, ha ha ha.
“Indeed. —I’ll take care of the cleanup, so could you look after Ash?”
“Yeah, I’ll see him home.”
When I looked at Ash, he was staring straight ahead, moving only his hands, while the rest of him remained still, steadily bringing the cup to his lips.
“…Could it be that Ash is also drunk?”
“Yes, surprisingly so.”
The butler smiled brightly and confirmed it.
Shouldn’t I be the one handling the cleanup? Butler?