The Spirit Song Inn, Tavern
A sudden arrival of five people is noticed by some adventurers near the entrance. Judging by their clothing, they appear to be a Silver-haired girl swordsman, a Dwarf heavy warrior, an Elf magic user, and a Beastman fist fighter. The one with red hair was unclear.
“I haven’t seen them before. If they were that beautiful, I wouldn’t forget,” one adventurer muttered.
“They’re probably just here for Kelvin’s Ascension Ceremony, right? They rushed in from outside to make it in time for the event, but every inn is full, and they can’t find lodging or a meal. It’s a common pattern. It was the same last year with Gaun. I’m speaking from personal experience, so it’s definitely true,” another replied.
“Hey, that’s not the important thing! Efil’s fish dish is apparently coming out soon! I heard it’s a direct recipe from the Traage Royal Family’s personal chef!”
“Seriously!? We can’t just stand here!”
“Calm down. They said it will be served at all tables.”
However, the adventurers’ interest seemed to shift almost instantly. They had already forgotten about the group of five and were completely engrossed in the food.
“Hmm, it seems this tavern has a great chef. I’d like to try it too,” a voice said.
“Please don’t say impossible things, Kokudori. Let’s go find the next place to eat,” an Elf woman stated, taking the lead in trying to leave the Spirit Song Inn.
“A direct recipe, huh? It must be incredibly delicious…”
“Silvia, don’t be so down. Here, I’ll give you the dried meat I saved.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
The beautiful silver-haired girl, who apparently was named Silvia, seemed terribly dejected. Had she not eaten for a while? She looked so weak, one could almost hear her stomach growling. She accepted the dried meat from the red-haired girl and began to eat it in small bites.
“…Tch! Fine, I can’t help it. Silvia, wait a moment.”
“Nagua, what are you planning to do?”
Seeing the Beastman man, Nagua, start walking into the tavern, the Elf woman called out to him.
“If there are no seats, I’ll make some. I’ll just take them from whoever’s sitting there.”
“Are you an idiot!? Please don’t cause any unnecessary trouble!”
GURURUR.
As she shouted, the Elf woman’s stomach growled. It seemed she was also hungry. Perhaps because her pretense of being fine had been revealed, the woman’s fair skin turned bright red.
“See? You’re the same way. Ariel.”
“Th-this is…”
“Nagua, violence is not the answer.”
“I know. I’ll try to refrain as much as possible.”
It was unclear if she understood Silvia’s words, but Nagua stepped into the Spirit Song Inn and began searching for a target.
(If I leave it to Ariel, we’ll never get a meal. Honestly, am I going to let Silvia walk any further? Ugh, it looks like I have to step up.)
(…That’s probably what he’s thinking. Nagua.)
Emma, the red-haired girl, had seen through Nagua’s feelings for Silvia.
(Well, if I’m going to do it, I might as well pick someone who irritates me. Now then…)
As Nagua looked around the tavern, a certain group caught his eye.
“And so, this is for when you took care of me the other day, I have something I want you to accept. I might have said some harsh things back then… Oh, it’s empty. I’ll pour more.”
“Sera, easy, easy! That’s your sixth cup!”
“It’s not alcohol, so it’s fine. I’ll keep you company for this. And about what happened back then, don’t worry about it. I did it on my own.”
“Oh dear, you have a problem. The curry isn’t coming out.”
In the center of that table sat a man in black clothing. A red-haired beauty was pouring him drinks, and on the other side, a pure and beautiful blue-haired girl was holding his arm and wouldn’t let go. Furthermore, a cute little girl… At this point, Nagua’s vision turned red. He didn’t even notice the man in full armor sitting opposite him.
(It has to be him. It’s okay to just kill him, right? Yeah, it’s permissible.)
With a vein throbbing on his forehead, Nagua advanced steadily. For the sake of the hungry Silvia, and just a little bit for his own spite.
~~
While having Sera pour him drinks, I also diverted my attention to the Beastman man approaching me. Based on the information from Pritia, that silver-haired girl was probably Silvia. Hearing the name Silvia was the beginning, but I hadn’t initially intended to take any action. My own condition was like this. However, contrary to my desire for a peaceful resolution, the Beastman man, who appeared to be Silvia’s party member, approached our table. He had a naturally gruff, delinquent face, but when he saw me, his anger was evident. Did I do something?
“Um, about this…”
Sera began to pull something out of her pocket. But it was well-timed; the Beastman man’s words reached me first.
“Hey, you with the black hair. You seem to be having a good time.”
“…Um, who might you be?”
“Hah, we’re meeting for the first time! Sorry, but would you mind giving up this seat? Every shop is full, and I’m exhausted. So, you kind-hearted fellow, you’ll give it up, won’t you?”
His attitude was openly provocative. Does he think showing hostility will make me move? I said I wanted a peaceful resolution, but that’s as long as there are no obstructions. This banquet was prepared for me by Sera and Gerard, and I cannot forgive any act that would ruin it.
“I’m sorry. This seat is reserved for me. Please try elsewhere.”
I politely refused with a smile plastered on my face. If he left obediently now, that would be good, but if he resorted to force, I would have to respond accordingly.
“Hah, don’t act tough just because there’s a woman present! Or do you still not understand? I’m telling you to get out of that seat!”
With the man’s voice, the surrounding adventurers seemed to have noticed the situation. They turned their gazes, wondering what was happening. Gerard and the others, though silent, were each on alert.
“I’ve told you multiple times. I said no. Are those ears just for decoration?”
“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Come outside. I’ll make you regret—”
“—Oh, regret, you say?”
Sera’s cold voice, one I had never heard before. With slow movements, Sera gripped the edge of the round table, and cracks began to spread from it, shattering it. This was, after all, a thick and sturdy table that occasional strong adventurers used for arm wrestling. The food on the table was being defended by Gerard, who had Ryuka on his lap, andrion, who was keeping an eye on the surroundings. Melfina also securely held a large plate with steamed chicken.
“There’s no need to go outside. I’ll finish this right here.”
Wait, this isn’t how it was supposed to go? Sera, emitting dark magic, stood up, her red eyes deepening to a crimson hue. S-Sera-san!?
“This is a characteristic sign when a devil becomes enraged. She’s genuinely furious.”
Melfina’s calm explanation. She also took a bite of the steamed chicken.
“Hey, why is Sera so angry?!”
“Perhaps she finally mustered up her courage, and unfortunately, that Beastman showed up. It’s rare for someone with her high luck.”
While I was flustered, the tavern suddenly became more lively.
“A duel! A duel is about to begin!”
“That Beastman, with Efil’s dish about to come out…!”
“Hey, let’s move the tables closer. Be careful with the fragile items. Claire will kill me if anything breaks.”
“Who are you betting on?”
“It’s a mistake. It should be ‘how many seconds will it last.’ I’ve never seen Sera-san like this before.”
Even though they’re all drunk, how could they have such perfect coordination? The adventurers were steadily preparing the stage for the duel. A round table was placed sideways against the wall as a makeshift barrier, and simple seating was quickly assembled. Some were even starting to place bets.
“Tch! I’m not interested in women and children. Bring out the one with black hair.”
“You’re barking so much. Just say you’re scared.”
“Whaaat!?”
Sparks flew between Sera and the Beastman man. Meanwhile, someone was approaching us. It was Silvia and her companions.
“A-excuse me, sir! We are members of that idiotic dog’s party! First, please accept our apologies for his rudeness. We are truly sorry!”
The Elf woman bowed 90 degrees at the waist, her head dropping with tremendous force. Following her, Silvia and the red-haired girl also offered their apologies.
“I will take the responsibility for taking that idiot back home! Please, could you withdraw the duel? Of course, we will provide appropriate compensation for the trouble we’ve caused.”
“No, as long as the commotion subsides, that’s fine with me…”
I looked at Sera again. She still wasn’t responding to the telepathic messages I’d been sending.
“It’s impossible. Let her do it until she’s satisfied.”
“B-but… she’s in danger! He’s Nagua, the ‘Feral Beast,’ he’s an adventurer with a title!”
“An adventurer with a title? That’s a serious matter.”
“Then, please stop the duel quickly—”
“Ariel, that’s not it.”
Silvia placed her hand on the Elf woman’s shoulder and shook her head.
“The one in danger is Nagua.”
