—Delamis, a certain tavern—
“Is this the place?”
“Yep, this is it.”
Ange led me to a very ordinary-looking tavern. People often misunderstand Delamis, thinking it’s the central hub of the Rinne Church, but even this town has such entertainment facilities. As long as they are properly partitioned within the city’s designated areas, there seems to be no problem. The churches are quite far from here.
However, yes. It really looks like a normal tavern on the outside. On the other hand, strangely, there’s none of the usual boisterousness associated with a tavern. Even if it’s not as crowded as it would be on a busy adventurer night, it should be somewhat lively at this hour. Hmm, was it a day off today? It’s so eerily quiet that I almost made that mistake.
“Ange, isn’t it too quiet?”
“Hmm, it is… But I’m sure Bak is inside. I can sense her.”
“Well then, shall we go in?”
I opened the tavern’s swing doors and stepped into the strangely eerie atmosphere. Upon entering, I saw quite a few people, with a considerable number of them lying on the floor or on tables.
“Whoa…”
Every single one of them had flushed faces, and in one hand, they were clutching a barrel-shaped mug, presumably filled with alcohol. Ah, I’ve seen this symptom far too many times before, so I know. These people have overindulged and passed out. The reason the tavern was quiet wasn’t that it was empty, but because everyone had collapsed.
However, not everyone had fallen. At the counter in the back, a man who appeared to be the proprietor was standing, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Opposite him, a person with long, amber hair was seated. Ange and I made eye contact, and she nodded. Apparently, that person was Bak.
“Phew, these men here are all soft. Well, they’re still better than in my country, but they’re soft nonetheless. To collapse from that little alcohol. Our women have more potential, you know. Don’t you agree, Master?”
“Ah, no, aren’t you customers drinking a bit too much?”
“What are you talking about! I’ve only had what you might call an aperitif! Ah, right. When there’s alcohol, I tend to lose sight of my surroundings. It seems the person has arrived.”
As she said that, the woman, who was presumably Bak, turned towards us. Bak, with her long hair flowing, swiftly turned around in her seat and our eyes met. She looked to be in her 40s. She seemed to have aged a bit, but her imposing height of around 180cm was well-built and clearly toned from training. Her skin was tanned, perhaps from a region with strong sunlight. Also, though her complexion didn’t show it, she smelled strongly of alcohol. It was a good thing Ange was my guide. If it were Sera, it would have been a death flag.
“Are you the one who has business with me? Ah, um… Crap, I forgot to ask for your name.”
“Ange, didn’t you tell her who I am?”
“Haha, as soon as I brought up your name, Bak got really interested. She was so eager to go, I completely forgot to tell her.”
What? She came to meet someone whose name she didn’t even know? I thought she was bold, but this is too much.
“No, that girl had such an interesting power, it surprised me! She lifted me up and just carried me away. Haha, even you, Master, can’t lift me, yet she managed it with her delicate body!”
Visibly amused, Bak pounded on the counter behind her, expressing her emotions. Oh, the counter is dented, and the owner’s eyes are watering… I did summon her, after all, so I should pay for the repairs later.
“I appreciate you responding to my sudden summons. My name is Kelvin Celsius. As an adventurer—”
“—Kelvin? Kelvin, as in, *that* Kelvin? The ‘Grim Reaper’? Did my husband cause you trouble?”
Hmm, husband? Who is she referring to?
“Whether your husband caused me trouble or not, I am that Kelvin.”
Upon my affirmation, Bak’s face lit up, and she banged on the counter again, standing up. I don’t mind her being happy, but please spare the counter. The owner is practically in tears.
“Oh my, things like this happen! Don’t you understand? My name is Bak Farnis.”
“Farnis? Farnis, as in, the Fire Country?”
Bak nodded exaggeratedly. Farnis was the country on the Western Continent we stopped by before heading to the Underworld. Having that name as a surname means Bak is royalty. Let’s dig a little deeper. The only member of its royal family I’ve interacted with was, if I recall correctly, the King. Does that mean her husband is the King of Farnis?
“Your face says you figured it out. Yes, I am the Queen of the Fire Country, Farnis. That squid you left as a souvenir was incredibly delicious! Let’s shake hands, a handshake of gratitude!”
“Ah, ah, I’m glad you liked it.”
She shook my arm vigorously, and her grip felt like a vise. Oof, my hand!
“Ah, my apologies. I didn’t realize you were the Queen, and I spoke quite rudely.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I don’t like formalities, so it’s easier for me if you speak as you were.”
“…Is that so?”
“And also, I’m in the same profession as you, Kelvin. I used to be quite famous as the S-Rank Adventurer, ‘Female Panther’ Bak. Don’t you know me?”
I had a suspicion, but Bak was also an S-Rank Adventurer. Her power didn’t seem like something a queen would possess, so perhaps she’s a warrior of the Beast King type?
“Sorry, I only know Pritia among the S-Rank Adventurers of the Western Continent.”
“Gordiana? She has a bizarre style, and she travels all over the country when needed.”
“Speaking of which, Bak, you mentioned earlier that your husband caused trouble; you meant the King of Farnis, right? I don’t recall anything happening to me.”
“Ah, it was just a little prank. My husband has this hobby of getting into strange curses, and he seemingly used one on you. It sounds foolish, but he inexplicably thought you had charmed our daughter.”
“Huh? I haven’t even met the Princess, let alone charmed her.”
What a mistake.
“Well, my husband got thoroughly lectured by me, so please forgive him. Were you alright on your end? After leaving the country, did anything go wrong?”
“Ah, I was fine. That kind of curse wouldn’t be a problem for me.”
I was equipped with the Ring of the Goddess at the time, so even if the curse had any effect, it would have been nullified. It was completely harmless, no problem at all.
More importantly, I was surprised that an S-Rank Adventurer could be so normal. She’s a tough-looking beauty with a strong personality, but compared to the S-Ranks I’ve met before, she fits perfectly within the normal category. She’s exactly what you’d imagine a female warrior adventurer to be.
“My, it’s a relief that you’re so understanding. Though I’ve heard the rumors, you’re quite a handsome man. I’m starting to get a craving.”
Bak licked her lips without changing her expression. …Wait, I’m starting to feel a chill down my spine?
