“Well then, Leader, we’ll be taking our leave here,” Jiro said.
“Ah, I’m leaving Amelia to you, okay?”
“Seriously! Jiro-san, I’m an adult, you know!!”
Time spent with friends makes long hours feel short.
The gathering concluded a little past the originally scheduled time.
After that, the conversation wasn’t about work but truly about private matters, and it became apparent that it was getting late to send the minors home. I’ve now asked Minami, Kitamiya, and Katsu to escort Amelia.
“Your mother asked me to look out for you, so I can’t just let that slide.”
“Mmm.”
Amelia has shown remarkable growth in many ways, but her appearance is still in the process of transitioning from a girl to a woman. To me, she’s still a girl I need to protect.
Though she pouted, she likely understood my concern. Amili smiled reluctantly.
“Ah, Kitamiya, be careful too. You’re going home alone, right?”
“I’m not going home. I’m staying in Minami’s room tonight. That should put your mind at ease, Jiro-san, shouldn’t it?”
Katsu and Minami currently live in the company dormitory. Amili also lives in the same dormitory with her mother, so those three are no problem.
However, Kitamiya is different. Given the time, I felt uneasy about letting her go home alone. Perhaps understanding this, or by prior arrangement, Kitamiya is headed to Minami’s room today.
I’ll refrain from commenting on the sweet atmosphere they’re exuding.
“Ah, right.”
“Jiro-san, don’t get too carried away. You’re going drinking again later, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I’ll head home after a bit.”
Kaido, however, isn’t leaving here. From now on, it’s just the two of us for a second party.
“Leader.”
“What is it?”
“Are you two men going to venture into the nightlife discreetly… have you awakened to *that* kind of hobby, Gozaru?”
“I’ll genuinely get angry if you say that.”
“My sincerest apologies for the slip of the tongue.”
I had thought it might be nice to go for drinks occasionally as senior and junior, but seeing Minami’s sly insinuations, I quietly let my magic surge, and she immediately surrendered. She even managed to fashion her white flag out of magic.
“Honestly, you two, try not to let it affect your work tomorrow.”
At that, I resignedly retracted my magical pressure, turned, and waved goodbye.
“I cannot guarantee that, Gozaru.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Um, yes.”
I can pretty much guess what they’re planning. But if I dig any deeper, they might accuse me of sexual harassment.
“Well then, let’s go, Kaido.”
“Roger that. See you all later!!”
So, this is a good timing to part ways. Waving goodbye, I started walking into the bar district with Kaido.
“Senpai, Senpai, where are we going? Are we just going into any random place?”
“If we did that, it wouldn’t just be a disturbance. I know a place the instructors frequent. We’re going there.”
“Well, Senpai is quite famous now, so everyone’s looking at us.”
Just that alone draws attention to us, or rather, to me. I’m one of the Demon Lord’s Army’s seven generals, said to be close to the strongest. My fame is such that there’s no one in the Demon Lord’s Army who doesn’t know me. I’ve become accustomed to being showered with curious gazes. Employees from companies often see me after work, so I’m used to that level of attention, but I feel the stares more acutely from those who don’t see me regularly. Especially from the shrewd, business-minded izakaya managers who send hopeful glances my way, but alas, I have a place in mind.
As we walk, we even pass through alleys where the atmosphere changes. Women in revealing outfits and men in flamboyant attire send mixed gazes from the depths of these alleys.
“By the way, those kinda ladies are waving at us, too!” Kaido jokes, knowing our company’s characteristic of being sensitive to attention if one is well-trained. He knows I’ve been a regular at some places and is on familiar terms with the staff. The intoxication is palpable, but he hasn’t drunk to excess.
“If I were to get involved with them, both you and I would be ruined.” My wives have extremely sharp instincts. And having married a variety of beautiful women, I’ve decided not to venture down that path. It would be foolish to fall for a honey trap, and I don’t even want to imagine what would happen if my wives found out.
“I understand.” I waved lightly at the ladies in the night establishments who were sending particularly fervent gazes, politely declining their invitations, and quickly moved on. Getting caught up in the unique atmosphere of such streets and getting arrogant about being popular here would lead to trouble. Both Kaido and I are married, so there are limits to how far we can go. In this world or any other, men are at a disadvantage in such situations; women hold the stronger position. As the saying goes, “A wise man keeps away from danger.”
Once we leave that area, the noise subsides, and the atmosphere of the street changes. While the initial area was welcoming like an izakaya, this place has a more imposing atmosphere that requires courage to enter.
“Is this it? It has a rather expensive feel to it.” The shop was located a little deeper in, in a place that would surely fail if the establishment didn’t offer good service to match its prestige. It could be described as a hidden bar. Stopping in front, I knocked on the door of the establishment, which was reached by descending a flight of stairs, imbuing it with my magic.
“Actually, just this door alone costs a considerable amount. It can even withstand an attack from Instructor Kio.”
“Ugh, that means it’s pretty sturdy, right?”
“It’s a place nobles use for their private gatherings, so they pay close attention to security. Therefore, it only welcomes guests who are introduced.”
A heavy wooden door, bearing a “Private Event” sign, greets us. “Incidentally, this door is a bluff.”
The heavy wooden door, which looks like it would easily open, does not. Instead, a teleportation circle deploys at our feet.
“Whoa!?” Kaido is startled by the sudden teleportation magic, but having been brought here once before, I remember the magic’s wavelength. Therefore, I know what will happen next.
Awaiting us at our destination was a distinguished elderly gentleman in a suit. Judging by his skin tone and pointed ears, he was an elder Dark Elf.
“Human King, welcome.”
“Master, I’ll have a light drink and some appetizers first.” I know he is the owner of this establishment. And he, not another staff member, is personally serving us. There’s no need for formality, so I sit at the bar counter that had been prepared.
“Certainly.” I don’t need to specify the type of alcohol; I know from the instructors that he’ll have no problem with it.
“I… I feel a bit uneasy,” Kaido admitted.
“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve brought you to a place like this, isn’t it?” Unlike me, who is accustomed to it, Kaido feels out of place, his eyes darting around. You could say he’s like a cat brought into a new environment.
“Yes, I’ve always admired places like this, but I never really felt like coming to one.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have come here either if the instructors hadn’t brought me.”
It’s not like this is our first dungeon. There are no monsters emitting killing intent. It’s simply a space where we can quietly drink while listening to the spirits play music. We are the only customers. The only sounds besides the music and our conversation are the quiet sounds of the Master working diligently.
“You can come here when Amili-san can drink. With her, you’ll be able to enter this place too.”
“So, you’re saying I can’t enter by myself right now?”
“Unfortunately, you need a certain status. There are places you can enter, but…” Speaking in accordance with the atmosphere, the conversation shifts quietly from the boisterous talk of earlier.
“Please, enjoy.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“Thank you.” The Master quietly places glasses before us, not interrupting our conversation. They are served in order, but the contents are the same.
“Tonight, we have procured a fine product from the Geminy Principality, which we have prepared for you.” It’s amber-colored liquor. It looks like whiskey, but the aroma is faintly sweet.
“Please enjoy it at your leisure.” He then places a platter of snacks, such as nuts and jerky, and quietly retreats to the back of the counter.
“…What is this liquor? I’ve never seen it before.”
“It’s a liquor from another world. And a very high-class one at that.” With that, Kaido and I raise our glasses. I take a sip without hesitation, while Kaido examines it for a moment before drinking.
“Mmm, delicious.” While there’s a faint sweetness, it’s not overly sweet and has an elegant taste. The alcohol content doesn’t feel particularly high either.
“Is it a fruit wine?”
“Most liquors from this continent are wine or ale. Fruit wines are made primarily by the lords of territories with the orchards to produce them. Therefore, the production volume is quite low. Unlike Earth, they use magic in the manufacturing process, which streamlines various steps. However, few mages are skilled enough to create truly good wine. As a result, production is not that high. For that reason, it’s rarely available to commoners and becomes a delicacy for nobles.” I only learned about the liquor scene on the continent after being taught by the instructors. One can make fruit wine at home if they try. Occasionally, families might make plum wine. However, the situation is slightly different in this other world.
“Specifically, this fruit wine is special. It’s made from a special apple called the Golden Apple.”
“Golden Apple… I think I’ve heard of that somewhere.”
“It’s a fruit that, if you eat one, you won’t age for a day, extending your lifespan.” There are many wondrous and very expensive fruits in this world that don’t exist on Earth. The Golden Apple is one of them.
“Eh.” Kaido, remembering how Minami and the others had been in a frenzy about the rejuvenation elixir just a moment ago, couldn’t help but look at the liquid in his glass.
“However, when made into wine, its efficacy disappears, and it becomes just a delicious apple wine. But this taste is something only a Golden Apple can produce, and it has its enthusiasts.” Though drinking this wine doesn’t lead to eternal youth or longevity, it’s purely a connoisseur’s item.
“Indeed, it’s delicious.”
“Yeah, I want to drink it sometimes. But it’s hard to get.”
“Even Senpai can’t get it?”
“Yeah, I’ve asked Memoria to get it for me, but even then, it’s only about one or two bottles a year. The other serious collectors bid up the prices.” This bar is a place that procures such rare liquors through unique connections.
“You mean they bid up the prices… so, how much for this glass?”
“It’d cost about half of our monthly salary from our old lives.”
“Hieee!?” As expected, the price is proportioned accordingly. It’s a place frequented by high-income earners, so the price matches. My palate has become quite extravagant. While I still find canned beer delicious, the fact that I’m enjoying such high-class liquor shows that. As Kaido cautiously savored it, I felt satisfied with his reaction and also reached for the dried snacks served alongside.
“Ugh, this jerky is delicious too, but what kind of meat is it?”
“It’s the meat of a Sky Ox, a bovine monster that roams the skies.”
“I know that! That’s the meat Katsu-kun hesitated to buy because it was too expensive, right?” Kaido, learning that this too was a high-class item, looked somewhat resigned.
Today’s Quote:
Indulging in a little luxury now and then isn’t bad.
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Pandora Pandemic Panic – Pandora’s Box has been reopened, but we’re fighting back with secret bases and various efforts!! Please check that out as well!!
