Chapter 627 The Two Drunks
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Liz’s POV)
”Mhm. Not bad.”
”Sheesh, they’ve even got some strong stuff here.”
I and Simona are at a new tavern in the neighborhood between the South Residential Area and the military barracks.
The tavern, newly established, isn’t all that fancy with its long counter and a few tables, but it’s got a nice selection of strong alcohol and wine imported from the dwarf nation of Bash.
”Even during the day, a dimly lit interior can have a nice vibe, don’t you think?”
”Well, you don’t usually find good folks drinking at this hour.”
”That includes us, doesn’t it?”
Hee-hee-hoo!
They laugh together, clinking glasses that smell sweet.
Inside is a rich, fruity wine with a potent aroma.
But it’s surprisingly strong; the liquid burns as it goes down.
The lamps mounted on the walls and counter are the traditional kind, lit by fire, not some magic tool.
The flickering flames are soothing to the eyes.
The only patrons at the counter are I and Simona.
Only one of the 4 tables is occupied, by 4 adventurers.
”I heard there’s a VIP area in the back. I want to come with Hiroya sometime.”
”But Hiroya’s still technically underage, right?”
True, we did come here once before, all 3 of us.
But back then, Hiroya was in his own form, just drinking cold tea.
”Well, I’d love to drink with Hiroya as the appetizer♡”
Simona empties her glass and pops some fried beans from a plate into her mouth.
Since this place is strictly a drinking spot, not a dining one, the snacks are pretty basic.
It’s a bit of a letdown after getting used to the lavish snacks Ms. Hanna makes for our clan.
”Hey… It’s a waste for 2 beauties to drink alone. Why not join us? We can keep you company.”
Two men sandwich I and Simona, sliding onto the bar stools beside them.
The master behind the counter approached with a stern expression, ready to scold them, but Simona raised her hand to stop him.
There was a waitress, but she seemed to shrink away from the atmosphere created by the men and disappeared behind the counter.
”I’m not bored, you know. Just leave us alone and go back to your table.”
Without even glancing at them, I poured wine into my empty glass.
I took a swig from my glass, then offered it to Simona so she could pour some wine for me.
”How about that girl over there? We’re willing to treat you and show you a good time.”
”No thanks. We’re having a good time just drinking together──until you showed up, that is.”
I shot a glare at the guy standing next to Simona.
──I didn’t recognize that face here in Raetia.
(Ugh, what a pain. He doesn’t know who Simona and I really are…)
”Don’t be so cold! We just want to drink with lovely ladies like you…”
As the guy next to me reached out, probably trying to wrap his arm around my shoulders, I swiftly batted his hand away.
”Don’t touch me!”
”Huh? Acting all high and mighty, are we? I’ll just take you with me!”
The guy next to Simona, who seemed to be the leader, kicked a chair away from the counter.
Was that a signal?
The two men left at the table also stood up, pushing their chairs back violently.
”Sounds like they’re planning to take us. What are you gonna do, Liz?”
Simona let out a carefree laugh, completely unfazed.
”What a bunch of idiots. Did they think we would get scared and start crying?”
”Sorry to disappoint, but we don’t have any cuteness to spare.”
Simona and I laughed off the men’s threats, clinking our glasses together.
”You’re messing with us──hey, we’re seriously going to take you women!”
As the supposed leader issued his command, the other men positioned themselves behind us at the counter.
”Huh? You can just die, you losers.”
”You’re pathetic, really. If you can’t even charm a girl properly, you should just get lost. But hey, we’ve got our beloved darlings, so there’s no way we’re ever going to be interested in you──got it?”
In sync, Simona and I placed our glasses on the counter, and in that instant, I grabbed the nearest man’s arm and twisted it behind his back.
”Ouch! What kind of strength is that…?!”
”And that speed… I couldn’t even see it!”
The two men grimaced in pain, groaning as they struggled to recover.
”You guys… you really picked the wrong opponent. They’re the leader of Clan ‘Famière’ and the former captain of ‘Rose Hip.’ I’ve heard both of them are Rank S adventurers now.”
The tavern master spoke in a calm tone, polishing a glass while laughing at the men with a dismissive snort.
”Even if you didn’t know them, being unable to gauge your opponent’s strength makes you unfit to be an adventurer, you know?”
”Exactly. I mean, I get that you came to Raetia for the Great Labyrinth, but with that attitude, you’re gonna meet an early grave!”
At that moment, Simona and I simultaneously shoved the men’s backs, causing the other 2 to fumble and catch them awkwardly.
”Is that… Bullseye Archer Liz Weissman…?!”
”And… Berserker Simona Schmidt…?!”
The men who caught their companions murmured in disbelief.
”Oh, so you know us?”
”Now that you do, you ought to just leave. …But make sure to settle the bill first, okay?”
With that sharp remark, he tossed a few silver coins onto the counter, and the men shuffled out of the tavern, looking defeated.
* * *
”Sorry about that, Master.”
”No worries! You were scared too, right?”
Simona and I bowed our heads to the master before turning to the still trembling waitress, speaking kindly to her.
”Not at all. ──Well, it’s true that among the adventurers flocking here for the Great Labyrinth, there are plenty of ruffians like those.”
”That’s why I told you! You should hire someone like a bodyguard!”
The master replied with a composed demeanor, while the frightened waitress hit his back repeatedly in reassurance.
”If anything happens, we’re close to the barracks, so we can handle it. This time, we didn’t need to call for help because you two are so strong. ──But if something ever does happen, you just run to the barracks while I keep them busy.”
The master soothed the waitress as if he were her father, and Simona and I exchanged smiles as we enjoyed our delicious wine, watching the interaction.
* * *
I couldn’t keep drinking until nightfall, so just as I decided it was time to leave the bar, 2 figures cloaked in deep hoods stepped inside.
”Ms. Liz and Ms. Simona… I presume?”
The two shadows stood at the entrance, calling out to us.
Even through their hoods, I could feel their piercing gazes cutting through the air.
”You’re not ordinary folk… What do you want with us?”
”…It’s not a good place for a chat, but we would like to ask you to join us.”
”Hmph.”
I sensed a dangerous vibe coming from the two shadows.
Maybe Simona felt it too; she shot me a glance before rising from the bar counter.
”I don’t want to cause trouble for a place I like.”
Placing a hand on my shoulder, Simona whispered, “These guys are trouble. Let’s watch ourselves.” She slung the ‘Dragon’s Jaw’ resting against the counter onto her back.
I nodded in response, grabbed my ‘Eagle Eye,’ and fitted my quiver around my waist as I got up from my seat.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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