“Cheers!” Apollo led the toast, and the mugs filled with frothy ale clinked together.
It was said that this tradition had been brought by a hero from another world several generations ago. I wondered if he had come from the same world as Maho and Yuuto. But now wasn’t the time to ponder such things.
Soulgros and I were guests at Lucil’s guild, celebrating the end of our first day searching for the Elixir. It felt premature to celebrate since we hadn’t found it yet, but given the intense day we’d had, it seemed appropriate. Being ambushed by a legal guild like Praeshield the Pride Shield was unexpected, to say the least.
If things had gone wrong, our cooperation with Lucil’s guild might have fallen apart. We could have been dragged to the capital, and Lucil’s guild could have been branded a gray guild. Despite Rast’s sacrifice, we managed to stabilize the situation reasonably well.
“Hey! Are you drinking enough, Master?!”
Ouch!
I felt a strong impact on my shoulder and turned to see Apollo beside me. His face was flushed, and his breath reeked of alcohol.
Already drunk…?
“It was really tough today… Teaming up with a dark guild, getting attacked by a legal guild…” Apollo plopped down next to me, throwing his arm around my shoulder as he started to complain.
Uh-oh… He’s a troublesome drunk, isn’t he? Where’s Ligg, his usual handler…?
“…”
Ligg was seated a bit away from us. Our eyes met, and he gave me a smile and a thumbs-up.
No one seemed inclined to rescue me from Apollo’s drunken grip. Ligg quietly sipped his drink, not bothered since he wasn’t the one being harassed.
“Gimme some booze too!” Lucil demanded.
“No way!” Pelorro replied, the two of them bickering over drinks.
It looked like they were too preoccupied to help me out either.
“So, as I was saying, we should really build this guild up, you know…” Apollo continued, oblivious to my plight.
Am I really stuck dealing with this…?
“What’s with the shoulder hug? Move aside,” a familiar voice interjected.
“Guh!” Apollo grunted as he was shoved away.
To my surprise, it was Soulgros who had come to my rescue. Like a daughter defending her father, she brushed Apollo off and smoothly took the seat next to me.
Wow… Sometimes her actions can be over the top, but this time I’m genuinely grateful. Thanks.
“No need for such flattery, Master… hic,” she replied.
Wait, what?
Soulgros was swaying slightly, her body language unsteady. Her expression was hidden behind her mask, but her eyes were glazed and unfocused.
N-No way…
“Masteeeeer… hehe,” she giggled, wrapping herself around me.
She’s drunk too?! I never knew Soulgros was such a lightweight… Could it be because of her species? Maybe alcohol affects her more quickly.
“Snnff, snnff! Ahhh… I’m not usually into smells, but Master’s scent is something else,” Soulgros murmured, her nose buried in my shoulder, sniffing deeply.
No, stop! I don’t smell that good! You all smell way better!
However, my attempts to deter the drunken Soulgros were futile. She continued to cling to me, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol.
“Master, I demand a cuddle,” she slurred, snuggling closer.
Resigned, I let her sit on my lap. Well, if I thought of her as a daughter seeking comfort, it was kind of cute.
Though she wasn’t exactly a child in terms of age.
“Hehe… I can feel Master’s warmth…” she murmured, twirling around on my lap to face me, hugging me tightly.
Um, her chest is pressing against me… Is this okay? I’d heard daughters typically resist their fathers’ affections as they grow older.
“Master, it’s about time you gave me a child…” Soulgros said, looking up at me with dreamy eyes.
A child?! And what does she mean by “it’s about time”?!
Panic set in, and I quickly shook my head to refuse. “No, no, no!”
“What’s she talking about?” Apollo asked, stumbling over.
“Child? What does she mean, Ligg?” Lucil echoed.