Chapter 54

Whiskey is limited to one glass per person. This was a source of lament for the group of alcohol lovers. I can understand their longing for the sharp alcohol that you can't get from beer.

However, good news came from outside.

One of the new guild members who had just arrived at the bar said, "They were also distributing at the square."

"That's a possibility!"

"We have to go, don't we?"

"We'll get in line and take it by force!"

As a result, a certain percentage of the guild members returned to the festival in a steady stream.

Indeed, the messenger had said that the alcohol distribution would be at "various locations," so it seems they were distributing alcohol in various places besides the guild.

In other words, the alcohol lovers were planning to get one drink per person at each location. It's quite impressive that they're doing this despite the expected crowds.

"Hey, Mongrel. Long time no see."

"Yeah, Caspar! Long time no see. It's rare to meet you here at the guild."

Amidst the bustling comings and goings, the healer Caspar of the "Regal Guard" was also present.

Because it was a festival, the usual group of older men who rarely showed their faces were also there, along with some unfamiliar young faces.

"I thought we'd come and have a drink here with Yux sometimes..."

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Yux."

"Hey, you're one of Caspar's subordinates, right? I've heard your name. I'm Mongrel. We don't often see each other, but nice to meet you. This is Artemis's Lina and Ulrika."

"Hey, I'm Lina, the archer."

"Likewise, I'm Ulrika, the archer. Nice to meet you."

"Yes! Nice to meet you!"

You're so young. But it's reassuring to see such a young person working as a healer.

In this world, there can never be too many healers. It's a pity that the aptitude for being a healer is even stricter than that of a mage. With their ability, you might not even need to invent pharmaceuticals if you had enough of them.

"This year, it seems a lot of people are getting sick from drinking too much... Mongrel and the others, please don't drink too much."

"Of course. We'll be moderate. ...By the way, it seems like you and the others have work today, Caspar?"

Upon closer inspection, they were wearing the uniforms of the "Regal Guard," looking very much like they were on duty.

"We're on a break right now. We'll be back on duty at night to be ready for emergencies... This is when we get the busiest..."

"...Thank you for your hard work."

As the three of us bowed our heads, Caspar smiled thinly and took a sip of his beer.

...They have work, but they're still drinking a bit. That's quite typical of this world. It wouldn't happen in my previous life.

"Hey, everyone! Our Dick Bart has become the strongest man in Regal at the arm wrestling tournament!"

As the sun began to set and the guards went out to work, the guild's customers began to increase.

The "Harvest Sword" group, including Chuck, who hadn't been seen until now, arrived in a steady stream.

"Wow, that's amazing! Dick Bart, as expected!"

"Of course, the strongest man has to be a guild member!"

"Great job!"

There was the large, squinty-eyed man, Dick Bart.

It seems he had won the arm wrestling tournament, one of the festival events, which determined the strongest man in town.

Surrounded by his party members and receiving their praise, he looked every bit the leader of the party that was currently the most popular in Regal.

...Upon closer inspection, Burgar was also at the back of the group, looking quite drunk. He must have been drinking all day.

"...I lost..."

And from even further back, Gorilliana, who looked somewhat dejected, also entered.

"Gorilliana, what's wrong?"

"Are you okay? Did something happen?"

"No... I just fought Dick Bart in the final and lost. I was no match for him... I lacked the strength..."

The final match was between Dick Bart and Gorilliana. On the contrary, it's impressive that Gorilliana was strong enough to fight the super-strong Dick Bart.

I'll have to be more careful not to be rude to Gorilliana from now on...

"Oh, welcome back, Gorilliana. It was a close one, but you did your best."

"Shiena... I'm sorry, I gave it my all..."

"Don't worry about it. It's impressive that you made it to second place. I'm proud of you as a member of the same party."

"...Thank you."

So, it was an arm wrestling tournament. It's held every year, but I never stay around to watch it until such a late hour.

The spirit festival really starts when the moon comes out at night. But by this point, I usually get tired of walking around and end up holed up in a bar.

"By the way, this year's arm wrestling champion gets a grand prize... Dick Bart has won... this bottle of alcohol! I can't believe there are still people who don't know about this alcohol!"

"What...!"

"That's it!?"

Chuck held up a bottle of alcohol.

It was hard to see the contents through the colored glass, but it was unmistakable...!

"The new alcohol created by the Regal Duke, whiskey!"

"Wow! Dick Bart is the strongest!"

"He's a strong man...!"

"---Yes. I am honored to be recognized as the strongest man in this town. Thank you, everyone. But---this feeling should not be monopolized by me alone. Tonight is the spirit festival---I want to share this fine alcohol with everyone in the guild."

"YEAH!"

Wow! The grand prize was whiskey!

The bottle was slightly smaller than the ones distributed to the guild, but it was still an alcohol that hadn't been sold yet. Dick Bart's generosity in sharing it stirred the hearts of the guild's alcohol lovers.

"Damn, Dick Bart!"

"Amazing! Thanks! Cheers!"

Even Mongrel and I stood up and clapped.

We couldn't help it; we wanted to drink more whiskey.

"But... even so, this delicious alcohol won't be enough for everyone... So...? We need to decide the 'winner' through some kind of game, right!?"

"This is it!"

"Are you going to do it, Chuck? Are you going to start!?"

"Of course! It's a direct proposal from Dick Bart himself! The opening of the 'Second Aged Whiskey Lewd Talk Battle'!"

"YEAH!"

The guild was enveloped in an unusual heat, and the rough voices of the men echoed.

A bard played a fierce tune, Burgar jumped around and hit the wall, and Chuck took off his shoes and stood on the table. At least he wasn't wearing shoes, which was commendable. It was still bad manners, though.

...Ah, the women in the guild were sending cold glares...

"Alright, it's been a while since the last one! If you want to drink this delicious alcohol, you have to participate! If you think you're the one, stand up! We welcome those who are confident in their lewd knowledge!"

"I can handle lewd talk!"

"Barry Barry Barry!"

"Who said that just now?"

"I can't lose this time!"

One after another, men with confidence in their lewd knowledge stood up, cracking their knuckles. On the other hand, the women quietly left the center.

Tonight, the guild had become a man's world.

"...Mongrel... Could it be...?"

"Yeah... It's that 'Could it be,' Lina."

I slammed my beer mug on the table and stood up.

"---Are you coming, Mongrel?"

"Can you stop reacting only to my participation...? I mean, I will participate, but..."

"Ah, w, lewd talk means... like last time, right, Mongrel...?"

"Yeah. But... you know, the world isn't all about clean talk... Guild members are like that... Lina..."

"Mongrel..."

Lina looked at me with a glare.

...I'm sorry, Lina. But...

"...I'll support you... I'd be happy to get a little bit..."

"R, Lina...!?"

"...Alright, I'll do it..."

And so, I participated in the second lewd talk battle.

The guild had more women this time, and there were many eyes watching... But for the sake of whiskey, it couldn't be helped.

A battle for pride and alcohol, in other words, a battle of various dirty men, was about to begin...!

"This time, I won't hold back... Listen well! 'Dried powder of Dart Hide Snake'... 'One spoon makes you hard all night'...!"

"What did you say!?"

"One spoon...!?"

"Even in old age, you can still do it...!?"

"K... You're good... But I didn't just spend two-tenths of my reward for nothing...! Take this...! 'Swamp Turtle stew makes you fight all night'...!"

"Gr...!?"

"---Moo, winner Baul!"

"Shaoora!"

"Gah! I lost...!?"

"---Indeed, the Swamp Turtle stew is 'effective'... But considering the price, availability, and other factors, I judge that the Dart Hide Snake is the winner...---It was a close call, though."

The lewd talk battle, which was hard to listen to, started again.

The detailed rules and judgments were apparently left to Dick Bart, and the participants fully trusted Dick Bart's judgment. It's quite impressive that such an ambiguous battle is so trusted.

"Next is Alex of 'Shield of the Earth'... What kind of material does this well-mannered squire have...?"

"The expectations are quite intense...! Well... 'If you cover your partner's ears while kissing, the sound becomes clearer and the atmosphere improves'...?"

"Whoa! I can see that!"

"Alex, you're quite a lewd user!"

"Lewd user!?"

"K... I didn't expect 'Shield of the Earth' to have someone like this...! I... 'If you bring candy to a store, even a child who usually refuses to kiss will often say yes'...!"

"---Winner, Alex!"

"Gwaah!"

"Ah, I won."

"---Alex's words... I won't say much. It's a good thing..."

This time, the lure was so luxurious that even men who usually didn't participate were joining in.

It will take some time for my turn to come around.

"...Mongrel, do you have confidence in winning this time?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I do. I have the knowledge. There's no way I'll lose to these guys."

"H, huh... That's a lot of confidence..."

"My cup is this one."

"You're prepared, Lina."

"Hey, Mongrel over there!"

"Ah, here he comes."

"Here he comes, not 'here he comes'!"

Chuck seemed quite angry. This guy really goes after me.

"Always talking happily with the kids from Artemis...! And the other day, you were getting along with the kids from Young Tree Staff...! Do you have some secret or something, you...!"

"...Are you mixing up what you want to say to me with what you're seeking?"

"Shut up! I don't know! Mongrel, I have to defeat you myself to feel satisfied!"

"Hmm... You're talking big despite losing to me last time, Chuck."

"...Mongrel, are you drunk...?"

"I'm the least drunk man in Regal, dammit."

"Ah, you're pretty drunk."

I walked to the center of the bar and drained a nearby mug.

I was charging up my spirit. Since it's free today, forgive me.

"---Let's see what you've got. The potential of the two of us... now."

"Yeah, sure, Dick Bart! I'll go first!"

"Damn! He got the first move again!"

"Whoa! Chuck is going for the kill right away!"

"Mongrel, I don't really understand, but don't lose!"

"Do men become stupid when they drink?"

"Nastasha. Almost all men are born stupid."

Chuck, who had drunk a beer in one go, sat down at the table and glared at me with sharp eyes...!

...You're serious, aren't you...!

"'When a man is attacked concentratedly in the front part'... 'He will cum'...!"

"..."

"Hehe, hehehe... I was defeated by a male topic last time... This is payback...! Mongrel...!"

"Seriously... Even men...!?"

"Originally, I haven't even seen a woman's...!"

"Dick Bart isn't making a judgment... Is this attack... 'effective'...!?"

The murmur grew stronger. Dick Bart closed his eyes. The girls looking at me with white eyes... aside from that.

Chuck's topic was quite unusual and innovative in this bar... Many people were surprised when they heard it.

...But... I...

"...I'm disappointed, Chuck."

"What...!?"

Information society, Japan. If you search for a keyword in the search bar... there is a vast accumulation of human wisdom built up over thousands of years.

In front of the collective knowledge of the internet... how trivial Chuck's trivia is.

Nowadays, even a precocious elementary school student would know this level of knowledge...

"I... I was looking forward to it... I thought you might become my rival... Deep down, I was hoping...!"

"N, no... It's just a bluff...!"

"...Is that it?"

"...!"

Chuck trembled and swallowed.

No more... no more topics.

"Then it's over. Get lost---'When a man's prostate, located in the buttocks, is stimulated moderately'... 'He can climax multiple times'"

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