Chapter 49

It's been a while since I've had a drink. Sylph, Nomos, and Dori are drinking sake while seriously discussing it. I, who don't have a refined palate, am enjoying the drink leisurely with Dine.

As a conversation starter, I asked Dine about the changes to the contract terms, and she froze.

"Yuta-kun, what should I do? I was so focused on thinking about the sake that I forgot to think about the terms."

I kind of knew she had forgotten, but I didn't expect her to forget because she was thinking about the sake. That was unexpected.

"Well, can't you think of something by the time I come back? Besides, Nomos said the order of the contracts doesn't matter."

"No way. I can't be the last one. My pride as an older sister won't allow it."

What's this pride as an older sister? She still has some strange fixations. After saying that, she started to frown.

She must be thinking of the terms. Damn, I lost my conversation partner. I don't want to get involved in the serious conversation between Sylph, Nomos, and Dori. Well, I might as well savor the sake.

I drink the sake, using Dine's frowning face as a snack. Every time I look at Dine, I think how perfect her appearance is. It's a waste. Really a waste. Ah, Dine moved.

"Hey, Yuta-kun. I'm confused. Do you have any good terms?"

Her forehead is wrinkled, and her mouth is in a pout. ...It's amazing that she still looks beautiful even with that face.

"It's weird for me, the one who's supposed to receive the terms, to think of them."

"But I can't think of anything."

She's even saying "demon" now. Is she becoming mentally younger from overthinking?

"Well, the waterway will be the last one anyway, so there's nothing we can do about it."

"Yuta-kun, think of something. It's a request from your older sister."

I said there's nothing we can do, but is she not listening?

"Even if you say that... The only thing I can think of is to promise to definitely build the waterway and then make the contract. But that's like a prepayment, right? That's not good, is it?"

"Hmm, maybe that's fine."

"Hey, I don't know if spirits get drunk, but think about it after the alcohol wears off. There's still time before the contracts with Nomos and Dori."

It's too scary to make a contract with a Great Spirit so casually. It would be fine if Dine were the top, but there's a king above her. I don't want to anger the Water Spirit King.

"Eh?"

"It's not 'Eh.' This is important, so think about it properly."

In the first place, there's Sylph and the others, and Nomos and Dori are also willing to make contracts. There's no need to force a contract with Dine... Dine is glaring at me with a piercing gaze.

"Yuta-kun, you were thinking something unpleasant, right? I can tell!"

...Is it her wild intuition? I wonder why she can't apply such sharpness to other things. It's a mystery.

"That's not true. I was just thinking that if we make a contract casually, the Spirit King might get angry."

Ah, she flinched. Is she really going to get scolded? Isn't that dangerous?

"Hey, Sylph. Hey."

"Hmm? What is it, Yuta?"

She was so focused on the sake that she didn't hear our conversation at all. I wish she would show a little more interest in us.

"Earlier, I said that Dine might get scolded by the Spirit King if she changes the contract terms casually, and she flinched. Is there a real risk of getting scolded? It seems pretty serious."

"Hmm. Well, you don't have to offer terms for a contract. If they like you, they can make a contract. However, for Great Spirits, contracts are rare. Besides, you can't communicate terms to someone you can't even hear."

You don't need terms. Now that I think about it, she said that most people with high affinity to spirits can only sense their presence. You can't offer terms. ...I'm the one who's being offered terms. It's a bit sad, but it's fine since I'm not expecting unconditional cooperation. It's a bit melancholic.

"Sylph, do you know if they get scolded?"

"...Yes, that's right. If they like you, they can make a contract, but since a Great Spirit's contract is important, they might get scolded if they do it carelessly."

So they do get scolded. And Sylph seems a bit tipsy. Spirits can get drunk too.

"Dine, you really shouldn't change the terms casually while drinking. Think about it properly."

"Ugh, I understand."

Now I can relax a bit. No, with the current terms, the waterway will still be the last one. If I don't come up with a good idea, we'll just repeat the same thing. I'll give her a hand.

"Dine, I'll definitely build the waterway. Think of some proper terms. That way, it won't be a casual contract."

"Thank you, Yuta-kun. I'm so touched!"

She hugged me. Despite her inner thoughts, her appearance is perfect. The feeling of her cheeks against mine is not a sin. I should be happy. I'll endure as long as I can breathe.

"Hey, Dine. Let go. Yuta will suffocate."

I could have held on longer... but I didn't say anything about Sylph's unnecessarily large size.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Sylph."

"Yuta, you're grinning."

Yeah, I know I'm grinning. Let's change the subject.

"The sake is almost gone. Should we bring out the next drink?"

Nomos and Dori, who had been drinking without paying any attention to us, turned to look. Do Great Spirits only hear what's convenient for them?

"The next drink. What is it? I'm looking forward to it."

Sylph's attention easily shifted. It's a good idea to keep some sake for Great Spirit negotiations. It might come in handy. It's a bit disappointing that I can't drink it all myself, but I'll try to find more delicious drinks in this world.

"Sure. Let's bring out the next drink."

"This sake was also very delicious. I'm looking forward to the next one."

"I'll drink too."

Nomos, Dori, and Dine are all excitedly waiting for the next drink. It's a bit pressuring.

"Ahaha. I hope I can meet your expectations."

Ah, I need ice. How should I get it?

"I'll get it right away. But first, Nomos, come here for a moment."

I took Nomos to a place away from the table to talk.

"What is it? I want to drink the sake soon."

"The next drink. I like to drink it with ice. Dine said she can make it, but I can't ask her. Is there a good way?"

"Hmm, ice. If you say you're hot, she'll make it for you."

"...I'm asking because I don't want to do that obvious one-man show."

"Who knows? That's the quickest way. Let's get it over with and drink the sake."

In the end, it's the one-man show. It's embarrassing. I return to the table and steel myself.

"It's so hot. Really, really hot. What should I do? It's so hot."

"Oh, Yuta. Are you hot? I'll make a wind for you. If something happens, you should tell me since we're contracted."

...Sylph, you're definitely drunk. Normally, she would immediately notice such an obvious one-man show. Ah, Nomos stopped her. That's a relief.

There was a loud thud behind me. When I turned around, there was a large block of ice... It's too big, but it's fine. When I glanced at Dine, she looked smug. It's good that she read the situation properly.

"This next drink is called whiskey. It's aged in a barrel for twelve years. It's a very good drink."

"Hmm, twelve years? Won't the drink go bad? Can you drink it?"

Nomos asked, looking worried. If I say it can't be drunk, I might get hit. Does this world not have aged drinks? I've gained another piece of knowledge that could be a cheat. Alcohol seems to be profitable.

"Don't worry. This drink is distilled and has a high alcohol content. There are even drinks aged for twenty or thirty years. It's definitely fine."

"Is that true?"

I'm completely being doubted. For a spirit, twelve years is a short time, so why are they fixated on this? Do spirits get food poisoning?

"It's fine. If you're worried, I'll drink it first."

I took a new glass and poured a little of the drink. I think it's best to drink it straight at first. I prefer it with ice, but...

"Try it straight first. If it's too strong, you can add ice or water. It's really strong, so it's best to sip it at first."

I took a sip to show that it's fine. I still prefer it with ice, but it's delicious.

Nomos followed me and took a sip. A heavy silence. He slowly moved his mouth as if confirming something and swallowed. What's with this guy? The atmosphere is too heavy. Nomos closed his eyes as if savoring the aftertaste and then opened them with a satisfied look.

"Good. This drink is also good. Yuta, the drinks from your world not only taste good but also have a wonderful aroma. This drink has many different scents. It's fruity, and there's a woody scent... It's a strong drink, but it's wonderful."

"O-oh, I'm glad you like it. Enjoy it slowly."

"Okay."

After hearing Nomos, the other Great Spirits also started drinking the whiskey. Ah, right. I should ask Sylph to shave the ice.

"Sylph, can I ask you something?"

"Oh, Yuta. This drink is also delicious. What is it?"

Sylph seems to like the whiskey and is in a good mood.

"I like to drink this drink with ice. Can you shave that ice into a sphere that fits in this glass?"

"That's easy."

Sylph waved her hand, and the ice block was cut and started spinning. Invisible wind blades cut the ice like shaved ice. When the wind stopped, a perfect sphere of ice floated over and dropped into my glass.

"Thank you, Sylph."

Sylph waved her hand and started drinking. I was surprised that she could actually do it. Well, it's good. Now I can enjoy the drink.

Thank you for reading.