CH 47

Whiskey

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It had been a while since we drank alcohol. Sylphy, Nomos, and Dolly were having a serious discussion about Japanese sake while I, who wasn’t very good with taste, was enjoying a relaxing drink with Dyne.

As a conversation starter, I asked Dyne about the change in our contract conditions, but she suddenly froze.

“Oh no, I’ve been so focused on sake that I completely forgot about thinking of the conditions,” she said.

I understood that she had forgotten, but to think that she had only been thinking about sake was unexpected.

“Well, think of something before I come back home, and besides, Nomos said that the order of the contract doesn’t matter,” I said.

“No, that won’t do. I’m your Onee-chan, and I can’t be the last one to sign. It goes against my pride,” Dyne replied.

I didn’t understand what she meant by her pride as usual. After she finished speaking, she looked worried and started pondering again.

She must have thought of a condition because she suddenly asked me, “Hey, Yuta, do you have any good ideas for a contract?”

As she furrowed her brow and pouted, I couldn’t help but think that even when she made that face, she still looked beautiful.

“It’s strange for the one being presented with contracts to think of them,” I said.

“But I can’t think of anything,” she replied.

I took a sip of sake and continued to enjoy the drink while Dyne continued to ponder.

Dyne started saying things like “damn” and it made me wonder if she had become mentally childish from worrying too much.

“Well, since the waterway will always be the last thing to be built, there’s nothing we can do about it,” I said.

“Yuta, please think of something. It’s my request,” Dyne pleaded.

I had just said there was nothing we could do, but did she not hear me?

“Well, the only thing I can think of is to promise to build the waterway no matter what and make that part of the contract. But asking for a down payment like that is not a good idea, is it?” I said.

“Hmm, I guess that will do,” Dyne replied.

“Hey, I don’t know if spirits can get drunk, but calm down and think about it after the sake wears off. There’s still time before we have to sign contracts with Nomos and Dolly,” I said.

Making a contract with a Great Spirit like it’s nothing is too scary. It might be okay if Dyne were at the top, but there’s a king above her. I don’t want to incur the wrath of the Water Spirit King.

“Eh?” Dyne said.

“Don’t just say ‘eh’. This is an important matter, so think about it properly,” I said.

Besides, we have Sylphy and Bell, and it seems that Nomos and Dolly will make contracts with me too. I don’t need to force myself to make a contract with Dyne. Dyne stared at me with a stern gaze.

“Yuta, you were thinking something bad just now, weren’t you! I know it!” she said.

It must be her animal instincts. It’s strange that she can’t use her sharp senses for anything else. I wondered why.

“That’s not true. I’m just worried that if we make a contract too casually, the Water Spirit King might get angry,” I said.

She flinched. Could she really get in trouble for this? It’s dangerous, isn’t it?

“Wait a minute, Sylphy. Hey,” I said.

“Huh? What’s wrong, Yuta?” Sylphy asked.

She was completely focused on the sake and hadn’t listened to our conversation at all. I wanted her to take an interest in us too.

“Right now, Dyne was trying to change the conditions of her spirit contract arbitrarily, and when I told her she might anger the Spirit King, she got nervous. Will she really get in trouble? It seems dangerous.”

“Well, it’s not necessary to have conditions for a contract. If the spirit likes you, that’s enough for a contract. Although, with great spirits, there are hardly any contracts at all. Besides, how can you convey conditions to someone who can’t even hear you?”

I guess conditions aren’t necessary. Come to think of it, most people who have a high affinity with spirits can only sense their presence. I can’t really impose any conditions. …But I have been given some strict conditions. I don’t expect them to just cooperate unconditionally, so it’s a little sad.

“Sylphy, I want to ask if she’ll get in trouble.”

“Well, let me see… It’s okay to make a contract if the spirit likes you, but making a contract with a great spirit is a serious matter, so if you do something careless, you might get in trouble.”

I knew it. And Sylphy seems a little tipsy. So spirits can get drunk too.

“Dyne, you really shouldn’t drink and change the conditions of the contract carelessly. You need to think carefully.”

“Ugh, I got it!”

That’s a relief. But with current conditions, the waterway will still be last. I need to come up with a better idea or we’ll just be repeating the same thing. Maybe I should throw her a lifeline.

“Dyne, I’ll definitely make the waterway. Think of some other proper condition. That way, it won’t be a careless contract.”

“Thank you, Yuta! I’m so grateful!”

She hugged me tightly. Her outward appearance is impeccable, even if her inner self is questionable. It’s not wrong to feel happy with the sensation of her boobs against mine. As long as I can keep breathing, I’ll endure it.

“Hey, Dyne, back off. Yuta’s going to suffocate.”

I could still endure it, but I decided not to say anything about Dyne´s unnecessarily large chest.

“It’s okay. Sylphy, thanks.”

“Yuta, you’re grinning.”

Yeah, I’m aware of that. Let’s change the subject.

“Looks like we’re running out of sake. Shall I bring out the next drink?”

Nomos and Dolly, who had been drinking without paying any attention to us, turned to us. Do great spirits have ears that only hear what’s convenient for them?

“What kind of drink is it? I’m looking forward to it,” Sylphy said, her attention easily diverted. It might be a good idea to keep some alcohol on hand as a countermeasure for great spirits. I have a feeling it could be useful. It’s a shame I can’t drink it all myself, but I’ll try to find some delicious drinks in this world.

“Very well. Please bring out the next drink.”

“This drink was also very delicious. I’m looking forward to the next one.”

“I want to drink it too,” Dyne added excitedly.

Nomos and Dolly, as well as Dyne, were eagerly waiting for the next drink. It’s a bit pressure.

“Hahaha. I hope I can meet your expectations.”

Oh, right. We need ice. How do I ask for it?

“I’ll prepare it right away. But before that, Nomos, come with me for a moment.”

I took Nomos away from the table to discuss something.

“What is it? I want to drink my sake quickly.”

“It’s about the next drink. I like to drink it with ice. Dyne said she can provide it, but it wouldn’t work if I asked her directly. Is there any good way to do it?”

“Hmm, ice, huh? If you say something like ‘it’s getting hot in here,’ she might just bring it out on her own.”

“…I’m getting tired of your blatant one-man show.”

“What do you know? It’s the quickest way to get it over with and drink some sake.”

In the end, it was a one-man show. It was embarrassing. I returned to the table and prepared myself.

“It’s so hot. Really hot. What should I do? It’s so hot…”

“Oh, Yuta. Are you feeling hot? I’ll blow some wind for you. We made a contract, so if there’s anything you need, just tell me.”

…Sylphy. She must be drunk. Normally, she would immediately notice this obvious one-man show, but I guess not. Oh, Nomos stopped her. That’s a relief.

There was a loud noise behind me. When I looked back, there was a large block of ice…it was too big, but never mind. I glanced at Dyne, who looked proud of herself. She read the situation well.

“This is called whiskey, the next drink. It’s a delicious drink that’s been aged for twelve years in a barrel.”

“What? Twelve years? Won’t the alcohol go bad? Can we drink it?”

Nomos asked, his face changing color. If I said we couldn’t drink it, he might explode. Is there no aged alcohol in this world? I just got another potential cheat for my knowledge. Alcohol seems like a profitable business.

“Don’t worry. This drink has been distilled and has a high alcohol content. There are also drinks that have been aged for twenty or thirty years. It’s definitely safe.”

“I hope so.”

He still seemed suspicious. For spirits, twelve years should be nothing. Why is he so fixated on this? Can spirits get food poisoning too?

“No problem. If you’re worried, I’ll drink it first.”

I took out a new glass and poured the whiskey slowly. Straight is probably the best way to drink it. I prefer it on the rocks though.

“First, try it straight. If you think it’s too strong, you can add ice or water. It’s really strong, so it’s best to sip it at first.”

Saying that, I demonstrated that it was okay by taking a sip and swallowing it. I still prefer it with ice. But it’s delicious.

Nomos followed me by taking a sip of the liquor. A heavy silence followed. He slowly moved his mouth, as if confirming something, and swallowed. What’s with this guy? His atmosphere is too heavy. Nomos closed his eyes to savor the aftertaste. After a while, he opened his eyes with a “Kwaa” sound.

“Good. This liquor is also good. Yuta, the drinks in your world have great taste, but the fragrance is also wonderful. This liquor contains multiple fragrances. It seems fruity, but also has a woody scent… It’s certainly a strong drink, but it’s a wonderful one.”

“O-Oh. I’m glad you like it. Please enjoy it slowly.”

“Okay.”

After listening to Nomos, the other Great Spirits also began to drink whiskey. Oh, right. I’ll ask Sylphy if she can shave some ice for me.

“Sylphy, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Oh, Yuta. This drink is also delicious. What’s up?”

Sylphy seems to be in a good mood, enjoying the whiskey.

“I like to drink this liquor with ice. Can you shave that ice into a perfect sphere, small enough to fit into this cup?”

“I can do that easily.”

Sylphy waved her hand and the ice block was cut off with a snap. It began to spin around and around, as if hit by an invisible blade, and scattered like shaved ice. When the wind stopped, the perfect sphere of ice flew towards me and landed in my cup with a “pochan.”

“Thank you, Sylphy.”

Sylphy fluttered her hand in response to my words and began to drink. I asked her because I couldn’t shave the ice into a perfect sphere myself, and I was surprised that she could actually do it. Well, never mind. Now I can enjoy my drink deliciously.