Chapter 44

"First, I would like to offer my congratulations on this engagement on behalf of the workshop. Your Excellency, truly, congratulations."

"What, you didn't come just to say that, did you?"

The Duke stopped his meal with a sigh. Galleo laughed heartily without a hint of embarrassment.

"Well, I just happened to be delivering some goods. When Natalie and Lilian show up, I can't help but be curious, you know."

"I see. I had anticipated this... but I don't want to comment on your nature. Please don't be too hard on her."

I had heard from Captain Blanche that he was a difficult person, but I steeled myself at the Duke's words. I didn't intend to flatter, but how would Galleo measure my skills? I hoped he wouldn't ask me to dissect a monster or something like that.

"Then, I'll be rude."

With that, Galleo placed four large bottles of alcohol on the dining table and sat down opposite me. In front of me, a transparent glass bottle was placed with a brown liquid and a creature with scales inside. The creature had a long body and a familiar shape.

"Are you going to make Melfi drink this?!"

"Your Excellency, I have no intention of breaking the traditions of the Lusse Forge. Whether it's you, a knight, or the princess from the North, I want to share a drink with you."

Galleo's declaration made the Duke, Chaos, and the knights' faces twitch. It wasn't just ordinary alcohol; it contained something that made everyone gasp. I was fine, of course, but I was still surprised by the creature inside.

"Is this... Kilstirnake... alcohol?"

The Kilstirnake is a snake-type monster often seen in the Martial Raid. This snake has poison in its sharp tail spines rather than its fangs. It also emits a magic-infused wave from its expanded gill-like parts to knock out its prey before eating it. It's a very dangerous venomous snake, so it's usually exterminated when seen in the city, but I had never seen one soaked in alcohol before.

"Sure enough, you're the famous princess from the North. That's right, this is Kilstirnake snake wine. I'm Galleo Lusse. I run the forge here in Midleag. Blanche, your wife told me that you... Your Highness, eat monsters, right?"

This was the second time I had been asked directly. The first time was by the Duke, whose curiosity and interest that day were entirely free of malice. I didn't know what Galleo's intentions were, but it didn't seem to be out of malice or contempt.

"Galleo, what a rude thing to say!!"

Chaos immediately reprimanded Galleo. The Duke didn't say anything, but his amber eyes glowed with a golden light.

"I don't mind, so it's fine."

I smiled at the Duke and Chaos, then turned to face Galleo. The stern-faced Galleo looked back at me without a smile, exuding a different kind of intimidating presence from the Duke.

"I am Melfiella, the eldest daughter of the Martial Raid family. I have seen and experienced the excellence of the weapons made by the Lusse Forge. When I think of the wonderful and terrifying sharpness of the blades when dissecting monsters, I asked Captain Blanche to introduce me. Of course, I gratefully accept the monsters I dissect, so please don't worry."

"That's a fine attitude. Princess, I only wield my skills for those I recognize. What I make is, in a way, my soul. What do you have that would make me entrust my soul to you?"

Galleo opened the bottle and poured the alcohol into empty glasses, including my silver cup. I picked it up and raised it to Galleo. The strong aroma stung my nose, making me want to sneeze. The Kilstirnake alcohol seemed very potent, with a smell like boiled herbs.

"Well, let's toast. It's still a cause for celebration. Sharing a drink with the one who will share my soul is a tradition of the Lusse Forge. Princess, let's have a drinking contest."

Galleo raised his glass and drank it down before I did.

"Thank you for the toast. By the way, could you tell me how you neutralized the poison and magic of the Kilstirnake?"

There was nothing unusual about my silver cup, and Galleo had drunk from the same bottle, so I assumed it was safe. I wanted to know how he had processed the poison and magic, especially if he used a different technique.

"This is a traditional drink from Siderem, where I was born. The Kilstirnake is starved for about ten days and then roasted. It's thrown into hot distilled alcohol while still hot. After three years, the snake wine is ready."

"True, magic naturally decomposes over time, but the poison is completely gone as well."

"Burning doesn't eliminate the poison, but it's mysterious, isn't it? I don't really understand it myself, but if it tastes good, that's enough."

Galleo drank another glass, so I decided to try it as well. When I took a small sip, the part that touched the alcohol felt hot.

"Melfi, don't push yourself."

"It's hot, but not as strong as the smell. The aftertaste... well, it's like the taste of Kilstirnake, I guess?"

The Duke tried to stop me, but I finished the drink in one go and offered my silver cup to Galleo. The Kilstirnake alcohol was strong and hot, but once I got used to the smell, it had a rich flavor.

"Would you like another one?"

"O-Okay..."

When Galleo refilled my silver cup, everyone around us started to fuss. This time, the knights tried to stop me.

"Stop it, Galleo."

"What's the head of the Midleag forge doing?"

"Princess, you don't have to humor Galleo's foolishness."

"Is your head filled with muscles? It's crazy to take advantage of the princess's kindness."

The Duke also tried to take my silver cup, but I shook my head.

"Melfi, really, don't push yourself."

"I like it, the Kilstirnake alcohol. I think it goes well with the spicy Galbraith cuisine."

After eating the meat with sauce and drinking the alcohol, the greasy taste in my mouth was surprisingly washed away. The herbal flavor and the savory taste of the Kilstirnake were quite addictive.

"Would the Duke like to try it?"

"N-No, I'm fine... but a little bit, perhaps."

The Duke didn't seem to like the snake wine much. It looked intimidating, but the taste was quite good. Still, I was impressed that Galleo's hometown, Siderem, had a drink made with monsters. I wondered who and under what circumstances someone decided to combine this venomous monster with alcohol. Galleo said he didn't know why the poison disappeared, but if it was due to the alcohol...

(Magic poison is a type of poison, so maybe combining alcohol with a magic array could work.)

While thinking, I drank more and more, finishing three, four glasses, and eating the food. The Kilstirnake snake wine went well with meat dishes. Midway through, I found a stewed Loyamoodler and a Zanas sauce and wanted to share it with Galleo. The stew had tender, flavorful meat, and the sauce had a spicy kick that went well with the alcohol. Galleo, who enjoyed monster alcohol, would surely like it.

"Galleo, try this with me."

"A-Ah... what is this?"

"Hehe, what do you think? It's actually a well-cooked part of the Loyamoodler. This is a Zanas sauce from the Littlefort River, with a perfect spicy kick."

"Is this... the Loyamoodler and Zanas you dissected?!"

"Yes. The Loyamoodler was so large that it was difficult to dissect with my own tools, so I borrowed some from Galleo's forge. The blade cut through it so smoothly, I was amazed."

I had never encountered a blade that didn't need to be wiped clean of fat during the process. Combined with the Duke's decapitation effect, I wanted it even more.

"Here, Galleo, another one."

"Are you still drinking?"

"It's a drinking contest! We still have three bottles left, so there's no need to hold back."

Since Galleo brought the alcohol, he had the right to drink the most. I had already had five glasses, but it was easy to drink, so I ended up having a sixth.

"Hey, Princess, are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"This is distilled alcohol, even if it's aged for three years. Are you... okay?"

"I'm not particularly weak to alcohol, and the herbs seem to help. It's very easy to drink and doesn't sit heavily in the stomach."

The knights watching our drinking contest became even more restless. The Duke, who was looking worried, stared blankly as I finished my sixth glass.

"Um, Melfiella...?"

"Ah, Chaos, would you like to join us? The Kilstirnake alcohol is surprisingly gentle on women, despite its appearance!"

When I offered my empty cup to Chaos, he shook his head rapidly in refusal.

"Melfiella, this alcohol is meant to be diluted with hot water, not drunk straight... hehe, you seem quite strong."

That made it sound like I was a heavy drinker. I felt a bit uneasy as I finished my seventh glass in one go.