Chapter 93

That evening.

I brought the sullen Raphatal to the island's tavern to change her mood.

At first, Raphatal made a sour face, but after a while, she showed a cheerful smile, which put me at ease.

The tavern was bustling with energy, and adventurers were making a racket.

They were discussing how many levels they had gained in various hunting grounds, and occasionally, talk of experience-boosting accessories would come up.

That swindling merchant is doing well, I see.

By the way, I confirmed that the hero's tavern expenses are covered by the queen.

For now, I sat at the counter and looked at Raphatal.

"Come to think of it, Raphatal was interested in alcohol, right?"

"No... not exactly."

"Even though you're still a child in actual age, you can develop an interest in these things, huh?"

I can understand a little, as I also used to be fascinated by alcohol before I came of age.

I ordered a suitable drink from the bartender.

"What about Filo?"

"Hmm?"

Filo, who seemed to dislike the smell of alcohol, made a subtle face and glanced around the noisy tavern.

"It looks fun... but it smells weird."

"Yeah, I know."

It seems Filo was a bit too young for this.

She's still a child, after all. If something strange happened because I gave her alcohol, that would be a problem.

"Alright! Let's see who wins!"

In the tavern, a group of people started an arm-wrestling match to show off their strength.

Two burly men were arm-wrestling with the intensity of trying to break each other's arms.

Behind them, people were betting on who would win. Ah, I spotted Genkou trying to flirt with a girl while getting her to drink. As usual, he's up to his old tricks.

Behind him, a dancer was performing a seductive dance. Nearby, a poet-like figure started singing with a lute in hand.

This place really feels like another world.

"Hey! It looks fun over there!"

Filo is a bird, so she might be interested in something related to chirping.

"Sure, go ahead. Just don't cause any trouble."

"Okay!"

Filo trotted over to the dancing and singing.

At the same time, our drinks were served at the counter.

I took a light sip.

Hmm... the taste of alcohol doesn't change much even in another world.

It's kind of like juice.

"This is alcohol..."

"Well, since you're physically an adult, Raphatal, you might as well try it."

"Okay!"

Raphatal, like a child experiencing something for the first time, hesitantly took a sip from the drink.

"...It's a bit bitter, isn't it?"

"Yeah, that's about right."

To me, it doesn't feel much different from water or juice.

I've never been drunk, after all.

"What do you think of drinking, Naofumi?"

"I don't really care... I don't have a particular taste for alcohol. I only drink when I have to."

"Is that so?"

"In my world, there are people who don't drink, but in this world, it might be rare."

Rene and Itsuki are minors, but they might be drinking because this is another world.

Ah... I spotted Itsuki participating in a banquet outside the tavern.

You're still a minor, you know.

Well, this is another world. There might not be laws to punish such behavior.

Rene is likely drinking too.

"It might be a good idea to test how much you can drink."

"Hmm..."

Raphatal took a gulp from the drink and finished it.

"Is this how it feels?"

"Yeah, that's it."

I recalled the parties from my original world.

I don't have the notion that girls shouldn't drink.

Considering Raphatal seems to be under a lot of stress lately, it might be good for her.

Alcohol has been used to relieve daily fatigue for ages, so it should have some effect.

She's so resilient, I wonder what she's really thinking.

"Here, don't worry and drink."

"Okay."

As I encouraged Raphatal to drink, a commotion came from where the poet was singing.

Looking over, I saw Filo, in her monster form, singing along with the poet's performance.

At first, the poet and those around him were surprised, but Filo's voice was unexpectedly good, and the atmosphere heated up.

As long as she's enjoying it...

Hmm? Genkou seems to have noticed Filo singing.

I'll leave her be. She's in her monster form, so she won't attack anyone.

"Filo, sing in your angel form!"

"Yaa!"

...Yeah, she seems fine.

After 30 minutes.

"With this level-up, how much more can I level up if I fight alongside Naofumi-sama?"

After drinking 15 glasses of alcohol, Raphatal was talking to me about her thoughts.

She seemed quite tipsy, but her cheeks were only slightly red, and otherwise, she seemed sober.

She must have a high tolerance for alcohol.

I'm a bit worried, though. If she drinks too much, it might affect her tomorrow...

The bartender also seemed surprised by Raphatal's drinking capacity.

It seems that demi-humans don't have a special resistance to alcohol.

However... these grape-like fruits on the counter are really delicious.

They're like concentrated grapes, but the aftertaste is refreshing, and yet, they linger in your mouth... I can't help but reach for another one.

"Match over!"

The loser of the arm-wrestling match rolled over to our side.

"Hey! We're in the middle of a conversation, so don't interrupt us!"

Raphatal, who usually wouldn't say such a thing, spoke irritably.

She must be quite stressed. The alcohol might be affecting her.

Considering her recent experiences with peddling, waves, and fleeing, she hasn't had much time to relax.

She might need a break.

"Hah! If you have a complaint, win the arm-wrestling match first!"

"Is that so... Alright, I'll take you on."

Raphatal rolled up her sleeves and declared she would join the arm-wrestling match.

I hope she's okay. I don't want her to get hurt.

However... these grapes are really delicious.

"Um..."

The bartender spoke to me with a worried look.

"Hmm?"

"Is it okay?"

"Should be fine."

"No, that's not it..."

"Huh?"

The bartender's face was pale.

Why is he so pale?

"More alcohol! Add more alcohol!"

A man brought a large barrel and dropped a single grape-like fruit into it, stirring it.

It must be a secret ingredient. Given how delicious the fruit is, it makes sense.

The tavern's lively atmosphere continued.

Raphatal instantly defeated her opponent in the arm-wrestling match, and the betting was getting intense.

People were shouting, "Who can beat this girl in arm-wrestling?!"

Filo, enjoying singing so much, was now singing with the poet.

It's good to see her having a good time.

I popped another grape-like fruit into my mouth.

"Hey, what are you doing?!"

A man pointed at me and shouted loudly.

The tavern fell silent for a moment.

"What? What's wrong?"

I finished eating the fruit and asked the man.

Is he drunk and picking a fight?

"Eating a Rukor fruit directly is like asking for death!?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

I picked another cluster and popped it into my mouth.

The commotion grew louder.

What's going on?

"Naofumi-sama, what's happening?"

Raphatal, sobered by the commotion, asked me in her usual manner.

"I don't know. This guy started making a fuss, and I'm not sure what's going on."

The taste is addictive. I might make this my favorite.

I'll have another one.

I popped it into my mouth.

"Ah, you ate another one!?"

The whole tavern was now focused on me.

What are they so surprised about?

I popped another one into my mouth.

"What's the matter?"

Genkou approached me with a smug look.

"Well, this guy is complaining about me eating this fruit."

"Really... That fruit is pretty expensive, isn't it?"

"Is it? I'll pay for it later, so just bear with it."

I'll have the Shadow pay for it. The queen covers the expenses here, so I can eat without worry.

"Well... it is quite expensive... but that's not the main issue..."

The bartender hesitated to answer.

What's going on?

"Um... Rukor fruits are used to make a drink by mixing one fruit into a large barrel of water. Eating them directly..."

"Huh? What are you talking about? You're trying to scare me, right?"

"No... it's the truth..."

"Naofumi isn't drunk. That lie won't work."

Genkou picked a Rukor fruit and popped it into his mouth.

"Ooh... it's a rich flavor, this is delicious---"

Before he could finish, Genkou fell forward.

A loud thud echoed as he hit the ground without breaking his fall.

Ha! He's rolling his eyes.

Is this fruit really that dangerous?

"Trouble! The Spear Hero has collapsed from eating a Rukor fruit!"

"Quick, make him vomit!"

"Got it!"

The tavern was in chaos, and Genkou was carried away.

This really ruined the mood.

Still, it seems the fruit contains a high concentration of alcohol.

"Do you want to try, Raphatal?"

"No..."

"Then how about Filo?"

Filo, who had stopped singing, came over, and I offered her the fruit.

She covered her mouth and backed away.

"No!"

"You, the foodie, refusing something is rare."

"I don't like this fruit!"

Hmm... the reaction is not good.

I didn't expect even Filo to refuse.

"Uwabami!"

"There's a monster!"

"Even the god of alcohol would run away with his tail between his legs!"

The tavern was in complete chaos.

This fruit... it must be some kind of joke.

I won't be fooled.

"Sorry for causing a commotion. Let's head back to the inn."

"Y-Yes."

We wrapped up the conversation in the chaotic tavern and left.

"By the way, I'll pay later. A messenger from the Shield Hero will come."

We told the bartender and returned to the inn to sleep.

Rumors spread around the island that the Shield Hero was a monster in human form, but... they're exaggerating.

Is the power of the Three Heroes' religion still so strong?