Chapter 40

"Hikaru, are you leaving tomorrow?"

Hikaru answered immediately.

Hikaru and Jill, sitting at the counter, were almost at eye level.

For a moment, Jill's face tensed, then she sat down next to Hikaru.

"…Waiter, the strongest drink you have."

Her eyes were already hard. Hikaru sensed something was wrong.

"Hey, hey…"

"Does it matter to you, Hikaru-kun, where or what I drink?"

"Well… I guess not…"

Not knowing what to do, Hikaru tried to seek help from Ravia with his eyes, but she subtly avoided his gaze. It seemed she was telling him to handle it himself.

"Hikaru-sama, you're such a reckless adventurer, aren't you? Jill was fidgety every day while you were in the capital, you know?"

"I wasn't fidgety at all! I was just worried that Hikaru-kun might get into trouble or nearly die because he's so unreliable! —But you seem to be doing quite well, don't you?"

"Thanks to you."

Hikaru thought to himself that he almost died when he fought with Lawrence, but didn't say it out loud.

"Here you go."

The waiter brought a glass filled with an amber liquid. It looked like whiskey or some kind of distilled spirit.

"So you're going to quickly raise your rank and leave Ponde, huh? I see. —Hmm, gah."

She downed the glass in one go.

"Phew, haaaaa… Another one, please."

"Hey, hey…"

"I'll have a red juice, then."

Gloria ordered a "juice," but it was actually a cocktail. The distilled spirit was mixed with a red pomegranate-like fruit juice, making it refreshing and easy to drink.

"Hikaru-kun… I knew you'd eventually leave Ponde as an adventurer, but… you don't have to rush so much, do you…?"

Jill said this dejectedly. Hikaru could tell she had been paying a lot of attention to him, but he didn't realize she had such strong feelings.

"…Sorry. I just couldn't stay still once I thought I could go to the dungeon."

"If you had consulted me, I could have introduced you to a safer way to raise your rank…"

"It was safe. I just bought the items."

That's how it was supposed to look.

"How much did you spend? The money from the Red Horn Rabbits must be almost gone, right? Money is important for adventurers. Besides, buying items… I don't know who you bought from, but it can be dangerous if you don't do it right. If you have the skills to hunt monsters, you could bring them to the city to sell and gain trust, which would also raise your adventurer rank. Not doing that means you have a weakness."

"That's true. If someone like that has infiltrated the area near the eastern lake, we need to be more cautious, as Mr. Unken said."

"……"

Hikaru thought there was a point to that. He had chosen a method to quickly reach Rank E without drawing too much attention. The adventurer he saw near the lake today was likely checking if Hikaru was attacking other adventurers and also assessing the danger of the "buyer" Hikaru mentioned.

"I understand. I might have been careless."

"…Mmm, it's not like you to be so honest. You're probably just trying to wrap things up quickly because you won't be coming back to Ponde, right?"

"What kind of person do you think I am…?"

"Still, it's strange, isn't it? The materials Hikaru-sama bought today were excellent, but the buyer couldn't be found by the adventurers sent to investigate."

Gloria probed him with her questions.

"They might be wary of skilled adventurers."

"Yes, that makes sense. They must be shady characters. It's strange that such a person would let Hikaru-sama, who has a lot of money, go back without a problem."

Gloria sipped her red juice from a metal tumbler.

"I'm being careful. If we keep investigating, we might meet them eventually."

Hikaru had no intention of playing along with Gloria's probing. He brushed her off, and she smiled meaningfully without saying more.

"…Are you leaving tomorrow?"

Jill, unaware of the subtle battle between Hikaru and Gloria, said this with a sad face. She had already finished her second drink.

"Hey, hey… slow down with the drinking."

"I just want to drink."

"Alright. I'll treat you."

"Really?"

"But in return, I want you to drink the alcohol I choose. Drinking strong drinks one after another isn't good for your body."

"…Fine. You can choose."

Despite her condescending tone, Jill's lips were smiling. She seemed happy to be worried about and treated by Hikaru.

"What kind of alcohol do you like?"

"I drink most things, but I don't like sweet ones."

Hikaru remembered that the owner of this place had once emphasized to Jill that all-you-can-eat was fine, but not all-you-can-drink. Jill's taste in alcohol was indeed that of a serious drinker.

"Waiter, can you make this?"

He mixed gin and vermouth in a 3:1 ratio and garnished it with an olive. If the gin and vermouth were too sweet, he asked to lightly squeeze a lemon-like fruit. This world had similar spirits to gin and vermouth. The bar had a refrigerator, though it was expensive to maintain—requiring magic or spirit magic stones—so it was only found in high-end restaurants. This Pasta Magic had a refrigerator, so the cocktail would come out cold.

When Hikaru was in Japan, he had been fascinated by the adult world and researched cocktails, even ordering and tasting them online using his father's account. He realized he didn't suit alcohol after getting drunk quickly, but he remembered the cocktail recipes.

"Hmm… I've never seen this drink before."

"Try it."

This world had cocktails, but not many varieties. People generally drank one type of alcohol or added citrus juice. Jill took a sip from the glass, which wasn't a cocktail glass, but it was close enough.

"! It's delicious!"

Jill covered her mouth and looked at Hikaru.

"The King of Cocktails—back in my hometown, it's called a Martini. It's refreshing but has a deep flavor."

Hikaru thought to himself that he got dizzy after one sip, but he didn't say it.

"I'm glad you like it, Jill."

"Thank you…"

Jill's cheeks were slightly flushed, and she smiled like a blooming flower. Hikaru was relieved that her mood had improved. Just as he was feeling at ease, a sharp elbow jabbed his side.

(That hurts!?)

(Sorry, my arm hit you.)

It was Ravia on the other side.

(…Are you jealous?)

(Oh, be careful, or my arm might hit you again.)

(Sorry, sorry.)

Hikaru felt happy that Ravia was jealous, even though his side hurt.

"Hikaru-sama, can you order something for me?"

"Gloria, an ale."

Ale is a type of beer.

"…Did I hear that right? Did you say ale?"

There was no need to choose a cocktail for someone who probed like that. Hikaru ordered with a smile.

"My treat. —Waiter, an ale for her. The largest mug you have."

"……"

A mug larger than Gloria's face was placed on the counter. Her forced smile was strained.

"Good for you, Gloria, getting treated."

"Y-Yes…"

Jill's innocent comment left Gloria with no choice but to nod.

"So—Hikaru-kun, are you going to Rootbard?"

"Yes. I want to explore the dungeon."

"……"

"You look worried."

"Of course I'm worried. Dungeons are dangerous, you know?"

"I know, but danger comes with completing quests."

"I understand that, but I'm worried because you're pushing yourself to reach Rank E. It feels like you're living too fast."

Hikaru understood. To others, he might seem that way. In fact, he was choosing relatively safe options because of Ravia and his desire to leave the "Eastern Four Stars" and the country as soon as possible.

"Listen, you need to prepare before entering a dungeon. Gathering information is important, but you also need items for emergencies."

Jill, who seemed to be getting more talkative from the alcohol, started explaining in teacher mode.

"Medicine, herbs, and potions, which are expensive but useful. Potions are especially good."

"Potions?"

Hikaru hadn't considered getting injured. But if he and Ravia were separated and she got hurt—

This world had "potions" that could heal wounds instantly.

"You can buy them from the Alchemist Guild."

"Yes. They cost about 1,000 gil per bottle, but they can seal a fatal wound immediately."

"Hmm… How are potions made?"

"Highly effective herbs are mixed into a pill, which is then dissolved in blessed holy water from the temple. A healer then infuses it with magic. The magic lasts a few days before it wears off, so they're mostly disposable."

Hikaru thought the temple and the Alchemist Guild were making good business. But if 1,000 gil could buy some peace of mind, it was worth it.

"Also—"

Jill continued talking, and Hikaru listened attentively, which seemed to encourage her.

"Zzz—"

And she fell asleep, face down on the counter.

"Oh dear, I'm leaving now. Hikaru-sama, please take care of Jill."

"Wait. You're leaving her here?"

"It's rare for Jill to be so relaxed and fall asleep. Maybe it's because she was with you."

Gloria looked at Jill with a protective gaze, though she wouldn't abandon her sister. Her face was flushed from the alcohol.

"Hikaru-sama, you're quite the ladies' man… Pola and the others were looking for you too."

"Ah…"

Three girls from the countryside. Hikaru hadn't seen them since they ate at this place. He had no intention of seeing them again, and there was nothing to gain from it. They seemed grateful, but Hikaru didn't trust them.

"They're continuing to be adventurers together."

"They should go back to their village."

"What would they do back there?"

"What, like they have a home to go back to?"

Ravia stirred beside him. She had no home to return to, and neither did Hikaru. Hikaru held Ravia's hand, unseen by Gloria. She was surprised but quickly squeezed back. Fortunately, it was late, and they were the only customers.

"In a poor village, there's no work, and they might even be a burden."

The bear-like owner appeared from behind the counter and started drinking.

"Sometimes, they're driven to the city to reduce the number of mouths to feed. —But this cocktail is delicious. Hikaru, is it from your hometown?"

"Ah, yes… If you like it, you can serve it here."

"Is that okay?"

"Sure. —Have you heard where they're from?"

"Those girls from the other day? I just happened to overhear. Their land is poor."

"Then they should all move together."

"That's not possible. The nobles have a tight grip."

Hikaru recalled Roland's memories. Nobles disliked peasants leaving their lands. They offered tax breaks and low-interest loans but also punished those who tried to escape. A few young people working in the capital was tolerated because they sent money back to their families, which helped the capital's economy.

"…I hope they don't take on dangerous quests."

Gloria sighed and finished the last of her ale.

Hikaru carried Jill out of the bar. They were going to the adventurer guild's dormitory, and Gloria was coming along to help.

Thanks to his "Strength" skill, he could carry her without much trouble.

"Oh, Hikaru-sama, you're stronger than I thought."

Gloria was surprised, but Hikaru was more focused on the fact that Jill's face was very close to his shoulder, and her sweet scent was wafting over. He tried not to notice, but her soft breasts were pressing against his back, and her warm, firm thighs were in his hands. If it weren't for Ravia's cold gaze from behind, Hikaru might have let his nose grow.

"Are you adventuring with Hikaru-sama? Erm—"

Gloria approached Ravia and spoke.

"Ravenshadow."

"Ravenshadow-sama."

"No need for the honorific. I'm not an adventurer."

Gloria leaned in, but Ravia answered calmly and briefly. Hikaru was nervous but left it to her.

"We're here. The key, please."

"Ah, right—Ravenshadow-sama. When Hikaru-sama leaves the city, please visit the adventurer guild."

"Sure."

He had no intention of doing so, but he played along. Ravia would be leaving the city with him, and it would be clear what their relationship was. He would leave "Ravenshadow" in the city. Gloria would likely forget about her if they didn't meet.

"Here we go."

"Zzz—"

"Really, she's sleeping like a log."

The guild's dormitory had only one small bed. It could be locked from the inside and opened from the outside with a key.

"Hikaru-sama, aren't you going to give Jill a souvenir?"

She probably meant a souvenir from the capital.

"Sure… I'll leave something."

He placed the accessory case Ravia had chosen from his bag next to Jill's pillow. He ignored Gloria's comment about it being more expensive than hers and decided not to leave a message.

(…I might not see her again. If I do, it will be much later, after we leave the country.)

Hikaru and Ravia left the guild.

When asked if they needed an escort, Gloria said, "I'm fine on my own, Mr. Escort," and left. Hikaru wanted to say he didn't mean it that way, but he remembered seeing her naked and couldn't say anything.

"…What's wrong, Hikaru?"

"N-nothing… Let's go back and sleep. We have an early start tomorrow."

"Okay."

Thus, the last night in Ponde passed.

The next day was busy.

Hikaru went to the Dodorono workshop and paid 30,700 gil. Dodorono, with a serious face, took the money and reaffirmed his commitment to making the best coat.

Next, he went to the Reniwood workshop to pick up the "Strength Dagger" he had asked to be maintained. He carried it and the "Steel Dagger" he bought yesterday, crossing them diagonally on his back.

Then, he stocked up on supplies for the long journey—five days of travel. He bought hot dogs for breakfast, completing his preparations.

"…A Rank B female adventurer came yesterday."

The hot dog vendor said.

It must be Serika. Hikaru thought it was "yesterday" but didn't say so.

"She wants to support this hot dog fully…"

"O-Oh, she really likes it, huh?"

"Thanks to you, kid."

"Stop calling me 'kid' if you're grateful."

"Kid."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Can I ask your name?"

"……"

If he gave his name, Serika might find out. But he was also thinking it might be fine. He had been helped a lot by this hot dog vendor—helped a lot. It was strange that they hadn't known each other's names until now.

"Hikaru."

"Hikaru… I'm Ernest."

"Got it. See you."

"Take care. You won't be back for a while, will you? I can tell from your face."

"…Yeah."

They parted ways without much sentiment. Hikaru paid 60 gil, and Ravia was happy to get a spicy hot dog.

As usual, Hikaru left Ponde alone, and Ravia used "Group Concealment" to leave the city.

The carriage to Rootbard cost 1,000 gil for five days, including simple lodging. They paid for two and left Ponde.

Five days later, in the afternoon, they arrived in Rootbard.

Remaining: 34,990 gil (+200,000 gil)

Hikaru tries to act grown-up but is weak against alcohol.