Chapter 51
The lively atmosphere of the banquet hall had gradually calmed down, and people were leaving one by one. Looking out the large glass window, the moon and stars were already shining brightly, illuminating the night sky.
I asked Elfride, “Elfride, shall we head out soon?”
“Hmm, sure.”
Elfride left the banquet hall first, and I said to Selin, “Selin, don’t wait for me. Go ahead to your room. I’ll have a drink and then head back.”
“Saint Estelle is worried about you, so don’t drink too much.”
“Okay, got it.”
I said that, but I planned to drink as much as I wanted. It’s been so long since I’ve had a drink!
“Abel, where did you go?”
“Ah, I’m coming!”
I followed the waiting Elfride out of the banquet hall. As I stepped out, Elfride gestured for me to follow her.
“There’s a bar I know. Let’s go there. It’s quiet and has a good vibe.”
“Great! Let’s hurry!”
Alcohol, here we come!
#
Abel and Elfride headed to a bar located in the shopping district of Poclum. Tucked away in a corner, it was a bar-style establishment. As Elfride had said, it was quiet with few customers, and the interior vibe wasn’t bad.
“Did bars like this exist in the Middle Ages…? Did the author mess up the historical accuracy?”
As Abel was lost in such trivial thoughts, Elfride gestured to him.
“Sit over there.”
“Ah, okay.”
Elfride, seemingly familiar with the place, naturally sat at the long table in the center.
“Have you been here often?”
“Not often, but occasionally. I quite like the atmosphere here. I even come alone sometimes.”
“Ah…”
“What would you like to drink?”
At Elfride’s question, Abel’s eyes sparkled.
“Beer! Something cold!”
Elfride chuckled lightly and asked, “Ale? Or do you prefer lager?”
“Uh, there’s a difference?”
Abel had drunk beer before but didn’t know about its varieties. Elfride explained to him.
“How about trying both?”
“Oh, sounds good.”
Elfride spoke to the bartender who was cleaning glasses.
“Hey, two lagers and two ales, please.”
“Got it.”
As the bartender went to get the drinks, Abel asked Elfride, “Are you having beer too?”
“I quite like beer. It has a refreshing feel that wine doesn’t have.”
Abel nodded at Elfride’s words.
“You know your stuff!”
“Haha, I guess.”
After a short wait, the bartender brought two lagers and two ales, placing one of each in front of Elfride and Abel.
The two beers, with just the right amount of foam, looked delicious. Just the sight of them was refreshing. Abel swallowed hard.
“It’s been a while since you’ve had a drink, huh?”
“Yeah… Honestly, I haven’t had time. I’ve been focusing on training…”
“Then drink to your heart’s content today. You need days like this to unwind sometimes.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Elfride and Abel raised their glasses.
“Cheers!”
“Cheers.”
They clinked their glasses lightly and took a refreshing sip.
“Ahhh!”
“Tastes good.”
Both Elfride and Abel had exactly half their glasses left.
Abel was quite surprised. Elfride, being a high-born noble before becoming a hero, seemed very familiar with beer, even though nobles usually prefer wine.
“You’re good at this!”
“You’re not bad yourself. You might even keep up with my pace.”
“Oh, want to make a bet on who passes out first?”
“A bet?”
Elfride blinked, and Abel explained.
“The one who passes out first has to grant the other one wish. Of course, within reason. What do you think?”
“…Sounds fun. Alright, I’m in.”
Abel picked up the other glass. He wasn’t sure if the previous beer was ale or lager, but it had a light, highly carbonated feel. Curious about this one, he took a sip.
“Huh? This beer has a unique aroma. It’s refreshing.”
“That’s the characteristic of our Vesta Kingdom ale. It’s made to have a fruity scent.”
“Ah, so this is ale.”
The ale had less carbonation than the lager but was richer in flavor and slightly darker in color.
“Which one do you prefer?”
“Both are delicious… Saying that makes me sound like a drunkard, haha.”
“Nonsense. It’s fine to enjoy alcohol. As long as you don’t cause trouble, it’s all good.”
Abel nodded at Elfride’s words. As long as you don’t cause trouble, right?
The two chatted happily, sharing simple snacks and drinks. When their faces were slightly flushed from the alcohol, Elfride asked Abel, “Abel.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I want to ask you.”
Abel noticed the slight seriousness in her voice and looked at her.
“What is it?”
“What does being a hero mean to you?”
Abel was momentarily taken aback. The question was too abstract. What does being a hero mean? It seemed like a question about his own mindset.
“…Hmm.”
“Take your time. I know it’s a question that requires thought.”
Abel fell silent for a moment, seriously pondering Elfride’s question. Elfride smiled faintly at his thoughtful expression.
This was one of the clear differences between Abel and Levius. When she had asked Levius the same question in the past, he had answered without a moment’s hesitation.
Of course, if his words had been sincere, the story might have been different. But with the Holy Sword of Trust, Elfride could discern the true intentions behind words, and Levius’s answer had been entirely insincere.
In contrast, Abel, after much thought, cautiously began to answer.
“Can I give an example?”
“An example?”
Elfride was intrigued by the unusual answer. As she nodded, Abel spoke.
“Imagine a carriage speeding down a very narrow path with cliffs on both sides. But then, oh no, someone has collapsed in the middle of the path due to unavoidable circumstances.”
Abel was giving an example as if unraveling an old tale. Seeing him like this, Elfride chuckled lightly and asked.
“So?”
“The problem is, there are not only the coachman but four people in the carriage? If the carriage tries to avoid the person, it will fall off the cliff.”
“That would be the case.”
“If an ordinary third party were to witness this situation, who would they try to save? I think most would try to save more people.”
“That would make sense.”
It was a common choice. While no life is more important than another and their weight cannot be compared, generally, people would try to save more lives.
“That’s the choice of an ordinary person, a commoner. But then, who would save the person collapsed on the road?”
“Are you saying that saving such a person is what makes a hero?”
When Elfride asked, Abel shook his head.
“No.”
“Then?”
“…Even if a situation arises where you have to choose between two, I think a hero is someone who finds a way to save both.”
Elfride’s eyes widened. Seeing her reaction, Abel scratched his head.
“Ah… Of course, it’s a bit of a far-fetched story. Heroes are human too, they can’t save everything, right? But they should still try.”
Abel thought Elfride was surprised by his unrealistic words. But that wasn’t the case.
She too had once thought about becoming a hero who saves everything, just like Abel said. A hero who saves everyone in any situation. There was a time when she passionately thought like that.
But as she continued her life as a hero, she began to compromise with reality. At some point, there was an Elfride Batory who chose the sacrifice of the few for the many.
“…You’re right.”
Elfride was deeply impressed by Abel’s answer. His response, stemming from a righteous mindset, reminded her of a forgotten past thought.
Grateful for that, Elfride said to Abel.
“You truly are a real hero. Someday, you’ll become an even greater hero than someone like me.”
“Ah, you don’t need to flatter me like that. How could I ever surpass Elfride…”
“No, I mean it.”
The corner of Elfride’s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a warm smile.
Abel was slightly surprised by her expression.
He had seen her smile before, but it was the first time he saw such a gentle smile. Was it because she was drunk? Or was it because her emotions welled up while answering Elfride’s questions?
“You will definitely become a great hero.”
Her smile, illuminated under the light, looked incredibly beautiful.
#
After that, Elfride, in a good mood, declared that Abel could order any drink he wanted. Abel responded by ordering a lot of drinks, and the empty glasses alone filled the table.
Both their faces were now bright red. With the winner of the bet still undecided, Elfride spoke in a tipsy mood.
“…I wish Levius could be even half, no, a quarter like you.”
“…From what I see, that guy is hopeless, right? He must have received a lot of help from Selin, but the way he treats her is the problem. Even animals know to repay kindness, but that guy might be worse than an animal since he doesn’t even understand that.”
Elfride chuckled.
“I didn’t know you could be so sharp.”
“Ah… Was that too harsh?”
“No, you’re right. I too had expectations of Levius, but he always ended up disappointing.”
Elfride gave a bitter smile. Seeing her expression, Abel offered some consolation.
“…That must have been hard.”
“There were times like that. But it’s okay now. Abel, because I have you.”
“Huh?”
“You are the true junior hero. I will support you in every way. If you ever face any difficulties, feel free to tell me anytime!”
Elfride said this while puffing out her chest. Abel quickly turned his head away.
“Why are you doing that, Abel?”
“Ah… It’s nothing. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good! Feel free to talk to me anytime!”
Elfride didn’t realize it, but when she puffed out her chest, her chest was right in front of Abel’s eyes. That’s why Abel turned his head away.
Although Abel’s reaction was puzzling, Elfride didn’t mind and smiled.
“I want to get even closer to you in the future.”
“…Huh?”
Abel looked a bit surprised. Elfride wondered why he reacted like that, then realized what she said and quickly added.
“Ah, no. I didn’t mean it in any other way, just as friends…”
“Ah, I know. It just surprised me to hear it suddenly.”
Elfride felt relieved at Abel’s response. It was good that he took it purely as it was. But Abel, while drinking, thought to himself.
‘…I almost misunderstood.’
Abel emptied the remaining glass and said.
“If Elfride thinks of me that way, I’m happy.”
“…Is that so? I’m glad you think that way.”
“Then Elfride, are we friends from today?”
Abel said this while extending a hand. Elfride looked at his hand for a moment, then smiled and shook it.
“…Yes, let’s take care of each other from now on.”
“Likewise, I’ll be in your care.”
