Chapter 108

At first, I didn’t understand what it meant. To create a sorcerer, did it mean entering the realm of creating homunculi? The creation of life was the domain of the gods, not something a mere mortal could ever reach.

“Well, I’m not sure what that means, but…”

“Come on, you know what I mean…”

“Unfortunately, I’m not interested in that kind of thing.”

Creating new life? That sounded like something a mad scientist from the apocalypse would think of. I wasn’t interested in fighting or struggles. What I cared about was a peaceful life, like the “heart of plants.” Sure, I might have sounded like some serial killer, but I genuinely wanted a peaceful life.

Even though working as an Imperial Sorcerer was exhausting, as long as I handled a certain amount of work, I could live a tranquil life. It was a long, winding road. A really, really long one.

As I said that, I tried to take a sip of coffee.

“But you did it with Glacia, didn’t you?”

I almost spat out my coffee. So Glacia told Airi about that. This is why women who can’t keep their mouths shut are troublesome…

“…At that time, I had no choice because I was drunk. Listen carefully, alcohol is the most terrifying demon that controls the human mind…”

In truth, not a single drop of alcohol was involved, but I had no choice but to lie. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to hold a woman like Airi. I’m a man full of desires, and I really like Airi.

But I had to consider the cost of making that choice. Even if Zick cared for Werner, he wouldn’t care for him as much as his daughter. And if that daughter lost her purity to a 29-year-old uncle right after turning 18? Even I would go berserk.

“Then we just need to drink. It’s a coming-of-age ceremony, after all… It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink… No, it’s my first time trying alcohol.”

“Did I just hear something outrageous…?”

“Ah~ Don’t worry about it.”

Airi raised her hand and ordered the strongest drink in the store. The clerk brought out a bottle of liquor in a red container. I could tell just by looking at the color and design. That’s “Tears of the Water Dragon.”

The so-called “Tears of the Water Dragon” was an in-game item that could inflict a drunken status effect on enemies. It wasn’t actually made from dragon blood, but from fruits from the dragon’s habitat, a small amount of drake bone powder, and clean water from the north. It looked and was described as white wine, but its alcohol content was over 60%. How wine could have such a high alcohol content… Well, just think of it as a game or fantasy allowance.

They actually brought this out…

“Ahaha… I asked for the strongest drink, and they brought out something that looks like a soft drink… No, it’s a really strong liquor.”

“Well, it’s a spirit with over 60% alcohol content. It’s famous for knocking out even seasoned drinkers. It’s also ridiculously expensive.”

One bottle of this was worth two months of a guard’s salary. I had my account back, and I received a bonus from the Imperial family, so I could afford this kind of drink. The problem was that I didn’t prefer alcohol.

“Just one glass.”

I poured about half a glass of “Tears of the Water Dragon” into Airi’s wine glass. After all, it had health benefits and was good for the heart, so drinking a little wouldn’t hurt. Besides, alcohol should be learned from a proper adult. It’s better to learn from a Confucian gentleman like me than from a messed-up adult like Melissa.

I, Werner, descendant of Dionysus, will teach proper drinking culture.

“First, before drinking such a delicate drink, wipe your mouth with a napkin. The grease or sauce from food can ruin the taste and aroma of the drink. And usually, the first taste is done by a man. When tasting, tilt the glass toward the light to check the color. Clear drinks like Tears of the Water Dragon usually have no sediment and have a light green or pale yellow hue.”

I tilted the glass toward the candlelight. Indeed, a clear pale yellow appeared.

“Next, you lightly sniff the aroma. Poorly stored wine will smell like rotten wood or vinegar.”

Sniffing the wine, it felt like I was inhaling the concentrated essence of tropical fruits. It also woke me up like a light nap.

“Finally, you check the taste. You let a little linger in your mouth, rolling it gently on your tongue to slowly savor the flavor.”

As I said that, I let a little wine linger in my mouth. It was sweet, like melting sugar, but not the sticky, heavy sweetness of sugar or saccharin. It was slightly tangy, making the corners of my mouth curl up in pleasure. The hidden acidity accentuated the sweetness.

While it lingered in my mouth, a refreshing fruity aroma spread through my nose. And as I swallowed, a deep, profound aroma enveloped my entire body.

Ah, damn, there’s a reason it’s expensive. It paired perfectly with the sautéed skate that came with the meal.

Airi quickly followed my lead and made a blissful expression, as if the wine was delicious. But it seemed more like she was a seasoned drinker who hadn’t had alcohol in a long time. Maybe it was just my imagination.

“Then will you drink the rest, Master? What will you do after drinking it all? Maybe…”

“I’ll just have one glass and take the rest home.”

“Then Camelian Peony might drink it…”

“Ah, that would be troublesome…”

“Should we just drink it all?”

Damn it, that was the only answer. If Camelian Peony saw this strong liquor, something would definitely happen. She’s the kind of woman who could take down an orc army while drunk on weak wine.

But showing her this strong liquor? The capital would be in ruins that day. For the peace of the capital, as an Imperial Sorcerer, it was my duty to handle all of this liquor.

—

Master was staggering after just a drink of “Tears of the Water Dragon.” Back when he was holed up alone, he would gulp down even stronger drinks while immersed in research. It was research he couldn’t endure while sober.

As I supported my drunken master and stepped out into the street, the dazzling night view of the cityscape struck my eyes. I hadn’t realized it before, but every moment spent with Master like this was a treasure to me.

But as always, pests appeared to disrupt that moment.

“Hey, where are you going with your drunk lover?”

“Hey, why not ditch the drunk guy and play with us? Huh?”

These pests were everywhere. They only approached based on looks or body.

“We’re on a date, so scram before I kill you.”

“Wow, such harsh words. It’s a shame to hear such things from an angelic face like yours.”

Damn it… I can’t use my strength, so these pests… I’m starting to understand why Glacia hated that so-called otherworldly hero.

“Don’t be so stiff~ Just have one drink with us~?”

The guy tried to grab my hand. I guess I’ve been too kind lately.

“Dark spirits that corrode the earth, open your mouths. It’s feeding time.”

Then, their shadows opened their mouths and swallowed them whole. Since there were no people around, killing these trash wouldn’t be a problem. They deserved to die for interrupting my time alone with Master.

Looking up at the sky, the moon shone beautifully. After Master left, I always looked at the moon alone, lost in memories, but now it was different. Master was by my side, and he would always be with me.

“It’s pretty funny hearing that from someone responsible for that death, don’t you think?”

Suddenly, the damn crow sent by the bratty god was perched on my shoulder. When did it fly here? I definitely locked it in a cage.

“Ah~ Did you think a mere cage could stop a divine messenger? You’re not as smart as I thought, huh?”

“Shut up, damn brat. Give me back the contract with the Spirit Kings. That’s mine.”

“Ah, you only got that contract because of your Master over there. And I told you, no special privileges for regressors.”

I wanted to snap the crow’s neck, but I couldn’t. I had a contract with that damn bratty god.

“So what’s the deal with that so-called otherworldly hero we saw?”

“Ah, that? There was an idiot who jumped off a bridge saying he wanted to go to another world, so I just called him over to watch…”

The crow grimaced as it spoke.

“Well, that damn guy said, ‘Loli goddess! You fell for me and killed me… You’re so cruel, Yurusenai!’ and charged at me, so I just tossed him aside. But when I say ‘tossed aside,’ I accidentally sent him to this planet…”

“So you mistook the trash bin to throw him in, huh?”

“Honestly, those kinds of guys are annoying.”

“Yeah, I agree.”

If that kind of guy approached me, I’d melt him with magic right away.

“But why are you here?”

“I want to permanently return one of your contracts with the Spirit Kings. And while I’m at it, I’ll give you some mana back.”

“Really?”

With just that, I could easily handle most pests.

But then I regained my senses and remembered one truth. That bratty god with a nasty personality would never give it back for free.

“Ah, you caught me. What a shame…”

“What’s the condition?”

“That Black Round Table or whatever is really annoying lately. I could send my apostles, but… it’s too much trouble, so I’m asking you to handle it.”