Cheat Magician (Hazure Hantei) Chapter 227
Banquet's trap
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The banquet hall was in the shape of a circular dome, and facing the raised stage where the Imperial Family sits, there were three rows of about fifty people sitting facing each other, there were over three people attending.
In the center of the stage, I sat side by side with Seraphima, with Emperor Constant and Empress Lisaveta on either side.
Or rather, doesn't this look like a wedding reception?
"Everyone, I've kept you waiting. Now, let's begin the feast of celebration. Some of you may be familiar with him since we fought together in Leinef, but the man sitting next to Seraphima is Kent Kokubu. The man who defeated the Gigas and protected Barshania."
"Oooooohhhhhh ..."
The people who listened raptly to Constant-san's words roared, but unlike the enthusiastic one when he announced the start of the party, there was a mixed sound of confusion and doubt.
Maa, even from a distance, I'm far from muscular and I'm not tall.
In the eyes of the stalwart people standing in line, I'm sure I look unreliable.
"Some of you may have already heard, but Seraphima will leave Guryayev on the 16th of this month, on the rest day, and marry Kent Kokubu."
"Oooooohhhhhh ..."
No, no, I haven't heard that, when did it get decided, that plan.
"Barshania will deepen its ties with Kent Kokubu and proceed on the path of development under peace. Celebrate the New Year and auspicious occasion, tonight drink a lot, eat a lot, and enjoy yourselves a lot! Now, raise your cup, Glory to Barshania!"
"Glory to Barshania!"
Together with the participates, we toasted together with cups about the size of sake cups, and drank the alcohol in one breath.(TN:Sake cups are really small.)
Ugaa, hey, this, isn't it insanely strong.
From my esophagus to my stomach, it's as hot as a fire.
"Now, now, Kent-san, please enjoy your meal."
"Yes, thank you very much."
"Mother, taking care of Kent-sama is my duty."
"Ohohoho, right, I shouldn't take Sera's job."
"Yes, now, Kent-sama ..."
Ehh, is this aa~n under the public eye?
Just a bit, or rather, I'm pretty embarrassed ... But I can't refuse
"Ah~n ... Mogu mogu, Nnh! It's delicious."
"I'm glad it seems to suit your taste."
What Seraphima gave me was like steamed chicken.
It had a moist texture and a light scent of ginger and herbs, which eliminated the odor and enhanced the flavor.
The meat itself also seemed to be of good quality, and the more I chewed it, the deeper the richness began to seep out.
The other dishes were also wonderful, and I wasn't familiar with them, but it felt like they were the best of both Middle Eastern and Chinese styles.
"Now, Kent-sama, please have a drink. This is a different alcohol than before."
"Uwah, it smells amazing."
"Yes, it is a flower alcohol that is served at celebrations."
When I brought the cup close to my mouth, the scent of flowers wafted through the air.
When I put it in my mouth, it had a refreshing aroma and taste of fruit wine, and the scent of flowers lingered in the finish.
Exquisite food, exquisite alcohol, and Seraphima, who served me, was an exceptionally beautiful girl.
WIth this, I would have nothing to complain about if I weren't so exposed to the crowd.
The Princes of Barshania were sitting next to us in a line at the front of the stage, like everyone was relatives.
The four Princes stood up and walked in front of us.
Gregory, Joseph, Nicolae, and Staniera, the Princes lined up in order of age and were holding their respective cups.
"Kent Kokubu. If you do anything that makes Sera-chan cry, I won't forgive you."
"Yes, I understand."
"Please lend us your strength for the development of Barshania."
"Yes, I will do my best."
"I won't recognize you ... I give my blessing."
"Thank you very much."
"Why someone like you ... Take good care of Sera."
"Understood."
With words that make me tilt my head, whether they're blessings or resentment, my cup was filled with alcohol, conversely, I filled their cup, then we drank the alcohol.
The flower alcohol seemed to be a weaker drink compared to the alcohol used for toasting, but even so, if I drank four cups in a row, I would start getting drunk.
"Kent-san, excuse me for a moment."
"Ah!, yes ..."
"Gregory, please."
At that point Lisaveta-san excused herself, and although I was fine with the seat being vacant, instead, an expressionless Gregory sat next to me.
Then, immediately after Lisaveta-san left, there was movement in the audience.
The men sitting in the leftmost row stood up all at once and formed a line onto the stage.
Everyone had a cup in their hand, and a sake cup was prepared next to Gregory, who was waiting in line.
Did this mean that I had to accept everyone's alcohol?
Even though it's the size of a sake cup, isn't 300 cups unreasonable?
"My name is Ryuushin, and I am in charge of military affairs under Gregory-sama. Congratulations on this occasion."
"Ah!, thank you very much."
The middle-aged Ryuushin-san, who seemed to be the head of the non-royal military, poured alcohol with a wry smile on his face.
This flower alcohol seemed to be a little different, with a stronger scent of flowers.
1 person, 2 people, as I was drinking alcohol with them, I was getting more and more intoxicated, and my body was on fire.
"Kent-sama, how about some food?"
"Yup ... Fuu, fuu, thank you, Sera."
A sweet scent wafted from Seraphima, who took care of me so well, and my heart started pounding.
Perhaps the drunkenness was trying to remove my shackles of reason, and the desire to hug Seraphima was welling up.
[ Kent-sama, it would be better if you used self-healing for a bit. As expected, this number of opponents is impossible. ]
[ Ehh, ahh, yup, that's right ... ]
I forgot, but I was able to cure my hangover with self-healing, so I should be able to get out of my drunken state.
If I suddenly returned to sobriety, it might seem suspicious, so I used self-healing to reduce my intoxication to the extent that I wouldn't completely sober up.
By applying self-healing, the drunkenness could be reduced, but what could not be reduced would steadily accumulate in my bladder.
At times like this, what should I say to excuse myself.
"E, excuse me, Gregory-san, I would like to go to the toilet for a moment."
"Fumu, I don't mind. It's on the left side from the door over there."
"Thank you ... Ah!, everyone, I'm sorry ..."
As soon as I bowed my head to everyone who was queuing up to have a drink, I almost collapsed and sat down.
It looked like I would have to heal myself a little more.
But, I didn't dislike the fluffy feeling .. No, I rather liked it.
"Kent-sama, are you okay."
"Ah!, I'm okay, I'm okay ..."
I often hear that when people are asked if they're okay while drunk, they always answer that they're okay, but I wondered if that was how I was feeling right now.
In the end, I headed to the bathroom with Seraphima's support.
"Kent-sama, don't overdo it, it's fine to pretend you drank it."
"Is that so? But, then the next person won't be able to pour it in."
"It's okay, because the other party will also pretend to pour it."
"I see, that's how it is ... Ahh, but it feels good."
Mou, so fluffy and soft, warm, and smells good, it's the best.
When I left the banquet hall and was in front of the toilet, I couldn't stand it.
"Haa, haa ... Sera ..."
"Kent-sama, nnh ..."
I forcefully hugged Seraphima.
It seemed that there was a haze in my head, and the blood in my body seemed to be gathering in the lower part of my stomach.
"Sera ... Sera ... Sera ..."
"Kent-sama, we are still in the middle of the banquet ..."
"But, Sera ... I ..."
"Kent-sama, that's for later ..."
Seraphima, who unentwined our arms, persuaded me to enter the bathroom.
Yup, I've reached my limit.
At this rate, I felt like I would push Seraphima down on the stage of the banquet hall, so I tried to heal myself while taking care of business.
Perhaps because of that, I felt refreshed and the pink haze in my head had cleared.
At this age, to be under the influence of drunkenness ... It's unskillful.
"I'm sorry, Sera. I think I was a little too drunk."
"Are you okay, Kent-sama."
"Yup, let's go back."
"Yes."
I returned to the banquet hall and faced offensive drinking from the attendees.
I couldn't remember everyone's faces and names, but the people who served me were all important military and political posts in Barshania.
By the time I went to the toilet, less than one-third of the people had finished drinking.
I was told that I didn't have to force myself to drink, but when I was encouraged to do so, I ended up emptying the glass and feeling dizzy again.
I was surprised when Seraphima, sitting next to me, looked irresistibly charming and found myself pulling my arms around her waist.
I thought this was not good, so I went to the bathroom again, but my thoughts and body seemed to be separated, and I couldn't control myself.
As soon as I stepped out of the banquet hall into the hallway, I hugged Seraphima.
"Sera ... Sera, I already ..."
"Kent-sama ... No good, here is ..."
"Ha!, I'm sorry ..."
With what little reason was left in me, I ran into the bathroom.
I wondered what I was thinking when I was in the middle of a banquet attended by important national figures.
No matter how drunk I was, I was being too rude.
When I applied self-healing to completely cool down my drunkenness more powerfully than before, the rampaging desires subsided as if the tide had subsided.
"Haa ... Nn? Huh?"
[ What's wrong, Kent-sama. ]
[ This, no matter how you think, it's strange. Reinhardt. ]
As soon as I was sober, I felt a sense of incongruity, and instinctively spoke to Reinhardt via telepathy.
[ What do you mean is strange? ]
[ No matter how drunk I am, I feel too lewd. ]
[ Hahaa, Kent-sama, that's because of a drug. ]
[ A dose of poison? ]
[ No, it's not poisonous. It's probably some kind of aphrodisiac. It was after the Empress had left her seat that you received a drink from the attendees. ]
[ Ahh, now that I think about it, I feel like the scent of the flowers has gotten a little stronger. ]
There was something like an aphrodisiac mixed in with the alcohol that the attendees were drinking, and so that there was no such thing or kissing or touching due to that, Lisaveta-san must have excused herself.
If I didn't heal myself to the point that I wasn't actually drunk while acting drunk, I was likely to do something outrageous.
[ Wouldn't it be better to follow along with Barshania's plan instead. ]
[ No, no, after returning to Volzard, what kind of horrible things will happen if it's found out ... ]
After completely sobering up, I went out of the bathroom, but since I was afraid that I would be suspected by suddenly becoming sober, I kissed Seraphima on the cheek.
Yup, forgive me for this ... I hope as much.
While pretending to be drunk, I returned to the banquet hall and continued to drink while pretending to be drunk.
The aphrodisiac mixed with this alcohol seemed to be quite strong, and even if I knew it, I would be washed away if I let my guard down.
While continuing to act, it seemed like I was in a state of self-healing all the time, so I was getting quite tired.
Every time I went to the bathroom, I went out into the hallway and pretended to be lustful.
But, Seraphima seemed to be drinking the same alcohol little by little, her eyes were looking sleepy, and she was looking more and more passionate, it was hard to put up with this even if I wasn't intoxicated or under the effect of aphrodisiacs.
By the time I finished drinking with everyone in attendance, I was barely drunk, but I was exhausted.
"Hohou, it's a big deal to drink everyone's alcohol, but as expected, there are various limits. Sera, please guide him to the bedroom for tonight."
"Yes, Father ..."
"Oooooohhhhhh ..."
Seraphima supported me while I was pretending to be drunk, and when I was about to leave the banquet hall, the participants, who knew the plan, let out a roar of resentment.
I mean, the guy who calls her Sera-chan, Seraphima is mine.
Hey, maybe I'm a little drunk again.
"Kent-sama ... Please, follow me ..."
"Ah!, yup ..."
Seraphima, who seems to be intoxicated with alcohol and the aphrodisiac, has her usual pale skin dyed vermillion, and her listless gaze was very sexy.
I was guided to a separate room, and beyond the living room with a sofa and a table, there was a large bedroom.
The bed alone was about 6 tatami mats in size, and it was a spacious bedroom that made it look like a normal sized bed.
"Kent-sama, here is some water to soothe you ..."
"Thank you."
Seraphima poured cold water into a cup from a jug on the side table.
It felt good to have cold water running down my throat and into my stomach, I couldn't get enough of the intense floral scent.
Seraphima also drank the water she had poured herself into her cup in a single breath.
"Kent-sama, I yearn for you."
"Sera ..."
I fell down on the bed while embracing Seraphima, who entrusted me with her all.
I embraced Seraphima tightly and activated healing magic.
In order to free myself and Seraphima from the effects of the aphrodisiac.
"This is, Kent-sama?"
"Did you sober up?"
"Since when did you notice it?"
"Nn~ ... Maybe after the second time I stood in the bathroom."
With eyes that had regained the color of reason, Seraphima stared at me.
"Do you dislike me ... ?"
"Nope, that's not it. Sera is very attractive."
"Then, why ..."
"I don't like it. I don't want to be robbed of my reason by an aphrodisiac and let my instincts go like a beast."
"Is that so. To be honest, when Kent-sama stood in the bathroom for the second time, I felt terrified."
"As I thought ..."
"Yes, your eyes were bloodshot, and I thought I would be pushed down in the corridor ..."
"Yup, now that I actually think about it, I think it was pretty bad."
I probably stopped because I still had a little reason left, and because I didn't know what to do because I had no experience.
If I had experience with women, there was a high possibility that I would have gone on a rampage.
"I feel like my mother was a little impatient."
"Is that so? But, I don't think there's any need to rush."
"Kent-sama, you are more important to the people around you than you think you are. No matter what country you look in, you shouldn't be able to find someone who can defeat three Gigases alone."
"It wasn't just my power, it was because everyone in my genus cooperated with me ..."
"Kent-sama is the reason for the success of your genus, and if you have that much power, you won't have any financial problems."
"Maa, I don't think I'm too worried about money."
"My mother seems to think that since Kent-sama can't be moved by profit, there is no choice but to move you by emotion."
"Is that why she is rushing the relationship between me and Seraphima?"
"Yes, I am terribly sorry."
That's fine, but I was still hugging Seraphima the whole time.
The aphrodisiac's effect should have been gone, but at a distance where we could feel each other's breath, my heart started to pound.
"Kent-sama ..."
"Y, yes, what is it."
"Tonight, can I stay with you?"
"Umm, that, that kind of act should be done after the marriage is over ... Then."
"Then, before we go to bed, why don't you wash off your sweat?"
"Ah~ ... What should I do."
"Fufufu, there is no caretaker, and the temperature of the water is not too high."
"Then it's safe ... Rather, did you know?"
"I heard that it was a ritual to purify oneself before the wedding ceremony."
"It's good that I can use healing magic, but I think it's at the level of torture for a normal person."
"Maa, I apologize for that. I will have to chastise my father later."
Damnit, then that was instigated by Emperor Constant.
The bathhouse that Seraphima guided me to was not as large as a public bath, but it was large enough for about three adults to stretch out and soak in.
I was sweating a lot at the banquet, so I poured hot water over myself before soaking in the bathtub.
Unlike the hot water earlier, the slightly warm water seemed to melt away the tiredness of my body and mind.
If I put my head on the edge of the bathtub and closed my eyes, I might fall asleep.
"Excuse me ..."
"Ehh?"
I heard the sound of the bathroom door opening, and when I turned my eyes toward the voice, Seraphima came in wearing a bathing suit.
"Ehh, hey ..."
"Is it okay to soak in the hot water together?"
"No, I don't mind, but ..."
"Then, please excuse me."
When Seraphima started pouring hot water over herself, her bathing suit got wet ... And I was at a loss as to where to look.
"Excuse me ..."
"Ehh, eeehhh ..."
With a mischievous smile on her face, Seraphima turned around in front of me and immersed herself in the hot water, leaning against me with her back.
"Kent-sama, I hear that being too patient is not good for your body ..."
"No, no, that's no good, no good ..."
"Is that so. I am mentally prepared."
"Fuhiya! No, no good, today is no good ..."
When I let my guard down, Seraphima stroked my stomach with her tail and I made a strange noise.
I mean, we're going to sleep in the same bed after this, but can my reason endure it.