CH 135

The day before entering the dungeon, Mayer suddenly called for me. As we were about to set forth on a large-scale raid, I presumed we would be going over our plan of attack again. But, when I dashed over, what he had to say was completely random. “I did not know you were so tolerant of bribes.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I hear you took the liquor Tragula gave.”

He must have heard from Mary! Although it was bewildering that he would bring this up at this point, I wasn’t surprised that he knew. Nevertheless, I could understand when considering the man’s usual behavior. “I didn’t really intend on accepting… but he just left it there. It would’ve been a bit of a waste to throw it away, no?” I replied disinterestedly.

“Oh? So what outstanding brand did he bring? How about you allow me a look?”

I wondered if he would even recognize the name. Figuring that showing reluctance would only upset him, I sent word for the bottle of liquor to be brought over. “This is it.”

Receiving the bottle, Mayer eyed it with cold contempt. In my hands, the bottle looked like a wine or beer bottle, but in his, it looked like a soju bottle. He frowned and shook the bottle this way and that. “This? A waste to throw away?” He had omitted “the mere likes of”, but his tone conveyed the full meaning of his words.

“Well, I’m not as rich as you are, Captain. For a commoner’s taste, this is plenty enough to be called a high-quality drink.”

“Is that right?”

“Right indeed. Back in the first playthrough, I didn’t get to even try this level of… Wait a second now, what are you doing!?” I cried out in shock. While I was talking, Mayer had uncorked the bottle and was pouring it out on the floor with a calm face. He looked right in the head, but was he actually crazy? The sound of pouring liquid, the smell of alcohol, and the sight of golden whiskey spreading across the carpet. All these things combined sent my mind reeling in confusion. The poor carpet ended up drinking it all. And that carpet must be expensive too… I watched the scene in disbelief for a moment before regaining my senses. Barely managing a forced smile, I asked, “Uh, Captain? I’m asking because I don’t understand, but… Why the heck did you do that?”

“I merely got rid of it as you seemed unable to do the job,” Mayer replied shamelessly. He even said it in a tone of only having done what he had to do, which made my jaw drop. As if consoling a four-year-old, he continued, “Treasuring something like this… You must not drink any random thing, Jun Karentia. You must only put what is safe in your mouth.”

I could swear that the worst thing to ever enter my mouth was his tongue! Not that I could bring myself to retort with that. Struggling to contain my temper, I hissed, “That’s why I even asked August to purify it…! It was safe and clean!”

“All done in vain. It was not worth going to that trouble.”

If I had to meet Mayer’s standards of alcohol, I would have to stop drinking outright. As I was about to say something about the thoughtlessness of the grand duke, the apex of nobility, regarding money, Mayer said, “Better that I give you the key to the Knox family’s wine cellar, so you can drink whatever you wish.”

…Now that made for a different story. My grievances disappeared completely. But was he for real? A precious wine cellar was way better than a treasury or armory. I asked cautiously for confirmation, “You’ve given me permission. It’ll be troublesome if you go back on your words later.”

“I never go back on my words.”

“Then exactly how long will I be allowed access…? Do I have to return the key after we defeat the demon lord and I leave Nochtentoria Castle…?”

“I never take away what I have given, Jun Karentia. What in the world do you think of me?”

Mayer frowned as if his pride was injured. I swiftly entered flattery mode, simpering. “But of course, I know how magnanimous you are, Captain. But what will you do if I end up drinking everything in the cellar?”

“Even though I was aware you were a drunkard, well… Yes. I will not say a thing even if you were to make off with everything in there.” Mayer shook his head in amazement.

I was so happy that I wanted to scream inside. Never did I imagine that the magnificent legacy accumulated over fifty generations of the grand Knox family would fall into my hands!

Chuckling, Mayer asked, “Does that make you so happy?”

I didn’t bother asking if it showed on my face. Even I could tell that my expression was out of control right now. Instead of answering, I smiled broadly and nodded. But perhaps I had been over-expressing my joy as the slight smile on Mayer’s lips faded and his face hardened. Was I acting too much like the wine cellar was mine…? Feeling embarrassed, I wiped the smile off my face. It was necessary to be modest at times. I seemed to be too excited about getting the key to the Knox family’s wine cellar. Clearing my throat, I offered a sincere word of thanks. “Hem-hem. Thank you very much for the wine cellar key… But why did you suddenly call me over? It wasn’t just to get rid of that bottle, was it?”