CH 49

“I was able to successfully complete my promotion to Bronze-class. I’ll have to thank you both next time.”

Soya took out his newly completed bronze-class adventurer’s card from the breast pocket of his suit and showed it to Mia and Merylou.

“Ohh, It’s so shiny. I guess you won’t have to worry about burning it again, huh?”

“It’s not easy to reissue a lost bronze-class bronze. So I’ll take care of it properly.”

Souya smiled bitterly as he remembered that he had burned his blank-class adventurer’s card at Marylou’s suggestion. Mia remained silent, staring at the bronze-class adventurer’s card that Souya was holding.

“Not long before I became silver-class, my bronze-class certificate was tainted by a greenish-blue tint, but if it’s Souya, you might be able to get up there before that happens.”

“I’m not going to rush up, and there’s the request limit too, so I’m going to aim for further advancement …… Oh, it’s here.”

The waitress brought over to the table two mugs of malt beer poured into wooden mugs and a wooden cup with milk in it.

“Souya, are you okay with beer? I’ve ordered enough for both of us.”

“Even here, the first beer is barleywine …… Well, that’s fine. Thanks.”

Souya didn’t usually drink beer, but he felt bad for Merylou, who had thoughtfully ordered it for him, so he didn’t complain. Instead, he ordered a straight whiskey from the waitress who brought it to him.

“Mia told me that she doesn’t drink alcohol, she drinks milk. Was it a doctrinal issue? She’s very strict, isn’t she, the Earth Mother Goddess Mikaela.”

“…… I’m sorry I couldn’t drink with you two. As long as I reach the age of twenty, it would be fine even with the teachings of the Earth Mother Goddess Mikaela.”

As Mia held the glass of milk in her hand, she apologized to them. In any case, she was underage, and it would be better for her health if she did not drink alcohol.

“It’s not something to be forced into. Anyway, Mia-kun, are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“What? …… Yes. I’m fine. I’m not tired from the trip anymore and I am eating well.”

Mia didn’t say much today. The last adventure may have been too much for her. Fortunately, the prize money from the subjugation of the Silver Demon was enough to cover her living expenses for a few months, so she didn’t seem to be in dire need of another request. It would not be a bad idea to wait until a low-risk request came in.

“I’m going to start …… Well, the adventure wasn’t all good, was it? …… This time, we’re celebrating Souya’s promotion to Bronze-class …… Is that right? Cheers.”

Merylou led the toast. For a wood elf, she seemed to be quite used to the world, and Souya was impressed by the way she was in charge. Perhaps thinking of the outcome of the previous request, the three of them modestly held up their drinks and sipped on the ones they each had in their hands.

After a few moments of idle chatter, the waitress brought out the herb-roasted young chicken that Merylou had probably ordered …… There were five servings. In addition to this, a bowl of potato salad was placed in the middle of the table.

“What ……? Merylou-kun. Did you order this?”　

“Yes, I did. I ordered it. Don’t worry, I’ll eat three servings.”

Merylou was staring at the chicken with her eyes sparkling. Souya felt a little sick at the sight of the formation of five plates of chicken covering the table, surrounding a bowl of potato salad placed in the middle, and held his mouth involuntarily.

“…… What’s the matter, Souya? You’re much younger than me, but it’s no good if you’re like that.”

“Unfortunately, I’m not young. Please don’t lump me in with a Wood Elf, who secluded for a hundred years and have stopped growing. “

Souya complained to Merylou, who equated the ages of humans and wood elves. The Wood Elves are supposed to be herbivores, but the Wood Elves that go on journeys seem to be different in some way. The wood elf I knew twenty years ago ate meat as well. The legend that elves are herbivores may actually be wrong.

“…… Oh? Who said their breasts stopped growing at a disappointing rate?”

“I never said that.”

Before long, Merylou had a wooden mug of red wine in her hand. Souya remembered that after the toast, while waiting for the food, she had refilled the alcohol. It didn’t seem to be a problem yet, but from the look of her, she seemed like the type who would be troublesome when drunk, so he might need to be careful.

“Here. Souya-san.”

Mia put a bowl of potato salad on a small plate and handed it to Souya. In the same way, she and Merylou finished putting the potato salad on their plates and served it to them.

“Thank you, Mia-kun. I’m sorry for making you feel uncomfortable.”

“No …… Um, Souya-san.”

When Mia got up from her seat, she put her mouth close to Souya’s ear and whispered.

“Um …… What are you going to do from now on, Souya-san?”

Mia whispered this in Souya’s ear.

“…… What am I going to do? What do you mean by that, Mia-kun?”

Soya didn’t understand Mia’s intentions and asked a question in return.

“Ah, no …… It means as it is.”

“Hey …… Mia, what is it? What are you doing talking to Souya in secret?”

Merylou pointed out that Mia had overheard her. She was a little drunk, but her voice was a little louder. Perhaps the stares of the surrounding customers bothered her, but she returned to her seat, looking uncomfortably downcast.

“…… Tch, what the heck. Were you planning to have an affair with Souya after this?”

“Wha …… T-That’s not true! Merylou-san, what are you saying in such a public place!”

Mia’s face turned red and she couldn’t take it anymore, she reached out with both hands and pinched both of Merylou’s cheeks.

“…… This is what you get!”

“W-w-w-wait, stop it, O-o-o-ouch!”

When he saw Mia leaning forward and slapping Merylou’s cheek, Souya almost blew up, but he quickly stopped herself.

“Kuku, Mia-kun, it’s not like you’re not drunk because of the milk …… If you have something to say, it would be helpful if you could tell me in plainly.”

Souya smiled, who had a new order, slurping down a shot glass of whiskey, and asked Mia a straightforward question about her somewhat strange behavior.

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