CH 52

Chapter 52 - After the Party

Merylou, the drunken elf, was sitting on a chair, dozing and slumbering. Her face was bright red, her head was turned down, and her eyes were half-closed. From the looks of it, she would need to cool down a bit before she could regain her normal liveliness.

“You don’t seem to be a drinker, but your pace was probably too fast. You should drink this.”

Souya handed Merylou a glass of orange juice that the waitress had brought over. She had already finished eating the herb-roasted young chicken and potato salad that had been served, and was enjoying a shot glass of whiskey with walnuts. The whiskey was young, not very aged, and not mellow enough to be of good quality, but since the party was Merylou’s treat, Souya deliberately ordered something cheap. If you are asking for something of good quality, it should be an opportunity to enjoy it personally.

“…… Merylou-san, if you are not feeling well, I can use Cure Poison.”

“…… No. No, thank you. This drunkenness is the best part of the party …… Don’t ever use it. I’ll wake up to the excitement with sickness”

She shook her head, held out her hands, rejected Mia’s worried suggestion, took a deep breath, and then downed the glass of orange juice in one gulp. She had said something plausible to Mia, but she might have had her own agenda.

“Fuh …… I’m sorry, both of you. You have to look after me.”

Merylou put her empty cup on the table, crossed her arms, stretched, and gave a big yawn.

“It’s nothing to be concerned about. By the looks of it, I think you’ll be fine without the Cure Poison.”

Souya was used to dealing with bosses with bad drinking habits, so this was something he was used to. Mia, who was unexpectedly hugged, and Seran, a young man in a long black coat who came to visit Souya, were some of the victims, but they didn’t cause any trouble to the store or the customers, so I’d say they were within the acceptable range.

Mia, who had been eating slowly, had just finished the herb-roasted young chicken and potato salad that had been served. Merylou seemed to be feeling better by now, and she started to eat the remaining third plate of young chicken. Souya was impressed with her large appetite. Perhaps it was just a myth that wood elves ate so little.

After finishing all the food served, the party ended after about two hours of chatting, and the three of them left the adventurer’s tavern. The sun had already set and the darkness of the night was beginning to turn the landscape black, but there was still a steady stream of people coming and going on the street where the adventurers were concentrated.

Souya, who had had just enough to drink, felt comfortable in the cool night breeze and watched Mia and Merylou talking about something.

The adventurer’s inn was right next to the tavern. It was a little early, but it wouldn’t be a bad choice to go to sleep in a tipsy mood.

“Souya-san. I’ve decided to share a room with Merylou-san for the time being. The accommodation will be a little cheaper.”

“That’s good. We’ll both feel safer if you’re together.”

The idea of sharing a room with the girls had come from a sense of danger due to Merylou’s drunkenness, but it seemed like a good idea.

In addition to saving on living expenses, the most important thing was that they would be safer together. The adventurer’s inn was undoubtedly one of the best accommodations in Ilstadt, but even so, the risk of theft and other crimes could not be completely eliminated. Two people would certainly be safer than one. Also, Mia was a bit mentally unstable, so it was reassuring to have Merylou with her.

Of course, since they were living together, it would be important for them to get along well, but from what I’d seen of their communication so far, it didn’t seem to be a problem.

“Hey, Souya. Have you noticed that when we talk?”

“…… No. What are you talking about?”

“About the room share. Three people in a room will save us a lot of money, and we’ll both have security. Souya can join us.”

Merylou took Souya’s arm, as if she still had some alcohol left in her, and with a smirk on her face, she looked up at him and invited him to join her.

“…… Merylou-kun, are you still drunk?”

Souya looked down at Merylou, who was entangled in his arm, with a cold look, as if he was trying to be cruel. 

“I’m talking rationally. What about you, Mia? You don’t mind if Souya goes with us, do you?”

“Ermmm ……”

When Mia was suddenly asked a question by Merylou, she looked troubled and made a gesture like she’s thinking.

“…… If I had to choose between if it’s good and bad, I would say it’s good. It’s reassuring to have Souya around …… Ah, but I feel like there will be a lot of problems with that.”

“You can’t take the jokes of a drunk seriously, Mia-kun. Merylou-kun, let me clearly decline that.”

For Souya, it was not good to be rumored that he was taking in two young women while wearing the title of demon slayer. Since this is the second time that he’s been transferred to another world, Souya’s character as a gentleman might be ruined.

“…… What, didn’t you agree to share a room?”

“That’s about you and Mia-kun. Me being in there is not included. Well, I’ll think about it if I’m forced to do so in the future.”

“…… What do you mean, Souya? What is the situation where you’re forced to do that?”

Merylou glared at Souya and complained. Souya didn’t expect she’d accept that, so he pretended to think it over. 

“If the two of you are in danger, for example, it would be better for me to be there.”

“…… Hmph, being careful in a weird way. What an unkind fellow …… Never mind, I’ll just get along with Mia.”

Merylou swears and lets go of Souya’s arm, grabbing Mia’s arm instead. It was surprising to see such a friendly side to a woman who had such an easy outlook on life and death, probably due to the remaining alcohol in her system. She, who had left her hometown of Yggdrasil Forest, and until recently had been holed up in the Thrail Forest. The ghost boy that she called a friend has also passed away, and she may be feeling lonely for some reason.

(Oh dear, that’s not very nice …… Hmm?)

At that time, Souya noticed someone’s gaze. It wasn’t Mia or Merylou, but someone else. Souya didn’t want anyone to know about it, so he continued the conversation as if it was natural.

“Well, please both of you take a good rest at the inn today. I have some business to attend to.”

Souya urged both Mia and Merylou to go back to their rooms.

“Business …… at this time of night? …… Souya, didn’t you say you didn’t know much about the city?”

“I just said that I have not been in Ilstadt for a long time and do not know much about the city’s situation. Besides, it’s a business that can only be done at night.”

“…… Only at night? …… Aha …… I see …… So that’s why rejected my proposal.”

Merylou seemed to have come to some kind of realization. She smiled and took Mia’s hand in hers.

“Mia, let’s get some rest for today. We don’t want to get in the way of his adult fun.”

“Adult fun ……? Do you know where Souya-san is going, Merylou-san?”

When Merylou whispered in Mia’s ear, Mia blushed and looked complicated, then turned away from Souya.

It seemed that Merylou had blown something into her mind, but now seemed not to be the time to confirm or excuse it. Someone’s gaze on Souya hadn’t ceased since a while ago.

“So long, Souya. Don’t play around too much at night. There are many dangerous places.”

“Yes. I will do it in moderation. Good night. Mia-kun, Merylou-kun.”

It seems like I’m misunderstood after all, but fortunately the conversation itself has become natural, so it is better to go along with it for now.

(– Well. I wonder who’s been watching me since a while ago. I guess I’ll try to see if they’ll take my bait.)

After saying goodbye to Mia and Merylou, Souya took his cloak from the dimension box and put it on, then walked quickly through the night streets. 

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