Seeing their goddess sprawled on the ground with her arms and legs spread wide like a starfish, most of the Loki Familia could only shake their heads.
A few giggled under their breath, saying she deserved it.
"Please quit this perverse behavior."
Lefiya scolded, hands planted on her hips.
"Gahh... you've gotten stronger, Lefiya. Fair play."
Loki said as she sat up and dusted herself off.
"Loki, we've once again returned with no casualties. We have much to discuss, but perhaps at a later time."
Finn reported as Loki climbed back to her feet.
"Yeah, you've got a point."
"But first things first."
She said with a grin, turning around to face her children.
"Welcome back, everyone."
The trickster goddess said, the smile on her face was completely genuine.
"Glad to be back, Loki."
"I'm sure there are a lot of problems we have to review and investigate, but since all of you just returned, rest is the current priority."
Two weeks had passed since the expedition started.
They had spent two weeks fighting monsters nonstop, navigating the dungeon, and hauling loot and drop items from over fifty floors deep.
It was not wrong to say that almost everyone was exhausted, both physically and mentally.
The Twilight Manor, which had grown quiet in their absence, became lively once again.
"Oh right! Tonight, we're heading to the Hostess of Fertility to celebrate the expedition and Judas' new alias!"
Loki announced with a goofy grin.
"YEAAAAH!!!"
The cheer that followed was loud enough to rattle the windows.
...
When night came, the Loki Familia arrived at the Hostess of Fertility and celebrated to their hearts' content.
A chorus of laughter and overlapping conversations filled the air, creating a chaotic yet lively atmosphere.
Some had already gotten drunk, their faces flushed red.
One of them, of course, was Loki, who had already begun making a scene.
"To a successful expedition! To breaking our floor record! And to Judas, for receiving his first title!"
She shouted, raising her cup of ale while standing on her chair with one foot propped up on the table.
The moment she finished, the chair wobbled beneath her.
She went down exactly as expected.
thunk
"Ark!"
Sprawled on the floor for the second time that day, Loki raised one arm and gave a thumbs up.
"I'm alright."
Seeing this, most couldn't help but laugh out loud. Even some of the waitresses struggled to hold back their giggles.
"Loki, maybe it wasn't a good idea to do that while you're drunk."
Finn said, shaking his head.
"Congratulations on your alias, Judas."
Lefiya said quietly from beside him.
"Veneratus Est, huh? It has a nice ring to it. I like it."
Gareth added with an approving nod.
"Thanks."
Judas said, and that was when a tray full of food appeared in front of him.
He turned to find Syr standing there, flashing him with a bright smile.
"This one's on the house, courtesy of yours truly. So you'd better appreciate it."
She said, pointing a finger at him.
"I appreciate it, Syr."
Hearing that, Syr's smile widened and she walked off looking thoroughly pleased with herself.
'Hm... maybe I'll try a drink while I'm at it. I haven't had beer in this life yet.'
Judas thought, eyeing the mug sitting in front of him.
He picked it up and took a few long gulps until it was about half empty.
'Yeah... tastes like piss. As expected.'
He set it back down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
stare
When Judas noticed a pair of golden eyes fixed on him... or more specifically, on his mug... he turned to the person beside him.
"Ais?"
Judas called out.
The golden-haired girl blinked, curiosity evident in her eyes.
'Loki and Gareth drink this so much and make it look like the best thing in the world… I wonder if it's actually that good.'
Ais thought, tilting her head.
A faint memory surfaced... she vaguely recalled drinking something like this as a child, though everything after that became hazy.
She also vaguely remembered Riveria sitting her down afterward and telling to never drink it again.
'I was a kid back then… I'm an adult now… maybe… maybe…'
"Ais, do you want some?"
Judas offered the mug toward her.
In his mind, it was simple enough.
Ais had the Abnormal Resistance development ability.
A few sips of beer wasn't going to do anything to her.
'Just keep it moderate and it'll be fine.'
That's what he thought.
"Can I?"
Ais said softly, reaching out and taking the mug.
She brought it to her nose and sniffed.
'It smells... strange.'
The unfamiliar scent made her wrinkle her nose slightly.
She drank anyway, feeling it slide down her throat.
"Ais! What are you doing!?"
Riveria's head snapped toward her, eyes going wide.
"Oh damn."
Gareth froze mid-drink.
"This is bad."
Even Finn had started sweating.
'What's with everyone's reaction?'
Judas looked between them, genuinely puzzled.
Then he turned to Ais.
Her face had gone completely red.
Her eyes were glassy and unfocused.
She was, beyond any question, absolutely hammered.
What Judas hadn't known was that Ais had zero alcohol tolerance.
Quite literally zero.
"Monster..."
The word left her lips as she drew her sword and sliced the table cleanly in half.
The crack of splitting wood rang out across the bar as plates, cups and cutlery scattered in every direction.
"Ais? What's wrong?"
Lefiya called out, but Ais was well past the point of hearing her properly.
She had already turned her attention to anything that moved and started swinging.
"Kyaa!"
"Aah!"
"Urgh!"
Bodies hit the floor one after another as chaos rippled through the bar.
"Sword Princess, calm down."
Ryuu and the other waitresses, all Level 4, tried to restrain her, only to be sent crashing into the walls.
"Everyone! Ais is drunk, restrain her now!"
Finn shouted over the noise.
hiccup
Ais turned and pointed her sword directly at Judas.
"Womanizers like you... hiccup... must be punished."
She said, and closed the distance in an instant.
Judas barely got out of the way in time, narrowly avoided having his chest sliced open.
"Alright, that's enough."
Gareth appeared behind her and locked her in a chokehold.
Ais struggled, thrashing violently, but Gareth held firm... until she finally went limp, clearly passed out.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BAR!?"
Mia's furious shout echoed through the establishment as her eyes swept across the broken tables, overturned chairs and the hole in the wall where Anya was seen hanging there like a painting.
"Meow~"
Her eyes spun as stars orbited her head.
In the end, Judas stepped forward and took responsibility, apologizing before paying for the damages himself.
Once everything had calmed down and some semblance of order had been restored, Finn pulled him aside and shared a piece of familia knowledge that apparently nobody had thought to mention before now.
"Ais is not allowed anywhere near alcohol. Ever."
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