"You!!"
At first I thought Ben had shouted at him.
I thought it was well deserved since he was very thorough when it came to my 'health' and had the aspect of a berserker, but what I heard next instilled doubt in my thoughts.
"Miles! I told you never to do such a dirty thing again!"
Hmm? Did Ben even know that guy's name?
Now that I think about it, the voice seems to be quite different.
I glanced back.
'...Ben is here, right?'
Although he was still fuming with anger, the person standing behind me was clearly Ben. That means that the person who grabbed the druggie named 'Miles' by the collar was a completely different person.
Wow, it seems like they already know each other, but they are really merciless.
The man who had been angrily holding and shaking the collar seemed to catch his breath, then turned his head and looked this way.
I was inwardly shocked as I looked pitifully at the druggie who was stuck in the corner with his face distorted like that of a scolded child, but that only lasted for a moment.
The guy immediately softened his expression and spoke carefully with an expression of regret on his face.
"My friend made a big mistake. I apologize."
"No, well... it's okay."
"No. He almost got in real trouble. I thought it would never happen again after it happened to me once. Sorry. I need to offer some kind of compensation..."
I'm really fine.
I just wanted to quickly go back and rest while counting the gold coins I won today.
So, no matter what was offered, I wanted to quickly reject it and go back, but...
"Oh, you said you like alcohol, right? Coincidentally, there is a bar on the second floor here. I'll buy some alcohol for you there."
"!"
"You can drink as much as you want."
All action stopped. I couldn't help it. Because this was like an instinct.
"As much as I want?"
"Yes, as much as you want."
"..."
This is force majeure[1].
"Demon…?"
As if sensing something ominous, Ben cautiously called me.
Only then did I barely come to my senses.
No. Ed said as much, but I have to endure it.
I have to endure it for the sake of Ben, who was following me so diligently. I have to be patient. Don't be deceived by the devil's whispers like that….
"It's a pure apology, so there's no need to feel burdened. If you feel burdened, it would be good if you could at least give me some know-how on how to properly apologize."
"I don't have the know-how."
"Ah, is it too much to dig up know-how at the first meeting?"
No. It's not because it's my first time meeting, it's really not like that.
"Then let's start by getting to know each other first."
A voice with a strange sense of playfulness that makes you feel more friendly.
I thought as I watched his eyes twinkle playfully, 'This kid is a player.'
It was obvious that he is good at attracting people.
A normal person would naturally like it, but it doesn't work for me, who knows everything!
'Or so I thought...'
When I came to my senses, I found myself on the second floor, holding hands with him.
I was swayed! Why?!
What on earth is a bastard like me doing to suffer this even though I knew already?
The overwhelming sense of shame made me want to rip my hair out. Of course, my head is precious, so I replaced execution with clenching and unclenching my fist.
"What are you thinking about?"
"...Nothing." No. When I think about it carefully, it made sense. Because it had been a long time since I drank alcohol.
Especially for someone who likes alcohol like me, it was worth it.
So, I guess I should drink some alcohol now so I don't fall for this trick again…
"Demon..."
"Ugh."
I was so blinded by alcohol that I forgot the existence of the stalker.
I broke into a cold sweat when I looked at Ben with his earnest expression.
If he had been more forceful and fussed with me, at least I wouldn't have felt any remorse, but seeing him look at me with such a docile expression made my conscience prick.
In fact, it's even scarier. Therefore, I tried to compromise as carefully as I could, keeping an eye on his feelings for fear that his feelings would be greatly hurt.
"I'll just have one drink."
"..."
"I won't get drunk."
"It's up to you..."
"Yes! Isn't it okay as long as I don't get drunk? Why don't you have a drink too?"
"...That's not it."
A heavy sigh was let out.
Although I didn't show it, I secretly flinched.
Is it still not possible? Judging by Ben's reaction, he seems rather offended.
I gained nothing and lost favor. It's the worst.
A sigh escaped me. Ben, who must have heard that again, trembled and stares at me.
"..."
"..."
The one who should sigh is me, but the look in his eyes seemed to be asking why I was sighing.
I felt out of breath for some reason and took a deep breath again without realizing it, and he slowly spoke in a slightly trembling voice.
"Just... one drink."
"Yes?"
"It may be disappointing, but it would be better to plan for this the next time. Sorry."
It took some time to understand what he said. Did I hear correctly that the guy who I thought would never give permission is giving me permission? Could it be that my ears just heard what they wanted to hear?
After going through several procedures in my head to confirm that what he said was true, I answered with joy in my mind, barely able to hide my excitement.
"Tes."
At last!
I sat down at the table, humming a song in my head.
As I was about to check the menu, the guy who looked at me and Ben back and forth as if he was interested raised his hand and called for someone.
"Everything on the menu, one by one."
I fucking love you.
When I asked if this was too much of a waste, he said that if there were any leftovers, he would give them to his friends.
Where else in the world could there be an angel like this?
The drinks came out quickly.
I ignored Ben's concerned gaze and excitedly looked through the bottles. And I suddenly became depressed.
'I can't believe I can only taste one of these many things.'
And that's not just one bottle, it's one glass.
I could take the extreme approach of mixing them together, but then it would be difficult to feel the unique taste of each drink.
I couldn't end a long-awaited drink in an ambiguous way like that, so I grabbed this and then that again, feeling like I was going to cry.
It was frustrating.
"Hmm... If it's hard to choose, should I make a recommendation?"
"Yes?"
"If you like a bitter taste, this is best. If you like a clean aftertaste, this is best. If you like sweet things, this is best. If you like something that feels soft on your throat, this is best. And..."
The explanation continued endlessly.
'Hey... you bastard...'
Isn't that amazing?!
This guy also seems to like drinking quite a bit.
Somehow, feeling glad to see him, I listened to his long words in silence until the end with a satisfied expression.
Next to me, Ben looked tired, but whatever.
For me now, this choice is like the choice of a lifetime. The opportunity I was given after such a long time was too precious to make a hasty choice because of his insight.
After much deliberation, I finally chose one and finally held the glass in my hand. How was the liquid flowing inside so bright? Since I couldn't promise when I would be able to drink it again, I was sipping it with tears in my eyes, when the guy who was drinking with me suddenly opened his mouth.
"Is it a little noisy?"
"Hmm?"
"There are a lot of rough guys, so they get into fights whenever they drink."
"...Ah."
People were punching each other on one side.
But aren't fights normal in bars? When I tilted my head and looked at him again, he narrowed one eye and pointed somewhere with his finger.
There were two people over there, grappling with their brutality.
"Do you want to bet on which of the two will win?"
"We're done."
"Don't end things so soon."
He smiled slyly and gently gave Ben a shoulder hug. Only then did I know what his intention was.
He refilled my half-empty glass.
He narrowed Ben's gaze by hugging his shoulders and poured me another drink. It might be an insult to demons, but I couldn't help but feel this way.
'It's impossible for there to be such angelic demons in the world.'
As I hurriedly emptied my glass, it was filled again.
Drink again, refill again, drink again, refill again.
How many times did that repeat?
─My memory was interrupted.
***
The smile was innocent, but the red eyes were clear.
The expression was relaxed, but the movements were as tight as ever.
Dangerous.
Ben's instincts sound the alarm. He felt like he was frozen for a moment due to the fear that overtook his whole body and couldn't even lift a finger.
Ben barely came to his senses when Demon emptied three bottles of alcohol and drank half of one more.
As if the frozen time had been broken, he finally came to his senses and lowered his gaze.
He must have been shaking. The hands under the table were still shaking intermittently.
'I couldn't stop it.'
Even though he was able to stop him the first time he seemed drunk, he just watched him until he downed three and a half bottles of alcohol.
Because at that time, his strongest instinct was warning him of danger.
It was definitely the most easy-going moment on the outside looking in, so why?
However, Ben, who had been fighting with the Demon King for a long time, knew well that trusting your senses rather than your eyes was more helpful in extending your lifespan.
That's why he couldn't say anything while watching his patient pour a new drink.
"Hahaha..."
Because he drank alcohol without any snacks, the red eyes that were clear at first became a little blurry.
He rubbed his face against the table and laughed brightly. As a result, one of the bottles lined up next to them fell over.
'...I think the number of empty bottles has increased?'
As expected, there were now four bottles lined up in a row.
A total of five, including those who fell and rolled on the table.
He couldn't believe he just emptied more bottles. Even if he was a fast drinker, isn't this too fast?
The stiff feel had softened a little. It meant that the most dangerous moment has passed. Still, Ben didn't relax. It only eased a little, it hadn't completely disappeared.
His instincts, which was still aimed at the person in front of him, was now telling him that he needed to be nervous in a different way.
Just as expected.
"Are you the enemy?"
"No."
"Then you are the enemy?"
"Not even him."
"Who is the enemy?"
"They're not here now."
"Are you an enemy?"
"No."
He was drunk
He said he wouldn't get drunk...
Ben quietly covered his face. Meanwhile, Demon's questions were being repeated again and again, making him even more miserable.
He gave permission for no reason. An overwhelming feeling of regret came over him. The way Demon had been sighing made him feel like he was going to do something if he wasn't careful, so he just closed his eyes and allowed him to have a drink.
'It shouldn't have been allowed.'
The Demon King's Joker. Demon Arut, the proud commander of the 0th Corps of the Demon King's Army, who killed the last hero.
The same questions and answers had been repeated endlessly for 20 minutes already.
Some people may ask why he paid so much attention to this person who is so drunk that he is wandering around.
But they could only say that because they don't know anything about him.
Yes, he looks harmless. It might seem pointless to watch him so carefully. Then, why don't
you try to answer his question in the affirmative?
The question, 'Are you the enemy?'
If you can't answer or say yes, the Commander of Corps 0 would suddenly change as if he never laughed in the first place and would start running at you with a dagger.
In such a case, if the injuries were severe, the body would be so tattered that it would be unrecognizable.
So how could he not be nervous?
In particular, if such a situation occurred here, it would be difficult to handle it.
'Fortunately, he's still at level 1...'
His drunkenness is divided into three stages.
Step 1: Question. Step 2: Suspicion. Step 3: Investigation.
If you deny the question 'are you an enemy?' in step 1, it will just be skipped.
In the second stage, this is followed by the question 'Why?' If you don't answer correctly at that time, the attack will begin.
Stage 3 can simply be seen as the beginning of a massacre.
To give an easy example, the question 'why?' should be answered with 'Demon serves the Demon King. So do I. So, I am not the enemy.'
In stage 2, he wouldn't think twice about that answer, but in stage 3, he would ask, 'Why is that? You could be a traitor or a spy, right?' And he would then ask again.
How can you answer that other than simply denying it? If you became speechless due to the absurdity or repeat only simple denials, he would attack you and say, 'You are the enemy after all.'
'It will never go as far as stage 3.'
With that in mind, Ben made up his mind and stopped Demon's hand from reaching for a new bottle.
The cloudy red eyes rolled over and looked at him.
What was contained there was clear dissatisfaction.
It wasn't rage nor anger, it was just dissatisfaction. Nevertheless, Ben, who froze for a moment like a mouse in front of a cat, swallowed his saliva and barely opened his mouth.
[1] A term used in legal contracts, excusing a party from liability when contract fulfillment is impossible due to extraneous circumstances. Here, I believe it is being used to refer to Deon's instinct to give him to drinking as the "extraneous circumstances" that prevent him from "fulfilling the contract" (not drinking alcohol)