Chapter 28 (2/2)

「We’re going to fire these at the kiln tomorrow . We won’t be able to fire all of them at once so the remaining bricks will just have to be sun-dried . Well then, that’s all for today!」

「「「「Good work today!」」」」

「Alright! Doing any more will be impossible for today so let’s go out drinking! Let our empty stomach do it’s work this time!」

It’s still 3 in the afternoon though… Well, I guess that’s alright once in a while .

「Ahー, I have to stop by the guild so I’ll just meet you there . I’ve already completed 10 rank 1 quests so it’s about time for my rank to increase」

「Ou! We’ll be at the usual place so you definitely have to come, aight! 」

「Got it boss」

I walked towards the guild while eating the egg sandwich that I was supposed to have for lunch . There, I handed over the paper bearing 10 marks of completion signed by the boss to the onee-san at the receptionist’s counter .

「We have to update the rank on your card so could you take it out for a moment please?」

<hr>「Ah, okay」

Since I didn’t have any particular reason to refuse, I just handed it over to her . Come to think of it, I just came here immediately after work ended didn’t I? I’m dirty and I still reek of sweat so was it okay for me to do that?  Well, I guess it’s fine since there are also other people here returning from some kind of subjugation request and their armor is covered with blood spatters .

The rank up process went without a hitch and I successfully reached rank 2 . The number 『2』 was properly displayed in the rank section of the card as well . As the receptionist gave me back my card, she said

「Congratulations on ranking up」

It’s just rank 2 you know? Oh well, it doesn’t really matter so I just replied

「Thanks」

It would be difficult to do it after drinking so I decided to buy ingredients for tomorrow first . When I arrived at the bar near the gate where we usually go to, they were already drunk . I also couldn’t find Tsuno-san around so I wonder where he went .

「Ou! You’re late . Hurry up and start drinking already!」

「Got itー . Fruit wine please, and give me the daily special as well」

「Oi oi, you’re going to eat while drinking? Don’t you understand the taste of sake? This is why the young’uns these days don’t know how to drink」

「Well, I can’t help it . I’m really hungry . Youngsters would choose their appet.i.te over a drink you know?」

「Would they still choose their appet.i.te over pleasure I wonder」

After someone said that indecent thing, everyone started laughing loudly . I stopped minding them and just continued drinking .

「Hey, Konー . What happened with that matter with the red-light district? Isn’t it about time?」

Kitsune-san started leading the conversation in that direction . Do you really want to go that much?

「A-ah, I’m also curious about that matter」 Macho-san said .

「Ah, that’s right . According to the person herself, their establishment is 3~5 large coppers more expensive compared to the regular shops . The place is called ‘Sweet Memory’ and it seems like everyone working there is a part of the succubus race . Their guests don’t seem like shady people so I think the place is alright . Well, the red-light district in itself is pretty shady place though」

I said that as a joke but everyone started to get worried .

「Kon, have you been there before? Would it really be fine?」

「Huh? Ah, yeah . I even drank fruit water there you know?」

「T-then, it’s alright」

「Hmmー, the person herself said something about being sucked dry but she wasn’t talking about vitality or magic power right?」

「If that’s the case then you’d be a really important guest to them since you can use magic」

「Ahー, I was thinking that she was speaking literally but I guess there’s also that kind of meaning to that as well . Phew, that was close . Well, even if I enter the shop, I won’t partake in their services anyway so I’m safe」

<hr>「Why? If you’re a man then you’re supposed to do that . It’s better than dealing with it yourself you know」

「No wellー, that’s impossible since I’m afraid of my girlfriend . I absolutely won’t indulge in that」

「S-so you have a girlfriend huh」

「She’s thinner than I am but she’s a lot stronger . She also has really sharp senses . She once hit me lightly out of embarra.s.sment but I almost fainted from that . I’ll die if she actually hit’s me seriously . Even under normal circ.u.mstances, she can already blow the head of a goblin off with just her spear」

While I was explaining that, I drank all of the sake that was in my cup in one go .

「I want to see that at least once! Next time you have a chance, introduce her to us . It’s fine to bring her along even if it’s in the middle of work」

Even though the boss said while under the influence of alcohol, it seems like he seriously wants to meet her . Does he want her to crush a brick barehanded in front of his eyes? If it’s Suzuran then I’m pretty sure she can do that .

Our drinking party ended once everyone had reached their limit . It’s still half past 5 so I wonder what should I do after this . I have poison resistance so I didn’t get drunk but I’d still rather not take a bath immediately after drinking . I guess I should just go home .

When I arrived home, I met the landlady again . After doing my greetings, her nose once again twitched but this time, she just frowned .

「Sake just after lunch?」She didn’t actually say that but I could somehow tell from the look on her face so I just said,

「Well, it’s just once in a while」

After that, I just had a light meal for dinner and then went to the bathhouse . The warm water felt good but, unfortunately, but I got involved with 4 drunk, slightly dirty adventurer-like men on my way back . Sure, it takes 5 minutes to reach my apartment from here but getting involved in something like this within that distance? What’s with this encounter rate?

I just continued walking while ignoring them but just as was about to pa.s.s through them, one of them was called me out . He tried grabbing me but I caught him, lightly throw him over and ran away .

Peace is the best . Violence is not the answer .

That’s all thanks to Satou-kun who taught me judo techniques when we were messing around during breaks back in my high school days . You place your own foot by the heel of the opponent’s leg and pull his body to make him fall over . 2 I thought this knowledge would end up being useless but, it’s a good thing that I was able to remember that!

It started getting noisy behind me but I ignored it and just ran while making sure I wouldn’t sweat that much .

I immediately went to bed once I got home and started thinking about stuff about work . The bricks we molded today will have to be fired tomorrow . With that amount, even if we increase the number of kilns, it probably won’t be enough . Wait…we’re out of materials, right? What would happen to my job now? While thinking about that, I decided to go to sleep .

Meanwhile, the horse was singing loudly while playing his lyre next door . There’s a loud banging sound at his door . That’s the landlady perhaps . That guy’s probably drunk right now . So this is what happens if you don’t drink in moderation . I’ll keep that in mind . I probably won’t be getting drunk any time soon though .

「Shut up!」「I love you Kiska3-san! Please go out with me」

He shouted with his uselessly beautiful voice but,

「Ughh!」

After that, the door was slammed shut . I wonder if he got slapped or punched . It became quiet all of a sudden… It seems like I won’t get tired of living here for a while .

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