"And so that's what happened"
At first, Ari was reluctant to my offer but she eventually followed behind me. Ari didn't say anything but I can interpret it as so. When I arrived at Reika's inn, she hid behind me and so I explained everything to her.
"She's so adorable!"
Reika jumped onto Ari and embraced her.
"Get off me.."
Ari tried to escape her grasp but it was useless. She didn't have the strength to get away from her.
"Haruto.."
She looked at me with teary eyes.
Sigh..
"Get off of her already"
"Auu"
I chop Reika's forehead and get her off of Ari.
"For now, let's get you cleaned. Come Ari!"
Just when Reika left along with Ari being dragged around, the entrance to the inn opened and Leon appeared.
"Yo, finished your duty already?"
"Oh Haruto! I was just about to go drink, wanna come?"
He grinned and dragged me out of the inn before I could respond. Well, I want to unwind anyways so I might as well.
"If you were gonna go drink, why did you even bother coming back to the inn.."
"To find you of course!"
Haa..
He took me to the same place from before and ordered some drinks. Just seconds after the waitress brought the mugs, he had already chug nearly half of it.
"Kuhhhh"
"Something wrong?"
He looked somewhat stressed judging from his demeanor.
"Ya.. There's been some strange events happening in the forest lately"
"Like what?"
"Today, we got reports of a group of adventurers attacked by skeletons"
"Is that strange?"
"Of course it is! There shouldn't be any undeads in these parts.. At first, I was skeptical but when I went to investigate, me and my squadron was attacked by skeletal monsters. There has been reports of skeleton appearances for the past year but each time a squadron was sent to investigate, they would conclude it as a false report"
Hmm.. I don't think i've encountered an undead before but is it really that rare to see them?
"We managed to defeat them but they were far more difficult to deal with than I expected.. Haaa.. One more please!"
He sighed and ordered for another mug.
I guess being a city guard is quite dangerous as well.
"That's not even the strangest part. Apparently, some of the adventurers that got attacked reported that someone they knew that died were the ones that attacked them. They must surely be mistaken since it's simply impossible"
"Ehh.. Really?"
"There's no such thing as magic being able to make the dead surface. In most cases, the appearance of undeads are practically just skeletons"
...Then what is undead? Isn't the whole concept of undead making the dead surface? Ugh, this is too confusing.
I scratch my head and retort at the illogicalness of this world. Well to be exact, it's because i'm using fictional knowledge to support my thinking.
"Oh isn't that Leon?"
"Yo"
"Oh it's you guys!"
Two men appeared before us and greeted Leon. They were wearing similar armor to Leon's so i'm assuming that they're also guards of this city.
"Come, sit! Ah, let me introduce you. His name is Haruto and he's currently staying at my sister's inn"
"My name is Kugo"
"I'm Xavier"
"Hello, nice to meet you all"
After we finished our introductions, they sat down at our table and ordered as well. I learned afterwards that they're in the same squadron as Leon. Since I was slightly hungry, I eventually ordered something.
"Ah excuse me but do you serve anything light?"
"We do! We have roasted broccoli and cheese soup as well as fluffy bread"
"Ah can I please get that then"
"Certainly!"
Since I'm not that hungry, I only want to eat something light.
I asked one of the lady that works here and it seems like they do have something light. I've never heard of cheese in soup though. I wonder how it tastes? As I think about what the food will taste like, I grab the mug with both of my hand and drink slowly.
"Uwa.. Haruto talks so politely. Even the way he drinks is refined.. Oy Leon is he a prince or a noble?"
"Yup. Compared to Leon, he's far more sociable and elegant"
"Oy! But ya.. As far as I know, he's pretty much like this"
I'm refined?
(*)
After talking to them for awhile, I got to know them better. The sociable one is Kugo and the one who likes to tease Leon is Xavier. When the food arrived, we all digged in.
"Even the way he eats is refined"
"It's fine right.. Ah Kugo, do you mind if I have a taste"
"Go for it! Let me taste that soup too since I've never tried it"
"Sure sure"
He let me have a taste of the darish pork cutlet while I gave him some of my soup.
"Let me have some too Haruto!"
"No way.. When I brought home skewered meat, you finished everything"
"So you've experienced the one bite promise too I see"
Me, Kugo and Xavier all look to each other and nod simultaneously.
"You guys are terrible!"
We all laugh and enjoy our meal.
The dish that I tried from Kugo was quite delicious. It was similar to a pineapple meat dish that I had tried one time. If I was hungry, I would probably order it too.
As for my own dish, the soup can't be called light but it wasn't heavy enough to put me off. Even though they say it's cheese soup, the amount of cheese inside isn't to the point where I want to cry.
The broccoli was bitter but the salt and seasoning they used brought out the flavour of it. The cheese soup was fantastic. I dipped the bread on it like fondue to give it that great taste that I'm used to.
I quickly finish my dish and started drinking tea. I'm surprised but this bar offers tea as well. I'm surprised these guys can drink so much though.. I feel like puking just from seeing them.
"Kuhhh nothing like mead after a hard day"
"I feel you.. Those skeletal bastards were pretty tough eh"
"Well, Leon needs to move around every now and then"
Leon enjoyed his drink while Kugo resonated with him. On the other hand, Xavier is still finding faults with Leon.
While drinking the night away, they became far more open. When they asked me if I wanted to become a city guard, I told them that I'm already an adventurer.
"Oh so you're an adventurer! Must be nice.. Adventurers are the strongest after all!"
"Who are you kidding Kugo. Explorers are obviously the strongest"
"Oy Kugo, Xavier, aren't you wrong? The great me is obviously the strongest gahahaha!"
I wonder what explorers are. Kugo and Xavier stopped drinking after three mugs but Leon finished six mugs already. Ah this guy is such a pain.
"What's the difference between adventurers and explorers?"
I splendidly ignore Leon and turn my attention towards the other two.
"Adventurers are those who travel around everywhere to hunt down ferocious monsters and beasts! They're all strong and powerful and are considered the Jewels of our kingdom!"
"Not even close. Explorers are far me powerful. Explorers risk their lives traversing the dangerous environment inside of dungeons. Not only are the monsters powerful, but they also have to survive the harsh lands inside"
"Ya right. Adventurers have to fight legendary monsters and beasts that roam the land that could possibly ruin the kingdom but with the help of them, they keep our lands safe!"
"Haaaah? The enemies inside of dungeons are even more dangerous! There are floormasters that could destroy a kingdom in one night! Explorers are the real unsung heroes of our kingdom!"
"Shut up you dungeon freak!"
"Close your mouth you adventurer pervert!"
They started arguing not before long.
But well, I get the gist of it. Adventurers are free spirited people who seek the thrill of adventuring the world and fighting beasts whereas explorers are seasoned warriors that risk their lives fighting strong enemies inside of dungeons. If i had to say, I'm probably more of an adventurer but being an explorer sounds fun.
"Can't you be both?"
I told the two while drinking.
"Ya I guess you're right.."
"Haruto has a point"
(*)
"Sorry Haruto.. My brother is such a pain when he's drunk"
"It's no problem. How's Ari?"
"Ah she's waiting for me in the bath"
No i'm pretty sure she's not waiting.. Before I could tell her to leave her alone, she had already dashed away.
"Here, drink some water"
"Thanks.."
I hand Leon a glass full of water. I placed him on the bed and sat on Reika's bed.
"I heard from Reika that you're incredibly strong.."
"Hmm? I wouldn't say so but I can defend myself at the very least"
"My sister always talks about it though. She always brags about how incredible you were"
"I never knew she looked at me so highly"
"She does.. That's why when she's ever in trouble, please take care of her"
At this point, Leon is half asleep but I still listen to him intently.
"Don't worry. If she ever needs my help, I'll be there to help her. I would never sit still and see my friends suffering after all"
I smile at him warmly.
"Elder brother, just you wait. I'll become strong enough to prove to you that I can protect Reika. I'll prove it to you and father.. Just.. you.. Wait"
Looks like he has a lot on his mind as well..
After muttering some words, he passed out peacefully.
I sit outside the inn and drink the night away while looking towards the horizon.