-Warning-
-This chapter contains sexual content, reader discretion is advised-
I had never seen Claire as devastated as she was right now...
Claire: "Ahh! I can't believe it!"
Licia: "What's wrong?"
Claire: "It's over..."
Even when recounting the events that brought her end, she didn't break down like now.
She's very strong in both battle and mind, so it's always surprising to see this more delicate side of hers.
It's even more of a shock to me when her sadness is the result of-
Anna: "Are you alright?"
Miwen: "Yeah... I'm just processing this..."
Anna: "You better get your head back into the game, or else, you'll die."
Much as I'd like, I can't really argue otherwise since Anna has me completely cornered, and for me to get out of this I'm gonna need to give it all my atten-
Mia: "You can still win! Go for a double attack like you did before!"
Ellie: "Nooo! Focus on brock... I mean block... bl-block! it"
With Mia pulling my hair and Ellie shaking me by the shoulder, it suddenly became a real problem for me to do any of their suggestions. and my loss was all but confirmed.
That is until a miracle happened.
The great support provided by Beatrice, who happened to fall right at Anna's side, managed to distract her for just a single moment, leaving me with a brief window of opportunity to seize victory.
Miwen: "You're quite the sneaky one huh? Almost had me."
Anna: "No way, I was so close."
Mia: "It's my turn now!"
Miwen: "Yeah, you'll go against Anna though, I need to check on Beatrice and Claire."
The girls were so engrossed in the game that they didn't immediately offer help to Beatrice.
Even though it was clear she hadn't hurt herself, she still seemed to have trouble getting up, and not extending a hand to her would be rather inconsiderate.
Miwen: "You fine? Maybe you had one too much..."
I extended my hand and helped her get up, given her current state, it seemed like it was the right choice, or else, she might've decided to stay collapsed on the floor.
Beatrice: "S-sorry... I got dizzy at the wrong moment it seems."
Miwen: "Sure, but take it easy alright? I'll take a look at what's going on with Claire."
Even though Licia was trying to calm her, she was still sobbing for some reason, given everyone's joyful mood, it was a bit strange.
Out of everyone, I'd expect her to be one of the most energetic in a situation such as this, and up until moments ago, she actually was, so the change in her behavior is a bit concerning.
Miwen: "Licia, what happened to her?"
Licia: "I'm trying to figure out but she-"
Claire: "M-miwen... it's all over... there's no more beer..."
I see, so this is what it was all about huh?
Even though she was happily drinking and playing with us, the moment the beer ended she got like this... I really didn't predict she'd be this kind of drunk.
Miwen: "Did you look in the freezer?"
Claire: "Heh? I forgor~"
Miwen and Licia: "Pfft!"
Man, it was hard not to burst into laughter at that moment. Claire had managed to reach the pinnacle of both silliness and cuteness.
Licia: "I'm gonna go grab some with her, do you want any?"
Miwen: "Nah, I still have a can to finish. Also, make her drink some water too, just in case."
Licia left with Claire for the kitchen while Anna was having a match against Ellie after beating Mia in the fighting game we were playing.
All the while, Beatrice sat on the sofa and continued drinking her wine, reading a book, and eating some pizza slices. It would look like a really classy scene if not for the pizza.
From the back of the sofa, watching them play the game, I couldn't help but think about the stark contrast between the situation we were in earlier today and our little drinking party right now.
Mia: "Boy is this world fun."
Miwen: "Do you like the party more than the hunt we had today?"
Mia: "Hmm... I guess..."
Yes! Got her!
We had managed to escape the Lunar Glowstrikers earlier today and even arrived safely at the settlement on the third floor, but it still wasn't the end...
The monsters kept on their rush and actually arrived at the settlement minutes after us, as mindless drones, they began to attack the settlement without even a second thought.
Obviously, a big commotion started, and everyone took to arms to try and put an end to what they thought was the result of a Rampage.
As the ones responsible for it, we stayed and participated in this grandiose battle.
And well, even if I call it a battle... it was more like a massacre.
The moment the adventurers noticed how much the drop rates were high for some "completely unknown reason", they could be seen leaving the dungeon for a few minutes to call friends and other parties, and what ensued was a great hunt the likes I had never seen before.
The girls and I had already got enough for the day, but Mia really wanted to participate, not for the loot, but because she thought it was fun as hell.
By this time, both she and Ellie were wearing hoods to hide that they weren't human, so I allowed it on the condition that they didn't reveal their true identities.
Truth be told, I also really wanted to join the fray.
even though it wasn't the case at all, It felt to me like I was leading my own personal army to war against the hordes of Lunar Glowstrikers.
What ensued was pretty fun, except for the long report I had to make after at the office...
Still, as soon as I got home, I made a guide to find the chamber where a [King] and [Queen] Lunar Glowstrikers could be found.
In the end, everyone in our party ended up reaching the level cap, which was expected since we killed so many monsters before, but we, along with the adventurers of the settlement, also ended up getting quite a haul when it came to money.
Due to all of that, we ended up with little time for cooking and whatnot, so I decided to order some pizza under the excuse of commemorating our first venture into unknown depths.
At least that was the plan, but I ended up proposing to buy some alcohol for everyone since we had already reached the level cap of this floor and would take tomorrow off.
Licia and Ellie both wanted beer, while Beatrice asked for wine.
Claire had some expensive requests, so I brought cheap vodka and some fruits to make a few drinks for her, which would hurt my wallet way less than what she had in mind, while still being flavorful...
Mia had never had a drink before, so she didn't have any specific demand in mind.
I thought we would all have just a little bit of fun and keep it in moderation, but we quickly got way past the point of no return...
I mean, I thought knights were supposed to be dignified and all, but Claire started drinking like there would be no tomorrow, and while I was expecting her to be able to hold her alcohol given how she seemed used to drinking, the reality was what we just saw.
Though Beatrice tripped over earlier, she and Ellie aren't that bad, drinking certainly had an effect on them, but they're mostly fine... I think...
If I had to say, the biggest change in behavior would be that Ellie got a bit more energetic and expressive, the same way Mia did.
This is a bit of a problem since Mia is already quite energetic, so now she's being extremely loud and talkative.
It was what I was expecting would happen with Claire, to be honest, but her mood has been flipping constantly and I don't even know if she's conscious anymore.
I mean, she's been with Licia in the kitchen for a while now.
Which brings me to my biggest dilemma...
Though Licia seemed fine like Anna and me, not too long ago she started giving me some very weird looks. The kind of gaze filled with sexual intent that you'd not expect would come from a serious/quiet girl.
While comforting Claire, I also couldn't help but think their distance was a bit strange. Licia had her arm resting at Claire's shoulder and it seemed like her hand was reaching towards...
Claire: "Hn!"
Mia: "Did you hear that?"
Though I was pretty sure what that was since I'd heard that same noise many times already, I thought it would be better to protect their intimacy as much as I could since these were quite unusual circumstances and it might be awkward for them later.
Miwen: "...Must've been a pussycat."
Mia: "I see, I hadn't heard that sound before... we didn't have those back home..."
Though I've managed to hide what might be happening in the kitchen from Mia, I ended up reminding her of-
Licia and Claire: "Ahn! Ah!"
...
Mia: "And what was that?"
Miwen: "I think it's two horny pussies, must be their mating season or something."
Mia: "Makes sense, I thought it sounded a bit like moaning for a sec."
Miwen: "Yeah, let's leave them be."
Though I called it a dilemma earlier, it's not really a problem or anything like that. It's a bit weird to wrap my mind the more I think about it, but I don't really care either.
I've noticed some comments and gazes from Licia towards Claire's body when I'm with them in bed, and with their relationship evolving in that direction, I think it might be fun to have a threesome with them while we all lust for each other's bodies instead of doing them in order like usual.
So, I might actually be a bit excited about how open they may become to such ideas.
Miwen: "More importantly though, it's my turn."
Anna managed to beat Ellie and now it was my time at the controller again.
I took Ellie's position on the couch and Mia started to talk with her while Beatrice seemed pretty tired and was beginning to doze off.
While we were playing, Licia and Claire came from the Kitchen, prompting Anna to quickly pause the game.
Licia: "Um... we're a bit tired, so we'll be heading out first, alright?"
Miwen: "Sure, have fun."
Claire: "You got it."
I feel like one of them is not that good at keeping things secret, but given everyone's current state, I don't think anyone noticed.
Beatrice who was barely awake by now, also decided to leave so that she could rest at the [Kingdom].
Mia had taken Ellie hostage and started talking a lot with her about a bunch of things, telling stories that made no sense and didn't even end properly before she started another one.
Ellie was clearly having a hard time, so much so she had a pleading look on her face toward Anna and me.
Seeing that, we decided to put on a movie so that we wouldn't risk changing places with her.
Halfway through the movie, Ellie had enough and basically begged me to let her go, of course, I let Mia go too, so I don't know if she actually managed to escape.
Now though, it was just Anna and I on the couch, and she had decided to use my lap as a pillow to rest her head oh, leaving me in quite a hard situation.
I chose not to dwell on it too much because the situation was oddly cozy. In fact, I found myself running my fingers gently through her hair as we both relaxed on the couch.
Things started to change though, more specifically, when she asked me a hard-hitting question...
Anna: "Aren't you gonna have fun with your girls too?"
The way she phrased it made it clear that she understood what was happening in the bedroom right now as much as I did.
It couldn't be helped though, the girls weren't being exactly loud, but some sounds could still be heard, and seeing how Anna actually managed to hold her alcohol pretty well...
Yeah, there was no hiding it from her.
Miwen: "They let me do them whenever I feel like it, so I'll let them have their fun with each other tonight..."
Anna: "I see... but isn't it a bit lonely for you? Want me to suck you off?"
Miwen: "Nah it's fi- Wait, what?"
She turned her head towards my chest, facing away from the TV and while looking at me she started to unbutton my pants.
Miwen: "What are you doing ?"
Anna: "Don't mind me..."
Except there was no way I could just ignore this.