I'm interested in her - that adventurer woman who I'm hearing so much about. As I thought, she really was strong. From the small research I did, I found out that she's apparently an A rank adventurer. That's not something an ordinary person could accomplish.
I went to the guild to search for her, but they told me that she's away. If that's the case, she must be resting. She did just defeat another strong monster, so that's reasonable.
It seems I wasted my time...
That person is really pissing me off. I understand that she must be resting, but it still pisses me off that she's not around when I specially took my time to look for her.
Why am I looking for her in the first place? Do I just want to be acquainted with her? Or do I want to punish her for stealing my prey?
Well, the truth is, she just seemed interesting... but I guess I don't have anything else to do now that she's away.
There's that cheap tavern near the guild. It's close by, so I can just go there to pass the time drinking alcohol instead.
Since I spent most of my money in that brothel yesterday, I'm broke at the moment. I can only afford a few glasses, but that's enough.
I arrived at the tavern in no time. As expected, it's gloomy as usual. The furniture and lights inside can be described as cheap at best. There are also only a few people present, most of which are adventurers, while some are just ordinary commoner men.
I could go to a more expensive high-class bar, but then again, I'm broke... Well, it's not like I hate this tavern's atmostphere... I like it much better in fact than that of a pretentious expensive bar.
"Welcome!" the tavern owner greeted from the counter. "A glass?"
"Yeah," I replied as soon as I sat on my seat.
With a loud thud, the owner slid my drink - A large glass of beer, with so much foam it's flowing down on the counter.
With no reservation, I gulped down half of it right away. Its coldness felt relieving for my throat. The taste is somewhat weak, but that's too be expected.
The soft foams that formed on the surface of the glass stick on my lips, so I wiped them off with my sleeve.
"Look, she's here again...!"
"Why don't you try to talk to her?"
I heard some suspiscious conversation from a pair of adventurers on a table near me.
So they're trying to hit on a girl? What are they hesitating for? Adventurers usually wouldn't think twice about hitting on someone. They have the same mentality as us nobles. They think they can intimidate just about everyone to do what they want.
Curious, I turned around to see who they were looking out for.
"Hm...? Isn't that?"
What I saw was the same back I saw from the crowd yesterday. It was the same person, with her short blonde hair and pointy ears. She also has the same cyan cloak from yesterday, and aside from it, I can only see the leather boots she was wearing.
So these guys are attempting to approach her? They must be excited since she's an elf.
Hmph... they're not a big deal. Yes, elves are mostly born beautiful, but it's not like that beauty is exclusive to them. There are a bunch of noble women or even prostitutes that can look far better. Frankly, human girls have more variety in their beauty.
Ah... but I did say that I would hit on her if I see her again... It's not like I will be able to find a prettier woman in a tavern like this, so I might as well do it.
"Go for it!"
"L-let me fix my hair first...!"
Too late. If those guys won't do it now, then I will.
So I left my stool and went to that person's table. I did not mind the rude stares of the two cowards who can't decide to come through. They won't have their chance now.
"Hey," I greeted after taking my seat, "If you don't mind..."
"Huh...?"
My sentence was cut off.
No, it wasn't because that girl interrupted me with her soft moan, but because my mind momentarily went blank. It was the first time that I was lost for words.
"Who are you?"
"Ne... Nero..."
It's not like me to give my name so easily... I would usually give off some lines first to make her interested.
"Nero? Sho, what do you want?"
"I'm just... Uhum...! I just wanted to introduce myself to such a pretty lady like you."
Her eyes on me is a bit intense. It must be because she's still drunk. Even her words were a bit rough, in contrast to her soft and attractive voice.
"Can you please tell me your name?"
"Hm? I'm Eria..."
Wonderful... her name suits her well.
I've seen the portraits of the goddesses before... and this girl, Eria... she's even more beautiful than any of them!
What is this? How can I just randomly find someone at this caliber of beauty drinking alone in a worn out tavern like this?
"What is it? You're rude... Quit staring at me so much."
"I-I'm sorry...! Um... here..."
I set the glass of beer I bought for her earlier in front of her, next to the one she already has.
"Kuh...! Are you giving this to me?"
"That's right."
"But I can't even finish this one!"
Is she the type to get drunk easily? She seems like it...
"Hey, you! Nero... can you finish this for me? I can't take it anymore..."
She pushed her own glass of beer in front of my face, yelling.
"A-ah... okay..."
Since she asked for it, I carefully took the beer from her hand and finished it all at once. It has gotten warm already, but it wasn't a problem.
"Wooww!" she exclaimed, eyes wide.
"You're good, Nero! I'm jealous..."
"I-s that so?"
Even when she's drunk, she shouldn't be acting so casual with someone she just met...
"Hey! Can you finish this for me too?"
"What!? But I'm giving that to you...!?"
Is she stupid? She's having me drink the same glass of beer I specifically bought for her?
"Pwease..."
It would be rude of me to drink it, but since she's staring at me with those expectant eyes...
"If... If that's what you want."
With her request, I reluctantly drank it down as well.
"Amazing! You're amazing, Nero!" she complimented while clapping her hands.
Is she a child? She's throwing me off so much... Although I'll admit it, she's rather cute...
"Now that's over..."
Crap... I should hit on her... but now I don't know where to go from here...!