The skirmish finally subsided as dusk fell that day.
A jubilant feast ensued at the Crossroads.
Dubbed as a grand banquet, it was, in truth, a lavish heap of food and drink laid out in the city's central square, free for all to indulge.
"Well then, let's celebrate the victory we've earned by holding back those fearsome armored beasts..."
I briefly proposed a toast and raised my glass high.
"Cheers!"
In unison, the soldiers raised their glasses and echoed my sentiment.
"Cheers!"
"Cheeeers!"
"Now, now, eat and drink to your heart's content! Today, the tab is on me!"
"Hooray~!"
"Long live our Lord!"
And so, the feast commenced. The soldiers chatted and laughed, devouring the meat and guzzling down their drinks.
Merely a few hours ago, the specter of death had loomed over them.
Relieving such intense stress called for hearty meat and potent alcohol.
Barbecues sizzled beside the blazing fire in the central square, while soldiers sang songs, reveling in their victory.
Seated in a corner of the square, I observed the scene from a distance.
"Are you alright, my Lord?"
Lucas, who had come up to me, asked with concern.
"You've been fasting all day, you should eat something."
"...Sure."
I replied, but I felt no hunger. I just idly swirled the drink in my hand.
The beverage in the glass caught the firelight, glimmering red.
Lucas, who had taken a seat beside me, offered a gentle smile.
"You don't seem very celebratory for a victorious commander, my Lord."
"..."
"You've successfully held back a thousand Living Armors without significant damage. I think you could afford to be a bit happier."
"There was no significant damage, yes."
I slowly brought the drink to my lips.
"Cough?!"
"My Lord? Are you alright?"
"Ye, yes. I'm fine. The taste of the alcohol was just a bit... surprising."
I eyed my drink with disbelief.
Wasn't this supposed to be beer? It feels like its alcohol content is at least 20%.
'Since the world is different, it makes sense the alcohol would be different, too.'
Awkwardly setting down my glass, I wrapped up my earlier statement.
"There was no significant damage, but we lost precious lives."
Once someone had died, discussing the extent of the damage seemed pointless. Life doesn't operate on a hierarchy. All life is precious.
Of course, I knew. You can't save everyone. To think otherwise in this cruel game would be hubris.
But the hero characters I couldn't save today, or the ordinary soldiers, they could have played a pivotal role in defending this city in the future.
Their lives were seeds of potential, each capable of blooming into something more.
But that potential was now lost.
"If I had been a bit more cautious... they wouldn't have died."
I reflected on today's battle.
I could have performed better. I could have been more watchful.
This wasn't like the tutorial stage. There was a clear margin for improvement. It stung even more because I recognized it myself.
"My Lord, I think you did well enough, you don't need to blame yourself... I mean, saying this won't erase your regret, would it?"
Lucas uttered his words with a gentle touch.
"But Your Highness, this is a celebration of victory."
Turning to my side, the protagonist amidst the golden walls displayed a broad smile.
"If Your Highness is displeased, it won't do much for the soldiers' spirits."
"..."
"Please smile. At least for now, partake in our happiness. That too is a part of being a commander."
The idea that a commander's duties included smiling seemed both convincing and amusing, stirring a chuckle within me.
"You speak the truth!"
With a surprising clatter, Aider popped up from behind me. What in the world?
"While mourning our losses is crucial, we can't sustain morale with sadness alone. We must find time to celebrate and revel in our victory!"
Aider, donned in a chef's attire, carried a tray of food in his hands. What was he planning now?
"Because eating just meat isn't good for your health. I've brought some vegetables as well."
"But, I haven't even touched any meat yet..."
To my complaint, Aider handed me a tray brimming with roasted vegetables.
"Congratulations on clearing Stage 1, my Lord."
Over the rim of his glasses, Aider's grey eyes winked at me.
"It was a challenging stage, but you did well."
"..."
"Looking forward to your continued efforts!"
Motivated by the game director's words, I awkwardly plucked a roasted corn from the tray and took a bite.
But the moment I did...
"Our Prince Ash Everblack is eating vegetables!"
Suddenly, Aider let out a shout.
"Prince Ash is choosing vegetables over meat!"
"What, what? What kind of nonsense is this?"
Before I could even react, soldiers who had heard the commotion gathered around me like a flock of birds.
"We apologize, Your Highness! We've been so inconsiderate!"
"To think that Prince Ash, known for his love of meat, is forced to eat only vegetables!"
Was such a reputation existing? Just how had this scoundrel Ash lived his life?
"Damn it all! Bring meat for His Highness, meat! And all the alcohol too!"
"Your Highness! Please have this meat I've grilled!"
"You fool! His Highness is of royal blood! He only eats raw meat soaked in blood!"
"Wow! The Everblack Royal Family is amazing-!"
"Stop your damn babbling, you idiots! He eats like everyone else!"
As I bellowed, each of the soldiers handed me chunks of meat. I couldn't resist and let out a cry.
"I can feed myself, just leave it!"
But the soldiers didn't heed my words. In a heartbeat, a banquet of alcohol formed around me.
"Pour it!"
"Drink it!"
"Die!"
The soldiers were eagerly pouring drinks into each other's mouths.
These wolves were lurking, their eyes gleaming fiercely, waiting for a chance to force a drink onto me.
I gritted my teeth and munched on the mountain of meat in front of me.
How on earth did things spiral into this? My plan had been to quietly and earnestly contemplate the recent battle in solitude!
"Prince, your Highness."
"Wha-?! What now?!"
Twisting around, I spotted Lilly, her face mirroring the scarlet of her hair, making a choked sound at my side.
When did she start guzzling alcohol like a fish?
"Please, I implore you... allow me to retire, your Highness..."
"Nah~ No way. Keep on working."
In such a financially strained time, who even thinks about retirement? I provide a generous salary, mind you? She'd better appreciate it and keep working.
"I desire to, uh... resign..."
As Lilly, who appeared to have morphed into a ghost desperate to resign, began to wail, the other alchemists hauled her off, wheelchair and all. Please, lay her to rest somewhere, won't you?
"Hehehe. Your Highness."
"Damn, you scared me! Who is it this time?!"
This time, the slurred voice emerged from the other side. I flinched in surprise, it was Damien.
"This water tastes peculiar, hehe... hic."
"That's not water..."
Who the hell thought it wise to serve alcohol to the kid? Huh?
The offender was seated right next to me. Jupiter, entirely sober, smirked mischievously.
"Hey, Jupiter! What are you thinking, handing alcohol to a kid?!"
"He's no child, but a seasoned mercenary."
Jupiter casually puffed on a cigar, winking at me with her one good eye.
"He ought to learn to drink and smoke, and even how to waste money. He's like my grandchild, I'll instruct him properly."
"Why would you impart such skills to your grandchild, you corrupted adult?!"
Just then, my shoulder grew heavy. Damien, thoroughly intoxicated, had leaned his forehead against my shoulder.
"Hehe, your Highness... hic."
"How audacious you've become, Damien, resting your forehead against a member of the royal family."
From Damien's perspective as a commoner, this was unheard of. The power of alcohol indeed does wonders. Not that I would chastise him for such a thing.
I was about to instruct someone to usher him away and put him to bed when Damien slurred out something with considerable effort.
"...When I'm alone, I see the faces of my deceased friends."
"..."
"I can't forget that day. The guilt of being the sole survivor weighs heavy on my heart."
I held my peace, heeding Damien's words. Damien continued to murmur incoherently.
"But it's weird... when I'm with you... I feel tranquil."
That wasn't because I was someone exceptional or remarkable. It was merely the effect of a passive skill.
It was simply the influence of the [Unyielding Commander], which staves off mental ailments.
But I couldn't voice that.
"So... I wish to be... by your side..."
Soon after, Damien began to nod off.
I awkwardly observed this pitiful child, his gentle breaths echoing as his forehead rested on my shoulder.
"Now that I reflect on it, I sensed my magic growing stronger while under your command."
Jupiter, who had been observing us, cocked her head.
"Was it due to Your Highness's outstanding command?"
It wasn't because of my superb command, but rather my inherent attributes and the party synergy system.
A total buff of 25% was put into play in this battle.
However, I couldn't confess this truth. All I could do was muster a forced laugh.
"All credit goes to your noble character and your natural leadership ability, Your Highness."
This time, a voice echoed from behind. I swiveled around to find Lucas seated there.
"I, too, feel my distractions fading away in your presence. Following your orders makes me feel lighter, almost as if I could fly. If this isn't evidence of your character and talent, then what is?"
I was dumbfounded by the degree of bootlicking he managed in such a stern voice.
This wasn't like the diligent, steadfast character I knew him to be. It seemed he had been imbibing quite a bit. There was a pile of empty liquor glasses next to him.
Witnessing Lucas in this state for the first time, I couldn't help but laugh. I shot a smirk in Lucas's direction.
"So, that's why you're always hovering around me, Lucas?"
Lucas, who had been sipping his beer, arched an eyebrow.
"Perhaps?"
'Perhaps', he states. That wasn't the usual response from a paragon of knightly virtue.
Just as I was about to probe further, other soldiers congregated around us. The soldiers boisterously traded toasts, emptying their cups with each one.
"To our fallen comrades!"
"To us, the survivors!"
"To His Highness, the prince-!"
Each one took turns drinking, and before long all eyes were on me.
Startled, I looked around.
"What, what? Why are you all gawking at me like that?"
"Your Highness, your glass is still full."
"Ah, I'm just not feeling up to it..."
I wasn't a fan of drinking in the real world, so I was trying to dodge it.
But the soldiers all dropped to the ground, pretending to sob.
"We're sorry, Your Highness! We failed to create the right ambiance!"
"We made Prince Ash, who's been known to drink continuously for a week if he pleases, not even sip a single glass!"
What kind of reputation was that?! Just what kind of life had this damned prince led?!
"We deserve to die! Please, execute us!"
"Hey, don't overact, you idiots! Get up!"
"Then, please drink!"
"What? How did this..."
"Drink! Drink! Drink!"
The surrounding soldiers began to chant in harmony.
Drink! Drink! Drink!
"Damn it."
I couldn't exactly decline and dampen the spirits in such a scenario.
What was there to do? Eventually, I clenched my eyes shut and downed my drink in one gulp.
The potent liquid scorched a path from my esophagus down to my stomach.
"Arghhh! Are you pleased now?!"
After forcefully wiping my mouth, I brandished the empty glass above my head.
The soldiers erupted into cheers, evidently ecstatic. These knaves...
"You dared to make me, the lord and commander, drink! You'd better be prepared for the aftermath! Hey! Refill everyone's glasses!"
At my behest, the soldiers brought forward barrels of alcohol.
With everyone's cups replenished, I announced,
"Alright, let's feast, drink, and die together!"
We indulged, imbibed, crooned, and prattled until the moon completed its celestial journey.
The victory night was growing deeper.
***
"Oh man, I'm hammered..."
The feast finally concluded near daybreak.
Upon reaching my room in the mansion, I clumsily cleaned up and flopped onto the bed, cradling my spinning head.
The liquor in this world was unforgiving. Even though I had merely consumed beer, the alcoholic content was on an entirely different level compared to the beer on Earth.
I yearned to slump into sleep right there, but I coerced my heavy eyelids open and accessed the system window.
'I must check this before I sleep.'
Reward boxes that had appeared as stage clear rewards.
Two R-grade boxes, and three N-grade boxes.
It was time to examine their contents.