[Physis' POV]
"Physis."
"Yes?"
"How about a glass of wine?"
While I was enjoying the food prepared by Adilun, she quietly took out a bottle of wine, as if the moment had arrived.
"That… … I'll pass."
"No, why?"
Under Adilun's subtle persuasion, I couldn't help but wave my hand.
"I feel like I might unintentionally make a mistake."
"What if you drink it while controlling yourself? Just one glass, let's create a pleasant atmosphere."
Adilun suggested with a hint of excitement in her eyes, making it difficult for me to continue refusing. Besides, she had gone through the trouble of cooking for me, and declining to have even a single glass out of fear of losing control to drunkenness would be disrespectful to her.
"Well, then I'll have just one glass."
As the wine poured into the glass, it gradually filled up, and my heart started racing.
Of course, one glass of wine wouldn't make me drunk, but it was evident that if I allowed myself to be carried away by the ambiance, I would certainly consume a considerable amount of wine.
However, if I were to refuse Adilun's offer... that wouldn't be right either. I just had to drink it calmly, quickly put Adilun to sleep, and somehow maintain composure myself.
I also poured a small amount of wine into Adilun's glass.
"Uh... why is there so little?"
"...Adilun, your tolerance for alcohol is quite weak. We're here to enjoy a picnic, but it would be problematic if you got drunk."
"I-I'm not that weak to... t-that extent..."
"Adilun, when you got drunk for the first time, you passed out after just a few glasses of wine. How much of a difference do you think there is between then and now?"
"....Well, still, please pour a little more. I won't get drunk."
At Adilun's persistent request, I eventually ended up pouring wine into her glass.
Because it was wine... memories of our first kiss kept flooding my mind. Not the brief one from last time, but a prolonged, exploratory one.
We clinked our glasses together and began sipping the wine. However, there was one thing I had overlooked.
At first, I thought it was just a slightly strong wine, but after taking a sip, I was certain. This wine was the strongest among all the wines in the Castle.
Even I, who had a considerable tolerance for alcohol, was beginning to feel a slight buzz. Needless to say, Adilun had no chance.
I raised my head with a squeak and looked at Adilun.
As expected, my instincts were correct. Adilun's expression gradually relaxed, and a rosy flush spread across her face.
It was highly likely that one more drink would make her words start to slur.
If this state continued for too long, it could become troublesome. It would be better to put her to sleep quickly.
With that in mind, I asked Adilun.
"Adilun? Are you okay?"
"Yes? Yes, I'm still okay. Hehe."
Whether this was fortunate or unfortunate, she didn't seem completely intoxicated yet.
"But this alcohol... seems to be quite strong. It's better not to drink more, Adilun."
"Yes? Oh, no. I'm fine, so can't I have just one more glass?"
"No, you can't. If you drink any more than this, something big will definitely happen."
"Something big? What do you mean?"
"Well, it's... something embarrassing to talk about, yes. Those kinds of things."
As I spoke those words, my face turned red, and a smile began to form at the corners of Adilun's mouth, her eyes wide open.
"In that case, Physis can drink in my place. It's a waste if we don't drink the wine we just opened, right?"
Immediately, I realized Adilun's true intentions. She was attempting to get me drunk now. Moreover, judging by the alcohol content of this wine... even if I resisted, if I were to consume it all, I wouldn't be in a good condition either.
'Is it truly alright to drink?'
'No, would it really matter if I did drink?'
These two conflicting thoughts began to collide within me.
And gradually... the thought that there wouldn't be any significant consequences if I drank started to prevail.
'Even if I cross the line, as long as I don't forget my purpose... it's alright to give in to impulse once in a while. Adilun must surely be hoping for that.'
I could hear the dark desires within me.
I couldn't help but seriously consider it. Regarding physical love, if I took things slowly... wouldn't it be alright?
However, upon reflection, I couldn't guarantee that I was taking things slowly. I was undeniably falling for her, to the extent that I might forget everything else and solely pursue her.
We were still in a situation where various threats targeted the empire, so there was a possibility that I would become engrossed in her and forget my purpose.
'Let's prioritize. The order of the threats facing the empire.'
First, there was the advance of the northern monsters. Due to the world becoming increasingly difficult to live in, the monsters grew stronger and breached the icy wall that protected the north. And when that happened, on top of the ice wall, a king who unified the monsters, known as the 'Demon King,' would appear.
If that happened, the North would suffer considerable damage.
'Can I handle the Demon King with my own strength right now?'
'No. My abilities haven't reached that level yet. So, I mustn't get too immersed in Adilun either.'
The feeling that it might be okay to cross the line weakened, and the feeling that I must restrain myself took a step forward.
After organizing my thoughts, I tried to convey my intention of refusal to Adilun, but... Seeing her smile at me shattered my self-control.
'Well, since I've come this far, what's wrong with having a drink? Just for today. Just for today.'
As if compelled by an irresistible force, I extended my glass, and Adilun generously poured wine into it.
"Um, Adilun?"
"Hehe. Physis, please enjoy it all. Not a drop should be left."
"… …Yes."
With a somewhat resolute tone, I ended up giving my consent.
'Sure. Let's see how drunk we can get.'
As Adilun eagerly poured wine into her glass and consumed it, at some point, I suppose I lost my senses and began pouring wine into my own glass, little by little... and drinking it.
Before I knew it, I was barely holding onto a hazy state of mind.
'Hmm.'
'What was I trying to do?'
My mind was so foggy that it was challenging to control my body properly. There was something... something I had to do.
Straining to focus my blurred vision, I gazed ahead and caught sight of Adilun's figure.
'Is it because of the alcohol? She looks even more beautiful than usual... Her allure captivates my gaze.'
Adilun also smiled at me, it was a foxy smile. A smile that completely captures a person's mind.
She spoke to me.
"Don't you think we... have been restraining ourselves too much?"
"...Yes."
"So, how about just for today, just for a day... we satisfy ourselves a little? Without crossing the line..."
I nodded my head blankly.
I couldn't make a proper judgment.
As my consciousness faded, I suddenly became aware of Adilun's face drawing closer. Then, a gentle sensation lingered on my lips, and the sweet aroma of wine brushed past, exploring every corner of my mouth.
The sensation of our soft tongues intertwining, entangling... I became completely absorbed in that act.
"Mmm... Ahh."
For a brief moment, our lips parted, and I found myself entranced by her completely relaxed expression. Her golden eyes, captivating and seductive, drew me closer to her.
Unconsciously, I found myself holding her chin, our lips meeting once again. The sweetness I had tasted a moment ago flooded my mouth, and our breaths, entwined in exploration, grew heavy.
"Mm, hmm..."
Even as the provocative sound of our tongues mingling echoed in my ears, my hazy mind was consumed by pleasure and unable to regain its composure.
With one hand still holding her chin, I pulled her closer, embraced her, and continued to explore her lips.
"Ah..."
Finally, as the long kiss came to an end, she took a deep breath and looked at me with hazy eyes. Just like me, she appeared quite intoxicated.
"Once more… …"
But perhaps feeling that the previous long kiss was not sufficient, she pressed her lips against mine once again.
The process repeated itself, and I could feel her slightly exposed shoulders and flushed face growing even redder.
"Haah, haah..."
Hot breath escaped from her mouth, and her touch moved to the back of my neck.
Once more, I embraced her, and for some reason, my gaze shifted not to her face, but to her horn.
Adilun must have noticed my gaze because she spoke to me in a somewhat suggestive voice.
"Horns... You can touch them."
I couldn't fathom why she wanted me to touch her horn, but I obliged her request. I gently stroked and caressed her smooth horn.
"Ha, Ahhh!"
In an instant, a strong moan reverberated in my ears. Despite the haze clouding my mind, it was evident what had caused her outburst.
Her horn.
Perhaps her horn played a role in arousing her.
The moment I heard her strong moan, an intense desire arose within me to elicit an even stronger reaction from her. I straightened my teeth, gnawed one horn of Adilun with my teeth, and ran my hand over her other horn. As if touching the most precious thing.
"Ah, ah… … Ha Ahaaaaa!"
Her hazy eyes shot open, and a more powerful moan escaped her lips. But that wasn't all. As if electrified, her body trembled.
Unable to withstand the overwhelming stimulation, her dazed eyes gradually began to close.
As the strength drained from her body and she leaned on me, I too gave myself over to the alcohol and leaned against the tree behind me… … and fell asleep.