Chapter 71: Nighttime Toasts Beneath The Moon (2)


    <b> Nighttime Toasts Beneath the Moon (2) </b>


    Is your left hand okay?


    .


    After I sent off Findenai, who was now walking away while grumbling, I noticed that more people were approaching me this time.


    They were Mage Tribunal Judge, Tyren Ol Velocus, and the Royal Knight Commander, Gloria Grace.


    Instead of their usual robes or armor, they were both wearing casual clothes. This, too, was out of the Kings consideration.


    Due to this incident, they opposed the Archmage and me, but it was actually a misunderstanding. If there were any lingering emotions between us, they were meant to be resolved at this drinking fest.


    Ahem.


    Therefore, Gloria, who was feeling quite awkward, cleared her throat and spoke firmly.


    I am one who follows His Majestys orders. I will move as his sword if he desires it.


    .


    If His Majesty ever gives the same order next time, I will follow without saying a word. However


    Seeing her speech bing lengthy, Tyren, who was beside her, let out a hollow smile. I sat in silence, continuing to look at her.


    I didnt expect His Majesty was in the wrong. So, I apologize.


    She was showing penitence through self-me for not realizing this would not have happened if she had noticed, and guilt for not recognizing the potential danger to the Kings safety as his sword.


    Looking at Gloria bowing her head with those emotions, I took a sip of my drink.


    It does not matter.


    .


    You only followed your duties. It is okay if you do not have your own judgment about it.


    Gloria slowly raised her head at my response. Tyren, who was beside her, chuckled heartily and said.


    See? Hes not someone who cares about that stuff? Hes truly noble.


    Um, and I also heard that youll be affiliated with the Royal Family from now on. I look forward to your kind cooperation.


    Gloria extended her hand for a handshake, but one of my hands was wrapped in bandages, and the other was holding a mug.


    Thinking it was an awkward mistake, Gloria tried to withdraw her hand, but I immediately put down my mug and shook her hand.


    Please, take care of me.


    Considering the storys progression, she was not someone I could just overlook.


    So, for now, I thought it would be wise to establish at least a close rtionship.


    Why dont you two drop formalities? Weve berades through serving the same King.


    Well, then


    Do as you wish.


    Gloria, who had been subtly observing, nodded with a relieved expression at my response.


    Alright, Ill count on you.


    That concluded my conversation with both of them. After all, we werent close enough yet to engage in a lengthy discussion.


    People gathered around the grill where the huge meat was slowly cooking.


    I remained in the same spot, casually sipping my drink. However, there were no apparent signs of me getting drunk.


    Is this seat taken?


    At that moment, another man approached me. It was someone who was supposed to be resting at this moment, King Orpheus.


    I tried standing up, but he gestured for me to stay and casually sat down next to me.


    I also want a drink, but I was told to endure it for the sake of recuperating, for now.


    Orpheus, seemingly feeling a bit empty, clenched and unclenched his fists. He needed immediate rest due to the aftermath of being possessed by the Evil Ghost.


    He turned his gaze to the fire and chuckled.


    Youve ovee all three trials. Congrattions. I didnt expect you to aplish all of them.


    It is understandable why Your Majesty had thought like that, considering the high difficulty of the trials.


    Haha, thats right. Even I cant help but feel that I was too cruel.


    Defeating Mage Tribunal Judge Tyren Ol Velocus.


    Resolving Eleanor Luden Griffins nightmare.


    Finally, solving the riddle from the Late Kings will, which could be considered the Royal Familys secret.


    I will give you sufficient rewards, but will everything be okay?


    .


    His gaze was now on me. The emotions contained within were of worry and concern.


    It will be a chaotic time; there will be more mockery, criticism, and maybe even a bleak future, more than we could think about.


    But that applies not only to me but also to the Kingdom.


    Thats the responsibility I have to shoulder, right?


    That was right.


    Because the King had said the right words, I unknowingly nodded in satisfaction.


    It was expected that the Royal Family would face criticism and me for epting a dark mage in the Kingdom.


    However, the fact that I became the target of that very criticism, instead of himself, had troubled Orpheus.


    How about gradually amendingws rted to dark mages moving forward?


    I shook my head at this suggestion to fix peoples perceptions on this matter.


    It is already toote. Instead, it will make them even more unwilling to ept our existence.


    Hm.


    Please rest assured.


    When I responded firmly, Orpheus slightly nodded, indicating he understood.


    I could see how much trust he had in me.


    Oh, by the way.


    Orpheus uncharacteristically pped his hands and peeked at me.


    How old did you say you were?


    I am twenty-eight.


    Hmm, I see.


    After acting exaggeratedly for no reason, Orpheus nodded awkwardly. He cleared his throat and deliberately changed the subject.


    Well, this is where my younger sister spent time with you quite often, right?


    Yes, Your Majesty.


    This means that, considering that you spent time together more frequently than usual, you two are quite close, right?


    .


    .Am I too obvious?


    I didnt bother to answer Orpheuss question as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head; I simply sipped my drink.


    He patted my shoulder and sighed as he continued.


    Well, think about it. I noticed that Eleanor seems to like you quite a bit, and I, too, would warmly wee you.


    .


    Isnt twenty-eight an age old enough to be married and have children?


    I slowly responded after putting down my mug.


    I have a fiance.


    What?!


    Orpheus, appearing as though he never expected such a revtion, stared at me with disbelief.


    Hmmm, I almost crossed the line. I apologize for that.


    Orpheus, still shaken, took back his words.


    Well, its not like I broke off my engagement with Erica just yet; its to help her end her rtionship with Gideon.


    <b><i>It turns out I also have a use for this.</i></b>


    My engagement rtionship with her served as a good way to refuse other peoples useless meddling.


    <b><i>However, this excuse probably wille to an end once I return to the academy.</i></b>


    Certainly, Erica would have regained enough of her original independence to initiate the breaking-off engagement letter by now.


    After that happens, I wouldnt be able to use the shield called fiance, but I had ns to make the most of it while I still could.


    I didnt know you had a woman you were courting.


    It is a marriage agreement between families.


    Of course, that is normally the case, I guess.


    Although I expected that reaction, somehow, it bothered me.


    In the distance, a maid was seen running towards us. It seemed like she hade to find King Orpheus.


    Oh no! Ive been caught. Ill be going now.


    Have a restful night, Your Majesty.


    Sure, dont drink too much. Youre the only dark mage approved by the Kingdom now, so take care of yourself.


    King Orpheus patted my shoulder, and as he walked away, I could see that his steps were filled with strength.


    Through this incident, he neither suffered a mental breakdown nor had his body taken by the Evil Ghost.


    This time, he clearly exuded an aura of maturity. Witnessing that, I concealed the smile forming on my lips behind my mug.


    Deus! Come here and eat with us!


    Darius waved while lifting a te of cooked meat in the air, calling out to me.


    Deia also gave a slight hand gesture when she nced at me, so I slowly got up and approached them.


    Eat some snacks while you drink. Dont get drunk and copse like you usually would back in the mansion.


    There were quite a few stories about how the previous Deus would fall into a stupor, wandering around the mansion after getting drunk.


    However, no matter how much I drank, it seemed like my tolerance to alcohol was so high that not even a hint of intoxication showed itself.


    Ah, your hand.


    Deia handed me the meat, hesitating for a moment when she saw my left hand.


    Then, she slowly offered the piece of meat towards my mouth.


    Since I caused your injury, Ill take responsibility.


    .I do not have to eat right now.


    I didnt really feel like eating anything. It was a clear night, so I just wanted to savor my drink peacefully.


    Are you going to embarrass me?


    Irritated, Deia shot me a threatening look. I sighed and reluctantly ate the meat she fed me.


    Oh! Ooohhh!


    Watching us from the side, Darius stared with a touched expression.


    Despite our expressions simultaneously turning sour, he didnt mind and extended his mug toward us.


    Here! The closeness between us, the three siblings, signifies the strength of the Verdi Household! Lets raise our mugs!


    Geez, youre not even an old man.


    Deia looked at Darius while making an expression.


    <i>Clink.</i>


    I extended my hand and clinked his mug.


    Oh! Ooooh!


    Touched by this, Darius almost choked up, and both Darius and I turned our gaze towards the youngest.


    Did you just betray me?! Oh,e on, seriously?


    But Deia eventually caved in and thrust her mug forward.


    The three of us shed our mugs against the backdrop of the campfires mes, producing a lively echo.


    Watching this scene reminded me of the Oath of the Peach Garden scene in Three Kingdoms¹a fictional event in the 14th century Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. This event is set at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty around the time of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the 180s A.D. Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei took an oath of fraternity in a ceremony in the Peach Garden (believed to be in present-day Zhuozhou, Hebei), and became sworn brothers from then on. Their goal in taking the oath was to protect the Han Empire from the Yellow Turban rebels. The oath bound the three men, who wouldter y important roles in the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. It is also often alluded to as a symbol of fraternal loyalty.. So, I slowly withdrew my mug.


    How touching! I never thought we would have something like family affection!


    Darius joyfully joined between Deia and me, putting arms around our shoulders.


    Suddenly, I shifted my body to the side due to the bullet wound on my left shoulder/ Deia exploded with anger.


    Are you drunk?! Be careful! Do you think hes like you?! You know you should be careful!


    S-sorry.


    Darius promptly apologized, appearing like a dog with its tail between its legs. But looking at it objectively, Dariuss injuries were more severe.


    <i>Huft</i>, are you okay?


    Deia and Darius turned their attention to me. ncing at my left shoulder, I casually spoke to Deia, who was worried about me.


    Just be more gentle next time.


    .Hm?


    Huh?


    They spoke at the same time, turned to each other, and began to ramble with nervous expressions.


    I-is it possible to shoot a gun gently? Ah, well, since its a gun infused with mana, so if I control that


    Is that really possible? If its power is determined by the users skill, it seems to be quite a sophisticated item.


    Watching them taking it quite seriously, I felt a bit awkward and blurted out.


    I was joking.


    They both remainedpletely still.


    Then, simultaneously looking at me, they burst intoughter three secondster.


    I-its a jokeeeeee?! You, Deus? You made a jokeeee?!


    Wait, where did you learn such a thing?! Well, it makes sense! For a guy who lived drinking and hanging with women every day!


    Themotion spread in a sh.


    The Professor just made a joke? R-really? What did he say?!


    That Master Bastard who had been totally ignoring my words, cracked a joke? Come on, let me hear! What did he say?!


    <b>[It turns out you also have a cute side, Apprentice?]</b>


    Seeing the people and a ghost flocking over me


    <i>Sigh</i>.


    I felt irritation flood over me like a tide.<ul><li>1


    a fictional event in the 14th century Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. This event is set at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty around the time of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the 180s A.D. Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei took an oath of fraternity in a ceremony in the Peach Garden (believed to be in present-day Zhuozhou, Hebei), and became sworn brothers from then on. Their goal in taking the oath was to protect the Han Empire from the Yellow Turban rebels. The oath bound the three men, who wouldter y important roles in the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. It is also often alluded to as a symbol of fraternal loyalty.</li></ul> /genesisforsaken