Episode 82: The Best Way to Sober Up is with Something Cold
That night.
Riche and her group set up camp in the plains. It was a night of camping.
They lit a campfire, finished their meals, and took some time to unwind from the day’s fatigue.
“Ah-. Hibet, the Confucian, knows a thing or two, huh?”
Gulp. Kayslee, who had returned to human form, downed the drink that Robenhalf had brought in one go.
It was a traditional alcoholic beverage from her hometown.
When they heard that they would meet Kayslee at the Tower, they had prepared it for business purposes, but this was how it ended up being used.
“I didn’t know she liked alcohol that much. Guess it’s always good to prepare in advance.”
Robenhalf smiled to himself, pleased with the outcome.
[That person can drink quite a lot, huh?]
It seemed Kayslee wasn’t the only one who enjoyed drinking.
Riche looked at Pythoness, whose eyes were shining. Lately, Pythoness had been looking down because of Tita, so this lively face was a refreshing sight.
‘Should I ask if Pythoness wants to drink too? Should I ask Robenhalf?’
[No thanks. Squirrels don’t drink.]
Despite the refusal, Pythoness’s gaze didn’t move away, clearly still interested.
“What’s up, Squirrel? You want some too?”
Kayslee poured more alcohol into a cup and placed it in front of Pythoness. Pythoness swallowed.
This person is testing me.
[The great star that I am-.]
“Oh, you can’t drink? Squirrel?”
Kayslee giggled, holding the bottle of alcohol. In response, Pythoness grabbed the cup and drank it in one go.
Kayslee marveled at how well Pythoness drank and emptied her own bottle.
“Beep! (Not bad! Human!)”
“Want more? Hmm?”
Kayslee refilled Pythoness’s glass. A strange drinking session between a human and a squirrel began.
‘Will this be okay?’
Riche briefly worried about Pythoness, but then decided it would be fine.
Pythoness’s true form wasn’t a squirrel, but a star. She’d never heard of a star getting drunk.
“There’s more alcohol in the cart. If you want, I can bring it to you.”
Robenhalf informed Kayslee of the alcohol’s location.
The coachman went into the tent and fell asleep, planning to stand guard later.
That meant. There was no one to interrupt Riche and Robenhalf now.
Robenhalf turned toward Riche, who was sitting beside him. Riche blinked her eyes, wondering if he had something to discuss.
[Robenhalf. Don’t try anything with my little sister.]
A few days ago, the day Robenhalf decided to take Riche to the cart, it was Deon’s first time ever communicating with Robenhalf. Those words echoed in Riche’s ears.
Trying something lighthearted and playful was something those with easy-going intentions would do.
But Robenhalf was serious.
“Riche, would you… mind talking for a bit, just the two of us?”
“Okay.”
Despite Robenhalf’s nervous tone, Riche nodded willingly.
She had seen Robenhalf act awkwardly like this many times over the past six years.
The two stood up and walked across the cart to a quiet spot, stopping a little further away from the loud noises of Kayslee and Pythoness.
The night sky of the quiet plains was filled with stars.
Riche gazed at them.
“Now that I think about it, Robenhalf also knows about the Great Star. He heard it from Kaishan.”
The existence of the Great Star was known by Robenhalf, and by Siegbert as well.
Deon had told him too.
“Aren’t you worried?”
Riche asked Robenhalf while looking up at the sky.
Robenhalf, who had been staring at Riche’s profile, asked in return.
“About what?”
Riche turned her head.
The long silver hair fluttered, and her heart fluttered as well. Her silver eyes, more beautiful than any diamond, made her heart race.
The voice that came from Riche’s softly moving lips tickled his ears.
Robenhalf felt like his heart was about to burst.
“The true form of the Great Star is within your body, isn’t it? What if that star wakes up and takes over your body?”
Riche’s worried gaze.
“I’m not at all worried as long as you’re here.”
His response flowed out naturally.
Under countless stars, the two of them stood, gazing at each other.
Now.
Robenhalf knew.
This was the moment to confess his true feelings to Riche.
“Riche, I—”
He couldn’t even get the words out because of his nervousness. Finally, after nine years of unrequited love, the moment to express it to Riche had come.
Robenhalf looked at Riche, ready to continue.
But before he could finish his sentence, Riche made a surprised expression.
Why? I haven’t even properly expressed my love yet—
“Robenhalf oppa…! Behind you!”
Fwoooom.
Riche urgently raised her hand and shouted. A loud explosion sound came from behind them.
Pwooosh Pwooosh.
Robenhalf immediately turned his body.
What he saw reflected in his blue eyes were large red fireworks bursting in the night sky like blooming flowers.
Under the fireworks, a figure was seen climbing onto the cart.
“Haha! I’m riding well! I’m riding well! Did you see that? Squirrel? Huh?”
Beep! Beep!
“Yeah! Am I doing it right?”
With a dizzy, silly smile, Kayslee laughed with Riche’s squirrel.
The Tower’s troublemaker…!
Somehow, despite the nickname, Robenhalf noticed that Kayslee’s behavior toward Riche was surprisingly proper.
The alcohol had made a difference.
Well, it didn’t really matter to him. But was this really the right timing to shoot those fireworks?
The perfect moment to confess his feelings to Riche…!
Robenhalf gritted his teeth while forcing a smile.
“Hey, Robenhalf.”
Kayslee called out to Robenhalf, breaking his thoughts.
It seemed that even in his drunken state, Kayslee sensed Robenhalf’s hostility. He began provoking Robenhalf.
“Do you have a problem with my fantastic magic? Huh? Want to see who’s stronger?”
Beep! Beep!
Kayslee staggered and stood on top of the cart, looking down at Robenhalf mockingly. Python’s raised his fists in excitement, alternating them above his head.
Riche alternated her gaze between the two of them and Robenhalf, unsure of what to do.
What should I do?
It was the first time she had seen someone drunk. Blake didn’t drink, and at Lordwick Castle, there was a strict order from the head of the family not to drink where Riche could see.
But if Robenhalf can talk to him, maybe he can stop him.
Just as Riche took a step forward to stop Kayslee, Robenhalf blocked her path and spoke to Kayslee. Even with his practiced social smile, Robenhalf’s hidden anger was evident.
“If you’re curious, do you want to try competing?”
Kayslee’s hazel eyes sparkled at the challenge. He’d been itching to fight for days.
He was curious to see how strong a capable person from the Rocsha Empire was.
Though he was drunk, he couldn’t pass up this opportunity.
“Alright, let’s fight!”
The magic stone embedded in Kayslee’s choker glittered.
And then…
Crunch!
Confidently, Kayslee began chanting, but in just one second, he and Python were frozen in place.
On top of the cart, both Kayslee and Python were frozen in a stance full of determination.
Gasp.
Riche gasped, her breath catching. Robenhalf dusted off his hands with a refreshed look and spoke to Riche.
“Cold is the best way to sober up.”
“R-Really? But is it okay for them to stay like that?”
“Yeah. If we melt the ice in the morning, they’ll be back to normal.”
As a price for ruining his confession, this was nothing.
Anyway…
…I’ve failed again.
He had truly believed he could succeed this time.
The 93rd attempt at confessing had also ended in failure.
Robenhalf slumped his shoulders, swallowing his tears inwardly.
Lordwick Castle. Blake’s study.
Jed had been watching his master pace back and forth in the study for a while.
Since he had heard the news that Riche would arrive today, Blake hadn’t stopped.
“Lord, Mr. Paul asked you to sign the documents by today.”
“I know.”
There were still many documents Paul, the butler, had brought for approval.
Blake sat at his desk, processed a couple of them, and then walked over to the window.
It was a window that overlooked the castle’s entrance.
Sigh, our lord never changes.
Blake was the type to finish all his work in one sitting. But no one would believe that his concentration lasted for less than 10 minutes.
We’re the only ones who know that our lord is a sucker for his daughter.
Jed shrugged and walked over to Blake.
While teasing Blake about his doting on his daughter, Jed was also secretly waiting for Riche’s arrival.
“We should’ve hung a banner at the castle. The one we used at the Imperial Academy last time.”
“Unnecessary.”
Blake’s red eyes briefly met Jed’s.
Jed didn’t mind and continued speaking.
“‘Welcome home.’ A simple banner like that would be good for greeting Riche. Though I know she wouldn’t like it—But about the status she’ll be meeting with the exam instructor that came with her…”
Oops. He closed his mouth for a moment.
The exam instructor was from the Tower. The Tower had recently become a sensitive topic.
“Is the Tower eyeing our lady?”
“Yeah.”
Just then, the master of the Tower had approached Blake.
The Tower, where magic users from all over the world gather to pursue strength. The master of the Tower, who appeared to be in his late 20s despite being in his 40s, was a handsome man.
“It’s been a while, Blake.”
Blake and the Tower master had crossed paths many times during the war and had a certain level of acquaintance.
It seemed like the Tower master had come after hearing Blake was investigating the headmaster of Udic Academy.
“Hanniban Kaisha. The guy is a problem in the Tower, but should we handle him?”
The Tower master’s shadow deepened as he spoke.
He looked more tired than when he was on the battlefield. Life seemed tough for him.
For someone with that appearance to show up voluntarily… there must be something he wanted. Blake asked.
“What do you want?”
“I just want to meet your daughter once.”
“Why?”
“She’s a promising magician. I just want to make her acquaintance before she graduates.”
“Denied.”
If Riche was interested in the Tower, that would be one thing. But Blake didn’t want his daughter involved.
The headmaster of Udic Academy, Hanniban, wasn’t a difficult opponent either.
Blake sent the Tower master away as if kicking him out.
“This is all because our lady is so exceptional. But it seems the exam instructor from the Tower doesn’t have the trust of the Tower master, does he? The fact that he still wants a meeting with her after she made an acquaintance with him…”
Jed laughed mischievously as he pulled aside the curtain.
At that moment, a splendid carriage appeared at the entrance, almost dreamlike.
That’s the handiwork of Prince Hibetsuman.
Jed shook his head. The young master had good taste, but he sometimes went astray.
Anyway, inside that carriage was our Riche. The little girl who has grown up and even attended the Kselphon qualifier.
Jed reminisced about Riche’s childhood and instinctively clutched his chest. The mere thought was so cute it made his heart ache.
Jed turned to Blake, who had already left the study.
“I think Riche’s here now. Shouldn’t we go down and greet her?”
But Blake had already left.
The sound of shoes echoed beyond the open door.
“Truly a daughter fanatic.”
Jed spoke, and his own steps quickened in response.
