Chapter 30 - After the Banquet
It was three days after the night of the Revenant attack that Nakanohara Town returned to normal. It was already July.
By that time, the returning soldiers had arrived safely, and a triumphal ceremony was held.
They had defeated the Demon Lord's army in a field battle with unprecedented speed and cornered them in the forest where they lived. Everyone wanted to hear that story. On top of that, there had just been a defensive battle against Revenants in the town. Everyone who remained in town wanted to tell their story to someone.
Furthermore, the returning soldiers had been on campaign since last November. They had received eight months' worth of pay from the country.
Those involved in the Revenant incident—the guards, the vigilantes, and us—were paid a special reward of one silver coin per person by the town.
It was just the right time for a drink.
Before we knew it, people from the surrounding villages seemed to have caught wind of the unusual events, and the taverns at night were crowded with people coming and going, turning into a festive celebration.
My usual spot, the Bird's Head Tavern, was the same.
When I went to eat dinner, a group of drunks was loudly singing the national anthem and the Chant of Exorcism in turns, toasting in between. It was not a state where one could eat calmly.
The moment I opened the door to the shop, I heard the booming voices of the middle-aged men and thought about going home, but I was spotted quickly by the vigilante captain, Owen-san, and dragged inside with the words, "Aren't we comrades who fought together?"
"You're going to give us a discount today, right?"
"Leave it to me, I'll treat you girls to your bill today."
It's not that I was lured by his generous words.
As the three of us sat at the table, beer was served immediately, even though we hadn't ordered it.
"Everyone, listen up. These young ladies, even though they've only just reached adulthood, formed a group to exterminate monsters called the Class of 175 and fought bravely against the Revenants at the main gate!"
Owen-san suddenly introduced us to the whole shop in a loud voice. The middle-aged men around us erupted in cheers and applause.
"A toast to the Class of 175!"
"Cheers!"
Suddenly, a toast began.
Beatrix, getting carried away, stood up on her chair and shouted, "A toast to Nakanohara!" and a chorus of toasts from the men came back.
This is no good. It won't stop now.
Inside the shop, stories of the battles each person had experienced were told grandly.
I think they weren't much different from what several bards had been telling in the square during the day, but I suppose I shouldn't say that.
First was the story of the battle against the Demon Lord's army by the volunteers.
Heavy infantry who, although protected by support magic, did not flinch at all and collided head-on with a legion of atrocious monsters that were more or less flying or breathing fire and blizzards. However, they were gradually pushed back and retreated slowly, and just when it seemed they were finally losing and beginning to withdraw, heavy cavalry that had circled around from the left and right charged into both flanks of the enemy while chanting the Chant of Exorcism, successfully splitting the enemy. The heavy infantry, who had been performing a feigned retreat, turned back, pushed back, and annihilated the surrounded enemy! They told the climax of the decisive battle against the brave Demon Lord's army over and over, switching tellers and toasting each time.
On the other hand, the vigilantes who fought the Revenants spoke grandly of how three female priests fought without taking a single step back against the swarm of Revenants. Especially praising the bravery and beauty of Katherine-sensei, who wore holy robes... I'm sure it was chainmail, but what are holy robes? Even as a priest, I've never heard of them... and brandished a silver-white spear, as if she were a goddess of war. Along with that incarnation of a goddess, they told the story of how they repelled nearly ten times as many Revenants in the church's backyard, again switching tellers and toasting each time.
Well, however, I'll let Katherine-sensei becoming popular be a good thing.
Even though she's a priest, as long as she doesn't do anything while she's enrolled, there's no problem with her returning to secular life and getting married.
As her student, I'm happy if the number of potential suitors for her increases.
By the time stories like Angelica-san summoning a blizzard-breathing dragon at the main gate started coming out, it seemed better not to take them seriously.
In any case, it was apparently true that drunks tell the same story over and over.
It might have been more relaxing to just join in the rowdiness with the men like Beatrix.
Beowulf. Please, stay sober. I can already see the situation on the way home.
And as expected, Beowulf ended up having to carry the completely wasted Beatrix on her back.
Despite going to eat dinner, this was the result of continuing to toast as the men around her kept pouring drinks.
Though, thanks to her passing out, we were able to leave before it got too late. That was a good point, at least.
"Honestly. Why are mages so selfish and whimsical?"
When I grumbled while walking home at night, Beowulf soothed me with a "there, there."
Apparently, the guards' banquet was also quite something.
And it seems it gets even more intense when it's a joint banquet with the Kingdom Army garrison.
"That sounds tough. Good work."
Since Beowulf doesn't usually whine or complain, I thought she must have a lot of worries, but she said that wasn't really the case.
"The Kingdom Army has many magic soldiers. And as expected, they get really rowdy."
I can sort of understand. Basically, there are lots of people like Beatrix, right?
"I was surprised when I first participated."
Beowulf was chuckling as she remembered, but Beowulf has been a guard apprentice since she was thirteen. Even though she's big, it must have been a quite intense experience for a thirteen-year-old girl. My condolences.
"When I was looking surprised, a person from the Kingdom Army told me."
Supposedly, those who fight risking their lives make sure they have no regrets when they die. Therefore, when they drink, they drink a lot and get very rowdy. The logic is to be lenient with them.
"And then, they told me that magic soldiers are even more intense, and they explained why."
Those who use high-level magic have the possibility of falling into darkness. Even mid-level mages sometimes collapse or become emotionally unstable during battle and temporarily lose themselves. Mages always carry that anxiety in their hearts. That's why they get twice as absorbed in stupid things and get very rowdy when they drink. That's how they maintain their mental balance. That was the story, apparently.
Well, yeah. But, you know, that feels a bit off. In short, it's just a drunkard's excuse. Besides, mages are always a bit emotionally unstable anyway.
"And then, I thought of something from our recent experiences."
"What did you think?"
"That it would be good if Jeanne learned high-level holy magic soon."
Hey, wait, isn't that a bit of a leap? First of all, it's not something you can do just by trying hard.
Beowulf continued talking, unbothered by me being surprised by the sudden topic.
"The magic that sealed Paul-san's magic was Marcelo-san's magic, right?"
Yeah, it seems so. I'm not quite following the development of the conversation, though.
"After Marcelo-san released the Magic-Sealing Ring, Paul-san seemed to be using magic as if he had cleared some hurdle. I think it's because he knows that if he falls into darkness again, Marcelo-san can immediately put the Magic-Sealing Ring back on."
Well, you could say that. Apparently, the contract for an existing Magic-Sealing Ring remains valid even after returning to secular life.
"So, if Jeanne learns magic-sealing magic, Beatrix can become a high-level mage with peace of mind. If she does that, her daily behavior might become more settled, and the number of times Jeanne complains will probably decrease."
I see. So that's why you're telling me to learn high-level magic soon. I get what you're trying to say.
As I thought, Beowulf is kind. She might be drunk, though.
I can't because she has a drunkard sleeping on her back, but if she didn't, I'd want to give her a squeeze.
After thinking for a bit, I decided to say what I thought.
"I don't think what Beowulf is saying is wrong. But, it might just be 'not wrong.'"
"What do you mean?"
I peeked at the face of the drunkard on Beowulf's back. She was sleeping soundly.
"You see. Beatrix is fine as she is. And then, I complain. That's fine."
"Why?"
"I'm a priest. I should be strict with myself."
"Yeah."
"Beatrix is a mage. So she can be whimsical."
" I don't really get it."
"We're different, right? That's why we rely on each other. Beatrix can do things I can't. Beowulf too. And I can do things you two can't. That's what partners are, right?"
I continued to Beowulf, who was rounding her blue eyes.
"Beatrix gets rowdy. I complain. Beowulf kindly soothes us."
That's fine, right? That's what I think.
It's not like the Kingdom Army's battle, but because there's someone like Beowulf supporting the front, the charge of cavalry that is all-out attack, like Beatrix's attack magic, can shine. And then, I can provide support and heal them. All three of us are still inexperienced, but eventually, we'll be able to have that kind of relationship.
It seemed to get through to Beowulf too. She seemed to be tilting her head, but she broke into a smile.
"I'm not trying to rush you, but in any case, I think it would be better if Jeanne learned the magic."
"Well, yeah. But, I think things will turn out as they will."
"Is that how it is?"
"That's how it is. If Beatrix falls into darkness before I learn magic-sealing magic, let's see..."
I thought for a moment.
"I wonder if splashing rat pee on her face would wake her up."
Before Beowulf could spray out her drink, the drunkard on her back did. She wasn't laughing.
"What, weren't you sleeping? Don't pretend to be asleep!"
When I complained, the sleep-faking mage didn't back down either.
"I was just staying quiet so as not to disturb you since you were talking about something serious. More importantly, what? Rat pee! What do you think a person's face is! How filthy!"
As Beatrix ranted, Beowulf started soothing her while laughing loudly.
Yes, we are fine like this.
The fact that Beatrix's eyes looked moist was surely just my imagination.
Protagonist's earned extermination reward: 13 silver coins, 10 copper coins
Volume One - End