Volume 2 Chapter 8 Celebration Of The First Quest Success
After safely delivering the requested items and the thieves to the guild, we were jumping with joy at the decent earnings we made, even after splitting among a few of us.
"Here, your party reward is 10 silver coins."
"Whoa-oh-oh! As expected from a copper-ranked quest...! Even split, it's quite a tasty reward."
If I remember correctly, it was one big silver coin for 10 silver coins, and a gold coin for 100 silver coins. So, if a gold coin is worth around 3 million yen and we divide it by 100... that's 30,000 yen per silver coin.
So, this is roughly equivalent to 300,000 yen.
"Th-this is quite a good money, huh."
As I convert this into Japanese yen, I gulp at the size of our earnings for one quest. Even split among four people, it's 75,000 yen per day. It feels almost too good to be true.
However, normally, a quest like this would take about three days. If we divide that further by 3, it's 25,000 yen. If risking our lives is worth that much, then maybe it's a reasonable price.
"All right! Since this is our first clear, there's no choice but to celebrate together! Let's make some noise!"
"Yaaay!" Toxy is bursting with excitement. Ice is also looking very happy, saying "Y-yes! We have to celebrate this!" and I can't help but grin too.
Meanwhile, Clay is quietly talking to the receptionist.
"Excuse me, are the guild's share and taxes deducted from this? ...The guild's share is deducted, but the tax isn't. I see. By the way, how much is the income tax in this area?"
"..."
It was the moment I thought I should take care of Clay.
So, with such a scene unfolding, we set up camp in the dining hall, in a festive mood, and started feasting with a budget of up to 2 silver coins.
In other words, a budget of 60,000 yen. We can eat anything. We can drink anything. Because even then, we're in the black.
And so...
"Everyone! Good job on the first quest! Let's toast to our first success!"
"""Cheers!"""
We raised large tankards made of wood and toasted each other. We clinked our wooden barrel tankards together and gulped down the ale.
"Ahh... nothing beats a full glass after work, right?"
There was a time in my past life when this was my only joy. But before I knew it, that time had disappeared.
"Hehe, Wade-kun... you're just like a father."
Ice chuckled softly. I felt a bit embarrassed, wondering if I seemed too mature for my age.
Meanwhile, Clay frowned deeply.
"Ugh, this is bitter... It's strange how Wade-kun and the others can drink it so easily."
"This isn't the kind of thing you sip leisurely. It's a drink meant to be enjoyed for its smoothness and bitter aftertaste."
"I see... Guess it takes some getting used to."
"Yeah, it does. Speaking of which, I was surprised that Ice could drink it."
"Well, I was trained by my father..."
"Trained?"
"For merchants, you know, alcohol is a powerful weapon. It puts people in a good mood and makes it easier to seal deals."
"Wow, that's interesting."
"So, despite how I look, I'm actually a bit strong... hehe. Just kidding."
She chuckled, but her wooden barrel tankard was already empty. There was nothing funny about it. She was completely serious.
In this lively atmosphere, the meal continued. Clay drank moderately, while on the other hand, me, Ice, and Toxy drank heavily and talked about each other.
"Yeeeah! Wade! Wade, Wade, Wade!"
And 30 minutes later, Toxy was already drunk.
"What's wrong? What's wrong?"
"You're drinking!?!?!?!?"
"Yeah. This is my fifth glass, Toxy-chan!"
"No way! I have to drink more!"
"Whoa, that's typical alcohol pressure. How many glasses is that for you, Toxy?"
"Second glass, Wade!!!!"
"Hey, stop drinking already."
"Whyyyyyy?!"
She's thrashing around without rhyme or reason, just like a baby. That's why I told her to stop.
Even as I say that, I'm pretty good with words. Since Ice is also a lightweight, we clink our glasses for what feels like the umpteenth time and I gulp down my fifth drink.
"Two more ales, please!"
"Sure thing!"
"Wade-kun, you sure can hold your liquor."
As soon as I finish my first drink, Clay switches to sparkling water and I remarks,
"This is what I live for."
"Yeah, Wade-kun, you seem pretty drunk."
"No, I've still got plenty left in me. I'll even do 10 consecutive backflips with gravity magic as proof."
"We don't need that."
"Yes, we do."
"Don't decide on your own."
"How boring..." I thought as I take a sip. Just that makes me quite content. When the additional ales arrive, I become even happier. Let's just cheers with Ice for now.
"Cheers, Ice."
"Yeah! Cheers, Wade-kun!"
Under the influence of alcohol, Ice, who usually seems nervous, is now quite high-spirited as we clink our glasses together and drink.
"Puha! Ah... so this is what adventurers are like. It's awesome."
"That's undeniable."
I'm delighted to hear Clay's declaration of defeat.
"Clay, cheers."
"Cheers. I'm just sparkling water, though."
"It doesn't matter! Cheers! As long as you have the spirit!"
"Wade! Cheers!"
"Toxy, drink some water."
"Why are you being so cold to me!"
Toxy starts crying, "Ueeee" and I didn't mean for that to happen, so I console her... and offer a condition.
"If you drink water, I'll be nice to you."
"Really!? Waiter, I'll have some water, please!"
"Coming right up!"
Toxy turns around with a smug look, as if to say, "See how great I am?" I've decided to be kind.
"Toxy is amazing...! Yeah, really amazing. You did a great job today! Cheers to Toxy!"
"Wow, you're really kind, Wade...! C-Cheers! Cheers! Uh, I-I'm gonna cry..."
Though she wasn't crying at all, it seemed like she didn't realize it herself. I patted her head gently and handed her the water.
"This is a token of gratitude from me to you...! Please drink it carefully."
"Wa-Wadeee!"
"It's just plain water though."
Clay's tsukkomi felt comforting. I could be carefree about his jokes.
Seeing Toxy gulp down the water I gave her, I felt relieved. Just as I took a sip of my ale and set it on the table, Ice suddenly attacked me.
"Huh!?"
Before I knew it, I was looking up at Ice from beneath her. There was a soft sensation under my head... Is this a lap pillow?
"Wade-kun...! You're always paying attention to Toxy-chan! Mehh!"
And then I got inexplicably scolded. Since I didn't quite understand, I just replied with a "Sorry!"
In a very gentle manner, Ice started patting my head.
"Sorry is good, good boy... Wade-kun, you're working so hard... I'll always be watching over you, okay?"
"Is this... a mother's warmth?"
"I highly doubt it."
Clay said in a disinterested tone at my words as he sipped his sparkling water. Since the table was in the way, I couldn't see his expression, but I could feel his cold gaze.
"Good boy... good boy..."
Meanwhile, it seemed Ice had entered an endless adoration phase with me. Softly, she circled her arm around me to prevent me from getting up, while using her free hand to keep patting my head.
"Wade-kun, you're such a good boy... You're really cool. It's amazing to defeat a Chimera, there's no way a rookie could do it... You're incredible... Truly Wade-kun..."
As Ice continued to heap praise on me, I felt a strange sensation running down my spine that I shouldn't be remembering.
"...Uh, Clay, h-help me out here. This is too much to handle. I'll be ruined if I stay like this."
"How amusing."
"Clay!?"
Despite my plea for help, Ice's onslaught didn't stop.
"It's okay... Even if you falter a little, Wade-kun, it's okay... Because Wade-kun, you're really amazing... Just being alive is enough. You're amazing, truly..."
"Clay! Help me! My! My heart is melting away! My heart, hardened by my damn father, is melting into a mess!"
"That's not a bad thing."
"This isn't good! It might seem okay at first glance, but it's probably not! Why?! Why won't you help me?!"
"Um... Honestly, the moment I tried to calm Ice-san down, Ice-san got really, I mean, sorry. I didn't say anything."
"Yeah, that's right. Clay-kun doesn't interfere with my's plans, right?"
"Yeah. I won't get in your way, Ice-san. So please, stop seeing me as an enemy."
"Of course, you're right. Clay-kun is understanding and kind, after all."
"That's right."
...Without realizing it, it becomes clear here that Ice has completely put Clay under her control. When and how did this happen?!
Despite my astonishment, I was continuously petted, praised, completely melted by Ice, and ended up falling asleep.
Gghhh.
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