In the silence that could be called as the calm before the storm, the War King and Chronois-san quietly stared at each other.
On one hand is one of the Six Kings, the pinnacle of the Demon Realm, and on the other hand is a Supreme God, of which there are only three in the God Realm…… Both of them are beings with power close to the pinnacle of this world.
When it comes to a battle between one of the Six Kings and a Supreme God, I can only imagine that it’s going to be on the level of a natural disaster.
And in the midst of that heavy silence, Chronois-san spoke first.
[In the first place, what are you planning, War King? It’s not like you…… You’re supposed to prefer fighting strong people, why do you want to fight Miyama? Even if you’re trying to flatter him, you can’t describe Miyama as a good fighter.]
[Haahh? I can tell that just by looking at him. That guy’s fighting ability is just about as strong as a slime.]
[……N- No, he might be a bit stronger than a slime but……That’s generally what I’m saying.]
Chronois-san…… If you’re going to back me up here, could you not drop me down on the way……
I guess the War King really knew I was weak, but why did he ask me to fight him then?
As if to answer my question, the War King leisurely spoke.
[You can’t measure strength just by battle capabilities, right? I like strong people. I’m not just talking about fighting strength, that also includes intellect and mental strength…… I like all kinds of strength.]
[……Fumu, I can’t argue with that.]
[That’s why I’m not really looking to go in a fistfight with Kaito, if we’re going to fight, of course, I’m going to fight on the terms that he has a chance of winning…… Let’s see, a “drinking contest” sounds good.]
The conversation suddenly took a strange turn.
The War King didn’t want to get into a fistfight with me, he was going to have a drinking contest with me, a fight that didn’t involve battle strength at all.
Hearing the War King’s words, I was relieved to hear him say that, but the body hair on the War King’s body began to turn black again.
[……However, if it’s you that’s my opponent, then that’s a different story! Isn’t it great that you’re here, Chronois…… You’re strong, you’re a great opponent to hit!]
[ ! ? ]
[If it’s to fight you, planning to hit those fellows…… isn’t so bad!!!]
[Tsk, this is why battle junkies……]
It seems that Chronois-san’s appearance has resulted in an increase in War King’s will to fight, as he joyfully takes a battle stance.
And in response to that, Chronois-san also raised her fists and took a stance, starting the battle that would shake heaven and earth, but for some reason, the War King lets down his stance first.
[……Is what I’d like to say, but I won’t do it today.]
[Hoohhh, how admirable…… How come you changed your mind?]
[Well, there are also people I don’t want to fight, you know……]
For some reason, seeing the War King’s bringing down his will to fight, Chronois-san gives him a puzzled look, in which the War King lets out a big sigh.
[Anyway, I won’t act violently here, and I won’t hurt those fellows…… So you don’t have to stare at me with that kind of face…… “Kuromueina”.]
[Eh?]
Surprised by the War King’s words, I looked in the direction of his gaze and saw a huge jet-black beast on the roof of the mansion.
Its appearance resembled that of a wolf, with black crystal-like spikes covering his entire body. A huge magical beast with a physique not that different from the War King.
After looking at the War King for a while, the magical beast body turned into black smoke, and when the smoke gathered in front of me…… it changed into the familiar form of Kuro.
[……Kaito-kun, are you injured? I came as soon as I heard from Ein……]
[Ah, yeah…… It’s okay. I’m uninjured.]
[I see…… Megiddo.]
[I know that already. I don’t have any chance at all when I’m against you, so I won’t act violently.]
When Kuro came out, the War King easily promised that he wouldn’t fight and his body turned back to red.
[However, what I’m giving up was fighting Chronois…… I will still fight you, Kaito!]
[……Are you talking about that drinking contest?]
[Yeah, of course there’s the difference in size between us. So, let’s see…… I will drink ten cups for each cup Kaito drinks. Then, that should make it fair, right?]
[……U- Unnn.]
When the War King drank ten times as much as I did and told me that he was going to compete drinking with me, Kuro had a troubled look on her face.
Sure, under those conditions, a normal human like me might be able to compete with him, but I’m not a particularly strong drinker…… No, do I really have to win? As long as I responded to his game, the War King might be willing to take it at that and willingly leave.
[……I’m sorry, Kaito-kun. Will you accept it? Megiddo has that kind of mentality, and it would be difficult to make him return otherwise……]
[Ah, unnn. I don’t really mind but……]
[I’m sorry. If Megiddo gets out of control, I will take responsibility and beat him myself.]
[……Wouldn’t that kill me?]
After a strange flow of events, I ended up competing with the War King.
From there, the War King’s subordinates quickly prepared for the match and cups was placed in front of me and the War King in the blink of an eye.
In the meantime, I asked Kuro to heal Eta and Theta for me.
Even though they were enemies, it feels awkward leaving them wounded there…… and Kuro immediately helped me with my request, healing both of their bodies of their wounds.
They’re still unconscious, but I think they’ll be okay with this for the time being.
[…..Underworld King, do you mind if I leave this place to you?]
[Unnn. It’s okay. I will look after Megiddo, thank you too, Chronois-chan.]
[Well then, I will be going back…… I still have some work left to deal with.]
Apparently, Chronois-san has some work to do, so she told Kuro that she would entrust the place with her.
[Chronois-sama, thank you very much.]
[It’s all right. Lilia, I’m on your side…… If you need my help, don’t hesitate to call me.]
[……Yes.]
She’s still as ikemen as usual…… If someone just hears that part of your conversation, it will sound like the conversation between the hero and the heroine.
And then, a few moments after Chronois-san left the place, the War King called out to me, as it looks like the preparations are ready.
[Alright! Well then, let’s get this started, Kaito!]
[Ah, yes. Warlord-sama.]
[You don’t have to be so stiff calling me that. We’re going to fight now, so you just skip with all that honorifics.]
[Errr, then, Megiddo-san……]
[Ohh!]
Hmmm. Lots of stuff happened, but he’s quite a straightforward and easy to understand person.
Sitting down facing each other with a cup in front of us, Megiddo let out a lively smile.
My cup is as large as those cups used in Japanese weddings, but Megiddo’s cup is as big as a mini car…… With that size, putting aside 10 times, it would be even more than that.
[The rules are simple. We take turns drinking, and whoever gets smashed first loses…… Alright, I’ll go first! Oi, start pouring!]
[Hahh!]
Following Megiddo-san’s words, his subordinate poured alcohol into his cup.
That cup that might be enough for a whole barrel…… And Megiddo-san drank that ridiculous amount of alcohol all at once.
[Gulp…… Pfhuaaa~~ I can’t get enough of this! Alright, it’s your turn!]
[Ah, yes.]
After Megiddo-san gulped his alcohol, I also drank mine…… wait, how strong is the alcohol they put in my cup!? The heck is this, it’s making my throat hurt!
It seems that the alcohol Megiddo-san has prepared for us is a very strong one, and I feel as if I’ve become a bit drunk after just one drink.
Isn’t the chance of me winning close to nil……
[Nice alcohol! Alright, let’s keep this going!]
[……Arehh? Speaking of which, Kaito-kun has Shiro’s blessing on him…… Arehh? Doesn’t this mean……]
And so, the drinking competition continued……
How many cups have we had now? I think this should be the seventh cup, right?
The first time I drank it, I thought it was strong that I’d quickly pass out, but strangely enough…… I still don’t feel like I’m going to pass out.
[Y- You…… are good…… This is supposed to be alcohol that could smash a dwarf with just one drink, but you still looked pretty composed……]
[N- No, it’s just that I’m not getting drunk for some strange reason……]
[Rather than that, I don’t think there’s any chance that Megiddo’s going to win this match, you know?]
[Ahh? What do you mean, Kuromueina?]
Compared to me, who was strangely unaffected by the alcohol, Megiddo-san has gotten drunk now, and seems to be having a hard time.
And for some reason, Kuro started saying that Megiddo doesn’t have a chance to win.
Naturally, Megiddo looked doubtful, but since I also don’t know why, I tilted my head.
[That’s because, Kaito-kun has Shiro’s blessing…… so he won’t get drunk.]
[……Eh?]
[Wha!? What~~!? T- Then, does that mean!> That he would still be composed no matter how much he drinks!?]
[Unnn.]
It seems that I, who have Shiro-san’s blessings, never get drunk, and no matter how strong the drink is, I won’t suddenly collapse from drunkenness.
That’s kinda on the level of cheating when used in drinking competitions……
Hearing Kuro’s words, Megiddo-san looked dumbfounded…… before slowly he fell on his back.
[……Ahh~~ Sheeettt, I lost huh~~ You’re amazing, Kaito, it’s been a long time since I lost.]
[Eh? No, ummm, how should I say this…… It’s not really because of me that I don’t get drunk…..]
[That doesn’t matter! Borrowed power or not, it’s your power, and I lost to you. That’s all there is to it! Hahaha, well~~ It’s impressive how you won’t get drunk!]
[Ah, errr, yes.]
Megiddo-san, who was lying down, admitted his defeat by praising me straight away.
I don’t know if he’s just clear-cut and straightforward, or just a frank and unwavering person…… But that’s probably why he had so many subordinates who adore his way of life……
Then, Megiddo-san laughed for a while with an amused look on his face, before he got up with a bang.
[Alright, let’s have a feast!]
[……Huh?]
[……Megiddo……]
[Oi oi, what’s with that unpleasant look on your face. We already fought it out, and settled it! Then, all that’s left to do now is to celebrate each other’s strenuous efforts and have a party!!!]
Megiddo-san suddenly talking about having a feast left me dumbfounded while Kuro had an amazed look on her face.
[Alright, you lot! Get ready for the feast! Don’t be stingy, and get us some of the best booze and food you can find! This is a party for the guy who beat me, and if we don’t have the best party, then it would be like tarnishing my name!]
[……Ummm, Kuro?]
[No, I know you’re confused, but he’s this kind of guy…… He only cares about fighting and having parties.]
[………………]
Leaving me, who hasn’t been able to keep up with the situation behind, Megiddo-san gives orders to his subordinates, one after another to start preparing for the banquet.
I don’t know if I should say he’s an overbearing person…… Or rather, this is Lilia-san’s garden though……
[Oi, the noble over there!]
[Y- Yes!?]
[I’ll be borrowing your garden!]
[Ah, y- y- yes!]
[Alright, go call everyone within your mansion! The more people there is in a party, the merrier!]
Ah, he properly asked for permission huh…… Well, it feels pretty late already for him to ask permission.
Dear Mom, Dad—— How should I say this… Megiddo-san is lively and frank, though he’s also as intense as blazing flames. And also, I don’t know how it happened—— but a party began.
<Author’s Notes>
Underworld King: “I hardly had any appearances lately, so even if Chronois-chan can already handle it on her own, I still came out!”
T/N: 3/24