episode_0062

As soon as I entered the room, I lay down on the bed without even washing up, but unlike my sluggish body, my mind was wide awake.

“I can’t sleep…”

I tried counting sheep, attempted to clear my mind, and even imagined a peaceful beach, but nothing worked.

I tried every method I learned from the internet and XTube, but all ended in failure.

The reason for my failures was that no matter what method I used, my mind quickly filled with thoughts of that damn guy.

Unable to shake off thoughts of him, I eventually had to curse and kick the blankets in frustration.

“Why is this happening, seriously.”

I thought maybe drinking would help me sleep, but it wasn’t an ideal situation to start drinking.

Going down to the dining hall alone might lead to annoying encounters with mercenaries or adventurers throwing unwanted attention my way.

And buying alcohol to drink in my room might disturb Alain, who was peacefully sleeping in the adjacent bed.

Considering it was late and my other colleagues were probably not much different from Alain, I reluctantly pushed aside thoughts of drinking.

“I want a drink.”

Yet, as I tried to forget about it, I felt a sense of regret.

I don’t particularly like alcohol, but for some reason, I felt drawn to it today.

It could be to distract myself from confusing emotions or to connect with someone and share my feelings.

There was someone in a similar situation as me…

“…Should I go find them?”

I hesitated, fearing that going to them might only make me more confused.

But lying here without sleep in sight, I eventually went down to the inn’s dining hall and bought about four bottles of strong liquor.

“I’ll just have a few drinks and then return to my room. If they’re asleep… I can come back and drink alone.”

Quietly approaching the guy’s room, I found the same barrier surrounding his door once again.

Seems like he’s not asleep.

Would it be best to just leave and not disturb him?

As I turned to walk away, feeling a bit reluctant to leave, I lightly knocked on the guy’s door.

In response, the guy, sounding perplexed, asked, “[Who is it?]”

“It’s me.”

Was he surprised that someone was visiting at this hour when he should be asleep? Or did he need time to prepare himself?

After a moment of silence, he finally asked me a question.

“You said you couldn’t sleep because you were tired?”

“Yeah, but now that I’m here, I can’t seem to fall asleep. Am I bothering you? If so, I’ll go back to my room.”

“No, you’re always welcome here. Come in.”

The barrier disappeared, and the door slowly opened.

Upon entering, I saw a guilty-looking guy, almost identical to how I expected him to be.

He seemed to be struggling with sleep for similar reasons as me.

I gave him a sleepy look and gently shook the bottle of alcohol in my hand.

“I came here for a drink because I think we’re in similar situations. Want to join me?”

“Did you really come looking for me?”

“What?”

“Nothing. So, shall we see what’s on our Witch’s mind?”

With a mischievous grin, the guy welcomed me.

Soon after, within the confines of the small room, a discreet yet heartfelt conversation between two individuals began.

—–

“We’ve been together for almost three months now.”

“Yeah, it feels like just yesterday we were trading with the elves over someone else’s precious item. Can’t believe how time flies.”

“Haha… Your expression back then was priceless. You really thought I was going to cut you, didn’t you? The way you trembled in fear still lingers in my mind.”

“You were really scared, huh? Well, who wouldn’t be scared when a stranger pulls out a giant kitchen knife on the first meeting?”

“That’s true… Shall we do it?”

“Sure, let’s.”

*Clang!*

“In the west, it was truly absurd. After overcoming all sorts of attacks and arriving in paradise, the city itself had disappeared.”

“Come to think of it, accidents kept happening wherever we went. It’s understandable in the south, but how come incidents keep occurring everywhere we go?”

“To be honest… it’s strange that no accidents happen when you look at our party members.”

“…Shall we make a bet?”

“Sure.”

Clang! – !

“I! Hey? Do you have any idea how difficult it has been because of you?!”

“What’s so difficult for you? I’m the one having a harder time! Want me to list everything?”

“Fine! Let’s list them, you jerk! Let’s compare who had it tougher!”

“Confident? If you think about all the things you’ve asked me to do, your conscience won’t even let you lie, right?”

“…How about we call it a draw?”

“…”

“L-let’s make a bet.”

Clang! – !

With the clear sound of glasses clinking, the sword guy and I shared many stories.

Starting from the incident we first encountered in the southern Great Forest, up to the happenings of today.

We continued our conversation without realizing how time flew by, but unfortunately…

“…I’m not getting drunk.”

My mind was perfectly clear.

What was the reason for seeking out the sword guy?

Wasn’t it to return to the room and sleep after drinking and conversing, feeling moderately tired?

Of course, there was also the intention to bring up embarrassing topics under the influence of alcohol.

Due to my clear mind, I wasn’t achieving any goal.

On the other hand, the sword guy seemed to be getting tired.

He was yawning and nodding off, and his appearance seemed to be urging me to leave.

…Should I return to the room?

I’m not even that tired yet, and there’s still plenty of alcohol left?

Honestly, I wanted to stubbornly insist on staying out longer, but seeing him in that half-asleep state made me lose that desire.

He looks quite exhausted. Let’s just ask for more water and head back.

I began refilling the glass with alcohol and started sealing the magic.

“Sword guy.”

“…Yes?”

“I have something I want to ask.”

Was sealing the magic the right answer?

A sensation I hadn’t felt before quickly rose within me, making me feel light-headed.

Perfect, this is what I wanted.

Now… I should be able to ask embarrassing questions without hesitation.

“Hah…”

However, even in this light-headed state, I felt embarrassment, so after taking a deep breath, I asked him.

“You said you fell for me at first sight. What exactly made you fall for me?”

Asking confidently, yet with a strangely nervous feeling, I fidgeted my fingers incessantly.

Why am I so nervous? What’s so scary about hearing the reasons someone likes you?

Trying to calm my pounding heart, I placed my hand on my chest, but my efforts were in vain as my heart raced wildly.

Oh no, what should I do? Am I really drunk? Should I release some of the magic seal?

No, that would be too embarrassing. Even in this tipsy state, if I were sober, I’d probably have bitten my tongue and died by now.

…They say alcohol turns even cowards into heroes, why am I like this?

Trying to cool down the intense heat coursing through my body, I gulped down the alcohol in the glass.

Before I knew it, the now composed sword guy opened his mouth as if he had resolved his dilemma.

“Um, it might be hard to explain.”

“What do you mean? Honestly, tell me. You don’t really like me that much?”

“No, there are so many reasons why I came to like you. If you really want to hear…”

Glug, glug, glug –

Pouring himself another drink, he calmly continued speaking.

“Despite her wicked appearance, she was actually a kind witch full of innocence and absurdity. It was cute how she tried to deny her feelings with strange excuses, or how she unknowingly tempted me while trying to keep her distance… Need more? If you do, say more… Eep eep…”

“…Ah, no. I think you can stop now.”

Feeling even more embarrassed listening, I quickly covered the fellow’s mouth with my hand.

How could he say such bold words so nonchalantly? Isn’t he embarrassed at all?

Well, he’s not the type to be embarrassed about such things. He’s the guy who used to go around saying ‘What a sight.’ in the original work, so he wouldn’t be embarrassed by just that.

I managed to silence him for a moment, hoping to catch my breath, but the scoundrel just smiled mockingly and licked my hand as if it were pitiful.

A tingling yet slimy sensation on my palm.

Startled, I jerked my hand away from his mouth and rubbed it vigorously on the bedsheet until it wore thin.

“Y-You crazy bastard!!! W-What the hell are you doing?!”

“What am I doing? Just punishing the impudent witch who told me to speak and then covered my mouth. Not even letting me answer questions… Don’t you think that’s too much?”

“B-But that doesn’t mean you should lick it! It’s disgusting!!!”

“It’s fine. Beatrice, you’d even lick the soles of my feet.”

“Shut up!!!”

My face feels like it’s going to explode.

That strange sensation from my palm keeps lingering, making my heart pound as if it’s going to burst.

I only wanted to ask a question and run away! This wasn’t what I had in mind!

“Uh, ah, um, er…”

I need a drink.

To endure this suffocating situation, I desperately needed the power of alcohol.

So, I gulped down cold liquor straight from the bottle. Hoping for some calmness to settle in my mind.

*Glug, glug…*

The liquor burned down my throat, but thankfully, it helped subdue the heightened emotions.

However, despite my newfound composure, the situation was far from good.

Having chugged the bottle, it was obvious that I would be screwed in a little while.

I started pondering.

Should I release the magic seal and dissipate the intoxication? Or should I ask one more question before leaving on the last leg of this journey?

…The decision didn’t take long.

There’s no guarantee such an opportunity will arise again. And even if I become incapacitated, the blade fellow will handle things well.

Before losing consciousness, I gathered my thoughts and posed a question to him.

“If, truly if.”

“Yeah?”

“If there’s a man inside this body, could he still love ‘Beatrice’?”

After contemplating my question for a while, he slowly opened his mouth to respond.

“Well…”