Ch.357Chapter 357 Epilogue – Evening (1)

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Kvass.

A low-alcohol beverage made by fermenting rye, or more precisely, fermented rye bread.

While technically classified as an alcoholic beverage under Imperial liquor regulations, in the cold northern regions where rye grows abundantly, it’s treated almost like a regular drink.

It might seem surprising, but people of the northern continent enjoy this kvass as well.

Despite their tendency to enjoy high-proof spirits to endure the cold.

…Though it’s somewhat amusing that they consider it a beverage rather than alcohol.

Anyway, in this central continent, kvass is treated as a common beverage that countless people across various regions enjoy, whether as alcohol or just a drink.

In this current life, I rarely drank this or any other alcohol except during my time in the north.

But before my regression, I used to drink this beverage quite frequently.

It wasn’t because I had any particular attachment to alcohol itself.

It was simply because, regardless of my daily circumstances, there was nothing better for casual drinking.

It wasn’t expensive like hard liquor, nor was it the kind that would ruin your body if you drank too much.

However, once I got moderately drunk, I would curse this body that lacked talent and would crumble at the slightest infusion of mana.

And I would blame the world that produced someone like me while drinking.

My memory of how it actually tasted is rather vague.

The only thing I remember is one thing:

During that time when I lived like a machine, pickled in inferiority, wishing only to become stronger.

I would drink this alcohol to forget my worries and hope for a better tomorrow.

…Though I lived resenting even unfulfilled wishes, pitying myself for drowning in alcohol because things didn’t go as planned.

Now that everything was going smoothly and only progress lay ahead, it was just a memory to look back on and move past.

Well, anyway, that’s not what’s important now. I just find Alcor’s taste in alcohol, sitting across from me, rather peculiar.

It’s amusing—someone with such a genuinely aristocratic, handsome face drinking kvass.

He looks like someone who could handle his liquor well, like he could down hard spirits as if they were water.

But it doesn’t matter. What’s wrong with drinking what you want in good company?

“Would you care to join me? It feels awkward drinking alone, you know.”

“I’d be honored to join you.”

So I picked up a glass of kvass at Alcor’s invitation.

“I heard the coffee they serve here is delicious. They say it’s brewed from roasted beans that were test-grown after being brought from the western continent.”

“Heeeng…”

“I’ll drink with you next time.”

“Okay…”

I made sure to stop Sizz, whose eyes were sparkling with interest in drinking anything alcoholic.

Even though I’d already told her no earlier, seeing those curious sparkling eyes, I knew she would have grabbed a glass and downed it if I hadn’t stopped her.

No way. Absolutely not. Sizz cannot drink alcohol.

Even in the previous timeline when I watched from afar.

Not to mention hard liquor, but you’d become completely intoxicated after just one glass of kvass, unable to regain your senses.

Even yesterday, when unforgettable memories were made, you were already stumbling after just a glass or two of the white wine served with dinner.

I can’t let you drink in this warm southern region where intoxication comes faster than in the north.

Honestly, it wouldn’t be impossible. But since we’re not alone, I’ll drink with you another time.

You could drink, but I have this strange intuition that if you get drunk, you’ll be difficult to handle.

“Thank you for waiting. This is our shop’s secret specialty. Using beans from the western continent with…”

As I was listening to the shop employee explaining various details while serving coffee to Sizz with an apologetic heart,

“Hehehe.”

I heard Alcor’s hearty laugh from behind me as I was keeping my eyes on Sizz.

Judging by his laughter, he seemed to find my attempts to stop Sizz from drinking quite amusing.

“You’re quite strict with your girlfriend, aren’t you? Is it that women shouldn’t drink alcohol, or something like that?”

Alcor’s voice, far from the subtle dignity he exuded when we were conversing earlier, now carried a hint of playfulness as he asked the question.

His expression conveyed something like… pure curiosity, wondering if she could really get drunk from that, and also a warm appreciation for my reluctance to let someone precious to me appear disheveled in front of others.

It’s similar, but not quite. There’s no need to hide anything, so I might as well be honest.

“It’s because I lack the skill to handle her when she’s drunk.”

“Hmm, while it’s true that young lady is stronger than you, she doesn’t seem like someone who would act recklessly…”

“They say people do things under the influence of alcohol.”

“Indeed…”

Perhaps he accepted my earnest plea, despite my calm demeanor.

Alcor readily accepted my words and downed a full glass of kvass in one go.

The glass was quite large, but the way he drank it without taking a breath was so impressive that it would make anyone watching crave a drink themselves.

“Khaa…”

Making a boisterous sound that didn’t match his aristocratic appearance, Alcor set down his glass with gusto. His expression showed no signs of intoxication whatsoever.

Of course, it’s kvass after all. In the north, it’s not even considered alcohol but rather a beverage that people who can’t afford real alcohol drink to create a drinking atmosphere.

It would be difficult to show signs of intoxication after just one glass.

But his expressionless face showed a very slight crack for a moment.

“Hmm…”

Before refilling his glass with kvass, Alcor crossed his arms, seemingly recalling the taste of the kvass he had just drunk.

What’s this? He seemed to enjoy the drink, but is he comparing it to what he’s had elsewhere?

As I was wondering why he was acting that way, question marks forming above my head,

“Hmm, it tastes good, but it’s not quite that taste…”

Though he seemed disappointed, Alcor soon nodded as if he had come to terms with it, and reached out to pour more kvass into his empty glass.

That taste? Kvass is kvass, does it have some special, unforgettable flavor?

“That excellent kvass from back then that would make your eyes snap open and awaken your mind… can I really never taste it again…”

Unable to hold back as he muttered to himself with a face full of regret,

“Are you talking about nectar rather than kvass?”

I blurted out what came to mind.

“…Perhaps you’re right.”

Alcor didn’t deny my conjecture as he downed another glass of kvass in one go.

Separate from the disappointment he felt at not finding the taste he was looking for,

“Kuhh…”

He let out a refreshing sigh that showed no dissatisfaction with the drink itself.

“For something made from rye grown in a fairly mild environment, the taste is exquisite. Even though kvass is best when made from rye grown in cold regions, this doesn’t fall behind at all. I should buy a whole barrel before I leave.”

Given his high praise and intention to buy a whole barrel, the drink itself seemed to suit his palate perfectly.

“Ah… where were we? We were talking about doing things under the influence of alcohol, right?”

“Yes, we were.”

“It’s a bit funny for me to be lecturing about life experiences to someone who has lived quite a bit.”

“I’ll listen attentively to whatever you have to say.”

“More frightening than acting on impulse while drunk is when someone makes meticulous plans, but things go awry, and they suddenly snap.”

I tilted my head at Alcor’s words, lost in thought.

It was related to the memories of last night.

From the situation where we had to use a double room at another inn because the accommodation we had booked with separate rooms was unavailable due to a fire.

To carrying Sizz, who was drunk from the white wine she had with dinner, to the room on my back.

And then that night…

Hmm, now that I think about it, he’s right.

“You already have something in mind, I see.”

Facing Alcor, who wore a triumphant expression as he watched me lost in thought for a brief moment,

“You’re right. I’ll take your words to heart.”

I nodded at the words of this great deity with rich life experience and finally emptied my glass of kvass.

Gulp, gulp.

The sensation as it went down my throat was refreshingly cool.

I hadn’t expected to drink cold alcohol in the southern region, which has a milder climate than the northern central continent.

The exquisite blend of kvass’s unique saltiness and sweetness, combined with a pleasant coolness flowing down my esophagus, was truly exhilarating.

Hard liquor? Spirits? Those are for weaklings who want to get drunk quickly.

Kvass, which you can enjoy until you get drunk, is a real man’s drink.

…Such nonsense swirling in my head suggests that the kvass I’m drinking after so long is giving me a slight buzz.

…Ah, am I truly tasting kvass properly now?

“Hmm…”

This saltiness and sweetness should be called a reward.

To think that one of the rewards for peace, obtained after repeatedly having my body turned to ash and scattered, is the taste of this kvass.

It feels a bit modest, but…

“The drink tastes good.”

“Indeed it does.”

Well, what does it matter?

I’ve protected the lives of people who forget their worries with this drink, enduring today and living for tomorrow.

That’s enough for me.