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ED: LonelyMatter
Chapter 101 – Idle Talk: Sibling Reunion
Ain and the others returned to the Royal Capital.
Kaizer, on the other hand, stayed back in Baltic with Majolica. The reason he stayed here was because he had many nostalgic memories and was overcome with sentimentality.
“Hmm, this is a bad drink. I haven’t had it in a long time.”
“Hey, I know it tastes bad. So don’t say it out loud.”
“Because it will taste even worse?”
“…That’s what they always said.”
The two of them drank cheap alcohol. It was a taste they were used to drinking, not very tasty alcohol, but it had somehow become a habit.
They entered a large, run-of-the-mill bar, whose cheap food and drinks were a welcome treat for adventurers who earned little money.
“…But well. It’s been a long time since I had a drink with you, and it’s not bad. It tastes better than it used to.”
“We’re getting old to drink with memories.”
He continued stirring the cheap alcohol he had already had for who knows how many drinks and then munching on some more delicately flavored nibbles.
With their income, they could have afforded to go to a fancy restaurant. But that wasn’t an option because it just wasn’t like them.
“It’s about time they arrived.”
“What? You were always a man of few words.”
Kaizer was thinking of Ain, of course. He thought of the crown prince, Ain, who had left Baltic in the morning and returned to the capital.
“You know what I mean. Ain should have arrived in the capital by now.”
“Oh, that’s it. Surely you are right; did he get there safely?”
One of the snacks was a thick slice of ham.
It looks fancy on the outside, but it was dry and lacked oil. Considering this, it was clear that they were using cheap meat.
Still, Kaizer loved to put the dry meat in his mouth and wash it down with a cheap drink.
“Gulp… gulp… The taste is still very subtle.”
“That’s what people like, you know? It’s strange how it looks so delicious for a moment.”
“I enjoy this. I love the way the tasteless alcohol soaks into the meat.”
Different people had different values, but like Kaizer, some things were more important than how good it tasted.
Everyone had their own way of enjoying it, and for him, this was a pleasure.
“Hey there, you monster! Do you enjoy eating such bad food?”
“Gahaha! How could a monster know what it tastes like?”
“…Hey, Majolica. You’re saying that.”
“It doesn’t matter, let me tell you. It’s a popular place, so it’s only natural that a lot of them look like idiots.”
This was one of those things that was a tradition: adventurers fighting like idiots and a third party calling them out on it. If you tried to respond to them, it’s the beginning of a fight where brute force was the key.
“Well, that’s true.”
Kaizer and Majolica were the so-called “powerhouses”… of the world when they were active.
The ones who knew them didn’t come to this kind of cheap popular shop. That’s why they would come and fight like this without thinking twice.
If you look at it as a good old-fashioned scene, it’s a pretty funny scene, which didn’t make it bad.
“Look at them. They look so bored.”
“Ara, they are really young!”
The young adventurers looked as if they had lost interest in the world.
They must have been exhausted from dealing with quests and monsters. But they were still willing to hold these events, and their resilience was something to be envied.
“I thought so, but I’m going to leave for a while, okay?”
“Oh? Hey, where are you going, Majolica?”
“You have a visitor. I don’t want to be bored, so I’m going to take care of these little boys… The guy who just came in, come on out, you piece of shit! I’m gonna rip your asshole open.”
Majolica stood up vigorously, uttered a few vulgar words, and left.
As Kaizer wondered why, a well-dressed middle-aged man sat down on the seat where Majolica was sitting.
“Do you mind if I sit here?”
“…Isn’t that something you ask after you sit down, idiot?”
Kaizer thanked his partner for his consideration and looked at the man sitting in front of him.
“This place is no place for a count.”
“Whatever it is, it’s my city. There is nothing to be ashamed of.”
He approached the owner and placed an order.
His name was Raizer Baltic. He was the lord of this town and Kaizer’s brother.
Of course, the shopkeeper was surprised to see the count, but the count put his hand over his mouth and asked him to keep it a secret.
“Sometimes this kind of atmosphere isn’t so bad. …People seem to be so busy with their things that they don’t even notice.”
Seeing his brother with a soft demeanor, Kaizer was reassured that he hadn’t changed.
Even though he left home on his own, it was still nice to see his brother the way he used to be.
“I heard about it. I didn’t think you’d settle down so well teaching at the Royal Kingsland Academy.”
“I have a lot on my plate. And it’s not as bad as you might think.”
“Haha… Well, that’s good to hear.”
“Oh, hey… I’m sorry! So… gefuhh… don’t hit me anymore…”
“Huh! You’re the one who started the fight!”
Looking at the partner, who was happily continuing the torture, he seemed to be enjoying it quite a bit.
He seemed to be using his sealing skills to prevent his opponent from moving from the neck down. This kind of barroom adventurer would not stand a chance.
“Your friend seems to be having a good time.”
“Shouldn’t you stop him? Aren’t these your people to protect, brother?”
“Oh, it’s all right. Adventurers learn and grow strong. I should be grateful for the training.”
The Baltic lord seemed to be very strict about education.
Letting out a thirsty laugh, Kaizer took a refill of his drink.
“So, how long will you stay in this city?”
“…I might stay another week.”
Fortunately, the Royal Family had arranged for them to stay for a while.
Until the end of that period, he had decided to stay in Baltic because of the trouble he was going through.
“Then it’s a good thing you came all this way. Why don’t you come and visit us?”
“I can’t do that, you idiot brother. I’m not a Baltic man anymore…”
“Are you still talking like that? Good heavens… Shopkeeper, the bill.”
Raizer calls to the shopkeeper, who looks stunned. What a busy count; he would surely have more work in the future.
“Here’s the payment for this table, and if it’s not enough, you can charge it to my office, okay?”
“…U-u-understood!”
He took out a gold coin from his pocket and handed it to the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper was confused by the coin, which was not usually seen in such a bar.
“H-hey! At least it’s our payment…”
“Please, save your brother’s face. The owner of the shop was upset because he never saw the money that is usually used for alcohol… Don’t worry about the trouble, just come and visit us. You won’t be punished if you go to your father’s and mother’s graves and say a few words to them.”
Responsibility for doing what he wanted to do. With that in mind, he no longer wanted to be a part of Baltic’s house.
But his brother Raizer didn’t care and told him to come home.
“Responsibility is something that comes and goes. It’s a normal part of life, Kaizer, but you know what? No matter how you try, you can’t erase the blood connection between you and me. It’s the same with our late father and mother, isn’t it? Please show them your face; I’m sure that’s what our father and mother would have wanted.”
Without waiting for Kaizer’s answer, Raizer left the shop.
He was his brother who said what he wanted but didn’t wait for an answer. At least ask him for an answer, he said bitterly.
“…I guess I’ll just have to talk to Majolica.”
Flowers for his parents’ grave. Kaizer thought that he should at least bring them with him and decided to ask Majolica what he should do.
“Ah, I feel refreshed. But they are so sloppy, aren’t they? Adventurers these days are… Oh, what’s wrong?”
Unlike Kaizer, his partner, who had returned on time, looked refreshed.
Although his face was annoyed, he bowed his head and asked to be taught a lesson after returning to the inn.