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TL: ALT
Chapter 43 – After the Arrest, and the Taste of Alcohol
In the evening, as the sun was setting, Wataru and the others arrived at a restaurant and bar guided by Masques.
It was a small restaurant with a spacious counter and three small tables.
Wataru and the others sat at a table in the back.
Wataru explained the situation to Masques, who was worried because they had come to the hot springs together, and Wataru hadn’t come out for a while.
Masques listened with interest. However, when he heard that the wind had opened the door and that Wataru had almost been mistaken for a peeping tom, he smiled wryly.
“I see. So that’s what happened after I got out of the bath. That was tough for you.”
“It was difficult because they almost misunderstood me.”
“Don’t say that. It can’t be helped. Besides, I know you were staring at them.”
“Well, Master has been a pervert since we first met, so I don’t mind.”
“Haha, you’re right. I guess it was a perk of the job. I don’t know.”
“Well, they’re both exceptionally beautiful, so it was certainly a treat for the eyes. But you have to choose the right time and place, you know?”
“Next time, let’s go to a mixed bath or a family bath.”
The bathhouse that Masques led them to was separated by gender. However, other bathhouses were divided by time, allowed mixed bathing, or could be reserved for private use. There were various options.
Had they not had to board the ship the next morning to head for the royal capital, they could have stayed one more night and enjoyed the baths together.
“We’ll use the hot springs again on our way back.”
“Well, it’s on me, so enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you for the meal.”
“It’s no big deal.”
Masques lost about ten silver coins in the dice game.
If they drank and ate a lot, it wouldn’t be surprising if the bill was about the same amount.
Masques ordered food and drinks from the waiter.
He said there was a recommended dish at the restaurant.
After placing his order, Masques sat back down in his chair.
“But that’s great! Not only did you get the reward money, but you also got the item with the magic spell that the peeping tom had on it, right?”
“Yes, it seems that when you catch a thief or night robber, you get to keep their belongings.”
“What? You didn’t know that?”
“No, I didn’t. It feels kind of strange.”
“I guess the government wants to reduce the reward money as much as possible.”
“Is that why?”
Wataru held the bracelet that the peeping tom had been wearing.
He stared at it in his hand.
In the center of the thin chain was a small plate, about the size of a fingertip, with a precise carving.
It was an item that could be used for crimes involving “transparency,” so he had to be careful how he used it.
He didn’t put it on but instead put it in his pants pocket.
“But the peeping tom must have been rich enough to pay bail. It’s a strange feeling.”
“He said he wasn’t satisfied with brothels.”
Masques said, and Wataru nodded in agreement.
Is it the same feeling as someone who commits sexual assault?
A desire for thrills and the extraordinary?
Wataru couldn’t quite understand it.
“Either way, you might have made an enemy, so be careful.”
“Yes, you’re right. You should keep an eye on things, Aire.”
Wataru looked at Aire, who nodded deeply.
Even now, her ears moved from time to time, picking up the slightest sound.
Except when he went to the bathroom or when men and women were separated in the bath, Wataru couldn’t think of a place where someone could sneak past Aire’s watchful eyes.
However, that meant he couldn’t leave her side for even a moment, which was problematic.
Ideally, he wanted another bodyguard who wasn’t quite as good as Aire but whom he could rely on.
As they were talking, the waiter returned with their food.
“Here you are: Steamed chicken, steamed moii potatoes with butter, and champagne.”
“Here it is! I’ve been waiting for this!”
“And this is for you: a pickle assortment.”
“Eh, I didn’t order that.”
“You caught a peeping tom, didn’t you? Consider it a service from us. Thank you for catching a woman’s enemy.”
“Th-Thank you very much.”
He thanked the female waitress.
The steamed chicken looked very filling and was steaming hot, probably made from a whole bird.
Glistening sauce covered its surface.
An indescribable, fragrant aroma rose up and stimulated Wataru’s appetite.
Perhaps because he had eaten a light lunch on the boat, his stomach suddenly growled with hunger.
“Now, I always make anyone who eats here with me drink ‘Champagne.'”
“Alcohol?”
“Yes, it’s made by the church in this town. It’s a secret herbal liquor made with spring water from this area and a blend of fifty different herbs.”
“It smells really bad…”
“Hey, Aire, that’s rude.”
Mariel reprimanded Aire, who still made a sour face. It must have been really strong.
Masques laughed heartily, seemingly unconcerned.
“Well, it’s too strong for beastmen, and even humans rarely drink it, so it can’t be helped.”
“I see. What about you, Mariel?”
“It’s such a kind offer, so I’ll just have a sip.”
“I’ll pass. I have to protect Master… Here you go.”
She tilted the ceramic container and poured sake into Wataru’s cup, diluting it with water.
Perhaps because she had told them beforehand that she couldn’t handle alcohol, she diluted it thoroughly.
“Well then, thank you for the treat…”
First, Wataru’s tongue and nose detected a complex bitterness and spiciness, along with a unique medicinal smell.
Then, a sweetness spread throughout his mouth, distracting him from how difficult it was to drink.
“Hahaha, what a funny face!”
“It has a very complex flavor…”
“This definitely seems good for your health.”
“It’s not for everyone, but it’s addictive.”
Wataru thought it tasted like Ryukakusan throat lozenges.
The flavor was different but similar in nature.
Even diluted with water, it had a distinctive odor and seemed to have a high alcohol content.
He felt a rush of heat in his stomach.
People who like it will definitely love it.
Perhaps because she can handle alcohol better than Wataru can, or maybe because she only took a sip, Mariel didn’t show much of a reaction.
“It’s a specialty of this town. If you like it, you should buy some. I always keep it on my boat.”
Masques laughed cheerfully and gulped down the champagne.
The sound he made as he swallowed it sounded delicious.
“This steamed chicken is delicious!”
“Aire likes meat, right? It’s so good! What is this flavor? It’s fluffy and tender, not dry at all, with a deep juiciness!”
“You like it? Hot spring chicken is a unique bird raised only in hot spring towns like this one.”
“Oh, it’s really delicious. Hot spring chicken, is it?”
With sparkling eyes, Aire and Wataru cut the chicken and put it in their mouths. Meanwhile, Mariel maintained her elegance as she ate slowly but quickly.
She remained elegant and refined, but her hands moved swiftly and precisely, making a “shu, shu, shu, shu…” sound.
The former noblewoman’s daughter was beautiful even when she ate quickly.
As the steamed chicken disappeared at an astonishing pace, Masques hurriedly divided it onto his plate while answering Mariel’s question.
“Ordinary birds warm their eggs with their body heat, but these hot spring birds lay their eggs in water at the right temperature and raise them there.
“I wonder why they don’t become hot spring eggs.”
“Some of them lay their eggs in hot springs where humans bathe. It’s illegal to touch the eggs, though. Rumor has it that they’re incredibly delicious, but it’s torture not to be able to eat them.”
“There are some strange creatures in this world, aren’t there?”
Masques’ explanation made Wataru sigh.
This world is truly stimulating.
If he traveled to various regions, he would surely have more mysterious experiences.
Even in the capital, he should be able to see many interesting things.
He was looking forward to arriving.
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Thanks for the treat.
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Thanks for the treat
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That specialty alcohol reminds me more of absinthe than of champagne.
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That’s not champagne, not even absinthe, but rather Chartreuse. It’s quite famous and now impossible to buy because the monks decided to lower production to focus on being monks.
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