Amber-Colored Gratitude
“Oh, the Mongrel is here too!”
“Who’s that guy? He’s got a girl with him…ah, it’s Raina!”
“Raina-chan is so cute! It suits her well!”
“Uh, uhh…yeah.”
As I entered the guild hall, the tavern was already bustling with many people.
Guild members who were based elsewhere could come in, but they seemed to dislike being overwhelmed by the energy of the locals. There weren’t many unfamiliar faces today.
Still, the atmosphere felt different from usual.
The burly men who normally wore armor were dressed casually, and the women had dolled themselves up for the festival.
Perhaps because of this out-of-the-ordinary atmosphere, today many people had crossed the boundaries of their usual parties to sit together at tables, sharing drinks.
“Oh! Raina and Mongrel, weren’t you two checking out the festivities together earlier?”
“Ah, senpai Ulrika. Well, we were going around together until partway through, but we heard you could drink alcohol at the guild hall so we decided to come here together.”
“Ehh…it would’ve been better if you two had stayed out together until late. Well, whatever, come sit over here. There’s an open spot.”
In one corner, Ulrika’s figure could be seen. Ulrika was dressed up today too, with the shoulders exposed. Ulrika broad shoulders made the look almost masculine…? No, nevermind, there are just a lot of burly women in this world.
“Yo, my bad Ulrika. You’re all decked out today too huh? That outfit suits you.”
“No no no, it’s nothing really.”
As we took our seats, a server different from the usual one brought us a set of beer and fried cragey dishes.
Apparently, everything was free today as a treat. How gracious.
“Listen up Raina. Today we’re gonna drink our fill and get you smashed too.”
“Ehh, well, I think it’s better to drink at your own pace for things like this though…”
“Mmnnn…what a good kid you are…”
“H-Hey, could you not pet me like that please?”
Looking around, I could see fluffy jelly slimes floating near the high ceilings of the guild hall.
They were yellowed fried crageys. They drifted aimlessly about, perhaps with some insects buzzing around them.
“Hey Ulrika, did you catch any of the dances?”
“Nah, I didn’t see any. I just took a quick look outside and that’s about it. After that I’ve been here with Captain Sheena’s group the whole time. Over there, see?”
Where Ulrika pointed, there was Sheena along with Nastashia, the “Young wands” squad captain Sally, and the “Sword of Harvest” deputy captain Alectra.
The Gold-ranks had gathered in the corner of the tavern, and instead of drinking, they seemed to be reciting poetry to each other in hushed tones around the table, handing out or taking copper coins each time someone spoke a verse.
…That must be some kind of high-brow game in this world. Looks pretty dull to me though, no interest.
“Mongrel-senpai and I went to see the dances a little bit. When the colored jelly slimes were released, it was really great!”
“Oh nice. But it was crowded over there, wasn’t it?”
“It was crazy! If Mongrel-senpai didn’t push through forcefully, we couldn’t have passed.”
“Wow, you’re strong!”
At times like that, being a physical monster comes in handy. As long as it’s not cutting in line, Japanese people can keep pushing forward endlessly with continuous chops.
“Oh, the kara-ge is really good!”
“Right, right? They said there’s still plenty more, so eat as much as you want. And beer too.”
“Festivals are the best.”
These kara-ge pickled snacks are quite nice.
Even in my previous life, kara-ge was a good drinking snack, but in this world it tastes even better somehow.
The beer is…well, ordinary. To be honest, lukewarm beer is…a bit depressing, you know?
But it’s still a liquid cooler than body temperature, so you could say it’s cold in a sense…deceiving myself as I drink it. Once you get used to it, this is tasty too though.
“Mongrel-senpai, want to eat the snacks we bought earlier too?”
“Sure. Oh, I brought some spices, want to try adding them?”
“Excuse me, three beers please!”
By the walls of the guild’s tavern, a minstrel who isn’t usually there is performing, and the “Legol Guard Troops” nearby are listening pleasantly.
Seeing them here when we rarely do at the guild is part of what makes this festival day special.
Normally this place feels cramped due to the equipment and luggage taking up seat space, but today it feels more open without that stuff. Though it’s noisy with all the people crammed in, the lively atmosphere isn’t a bad thing.
“Excuse me.”
As I was soaking in the comfortable air while gazing at the floating yellow kara-ge, an armored man entered from the doorway.
A knight several ranks above a regular guard. Probably the equivalent of his squire.
Just his presence made the atmosphere in the tavern tense up. He’s the type whose very existence commands respect.
“I am a messenger sent here to this guild by Count Legol. I have a message to convey to all present here, so listen quietly.”
The minstrel’s performance stopped, and the squire man cleared his throat lightly.
He unfolded a large, high-quality sheepskin parchment and puffed out his chest.
“Citizens of Legol, I am delighted that we can celebrate this joyous day together. This year too, our prayers have reached the Moon God, who has promised us an abundant harvest. Let us share drinks and cuisine, beating our tongues to the delicacies. The beer and some dishes are my gift to you. Please enjoy yourselves fully.”
Someone started clapping. Must be a plant in the crowd.
“Furthermore, the message I will now convey is a letter of gratitude addressed to the inventor Lord Chaos, who may be residing somewhere in Legol. Since his whereabouts are unknown, I will read it out simultaneously at various locations, so please excuse me.”
…Eh?
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
Well, I did think it was an unusual kind of message, since I’d never seen this before. But I see, it’s addressed to Lord Chaos.
“To Lord Chaos. I wish to inform you that last year’s harvest yielded even more bountiful results, thanks to the wisdom you imparted. First, I extend my utmost gratitude for your ‘salt water selection’ and ‘seed sterilization’ methods.”
Ah…so he actually implemented those suggestions I sent on a whim.
I see, Count Legol did it for me. Impressive. Especially the seed sterilization must not have been easy to do on a large scale.
…Well, I don’t feel bad about being praised.
“…To be praised by the Count, he’s really are amazing, right?”
“Yeah…I wonder if he’s actually in Legol though?”
Well, who knows, he might be closer than you think?
“And to Lord Chaos, I have one more thing.”
There’s more?
“I wish to inform you of the completion of the ‘distilled liquor’ you have been developing.”
cough cough cough
“Are you okay, Mongrel-senpai?!”
No way, seriously?! The distilled liquor is complete?!
“Through the knowledge imparted by Lord Chaos, this new liquor, whisky, was created, and on this day the people of Legol shall be treated to it. Though production quantities are still limited for now, making only a small amount available today, we plan to gradually increase production going forward.”
Saying this, the man took out a large glass bottle from his luggage and showed it.
That amber liquid inside…looks exactly like the whisky I often drank in my previous life.
The guild alcoholics let out exclamations of wonder at the mention of a new liquor, all looking at the bottle with keen interest…just give it all to me…no, never mind…
“…That is all. How this whisky is distributed within this guild is up to your discretion, but Count Legol wishes for it to be shared equally among all. Take care not to disappoint the Count. Also, as a strong liquor, be mindful of your drinking amounts, and stay hydrated afterwards. Those are his instructions. Understood?”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
After leaving the large bottle behind, the squire man nailed the sheepskin letter to the notice board and left.
After a brief silence, the minstrel resumed a lively tune, and the atmosphere livened up again.
Some went to read the letter of gratitude, while most seemed more interested in the new liquor.
“Shall we try drinking it too?”
“Yeah! Looks fun! A strong liquor huh…you’ll drink it too, Mongrel-san?”
“Of course! I love strong booze!”
“Wow, so eager!”
We joined the crowd of drinkers swarming the counter and got in line.
I heard dejected voices from the front of the line and wondered what was up, but apparently people were unhappy with how little was being poured into the cups.
When my turn came and they poured it for me, there was about two fingers’ worth. For drinking it straight, this amount is more than enough in my opinion.
…Ah, that heady aroma. Not sure what kind of cask it was aged in, but this is undoubtedly whisky.
“It’s so little…”
“Yeah…wish they’d brought over a whole cask instead.”
“Now now, you two just try sipping it first since it’s the first time. Just a tiny bit to start.”
“Okay, I’ll drink it but…”
Ignoring the two dejected over the small pour, I take a sip of the whisky.
The alcoholic sting lingering on the lips. A woody aroma reminiscent of chocolate somewhere in there.
The burning sensation assaulting my throat’s mucous membranes…ah, nostalgic. This is definitely whisky.
“Tasty…”
“It’s so strong!? Crazy spicy!”
“Ueehh what is this, way too potent! Like medicine!”
“Ah, but it’s…kinda tasty, isn’t it…!”
“I know right Raina…this stuff is great…”
“Eehh really…? Isn’t it too strong for you two…?”
“Ulrika-senpai…if you don’t want it, we’ll drink it…!”
“Hey, your eyes are glaring Raina! Scary!”
Ignoring the exasperated Ulrika, Raina and I sipped on the whisky while munching on kara-ge.
This is good stuff. Thank you Count Legol. Thank you Lord Chaos. No, I am Lord Chaos.
“To Lord Chaos!”
“Cheers!”
“This is great stuff!”
“Whisky is the best!”
While too strong for some, for those who can drink it, this is an incredibly appealing liquor.
The newly whisky-obsessed crowd were already raising their tiny cups to toast the inventor.
With such small amounts, they won’t get wasted, but it’s enough to enjoy.
“…Cheers.”
I raised my cup slightly towards the table praising Lord Chaos, acknowledging their gratitude.
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