Chapter 14: A drunkard
The next day.
The noble city was strangely noisy in the morning.
A horse-drawn carriage was moving without stopping on the street.
When I saw a maid cleaning there, I tried asking her.
「Did something happen? 」 (Regis)
「What!?」 (Regis)
A sense similar to an electrical current could be felt running through my whole body.
That is unmistakably Edgar’s shop.
「Ano…..is there something wrong?」 (maid)
「Aa–, Regis-sama!? 」 (maid)
Ignoring the maid who was trying to restrain me, I went outside.
I dashed off at full speed towards the northern noble district.
As soon as I entered the central city, I was assaulted by an awful smell.
Billowing clouds of black smoke could be seen rising into the sky.
Naturally there were many onlookers crowding the scene, making it hard for me to move forward.
I had to wade through the crowd but was somehow able to reach the magic shop.
「Edgar–! Where are you!?」 (Regis)
The site looked disastrous.
A crater that might have been caused by a strong blast was found in the interior of the shop.
The empty property beside was somehow involved in it too. The entire place was completely destroyed.
「Where are you!? Answer me! 」 (Regis)
I understood it in my mind.
There is no way that she could have survived.
However I didn’t want to think that she’s dead.
「Edgar–!」 (Regis)
「You’re noisy. It’s already painful enough due to my low blood pressure so stop making so much noise in the morning. 」
Someone tapped me on my shoulder all of the sudden.
When I looked behind, Edgar could be seen standing there without a single injury on her body.
「Are you all right? 」 (Regis)
「….I’m glad. 」 (Regis)
If it’s just the shop, you can always rebuild it again, but it’ll be the end once you die.
I’m really glad that Edgar is not injured.
「So how did you survive? 」 (Regis)
「Iya~, I passed out in the bar yesterday. I fell asleep without going back but I was woken up by that explosion this morning. That was when I returned. 」 (Edgar)
I took a look at the shop once again.
All the store goods appeared to be damaged and were scattered all over due to the explosion. I didn’t even want to think about the total damage.
「Umm, I guess I have no choice but to earn money by trading for the time being. 」 (Edgar)
「…..No, you don’t need to do that. 」 (Regis)
I said it flatly.
Edgar tilted her head in wonder on hearing what I said.
「Why is that? Do you want me to starve to death? 」 (Edgar)
「That’s not it. I’ll definitely rebuild this shop here once again. By all means. 」 (Regis)
When I declared it to her, Edgar heaved a sigh as if she was troubled by it.
「Even though you are from a noble family, the house of Din is a fallen noble isn’t it? If you have that much money to use on something like this, you should just use it for the people under your territory obediently. 」 (Edgar)
「It’ll be all right. I will not be using a single cent. I’ll squeezed it directly from the guy who destroyed this shop. 」 (Regis)
The culprit seemed to have fled the scene, but it’s as clear as day as to whom the real perpetrator was.
Hence, this fatal blast was carried out as a form of retaliation.
「The methods carried out by the nobles are somehow always underhanded. Well, Durf seems to be the most outstanding one among them though.」 (Edgar)
Edgar scratched her cheek lightly.
Even though her own shop was destroyed, she didn’t appear to be really shocked by this.
「You don’t look depressed. 」 (Regis)
「I can’t afford to let something like this get to me every single time. Rather, it reminded me of the tension I felt during my mercenary days again. I should be thanking him instead. 」 (Edgar)
Edgar took out a bottle of liquor from her bosom.
Is she a heavy drinker? She didn’t seem to be drunk.
「—-But well, it was quite painful to have my shop completely destroyed. 」 (Edgar)
*Whew* She breathed out.
Or rather, I should be the one to be enraged.
He’s using such an unscrupulous method as a means of revenge.
In addition, even though the targeted person, Edgar is safe, the people around have gotten seriously injured.
Using any methods just to achieve something by all means—is seriously a despicable word.
「I will definitely crush him….」 (Regis)
「A villa? 」 (Regis)
Was it something like a vacation-like personal residence?
That idea crossed my mind in an instant but considering a merchant’s occupation, it might be something like a warehouse.
「Aa, well it’s something like that. Why don’t you come and take a look at it? 」 (Edgar)
「Of course. But before that, I’d like to get something to eat first. I’m starting to feel famish now after finishing the sake earlier. 」 (Edgar)
Aa, this person is useless.
She is the type who will only succeed due to her abilities such as swordsmanship but is destroyed by alcohol instead.
I conveyed my honest opinion to Edgar.
Yes, there are ‘magical properties’ in alcohol.
I have made a huge blunder with alcohol in my previous life as well.
—I think that was when I just turned 20.
I was drinking liquor alone at home in the evening when my mood became high.
After mixing in various kinds of Western wine and spirit with high alcohol percentage, I guzzled it down.
However, before I got helplessly drunk, I ended up getting myself entangled in trouble.
It would be fine if only I had given up at that time but, I was hit upon an absurd idea.
Yes. My lovely younger sister, let me convey my elation now.
The expectation and anticipation for the alcohol itself were held in my chest.
At that time, my sense of reason was already blown off.
With all my resolve, I kicked the door open and went straight to the corridor.
After that, I started shouting my lungs out like the spirit of a drunken man as I ran. I ended up becoming famous in the neighbourhood for 『squealing on Christmas Eve like no one can』.
「F-F-F-Fly away–!! You, can, not, stop, me. Hihaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Meeerrryyyy, Chrissstmaaass–!!」
(Rin: He was shouting this out in English)
I think I might have blurted out something like that.
He had insisted on putting me under custody several times.
It appeared that the first job that he was appointed to was to restrain me. I really pitied him.
He must have ran all the way here by the look of his face. The muscles on his face seemed to be twitching.
I, who had broken the chain and opened the door to the society, had gone out without looking around my surrounding.
No one can stop me anymore. Or rather, try stopping me if you can.
In order to carve my first step in glory, I went straight ahead.
Regrettably, the first step that I had taken was wrong.
There was no way I could hold out.
As a result, I fell down the stairs with great momentum.
After taking a majestic tumble down the stairs, I finally noticed that there was someone was standing there.
Ooo, was my younger sister reaching her hand out to me when I was on the verge of death?
With tears welled up in my eyes, I looked up at that person.
It was father.
No matter how I look at it, that was definitely father.
I had already broken off all the connections with my parents when I was unable to find an employment at that time.
I smiled at him gently, while I was in the state of an eminent crisis.
Turning my whole body once and I made my final signature pose to my father standing in front, who had a cold look on his face.
I conveyed my gratitude.
「Tehe, the Rolling Riceball」 (past Regis)
(Rin: おむすびころりんis a famous piece of folklore but has different variations. Two of the examples are here and here though I have no idea why Regis said that out of the blue)
I wonder if that was when I accepted the kick from my parents for the first time.
『I wonder how many times was it…….』 It was impressive to see the head patrol officer in tears—-
I will never allow such failure to repeat itself again.
I don’t mind taking a meal with her but definitely not liquor.
Even if Edgar were to recommend it, I decided to firmly refuse it.
As I made such oath in mind, I went after her.
Halfway through, I suddenly remembered something.
I softly chanted under my breath to prevent the passer-by from hearing it.
This is a detection magic that I learnt from Walkins before coming to the Imperial City.
「Enemies intending to cause harm and be my adversary, get scorched in the space of the demon’s network —-『High Detection』」 (Regis)
A vast magical power spread out from the center of me.
【High Detection】
All right. I succeeded in acquiring it.
The thin layer of film created by the magic power expanded itself as if in search of something.
I breathed out in relief after checking the surrounding area one by one.
「Nn, what’s wrong Regis? 」 (Edgar)
「No, it’s nothing. 」 (Regis)
Edgar seemed to be worried but I shook my head denying it.
Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten much yesterday night.
Coming to such conclusion, I followed Edgar in high spirits.
At the central part of the city.
It seemed like this person has totally forgotten that my age is still of a single digit.
The only thing in this person’s mind was only liquor.
Edgar chewed on a bread and guzzled down a cheap liquor.
「Hey, does Walkins-san has interest in woman? 」 (Edgar)
「Iya, it’s just that, it seems to be likely if I were to force myself. 」 (Edgar)
「I don’t want to hear about something like that. Or rather, is that what Walkins is to you?」 (Regis)
Despite having such good looking face and body, she was literally giving her heart and body to Walkins?
Could it be due to the suspension bridge effect that her interest started heading to a strange direction?
「T-That’s not it. I was just genuinely interested to know the basic things about Walkins-san.」 (Edgar)
「That is also one of them. I don’t mind doing anything for her…..as long as she desires it.」 (Edgar)
「………Someone please help me stop this drunkard. 」 (Regis)
It was definitely the effect of the bad liquor that was affecting her.
How should I know if Edgar has fallen in love with Walkins!?
「Iya…..but Regis might be good too.」 (Edgar)
「You should be drinking water to get rid of your intoxication if you have the spare time to hit on a seven year old.」 (Regis)
Stop looking at me with those glazed eyes!
Could you be more aware of your own appearance!?
She is certainly to be really popular if she were to rid herself of the dangerous aura around her.
「…..Phew, I’m full. 」 (Edgar)
「I’ll be treating for this. They’re cheap. 」 (Edgar)
「No no, I should be the one treating here. 」 (Edgar)
「No no no no」 (Edgar)
「No no no no no—-」 (Regis)
In the end, we managed to settle this by going Dutch.
Even the drunkard beside me could be heard crying, 「Ueee, it’s expensive~」 but I decided to harden my heart and ignore her.
Once our wallet and mind became lighter, we left the place.
「…..Uaaa, I can see four Regis. How dare you use body imitation magic on yourself.」 (Edgar)
Edgar staggered and leaned on my body.
I wonder if there are any slogans like this in this world.
Edgar seems to be a maudlin drinker who picks a fight with someone when she becomes extremely drunk.
「My important shop is goneee. But, if I put everything that I have into it, I will definitely be able to rebuild that thing again. 」 (Edgar)
「Eeehh, so Regis thinks that I’m not suitable to be a merchant—?!」 (Edgar)
「All right all right, I do not think so. 」 (Regis)
I felt like I am caring for the drunkard now.
Why must I be taking care of a drunk woman at this age?
Even so, the guards didn’t seem to have approached us for interrogation too.
I looked around, feeling dubious.
—It’s still all right for now.
It might be bad if I don’t start moving now.
I wonder how both of us might look like to the people around.
We might just look like a dead drunk woman and a kid to them.
Edgar doesn’t seem to be in an inarticulate state when she gave my sleeve a tug.
「Then I’ll guide you to my villa. 」 (Edgar)
「Aa, I thought of seeing it at least once. 」 (Regis)
It was a lie though. I don’t think anyone will throw himself willingly into a place that is so full of uncertainty!
Edgar was walking unsteadily as she swayed to and fro while I followed her to the same destination.
Roughly about ten plus meters plus behind us.
I might not be able sense it at all if I hadn’t use my detection magic.
It was really weak to that degree.
Even though I knew the source of it, it wouldn’t be a good idea to cause a ruckus here.
I went along with Edgar while feeling that cold murderous intent behind.