Black Iron Magician

The place we were led to was a very ordinary place for common people. It has a somewhat izakaya-like atmosphere, and there are many people drinking here even though it’s still daytime. Aren’t there too many drinkers in this city? I saw many of them in the casino and on the way here.

「Deris, I know what you’re thinking~. Damaya is a city of merchants, but it’s also a city of entertainment. At first glance, it looks like they are just drinking, but they are actually working! As for their casual clothes, well, it’s like a disguise.」

「It looks like you’re confusing work with amusement….」

「Some of them are like that, but most of them are serious, y’know?」

「Alezel, there’s a person lying down over there, you know?」

「Most of them are serious!」

In this world, drinking is one of amusement. There are a few people who can’t drink, but most people who come of age start to enjoy it. Alezel explained that they are entertaining their guests, but I can only see them as a gathering of people who just want to drink.

Even if it’s true that there are important business negotiations going on below the surface of that drinking party, I think business people also have it hard. They have to liven up the place but getting drunk is not good, they have to observe the other party’s reactions, and they mustn’t say something rash. Entertaining is a very advanced technique. Yeah, I don’t think I can do it. If it were me, I’m going to hold their weakness――cough! Oops, I was aiming to be a pure Deris, wasn’t I? Yeah, that was close, I was almost showing my true nature.

「Yo, Pops. How’s business going?」

Alezel went in and called out to an old man who seems to be the shopkeeper.

「It’s so-so~. It’s lunchtime after all! Oh, you ain’t alone today, eh? How unusual~」

「Oh, shut up. Even there are times when I don’t drink alone!」

「Oh, scary. Come on, there’s a reserved seat available there.」

「Thanks a lot~」

We were ushered to a place where Alezel often sat when drinking alone, and we sat down. I was so surprised that I stared at the old man’s skinhead. Yeah, I was really surprised. I mean, he’s talking to Alezel on an equal footing. Is he a well-known expert, or does he not know Alezel’s real identity?

「…… I’m not really sure, but does that shopkeeper not know about you, Alezel?」

「You’re stupid, huh, Deris. You’re really stupid.」

This damn elf said it twice.

「This shop is that kind of place. We treat everyone as equals, no matter who they are. This is a great place for someone like me. After all, you don’t have to worry about your position at all.」

「Ara, it’s a good place, huh. It’s really a good place.」

My wife said it twice.

「Well, it’s true that it’s nice that we don’t have to treat everyone differently. I mean, if we are drinking while the other party is reacting as Sango did, it won’t feel good, right?」

「No, something like that also feels good in its own way, y’know?」

「You’ve got a twisted personality after all….」

When I was once again dumbfounded by Alezel, the old man came in with a bottle of liquor that I hadn’t ordered yet.

「Thanks. Now, let’s have a drink!」

「Oh, thanks. …… What is this?」

「It’s called Gold Liquor Marudamaya, and it this city, it’s the first thing we drink. If you drink it, your fortune will increase, your health will improve, and you will be blessed with a wife.」

「Isn’t that a little too much?」

「Whatcha talking about? Nell, in a way, it’s thanks to this that you are here today.」

「Ha?」

Nell doesn’t seem to understand what Alezel is talking about. I see, so the liquor at that time was this, huh? …… Let’s drink carefully.

「Then, let’s have a toast! To celebrate the reunion of the party―― cheers!」

――――Clang!

The midday drinking party started with Alezel’s lead. Leaving the reunion of the party aside, it’s been a while since the three of us drank together like this. So, we have plenty to talk about, and there’s no shortage of topics for conversation.

「You seem to be enjoying yourself even more than usual today~. Is the man over there your lover?」

With a slightly vulgar look on his face, the shopkeeper, who brought the ordered liquor, asked such a question to Alezel while raising his little finger. I’m really impressed by his thoroughness in treating everyone equally. But at the same time, Nell reacted with a twitch and I trembled.

「Ahaha, that’s a funny joke. If I had to say, he’s like this.」

Saying so, Alezel showed me her middle finger. I want to punch her.

「Gahaha! Either way, you guys seem to be on good terms! I’m intrigued!」

「Probing too deep is taboo~. Well, he was my companion when I was an adventurer. Besides, they’re a newlywed couple, y’know? There’s no room for me to enter.」

「Well, that’s right!」

Nell is suddenly in a good mood. And from the fact that she’s entwining her arms on mine, she seems to be drunk.

「Oh, how passionate~. This old man is gonna leave now~」

「Don’t come back again~. But I will order more drinks! Hurry up and come back~」

Even a trivial conversation is a bit of a comedy act for Alezel and the shopkeeper. I wonder how frequent she comes here.

「It might be late saying it now, but were you making me and Nell drink on purpose?」

「Well, I dunno what you’re talking about~」

「Liar. You even prepared an inn for us.」

「Maybe that was someone else who wanted to support you. I dunno.」

Alezel is a pro at inciting people to drink and get drunk. She’s probably making the best use of that experience of trapping us in entertaining as a merchant. …… I want to say my thanks that we’re married now, but honestly, it’s a little vexing that it proceeded according to Alezel’s plan.

「What are you talking about?」

「Well, I’m talking about the fact that I did my best to choose the timing in anticipation of my friend’s age so that he wouldn’t become a sex offender. I was being considerate, y’know? A twisted man who probably couldn’t understand the girl’s affection, and an innocent girl who wouldn’t charge at the man at a crucial time. Haa~, now that I think about it, it was a tough job~」

「Ha? I’m getting more and more confused. What do you mean?」

「Okay, stop. This topic is over. More than this is too dangerous.」

「Yeah. Pops, is the refill ready yet~?」

「?」

I’m sure Nell wouldn’t want to find out that she’s here now thanks to Alezel’s support. Besides, she’s drunk now, so it’ll be unmanageable if she rampaged here. I’m sure even Alezel doesn’t want her base to be destroyed. She retreated at the fine line between jokes and seriousness.

「Huh? Shishō, what are you doing in a place like this―― oh, you’re drinking.」

「It’s still daytime, though….」

Coincidentally, Haru and the others, who were walking down the street, discovered us. I’m sorry, Goddess Chinatsu. We are going to enjoy ourselves today. So, please don’t look at us like that.

「Ooh, what a cute girl! Come over here~. I will take good care of you, guhehe.」

The one who said that wasn’t a drunk old man. It was the elf Alezel.

「You’ll get entangled with bad drunkards if you stay here. Evacuate now.」

「Aah! Deris, this is not the time to be a pure Deris!」

「Shut up, you black-hearted elf. I will teach you a lesson today!」

「Hey~, pay attention to me too~」

Thus, I managed to evacuate Haru and the others, and our drinking party continued.