Chapter 176
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Chapter 176: The Drunkard
I’ve been promoted to D-class adventurer.
Mom would be so proud if she knew, wouldn’t she?
"Yay! Not only did Sister Army Lady get promoted to D-class adventurer, but our Adventurer Squad has leveled up to D-class too!"
"Speaking of which, we successfully completed both commissions this time. Let’s go celebrate!"
"What do you think, sister?"
Sally and the two boys looked at her with eager anticipation.
Army Lady felt a headache coming on.
She wasn’t sure if she should agree.
But Mother did say she could act freely…
So…
"Alright."
She gave a slight nod.
…
The golden hues of dusk painted the sky as farmers concluded their daily labors. Most townsfolk had paused their work to prepare evening meals.
Army Lady followed the trio of youngsters to a bustling tavern.
"This is a favorite haunt among veteran adventurers from the guild," Will explained while pushing open the creaking tavern door. "They’ve got a wider selection of drinks and dishes than the guild’s canteen."
The moment the door swung open, they were greeted by a thick mélange of ale and roasted meats. Raucous laughter and boisterous chatter filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Well if it isn’t young Will!"
"Little Sally’s here too! Come share a drink with your seniors, eh? Hahaha…"
A table of bare-armed adventurers, their faces flushed from drink, called out to the group. They clearly recognized the three youths.
"No thanks," Will scoffed. "Bunch of drunken louts."
"We’ve got prior arrangements."
As Will, Mayer and Sally moved toward the counter to order, one particularly inebriated patron finally noticed Army Lady trailing behind them.
With bleary eyes suddenly lighting up, he swayed to his feet.
"Oho! Fresh meat!" he slurred between hiccups. "You new ’round here… hic… pretty little adventurer?"
The reek of cheap liquor assaulted Army Lady’s senses as the drunkard lurched closer. The golden-haired maiden’s delicate brows knitted in distaste.
"Is something the matter?"
"No, hic… nothing. Just wanted to buy you a drink, hehe."
The drunkard grinned, revealing two rows of yellowed teeth.
Just as his hairy right hand was about to land on the girl’s shoulder, Army Lady’s expression darkened, her eyes suddenly turning sharp.
In an instant, she drew a long blade from another dimension—*thud*—the flat of the blade struck the drunkard’s wrist with deliberate force, knocking his hand away.
"Ah!!"
The man howled in pain, clutching his burning hand, his face twisted in shock and fury.
"You damned bitch! A rookie like you dares to hit me?!"
He yanked a dagger from his belt and lunged at her.
But his drunken stagger made his charge clumsy.
Army Lady sidestepped effortlessly, then in a flash, the blade’s back came down on him again.
*Crack! Crack! Crack!*
First, his hands—this time with slightly more force. The sound of snapping bones was audible as the blows landed.
Next, his legs—another sickening crunch of breaking shinbones.
Perhaps it was a habit from her days hunting in the forest, but she instinctively crippled his limbs.
The entire ordeal ended in the time it took to turn her body.
The man crumpled to the floor, writhing and wailing.
"Ah! What happened?"
"Sister Army Lady, are you alright?"
Three youths—two girls and a boy—finally rushed over.
"I’m fine," the golden-haired girl replied coolly, her icy gaze fixed on the moaning drunk.
"Mind your tongue."
Her tone and expression now mirrored the demeanor she’d had when her mother possessed her earlier.
As the drunkard lay screaming, his companions rose from their table.
After a wary glance at Army Lady, they wordlessly hauled their friend away.
The tavern’s boisterous atmosphere barely faltered.
Such scuffles happened daily here—too common to even raise eyebrows. Patrons kept drinking, kept feasting.
The three youths and Army Lady settled at a window-side table.
She recounted the incident briefly.
"Hmph. This is why drunks are the worst," Sally snorted.
By then, ale and snacks had arrived. She grabbed her wooden tankard, took a fierce swig, and slammed it down.
"Sally is right – the most important thing about drinking is knowing your limits!"
Mayer took a hearty swig from his mug as well.
"Now then, a toast to our Adventurer Level promotion!"
The trio raised their glasses in unison, turning expectantly toward Army Lady.
With a graceful motion, Army Lady lifted her own goblet.
Their glasses clinked together before the three youths downed their drinks in perfect sync.
Army Lady studied the amber liquid in her cup, hesitated momentarily, then tilted her head back to drink.
It was beer – not exactly unpleasant, but certainly not to her taste.
"How do you find it?"
To everyone’s surprise, the usually silent Stealth One suddenly spoke up.
"Rather disagreeable."
"Bring me some when you’re done."
"You enjoy this?"
Army Lady’s brow furrowed slightly.
Had she drunk too hastily to properly taste it?
She poured another measure and took a deliberate sip.
Gulp… gulp…
No… definitely unpleasant.
"You might develop a taste for it in time."
Stealth One’s voice came again, her tone carrying a strange note of envy as she seemed to observe Army Lady through the shadows.
"Is that so…?"
"So, how’s the ale here? Quite decent, wouldn’t you say?"
"How does it compare to the taverns in Sister Army Lady’s hometown?"
"It’s… acceptable."
As the night wore on,
though Army Lady never warmed to the beverage’s flavor,
the three youngsters drank with increasing enthusiasm.
She found herself obliged to keep them company, sharing both drinks and dishes.
The hours slipped past midnight.
"Another round! Another!"
"Haha! Look at Sally – barely a few mugs in and she’s already soused! What a lightweight!"
"Pot calling the kettle black, Mayer."
Will released a boozy hiccup while slapping his companion’s shoulder.
"We should head back soon."
"No way! I want more!"
After further revelry, the relatively sober Will and Mayer supported a swaying Sally between them.
"Is Sister Army Lady alright?"
"Mmm."
The golden-haired maiden nodded, her cheeks faintly flushed but otherwise showing little sign of intoxication.
The two young men staggered toward the counter with their drunken charge in tow.
Army Lady rose to follow – only then realizing her predicament.
Her limbs moved with uncharacteristic clumsiness, as if floating.
A dull throbbing pulsed behind her temples.
"You alright?"
"Fine… I suppose this is what they call drunkenness?"
"Indeed. Your tolerance is poor."
"Hmph."
Dismissing Stealth One’s remark, Army Lady steadied herself against the table before proceeding to the counter.
"The bill?"
"Oh no, Sister Army Lady – we’ve got this."
"Nonsense. I owe my successful admission to the Adventurer’s Guild to you all. This is my treat."
Assimilating into town life begins with fostering good relations – a lesson both Mother and Sister Magic Rainbow had often emphasized.
