Kaiser?　...... No, it's a different person, isn't it?

　I looked away from Regina, who was looking very drunk.

"Don't play dumb!　How could I possibly be wrong about you!　You can't do that if you try to pretend you're not involved!

　Don!　and banging the bottom of an empty mug against the table.
　All the guests around you are staring at you, wondering what's the matter. Their gaze is more curiosity than fear.
　Oh, ....... I knew this would happen and I tried to act like I wasn't involved.

"Hey, you're Kaiser, right? Hey." "Hey. You're Kaiser, right?　Hmm?
Yeah. That's right. It's Kaiser. So please take your hand off my chest.

　It's getting hard to breathe.
　You're gonna start a murder spree in a bar?

"...... Hmm. You should have just admitted it from the start. Don't think you can pull the wool over my eyes. I know how many years I've been watching you.

　Regina spat and took an empty seat at the table around us. She crosses her slender legs in a show of grandeur.
　Oh, no. It's like she's just sliding into our seat. They'll think we're some kind of vicious drunks.
　You come here often and you get banned.

Hey. Put some more ale on your plate.
Regina. Don't you have a little too much to drink?

　When I give Regina a hard time for asking her to get me a drink one after the other.
'You have no right to complain about my only pleasure other than my sword.
　He just snapped back.

"What's your only hobby?" I said. "Do you have any hobbies or interests?
'Do you think I sew or cook?'
No, I'm sorry. It's a stupid question.

　Regina was always uncommonly clumsy.
　When she sewed, she broke needles. When she cooked, she destroyed utensils with her powers.
　She had no taste for anything but swords. Now, besides the sword, she likes to drink. The money's too good to be true.

Booze's fine. Drinking is the only thing that takes the boredom out of my life.
What about the sword?
...... what?
You once told me. You used to say that you only felt alive when you held the sword. I know you feel that way now.
I don't know.

　Regina looked bored and stoked her drink.

'The only time I can feel alive is when I'm next to death. You can't feel life in an environment where there is no one to stand next to you.

　In short, you don't have a proper opponent anymore.
　She's gotten too strong, and there aren't many people who can fight her as an equal. Humans or demons. Most of them are no match for her.

The last time we had a fight. I haven't felt my heart skip a beat in a while.

　Regina muttered to herself as she stared into the void. She drowns out her voice and her heart as she gulps down some more of her drink.
　Irene, who had been watching the scene, inquired in a horrified tone.

"I... What is the relationship between the two of you ......?

　d*mn it. I totally left her behind.
　It looked like a vicious drunk with a camel wrapped around his neck.

"She's a-- Regina's a long time friend of mine, you know.

　I explain to Irene that I'm going to tell her about Regina.

Papa and Regina have known each other since before we were born," Meryl says as if to catch her.
"They knew each other before Meryl was born: ......

　That's when Irene got an idea. Her eyes widened.

"--Ha!　Could it be that Ms. Regina is the woman who was previously in a relationship with Mr. Kaisel!


What?

　Regina spurted out a mouthful of liquor at the reasoning Irene had drawn. The splashes fell on me as I sat in front of them.
　Again. .......

'Hey you!　How did you come to that conclusion!

　Regina said, her face turning a different shade of red than her drunkenness.

I felt an extraordinary closeness between the two of you. It was the kind of intimacy that can only come from a man and a woman who have been close to each other for a long time.

　When Irene told her that much, she became even more delusional.

'If you are the mother of Meryl and her friends, it is you, isn't it?　So you're Mr. Kaisel's ex-wife!
Was it?

　And Meryl just stared blankly.

"So should I call you Mom?
"Who's my ex-wife?　You don't qualify people as menstruating women without permission!　I'm not a mom and I don't remember carrying this thing in my belly or giving birth to it!

　Regina denies everything, like she's trying to spin a tale.

'Me and Kaisel are just old buddies!　Nothing more, nothing less!　Let's get you to stop making your own assumptions.
What. I didn't know that. ......

　Irene looked relieved and puffed up.

I thought for sure you two were on the same page: ....... It's a relief to hear the denial from Regina's mouth.
I'm so relieved. I thought he was your mother.
You can't just call someone a married woman or a mom.

　Regina said with an accusing, rugged voice.
　She tipped her mug and downed the ale in it, then gave me a scowl.

...... And then?　Kaiser. Why are you with this woman?

　There was a reproachful tinge in his eyes.

"I'm a teacher at a magic school right now. Irene is a colleague of mine. We've come for a drink to discuss our education.
Lecturer. You've come a long way.

　Regina's words were sarcastic.

"But it's unusual. Regina taking an interest in a stranger. Was there something about Irene that bothered you?
Mmm-hmm. I can see that.

　Meryl said with a grin.

'Mr. Regina was wondering if Dad had a girlfriend, wasn't he?
What--?

　Regina's pupils widened at Meryl's point .

'Guess what I'm going to say: ....... Don't say the right thing!
Yeah. You're right.

　Meryl's smile never falters, even after Regina's threats. His balls are thicker than those of the three sisters.

I just wanted to see if my former comrades were living a life of madness. I will not have you rubbing my face in it.

　I laughed at Regina as she folded her arms and spat at me.

"...... Hey. What's funny?
No, I just thought you'd be that kind of guy. He usually comes off as brusque, but he's surprisingly caring.
"....... Don't feel like you know what you're talking about.

　Regina's ears were slightly flushed when she turned her head away. I knew it wasn't because I was drunk.