Back at the quarters, some of us were resting in our rooms - after a good night's sleep, we took a quick soak in the hot water and got ready for a change of clothes and other things before we went out.

　When we went outside, the area was dark and the city was lit up. When I went to the Belgian restaurant, Leuven's Wind, there was a waiting list outside - I guess the reason why the restaurants in the labyrinth country are almost always full every time is because everyone is mainly eating out.

　There are three tables with seating for eight people, and we sit down at first, separated at random, with an eye to getting out of our seats later. Theresia was standing behind me, so I let her sit next to me, and Luka sat next to me next to the opposite side. For some reason he winked at me, but I'll take that as a joke in his own way.

I'm not sure why you've chosen me and not Arictoo, but since I'm an elder, I'll take the lead. So, cheers!
Cheers.
BOW!

　This time Sion was able to enter the restaurant as well, so he ordered a dish for the escort dogs. In front of the first bone meat that came out, Sion was left in charge of Igarashi-san, but after the toast, the ban was lifted and he took a bite.

'Cheers, Arihito. I'm honestly glad to have the opportunity to drink like this.
Me too, Mr. Luke. You've been a big help to me, too.

　The beer in the glass is a dark black color - the darker it is, the stronger it is, apparently - and I decide to order the first one that Ruka-san recommends.

　Shiori says he doesn't normally drink beer, but he's sitting across the table from me, drinking a brownish-brown beer. He said it was popular with women, and several others were ordering the same thing.

Hmmm.........puh-uh. I don't like beer, but this is easy to drink.
'Master is always drinking herbal liqueurs. He says it has to be strong to get drunk.'
Steiner only drinks tea and juice. It's about time we all had a drink as adults. But now that you've invited me to join you, I don't mind.

　Celes-san looks satisfied as Shiori-san, sitting next to her, pours me a refill, making my cheeks rise to the top. My law-abiding spirit subtly warns me that I'm drunk with a girlish appearance, but if I said that to her, a full-fledged adult, she'd be angry with me.

''Good job, Rear-kun. This restaurant has a very nice atmosphere, and the food looks good too.

　The meat pate served as an hors d'oeuvre was served on grilled black bread, which was also delicious and went well with the beer. The potatoes were also different from the ones served as an accompaniment at the table in the past, with a crispy, crunchy texture that was irresistible. I also ordered the Belgian croquettes, so I was looking forward to seeing them on the menu.

Kyouka, you go to your brother's place like that," she said. What happened to your promise to play the potato game with us?
'Oh, I don't think you should do that because it's hot.　And I've never heard of a potato game before.
'Or a game of sausage?　Oh, I look like I'm a bit drunk, don't I? I don't have to drink a lot, so I'm totally fine.
'Oh, yeah Misaki, don't get too excited.

　Even though there was no age limit in the labyrinth country, I still felt like Misaki and Suzuna would be okay with them drinking alcohol. Melissa was also drinking beer normally, and Madoka next to her was drinking apple juice.

''..........''

　Teresia also asks for something called 'White Beer', the same as Misaki's, probably because strong alcohol raises her body temperature. Still, it's already turning slightly red, so maybe she's weak to alcohol as a whole - it's best to watch it carefully.

'Atobe-sama, may I pour you a drink?'

'I don't usually drink much. It's special in times like this... Takuma's got a weak constitution for alcohol now, but I like to drink in moderation.

　Takuma wears a beetle mask, but unlike Teresia, it is covered up to her mouth. However, when drinking, the mouth part was open, revealing a human mouth underneath it - I'm impressed by the variety of equipment unique to sub-humans.

　Just as the beetles (beetles) feed mainly on sap, their diet is said to consist mainly of sugary nectar, but they still have a strong body and seem to be able to take in a good amount of nutrition.

'I'm glad we're at a place that serves sweetened drinks, because my brother is happy to be there.
That's good to hear. Yeah, but it looks like the booze is spinning.
He seems to be enjoying himself more than usual. Maybe it's just my family's favouritism.

　I'll put Theresa's needs ahead of my own for now, but if Takuma can be turned back into a human too, I'll tell you when I know the details of how. Maybe we can help you then.

'What, your brother's so popular that time to talk to him is getting precious, isn't it?
Umm, well I think I'm going to give this place to my sister Ryoko, she's been waiting for it for a long time.
'You don't have to worry about your sister, it's best for everyone to do what they want.
Yes. As for me, I've reached the point where I feel at ease just looking at Atobe-sama.

　Ryoko and Louisa are laughing at each other, "Hey. As for me, I wish we could talk normally - but as I was thinking - this time Anna came over, and after making sure I didn't need more drinks yet, she stabbed me with a mini fork of potatoes and offered them to me.

''Well it looks like you're ready to drink, so how about this one?
Oh, yeah. Thank you.

　I'm sorry to say no, so I ask her to let me eat, but I'm subtly embarrassed because Anna is staring at me. Anna looks at Madoka, who has been watching the situation, as if to say please - this wave attack, or rather, how far this chain of drinking and feeding will continue.

''Oh, brother.......me too, can I?''
'Alihit, here comes the beer stew for the main course. Let's play a game of guess what meat we're using. If you guess, Alihit must take a sip of absinthe.

　Luka offers Madoka a dish that the waiter at the restaurant has brought to her for me to eat. Even though it's called beer stew, it's the color of a stew - the alcohol may have gone away while it's stewing, but it's soft enough that a fork can easily stick in it.

'Oh brother, ahhhh........'
'Oh, um...'

　I can put the meat in my mouth just as I'm told. This - a familiar taste of beef that I've had in my mouth a few times.

'Is this marsh buffalo (marsh ox) meat?'
That's sharp. Yes, by the seventh ward, if I say beef, it's going to be that breed. There are some ferocious people in the upper wards who want to eat the cow demon (minotaur), but it's still a bit awkward to eat a demon that stands and walks on two legs.
'Luka, since Aricht was right, won't you drink it, my lord?
'Oh, I've been noticed I'm no match for Celes. Alihit, this is my way of life. Watch and learn.

　Luka-san drank the liquor that was brought to her, which was in a small metal cup - probably a very strong liquor - and drank it down in one gulp after catching her breath.

'Oh my God I feel like I'm on fire all over. The absinthe here, you see, is a liqueur made from the herbs used to make potions. If you drink it when you have enough energy, it can temporarily increase your maximum strength. Well, it's bitter and spicy and tastes amazing, so it's only meant to be drunk for punishment.
'Maximum strength I'd like to take it if that's what you're talking about.
"Will you be back to normal by the time we go into the maze?　Luke isn't trying to add to your road trip either.
'Well, well, Aricht says he's interested in it. Why don't you try to play with someone else again?　Because this isn't the kind of thing you'd willingly drink.

　Luka-san pours water from the pitcher and sips it - it must be very bitter, it's certainly going to hurt to sip it out of curiosity.

Brother, don't think you can beat me at a game. I'm playing with these dice!
'Misaki-chan, if you lose, you'll have to drink a strong drink... are you sure?'
'Oh, Suzu is taking her brother's side like she's breathing!　You're more of a big brother than a friendship, after all, to deny me even the only thing I'm good at!
No, it's not that, it's just that if you get drunk, it'll be a disaster.
You don't want to get a hangover on your day off tomorrow.

　When Elitia advises Misaki, Misaki looks at Elitia's hand - she hasn't been drinking alcohol, it's just normal juice.

''Wha, what........?　Wow, I don't like drinking as much as I would like to...
'Would you like to join the game, Ellie?　It's okay, I won't cheat or anything. You just roll two dice and guess whether the total is an odd or even number.
I wonder if that kind of betting is something young kids know about today...?
'Well, well it's a simple rule that you'll probably see in a game or something. Even if I win, you don't have to force yourself to drink it, Misaki.
''Fufu, I have a willpower too, so you don't have to worry about that. If I lose a match, I'll get down on my knees naked or whatever, that's my way of life!

　Misaki chose the occupation of 'gambler', so she is either hot on the game to begin with, or she is just getting excited by the atmosphere of the place - without thinking too much about it, it's probably both.


Oh, um, sensei, when I do something bad, can you at least forgive me for my spats...?
'If I'm up to a spat too... no, it's only if I don't have to do the hey-tah. Forget what you just said.
''Atobe-san did something so extreme........no, no, those things are also important to tighten up the party, I'm sure. I understand, I'll join the game.
'I didn't. That was just Misaki saying it with gusto, so don't worry.
"...Good. I thought you were doing that before I joined the party.
That's not true........your brother would never do such a thing. I believe in you!

　I was subtly worried about Melissa and Madoka, but I'm glad that they managed to trust me. As for Misaki, who tended to slip up, I wanted to somehow win the game and urge her to weigh herself - but sadly, I didn't feel like I could beat the gambler in my day job at all.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Alihit uses the Absinthe of Life → Alihit's maximum health level increases for a certain amount of time. Drunkenness
　Luka uses 'Absinthe of Life' →Luka's maximum health level increases for a certain period of time and he becomes drunk.
　Misaki uses 'Absinthe of Life' → Misaki's maximum vitality increases for a certain amount of time.
　Ryoko will use the 'Absinthe of Life' → Ryoko's maximum health level will increase for a certain period of time and she will become intoxicated
　Ceres uses the Absinthe of Life → All of Ceres' abilities increase, intoxication, restrictions relaxed.

　◆ ◆ ◆

'A, Aricht you've taken care of me I had a great time today. Invite me again let's do something a little lighter this time...
'Ha, yes I had fun today too. Lauro-kun, I asked you to take care of Luca-san.
"Yes, I'll bring you home properly. Oh, no, brother, you're going the other way. You're going the other way.

　Luka-san, who had gotten sober, was picked up by the shopkeeper who lived with her and her brother, and escorted back home.

　Misaki and Ryoko were not the only ones who participated in the dice game, but several others as well - Shiori and Celes had played the game and Celes had lost, but she seemed to be drinking on a regular basis this time, and Misaki only took a sip It wasn't there, but I drank it all, even though it was a small bowl, it looked delicious.

''Master, you really like to drink, don't you? I hope Atobe-sama won't call you a wimp.'
It's called a monkey in the land of the Arihites, I've heard that before. It's been a long time since I've been this drunk. It feels good.........
Oh ... watch out. Mr. Celes, are you okay?

　The footing supported Ms. Ceres, who was wobbling on her feet - her body was extremely light. Celes-san was protecting not her body, but the triangular hat.

I'm sorry, you can't show your elders that you're not a good sport if you fall down. Steiner, if you can, carry me back to my quarters.
''I was hoping you would say that. Oh, Ryoko-san is being carried by Sion, isn't she?'
''I'm sorry....I've always been a failure at drinking....I've always been a failure at drinking.... ...

　Ryoko-san is in a wobbly state, and Sion is carrying her on her back. As for me, I'm carrying Misaki on my back, but I'm also drunk, so I may have someone else take over sooner or later - I'm hoping to get to my quarters somehow.

'Looking at Ryoko-san, it's hard to believe it's someone else's problem... I'm sure I would have ended up like this if I'd stayed in the game.

　Today, Louisa-san had refrained from drinking and hadn't had much except for the first drink. It seems that, like Elitia, she is preparing for tomorrow.

''I was hoping to get Seraphina-san to join us, but she couldn't make it today. What do you want to do tomorrow, Rear-kun?　Shall we talk to him before he goes to the sanatorium?
Yeah, I'll do that. Now, let's go back to the dorm.
'I'm going to have to leave you here, since my house is in the other direction. Thank you all so much. I've had a great time.
'If I get another chance, I'd love to join you. Take care on your way home.
Yeah, good night.

　Shiori-san bowed her head deeply and returned to 'Shichimuan' with Takuma. Steiner-san with Celes-san on her shoulders was already walking ahead of us, so we followed - Teresa tried to support Misaki's body from behind, perhaps to help me - but she didn't want to do so.


..........
Huh, I'm the only one who can get Theresa to listen to me, my brother. Could you please tell her not to use her ass?
'It was a miscalculation that Shiori-san was so strong in the game. Misaki shouldn't have challenged you or anything.
Well, because if my brother had one, I'd like to have one too, wouldn't I?
...me too...
See, Suzu-chan seemed to be thinking the same thing. It's not just me, you know.

'Suzuna seems a little drunk too I hope Misaki isn't drunk on purpose or something.

　Misaki reacts to Elitia's words with a "giggle" - could it be that she is a figurehead?


That's going to make Theresa-san want to punish you, too. Misaki-chan, you're such a bastard!
'But you have to do that much to get the doctor to do this... Oh, I don't drink a lot of alcohol on purpose.
''Well you all have a lot on your minds. I just thought it was good food and drink. It was a place that should have appealed more to Arihito, wasn't it?
'Appeal ... Anna, what are you going to do to your brother?'
''Well, I don't think about that at all. I'm just a child in the eyes of Arihito, so there's a sadness in being seen as taller than I am.

　Looking at the amicable talking faces, it occurred to me - would everyone in 'Four Seasons' be interested in a recreational center?

　According to Louisa-san, we can go to another party if we have an introduction, so I asked the maples and others, and they were willing to join us.

　A brief respite from the search. If that continues tomorrow, it feels like a long rest - but I want to be well rested for the future, and I want to head to my next objective with full energy.

　The first thing I want to work on is the 'Trap Cube' that came out of the black box I got when I defeated the 'Inviting Pastor's Messenger' - a tool that allows me to set up a transition formation that leads to the Treasure Palace.

　I've been putting it off, but if it's the equivalent of a three star labyrinth, we should have enough ability to capture it now.

''Already.......your eyes change color so quickly like that. ''Rearward, I don't mean to say this, but when you're resting, think about resting properly.''
Okay, yes I'm sorry, I didn't see that coming.
'Arihito is so focused when he thinks about the labyrinth that I'm beginning to understand. You'll want to talk to me about what you're thinking about, though.

　I explain to Igarashi-san and Elitia what I was thinking about - sooner or later, 'Assisted Recovery' is activated and the members walking in front of me are sobered up. I didn't forget to use 'Other Assist' so that Ryoko-san's 'drunkenness' state would recover quickly.