NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34 - Chapter 34: The Tavern
Chapter 34: The Tavern
Gisella proceeded confidently, swiftly moving forward into narrow alleys that didn’t seem particularly safe. There were many unsavory characters around. The moment they entered the alley, all eyes seemed to focus on them. However, as soon as they saw Gisella, everyone averted their gaze, pretending to be casual as they moved away. This means… Gisella has already dealt with several of them… In this alley, she seems to be recognized as an untouchable entity.
“Over here, over here, this is my place. I’ll just drop off my stuff.”
“Sure.”
While the security didn’t seem great, the narrow and peculiar houses were quite interesting. Once the business settles a bit, I’d like to upgrade our hideout.
“Bonus must stay between me and Kuro.”
“Guu! Guu!”
“Oh, sure…”
The streets were unexpectedly interesting, and I found myself wandering around. Shiro carried me like a child.
“Sorry for the wait. Shall we go?”
“Although this area doesn’t seem safe, are we okay with thieves?”
“At first, it was tough. Robbers and thieves kept coming, but after dealing with them a few times, eventually, no one dared to come near.”
“Dealing with them, huh…”
“We’re here! The Stray Dog Tavern! The stew here is delicious!”
What an appetite-suppressing name. However, inside, the atmosphere was quite nice. Despite the low ceiling, the large windows provided an open feel. The balance between the homely atmosphere and the openness was good, and it seemed relaxing. The candles on each table added to the ambiance.
“It’s a nice place, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I’ve been coming here often lately.”
For some reason, all the staff were elderly men. Surprisingly agile. We sat at a round table for four.
“Welcome. Gisella, the usual for you, right? What about the three of you?”
“For now, the same.”
“Then, four Stray Dog Stews and some Fire Sake?”
“Fire Sake sounds a bit strong… Do you have any ale?”
“We do. Is Fire Sake fine for the other two?”
“Guu!?”
“Oh, no. One Fire Sake and two Ales, then.”
Stray Dog Stew… Is that okay? Come to think of it, this is the first time eating out since coming here. It’s been a long time since I had a drink. I should be careful not to drink too much.
“Anyway, it’s really good that Shiro has found friends.”
“Yeah, it seems like I worried her, sorry.”
“We’re the only female onis who left the village. Naturally, she worries.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
The drinks arrived. In small barrels made of iron-bound wood, irregular bubbles floated on top. When I took a sip, it was as expected, lukewarm and sour. It had a unique sweetness and fruitiness. It’s totally different from the beer I’m used to, but if I think of it as something like this, it’s not bad.
“How did you and Bonus meet?”
“Through Marie’s introduction.”
“Marie?”
“I live outside the city now and set up a stall irregularly at Misharl’s market. But it’s not safe on the road, so I was looking for someone reliable. That’s when Marie, a regular, introduced Shiro to me.”
“Really? You live outside along the western road?”
“No, more towards the west.”
“Eh, towards the Hell’s Cauldron direction? Living there… You’re quite the oddball, Bonus.”
“It’s a good place.”
Gisella quickly finished her drink, already ordering her second. Suddenly, both Shiro’s and Kuro’s tankards were empty. Do onis really love alcohol?
“Shiro, you can have a refill.”
“Okay.”
“Why do you work in the city, Gisella?”
“Hmm? I’ve always liked blacksmithing, but they wouldn’t let me do it in the village, saying it’s men’s work. So I left. It’s been about six years now.”
Seems like quite a conservative village. Since it’s a drinking session, I’ll ask about something I’ve been curious about.
“Speaking of which, Shiro, was there a reason you left the village?”
“Yeah. I got tired of the rough and uncouth men in the village and everyone who condoned it.”
“That’s right. Despite the fact that female onis seem to find such behavior cute, we’re exceptions. I also dislike oni men now. Well, in my case, it happened after coming to Savoia.”
Before I knew it, both of them were on their third drink… wait, is it the fourth?
“Dislike rough people.”
“Yeah, in the end, kind men are the best.”
“Bonus is very kind.”
“Damn, that sounds so nice. Shiro, boasting, huh?”
Shiro is unusually talkative… Oh, the fourth drink is empty now. Something feels off. Waiter, bring some food quickly!
“Guu-gu-gu-gu!”
“Oh, this one can drink quite a bit too.”
Before I knew it, Kuro also emptied her tankard. She’s suddenly quite cheerful… as usual.
“Here it is. Our famous Stray Dog Stew.”
“Thank you! Let’s dig in! I’m starving.”
“Oh, here it is. I’ve been liking this lately.”
The taste is like a spicy stew. Does it have chili peppers in it? I’ll have to look for some at the market tomorrow. The meat still has a strong odor as usual, but thanks to the chili peppers, it’s not too bad. This is actually quite tasty. It’s been a while since I’ve had some spice, and it really stimulates my appetite. Although it was a considerable amount, it disappeared in no time.
“By the way, Gisella, do you like sweet things?”
“Hmm? Sweet things? Are there people who don’t like them?”
“We have some chocolate among the products we handle. Could you try it and let me know what you think?”
“Sure thing! Bring it on! Hahaha.”
She looks the same as usual, but she seems quite drunk. Shiro is still eating the stew slowly, as usual. Kuro… is dancing, but that’s usual too.
“Here you go.”
“Ahhh.”
She’s a bigger oni than me, but since she’s a beautiful big sister type, I feel a little nervous.
“Ah, ahhh.”
*Nom nom.*
“Why is Shiro eating it?! That’s mine!”
While you guys are laughing, I thought my finger was going to be bitten off. It feels like a rabbit among playing lions.
“Just eat it normally. Here, take it.”
“Tch… Ah, ah, it’s sweet! What is this?!”
“It’s chocolate. Is it good?”
“It goes well with sake! Bring me another one!”
Wow, she can drink sake with sweet stuff.
“How was it, delicious?”
“Bonus, this is delicious! It’s cheating!”
“It’s delicious, right?”
“Shiro! That’s not fair! What the heck! The only guys who come to my place are violent oni men or oni-like guys!”
“Well, that’s because you’re selling maces…”
“And occasionally, those horny oni guys come in groups and break into my house! It’s awful!”
“Is that okay?”
“Hehehe.”
“Hahaha, a male oni can’t match a female oni, right? It’s a beatdown! Hahaha!”
Are female onis usually stronger than males? Quite a complicated racial trait…
After that, Shiro and Gisella kept drinking endlessly, and I started feeling sick after just two ales that I didn’t understand. What’s up with that ale? It’s really gross… In the end, I realized I was being petted on the head by cheerful Shiro. I’m feeling sick from the alcohol, and surprisingly, I can’t escape because I’m firmly held. Shiro happily cuddles me like a child.
“Bonus~. Hehehe.”
Why do I have to endure such humiliation at this age? I want them to stop before a new fetish awakens in me.
“Gu-gu-gu-gu!”
“Whoa!”
“What’s with that chick?! Cool!”
“Hahaha.”
Kuro continues to dance acrobatically, energizing the tavern. Gisella just laughs foolishly as she watches. Pink, meanwhile, is swimming in Gisella’s fire sake. …Well, sometimes this kind of thing isn’t so bad.
“Bonus. Um, um… I have something to discuss… Um, could you let me join your group? I love blacksmithing, and I want to continue doing it, but I’m reaching my limit soon.”
After drinking and making a ruckus for a while, just when it seemed like it was time to disband, Gisella suddenly made such a serious request.