Chapter 266
Chapter 266
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 266
Chapter Title: Sometimes, This Isn't So Bad
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"Ugh... damn it..."
Ronan opened his eyes. His head felt as heavy as if his brain had been soaked in water. He rolled over from his side and straightened up, spotting the familiar wooden ceiling and the twenty daggers embedded in it in the shape of a heart.
"Who the hell did that one... urp!"
Ronan clamped a hand over his mouth as he tried to sit up, fighting back a wave of nausea. Fortunately, nothing came up. Every breath in and out reeked of booze. Stumbling, he grabbed the wall for support and hauled himself to his feet.
Ronan desperately tried to piece together the fragmented memories of the night before. Right after returning from Adren, he'd been buried in work for two straight days before finally reuniting with Adeshan and the other special adventure club members that evening.
Everyone had welcomed Ronan, Asel, and Schlieffen back from their tumultuous journey with a genuine party. Marya supplied the booze and food, while Itargand—who'd lent them his ship—played host.
There were quite a few people, but the building was so massive that it was no trouble at all for everyone to hang out together. Every time glasses clinked, beer foam bubbled up like sea spray at sunset.
...That was exactly as far as his memory went. Ronan looked around and clicked his tongue.
"We really went hard on the drinks, huh."
The inside of the club building looked like a bomb had gone off. Puddles of vomit and spilled booze dotted the floor everywhere. Leftover snacks lay cold like frozen corpses.
Gigantic kegs big enough to fit a person inside were scattered around—five or six of them—all completely drained. Most of the glasses rolling across the floor were shattered.
He wasn't entirely sure, but he vaguely remembered a wasted Marya accidentally crushing them because she couldn't control her grip strength. Just then, a groan that sounded like it came from an ogre rose from near Ronan's feet.
"Uuu... uuuugh..."
"Ah, shit, you scared me."
Ronan cursed as he looked down. Braum was lying inside his overturned greatshield like a coffin perfectly sized for his bulk. His bushy-bearded face still suited a lumberjack more than a knight.
"How is no one in one piece..."
A sigh escaped him naturally. He found the other members nearby too. Schlieffen, the noble young heir of Grancia, had passed out with his head jammed into a corkboard covered in maps and postings.
He'd collapsed standing up, a piece of chalk clutched in his hand from who-knows-where. On the map of the Empire, there was a delicately drawn portrait of Iril.
"...Damn, that's actually pretty good."
Ronan shook his head. He'd seen all kinds of crazies during his penal legion days, but this level of drunken nonsense was a first. What a lunatic. Staggering toward the kitchen, he grinned.
"You pulled it off, Asel."
"Urp... uuuugh..."
Asel and Marya were sprawled on the floor like the rest. Asel was buried face-first in Marya's bosom, letting out pained groans. Her aggressive chest was thoroughly obstructing his normal breathing.
"Mmm... sleepy..."
"Mmph...! Mmmph...!"
Every time Marya shifted, Asel's body moved with her. It felt less like a lovers' embrace and more like hugging a favorite doll or pillow, but they both looked happy enough.
"Heehee... sis... you're too bold..."
"What's her deal?"
Erzsebet, the refined lady of Acalusia, was slumped against the stairs with pigtails (no idea why). She was drooling and mumbling Adeshan's name, which was seriously creepy.
Vampire Ophelia was nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, Ronan remembered why. The first day back from Adren, he'd told her the secret about his blood. As the race that handled blood best in the world—and with her natural researcher bent—she'd reacted intensely.
'Practically obsessive.'
Ophelia had sworn to figure out how to use it responsibly and headed back to her castle. She'd taken a ton of blood as samples, which might explain why Ronan felt extra wasted.
【Grrrrrrk! Krrrk!】
"Pwaaa... pwung..."
Itargand had collapsed in his true form at the outdoor training ground. His gleaming scales were covered in sloppy graffiti, presumably from the club members. Cita was curled up asleep on his broad back.
"...We had a good time."
Suddenly, Ronan chuckled as he looked them over. He wasn't in a bad mood at all. These guys, always buried in work and studies, had finally let loose properly this time.
'Gotta have nights like this sometimes.'
They'd partied hard, so now it was time to start the day. He'd sent out the intel he'd pulled an all-nighter organizing two nights ago, so he expected some response today.
He was heading to the bathroom to splash water on his face and wake up when someone's face flashed in his mind. Ronan froze in place.
'Adeshan?'
Come to think of it, he'd overlooked the most important person. Adeshan was missing. He remembered her getting plastered and acting all coy...
'Did she head back first?'
As student council president, it made sense. Just as Ronan started to move, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen.
"This is..."
Even with his stomach churning, his mouth watered. It was the smell of a stew bubbling with mussels and other seafood.
Ronan headed to the kitchen like a man possessed. The sound of boiling water grew louder.
He opened the door to find Adeshan standing at the pot, apron tied on. Her long straight hair hung messily down to her waist. Ronan stared at her for a long moment before speaking.
"Adeshan."
"Oh, Ronan. You're up?"
She turned and flashed him a warm smile. It was that soft, inviting grin he never got tired of.
"What're you doing up so early? You must be beat."
"Yeah. I just saw everyone looking rough, so I thought some hangover soup might help."
"Heh."
Ronan let out a dry laugh. They'd definitely drunk together, but this girl seemed immune to hangovers. She set down the ladle and continued.
"You should sleep more. It's not ready yet anyway."
"Nah, time to get up. Need any help?"
"No, really. But if you're not sleepy, there's something I wanna ask..."
Suddenly, Adeshan trailed off. Her cheeks flushed slightly—the vibe was off. Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"Um... last night, do you remember?"
"Why? Did I screw up or something?"
"W-Well, a screw-up maybe...? You know how I get when I drink—I kinda do whatever feels right? Get selfish. So, um..."
Adeshan kept glancing around to make sure no one awake was nearby, like a kid checking parents' reactions after messing up. Ronan stayed quiet, rummaging through memories, so she started mumbling at machine-gun speed.
"But honestly, it's partly your fault too. We hadn't seen each other in forever, and... s-suddenly taking off your shirt 'cause it's hot? That's cheating... No, no, it's my fault. As the older one, really, aaah...!"
"Hmm... last night."
Ronan scratched his head. Only fragmented snippets remained; nothing solid came up. He'd just gotten blackout drunk, it seemed. Finally reaching a conclusion, he spoke.
"No clue what you're talking about, but I probably didn't."
"...For real?"
"Yeah. For real."
"Haaaa...! Okay, good. What a relief."
Adeshan sighed in relief, worry melting from her face. Ronan tilted his head at the baffling reaction.
"...What the hell happened?"
He had no idea. Silently, he cupped her chin, pulled her in, and planted a light kiss. Her eyes went wide. No real reason—just wanted to.
"Missed you."
"Seriously..."
Adeshan ducked her head shyly. Soon their gazes met again. Faces drawing closer once more. Then a voice came from behind.
"Eager right after getting back, huh? Someone might mistake you for newlyweds."
"Kyaa!"
Adeshan flinched hard, shoulders hunching. Plates she'd bumped clattered down. Ronan's animal reflexes shot out, snatching them just before they hit the floor.
"Damn it, you scared me."
"Not trying to cockblock, but pick your time and place. Rumors of Phileon's student council president in a scandalous fling with some regular student... it'd be too entertaining."
"Got it, got it. Thought no one was around."
Ronan grumbled and turned. Naviroje stood at the doorway, arms crossed in her uniform.
"Long time no see, Instructor."
"Not bad cooking skills. Throwing a party without your teacher? Kinda rude."
"Come on, don't be childish. I was on assignment till yesterday."
She was gnawing on a leftover chicken leg from last night's snacks. Adeshan, spotting Naviroje, waved her off like shooing a bug and spoke up.
"S-Scandalous? We're not—"
"I know. Not your style. So what's that mosquito bite on your neck, Adeshan?"
"Hah...!"
Adeshan gasped. Her already red face burned hotter.
She slapped a hand over her neck, but Ronan had already seen. As Naviroje said, a couple red marks dotted her pale, slender nape.
"Th-This is... I mean...!"
"Big mosquito. Tough one too, this early in the season."
Naviroje teased mercilessly, grinning like it was the funniest thing. Ronan's face turned to stone. Shit, did I do that?
"...Sorry."
Unable to bear the embarrassment, Adeshan bowed her head. Ronan got why she'd asked about last night. He whispered.
"What did I do? Tell me I didn't go all the way..."
"Shh, quiet...!"
Adeshan pressed a finger to her lips, shushing him. Looked like he'd messed up big-time while drunk. Naviroje finished her fifth chicken leg and continued.
"Anyway, enough chatter. Head to Phileon Plaza once you're ready."
"Sure. Just us two?"
"Everyone here. Principal's got something to say to the whole school."
"Huh? The whole school?"
Ronan and Adeshan tilted their heads. Outside of graduations or festivals, assembling every student was rare.
"What's it about?"
"No idea. It was sudden. Just be there by noon."
Naviroje had come specifically to relay the message. She landed one more crass jab to redden Adeshan's face again, then turned to leave. Stunned, Ronan spoke.
"Wonder what it is."
"...Yeah."
Adeshan shook her head. Even as student council president, she hadn't heard. Anyway, orders were orders. Ronan roused all the members and headed to the sink.
"She actually let a caveman like this kiss her."
Ronan smirked at his reflection. As expected, some primitive ape stared back. If he were Adeshan, he'd have screamed and run. He stripped off his top to wash his hair. As he filled a basin, something odd caught his eye. Mosquito-bite-like marks from his collarbone up his neck. A lot of them.
"...What's this now?"
They looked suspiciously like the ones on Adeshan's neck. Ronan finished washing in under five minutes and headed out. Phileon Academy's grand plaza was already packed with the entire student body.