A Drink of Sorrow
Hildegard “....”
Break time. The laborers were chatting away while smoking cigarettes. Leo stood a little apart from them. He leaned against the railing with a hollow expression, puffing on his smoke. Puff, puff. The smoke drew deep into his lungs and billowed out into the empty air in thick clouds.
“What's up with him? Leo smoking like that.”
“He won't even come near us 'cause he doesn't want the smell on him. Says his daughter hates cigarette stink.”
“Something must be eating at him.”
William, Betty, and Nodis were seeing Leo smoke for the first time. He was always upbeat and quick on his feet. Even when tough jobs hit, he'd grin and power through. The guy never touched a cigarette even when the work doubled.
I wonder what happened to him.
Break time ended, and Leo came back over.
“Something bugging you?”
“In a bit.”
Leo gave a curt reply. He didn't want to talk about it.
“Dunno what it is, but bottling it up too long'll give you a liver full of rage. Taking care of your kid's great and all, but you gotta look after your own life first.”
“......”
William, with his three daughters, could sense Leo's troubles.
“I know a good bar. Wanna check it out?”
“That Wine Valley joint again?”
“Eh, maybe not for newbies. It's quiet, just for drinking. Called A Drink of Sorrow. Nice vibe. Give it a shot.”
“I'll think about it.”
“Ah, not tonight. Don't go tonight.”
William suddenly changed his tune.
“Heard some damn beast's prowling around there.”
“A magical beast?”
“It was in the papers. Didn't you see? Anyway, stay off the streets at night till it's caught.”
Leo hadn't checked the news amid the chaos. But he shrugged it off. What were the odds?
*
After work, Leo didn't head home. Elizabeth would be waiting there. With no clue what to do, he wandered aimlessly. William had warned against night strolls, but he wasn't about to run into a beast. Besides, the streets teemed with folks like him, beast or no beast.
The pleasure district. Women with exposed breasts clung to passersby. They rubbed up against them, nibbling earlobes to tempt. The men feigned reluctance, groping the women's chests as they headed into shops. Leo drifted there in a daze. A place he'd never set foot in otherwise.
He'd come because it was where William mentioned A Drink of Sorrow was. Whatever. He just wanted to drown in booze and atmosphere. To think nothing at all.
Aihenvalt's pleasure quarter was like the empire's but cruder. More blatant, perhaps—a backlash against the conservative society, chasing pleasure and revelry harder.
“Oh my~ Handsome brother. Come to my place?”
“Over here~ I'll give you special service, big bro. Pretty please?”
As he strolled, whores swarmed like hyenas. Big tits grinding against him, fingers stroking his lips. Any normal guy would've been rock hard. But Leo felt empty. Their skilled seductions slid right off; he just kept walking. Seeing no reaction, the whores lost interest and moved on to others.
Leo stopped at one shop. He pushed open the door without a thought. Warm yellow lights and cozy shadows enveloped the interior. Round tables hosted guests mingling with whores. Leo took a seat at the bar.
“What'll it be?”
The bartender approached.
“Strongest you've got.”
“Got it.”
The bartender went to mix. Leo scanned the revelry, then stared blankly at the table.
...Your Majesty, why'd you leave your daughter with me of all people?
He thought of Elizabeth's real father, gone five years now. Was he watching this scene? Hollow minutes passed. The bartender brought the drink. Leo downed it in one go.
“Whoa, that's not how you—”
“Another.”
“Uh, sure.”
The bartender eyed him like a weirdo and mixed another. Five shots of the hard stuff later, the buzz finally hit. Even a Sword Master's body was buckling. Leo kept pouring them back regardless.
He'd run nonstop for five years. Fatigue he hadn't noticed piled up, crashing down all at once today. Leo pondered his future. Five years on—surely the empire's spies had slacked off. Maybe time for a new job.
He hadn't just done construction. He'd studied stocks for solid gains, scoped real estate to read the market. His goal was simple: own a little bookstore. Books had been his escape from childhood abuse. Precious things that let him forget the pain.
Where to set up? What books to stock? As he mulled it over—
The shop fell suddenly quiet. Whore giggles and men's groans cut off. Wondering why, he turned. A new customer was the cause.
She wore a stiff black military uniform. Her officer's cap tilted rakishly; no overcoat, just draped over her shoulders with gold epaulets gleaming. Long black hair spilled out. Thud, thud. Her boots hit the floor, drawing tense stares. The coat sleeve fluttered. Even innocents tense up around officers.
She glanced around and sat at the bar—three seats from Leo.
“W-Welcome. What'll you have?”
“Strongest you've got.”
Strongest, huh. The bartender glanced at Leo and mixed. Leo shrugged and drank. Soldier or not, he was here for booze.
Why do humans love liquor? To numb the pain, right?
Leo slammed ten shots. Even his Sword Master gut was protesting. Late hour—he figured he'd head out.
“You got troubles too?”
The officer three seats over spoke, facing front. A wistful, firm voice. She eyed the liquor shelves. Her sharp nose like ruled paper; her profile stunning. Cheeks flushed red—she was hammered.
“Troubles?”
“You look it. No fire in your eyes, shoulders slumped, sighs nonstop. Same as me.”
“I see.”
“Wanna hear my woes?”
No. Before he could answer, she started. Guess his input didn't matter.
“I've got a long-time lover. Academy classmate, same branch officer.”
She gripped the glass rim with gloved fingertips—black gloves. The liquor rippled, her golden eyes flickering.
“Honestly, no clue about love. He asked me out, so I went along. Decent guy. Heir to a knightly house that values honor and pride.”
“Sounds good.”
“Yeah. Kid dreaming of knighthood, I stuck with him awhile. Even thought marriage.”
“Past tense means something happened.”
“Might sound weird, but after four-plus years, he wanted to sleep with me.”
“Four years as lovers and never?”
“Our house upholds premarital chastity.”
“Then marry and do it.”
She closed her eyes and chuckled wryly at his words.
“Exactly. Would've solved it. I said let's marry. He refused.”
“Why? Broke?”
“No. His family's top-tier. Deep history, fat wallet. Owns a trading company.”
“Then why not?”
“Our houses don't match in status.”
Ah, wants the fun without the commitment. Leo, who'd been meh at first, got hooked. Nothing beats lovers' quarrels for entertainment.
“So you split?”
“Kept seeing him, then caught him in bed with another woman. Tonight.”
She smiled bitterly.
“Doors wide open right when I'd visit. Flaunting it.”
“Oof.”
Cheating on a woman like her. She smiled sweet-bitter at his reaction and knocked back her drink.
“Eh, just that story. You get the rest. Pathetic, right?”
“Nah, dodged a bullet. Narrow-minded jerk.”
“I shared mine. Your turn.”
For the first time, her eyes met his. Glossy golden irises under low black brows, melancholic yet luminous.
“Not free, huh.”
“Paid in full. Price: your story.”
“Not exactly cheerful.”
“Harder than mine. It'll comfort me.”
“You're twisted. Won't be fun anyway.”
“Makes me wanna hear more.”
“Don't say I didn't warn you.”
Buzzed, Leo spilled. She nodded at his tale.
“You did right.”
“Right?”
“Fought for honor and pride. Take good care of it. Could shatter easy.”
“Raising a kid nearby? You get it.”
“As a kid, I wanted swordsmanship. Dad opposed. Wouldn't quit, so he beat me senseless.”
“Damn. No grudge?”
“Dunno. But after, my dream solidified. Iron needs hammering to harden.”
“What dream?”
“Knight.”
“Knight...”
Leo got it and drank. She drank too. Talk lulled into silence. Cozy lights on the bar. Faces flushed from booze. Different pains, but love's wounds all the same. Adults. So this was natural.
“Wanna try dating me?”
The golden-eyed woman side-glanced him.
“Date?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Just... wanna. A rebellion, maybe.”
“Got a daughter.”
“No wife?”
“She's dead.”
“Sorry.”
“Nah. Forgot.”
“No issue then. Let's date.”
Soldier tough. He drank wordlessly. Head spinning, face hot. Connections aren't always grand. Like a leaf caught on clothes by chance wind. Petty stuff. He answered on impulse.
“Sure, why not.”
They left the bar. Cool night air cooled hot faces. Buzz faded a bit. Now he saw her clearly. Tall. Seated, unnoticeable; standing, over 180cm. Short torso, long legs. A winter beauty—dry, emotionless, yet alluring. Eyes fierce like an eagle's, steadfast. Golden irises amplified it. Gaze dropped to her chest. Uniform couldn't hide those assets; medals galore.
“Military? What's your rank?”
“Major.”
She stroked the insignia on her coat shoulder.
“Look young for it. Impressive.”
“Twenty-four this year.”
Noble thing. No shock—young nobles climb fast. Low nobles hit major in early twenties if lucky.
“You think I bought my rank with title.”
She read his eyes instantly.
“I swear, I earned this on merit.”
Her arm rested on the sword at her hip.
Sword to major?
“Ah, yeah.”
“Don't believe me.”
Then—the district erupted. Nearby drunks causing chaos? No.
‘Gang? Nah.’
Ignoring it, but the racket swelled.
“Beast! Magical beast!”
“Fuck, why here?!”
Not thugs. Folks mistaking them fled something. Through the crowd loomed a massive black cat. Tiger-sized, claws and fangs bared. A magical beast.
Rare. Bad luck to meet one or two in life. In the city heart...
Old man's warning was spot on.
Fists clenched. Mana stirring subtly. Hiding his identity, but if not him, dozens die.
Then.
“Step back.”
“?”
She pushed his chest back. Casually drew her sword.
Shing...
Pure white blade gleamed. Clear ring echoed.
“Perfect chance. I'll show how I climbed here.”
The sword sang. Golden aura surged, cloaking it. Dazzling light lit the district. Eyes—fleeing crowds and beast—locked on.
Mana?
Mana users: two types. Circle-woven wizards storing mana in bodies.
And...
“Sword Master.”
“Not surprised.”
“Should I be?”
“No. Get ready now.”
She smirked haughtily, glaring ahead. Beast crouched, eyeing her up. It switched targets—instinct knew danger.
Kyaaah!!
Beast leaped huge frame lightly. Terrifying claws slashed down.
Swish—she sidestepped nimbly. Ground shattered where she stood. Wind whipped. Long black hair fluttered. Amid it, golden eyes serene.
Beast's forepaw slammed earth—right before her. She slashed down.
Slice.
Kyaaak!
Right foreleg severed. Beast screamed back. Cat-like agility. But her pursuit eerie—like shadow, instant before it. Naturally in strike range.
Another slash. Diagonal upcut from below.
Splat. Last foreleg gone. Thud—beast collapsed, forelimbs lost.
Mobility gone, it flailed hindlegs to flee. Battle will broken. Eyes pure terror.
Golden-eyed woman watched leisurely like an eagle. Never a match from the start.
Golden aura flared from sword. She swung at air. Aura condensed into crescent, flew.
Sword beam.
It pulverized from maw to anus—gore sprayed. Beast dead, obviously.
“.....”
Leo gaped. She turned, utterly composed. Seeing his face, she smiled satisfied.
“Forgot my name. Hildegard.”
She sheathed. Then—the beast's upper half, sliced like sandwich bread, flopped down like cheese.