Chapter 149
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Adventurer Sisters and Chloe
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Even though she wanted to return the favor to Oppa with a bottle of wine or strong liquor, Chloe was at a complete loss—she knew absolutely nothing about alcohol.
Even after reaching adulthood, her mental age hadn't changed a bit from her childhood days. She kept realizing it over and over, so she never really felt like she'd grown at all.
Because of that, alcohol—an adult's indulgence and symbol—felt way too advanced for her immature mind. She had never tried it and had zero interest.
Her sister had promised to teach her drinking etiquette and how to sober up using mana if she ever got curious, but they'd never actually found the time.
Clueless as she was, she figured she could at least check out the prices and varieties, so she wandered around a liquor specialty store by herself.
But the atmosphere was worlds apart from a dessert shop. It overwhelmed her completely, and the hurdle of going in alone felt higher than she'd imagined.
She hesitated to ask her sister for help. Her sister had already provided financial support—taking up her time on top of that would be...
Her sister looked so frantically busy. Chloe didn't want to hold her back, so she decided to seek help from someone else.
There was one person who seemed perfect for this situation.
—What about liquor? My sister says it's a safe choice. She mostly buys strong spirits or wine for gifts to fellow adventurers or acquaintances. The boxes are fancy for the price, and the bottles are pretty too.
Familiar red hair approaching from afar.
'It's Seria!'
Spotting the elegant woman with pink hair walking beside her, Chloe blurted out in a rush.
"Ah, hello! I'm Chloe Dreitna...!"
The woman who had greeted her first widened her eyes in surprise but quickly smoothed her expression into a gentle smile. She returned the greeting with refined poise that radiated elegance.
"...Please forgive my rudeness. I'm Liliane, a gold-rank adventurer affiliated with the Adventurer's Guild. It's an honor that you've sought me out."
Chloe fidgeted at Liliane's professional demeanor, stamping her feet anxiously.
"Please, speak comfortably...! You're Seria's sister..."
"See? I told you it wasn't a lie! You've gotten so suspicious ever since you became an adventurer."
"...Ahaha. Shh!"
Liliane let out an awkward laugh, and Seria grabbed her shoulders, kneading them playfully.
"Loosen up those shoulders~ Chloe's fine, right?"
"Please treat me comfortably...!"
No one in their right mind would actually get casual just because they were told to in front of a Dreitna.
In the end, Liliane softened her tone as much as she deemed appropriate before a high noble lady.
"I never dreamed I'd have the honor of meeting the esteemed lady of the illustrious Dreitna Count family like this. Our Seria can be a bit overly lively... I hope she's not being a bother to you?"
"No! Absolutely not...! If anything, I've only been receiving help from her all the time, so I feel embarrassed..."
Liliane knew Seria might make outrageous jokes, but she wasn't the type to lie when she meant it.
Still, the person coming out of Seria's mouth was none other than the Dreitna Count family—known to everyone in the empire—and the younger sister of Eclair Dreitna, one of the Empire's Five Knights, whose name was spreading like wildfire with her insane feats.
Liliane had nearly dropped a plate at home when she heard that a Dreitna lady had specifically asked for her help.
'Real friends she hangs out with every day...? Seria and a Dreitna lady?'
From the academy stories she'd overheard, Liliane had assumed it was just casual chats to get on friendly terms with the count's daughter—probably exaggerated.
That alone was impressive enough and something that could prove a huge boon in the future.
She'd pictured group meals with noble ladies gathered together.
'...'
Even when Seria had suddenly announced a visit to one of the Five Knights' mansions, Liliane had dismissed it as a joke meant to shock her.
The reality facing her now was a total shock.
But she was one of the pros who danced with death—Liliane quickly pulled herself together and began assessing the situation.
'Completely different vibe from her sister. But they definitely resemble each other.'
Liliane had seen Eclair Dreitna in person once at the Adventurer's Guild.
She had the beauty of a work of art, ill-suited for rough work, but her aura and gaze were anything but ordinary.
She seemed like the type who wouldn't bleed a drop even if stabbed with a sword, exuding a chilling presence that could cost you your head if you stared too long—one of the Empire's Five Knights.
It was intimidating, yet reassuring to know such a knight protected the empire.
Eclair Dreitna's image was burned vividly into Liliane's memory.
So even though this wasn't Eclair herself, just facing one of the Dreitna sisters had Liliane's heart pounding like it might burst.
But now that they were face-to-face, the soft, fluffy atmosphere made it believable that she'd hang out with Seria.
Still, carelessness was absolutely forbidden.
No matter how close she was to Seria, Liliane couldn't afford a single mistake with Chloe.
"Shall we head right in?"
Liliane held the door open and smiled at Chloe.
"Thank you so much...!"
"Sis, this is my first time here too!"
There was a saying that gold-rank adventurers didn't need to bow to nobles, but there were limits.
Her parents, lording over the countryside as Baron Electra, might defer to their gold-rank daughter.
But thumbing your nose at renowned nobles whose names echoed even in the capital? That took sapphire or platinum rank.
Ding-!
The door Liliane held swung shut with a bell chime, and the clerk at the counter greeted them in a soft voice.
"Ooh~!"
Seria buzzed with excitement at this novel experience.
Grabbing Chloe's hand as she hesitated at the entrance, Seria strode boldly inside.
"Nice and cool in here. Right? The store's pretty too."
"Wow... yeah."
The interior carried a thick scent of aged wood, with mana devices emitting a cool aura that cradled the liquor bottles in neat rows.
It wasn't just alcohol—cheeses, dried fruits, olives, and meats smoked over special woods were packaged by type and displayed enticingly, drawing the eye.
As a regular, Liliane quickly approached the clerk emerging from the counter and explained the situation.
The clerk paled, bowing repeatedly in gratitude before freezing like a statue, glued to the counter in tension.
Liliane placed a hand on her chest to steady her breath and took the initiative.
Seria was laughing innocently, gazing around with childlike wonder, so Liliane sidled up and spoke.
"I heard the lady has no interest in liquor herself. What about the recipient? Have you seen what kind he drinks?"
It would be insane to ask a prominent noble's budget outright.
She had to word it carefully to avoid seeming dismissive.
Seria pouted at Liliane's extreme caution.
But when facing an unfamiliar high noble for the first time, maximum caution was the rule.
"Um...! I'm not sure about his exact tastes. I just know he doesn't seem picky with food or drink..."
High nobles usually had clear preferences and were quite finicky. Liliane found it surprising that someone like that existed.
It reminded her of a certain someone at the pinnacle who happily chugged cheap booze and munched peanuts, but she quickly shoved that thought aside.
She picked up a nearby wine bottle.
"This is one of the top-selling ice wines. Pretty label, shimmering golden hue—popular even for display."
"Sorry... Ah, what's an ice wine?"
Chloe blushed at her ignorance and asked. Seria chimed in supportively from the side.
"Yeah! Start with the basics! We're total newbies here!"
Liliane desperately wanted to hurl the bottle and flee, but the thought of offending the Dreitna family kept her grounded.
"...To put it simply, ice wine is a dessert wine with high sugar content and rich fruit aromas."
"Chloe? What do you think?"
"Hmm..."
When Seria asked, Chloe closed her eyes, fiddled with the ends of her hair, and let out a groan.
After agonizing for a while, she opened her eyes and gestured awkwardly as she added an explanation.
"Um... More than something high in sugar, thinking about his image... something strong and rugged...! That feels more fitting... Ha, but to me, he's gentle and kind!"
"Eh...? Really not? C'mon, be honest—I can buy you dessert tomorrow~"
"N-No, really!"
Seria grinned mischievously and clung to Chloe, teasing her.
But hearing Chloe's rambling, Liliane nearly blacked out.
'This won't be easy...'
It was Liliane's first time picking liquor based on someone's image rather than taste.
And she wasn't even store staff to begin with!
The clerks here took a casual approach, and she'd stepped up fearing mistakes—but regret now washed over her in waves.
"Then...! Shall we check out this side?"
...
...
Her sister had emphasized it, but Chloe's goal was a return gift that stayed within her own allowance.
Even with financial help, showing sincerity within her own means felt right, just as her sister had advised—and Chloe agreed completely.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't possibly get something practically satisfying for a platinum-rank adventurer like Oppa.
She figured she'd fill in the gaps with her heartfelt sincerity and gratitude.
Once out of the store, Chloe bowed deeply to Liliane.
"I wanted to treat you to a meal for the help... I'm sorry it ended up just me receiving again."
"I had a prior quest lined up, so I'm truly the sorry one. It's a shame, but I'm honored to have met the esteemed lady of the renowned Dreitna family like this."
Seria slapped Liliane's back with a laugh as they exchanged polite farewells.
"Don't worry! I'll eat your share too, Sis!"
"Seria. You absolutely can't trouble the lady, got it?"
Seria winked and flashed a thumbs-up at Liliane, who smiled desperately while gripping her shoulders.
Liliane's worries doubled, but she had no choice but to accept it.
'They've gotten along fine so far... should be okay.'
"Let's go!"
Seria latched onto Chloe's arm and tugged. Chloe hastily called out a goodbye to Liliane.
"Then, see you next time...!"
With Liliane, they might have gone to a normal restaurant.
But Seria and Chloe naturally headed straight for a dessert specialty shop, without even discussing the menu.
—
Time passed.
The day of the practical class arrived—the one Chloe had been awaiting with a chaotic mix of tension and excitement.