The Sweetness of Victory
"Here, pour me a glass."
"Yes, General."
Responding in that uniquely steady, unwavering voice, she filled Cromwell's glass.
Watching that scene unfold, Franklin felt herself drawn into a deep, profound wave of joy.
*How...! This is the liquor that Commander Cromwell himself poured! I can't even drink it without feeling guilty about wasting it!*
A single glass of the liquor personally handed over by the man she had always admired and held in awe. The heart-pounding weight of its immense meaning made Franklin's fingers tremble as she held the glass, unable to lift it right away.
But,
Amid that flutter of emotion, she barely regained her composure and remembered what she had to do.
*No... wait... no... if I do this, it won't work. The... the fact that it's the liquor Commander Cromwell poured makes it priceless, but I can't let my mind wander off and miss this precious opportunity!*
Still struggling with that unbearable guilt,
Franklin decided to shake off the distraction and downed the entire glass in one swift gulp.
Immediately afterward, the sensation hit her.
An overwhelmingly sweet taste that defied description.
It enveloped her tongue with incredible smoothness,
And at the same time, a rich, fragrant flavor bloomed across her palate.
Franklin felt her lips melting like they were dissolving, overwhelmed by a euphoria she had never experienced before.
*Ah... it's sweet... I'm so happy... This is the first time I've ever tasted something this delicious...*
At least the liquor itself was quite high-quality.
But even so, the reason its flavor stood out as the absolute best among everything she'd ever drunk wasn't just that.
Because the one who poured it was none other than that man...
It was also because he was standing right in front of her, facing her with that same dream-like face.
So, while she had been savoring the situation as intended, Franklin found herself even more exhilarated and picked up the bottle.
"Here, you should have one too."
"...Understood. Please pour one."
Cromwell's demeanor carried a noticeable resolve as he spoke.
Seeing that strong, masculine face that she truly adored, Franklin poured the liquor into his glass with slightly unsteady hands.
"Here... please, drink up. This is a toast to your achievements this time."
"Thank you. Then..."
Cromwell downed the liquor without a second thought.
Unlike Franklin, who had already begun to feel the effects after just one glass earlier, his face showed no obvious change in expression.
*This... is the alcohol stronger than I expected? Well, it's only been one glass so far... I don't know yet...*
Franklin was experienced with drinking, but she processed it faster than most.
In that light, since the goal was to disrupt Cromwell's judgment by getting him drunk,
she needed to steer the situation so that she drank less while he drank more.
But...
"Then please have another drink."
"Y-Yes... one more..."
The moment Cromwell immediately refilled her glass, Franklin accepted it without hesitation.
In her mind, she thought it would be better to refuse, but
the temptation of that incredibly sweet glass from moments ago made it impossible to turn down.
*I've got to pace myself... but... well? It's just one more glass. I've still got plenty of time left... hehe... the liquor poured by Commander Cromwell... it's so delicious... too sweet...*
Giving in to the irresistible temptation, Franklin began downing the glass again.
She could clearly feel just how immense the happiness of a perfect fantasy — the finest victory wine poured by a man she liked — could bring.
*
I hated drinking, so I had learned a few tricks to drink as little as possible at social gatherings.
Among them, the most effective method was to get the other person drunk as quickly as possible.
Of course, everyone's tolerance varied, but I knew from experience that when someone drank after being offered, they would keep drinking, and the more they drank, the harder it became to refuse.
Scientifically, alcohol did stimulate the appetite, but I didn't know much about that...
Anyway, the fact was that if I didn't want to drink, I just had to let the other person drink for me.
Using that logic, I poured liquor for Franklin in front of me with maximum enthusiasm.
In response, Franklin didn't refuse and poured it down her throat in gulps.
The moment I realized this, I discovered that the liquor Franklin had brought was quite strong — regardless of whether it was good or not.
It could easily knock me into a hangover state quickly, but it was also excellent for rapidly getting the other person drunk.
And right now.
Even after just four glasses, this was already clearly being proven through the way Franklin's reactions were beginning to show.
"...Hic... what... pour another quick... hic!"
"Yes, understood, General."
At some point, the urge to pour had vanished completely, so Franklin extended her empty glass and urged me...
Seeing that, I felt a slight sense of relief inside and refilled her glass once more.
"Gulp! Gulp! Ahh... perfect... just like I thought... our Cromwell... hic! The liquor Commander Cromwell poured... let's drink it down..."
"Really? I'm glad to hear that. Then, please have another drink."
"Good... our commander... not only good at fighting but also great at pouring... hehe..."
From my perspective, it was undeniably fortunate that I didn't have to drink at all.
Eventually, the bottle finally emptied, and I had managed to down exactly two glasses without trouble,
while Franklin in front of me, completely wasted from drinking so much, was left in a state that was almost no longer recognizable as a person.
"Huuuh... what... it's all gone... hic... sorry... I wanted to drink more of the liquor that Commander Cromwell would pour..."
"You've had quite enough. Please rest."
"Huu... can I...? Well... it's what our commander said... I have to listen... hic!"
With those words, General Franklin began to stagger to her feet.
But...
*Clunk!*
Because she was so heavily intoxicated, she couldn't steady herself and collapsed back into her seat.
"Are you all right?"
"U-uh..."
With half-lidded eyes and a dazed expression, General Franklin looked up at me.
Then she rose from her seat and stared directly into my face, which had come close.
And...
"?"
She reached out both arms toward me.
At that unexpected gesture I momentarily froze.
With a rich smile on her lips, she spoke in a voice full of expectation.
"Hug me."
"...What?"
"Hug me... quickly."
"U-um... I... um... maybe that's..."
"This is an order... hic! If you don't... I'll treat it as a military command... hic! and... do it!"
"U-um..."
Even in this situation, hearing her speak about military command, I had no choice but to cautiously extend my hand.
Fortunately, we were in her room, so the bed was right nearby.
Thus, while feeling that strange tension, I first helped her up and began to lower her toward the bed.
But...
"Hehehe! I got you!"
"Ah! W-Wait just a moment..."
The moment I drew near,
Franklin, as if she had been waiting, wrapped her arms around my neck.
Then, with both arms braced, she tilted her body downward.
I had no choice but to lift her by the legs to correct my stance, carrying her like a princess in my arms.
At the same time, a warm, gentle sensation enveloped me.
Beyond her position as a general, the feeling that she was still a woman made my face flush red.
*'In the game she was a monster that even had over a million HP...*
Despite being the middle boss of the final chapter, the real Franklin had incredible durability that let her endure over thirty minutes while commanding her squad.
However,
right now, in my arms, she felt fragile as if one light touch could break her...
At the same time, a sweet fragrance tickled my nose.
While she was intoxicated and collapsed, the intoxicating scent of her made me feel oddly drawn to her, as if she were seducing me.
Thus, with my heart pounding intensely, I carefully laid her down on the bed.
"Hey... General...? It's already done... could you please let go..."
Even lying on the bed, Franklin refused to release my neck.
I tried desperately to free her arms.
At that moment...
"..."
"...G-General? Eep!"
The next instant, she yanked my neck strongly, laying me down on the bed as well,
and then stared straight into my face while lying on top of me.
Still slightly intoxicated, her eyes were hazy, but her gaze was clearly fixed on my face.
Her eyes, flushed red and sparkling like a vast ocean, gazed at me.
While I stared at her face like this, I unconsciously recognized again how beautiful she was and felt my heart flutter.
At that moment...
"...Commander."
"N-No?"
"Let's sleep together...♥"
"?!?!"
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