Drunk Eyes Melifina

I burst open the door to the Flintlock Tavern, expecting the same commotion as last time, but instead, it was near silent. The tavern was empty, and even the wait staff didn’t appear to be around.

The only occupants were Reinhart, who was drinking straight from a bottle behind the counter, and a red-haired woman sitting at the bar. The most notable features about her were her two black horns and wings, as well as a thin black tail that flicked about as she drank.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out she must have been a demon.

Reinhart didn’t look worried. If anything, he looked more tired than usual. He glanced up and noticed us.

“Whoa, lad, you’re giving off a bad vibe. You cursed or something?”

“Seems that way.”

“I’m glad to see you managed to rescue Viola and Melody.”

He lowered his head.

“I must offer my deepest apology for allowing that bastard to take you.”

“It’s fine, we were rescued by the most foolish of pirates.” Viola laughed.

He lifted his head and turned his attention back to me. “So Ivan is dead?”

“Who’s Ivan?” The red-haired woman asked in a clearly intoxicated state.

“Should be.” I paused for a moment. “I see you have a demon here.”

“A demon? What’s one doing way out here?” she slurred, slamming her mug down on the bench.

“Um, aren’t you a demon?”

“Oh… oh yeah.” She blinked, then laughed. Her reaction suggested she wasn’t joking, but had genuinely forgotten.

When we first arrived in this world, we were told demons were out to destroy the world. For a demon, I was expecting her to be fiercer. But to me, it looked like she was an idiot and a drunk one at that.

The door to the tavern burst open behind us, and a balding man entered.

“Melifina, I’ve come to take your he…”

A loud gunshot rang out, and the man collapsed in a pool of blood.

“Mel, what did I say about killing people?”

“Tee hee.” She tapped her forehead.

“Don’t give me that. You know how much work it is to clear up bodies.”

“But he started it. Besides, would you expect me just to stand still and let him attack?”

“I would have stopped him.”

“Because you secretly enjoy my company?”

“No, because you have been racking up a massive tavern debt. I’ll never see the money if you die.”

If her debt was that bad, Reinhart really shouldn’t have been supplying her with more drinks.

Before their banter could continue, the accursed gem began to glow. The room lit up in a bright red before dimming once more. I guess the accursed gemstone wasn’t completely useless after all.

Everyone remained silent for a few moments.

“Lad, what was that?” Reinhart asked.

“The curse thing I mentioned.”

He sighed.

“I don’t think I want to know. I’m going out the back to drink.”

He grabbed the bottle he’d been drinking from and stumbled to the back room, closing the door behind him.

“I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who causes him issues.”

“So you’re the reason he drinks so much,” I commented.

“Teehee.”

“Don’t teehee me.” I rubbed my forehead, trying to figure this out. I had been led to believe all demons were vicious, evil creatures. Yet, this girl was at worst a public nuisance, far from being a threat to society.

“Are demons actually trying to wipe out all humans?”

“Some are,” she replied nonchalantly.

“Are you one of those?”

“Nah, that’s too much work.”

“So if it weren’t too much, you would?”

“Absolutely not, humans make much tastier alcohol than demons.”

It was clear she was a lost cause.

“Besides, I think you are more of a concern than I. How many twisted skills do you even have? Seems you picked up another one as well.”

She nodded over to the dead guy on the floor.

“You can see all of it without passing out?”

“I’ve got a high tolerance for nausea. Probably thanks to all the booze I’ve downed over the years.”

“I don’t think that’s something to brag about,” I snapped back.

She leaned in close and stared right into my eye.

“Some interesting skills you have,” she commented before leaning back on her stool. “Immortality, never seen that one before. Not sure why it's all red though.”

“That’s a secret,” I replied with a wink.

“Oh, secrets, that’s cool. My name is Melifina, ya can call me Mel?”

“I’m Lark.” I held out my hand.

“I wish you wouldn’t flirt with every girl,” Túta sighed.

“Pwii~” Pippa squeaked, nodding before transforming back into a human in a puff of smoke. “I agree with Túta! You don’t need anyone else when you have the great and powerful Pippa.”

“See Melody, this is why you should not fall in love with our foolish captain,” Viola quipped.

“But Mister Pirate is nice, right, Miss Elora?” asked earnestly.

“I also agree with the others,” Elora replied, averting her gaze.

“Traitors, the lot of you.”

“What a lively crew,” Mel laughed.

“Oh god, the lot of you are getting chummy. I’m scared of what that’ll do to my business.” Reinhart commented, re-entering the room. It looked like he had aged several years.

“Well, my dear Reinhart, I believe we were about to be in talks about a reward?”

“You want a reward? Take her with you.” He signalled over to Mel. “It’ll be a win-win for both of us.”

“If she owes so much, can’t you just…” I mimed a gun with my fingers whilst she was taking another swig of her drink.

“Believe me, if it were anybody else, I would have,” he replied with a sigh. His usual dry demeanour meant I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not here. “But I owe her father too much.”

“Yeah… you owe me, so bring more beer!”

“I don’t owe you anything! I owe your father! Just for that, you’re done for today.”

He removed all the remaining bottles and put it behind the counter.

“Aw, you’re no fun,” she sulked.

“What do you owe her father for?” I asked.

He pulled out his gun, and I instinctively reached for my blade.

“Relax lad. I owe her father for this beauty. He taught me how to make and use a flintlock pistol.”

“I’ve got one too,” she slurred.

“Look, you wanted a reward, how about I make you a pistol if you take her with you?”

“Woo! Let’s go, captain!” she called out, raising her arm.

“That doesn’t seem like a fair trade. I get a pretty woman and a gun.”

He looked at me with a deadpan stare. “Trust me, it’ll do wonders for my business. I’m barely scraping by due to her drinking.”

He held out his hand for me to shake. It honestly sounded too good to be true. I reached out, ready to take it.

“Don’t fall for it. My Pa can make you a gun. I’ll just ask him for it. Get a better deal,” she instructed.

Even though she was clearly intoxicated, she made a good point.

I retracted my hand.

“Tch!” Reinhart clicked his tongue. “Fine, I have a treasure map. Will that do?”

Treasure?!

“Well, if that’s all you got, I guess it will do,” I responded, trying to keep my cool. “How far away is it?”

“It’s in the Reicalth region, about a week's travel by sea.”

“Well, my only condition is that Mel has to agree to it as well, and she can leave at any time.”

“That’s fine. Honestly, even if you drag her away for a week, my profits will increase tenfold.”

I extended my hand to Mel, “Then what do you say? Will you join me, Mel?”

Before any of my crew could voice their objections, she took my hand.

“Sure Cap'n.”

If this were a movie, fireworks would explode in the sky. But instead, I turned to Reinhart.

“Now fork over that map.”

He let out a sigh as he reached into his jacket and retrieved a rolled-up piece of parchment.

I reached for it, but he pulled it back.

“Oh no, you’ll get it the moment she leaves my bar.”

“One more round to celebrate!” She called out.

I gripped her by the back of her collar.

“I want that map, so you’re done here.”

“No!” she cried, flailing, trying to reach for the bottles as I dragged her by the scruff of her jacket out of the bar.

We stocked up on supplies. I wanted to set sail for the treasure as soon as possible, especially if it was going to take over a week. We made our way back to the Ravager. Several ships had already departed. It seemed our presence was enough to frighten them off. We loaded up our supplies and set sail.

With the newly acquired medical supplies, Túta managed to treat Melody, whose health gradually improved. The evenings were the most eventful time as the girls would often wander off to do ‘secret things’ without me.

I had no idea what they were getting up to, but it seemed like they were getting closer to one another, so I didn’t push to find out. Once they mostly went off to bed, I would join Elora in training on the deck.

Several days passed.

“We’re nearing land.” Mel whispered to me.

I had a look, but there was nothing but the vastness of the sea.

“I don’t see…”

“Don’t worry,” she replied with a wink, once again standing. “You’ll see it soon. I just wanted to give you a heads up before your dear lookout spots it.”

She signalled over to Pippa.

“Why would you…” she placed her finger to my lips.

“I can’t lead my Cap'n on by making him think anyone has sharper eyes than me.”

I wandered over to her and grabbed her by the hand, spun her around and caught her in my arms.

“You should never hide your skills from others. You should take pride in your own skills.”

Her cheeks pinkened.

“I can see why ya quite the ladies' man.”

I let go of her. I hadn’t meant to come across as flirting. I only wanted to offer her encouragement. She waved as she wandered off below deck. A few moments later, Pippa called out excitedly.

“Land ahoy!”

▪──── X ────▪

End of chapter 31