Raid Battle's Aftermath

*ZRAAAAASSHH!*

Inside the public bath house, I pour warm water onto Miika's hair and back that are full of bubbles.

I am currently standing while washing him from behind. Unlike the naked Miika, I am wearing white T-shirt and blue short pants because my plan is to take bath alone after I wash him.

We got 'slimy treatment' few hours ago after all. I need to make sure that both of us are completely clean before we attend the after raid party later.

As usual, in order to minimise the cost, I rent one bathroom for two of us. The duration is one hour but the lye soap that this bathroom provides can clean the filth from the body way faster than the soap from my previous world. It can also be used to wash hair and does not damage it at all.

"Alright. You can get out now-."

Before I can finish my sentence, Miika shakes his head numerous time to dry his own hair.

"Hey! Stop that!"

I shout that because I am annoyed by droplets of water sprayed to my face.

"Ah, sorry. Old habit..."

He immediately stops shaking his head and says that.

Is this guy a dog... Bielly also flailed around like that whenever people try to bathe him.

.....

....

...

After finishing both of our bath, we go to Pepprica's place because we promised with Ean and Griselda to go to the party together.

Or at least, that is our plan until Pepprica leads us to one of the tents in his yard.

Miika and I see Ean who is sleeping with few other goblin kids inside the tent.

"I told her to rest a bit after she finished bathing. And this happened."

Pepprica the halfling old man says that while standing behind Miika and me.

"Well, I heard that she also helped with the potion making before going to the raid. Let her rest."

I say that while closing the tent from the outside.

"Ehh!? But Ean said that she would brought back some food from the party!"

Milua the goblin boy says that as he goes out from another tent.

"If you really want food that badly, why don't you go there by yourself."

Dhilli, another goblin boy, also comes out from the tent besides Milua's tent while saying that.

"Ehh... but there are scary adventurers there... Ean is the one who always go to the guild so I can't go there without her."

"Umm..."

Right after Milua says that pathetic line, Miika starts talking to them. Milua, Dhili, Pepprica and I start paying attention to him.

"If you guys are fine with it... I can bring some food back for all of you."

"Eh!? Really!? Thank you!"

Milua's eyes sparkles as he says that and run towards Miika.

"Do you guys have the container for us to take the food?"

I direct that question to Milua but Pepprica is the one who immediately answer.

"It should be fine if we ask either Guild Master or Rimikia. They can prepare the food together with the containers."

"... why both of them?"

I say that while looking at Pepprica.

"Both of them are usually the ones who handle the cookings for parties like this. They are quite good at cooking you know, even if they have different specialties."

"S- specialty!? What kind!?"

After hearing Pepprica's explanation, Milua starts asking for more details.

"Stephanie is skilled at cooking meat dishes. I can never really forget that taste after I bite it for the first time. Rimikia is skilled at cooking vegetables. It was so good that there were some adventurers who dislike vegetables in general but still praises Rimikia for her veggie dish after trying it once."

Pepprica brags as if he is the one who cooks.

"Um... Miika."

However, Dhilli suddenly walks towards Miika while saying that. Pepprica, Milua and I stops the conversation once we hear his serious tone.

"?"

Miika looks at Dhilli with confused look. Then, Dhilli bows while talking to Miika.

"I'm sorry for saying something like that back then!"

Dhilli refers to the time when he shouted at Miika due to Panthos' influence.

"I said those things... without considering your circumstances..."

As Dhilli looks down out of guilt, the silent Miika starts talking to him.

"... umm. May I know who you are?"

".. huh?"

Dhilli looks surprised after hearing Miika's reply. The others are surprised too, including me.

"S- sorry... it's just that you guys have very similar face... so I can only differentiate Ean with others."

"..."

A few seconds pause. Everyone is silent after hearing Miika's response.

This guy... does he really have to say that at this timing?

".... Forget it!"

With angry face, Dhilli turns back and walks into the tent after saying that.

"W- wait! Dhilli!"

Milua follows Dhilli into the tent while saying that.

I want to sigh but I suddenly hear a woman's voice from outside of Pepprica's yard.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing that, I look behind and find Griselda standing outside.

.....

....

...

"Even if you don't come, I can take Ean to the party just fine."

Pepprica says that while walking at Miika's right side.

Griselda is currently walking at my left side while Miika and Pepprica are walking at my right side.

Griselda seems annoyed by Pepprica and start talking back to him.

"I promised that I let her rely on me. Of course I'll come."

"That girl will be one of my alchemy students later on. She does not need you to guard her anymore. So shoo!"

"No way. If I let leave her alone together with you, your madness might infect her mind. I'll come from time to time to check on her."

"Huh!? Who the hell do you think you are?! Go mind your own business, woman!"

I can see Miika being uncomfortable being in the middle of Pepprica and Griselda's bickering. Well, me too.

.....

....

...

During the party in the guild, Guild Master raises his big glass of beer while talking.

"For the success of the raid battle! CHEERS!"

"CHEERS!!!"

The adventures shouts that really loud as a reply to Guild Master's statement.

The party starts.

With wooden plates, Miika and I gather enough food on wooden plate and sit at the corner to avoid the crowds. I make sure to put some meat dishes into Miika's plates much to his displeasure. This is important so that he won't be picky about food in the future.

We take glass of water and put it besides our plate.

... water huh...

While Miika is eating, I look at the adventurers drinking Ale, a drink made like beer.

Look at them chugging it like it is the most delicious drink in the world... kinda reminds me of my previous life.

Whenever I arrived at home tired from work, a can of beer is what I need to make myself relaxed both mentally and physically.

And sometimes, I decide to eat my most favourite food, cup ramen. When paired with beer, I can forget all sh**s that I have gone through and be happy even for a moment. Well, cup ramen is not healthy so I don't eat it that often.

But beer is different. I know its unhealthy but I drink it to let out all frustrations and other kinds of negative feelings in my heart. Beer is my healthy drink mentally.

"*gulp* Ah..."

I fantasize beer too much that I unconsciously drink water from my glass... and the taste of water wakes me up.

"Sigh..."

I sigh knowing that I can drink Ale. My body is still a kid. On top of that, I don't want to set a bad example for Miika. I'll just put this worldly desire DEEP... DEEP... into my heart and try enjoying the food instead.

The food is really delicious or maybe because I am just hungry. Such delicious food really feels incomplete without beer...

No no no, keep it together. Me.

I shake my head to truly put my world desire inside my heart... this time, for sure.

"? What's wrong?"

Miika asks that question while looking at me.

"It's nothing."

I quickly reply that to not make him worry.

"Enjoying the party?"

And then, Antare the dark elf blacksmith approaches our table.

"Ah. Yes."

Miika says that as a reply while I just nod.

"Excuse me."

Antarea says that while sitting on an empty wooden chair between Miika and me. She also puts her glass of Ale on the table.

"Good work on raid battle, you two."

"T- thank you."

Miika replies with that to Antarea's statement.

"It's thanks to your equipment. They really helped a lot this time."

I say that while showing her the modified necklace.

"Ah! Right! Thank you for the magic dagger too!"

Remembering about his own weapon, Miika thanks Antarea again.

"I see. I'm happy if my creation can help both of you survive."

Antarea drinks Ale before talking again.

"So... what happened there?"

We decide to tell her about the raid battle while excluding about the Sweet World part because we are not sure yet if we are the ones who should tell this to other people.

"I see... that Veylene Reverangel defeated it huh... that Bastard Elf is annoying and cocky all the time but her strength is real."

Antarea says that while looking at her glass of Ale.

"And yet, despite being the one who takes all the credit, she does not come to this party."

I say that as I look at the crowds. Yup, I don't see Veylene Reverangel anywhere inside the Guild.

"She has always been like that since long ago. No need to worry about it."

And then Antarea looks at Miika before talking again.

"Have you tried the magic dagger already?"

"Ah yes. I tried it for the first time before, but it's really easy to use it. It really helped me a lot."

Miika replies to Antarea's question with a smile.

"... I see. Thank goodness."

Antarea says that with a smile and drink her Ale again.

The moment she finishes drinking and put the glass on the table, she suddenly bows her head towards Miika.

"I'm sorry."

She says that with a serious tone. Miika and I are confused as a result.

"All this time, I want to apologize for what Panthos had done to you... but I was hesitant..."

Panthos...? What is she talking about?

"P- please raise your head! Mas- I meant, Panthos? Why...?"

Miika asks that question while looking at Antarea.

Antarea then raises her head and replies to Miika's question.

"Panthos Genuma... used to be my lover."

"!?"

"!?"

Miika and I are shocked by that statement.

"The reason why he became like that... is most likely because of me. That's why I can't say that I am unrelated to what he had done to you."

I slowly start eating again while hearing Antarea's words.

"Back when Panthos is using you as a slave, I already know about his usual behaviour towards his slaves... but I chose to not stop him because I am afraid of his power."

Miika already completely stops eating while looking at Antarea.

"I know that it's way too late for me to say this. But-"

"Back when I first met Master."

"!"

Antarea is surprised that Miika starts talking.

Miika chooses to call that thing 'Master' huh...

"I don't know anything. I don't even think that I am in terrible situation. I just... feel nothing."

Miika closes his eyes for a moment as if he is unsure about what to say next. And then starts talking again.

"That's why... this probably sounds weird. But I never dislike Master. Therefore, I won't blame you too. Please don't mind it."

"..."

Upon hearing Miika's words, Antarea closes her eyes and thinks for a moment.

And then she opens her eyes before talking again.

"I understand. If you say so."

She slightly smiles while saying that. I doubt that Antarea will just let it slide but there's no use in apologizing to someone who don't even know the meaning of the apology.

Then I suddenly get hugged by Rimikia the elf receptionist from behind.

"H- huh!? Rimikia!?"

I say that because I am surprised by the sudden hug. I smell Ale. As I look at my right side, I can Rimikia's face flushed red.

Is she drunk?

"W- what's wrong?"

Miika says that as he stands up while looking at Rimikia.

"Geez, Rimikia... still drinking even though she is lightweight."

Antarea is still sitting while saying that.

"Shion~... you really worked hard this time huh~ Good girl good girl~"

Rimikia says that while start patting my head.

"W- wait...!"

I try to get away from her but her grip is really strong...!

I am mentally more than 28 years old after all. It always feels awkward being patted by other people.

"R- Rimikia, you're troubling Shion..."

Miika says that while trying to approach me. However, the drunk Rimikia notices Miika and moves towards Miika to hug him now.

"Miika~ you also did your best today~ Good boy good boy~"

Rimikia says that while patting Miika's head.

"E- eh..."

Miika can only say that as a response.

Oh crap, now we're gathering some attention.

"Rimikia~ I also did my best tod- guhakh!!"

A male beastman adventurer says that to bait the drunk Rimikia to hug him but Antarea kicks him away.

"What the hell are you trying to do..."

Antarea says that as she lowers her leg.

"... Miika, I'll leave her to you."

"Eh!? Shion!?"

I leave the dumdfounded Miika and go to outside of the guild after finishing my meal.

And the outside of the guild, I can see a the town's scenery at night. On top of that, I can see full moon which is very similar to the moon from my previous world.

I stretch a bit. My body starts to feeling tired.

But this is an important social gathering at my new workplace. I'll endure it a bit more.

"Enjoying the party?"

I hear Guild Master's voice from behind as he walks to my left side.

"Yes."

That is my reply to moment he arrives besides me.

"I see."

After saying that, Guild Master drinks Ale from the glass that he is carrying with his right hand.

"..."

After few seconds of silence, I decide to talk to him while looking at the moon.

"Are you really okay with letting me off the hook just like this?"

"About Panthos? You already did your obligation. I have no intention of punishing you further than that."

"But what I did is still a murder."

"Adventurer killing other adventurer is normal in this continent. Killing them on purpose is one thing, but there are other factors involving your case."

"You said it yourself. You want to change this continent by establishing a clear law of how people should act. Leaving a murderer like me alone will contradict your goal."

"I'm well aware of that. However..."

Guild Master drinks his Ale before continue talking.

"People... we can't the do the right thing all the time. A clear cut rule and law is needed but it's not the absolute thing that will determine good and evil. In the end, the best I can do is to search as much info as I can so that I don't make a narrow-minded decision. Hence my decision on your punishment."

"..."

There's no need for me to say anything. If his decision is that clear, then I'll just accept it as a member of Liasr Guild.

"There is no need for you to blame yourself that much."

Guild Master goes back to the party while saying that.

"Blame myself... huh..."

I look at the town and say that with low tone to make sure that no one hears me.

I understand that people can't do the right thing all time.

But sometimes, I just can't help about it after I killed that Panthos.

What would both of my mothers think when they knew that I become like this.

Will they get angry? Telling me that killing people is bad?

Or will they cry... sad because of I ended up this way...

Either way, I don't think they will give me a smile for what I did.

Either way, I can't become their proud child ever again.

Then I also remember what happened to my mother in this world, that self-proclaimed hero's appearance, Nelsia's stabbing Kaina, Kaina putting me into a strange mechanical big tube that teleported me to this continent.

I give one last look to the full moon before saying my thought out loud.

"I wanna drink beer..."