“Nothing complex and only simple stuff. It’s a big problem if you can’t cook during training trips or expeditions.”
Nodding slowly, Gazef brought a little basket that was tucked away in a corner of the dining room. The basket was big enough to fit a baby and a smell that stimulated the nose and stomach wafted into the air.
The two men sat facing each other.
After taking out several dishes from the basket, they filled their glasses with wine and raised them for a toast to each other. There was no particular reason they shared a cheers and gulped down the wine in silence. Brain took two big gulps before setting down the glass.
He let out a deep sigh and murmured with shaky heart.
"... It’s been a long time since I had a drink.”
“It’s the same with me. I haven’t had a meal in my house lately either.
"... The palace duties must be difficult.”
“Ever since I became the Warrior Captain, there seems to be always something.”
“Defending the royal family as well?”
“That too. As a matter of fact, that’s the main duty.”
After hearing Gazef’s stories Brain could feel how puritan Gazef was. He could afford to stray around from time to time, but he kept moving forward in a straight line.
‘A person like this is sure to be hated by the nobles.’
As if Brain’s assumptions were right, Gazef’s stories barely contained any mention of nobles. Despite being in a high position like Warrior Captain, most of stories were about his life as a soldier or about the royal family. There were no stories of some hoity-toity dance gala.
Changes were happening in neighboring countries such as the Empire, but in the Kingdom a large wall of different status stood between the nobility and commoners.
For Brain, this whole situation was hilarious.
He devoted all his time training to defeat Gazef, and he expected a fight to the death the next time they met. Now, they sat drinking as friends. As if his thoughts were read, Gazef smiled as well.
Their glasses clanged once again, but feeling a little drunk, they clinked too hard and some wine spilled onto the table.
“Try not to spill it onto the food.”
“It might taste better with some wine on them.”
“I don’t know much about taste… Unglaus, perhaps you are the same too?”
“Brain. Just call me Brain.”
“Alright, then I am Gazef.”
“Ok, Gazef.”
They laughed and clanged the glass once more.
Gazef’s stories were diverse and there were plenty of things Brain did not know about. As the atmosphere heated up, Gazef asked shamelessly.
“So Brain, just what happened to a man of your calibre?”
As if treating an open wound, Gazef treaded carefully. His gauging of Brain’s reaction was not to determine whether he was telling the truth, but out of genuine concern.
“Thanks.”
Looking at Gazef blinking profusely from receiving a thanks out of nowhere, Brain eased up as well. He took a moment to recollect himself before speaking.
"... I met a monster.”
“A monster? What kind?”
“Probably a vampire… Called Shalltear Bloodfallen. The attack I devised… to defeat you was deflected by her with just a pinky finger.”
He could see Gazef’s eyes widen.
"...Is that so.”
Gazef took a sip of his wine. Brain took a sip as well and recount the battle— No, the massacre that took place.
Of course, he did not mention anything about banditry. Gazef might already have guessed how Brain used to live like. However, he didn’t have the courage to tell Gazef that he was the kind of man who had done anything in the name of getting stronger.
Thankfully, there were no signs of suspicion in Gazef’s eyes.
“Will you believe me?”
"...The world is big and wide. It won’t be strange even if a monster like that existed. Looking back in history, there were beings like Demon Gods and Dragon Lords as well. But a monster like that… it’s above my ability.”
“Yea. I don’t know how strong you are now, so I won’t speak irresponsibly, but I will say it’s impossible for you to win against it. A monster like that is beyond our realm of ability. Even if two of us fight together, we would only last 1 or 2 seconds longer.”
“Hey, please say that’s not so.”
Gazef complained in joking tone, but Brain pleaded with all earnest.
“Gazef, you’re a Warrior Captain who’s in charge of protecting the royals. Please do not fight it if you ever run into it. Your life is valuable.”
“I thank you for your advice, but if that monster called Shalltear tries to attack the King, I need to stall for time even if it costs me my life.”
Even stalling for time would be impossible unless that monster decided to toy around with Gazef. However, if it was Gazef... he felt Gazef might be able to do it. Even if for just a few more seconds.
“Shalltear. Shalltear Bloodfallen is it.”
Gazef nodded heavily after asking about its description once again.
“Alright, after we’re both sober, do you mind telling me about it once again? It seems wise to collect as much information about it as possible.”
“Even if you do collect the information, I’m not sure if anything can be done about it.”
“If a storm is coming, then we need to prepare for it. Plus, who knows if other wiser people have a good idea.”
“That would be the best case.”
“I have several acquaintances who are adamantium ranked adventurers. Perhaps they might have couple ideas. … So, Brain, what will you do now?”
Brain frowned at the question. What should he do from now on. His gaze slowly wandered to his Katana he laid beside a small table.
It was a lingering regret.
It was all a lingering regret. No matter how hard he tried from now on, he could never defeat that monster. The dream of being the strongest was already shattered. His life had been a waste. He couldn’t live with his head in the clouds anymore.
It was a wild dream of a child…