First of All, I’m Drinking - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 26

“I have something to do for a moment. Just stay with your brother for a bit.”

“What do you have to do?”

I’m going to infiltrate the First Imperial Palace, find evidence that damn bastard colluded with the Demon Cult, and settle this long grudge.

But I couldn’t exactly say that.

“I’m going to take a dump.”

It was a very crude and unseemly thing to say, but there was no better excuse to make the kids understand.

“Ah…”

Indeed, the little ones groaned and slowly lowered their hands.

Beyond just lowering their hands, they took a step back to distance themselves from me.

“Cael is gross.”

“Poop boy.”

“Poop boy old man.”

It seemed I’d gained another nickname, but it couldn’t be helped.

Killian must have heard what the kids were saying from behind as he burst out with a “Pfft!” snicker.

He looked at me with crescent-shaped eyes and grinned wickedly.

Anyone could see it was a mocking smile.

“Go on. Go take a nice relieving dump. I’ll keep a good eye on the kids.”

I gave him the middle finger from an angle where no one could see and started walking.

The banquet hall was filled with nobles who had come from all over the Empire.

Among them, there was a high possibility that scoundrels were mixed in who would use innocent young royals or approach them to make an impression.

Having only attendants nearby wouldn’t provide enough deterrent.

Though they’d inevitably have to experience such things later, I didn’t want them to go through it so soon.

Killian would handle cutting off any who approached with impure intentions.

“The undying sun of the Empire! His Majesty Brunei de Argent and the three Empresses are entering!”

Finally, the highlight of the banquet.

The entrance of the Emperor and Empresses.

More thunderous applause than ever before shook the hall.

On the platform, Emperor Brunei and First Empress Sabina, Second Empress Fiore, and Third Empress Ellia walked out in order.

The Emperor stood in the center of the platform and began his speech with amplification magic.

“Today, I thank all of you who have come to the Imperial Capital to celebrate the birthday of my beloved wife, Sabina. There is much food and drink prepared. The night is just beginning, so I hope you will forget your troubles for today and eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content.”

The mage below the platform canceled the amplification magic as soon as the Emperor finished speaking.

A middle-aged man with red hair and red eyes.

An unprecedented sense of overwhelming pressure continuously flowed from him.

‘That person is…’

The continent’s only 9th Circle Grand Mage.

Gregory van Ifrit.

At my current level, I couldn’t defeat him even if I died and came back to life.

Seeing him in person, I understood.

That insane human.

The demigod who achieved the 9th tier.

With sufficient casting time, he was at a level where he could feasibly duel even lower-ranking Demon Lords.

The only variable in today’s plan.

‘I absolutely must avoid him.’

The Grand Duke’s presence was merely an obstacle at this point before the operation began, but it also gave me hope.

If I could train my aura to death and achieve the 9th tier myself, wouldn’t that mean such power would be added to my strength?

Fortunately, the Grand Duke didn’t seem likely to leave the hall until the banquet ended.

When Ellia, who was currently caught up exchanging ceremonial greetings with various nobles, was freed, she would look for me first.

If I was going to slip away, now was the only opportunity.

“There you are, Prince Cael.”

A noble holding a bowler hat and sporting a neatly trimmed beard approached me.

Damn, of all the timing.

“I am Dwen de Garnian, head of House Garnian.”

Count Garnian was one of the great nobles you could count on one hand in the Empire.

It would be too burdensome to just ignore him and run away.

“I recently heard that despite your young age, you’ve already reached the level of Sword Runner. It’s truly the Empire’s fortune and the Imperial House’s pride.”

“You flatter me so much that I’m embarrassed. You praise me too highly.”

Since he was talking to me, I responded while desperately rolling my eyes around.

Please just get lost quickly.

Count Garnian spent a full 5 minutes praising me without even wetting his lips.

To put it politely, it was praise, but honestly speaking, it was closer to worship.

What on earth was he trying to say that required such lengthy groundwork?

“Haha. Just as rumored, no, you’re an even greater talent than the rumors suggest. Ah, actually I didn’t come alone today. I came with my beloved daughter. Though she may be lacking, I’d like to introduce my daughter to Your Highness.”

So this was the main point.

With the Count’s gesture, a girl who had been standing behind stepped forward.

Purple hair grown to her waist and eyes reminiscent of wine.

The girl gracefully performed proper etiquette and spoke in a voice as clear as a lark’s.

“I am Artie de Gamillan.”

The moment I first saw her, I had one impression.

‘…She’s pretty.’

If Seria had a somewhat glamorous type of beauty.

Artie had a quiet and pure type of beauty.

This girl would probably make several men cry when she grew up.

“It’s an honor to meet Prince Cael in person, whom I’ve only heard about in rumors.”

Even her voice was beautiful.

If my mental age had really been that of a thirteen-year-old boy, my heart might have fluttered.

But I only wanted to escape this situation quickly.

As I stared at Artie for a while, the Count seemed to misunderstand something and smiled warmly.

He was an uncle with a strong doting father vibe.

“Oh, who do we have here! Isn’t this the busy Count himself!”

A cheerful middle-aged man approached the Count.

“Marquis! It’s been a long time! How have you been?”

Count Garnian warmly welcomed the man called Marquis. It was an exaggeratedly large gesture.

The Marquis also greeted me.

I responded halfheartedly.

Count Garnian talked with the Marquis for a while, then said to us.

“Well then, I’ll excuse myself now, Your Highness. Please continue your conversation with my daughter.”

Then he turned around and left together with the other man.

The Marquis’s timing of appearance was quite natural.

But was I mistaken in thinking it looked like a performance to create an excuse to leave just this girl and me alone?

“…”

Artie was silent.

She just pressed her small lips together tightly and glanced at me.

Was she naturally timid?

Or was she nervous being in front of royalty?

I turned my head to look toward the platform.

Ellia was still caught up with the nobles.

For her, a commoner by birth, listening to the nobles’ flattery seemed quite an ordeal.

‘A little while should be fine.’

With her father having left her behind, it felt uncomfortable to leave this small child alone in the hall.

He had agreed to look after her briefly until the Count returned.

I took Artie and sat at a nearby empty table.

“How old are you?”

Artie answered with an unwavering, expressionless face.

“Thirteen.”

“Thirteen, so we’re the same age. Did you come to the banquet with your father?”

“Yes.”

“How’s the atmosphere, is it nice? There’s lots of delicious food too.”

“Yes.”

“Are you really okay? You’re not just being polite, right? I think it would be pretty boring. There’s nothing for kids to do here.”

“It’s fine.”

That was the end of it.

There was no conversation for a while after that.

“…”

Even when I asked questions, only short answers came back, so the conversation couldn’t progress and just went in circles.

It was frustrating.

Why should I have to invest my precious time and mental energy on this kid?

Even when I kept trying to talk to her, thinking she might be overly nervous and trying to help her relax, all she said was ‘yes’ or ‘it’s fine.’

My patience was gradually reaching its limit.

And as I always realize, I’m someone who lacks patience.

“Should I just leave?”

When I turned my head toward the door and asked, only then did Artie show a reaction.

“…I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t help but be flustered by what followed.

Unlike her languid and bored-looking impression, I could feel desperation in her tone.

“Please stay with me just until father returns. I’m begging you.”

This kid didn’t seem to particularly enjoy being with me either.

She just seemed to want the Count to see her together with me.

Ah, so that’s what this is.

I immediately caught on to the Count’s purpose.

“The Count wants me to marry you, right?”

Artie nodded reluctantly.

Perhaps the direct mention made her uncomfortable, as even her expression had stiffened.

I waved my hands dismissively.

“Forget it, if you don’t want to do it, then don’t. I have no particular intention of marrying you either.”

I didn’t feel any love for human women, and I had no intention of carrying baggage around for the rest of my life.

“Tell your father this too. Say that I didn’t seem to like you very much. That should work, right?”

I stood up abruptly from my seat.

My brow furrowed at the thought that I had wasted time.

“I’m leaving. You can stay alone, right?”

“Um… excuse me…”

Artie reached out with a barely audible voice and grabbed me as I was about to leave.

“Could Your Highness… tell him directly?”

“What?”

“When father comes later… could Your Highness directly tell him that you have no intention of marrying me?”

Now I understand.

This kid wasn’t nervous, she was just timid.

“You can tell him yourself. Are you scared of the Count?”

Artie shook her head.

It didn’t seem like she feared her father.

“Then why?”

“Not long ago… I also rejected someone father had arranged for me.”

Artie hung her head low and continued speaking.

“The longer my engagement gets delayed, the more disappointed he becomes, and I can see it… I don’t want to disappoint him further.”

I slapped my forehead.

What a filial daughter.

I could fully understand this kid’s feelings.

Though it was a brief meeting, the Count seemed to cherish his daughter very much.

He clearly had doting father tendencies.

Artie also seemed to want to live up to the Count’s expectations.

“Do you want to marry someone you love?”

When I asked casually, Artie nodded vigorously as if it were obvious.

“It’s actually a common story. It’s not just me, everyone goes through this.”

She was talking about arranged marriages.

“But when it becomes my story, no matter how common it is, it’s not easy to accept.”

The Count, who loved his daughter, probably wanted to respect Artie’s wishes as much as possible too.

The reality of having to use his precious daughter as a tool for the family’s prosperity against his will probably didn’t sit well with the Count himself either.

Still, there are things that can’t be helped.

That’s the general perception in this world.

Noble daughters are just consumables.

However.

“You don’t necessarily have to think within that framework.”

If you hate being sold off in an arranged marriage.

If you want to marry someone you love.

It was a matter of developing your own abilities.

Enough to carve out your own life path, not just as the wealthy Count’s daughter.

“Hey.”

I activated my insight to observe Artie.

The strange flow of mana I felt around her.

Though it was far from the knights’ methods, I knew of those who operated mana in this form.

“You should try learning magic.”

Artie had a natural talent for magic.

I was certain since I confirmed it with my insight.

It seemed neither she nor her father the Count knew about it yet.

If she developed her talent now, she would surely become a mage who would make a name for herself on the continent in the future.

“What?”

Confusion appeared on Artie’s face at the sudden suggestion.

This kid might accept my proposal, or she might not.

If she chose the latter, Artie’s fate wouldn’t change.

‘I don’t have any obligation to care that far.’

A lot of time had been wasted while talking with Artie.

When I looked toward the platform, I could see Sabina and Fiore, but Ellia had disappeared somewhere.

Maybe she went to the bathroom.

Anyway, now was my chance.

“I’m leaving. Take care.”

I got up from my seat and walked toward the banquet hall door.

I had spent more time than expected.

The Count would probably return soon too.

“Ah…”

I felt like Artie was reaching out to stop me from behind, but I didn’t turn around so I couldn’t confirm her expression.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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