Old Men Drinking 2
I asked Danton a question before beginning.
âWhat I am about to say is a top secret. Itâs much more important than something like my identity.â
âOh? A secret bigger than you being the hero Ruck? ...What is it?â
âI just want to make sure. Promise me that you wonât tell the others in your tribe. Not even the other chiefs.â
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âItâs not that we donât trust them. But it could be dangerous.â
âI see. In that case, I will guard your secret.â
It was probably a little tedious, but I wanted to show how serious I was.
âI donât care about my identity that much as long as it doesnât hurt anyone. But this is different.â
âIs it one of those ones that I should die before telling anyone?â
âYou can always just not hear it? I canât say that you wonât be in danger after hearing it.â
âDoes Shia know?â
Would Danton be angry that his daughter was involved in something dangerous?
I wondered. But I couldnât hide it from him.
âYes. She was a part of it.â
âThen as her father, I must hear it.â
Danton said strongly.
â...Arenât you angry that she got involved?â
âHardly. Why would I? Shia is a first-rate warrior and we our a proud tribe.â
Danton said with a smile.
âBut do not tell Shia that I said that. I donât want her to get too confident.â
âI understand. And I agree with you about her capabilities.â
âAye, Iâve seen her fight when we took on the High Lords.â
Goran said. Danton smiled happily.
And then he drained his cup.
âIt brings me great joy to hear that from the hero Ruck and Goran, the greatest Warrior. Even if you are just being polite.â
âI never exaggerate when it comes to the abilities of Adventurers. Itâs the truth.â
âI see. Then I am very glad. Itâs an honor to our tribe.â
Danton was teary-eyed now.
The three of us continued to drink for a while.
And then Goran said, âWhy are we drinking quietly? Shouldnât you be explaining something to Danton?â
âAh, thatâs right. Can I?â
âYes.â
And so I organized everything in my head and then began.
âIt seems that there are many vampires inside of the royal capital now.â
âThat is a terrible thing.â
âIt means you canât be too careful even when youâre inside of the city.â
âHmm.â
And so I told him about the incident that happened the other day.
Starting from Kabino and to Marquis Mastafon.
The fact that the dark ones had a way to break through the barrier.
And then I told him about the evil god head.
âIt was that strong in spite of only being a head?â
âYes. It was stronger than a High Lord.â
âThat will be a great threat. Not just to this city, but to the wold.â
Danton said with a serious expression.
I continued.
âNot only that. I think this is the bigger problem for the beastkin, but this head can strengthen the vampires.â
âStrengthen?â
âYes. Arch Vampires become like Lords. Lords becomes High Lords... It is as if they all gain a rank.â
âSo it would be like if you went hunting a lesser only to encounter an Arch.â
âIndeed. However, there seem to be limits to this. I have yet to see any lessers that have been strengthened.â
I explained that there were also some Lord and Arch Vampires who had not been strengthened.
Even Goran, who had already heard all of this, listened intently with Danton.
After I finished, Danton said, âI would like to fight them too.â
âThat will have to be after you are healed.â
âYes, you must leave it to us until then.â
Goran said as he poured Danton another cup.
âWeâre still gathering more information. Even I donât have anything to do.â
âThatâs true. Locke wonât be very useful until the fighting begins. So he must leave matters to us at the Adventurers guild.â
âI will also do what I can to help.â
âIâm comforted to hear that, Danton.â
We drank long into the night.
And Danton and Goran stayed the night at my mansion.
When I woke up the next morning, Milka was already awake.
She was running about and working.
âGood morning, Milka.â
âAh, good morning Mister Locke! Iâll bring you your breakfast immediately!â
âThank you.â
I entered the dining hall and saw that Danton and Shia and Nia were already there.
âOh, you three are up early.â
âI heard from my father that you will allow me to apprentice for you. I am so very grateful!â
âIs that what you want, Nia?â
âOf course!â
âI see. In that case, it is decided.â
âYes!â
After that, Luchila and Lord Gerberga, as well as Grulf, came down and we all had breakfast.
When we finished eating, Lord Gerberga approached me.
âWhat is it? Lord Gerberga.â
âCluck-cluck.â
Lord Gerberga clucked and pecked at my hand.
âLuchila. Is Lord Gerberga angry?â
âNo, I donât think heâs angry. But he does seem discontented.â
âBut why?â
âCluck-cluck!â
âI think that Lord Gerberga wants you to talk to him less formally.â
âIndeed? Is that true? Lord Gerberga.â
âCluck.â
Lord Gerberga landed on my lap and pressed against me.
âYes, he doesnât like it at all.â
If Luchila said so, then it must be true.
Perhaps he had observed that I didnât talk like that with Danton anymore and it became unbearable.
âAlright. Weâll be more friendly from now on, Lord Gerberga.â
âCluck!â
Lord Gerberga clucked with satisfaction.