Side Stories: Chapter 11

As the beer gla.s.s tilted, its contents disappeared inside Chelseas mouth instantly. Though the size of the gla.s.s was large and the amount of beer in it was likewise a lot, it didnt take long for the gla.s.s to be emptied.

Kuh! Chelsea slammed the beer gla.s.s roughly on the table, licked off the drops of beer around her mouth, and smiled.

Unlike her, Pina was sipping her drink little by little, and she said, You dont look like a priest serving Karuna at all.

Even if Im a priest, Im on break right now. I even left my priest clothes to come here. Although it was a bit more luxurious than normal fas.h.i.+on, Chelsea was wearing civilian clothes.

Furthermore, G.o.d Karuna doesnt forbid us from drinking, nor is there a religious doctrine that advises followers against overdrinking. That reason alone makes G.o.d Karuna a truly great ent.i.ty.

You say Karuna is a great G.o.d because they let you drink? Do you really serve this Karuna?

Why are you doubting me? Dont you know that I was even one of the final candidates to be the Karuwiman Saintess even though Lubella knocked me out?

Im glad to hear that the Karuwimans still have their sense of judgment. No, should I doubt that since you were able to go far as being one of their final candidates?

What? What about you, Acous? Youre in a precarious state because your entire school of magic was pushed out from the magical tower.

What did you say?

A cold chill flowed between the two in an instant.

H-Hey! Calm down you two. Lara tried to stop them. While dripping in cold sweat, she thought, As I thought, did I hope for too much?

It was a meeting Lara organized while knowing that the two didnt have the most amiable personalities. However, when she saw the two attack each other with their most sensitive topics after just a couple of minutes of sitting down, Lara began to think that she might have been too optimistic about the whole thing. However, unlike her worries, the two quickly settled their fury and no longer looked like they were going to start a fight.

Another gla.s.s, please! Chelsea yelled to a pa.s.sing server.

Same for me, Pina also ordered. She had also finished her gla.s.s somehow at her slow speed.

Ah, me too. Lara also joined them. Her gla.s.s had been emptied beforehand.

Soon, three new gla.s.ses were placed in front of the three. Chelsea gulped down the beer first, and like before, slammed an empty gla.s.s down with a rough exclamation.

If you think about it, weve nothing to gain by attacking each other. Its true that I was pushed out of the Saintess position anyways.

Its also true that my school of magic was removed from power.

Huh? Lara blinked hard. After almost erupting into a fight, the two murmured words that sounded like self-depreciation. Yet, they didnt seem to be in low spirits either and seemed light-hearted as if they were freed from a great burden.

Why? Are you surprised that we arent at each others throats?

Ah, I wouldnt go that far Laras voice trailed off at Pinas question. Although Lara wanted to nod a hundred times, she couldnt blatantly agree.

Theres no point in fighting here. Its true my school was pushed out, and when I was unwilling to accept this fact, I desperately tried to regain its honor but almost ended its future instead by being marked as a Bellid collaborator. If you think about that, I really needed to accept reality.

During that time, Acous couldnt see anything else but what was right in front of her, Chelsea said.

Pina was talking objectively about her situation, but she felt irked hearing Chelseas comment and quipped, Thats the same for you. You made all that fuss about dragging down the Saintess. You know that being marked as a Bellid collaborator is more dangerous for you than me, right?

Its just as you say. Chelsea shrugged her shoulders. I wanted to use all means possible to take the Saintess position. Thats why I bit off more than I could chew and risked everything like Ms. Acous said.

Chelsea sighed and continued, If I think about it now, its almost unbelievable that Im drinking here and chatting with you both. At that time, I was in a perfect situation to have my head beheaded and have my head on display right in front of the city gates. No, perhaps, beheading wouldve been too much of a light punishment for me, and I wouldve been burned instead.

Its the same for me. Rather than recovering my schools honor, I might have been permanently barred from the magical tower. Thinking about it again gives me the chills.

Like that, the two talked and empathized with one another. Considering their common past and experiences, they were able to talk with ease, and there was no hint of the previous chilly atmosphere.

It appears that the two have lost their fangs, Lara thought.

It was clear that the ladies strong personalities hadnt changed much, but they no longer seemed determined to rush forward and destroy everything hindering their path. It wasnt bad drinking and talking about all sorts of things with them like this now. This was the scene Lara had pictured when setting up this meeting, and a smile formed on her lips. But soon, Chelsea and Pina shot their gazes at her simultaneously, and Lara flinched.

I envy you, Lara. Even though you were with us, you are now part of a group that achieved perfect success, Chelsea said.

Now that you mention it, Lara had been with Glen first, Acous said.

Sorry? Lara was surprised that the topic of the conversation turned to her, but the two didnt seem resentful of herthey were very envious instead.

Wasnt the biggest reason why Lara left was because Glen chased her out?

He always scorned her for not focusing on s.h.i.+elds and chased her out in the end.

Why didnt that guy chase me away instead?

Yeah, I wish he wouldve done that to me too.

Lara laughed awkwardly at their complaints.

You should stay put in that group since you joined anyways. You even got a cool boyfriend, and moreover, Sir Zich is in that group. You have many things to gain by staying close to that man.

I dont know how I feel about getting close to a person for benefits Lara said. It had been a pleasurable experience to receive Zichs training, but she was unwilling to befriend him for just that. However, it appeared that Lara was the only one with these thoughts.

How ironic. Im desperately trying to strengthen my relations.h.i.+p with him to raise my status, and then theres you who is not interested in those things at all when you are close to him, Chelsea said.

Well, people dont tend to value the things they already possess, no matter how valuable it is. Or is she just kind? If you dont think you need high status or prestige, then thatll be kind of annoying. Pina then added, Or maybe she was able to join that group because shes a person like that.

I suddenly want to see Lara drunk.

So do I.

Chelsea and Pina lifted their gla.s.ses while looking at Lara as if she was their prey. Lara was fl.u.s.tered by their attacks, but she said, I dont mind that you two are trying to get me drunk, but as someone who physically trains my body, you two know that I have a much higher tolerance than both of you, right?

Chelsea and Pina made eye contact.

G.o.d Karuna states that one must refrain from futile hatred.

Mages are rational thinkers. Taking out my anger on someone else is pointless.

Lara burst into laughter at their shameless excuses. Those are some great words. Why dont you two stop talking about trying to make someone drunk and enjoy your drinks at your own pace?

When Lara raised her gla.s.s, Chelsea and Pina also raised their gla.s.ses. Three gla.s.ses lightly clinked against each other.

As they drank, their conversation became more natural, and they talked about trivial topics and even sensitive issues. However, they talked without hurting anyones feelings or provoking each other more than necessaryalthough mild sarcasm was quite frequent, the conversation smoothly flowed without trouble.

Lara laughed with Pina at Chelseas light-hearted jokes, and a scene very close to what she was hoping was unfolding in front of her. If they separated after chatting like this, her day would have been perfect. She could probably go to bed in a good mood. However, bad things usually came out of nowhere. Lara felt someone stand next to her and looked up.

Of all places, I didnt expect to meet you at a place like this. It was an unpleasant voice. Lara instantly frowned. Although she hadnt heard this voice for quite a while, Lara immediately recognized the owner of this voice.

I thought you might be hereYou look healthy, Lara said.

You too.

Pina looked at the man who suddenly interrupted their conversation and carefully asked Chelsea, Whos that? Do you know who he is?

Well, I dont know. He seems like a n.o.ble Considering his luxurious clothes and the guards standing on either side, the man seemed to be of high status. However, the most telling sign was the unmistakable arrogance in his voice.

While Pina and Chelsea tried to guess the ident.i.ty of the uninvited guest, Lara asked, So, whats your business with me?

Youre giving me quite the cold shoulder. Its not like were strangers.

Were worse than strangers. If you dont have any business with me, why dont you move away? Im in the middle of talking to my friends right now.

The mans eyes glanced at Chelsea and Pina. However, they quickly fixated on Lara again. I do have business with you. This is great actually. Since youre here, Ill tell you while were at it. Just like you, I dont want to see you any more than I have to.

My apologies. Even if you have business with me, can you tell me later? Im saying this again, but Im talking to my friends right now.

My business with you is much more important than such a trivial matter.

Pina and Chelsea frowned. A man who seemed to know Lara suddenly appeared. However, they greatly disliked him because of his arrogant tone and clear disrespect towards them. They had strong personalities as well, so they werent the type to easily overlook his rude behavior.

Excuse me, sir. I dont know what your relations.h.i.+p is with Ms. Browning, but it seems pretty clear that she doesnt want to talk to you right now. Why dont you withdraw for today? Chelsea wanted to spit out expletives to the man and end the conversation with a f.u.c.k off, but she decided to gently usher him away first. However, even while she said this, she didnt think the uninvited guest would step down easily. If he had been such an amiable person, he would have already withdrawn by now.

Its no business for a third party to step in.

Didnt you see us talking to Browning first? You interrupted us. To Windne and I, you are the perfect third party. Pina protested this time.

The uninvited guest clicked his tongue and made it clear that he was offended, but it seemed as if he thought she was right. Chelsea and Pina both glanced at Lara, asking who the man was.

Then Lara had no choice but to reveal the ident.i.ty of the uninvited guest. Hes Feijadiru Browning, the successor of the Marquess Browning family. Technically, hes my older brother by blood.