A Betrayed Master Will Not Return

12 – The best leader (7)

Especially for someone like me, who had virtually no experience with women, this feeling was all the more intense.

“No… even if I had experience, if the other person was such a stunning beauty, I’d probably be just as flustered.”

It was not just Ellie’s pretty face, but also her unique aura of elegance and charm that was so alluring.

While there wasn’t a complete absence of formality,

The fact that such a person had kissed me held a significance beyond anything I had ever imagined.

Then, as I was briefly enraptured by this blissful feeling,

Ellie spoke to me in her still composed tone.

“Then let’s get going. Others are waiting, and it wouldn’t be polite to be too late.”

“…Yes, we should.”

It felt unusually dry and emotionless for someone who had just shared a kiss.

I felt a slight tinge of disappointment about that fact,

But at the same time, I found this aspect of her to be a charm in its own right.

At this moment, in my heart,

Since coming to this world, besides the mere will to survive, a wish had begun to form.

If it were at all possible,

I desired to make this woman before me my own…

To hold the heart of this beautiful and noble woman in my hands—such was my wish.

“Oh~ You’re here?”

“I’m sorry. The finishing took longer than expected.”

“… “

Elli and Gellard entered the room belatedly.

Seeing them, the Devil Hunters welcomed them warmly.

“Come on, Elli, let’s have a drink too! You’re so busy with work that you hardly have a chance to get drunk!”

“Is that so?… Well, since it’s a rare occasion, I’ll also enjoy a little.”

Elli smiled with elegance and raised her glass.

Watching her, Gellard couldn’t take his eyes off her, as if he was captivated by something.

At that moment,

“Leader, stop standing there dumbfounded and take it. Hurry up.”

“Huh? Oh… Okay, got it.”

Gabriel abruptly offered him a glass with a slightly rough gesture.

Gellard took it and began to drink from it.

Even though it was quite a strong wine, Gellard emptied his glass in no time.

As more people arrived, the atmosphere at the party became more festive,

Within it, people enjoyed alcohol and snacks, and their conversations started to flow more freely.

“Nico, you should have a drink too. Don’t just indulge in snacks all day long.”

“I’m… I’m okay. To be honest, I’m not good with alcohol…”

“Don’t worry~! This one isn’t that strong. You won’t get drunk easily, so don’t worry and drink it all~ Quickly, quickly. Gulp~ Gulp~”

“Um… well… just one more glass…”

Nico reluctantly swallowed the alcohol in response to repeated requests for another glass.

“!..”

Immediately after, she began to feel a slight surprise at the unexpectedly rich and sweet taste.

“What do you think?”

“W-well… it’s delicious. I thought alcohol would only taste bitter or acrid…”

“Isn’t it? The alcohol is so sweet and tasty~ I can’t live without it anymore~”

Seemingly satisfied, Nico continued to gulp down the alcohol.

While watching her like this, Jannu, who was already quite drunk, emptied another glass of alcohol.

Meanwhile,

Unlike those who were happily drinking without a care,

Gabriel remained calm, slowly tilting her wine glass.

Leaning against the window, she quietly shook her glass.

Although the speed was slow on the surface, even though she had already consumed a considerable amount, she still didn’t feel much of a buzz.

And in this moment,

Her gaze turned to Gellert, who was drinking without using a glass right next to her.

Drinking straight from the bottle instead of using a glass, Gellert displayed a quite savage appearance that suited his rough exterior.

Instead of pointing it out, Gabriel simply watched his actions with a slightly cautious look.

And a moment later,

– “Gulp! Gulp!”

Gabriel, who seemed determined, emptied her glass in one go.

Then, she held out her glass towards Galad, who still had some wine left in his wine bottle.

And.

“What is it?”

“The glass is empty. Can you pour me another one?”

“…Alright. If you want.”

Without much thought, Galad filled her glass upon Gabriel’s request.

Upon doing so, Gabriel’s face momentarily brightened, but she quickly erased that expression and cautiously brought the filled glass to her lips.

The scent of wine faintly spread inside her mouth.

After taking a sip, which was sweet but somehow bitter, Gabriel placed the glass she was holding on the windowsill and quietly spoke to Galad.

“This mission… was tough. Honestly, if the leader hadn’t helped, it would have been quite dangerous.”

“I appreciate you saying that. However… from the perspective of the leader, one could consider the fact that such a situation occurred itself as a mistake.”

“Well… honestly, it was quite dangerous. Considering that the opponent was a new type of demon we had never encountered before, and on top of that, the lack of information. It’s fortunate that it ended like this.”

With those words, Gabriel took another sip of wine.

Then, she cautiously asked Galad, who was in front of her.

“By the way, there’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“The leader seemed to know quite well how to deal with such a new type of demon. Can you explain how that’s possible…?”

“…”

Gellert maintained a momentary silence in response to Gabriel’s question.

And after a while,

he spoke to Gabriel with a slight smile on his lips.

“Well, it’s not that impressive really, but I guess I can tell you a little story.”

“What…are you talking about?”

“How about we make a bet? Since things have turned out this way, I also feel like getting a little drunk today.”

“Hmm…”

Gabriel’s expression started to show a hint of amusement in response to Gellert’s words.

Then, the two of them moved away from the window and began heading towards the place where the bottles of liquor were still piled up.

Both of them filled their glasses to the brim with wine.

“If I win, you have to tell a story. What should I do if I lose?”

“Well, I haven’t really thought about it…”

“Whatever it is, let’s hear a story. And since we’re making a bet, you’ll also have to wager something, don’t you think? Even though you may not seem like it, you’re quite well-off and can offer something decent.”

Gabriel, slightly intoxicated and fueled by a slight sense of excitement, started to tell a story.

In response, Gellert pondered for a moment, then smiled as if he had made a decision and said to her,

“Well, let’s go with this then.”

With those words, Gellert slowly reached out his hand.

And in the following moment, Gabriel’s expression showed a slight surprise, but

soon she came to the realization that it wasn’t really a big deal.

“Well… in any case, she had finally stopped trying to win. Above all, there was nothing particularly strange about it on the surface.”

Though she couldn’t fully comprehend it, influenced by the alcohol she had already consumed, she accepted it as nothing significant.

-Clank!

Starting from that, the two of them lightly clinked their glasses together and began to drink expensive wines as if they were water.

*

“…So, is this the conclusion?”

“Yes, Dad!… I was going to interrupt, but it seemed quite serious, so I just… kept quiet.”

Eli watched the two with an expressionless face as he listened to Napoleon’s report.

At that moment, in front of her, Gabrielle, who was clearly intoxicated but still relatively in control of her senses, held Gelard’s hand.

“Well, um… let’s… get married!”

“Sure, let’s do it.”

Gabrielle’s tongue, unusually twisted.

Gelard responded with a slightly strained voice.

Gabrielle smiled brightly, an expression rarely seen on her face, and pressed Gelard’s hand against her cheek.

And then.

-Smooch… a gentle kiss.

Gabrielle kissed Gelard’s hand, more like sucking on it than actually kissing.

“Um… um…”

Gelard couldn’t hide the slight awkwardness on his face, which was different from the picture he had anticipated.

And then,

“Hic!…Ugh…”

“…”

Embarrassed, Napolea covered her face with her hands.

And,

As she did so, with an expressionless gaze,

Eli quietly

Uttered a single sentence.

“Not a pretty sight, is it?”