Chương 25: Goddess of drinking (FILLER)

The carriage rolled steadily along the winding road, its wooden wheels rattling gently over the uneven path. Tall trees gradually gave way to open fields as the afternoon sun hung high overhead. For a while... No one spoke. Only the rhythmic clopping of the horse's hooves filled the air. Eventually, Amelia broke the silence.

"So..." She looked toward Julio, who was holding the reins.

"We saw on the quest notice that we're escorting the scroll to the city of Nensho." Julio nodded.

"Yep."

"That's where we're headed." Mochi leaned forward.

"So..."

"If you don't mind us asking..."

"Why do you want to go there?" Julio's smile faded ever so slightly.

"... Well." He looked ahead at the road.

"It's... kind of complicated." After a moment, he quietly added,"I'd rather not talk about it." The carriage fell silent again. Tony smiled reassuringly.

"Well..."

"We can't force you if you don't want to."

"It's your story."

"Your choice." Julio glanced back and smiled gratefully.

"... Thanks." The conversation drifted away, and they continued traveling down the road. Several more minutes passed. Then... Mochi rubbed his stomach.

"... I'm getting kinda hungry." His stomach growled loudly enough for everyone to hear. Grrrrr... Tony chuckled.

"I think your stomach answered for you." Julio laughed.

"Good timing then."

"We're actually nearing a stopping point." He pointed farther down the road.

"There's a roadside tavern up ahead."

"We can grab a bite to eat."

"My treat." Mochi's eyes sparkled.

"I'm glad."

"We're penniless right now."

"That's honestly the whole reason we're even doing this quest." Julio laughed.

"I had a feeling..." A few minutes later, the carriage slowed to a stop outside a rustic tavern. Julio climbed down first.

"Alright."

"We're here." The others hopped out after him. The building was made from weathered oak logs with a faded wooden sign hanging above the entrance. Warm laughter spilled through the open windows. Julio pushed the door open. The smell of grilled meat, fresh bread, and roasted herbs immediately welcomed them. Inside, the tavern felt warm and lively. Thick wooden beams stretched across the ceiling, while lanterns hanging from iron hooks bathed the room in a cozy amber glow.

Long wooden tables filled the center of the room, crowded with travelers, merchants, and adventurers sharing meals and stories. One group erupted into laughter over a card game. Another celebrated loudly while clinking heavy mugs together. Near the stone fireplace, an old bard quietly played a cheerful tune on a lute, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. Behind the polished oak counter stood a broad-shouldered bartender busily wiping glasses. Julio led the group over. He turned toward them with a smile.

"So..."

"What does everyone want?" Mochi answered immediately.

"Anything sweet!" Julio laughed.

"I figured." Amelia thought for a moment.

"Hmm..."

"Anything savory." Tony's tail wagged.

"I want a nice, juicy hamburger steak." The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Julio nodded.

"Coming right up." He turned toward the bartender.

"We'll have something sweet for him..." He pointed at Mochi.

"A savory meal for her..." Then toward Amelia.

"And one hamburger steak for the little fellow." The bartender scribbled everything down.

"Alright, got it." He looked back up.

"And drinks?"

"I'll have a lemonade!" Mochi answered. Amelia looked around the tavern.

"I'm not sure..." Her eyes landed on a burly traveler happily drinking from a frosty mug. She pointed toward him.

"... Can I have that?"

"I want what he's having." Julio followed her gaze.

"... Ale?" Amelia nodded.

"Yeah." Julio raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

"That stuff isn't exactly for little kids, you know." Amelia puffed out her cheeks.

"Hey!"

"I'm not a little kid you know!" Julio raised both hands with a laugh.

"Alright, alright." He looked back to the bartender.

"One ale, please." The bartender gave a knowing smile.

"You got it." He tucked the order slip into his apron.

"I'll have everything ready shortly." With that, he disappeared into the busy kitchen as the four travelers found an empty table, grateful for a chance to rest before continuing their journey toward Nensho. Several minutes later, the bartender emerged from the kitchen, balancing a large tray.

"Order up!" He carefully set each meal down. In front of Mochi sat a fluffy strawberry shortcake layered with fresh cream. Mochi's eyes lit up.

"Cake!" Amelia received a golden brown meat pie, its flaky crust steaming as the rich aroma of herbs and roasted meat escaped through the vents.

"It smells wonderful..." Tony practically drooled as a thick hamburger steak was placed before him, served with roasted potatoes and vegetables.

"... This looks amazing." Julio smiled at the three of them.

"Go ahead."

"It's on me." The three looked at each other.

"Thank you for the food!" Without another word... They dug in. Mochi happily stuffed cake into his mouth. Tony devoured his hamburger with incredible speed. Amelia cut into her pie with surprising elegance before quickly finishing it herself. Julio watched in amusement.

"... You three are a bunch of eaters, aren't you?" A few moments later... Every plate was spotless. Mochi leaned back happily.

"Ah, that hit the spot." Tony rubbed his full stomach.

"I could eat another one..."

"Or another five.." Amelia glanced at the drink sitting beside her plate.

"So..."

"This is ale." She picked up the mug.

"Back in the Wild West, nobody would ever let me have any."

"They always said I was too young."

"... But now..." She lifted it.

"I finally get to see what the fuss is about." Gulp. She drank the entire mug in one go. Julio blinked.

"... Already?" Amelia set the mug down and wiped her mouth.

"Hmm."

"I don't really see what's so special about it."

"It's alright..."

"But I don't really like the sweetness." She tilted her head.

"Do you have anything that's less sweet?" Julio stared at her.

"... You drank that that fast?" Amelia nodded.

"It didn't taste much different from regular old juice." Julio laughed awkwardly.

"... Right..."

"So..."

"I'm guessing you want another?" Amelia nodded.

"Please."

"If they have a less sweet one, I'd like to try that." Julio turned toward the bartender.

"Could we get a stronger, drier ale?" The bartender chuckled.

"I think I have just the thing." A little while later, he returned with another mug.

"This one's much bolder."

"Be careful though.." Amelia thanked him before taking another long drink. She paused afterward.

"... Okay."

"I can taste it a bit more now." She thought for a second.

"... Still not really my thing." The bartender raised an eyebrow.

"Most people stop after one." Mochi looked curious.

"... Can I try?" He took the mug. Carefully sniffed it.

"... Smells weird." He took the tiniest sip imaginable. The instant it touched his tongue"PFFFT!" He spat it out instantly.

"Eww!"

"THAT'S NASTY!"

"How do people drink this stuff?!" Half the tavern burst into laughter. Amelia giggled.

"I guess everyone has different tastes." The bartender folded his arms with an amused smile.

"I've served thousands of travelers..."

"But I don't think I've ever seen someone shrug off a strong ale like it was nothing."

"What I gave you was 25%" The nearby patrons had started paying attention now. One old adventurer whispered,"... Did she even flinch?" Another scratched his beard.

"I've seen seasoned mercenaries cough after one mug." A nearby merchant laughed.

"... She's got an iron stomach." Amelia looked around innocently.

"... What?"

"Did I do something strange?" The bartender laughed heartily.

"You've certainly given everyone something to talk about." Amelia smiled"Guess I do..."

"Do have something stronger though, that last one was still a little underwhelming.." The bartender scratched his head.

"... You want something even stronger?" Amelia nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, please." The bartender disappeared into the back room. A few moments later, he returned carrying a tiny glass bottle marked with a large skull symbol. The entire tavern went silent.

"... Boss." One of the servers whispered.

"You're not actually bringing that out, are you?" The bartender placed the bottle on the counter.

"This..." He looked at Amelia.

"... is pure ethanol." Julio's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"WHAT?!" He immediately stood up.

"Are you insane?!" He turned to Amelia.

"Absolutely not!"

"That's not a drink!"

"People don't drink that!" Amelia tilted her head.

"... Really?" Julio frantically nodded.

"Yeah, that stuff is lethal!" The bartender grinned"Relax, this version is a drinkable version..

"This is the strongest drink we serve here." He set it in front of Amelia.

"If you can finish this all..." He folded his arms.

"... Your entire meal is free." The tavern erupted into cheers.

"OHHH!"

"She's got no chance!"

"That'll knock her flat!" Julio buried his face in his hands.

"... Please don't." Amelia smiled.

"Deal." She picked up the glass. Everyone leaned forward. She took a sip.

"... Hmm." She blinked.

"... This has a little bit of a kick." The room waited. Then... She shrugged.

"... Not bad." Gulp. She drank the entire glass in one go. She placed it back on the counter.

"... Now that's more like it." Silence. Complete silence. One man slowly lowered his mug.

"... She..."

"... She actually drank it." Another adventurer's jaw hung open.

"Not even a cough..." The bard stopped playing. A waitress froze mid-step. Someone in the back whispered,"... Is she even human?" Mochi stared with wide eyes.

"... How?" Tony looked equally stunned.

"I've seen people pass out after half of that..." Julio simply blinked.

"... I don't believe it." The bartender sighed before breaking into a laugh.

"Well..."

"A bet's a bet." He wiped the counter.

"Your meals are free." Amelia smiled brightly.

"Thank you sir!" She paused.

"... Could I also get a bottle to take with me if that's okay?" The bartender looked at her. Then at the empty glass. Then back at her. After a long silence... He slowly reached under the counter and placed a large sealed bottle on it.

"... I've never met anyone who asked me that while completely sober."

"So sure, take this on my as an additional reward" Amelia happily accepted it.

"Thank you very much!" Meanwhile, Mochi, Tony, and Julio were already waiting by the door.

"Mochi!" Julio called.

"We should get moving."

"Alright!" Amelia waved cheerfully to everyone in the tavern.

"Thank you everyone!"

"We'll definitely be back!" As the four stepped outside and the tavern door swung shut... The entire room remained frozen. Finally, one old adventurer broke the silence.

"... I don't care what rank that party is."

"... I'm never challenging them to a drinking contest." The carriage rolled steadily along the road once more. The tavern gradually disappeared behind them as the horse trotted through the open countryside. A gentle breeze drifted through the windows of the carriage. For a while... No one said anything. Then Julio glanced over his shoulder at Amelia.

"... Can I ask you something?" Amelia looked up from the window.

"Sure." Julio laughed nervously.

"... How do you even do it?" She blinked.

"Do what?"

"The drinking." Julio shook his head in disbelief.

"No one drinks that much and acts like it's absolutely nothing."

"You didn't even stumble."

"You didn't slur your words."

"You looked completely normal." Amelia thought for a moment.

"Hmm..." She shrugged.

"Guess it has something to do with my genes." Julio chuckled.

"... I guess so." Mochi leaned back with a dramatic shiver.

"I couldn't even handle one tiny sip."

"It was extremely bitter." Tony looked over at Amelia with a completely straight face.

"So..."

"My guildmate's an alcoholic now."

"That's nice to know." Amelia's eyes widened.

"W-What?!" She puffed out her cheeks.

"I'm not an alcoholic!"

"This is just... a hobby of mine!" Tony slowly turned toward her.

"I've never heard of anyone who drinks like that as a hobby." Amelia smiled innocently.

"Well..." She gave him a playful wink.

"There's a first time for everything." Tony sighed. Amelia rested her chin on the giant bottle..

"Anyway..." She looked ahead at the road stretching into the distance.

"Let's keep moving, shall we?"

"We've got places to be." Mochi nodded.

"I guess so." Julio smiled as he gave the horse's reins a gentle flick.

"Everyone ready?" Three voices answered at once.

"Yep!" The horse neighed softly before picking up its pace. The carriage rumbled onward, carrying the four travelers farther down the long road toward Nensho, their laughter fading into the sound of rolling wheels as the journey continued.