“[Birds in the forest sing softly (Elven Language)]”
“[The wind spirits in the stream pluck natural chords (Elven Language)]”
Ron hummed a melodious tune while raising his wine glass. Early in his gaming career in *Uthis Continent*, he had experienced a full save cycle as an Elven Priest.
Perhaps that was why, while tasting this fine wine from the elven kingdom, he found himself able to speak the classical, nature-inspired elven language fluently.
“Lifa, it looks like you haven’t touched your glass yet?”
Lifa, though impressed despite not fully understanding, gave him a round of applause. Ron noticed the fruit wine sitting untouched in front of her.
“Th—This…”
Lifa held the goblet with both hands. It wasn’t just because of past unpleasant memories of being drunk; she had an inherent resistance to drinking, as she had been taught since childhood that it was a ‘bad habit.’
“It’s fine. The alcohol content is very low. Just think of it as juice, Lifa.”
“The main thing is that drinking it will be beneficial for your cultivation,” Ron explained, trying to persuade her.
In the past, food and drinks in the game only provided basic taste feedback. It wasn’t until this tasting that Ron finally experienced the special flavor of elven wine, which countless characters had praised.
It was like drinking a mouthful of cold mountain spring water on a scorching summer day.
After a refreshing, light sweetness, this drink made by the elves from spiritual fruit only carried a slight hint of alcohol in the aftertaste.
It was a great experience; he felt refreshed from his taste buds to his spirit. As for the alcohol content, it was likely lower than a canned cocktail in the real world.
Therefore, Ron naturally assumed that even though Lifa had never drunk before, there shouldn’t be any issues with her drinking this juice-like beverage. Well, probably…
*Clang.*
The fork in Lifa’s hand dropped to the floor, and her entire body went limp against the back of the chair.
“Master… Master Ron…”
After Lifa made up her mind to drink the fruit wine in one gulp, she forced herself to eat a few bites of the food on the table, but she only lasted for two or three minutes.
“Lifa!”
This unexpected turn made Ron both alert and worried. If he hadn’t drunk some himself and felt perfectly normal, he would have suspected that Rosalyn had added something to the wine.
“Lifa, Lifa, wake up.”
The benefit of them sitting together became apparent as the quick-handed Ron supported Lifa’s arm, preventing the drunken girl from falling.
“Mmm… Master…”
A noticeable flush had spread from her cheeks down to her fair neck. Lifa kept her eyes tightly shut, and when Ron shook her, she only let out a whimper and mumble as if she were asleep.
“This child, even if she’s never drunk before, her tolerance is a bit too…”
After confirming Lifa’s body was fine and she had simply fallen asleep drunk, Ron breathed a sigh of relief.
He shook his head with a wry smile, stood up, and took off his coat to cover Lifa.
Just as he was about to head out to find a servant in the mansion for help, the dining room door was pushed open from the outside.
“Mr. Ron, I’ve kept you waiting… Oh?”
Before she arrived, Rosalyn’s crisp voice echoed from the corridor behind the door opened by the old butler.
“What happened here?”
Walking into the room, Rosalyn immediately noticed Lifa leaning against Ron’s shoulder.
After a moment of confusion, she realized Lifa was drunk, and she couldn’t help but let out a smile and a soft laugh while covering her mouth.
“You didn’t accidentally take a high-proof spirit brewed by dwarves instead of elven wine, did you?” Rosalyn turned her head toward the old butler.
“Miss, that is absolutely not the case.”
Even though he knew his master was just joking, the old butler bowed and responded quickly.
“Alright, I know.”
Rosalyn stepped over to Ron’s side and leaned down, placing her hand on Lifa’s cheek, which was now as red as a ripe peach.
“Ooh, so hot~”
“Mr. Ron, can Miss Lifa really get drunk on a wine that even a child could drink a whole bottle of?”
Her pink, straight-bang bob swayed as she leaned down and then stood up. After Rosalyn withdrew her hand, the expression on her sweet, cute face was both worried and somewhat… meaningful?
“It seems so,” Ron answered Rosalyn’s question, looking at the several maids accompanying her.
“Then you’ll have to pay more attention in the future, Mr. Ron~”
Rosalyn turned around. Being considerate, she didn’t wait for Ron to speak before gesturing for the maids to come over.
“Miss Lifa is so drunk. I think it would be inconvenient for her to go back to the inn to rest. In that case…”
Rosalyn clasped her slender fingers in front of her chest, a flash of cunning light flickering in her apricot-colored eyes.
“Why don’t you both stay at my mansion tonight?”
“After all, what we have most of here are guest rooms.”
Rosalyn’s tone was natural, and the plan she suggested was the most appropriate choice for the moment.
However, as if still worried Ron would refuse, she glanced at the deeply sleeping Lifa and used her hands to grab Ron’s hand, wrapping hers around it.
“Mr. Ron and I are partners now~ Don’t refuse Rosalyn over such a small thing~”
“Besides, President Falga brought some news. I think you’ll be very interested in it, along with information regarding the Royal Capital of Falosa…”
The corners of Rosalyn’s mouth rose slightly, her gaze toward Ron clear and soft.
“Tonight, I hope to have an in-depth exchange with you, Mr. Ron!”
‘Should I expect any less from a girl who could ultimately emerge victorious among a group of outstanding successors?’
Ron thought to himself as he withdrew his hand. After a brief consideration, he agreed to Rosalyn’s proposal.
“Then I’ll trouble you to have the maids take Lifa to rest first. It would also be best to prepare something to help her sober up.”
“Of course. You all heard Mr. Ron’s request.”
“Quickly take Miss Lifa to rest~”
Rosalyn spoke the last part to the maids who were supporting Lifa.
She then carefully gave a few more instructions regarding the details of Lifa and Ron’s accommodations before turning back to ask if Ron had any other needs.
“No… Rosalyn, your arrangements are very thoughtful.”
Ron changed how he addressed her before she could correct him, causing the girl to let out a happy, light smile.
“As they should be. By the way, Mr. Ron, did the dinner suit your palate?”
Even though she was already impatient for her talk with Ron, Rosalyn glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner of the dining room and made polite conversation about dinner.
‘With that Miss Lifa gone, the night is long. Now I have plenty of time—’
‘Let me see, Mr. Ron. You, who are nearly omniscient and full of mystery… what surprises and help can you bring me?’
“It tasted great, and I’m full. However, it seems you haven’t had dinner yet?”
Ron wiped the corners of his mouth with a towel that had been placed alongside the utensils.
“Mmm~ Actually, I don’t usually have the habit of eating dinner~”
As Rosalyn spoke, servants had already come to clear the table. She stepped aside and gestured for Ron to follow her to a place more suitable for discussion.
This time, no butler or servants followed. Rosalyn led Ron to a building he had never been to before.
On their way, they passed through a corridor lined with oil paintings of the previous Earls of Enid. Rosalyn, who was walking ahead, turned around with her hands behind her back.
While walking backward and holding up the hem of her dress, she dropped a bombshell on Ron with a beaming smile.
“Mr. Ron, I wonder if you are familiar with a certain name?”
“Hmm? What name?”
Ron looked at the oil paintings on the wall, thinking Rosalyn was about to tell him about the great achievements of some Earl of Enid.
“Isis Kenamening.”
“???”