Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 97 A cough broke the silence. From that point, the atmosphere of the place, which had been focused on Risir and Gadum, became unsettled. "Today's dishes are quite good." "Only today? In Bondaless, there's no one as knowledgeable about fine dining as Lord Gadum-" "I heard that the chef originally worked at that great Noble house's mansion-" "By the way, how is that business you mentioned before-" "You mean that? Thanks to Lord Gadum looking after me-" The 'friends' were trying to clear the atmosphere out of consideration for Gadum, whose situation had become awkward. It was a scene of beautiful friendship, but Gadum was not soft enough to be purely happy in such a situation. "So..." "What I'm trying to say is..." If one were to express their appearance with an onomatopoeia, wouldn't it be something like 'hesitant...'? The experienced Gadum could tell. Though they pretended otherwise, their attention was focused on them. How would Gadum, who had tried to damage Ran's reputation only to be turned around on instead, handle this? That was currently their only interest. 'Damn it-' Gadum looked at the Modoa in his hand with trembling eyes. His nose moved slightly, chasing the scent of Modoa lingering in the air. The distinctive acidity that seemed to prick the tip of his nose like a needle. 'It's spoiled... right?' Having confirmed that fact repeatedly, Gadum looked at the young man before him with a sick expression. "Please don't decline. I'll pour you a glass." Having gulped down half a bottle of the definitely spoiled Modoa like water, he was smiling brightly. Instead of writhing from the toxicity of the spoiled wine. 'How?' Then, Gadum read the discomfort hidden behind Risir's smile. 'Why are they making only me drink? Did I do something wrong? Was it a problem that I appointed myself as Ms. Ran's escort?' It was an expression that revealed such thoughts outwardly. As that expression was conveyed to Gadum- -Uncomfortable, but bearable. Gadum was horrified. 'To endure the toxicity of Modoa, what kind of toxic bastard is this...!' If his youthful and gentle impression was beginning to feel like a mask, was it just his imagination? "On such a good day, enjoying such good liquor by myself alone. That won't do. Don't you think so?" No. It wouldn't be his imagination. The bastard was pressuring him by quoting what he himself had said earlier. That gesture demanding Modoa! Gadum reflexively pulled the Modoa back. 'Oh no!' He had forgotten that there were enemies and 'friends' around him who were watching his reactions like surveillance. "Right! That's right! On this good day, we can't let you drink this good liquor alone!" Gadum hastily handed the Modoa to him and picked up a glass, trying to salvage the situation. Having come to this point, he had no choice but to accept his challenge. After steeling his resolve, Gadum gulped down the Modoa filled in the glass. Originally a top-grade liquor, Modoa retained its distinctive flavor and elegance even while spoiled. 'So this is how that bastard could endure it. Right. At this level, I can endure it too.' Gadum's expression, which had been forcibly acting composed, relaxed more naturally. That was the moment when the Modoa traveled down his esophagus and reached his stomach. "...!" Reflux. Gadum felt the Modoa that his stomach had rejected coming back up through his esophagus. "Whew..." Gadum writhed with the sensation of his insides literally twisting, but ultimately succeeded in keeping the Modoa trapped in his stomach. Grimacing and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Gadum clearly saw it. "..." Risir's expression contorting as he watched him. Was it so surprising that he had drunk the Modoa? 'Right. Perhaps... no, that bastard definitely used some cowardly method.' It was when Gadum, feeling confident, was about to press his advantage to pressure Risir. "I'm sorry. It seems I forced it on you." "...What?" "I didn't know that Lord Gadum felt such aversion to drinking." "...!" Gadum realized the meaning contained in those words by a hair's breadth. 'What, you're nauseous right after one drink? If you were going to be like that, why did you create the atmosphere? You're making me look like a bad person who forced someone to drink.' 'By the way, this scent is a bit strange. Is this what this liquor is normally like?' That was mockery. The bastard knew that the nausea was evidence of overcoming Modoa's toxicity. Even so, he was trying to make him look like a pathetic fool who gets nauseous from just one drink. "Urgh...!" Gadum, who had suffered internal injuries from Risir's merciless mental attack(?), finally couldn't endure it and kicked back his chair to leave the hall. What about you? Now they examined Risir's condition. "Then I guess I have to finish all of this." Risir poured some Modoa and sipped it. "..." "..." "..." What is that thing. Fear appeared on the faces of several Nobles. *** [...has left the party] [...has left the party] *** A moment later. Gadum, who had returned to the hall alone, had to struggle to manage his expression. "Obviously the servants must have mismanaged the Modoa." "Since Lord Gadum has been busy with various matters, such things happen." "Who knows. Perhaps Lord Gadum was sincerely trying to treat Lord Ran well." The Noble-specific 'deflecting' could be felt in the conversations of the 'friends' going back and forth. Nobles were as sensitive to dignity as they were to power. As much as the disgrace Gadum had just shown, his stature among them would have diminished. 'How did this situation...' It was dangerous to go any further. This moment had to become a definitive watershed. 'I have no choice but to bring up that topic.' After sitting back down, Gadum naturally addressed Ran and Risir as if nothing had happened. "There was a brief commotion. How are the dishes?" Ran and Risir were wary of him but still engaged appropriately in conversation. After that, trivial questions and answers were exchanged. When Risir and Ran's guard was loosening in the light conversation. "Ah, by the way. Risir. I have something I'm curious about- would it be alright if I ask one question?" "Please go ahead." "Then gladly. Kadogan and Ragan. How did you deal with them?" Coughs leaked from various parts of the banquet hall where the meal was in full swing. Gadum's question was so sudden and blatant. "Ah, if the question was too sudden, I ask for your understanding. If it's troublesome, you don't need to answer." Moreover, Gadum's appearance while asking such a question was nonchalant. Who could maintain their composure under such an offensive from Gadum? It was not an easy task even for City Councilor Ran, let alone the influential Nobles of the city present here. Such a task was now given to a young Mage who had barely reached adulthood. Could he handle it skillfully? It would be remarkable if he didn't panic and become speechless. Sure enough, Risir's mouth didn't open immediately. Up to that point, it was as everyone expected. However, his following action- "?" Risir. He stared blankly at Gadum. What are you saying? It was such a vacant reaction that it seemed as if such a vacant voice could be heard. That utterly light reaction had the effect of making the questioner look foolish instead. "No..." Gadum's eloquent speech, which had been leading the conversation without obstruction, was helplessly blocked. It was nearly impossible to perfectly deceive Gadum, who had grilled countless power holders in Bondaless. No matter how skillful the acting and deception, Gadum would ultimately find gaps and dig into them. But now, no such gaps could be seen in Risir at all. 'Ragan? Kadogan? Who are they?' It was natural since Risir had neither visited [Left Hand Has Liquor] directly nor faced the two barbarians who were the owners of that place. It was hard for them to imagine. "Isn't that too irresponsible a response? To interpret my goodwill of saying you don't need to answer if it's troublesome in such a way!" "I'm sorry. I would also like to answer you wholeheartedly to be of help, but I really don't know anything-" "No... Hah!" Gadum writhed in frustration. No. This is the guy, right? The one who took down Ragan and Kadogan, this is definitely him, right? But how can he be so shameless? The expressions of the Nobles watching the two were as if they were bewitched by something. That Gadum, being unilaterally toyed with by such a young Noble. 'Risir, what exactly is that person...' 'Where did such a guy come from...' 'But why is he asking that person about Kadogan and Ragan's matter? Don't tell me, the culprit who dismantled [Left Hand Has Liquor] is... that's it! Not Ran, but that very-' Gadum and Risir. The gazes of the 'friends' who had encompassed both began to focus on one place. At this very moment. Gadum and Ran could clearly feel it. The hearts of their 'friends' were gradually moving away from Gadum. And some were directing those distanced hearts toward 'Risir'. "He's an unusual person, isn't he?" "Yes?" Ran didn't miss that opportunity. She addressed the city Noble who had been staring blankly at Risir from the seat beside her. "I mean Risir." "Ah... yes, indeed?" As Ran shifted her gaze, another city Noble joined the conversation as if he had been waiting. "City Councilor Ran. I heard that Risir person is an Honorary Mage of the Magic Tower, how did you meet him?" "Well, the thing is-" The flow spread rapidly like wildfire. "He expelled Cultists, is that really true!?" "To think that's possible without even receiving help from the Guard Corps..." "By the way, Lord Ran- about that orphanage you're sponsoring. Actually, I was planning to this time-" Gadum's 'close friends' awkwardly read the room, Gadum's 'awkward friends' showed active interest in Ran. "..." Gadum could only watch quietly as the banquet hall divided in two. "Oh..." Risir, who had been watching the entire situation, let out an exclamation. To win over Gadum's people in Gadum's own territory. Indeed. Risir looked at Ran with admiration. "..." To be able to shake the hearts of Gadum's people like this in Gadum's territory. Indeed. Ran also looked at Risir with admiration. "Hehe..." "Hehe..." Having freely interpreted each other's expressions, the sense of reliability they felt toward each other only grew stronger. *** [Gorek of the Halomian House has left the party] [Hallan of the Volkan House has left the party] [...has left the party] ... ... *** The banquet continued until later than scheduled. It was because the conversation between Ran and her newly made friends had grown long. Gadum would have liked to forcibly end the banquet if he could, but how could he? It was a banquet he had hosted, and they were guests he had invited. If he suddenly stopped it while they were enjoying the banquet, wouldn't it just look like he was being petty, saying 'Why are you playing with them instead of me?' His dignity had already been torn to shreds by the Modoa reflux show, but even in such circumstances, there was a certain level he had to maintain. In the end, Gadum had to use an expedient. "Since it's gotten late today, let's continue the rest tomorrow." Gadum declared an extension of the banquet. All the guests moved to the guest rooms that Gadum had provided. "..." Thus Gadum remained alone in the banquet hall, lost in thought. "Lord Gadum." An armed man approached and spoke to him. He was someone who represented Gadum's will under the name of Guard Corps member. "We found Damal." "..." Damal. He was someone in charge of one of the businesses that Gadum managed. He had been managing a business that was inferior to [Left Hand Has Liquor] but had its own scale, and he attempted to flee with the slaves who were assets of the business, taking advantage of the chaos from the [Left Hand Has Liquor] incident. "What should we do?" "...There are those who helped the escape?" "Yes. Damal apparently promised compensation to their families." "Investigate and bring them in." "Yes?" "Make an example." "..." Make an example. At those words, the man nodded while touching the sword at his waist. Gadum's instructions didn't end there. "And go right now and bring Dogal." He summoned the Guard Corps to the mansion. *** Risir, who had arrived at his assigned room, immediately sat on the bed and concentrated his mind. He was planning to conduct a round of Swordsmanship training in his Inner World before taking a rest. "Risir!" "Hm?" It was then that Verdandes' voice was heard. He looked down at the sand girl who was now looking up at him from in front of the bed. "Oh, Verdandes. What’s up?" "Nothing!" "?" "Verdande..." The sand Spirit girl's body trembled. It was a difficult task that required great effort. "...ju!" Even so, her stubborn tongue that wouldn't cooperate. But the spirited girl didn't care and was simply proud of her pronunciation. "You understand, right!?" "Oh my, of course. I understand." "As expected of Risir!" Verdandes wriggled and climbed onto the bed. Then, making eye contact with Risir, she said. "Risir! Are you busy right now?" "I was about to get busy." "Risir’s such a workaholic, huh!?" "Sorry about that." "Then, can I go out for a bit!?" "Go out, where to?" "There's a delicious smell!" "..." Was she trying to eat the food left in the banquet hall? 'Well, it should be fine. They're foods that will be thrown away anyway.' After deliberating, Risir nodded. "Don't cause a commotion, and go quietly. Got it?" "Yes!" Nod nod! Verdandes shook her small head vigorously. Verdandes, who had transformed into a sandstorm, slipped out through the gap of the closed window. Risir closed his eyes and prepared to enter the Inner World again. "Hm?" He opened his eyes as if something had occurred to him and muttered. "Do Spirits feel hunger too?"