[12] Ais’s Invitation!
[12] Ais’s Invitation!
"Come on, everyone, drink up, especially you! Today, you're the main character!"
Loki, like a good buddy, put his arm around August and directly picked up a glass of wine, starting to gulp it down.
In Orario, Loki was renowned as a heavy drinker, and her fondness for alcohol was legendary.
On the other hand, August, despite becoming an adventurer, had only average alcohol tolerance.
"Kid, come on, drink! Even gods are drinking, you're a man, don't hesitate!"
"Bottoms up!"
"It seems the new guy is still a bit reserved."
Amidst the pushing and shoving of the people around him, August reluctantly picked up a large glass of wine and drank it down.
With this drink, August's eyes lit up. The alcohol content wasn't high, similar to beer or even a bit lower. August could handle beer reasonably well despite not being a heavy drinker.
"Good, kid, nice alcohol tolerance!"
Having finished a large glass of wine in one go, comparable in size to a modern pint glass, the adventurers around, who lived a life with their heads tied to their belts, were all passionate about good food and drink.
"What are you all babbling about? We've all drunk, why are you still watching?"
At this point, Loki spoke up, and the others around her laughed, raising their own glasses.
Under Loki's lead, the originally planned banquet turned into an impromptu drinking party.
After a few rounds, August began to feel a bit lightheaded. Although the alcohol content wasn't high, drinking a substantial amount took its toll.
As the festivities continued, August, as the protagonist, gradually lost some of the spotlight. A group led by Loki, including August, joined the drinking team.
"How about it, feeling a bit uncomfortable?"
Hearing this voice, August lifted his head and saw Finn and others, led by Finn, approaching.
"Captain, there's nothing I can do, my alcohol tolerance is limited."
"I can see that. However, it's a good thing. Drinking at a table with everyone establishes some initial connections with you and the other members of the familia."
"Indeed!"
For men, sharing a drink was enough to get acquainted.
Watching August, whose face was clearly flushed, and was showing signs of intoxication, Finn waved his hand, inviting Ais and the others to come over.
"This time, let me introduce them to you. Get to know them, they will be your companions in the future."
"Alright, Captain!"
August raised his head and looked at the people coming over. It was the current core members of the familia.
"Hello, I'm Tiona Hiryute~"
"I'm Tione Hiryute."
"Bete Loga!"
"Hello, I'm Ais Wallenstein."
"Hi... Hello, my name is Lefiya Viridis."
Each of them introduced themselves to August. Even Bete, who was somewhat dissatisfied with August initially, didn't show any disdain in front of Finn.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Augustus Divus Pracentum, you can call me August. Nice to meet you all!"
Although a bit tipsy, August didn't have the habit of going crazy after drinking. He just felt a bit heavy-headed, his consciousness was still clear.
August's attitude made everyone nod secretly. Despite being highly valued by Finn and Loki, August didn't develop an arrogant attitude. On the contrary, he seemed easy to get along with.
"By the way, August, your weapon is ready. There are a total of twenty weapons, but due to the limited time, not all of them are swords, there are also some other types."
"Captain, this is already a great help. Weapons and everything are fine."
"Good. Tomorrow, just go to Gareth to pick them up."
"Thank you, Captain!"
"No big deal."
Hearing Finn's words, Bete and the others glanced at each other. More than twenty weapons, of various types, piqued their curiosity even more. How did August fight?
"Are you going to the dungeon tomorrow?"
Suddenly, at this moment, Ais asked.
"Yes, I do plan to go to the dungeon tomorrow."
August instinctively replied. After all, he had just arrived in Orario, and there was a monster-killing mission to complete, so naturally, he had to go to the dungeon to accumulate experience points and complete the task.
"Can I go with you tomorrow?"
Looking at August, Ais asked slowly.
"What? Ais, you want to go to the dungeon with him?"
"Is it true?"
"Lady Ais~"
"Ais, what do you want to do?"
For a moment, Tione and Tiona, the sisters, Lefiya the fangirl, and the dog-like Bete were all shocked.
Even Finn looked surprised at Ais.
After all, among all the members of the familia, Ais was undoubtedly the most difficult to deal with. It wasn't that Ais was weak, but her battles were always solo, and she often left the team to fight alone.
Everyone present had teamed up with Ais, but the effect wasn't that great.
Now, the independent Ais actually wanted to team up with a newcomer. Was she planning to mentor the new guy?
But with Ais's character, that was impossible.
Under all the inquiries and scrutiny, Ais did not respond. Instead, she focused her gaze on August.
From the moment she saw August, a voice in her heart told her that August could help her become stronger, surpassing her current self.
Without any reason! And without any basis!
But she was willing to give it a try. As long as she could become stronger, she was willing to try everything.
"Of course, but Miss Ais, I'm just a newcomer, and I can only move around the first ten floors for now."
"That's okay."
"Alright then."
Since she said so, August naturally couldn't continue to refuse.
Moreover, going to the dungeon with such a lovely girl was something he couldn't refuse as someone who aspired to explore the vast sea of stars.
Ais's fangirl, Lefiya, stared with big watery eyes, almost on the verge of tears.
She had always admired Ais and dreamed of going to the dungeon with her. Now, a man who came out of nowhere had taken away everything.
She felt like her life had instantly become dim, and her Miss Ais was gradually moving away from her.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll come to find you."
After saying this, Ais turned around and left. She wasn't very interested in such banquets.
In the past banquets, even if she attended, she would sit alone on the side and eat. She wouldn't participate much.
"You're so lucky, August. You've just arrived, and you've already caught the eye of the familia's princess."
Tiona said to August with a hint of flirtation. It wasn't unreasonable for her to think like that, especially considering Ais had never spoken to other men like this before.
Bete, who liked Ais, had a heart full of killing intent at this moment. That's the girl he liked.