saiki

ch 32

Late that day, I once again found myself on the doorstep of Lord Cross's mansion.

"Lord Cross! Are you home?"

With a vigorous thump on the outer door, I stepped into the mansion's garden. Almost instantly, Lord Cross appeared from within the mansion.

"Don't you cherish your life! I made it clear! Stay away from me..."

As Lord Cross was on the brink of pointing his spear at me, he abruptly let it drop.

His eyes had landed on the little cart I'd brought with me.

"What... what's that?"

"What do you think it is?"

I smirked and yanked back the cloth that draped over the cart.

"It's your all-time favorite."

The cart was chock-full of alcohol.

The bottles, basking in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun, shimmered like grains of white sand on a beach.

"..."

Lord Cross, taken aback, continually shifted his gaze between me and the bottles.

***

The character I'd taken over, Ash, was a real mess.

Truly a debauched prince who indulged in rivers of wine and mountains of meat, a walking disaster.

Such a man wouldn't have ventured into the countryside without ample supplies. Naturally, he'd brought plenty of premium alcohol along.

But I had no fondness for drinking. Therefore, there was no need to hold back.

I gathered all the costly drinks that Ash had painstakingly transported from the capital.

"Let's share a drink, Lord Cross."

I grabbed a bottle from the cart and gave it a little shake.

The luxurious bottle housed a beautiful, golden liquid that swirled around within.

The sweet sloshing sound echoed in the air.

To a seasoned drinker like Lord Cross, it was an irresistible proposal.

Gulp.

Lord Cross's dry throat managed a swallow. I shrugged and returned the bottle to the cart.

"If you're not interested?"

"No, no! Who said I wasn't interested?"

Lord Cross flung open the doors to his mansion.

"Come in, Your Highness. Bring everything!"

Easily appeased.

I wheeled the alcohol-laden cart directly into the mansion.

"Oh crap."

I involuntarily muttered a curse as I took the first step inside.

From the entrance right through to the interior, discarded bottles littered the floor.

"Good... grief..."

I cupped a hand over my nose.

Given the amount of piled-up, uncleaned bottles, the air was thick with the scent of evaporated alcohol. It was almost nauseating.

'This isn't just a drinking problem, it's alcohol poisoning...'

Avoiding the carpet of discarded bottles on the floor, I found my way into the mansion's kitchen.