𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 ② / 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬

Meteore was drinking whiskey in the principal’s office alone.

Instead of from a bottle, he scooped it from a barrel with a ladle and poured it into a glass. Then, he boldly drank it all in one go.

The alcohol content was seventy percent. Although it was flammable, Meteore wasn’t drunk at all. If anything, he felt it wasn’t enough.

Meteore discarded the ladle, scooped directly with the glass from the barrel, and drank it in one go.

ㅤ

“. . . . . .Sigh, I just can’t get drunk.”

“You never change, Meteore.”

ㅤ

Then, entering the principal’s office silently was Gawain of 『the Sun』.

In Gawain’s hand, she held a bottle. . . . . .it was grape juice.

Gawain took a chair and sat right across from Meteore.

ㅤ

“This drink is better than that liquor.”

“That’s right. Hmm, I know.”

“How many years do you think we’ve known each other?”

ㅤ

Gawain, now sitting across from Meteore, handed him a glass and poured the grape juice.

Then, Meteore poured for Gawain, and they both raised their glasses in a toast.

The grape juice was sour. But, the slight sweetness was pleasantly comforting.

ㅤ

“The deadline is approaching.”

“. . . . . .Yes, it is.”

“The seal will be temporarily lifted in ten days. Then, we can exert our power outside the Asgard Kingdom. Meteore. . . . . .are you prepared?”

“. . . . . .Yes.”

“To think that your 『power』 will be wielded again. . . . . .”

“. . . . . .”

ㅤ

Meteore looked at his trembling hands.

They were shaking just a little. It was a tremor from aging.

ㅤ

“Both of us have aged, Gawain. . . . . .This might be our last full effort.”

“. . . . . .I wanted to settle things with you.”

“Ho ho ho. I’m still ahead.”

“Grrr. . . . . .Well, I’ve never won. Meteore, one of the twenty-one strongest.”

“Enough, enough. Not everyone is good at fighting, right? Don’t call me the strongest.”

ㅤ

The two talked until the grape juice was gone.

Then, for the last time. . . . . .they clinked their glasses together.

ㅤ

“Gawain. We elders have nothing left to lose. . . . . .Let’s burn our lives out.”

“No, there is something to lose. . . . . .the lives of the young ones. So, let’s fight to protect. Let’s lose only after everything is over.”

“. . . . . .That’s right.”

ㅤ

They raised their glasses again.

ㅤ

“To the future.”

“To the future. . . . . .fufufu”

ㅤ

The two quietly smiled. . . . . .and drained their glasses in one go.

ㅤ

◇◇◇◇◇◇

ㅤ

Damocles was chugging cold ale at his regular tavern.

ㅤ

“Buurp! Another round! I won’t be able to drink for a while! Let’s drink until the bar runs out of alcohol tonight!”

“You’re noisy. Can’t you drink quietly?”

“Ho ho ho. But drinking like this isn’t bad.”

“I don’t mind the noise. Right, Grey?”

“I agree with the old lady. Damocles, drink up.”

“Even if I drink too much and fall, it’s okay… Just leave it to me.”

ㅤ

Damocles wasn’t alone.

He was with 『Empress』 Venus, 『Pope』 Arjan, 『Fate』 Nakshatra, 『Tower』 Grey, and 『Death God』 Ripper━━top-class summoners.

They had booked the entire tavern for a drinking party.

While munching on dried squid, Grey spoke.

ㅤ

“It’s beginning.”

“”””. . . . . . “”””

“Let me say this before the alcohol kicks in. I plan to cover the entire kingdom with 『Orichalcum』. As long as I live, not even a single Summoned beast will penetrate the kingdom. All of you, do your job properly, okay?”

“Hmph!! Leave it to me!! I’ll crush them with the full power of Titan!!”

“Same here. I’ll go with 『fusion』 from the start.”

ㅤ

Damocles and Arjan are fired up.

However, only Nakshatra seemed different.

ㅤ

“Hey, old men. . . . . .Don’t fight intending to die from the start. A warrior who wants to survive is the most troublesome and tenacious. If you want to fight long, be cautious.”

“That’s right. I don’t want to die yet, so I will. Besides. . . . . .it’s just like the old times. We don’t have to try hard on our own. As long as there are fools like you around, I won’t get hurt, right?”

“”””. . . . . .””””

ㅤ

Damocles, Arjan, and Grey were silent.

Venus chuckles softly.

ㅤ

“Brings back memories. . . . . .You guys haven’t changed since you were kids. Even though you’re old men now, you still sulk like kids.”

“Mm, mmm. . . . . .”

“If Garnet were here, she’d say the same.”

ㅤ

Venus looks at a glass left alone on the table.

The wine poured for Garnet shimmered gently.

ㅤ

“I’ll join her later. You guys, make sure to protect these young ones!”

“Yes!!”

“That’s right. Good grief, you need to reflect, Grey.”

“Mm. . . . . .”

“You’re still a child. . . . . .Hey Ripper, speak up more!”

“Ah. . . . . .But, I can’t interrupt.”

ㅤ

The heroes once again raised their glasses and toasted loudly.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

ㅤ

Inside the church, the Cardinal’s room.

This room belongs to the highest authority of the church, the Cardinal. It is the most spacious and strictly managed room in the church and was 『Judgment』 Gabriel’s private and office room.

Currently, there are three people in this room.

“The time is near.”

ㅤ

One of them is Hill Climb.

The captain of the Peacemaker squad’s supply team and Esterize’s aide.

ㅤ

“The plan is going smoothly. After defeating the Demon Emperor, we can initiate the plan.”

ㅤ

One is Euglena.

The captain of the Peacemaker squad’s sniper team and also Esterize’s aide.

And a girl around fifteen years old.

ㅤ

“We must not be careless. Understand? This plan requires utmost care. We have to annihilate the Demon Emperor, demons, and demon beasts while burying the twenty-one heroes and S-class.”

“Don’t worry. That’s why we have you, the strategist, Gabriel.”

“Yes, with that intelligence, there shouldn’t be any problems, right?”

“Indeed. Fufu.. . . . . .”

ㅤ

The Cardinal’s Chamber.

Also known as the 『Masquerade Ball Headquarters』.

Gabriel was planning a coup. Her plan was to target Demon Emperor and the twenty-one heroes, including the S-class summoners, aiming to defeat the Demon Emperor. After the Demon Emperor’s defeat, he intended to take over the country when it was in a state of exhaustion.

Whether Hill Climb or Euglena would ascend to the throne was still undecided. However, there was also a plan to assassinate the current king and eliminate the prince and princess, of course.

Gabriel let out a small breath.

ㅤ

“First, we need to survive. Both of you.”

“Of course. I have no intention of dying.”

“Yes. . . . . .naturally.”

ㅤ

The coup d’etat was progressing smoothly.