The minotaur’s giant body moved through the doorway. He was hunched over, as if uncomfortable in the small space. He then thrust a basket towards Sheto.
“I hit you quite hard. And yet you are able to move already.”
“You…too much strength. Lied when said you would, hold back?”
“Sorry, sorry! After all, I’ve never fought against a kobold before. Next time, I’ll try to be a little more gentle.”
The severeness was completely gone from his face now, and there was calm and understanding in his eyes.
Inside of the basket, there was roasted chicken thigh, bread and fruit.
Sheto felt a tinge of nostalgia as he began to eat.
“Your movements during the fight. They were not bad. Was that also the goddess’s blessing?”
“No. The loud one. Taught me how to fight. Just obeyed.”
‘The loud one… Why are people being so rude to me lately?’
“A monster who fights while being backed by the wisdom of a god… How very interesting.”
The minotaur drank from a wineskin that hung from his belt, and then he laughed.
“Well, eat and regain your strength. From tomorrow on, I will be looking after you personally.”
“What…?”
“Your movements. They are not suitable for a real fight yet. However, with a little training from me, you might become decent enough.”
“You…what are you, thinking?”
Sheto stopped eating and looked straight at Berganda.
The clear eyes looked straight back at him.
“Teach me, how to move. And then, be at disadvantage, no?”
“Maybe a little. But that is not important.”
“Why? You, take me to see Demon King. And so, you be friendly, to lower my guard?”
“Hmm… I am sure that is how Komos sees things. However, I’ve never liked being that calculating.”
He offered the wineskin to Sheto to drink. Somehow, he felt he couldn’t refuse, and so allowed a few drops to fall on his tongue.
“Gah…what…it stings…”
“Destilled wine, apparently. They were brought in by the Seer’s army from the central continent. And since these were surprisingly good, I told them to be careful so as to not damage the wine barrels.”
Sheto felt like he was drinking fire, but Berganda drank it as if it was nothing.
“In fact, your existence is just like this wine. Made by the enemy, but admirable regardless.”
The demon general sat down on the floor and took another sip before handing the skin back to Sheto.
“You should drink without being so worried. Maybe you will fall first. Maybe I will. We will see when it happens.”
“Hunters, do not drink deep. Ones who do, get left in the mountains.”
“How rigid of you. Still, surely you can relax when you are celebrating?”
Berganda looked a little drunk now, and continued to hold the skin in front of Sheto as if to test him.
Sheto took it with both hands and drank deeply.
“Gah! Geh…gah… Geho!”
“Don’t be so frantic. You’ll burn your throat if you’re not careful.”
“I-I don’t like this, after all! It stings!”
“Haha. I see. It doesn’t suit you then. My apologies.”
Berganda laughed, not looking the least bit apologetic.
As for Sheto, he suddenly started to feel terribly tired.
Was it the unfamiliar environment, or the smell of the fire wine?
Or perhaps it was that he was starting to feel that this light-hearted monster was not that dangerous after all.
In the end, Sheto did not know the answer as he drifted off to sleep.
