“I am aware of you, Hero of the Goddess. It seems that our soldiers inflicted quite a serious wound upon you. My apologies. And how do you feel now?”
“Doesn’t, matter. Next time we fight, I won’t lose. Never.”
The kobold cut down the strategist’s provocation. There was nothing about him that matched the reputation of being the weakest of monsters.
“Enough of that. Our purpose here is to strike a wartime agreement. We will not settle anything if we speak so combatively.”
“Fine.”
Gray fur and a face like a dog. Plain clothes dyed with plant pigments, and a mantle made from tanned wyvern hide.
Unlike the Demon General standing beside him, he was lightly equipped, which suited him well.
The Demon General then pulled out a barrel that had been placed behind him, while the kobold kept a wary watch over their surroundings.
As Yasuharu watched both of them, it felt as if the fog over his eyes was rapidly clearing.
This was the blurred, game-like world he had seen through the tablet screen. What was unfolding before him now was real. What being in another world really was.
“It was I who invited you, after all. This may be rather crude for your tastes, but please bear it.”
“Food, I prepared it, don’t forget.”
Before he knew it, a small banquet had been spread out before him.
The smell of alcohol wafted from the barrel that the general was holding, and Yasuharu couldn’t help but cover his mouth.
As for what the kobold had brought, there was dried fish, and roasted thighs of wild birds. As well as some fruit.
“You expect us to eat that?”
“If you do not want it, that is fine. From our perspective, a banquet must have food and drink. We simply brought some on our own.”
He poured the drink into metal cups that must have been looted from somewhere. And then he placed them down in front of Yasuharu.
“We acquired this from your supply convoys. And so I shouldn’t have to tell you about the taste.”
“Typical thievery from monsters. And do you really think our Hero would drink that after it’s been poisoned?”
“Quite ridiculous! Why would we ever adulterate such fine liquor with anything like that!”
The Demon General said with a challenging smile.
Yasuharu sat down and picked up his cup.
“Wait.”
The kobold sighed with exasperation and looked towards him.
“That drink, very strong. Just touch, with lips.”
Indeed, the smell was overwhelming already. Now that he thought about it, the sake his grandfather had drunk was also very strong.
“Oh, dear. I suppose I will have to drink along once again. I will have to wait for the celebration after the battle, to drink with others.”
“Are you already drunk, just from the smell? There will be no victory celebration for you tomorrow.”
“Hurry up and drink, all of you. And then we can talk.”
The minotaur raised his cup with a shrug.
“To the wickedly cunning god of wisdom, and that utterly shameless divine rule.”
For a moment, Yasuharu did not know what to say. And then he forced the words out.
“To the Demon General’s good health, and to future glory.”
The Demon General was caught off guard, but then his expression slowly relaxed. And then a broad grin spread across his face.
“Cheers.”