In a silence that could only be described as the calm before the storm, the War King and Chronoa-san stood locked in a quiet stare-down.
On one side was a member of the Six Kings, the pinnacle of the Demon Realm. On the other was a Supreme God, one of only three such beings in the God Realm. Both possessed power bordering on the absolute zenith of the world.
I could easily imagine that a battle between them would escalate to the level of a natural disaster.
Amidst the heavy silence, Chronoa-san was the first to speak.
"What is your aim, War King? This is unlike you. You are a man who craves battle with the strong, so why are you so intent on fighting Miyama? Even with the most generous flattery, one cannot say his combat power is high."
"Huh? Any idiot can see that. His combat power is about on par with a slime."
"Well... I-I should hope he is at least a little stronger than a slime... but in essence, you are correct."
Chronoa-san... if you’re going to defend me, could you maybe try not to sound so half-hearted about it?
Besides, the War King clearly realized I was weak, so why was he so insistent on fighting? As if answering my unspoken question, he spoke slowly.
"Strength isn't something you measure with combat power alone, is it? I like people with strength. And I'm not just talking about combat power—intellect, willpower... there are as many kinds of strength as there are stars."
"I have no argument there."
"That's why I wasn't actually thinking about having a fistfight with Kaito. If we're going to fight, it should be under conditions where he actually has a chance to win. I was thinking something like a drinking contest would be perfect."
The conversation had taken a bizarre turn. The War King didn't actually want to trade blows with me; he had used the drinking contest as an example, but it seemed he intended to have a competition where raw physical power wasn't the deciding factor.
My relief was short-lived, however, as the fur on the War King’s body began to turn jet-black once more.
"But if you’re willing to play, that’s a different story! This is perfect, Chronoa... You’re strong. You’re the ultimate opponent for a brawl!"
"What!?"
"If it's for the sake of fighting you, then even beating these guys down... wouldn't be half bad!"
"Tch, you battle maniac..."
It seemed Chronoa-san’s arrival had only served to amplify the War King’s fighting spirit. He took a combat stance with a gleeful expression. In response, Chronoa-san pulled back her fist, bracing herself. A battle that would surely shake heaven and earth was seconds away from erupting—but for some reason, the War King was the first to relax his posture.
"Or so I’d like to say, but I’ll call it quits for today."
"Oh? How modest of you. What brought on this sudden change of heart?"
"Well, even I have people I don't feel like picking a fight with..."
Chronoa-san wore a suspicious expression as she watched the War King retract his fighting spirit. He let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Anyway, I'm not going to go on a rampage here, and I won't hurt those guys either. So stop glaring at me with that terrifying face... Kuromueina."
"Eh?"
Startled by his words, I looked in the direction of his gaze. There, perched upon the roof of the mansion, was a massive jet-black beast. It looked like a wolf, its entire body covered in spines like black crystal. It was a gargantuan magic beast, possessing a physique that rivaled the War King’s own.
After staring at him for a moment, the beast dissolved into black smoke. The smoke swirled and gathered in front of me, taking the familiar form of Kuro.
"Kaito-kun, are you hurt? I came as soon as I heard from Ein..."
"A-Ah... I'm okay. I'm not hurt at all."
"I see. Megiddo."
"I know, I know. I don't think for a second that I’ve got a chance of winning against you. I won't go wild."
As soon as Kuro appeared, the War King readily promised not to fight, and his fur returned to its original red.
"However, while I’ll give up on fighting Chronoa... I'm still going to fight Kaito!"
"Does that mean the drinking contest you mentioned earlier?"
"Yeah. Obviously, there's a difference in size between Kaito and me. So, let’s see... I'll drink ten cups for every one cup Kaito drinks. That makes it fair, right?"
"U-Ummm..."
The War King declared he would drink ten times my volume, and even Kuro looked a little troubled. While those conditions might be considered fair in theory, it wasn't as if I was particularly good with alcohol. Still, did I even have to win? If the War King would go home peacefully as long as I accepted the challenge, perhaps I should just take it.
"I’m sorry, Kaito-kun. Could you accept his challenge? Megiddo has his pride to consider, so it would be difficult for him to just leave empty-handed."
"Ah, yeah. I don't mind, but..."
"Thanks. If Megiddo loses control, I'll take responsibility and punch him out."
Isn't that just going to kill him?
Through a strange sequence of events, I ended up in a competition against the War King. From there, things moved at a breakneck pace. The War King’s subordinates prepared the area in the blink of an eye, and cups were placed before us.
In the meantime, I asked Kuro to treat Eta and Theta. Even though they had been my enemies, I felt bad leaving them injured. Kuro granted my request immediately, and their wounds were healed in an instant. They remained unconscious, but for now, they were out of danger.
"Underworld King, can I leave this place to you?"
"Yeah, it’s okay. I'll take responsibility for watching Megiddo. Thanks for everything, Chronoa-chan."
"Then I shall take my leave. I still have duties to attend to."
It seemed Chronoa-san had work to do; she told Kuro she would leave the situation in her hands and return to the God Realm.
"Chronoa-sama, thank you very much for your help."
"Think nothing of it. Lilia, I am your ally. When you require my strength, do not hesitate to call upon me."
"Yes, my lady."
As usual, she was so dashing. Listening to them now, it sounded like a conversation between a hero and a heroine.
Once Chronoa-san had departed and a little more time had passed, the preparations were complete. The War King called out to me.
"Alright! Let's get started, Kaito!"
"Ah, yes, War King-sama."
"Stop with the stiff titles. We're about to have a match, so just call me by my name."
"Uh, then... Megiddo-san."
"Yeah!"
He was over-the-top in many ways, but he was a straightforward and easy-to-understand person. Following his lead, I sat down facing him. While my cup was the size of those used in traditional wedding ceremonies, Megiddo-san’s was as massive as a compact car. It looked like it held ten times the volume—maybe even more.
"The rules are simple. We take turns drinking, and the first one to pass out loses. Alright, I'll go first! Come on, pour it!"
"Yes, sir!"
Following Megiddo-san's command, his subordinate poured the liquor. With a cup that size, it must have contained an entire barrel’s worth. And yet, Megiddo-san drained that absurd amount of alcohol in one go.
"Gulp... Pwah! That's the stuff! Alright, you're next!"
"Ah, yes."
After Megiddo-san finished his cup, I followed suit. As soon as the liquid hit my tongue, I nearly gagged. The alcohol was incredibly strong. It felt like my throat was on fire. It seemed the liquor Megiddo-san provided was lethally potent; just one cup left my head spinning.
I didn't see any way I could win this.
"Good drinking! Alright, let's keep 'em coming!"
"Huh? Come to think of it, Kaito-kun has Shiro's blessing... Wait? Does this mean...?"
And so, the drinking contest continued.
How many cups had it been now? I think I was on my seventh. When I first started, I thought the booze was so strong that I’d be under the table in no time, but strangely, I didn't feel like I was going to pass out.
"Y-You... not bad... Even a dwarf would pass out after a single bottle of this stuff, but you're still looking perfectly fine..."
"No, for some reason, I'm just not getting drunk..."
"Actually, isn't this match impossible for Megiddo to win?"
"Ah? What do you mean, Kuromueina?"
In contrast to me, Megiddo-san was starting to look a bit worse for wear as the alcohol began to take effect. At that exact moment, Kuro pointed out that he had zero chance of winning. Megiddo-san wore a look of utter confusion, and I tilted my head as well, not understanding why she would say such a thing.
"Because Kaito-kun has Shiro-san’s blessing. He can't get drunk."
"Eh?"
"What!? You’re telling me this guy can drink as much as he wants and stay perfectly sober!?"
"Yep."
It seemed that because I had Shiro-san's blessing, I was completely immune to intoxication. No matter how strong the liquor was, I wouldn't pass out. In a drinking contest, that wasn't just cheating—it was a total game-breaker.
After hearing Kuro's explanation, Megiddo-san froze in shock for a moment... then slowly toppled over onto his back.
"Ah... damn it, I lost, huh? You're amazing, Kaito. It's been a long time since I've tasted defeat."
"Eh? No, well, how should I put it... it's not like the fact that I don't get drunk is my own power..."
"Doesn't matter! Borrowed or not, it's your power, and I lost to you. That's all there is to it! Hahaha! I'm impressed!"
"Ah, um, thank you."
Lying there on the ground, Megiddo-san straightforwardly praised me and accepted his loss. He really was a man with a personality like split bamboo—honest and unshakeable. I suppose that was why he had so many subordinates who admired him.
After laughing for a while, Megiddo-san suddenly sat up.
"Alright, it's time for a banquet!"
"What?"
"Megiddo..."
"Hey, don't give me that cold look. We fought, and the matter's settled! After that, there's nothing to do but praise each other's efforts and have a banquet!"
I was stunned by his sudden declaration, while Kuro looked completely exasperated.
"Alright, you lot! Prepare the banquet! Don't be stingy—bring out the best booze and food! This is for the man who beat me! It’s got to be the flashiest banquet ever, or my name’s worthless!"
"Um, Kuro?"
"I know you're confused, but he's just this kind of guy. He doesn't have anything in his head besides fighting and partying."
Leaving me behind as I struggled to keep up with the situation, Megiddo-san began issuing commands to his subordinates to prepare the feast. He was an incredibly forceful person. And besides, this was the garden of Lilia-san’s mansion.
"Hey, you there, noble!"
"Y-Yes!?"
"I'm borrowing the garden!"
"A-Ha-ha, yes, sir!"
"Alright, call everyone inside the mansion too! A banquet's more fun with more people!"
At least he actually asked for permission... even if it was far too late for that.
Dear Mother, Father—Megiddo-san was boisterous, straightforward, and as fierce as a raging fire. I still don't quite understand how it happened, but the banquet began.