Volume 8 Chapter 4 (2/2)

”Thank you, master. This is my favorite.”

Rorono said so, completely happy.

”Patron, wow, I'm impressed, you picked an expensive wine. When it's my own money, I'm usually reluctant to buy something like this. But when I'm not the one buying, there's no need to hold back, is there? Today, we'll be drinking 'til we drop!”

”Well, you would have complained if I got cheap wine, right?”

Looking at Ruhe as she was rubbing her cheeks against a bottle of wine, I couldn't help but smile wryly.

I had ordered the bottles of wine especially for Ruhe who was quite the drinker. Additionally, I also ordered a great variety of other dishes to serve as hors d'oeuvres.

”Now, why don't we set the table?”

”Yay♪! Kuina will help out.”

”I'll show you my good taste, patron. One's impression of the food might completely change depending on the way it's presented, after all.”

Kuina and Ruhe took charge and arranged the food to make it look more delicious than it already was.

While they were doing that, a sweet aroma began to drift in the room.

Curious, I looked for the source and found Aura. In her hand was a large apple pie.

”Ta-dah! Today's a special celebration to welcome Tiro-chan, so I baked an apple pie using golden apples! Also, the golden apples used were from the new tree! Enjoy!”

Ohh, we finally have another tree worthy of being called a [World Tree]. I'm looking forward to this.

After putting the apple pie on the table, Aura also helped out on the arranging.

And then, when the table was more gorgeous and appetizing than before, we all took a sit around the table. Only Tiro, who was still in her dog form, sat on the floor.

Like that, everyone's attention was gathered on me.

”We are gathered here today to welcome Tiro as the newest addition to our ranks. To that end, let us eat and drink grandly.”

I said so and they replied enthusiastically.

They're such good girls; accepting Tiro gladly like this.

”Cheers!”

Kuina and Rorono were having juice; Aura, Ruhe, and I were having some wine; and Tiro had top-class milk poured into her deep bowl.

Like that, we—other than Tiro, of course—raised our glasses.

””Cheers!””

We shouted so and then bumped our glasses together.

After that, one after the other, we approached Tiro, crouched in front of her, and then bumped our glass into her bowl.

And so, the party began.

”These spare ribs are the best!”

”Garuu!!”

The meat-eaters, Kuina and Tiro, bit into their gigantic bone-in meat without delay.

”They're so juicy and delicious. As I thought, shrimps are great.”

”Well, as for me, I'm really liking this salmon carpaccio. They're light, so I can eat however much I want.”

”Those are great and all, but it's alcohol for me. Haaah, that hits the spot. I feel like I was born to drink this. Another!”

It seemed like Rorono, Aura, and Ruhe were all enjoying the party.

The party went on.

Kuina and Rorono had exchanged their juice for alcohol. Kuina preferred juice, but was still generally able to drink and enjoy alcohol. Rorono, meanwhile, loved alcohol, but had chosen to drink juice so as to not make feel Kuina left out.

The legal age of alcohol consumption in this country was 12 years old. Not that it mattered since they were monsters anyway, so there really wasn't any reason for them to avoid drinking.

Meanwhile, the number of bowls in front of Tiro had increased by one: one that was full of wine.

When I looked at Ruhe, she turned away and began to whistle.

Her suspicious actions sealed the deal: she was definitely the culprit.

By the way, Tiro was now ignoring the bowl filled with milk and was instead only drinking the wine. She even burped in satisfaction.

So, even though she's a dog, she drinks wine, huh…

And before I knew it, the food was all gone. Evidently, ”overordering” was the right call.

”Now, everyone, time for dessert! Savor these new golden apples, okay?”

The main dishes gone, Aura took initiative and sliced up the apple pie.

The pie, while being sliced, made a crunchy sound that was music to my ears. The aroma emanating from within reached me and by that alone, I could tell it was delicious.

Obviously, I immediately took a bite. Its crunchiness and taste were the best. Eating this delicious pie was a privilege that perhaps only we in the world could ever have.

All of us were enthralled by the apple pie. Well, all except…

”Guruu…”

Staring at the slice of apple pie placed before her, Tiro issued out seemingly sad cry.

Are dogs not fond of apple pies? Rather, can dogs even eat apple pies?

When that worry crossed my mind…

”Guruu!”

Tiro cheerfully barked so.

She then transformed into her young girl form, grabbed the slice with her hands, and then stuffed it into her mouth. While still chewing, her face slackened in pure glee.

Aura, smiling wryly, then placed a second helping in front of Tiro. When Tiro saw that, she immediately grabbed it and ate it.

”Gururuu ♪”

Tiro, who was now full, gave a seemingly satisfied sound. She then turned back to her dog form, rolled into a ball, and began to sleep.

What a carefree fellow.

When Tiro did that, Kuina, to amuse herself, crouched down and brushed Tiro's head. And when the other girls saw that, they proceeded to do it themselves.

Good. It seems my monsters have truly accepted Tiro as one of their own. Sleep tight, Tiro. The party will still be here when you wake up. We'll party tonight with all our might, for tomorrow, we go back to working hard in order to make us stronger.

While thinking such, I inclined my wine glass.