196: Drunkcards And Nonsense Talk

Drunkcards And Nonsense Talk

When Drayce returned to the tavern, he found the scene in front of him unbelievable. 

The entire tavern was in absolute mayhem, with tables and chairs upturned. However, there was no fight. The atmosphere lively with merrymaking, the air thick with laughter and cheers. People were hollering, congregating towards the middle of the tavern, and the noise was so loud that their voices could be heard outside. 

After Drayce got a good look at the situation, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 

His dear friend, Prince Arlan of Griven, and his brother-in-law, Prince Cian of Abetha, were standing around the table in the center of the tavern hall on the ground floor. Countless empty flagons lay empty around them, and the tavern keeper even had casks placed on a table nearby to efficiently fill up the rows of mugs in front of the two princes. 

A public drinking competition.

The tavern's patrons formed a lively circle around the inebriated pair. Tankards were raised high, and the clatter of wooden mugs filled the air as the friends were toasted with joyous enthusiasm. Everyone cheered for the two competing men. Some were betting on Arlan to win, while others were betting on Cian. 

Drayce went to Slayer, the only one seated on their table, who was still yet to finish his mug of ale. He was alone because the knights of the two princes were downstairs to look after their masters. 

"I just left for a while. What is this?"

From their place Drayce and Slayer could see the entire view downstairs clearly. 

"Just have fun, Dray. You already missed the good part," Slayer said as he picked up his mug, swirling the dark liquid inside. "As you are here, you bear witness that I finished this, or else Arlan will claim I cheated. Make sure I stay awake so I can ask him anything I want."

Before Drayce could say a word, Slayer already started gulping the ale, not stopping until he finished the entire mug. The next moment, Drayce found his friend letting out a low groan before pressing his hands over his face.

"It was just one mug. You can handle it," Drayce told him. 

"This…taste…shitty…poison…"

"Do not close your eyes," Drayce warned.

Slayer removed his hands from his face and nodded in his direction. "Yes, Your Majesty. This knight shall obey your order."

Thud!

The next moment, his head slammed on the table. 

Drayce sighed and tapped his cheek. "Do not dare fall asleep."

"Yes, Your Majesty," came the lightweight's reply as he tried his best to keep his eyes open. 

"Good." 

With that, Drayce went downstairs towards the two princes in the middle of a fierce drinking competition.

Drayce didn't stop them as it was not only a matter of honor as princes, but also a man's ego. He merely watched them, standing on the sidelines to see when they would give up so he could take them back.

'I hope they did not forget the second day of the conference tomorrow…' his thoughts trailed the more he watched them. 'They probably did.'

The result arrived together with the wildest explosive cheering from the crowd, giving Drayce the illusion that their loud noise could collapse the tavern itself. 

The Crown Prince of Griven was the winner!

Arlan was still standing straight, while Cian ended up losing his balance. The Crown Prince of Abetha was totally wasted, and his own guardian knight had to help him up. 

The red-faced winner, Prince Arlan could not help but mock the loser, only his slurred speech was barely understandable under the heavy influence of the alcohol. "Heh, served in the military…? Drinks are… no big deal…? Heh, strong man…?" he let out an uncharacteristically loud laugh. "I don't see any!"

He was about to lose his balance too, but Imbert timely held his arm but Arlan pushed him away. "I…am…alright…" 

"My lord—"

He staggered once more, but this time, the one who helped him up was Drayce. "Enough."

"Dray?" Arlan squinted in his direction, before offering him a silly smile. "See? Your friend… is the… strongest…"

"I know," Drayce replied. "Let's go back now."

Arlan always listened to only one person, and that was his dear friend, Drayce. After Imbert settled their bill, their group stepped out of the tavern. Drayce supported Arlan, while Azer helped his commander. Cian's knight carried his unconscious prince.

"I am still awake," Slayer mumbled as he caught up to Drayce and Arlan. 

Arlan could barely keep his eyes open, but he recognized the knight's voice. He mocked him with a dry chuckle. "You one-glass drowner."

"I am not," Slayer replied stubbornly.

"Want to… drink again…?" Arlan asked. 

"Sure."

"Let's drink then! One more round!" Arlan was about to get away from Drayce, but the red-eyed king held his friend and glared at his knight. 

"You two, enough now."

Even drunk, Slayer lowered his head like an obedient boy. "Yes…Your Majesty."

"Yes…Your Majesty," Arlan copied with a chuckle. He even wanted to bow to complete his performance, but Drayce kept him steady on his feet.

Seeing them acting like kids, Drayce sighed. "If not for that reason, I wouldn't have left and…need to handle these kids."

"Kids? You! When did you have kids?" Arlan stopped walking and moved his head to look at his friend with heavy-lidded eyes.

"He has kids?" Slayer asked too as he stopped and looked at Drayce in disbelief. Azer had to try his best to keep his commander on his feet, but got dragged towards Drayce as Slayer began to circle around them. "Where? Where are they?" 

Arlan threw a drunk punch towards Slayer, but it missed, causing him to chuckle. "He is yet to even consummate his marriage. What kids?" 

Slayer's eyes widened, as if he discovered a big secret. "You mean, he is fooling us? Tsk…didn't even consummate his marriage."

"Shame. Such a shame." Arlan laughed. He then lowered his voice, his tone conspiring, "Maybe he has illegitimate children?" 

Slayer gasped. "Does he?"

"Shut up, you two." Drayce growled in annoyance.

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty," the two drunks replied together, but that obedience didn't last long. 

Arlan and Slayer were walking side by side at this point. The prince began to whisper to the knight not even ten seconds later. "Do you think… our friend…maybe he has issues?"

"Issues?"

"You know, about performing the marital act?"

"Huh? He has?" Slayer asked, then narrowed his eyes towards Drayce, his gaze then traveling towards his pants—

"If you two don't stop talking bullshit, I will throw you in the sewers to rot there!"

"Sewer? No…" Arlan pouted. "It's dark…I am scared of the dark…" 

"I hate the sewer. It stinks," Slayer added. 

"Then behave and shut your mouths." Drayce warned. The silly pair nodded, even deliberately pressing their lips together to form a thin line.

However, the two were not in their right senses. They could not help but murmur, not realizing they were voicing out their thoughts.

"Sewer is scary."1

"It stinks badly."

"I don't want to go there."

"Neither do I."

That short time, merely a handful of minutes, of bringing them out of the tavern towards a deserted alley so he could use his powers to teleport, Drayce felt like he had gone through hell and back listening to their nonsense.

After he made sure there were no eyes on them, Drayce used his power of teleportation and got everyone back to the guest mansion of Griven delegates. Imbert carried Arlan back to his bedchamber, while others went their own separate ways. 

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