Herbert leads the way and steps outside the barracks. He’s carrying a barrel on his shoulder, though I have no idea where he got it from.
Erich is a wizard knight, and Kurt is a knight who uses aura, so a simple duel based on physical strength would be tricky with their unique abilities.
In that case… maybe an arm-wrestling contest would be more appropriate? Perhaps Herbert brought the barrel as a platform for that purpose.
Outside the barracks, soldiers and peasants are watching us, curious about what’s going on.
Once they reach the square, Herbert sets the barrel down in the center.
“Well then. The duel between Erich and Kurt will now begin. I, Herbert, will be the referee, and the duel will be decided by a traditional drinking contest.”
Huh?
Herbert, Erich, and Kurt are gathered around the barrel, facing each other.
“I don’t mind.”
“I understand, Lord Herbert.”
After confirming both have agreed, Herbert smashes open the barrel lid. Inside, wine sways on the surface, spilling over the sides.
Herbert hands them both wooden mugs, which I can’t tell where he got from, and they dip them into the barrel to scoop the wine.
“Erich, I’ll win for the sake of my lord.”
“Let’s see if you can manage that.”
They clink their mugs together, and it seems this is the signal to start. Both of them quickly down their wine.
Since this is their first drink, they both appear fine, unbothered.
“Second round!”
Herbert announces, and just like before, they scoop more wine, clink their mugs lightly, and begin drinking again.
It seems that the declaration and the clinking of mugs are part of the tradition. I have to admit, the wine seems to have a decent alcohol content… but will they be alright at this pace?
Despite my worries, they continue with their third, fourth rounds.
“10th round!”
Herbert announces, and both of them are already looking a bit wobbly as they continue. I stand a little further away, observing as the crowd around them grows larger, enveloped in strange excitement.
“Erich… You’re looking a bit rough.”
“Heh. Not yet… the real challenge is just beginning.”
They clink their mugs again and down the wine in one go. Both of their faces are now bright red, and it’s clear that the end of the duel is approaching.
As they finish their drink, the crowd erupts in cheers.
“11th round!”
With that announcement, they both try to scoop more wine, but suddenly stagger and collapse to the ground.
Herbert, after a brief pause, rushes over to them, noticing they aren’t getting up.
Well, it looks like both of them have passed out…
As I’m thinking this, Herbert finishes checking on them and announces to the crowd.
“Since neither contestant managed to drink the 11th round, the duel ends in a draw! Anyone who has an objection to this decision can voice it to me!”
The crowd accepts the decision with applause and excitement.
I suppose I’ll have to carry them back to the barracks and let them rest. As I approach, I notice someone else passed out in a position out of my sight—Werner, drunk and lying on the ground.
I thought he wasn’t coming back, but what’s he doing here…?
Wait… Regardless of this, none of them can handle paperwork in this state… Does that mean I have to take care of everything myself?
