The atmosphere in the tavern reached a fever pitch under the bombardment of two bags of gold coins.
Everyone loved a chance to get something for free.
The patrons had all let loose.
Ale foam flew everywhere, boisterous laughter and cursing filled the air, and the bard even improvised a song praising the generous Lady Alice and Nanahoshi Shizuka.
The entire tavern became a sea of merriment.
When the servers joined forces to carry the first mouthwatering dish to the table, Linia of the Beastfolk was the first to leap from her seat. She raised her wooden mug high and shouted to everyone:
"All right! Before we dig in, let me ask something! What exactly are we celebrating today?"
"A major success in Silent's research!" Cui Ciyou answered with a smile.
"Oh, so that's it!" Realization dawned on Linia, and she immediately turned on the guest of honor. "Then get up, Silent! You give the opening toast!"
"Huh?"
Nanahoshi froze at being singled out so suddenly.
Under everyone's expectant gazes, especially the teasing looks from Linia and Pursena, she was practically forced to her feet. Her fidgeting and the reluctant expression that practically screamed "Why me?" made Cui Ciyou want to laugh.
No matter how mature or brilliant she acted, beneath all those layers of pretense, she really was just an ordinary high school girl.
Nanahoshi flushed crimson and stood there awkwardly for quite a while before finally forcing a few words through her teeth.
"...Thank you... so much for today."
Her voice was almost inaudible. As soon as she finished, she sat down and lifted her mug, drinking to hide her embarrassment.
But that was enough.
"Great! Well said!"
Linia didn't care what she'd actually said. She immediately took the lead in raising her mug. "All right, everyone! Cheers!"