Vol 2 Chapter 56 – The Drunken Knight【Vol 2 – The Condemned Knight Edition】

“You were a great help today.”

Eleonora said to Erik, who was sitting next to her, as she took a sip of her drink.

A few days after the Klet Laboy incident, they were sharing a drink in a quiet tavern.

Just as Klet had claimed, Eleonora acting on her own to condemn him had become a bit of an issue. However, once his crimes of slave trading and bribery came to light, both Eleonora and Erik were exonerated.

In fact, Debora had praised her for it, only to then get angry and ask why she wasn’t invited.

As an aside, Erik, on that occasion, was caught in the ‘Spoiled Princess’s’ explosive tantrum with a smile on his face.

Eleonora wasn’t one for drinking with colleagues, and she rarely went out for drinks even with fellow knights, but today was special.

Part of the reason was that she had figured out that Erik wasn’t the kind of man who would try to take advantage of her if she got drunk.

But more than that, she was happy.

“The Altruistic Charity Hero, the ‘Guardian’… You truly live up to your titles.”

Thanks in part to the alcohol, Eleonora’s cheeks were faintly flushed as she spoke softly, giving her an indescribable allure.

She had taken off her bulky armor, revealing a shapely, feminine figure.

If men were to see her now, many would surely invite her for a drink.

Fortunately, the place they were drinking was respectable, and no one dared to interrupt them with Erik present.

“No, I didn’t do much…”

“Don’t be so modest. Your actions are worthy of praise.”

The great evil Natan had told her about.

If Erik had truly been a ‘Berserker’ type of person, she would have had to punish him.

But after spending the day with him, it was clear Erik was no such person.

Natan can be wrong sometimes, too, Eleonora thought.

At the same time, she was glad from the bottom of her heart that she didn’t have to punish Erik.

“…But you really hold your liquor well.”

“Yes, I can handle a fair bit.”

Erik, who should have been drinking as much as she had, wasn’t even red in the face and seemed completely normal.

His partner, Miriam, had already succumbed to the drink and was sleeping soundly on his lap.

Eleonora propped her elbow on the table and peered at Erik’s face.

Unlike her usual self, it seemed she had loosened up a bit.

As a result, the deep cleavage of her chest was peeking out from her slightly loosened collar.

But Erik didn’t glance at it once, only offering a wry smile.

And for that, Eleonora’s opinion of him rose even higher.

“But you were amazing too, Eleonora-san. You rushed to help anyone in need.”

“Fufu. It’s only natural for a knight of justice.”

Even after Miriam had helped a child and Erik had apprehended a ruffian, they had found various people in trouble while on patrol.

Each time, Eleonora went straight to the scene and did her best to do something for the people.

And her independent investigation and cornering of Klet Laboy, putting aside the extreme methods, was truly for the good of the people.

“…Yes, I fight for justice. Never for myself… And I will continue to do so, for the powerless common folk…”

Eleonora’s soft whisper did not reach Erik’s ears.

“By the way, Eleonora-san, are you a knight of the Royal Castle?”

Erik asked, something having occurred to him.

With a knight as beautiful as she was, it wouldn’t be strange for there to be rumors, but he, who had been frequently dragged to the Royal Castle by Debora lately, had never once heard a rumor about her.

“No. I belong to a certain knightly order in the provinces. I’m currently on dispatch under Natan-sama.”

“Is that so?”

“The knights of the Royal Capital need strength, after all. …And a noble spirit.”

“In terms of strength, you’re more than sufficient, having taken on so many Gray Guild members at once without a scratch. And as for a noble spirit, you have no problem there either, Eleonora-san.”

Erik took a drink and smiled brightly.

Thinking of how Eleonora had run all over the Royal Capital for the people, her sense of justice and kind spirit were no less than that of his acquaintance, Alfred.

“…I wonder about that.”

However, Eleonora didn’t nod easily, her brows furrowing with a hint of sadness.

“Whether I am worthy of being a knight… I have my doubts.”

“I don’t think that’s true…”

Looking at Eleonora’s face, Erik found himself unable to speak so carelessly.

Seeing her somewhat detached expression, he felt that anything he said would be meaningless.

Besides, the fact that she had killed all the Gray Guild members and Klet was another reason he held his tongue.

Should I say something tactless here and make her angry?

But somehow, I can’t shake the feeling that no matter what foolish thing I say, Eleonora won’t get angry, but will just look sad.

I’m all for being driven to a situation where I’m crying and screaming, but I don’t feel like actively making others cry, so I’ll keep my mouth shut.

“…Fufu, I’m sorry. I’ve made you worry.”

“No…”

Eleonora smiled faintly, probably thinking that Erik was worried about her.

For the record, she was mistaken.

“But it’s okay. I’ll do my best as a knight of justice from now on.”

“…I see.”

Seeing Eleonora’s smile, Erik probably thought he didn’t need to worry and smiled back.

“So, I’ll be counting on you again tomorrow. For the sake of the Royal Capital, for the sake of the people, let’s give it our all.”

“Yes.”

Erik and Eleonora clinked their glasses together and downed the alcohol that had been poured inside.

“Ngh, mmm… Erik… being reckless again…”

Miriam shifted on Erik’s lap.

She had a very troubled expression, her brow deeply furrowed.

“Fufu. It seems Erik-san is working hard even in Miriam-san’s dreams.”

“Honestly… what am I even doing?”

If something is happening that makes Miriam worry, I’d love to enter her dream.

So he thought, but unfortunately, he didn’t possess a skill like an incubus.

“Shall we call it a night? We have things to do tomorrow, after all.”

“You’re right. I need to get Miriam into a proper bed…”

Saying that, Erik began to wake Miriam up.

The sight was very endearing to Eleonora.

Just then, she noticed that there was still some of Erik’s drink left.

He seemed to be having trouble waking Miriam, so it didn’t look like he’d have a chance to drink it.

“I’ll have this, then.”

“Ah, that’s…”

She swiftly picked up the glass and gulped down the contents.

Normally, Eleonora would mind drinking from someone else’s glass, but feeling tipsy and a bit bold, she didn’t mind at all.

“Puhaa… Now then, let’s get going… shall we… huh?”

After generously finishing the drink, Eleonora stood up briskly, but her vision began to sway violently.

Was it poisoned? she wondered through her hazy consciousness, but she couldn’t imagine Erik would do such a thing.

Besides, he drank from the same glass, didn’t he?

Then why…?

“That one’s a bit strong…”

The drink Erik had been having was called ‘Dwarf-Slayer’.

It was a prized liquor in taverns visited by dwarves, a famously heavy-drinking race, because a single cup could knock even them out cold.

Eleonora, who could drink a normal amount but was no match for a dwarf, was hit hard by even less than half a cup.

Erik muttered a belated warning, but Eleonora was already drunk and stumbling.

“Aaaah…?”

“Ah, Eleonora-san. You should sit down for a moment…”

Erik called out to the swaying Eleonora.

He placed Miriam’s head on a chair and stood up himself, placing a hand on Eleonora’s shoulder.

…Just then, Eleonora suddenly lost her balance and threw her entire weight onto Erik.

He had also just stood up and wasn’t properly balanced, so no matter how light she was, he was thrown off-kilter.

He swayed, about to slowly fall to the ground.

But this Hero doesn’t fall for nothing.

Hmph…

If a drunk person falls, they might not be able to break their fall properly.

Eleonora might be able to since she’s a knight, but since she’s a woman, it’s better to plan for the worst.

And so, Erik decided to be the one on the bottom.

To sacrifice himself to save her, a true Altruistic Charity Hero.

It’s fine, since no one knows he’s just a Grade-A masochist.

“Kya!?”

And just like that, the two of them tumbled to the floor with a thud.

“Mmm… that huuuurts…”

Eleonora, who had never once complained during even the most grueling training or combat, was now quite honest due to the alcohol, her eyes welling with tears as she grumbled.

“Ngh… something’s squirming…”

A strange sensation in her lower body.

When Eleonora turned her hazy eyes downward…

“Guh… gho, hwa…!”

Erik’s face was underneath her.

He was being thoroughly sat on by Eleonora’s sizable rear.

“Huh? What are you doing down there?”

“Fugu… fugoa…!”

Erik tried to answer Eleonora’s question, but his mouth was completely covered, so he couldn’t say a thing.

As a result of cushioning her fall with his body, he had somehow ended up in the advanced position of a face-ride.

“Sheesh… Erik-san, are you a pervert? If you are, I’ll have to condemn you… But… you helped the people, so I’ll forgive you.”

Eleonora giggled, “ehehe”.

It was probably a cute sight, but unfortunately, all Erik could see was underwear and thighs at extremely close range.

Indeed, what he could see was likely a magnificent view.

Normally, she was wrapped in stiff armor with a prim and proper personality that showed no openings, so one wouldn’t normally get to see things from this angle.

Furthermore, the plump sensation of flesh and body heat were more than enough to excite any man.

However, unfortunately for Erik, he was not excited by the sight.

First, because his sexual preference was fully committed to the M-side.

And second…

Guh, can’t… breathe…!

He was suffocating and had no leeway to enjoy the spectacular view.

Eleonora’s backside was covering not only his mouth but also his nose, and the lack of oxygen was making his eyes flicker.

(Suffocation… it’s quite a painful experience, isn’t it…!)

For the record, Erik was enjoying it.

However, his body, trying to stay alive, instinctively tried to take in oxygen, causing him to grunt and snort.

“Ah! Ahaha, that tickles. Mmm… and it’s so warm…”

Perhaps barely aware that she was sitting on Erik’s face, Eleonora laughed like a child.

She showed no sign of moving.

“Um… ma’am. Perhaps you should get off him soon…”

A waiter, unable to watch any longer, tried to throw him a lifeline, but Eleonora didn’t notice.

“Hmph… if you misbehave, this is what you get!”

“Ugh!?”

Calling it a punishment, Eleonora put her entire weight on her rear.

Naturally, the strain on Erik’s neck, which was taking the full force, was tremendous…

(Hmph… Death by suffocation. I’ve always wanted to experience it at least once.)

Erik lost consciousness with a satisfied smile on his face.

It’s an aside that Miriam would wake up and scream her head off afterward.