Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

Chapter 2005: Drinking Game

The mermaids and mermen quickly set about their tasks.

Soon, Eren found himself seated comfortably inside a large white gazebo in the middle of the palace garden.

The soft sounds of the nighttime filled the air—chirps, artificial streams of flowing water, and a gentle breeze that carried the scent of the ocean.

The three moons of Labh Salem—one full, one half, and one a slim crescent—hung over the starry sky, bathing everything in a magical silver glow.

Behind Eren, the merfolk maids stood quietly, ready to serve if needed.

On the table were bottles of fine wine and strong liquors, many of them brewed specially from ranked sea herbs and rare fruits. Some of these drinks were so potent that even an S-Rank entity would feel their heads spin if they weren't careful.

Eren leaned back in his chair, holding a glass of shimmering wine in his hand. Reen sat close beside him, practically glowing with happiness.

Azurea leaned lazily on the chair's armrest. Marina sipped her own drink.

The soft night breeze flowed through the palace garden.

Eren leaned back on his cushioned seat under the gazebo, a glass of dark liquor in hand, while Reen was already busy placing more orders.

"I want that grilled beast meat! And that spicy stew too! Oh, and bring me the roasted sea crabs!" she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. The merfolk maids bowed and hurried to follow her orders, familiar by now with the young demoness's enthusiasm for food.

Soon, the table was filled with a small mountain of side dishes and main courses. Reen didn't waste any time. She dove in with a fork in one hand and a wine glass in the other, alternating bites and sips happily.

Her habits as a former slime-type demon beasts were on display at this point. She enjoyed devouring anything that made her feel happy.

Eren chuckled lightly, watching her for a moment before turning his attention back to the drinks laid out before him.

Shir was not only a demigod but also the head of the Raashim Temple. He was an avatar of a bonafide Immortal. He had money and reach. As such, his liquor collection was full of rare wonders. There were all kinds of regional specialties brought from different corners of Labh Salem.

Eren poured himself small measures of each one, tasting them carefully.

"Hmm. This one's a bit too sweet," he commented, swirling the clear blue liquor in his glass. Even though the drink was not to his liking, he liked the act of drinking itself. After all, it had been quite some time since he last had one.

"This one has a good kick," Marina said, taking a sip from another bottle and nodding with approval.

Azurea shrugged after trying one. "Not strong enough. Feels like drinking water." Of course, Azurea didn't know much about the liquors. However, she didn't want to come across as immature by not saying anything.

"Keke. Who are you kidding? Don't say anything you don't mean, your immature lizard."

Eren laughed and mocked Azurea for her inexperience even though he agreed with her partly. After trying a few more, he finally reached for something special.

"Well… if you really want something strong, I might have something that you like."

He pulled out a polished flask from his storage space. A stylized white raven was carved into it. He uncorked it, and immediately a strong, rich aroma spread in the air, making both Marina and Azurea's noses twitch in surprise.

"This," Eren said casually, "is the White Raven Ale. I made it back in my homeworld."

He poured the golden liquid into three glasses and handed them to Marina and Azurea. The drink sparkled faintly under the moonlight, looking almost magical.

For the twin dragons, he had brought out the highest grade of the White Raven Ale.

Marina took a careful sip and immediately smiled brightly.

"Mmm, this is really good!" she said, genuinely impressed. "It's rich but smooth... and the aftertaste is clean!"

Azurea took a sip as well, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as she judged it.

After a few moments, she simply nodded and said, "Not bad."

Eren chuckled at her typical prideful attitude, not minding it at all. He leaned back, taking a long sip from his own glass, letting the taste settle on his tongue. He was reminded of his guild back in Afang when the White Raven Ale was gulped down, bringing a light smile to his face.

After cleaning off the last dish and downing her final glass of wine, Reen leaned back in her chair with a satisfied sigh.

Even though she had eaten so much, her Immortal Spirit body didn't show any signs of "overload". The mortals would have envied her talents in devouring food without consequences if they were present at the scene.

"Erni, I'm going to explore the rest of the city!" Reen declared, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She still had many things to check out in her to-do list.

Eren just smiled and gave her a casual nod.

"Don't get anyone into trouble," he said lightly. He wasn't worried about her but those who were in the vicinity. Although she was a well-behaved Artifact Spirit, she still had many of her demonic lineage tendencies.

"Of course not!" Reen replied, sticking her tongue out playfully before vanishing from her seat like a ghost, leaving behind only the scent of her wine.

Eren chuckled and turned his gaze back to Marina and Azurea, who were still nursing their drinks.

"Well," Eren said, stretching his arms above his head lazily, "since it's just the three of us now, how about a little game?"

Marina raised an eyebrow in interest while Azurea narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"A drinking game," Eren added with a smirk. "You two will form one team. I'll be alone on the other side."

Azurea immediately frowned.

"Hmmm? That's not fair. You're by yourself. We're two people. Even if we win, it won't feel satisfying. Are… are you looking down on us?" she pointed out.

Eren chuckled again and leaned forward.

"Kekeke. Don't worry about it. Even though I'm a Grandmaster and you two are S-Ranks, my liquor tolerance is ten times stronger than yours," he said confidently.

Azurea snorted.

"Yeah, right. You're just bragging and looking down on us. Just because you… anyway. You are definitely looking down on us."

Marina chuckled quietly beside her, clearly amused.

Azurea shook her head, refusing to believe it. In her eyes, Eren was still just an A-Ranker, even if he had done some amazing things.

And the liquor left on the table was potent, brewed to match S-Rank constitutions. Plus, there were two of them and only one of him.

There was no way he could outdrink them.

Eren leaned back and gave a sly grin.

"I'll make it more interesting. If I lose, you don't have to marry me anymore," he said casually.

Marina blinked in surprise. Azurea's expression immediately shifted into a scowl.

"Who said we agreed to marry you in the first place?" Azurea snapped.

"It was decided when you chose to live rather than die by my hands," Eren said smoothly. "Anyway. Think of this as a way to get to know me better. A warm-up."

He tapped the table lightly.

"But if I win… both of you have to share the same wedding night with me. Together."

Azurea's face turned red in anger and embarrassment.

Marina looked at Eren, then at her younger sister. She found herself strangely curious.

She hadn't had a real chance to know this man who had already shaken the very foundation of Labh Salem.

"I agree," Marina said with a small, mischievous smile.

Azurea stared at her elder sister in disbelief.

"Sis!"

Marina only smiled warmly.

"It's just a drinking game, Azurea. And we'll win anyway, right? After all, the odds are not in his favour. And if we win, you can choose not to marry him."

Azurea gritted her teeth but couldn't find a good reason to back out. She also didn't want to appear like a coward, especially not in front of Eren.

"Tch. Fine. You're on," she said grudgingly.

Eren grinned wider, reaching for a bottle.

"Keke.All right, the rules are simple," Eren said, lifting his glass.

"We take turns drinking. No using Skills to weaken the liquor. No healing abilities either. Whoever passes out or admits defeat first, loses."

Marina nodded gracefully. Azurea crossed her arms, looking stubborn.

"And if we tie?" Marina asked.

"Then we drink until there's no tie," Eren said, flashing a grin.

Azurea scoffed.

"This is going to be over fast. Get ready to pass out, you cocky man."

"We'll see," Eren chuckled.

The first toast was made. Three glasses clinked lightly, and they all drank.

The liquor was sharp, strong enough to make even Marina's and Azurea's eyes blink rapidly for a second.

Eren set his glass down with a relaxed sigh, acting like he had just drunk water.

Marina wiped her lips with the back of her hand, smiling. Azurea thudded her glass on the table and glared at Eren, waiting for signs of weakness.

But Eren just poured the next round calmly.