Heck yeah!
Pretending to be drunk turned out to be the perfect way to act in a way without arousing suspicion.
I allowed myself to seem vulnerable, causing the Beastfolk females to swarm me in their numbers.
Fortunately, this action didnt attract any blame to me.
Maria and Freya directed their anger toward Gerards daughters, causing me to enjoy myself as much as I required.
Hehehe hehehe I gleefully smiled, enjoying the smoldering affection of the exotic women I was surrounded with.
It was shameful behavior, but my hormones had reached a precipice thanks to the Nirvana Wine.
Just for a while longer I tolerated its effects.
Sorry, Im late! A sharp cry echoed throughout the room, causing everyone to look in the direction of the entrance.
Uh?
The voice belonged to a kid with blue hair, eyes, and faded blue feet.
His familiar tone and outlook caused me to recognize the boy at first glance.
Hes the one I met at the pool!
Asa, what took you so long? Dont you know its rude to keep the guests waiting? Gerard went to speak to his tardy son.
I pretended to ignore the conversation in my drunken state, but my focus was on the interaction between father and son.
Is it rude, though? You never mentioned that before The child called Asa spoke in a disconcerting tone.
Haa this kid.
The exasperated Beast King murmured.
What took you so long, though? A blue-haired girl asked her son.
She was most likely his sister, considering he shared a lot of features with the lady.
Wheres the mother, though? Gerard had several wives, and they were all with us in the massive room.
However, I never spotted any Merfolk among the bunch.
It made me consider if the young-looking girl was actually his mother, but she was too young.
Then is his mother dead? That was the only explanation.
It took me some time to prepare.
A-and, I guess I was feeling a little uncomfortable.
Im fine now, though.
He replied quickly, trying his hardest to put up a bold front.
Regardless I could read him like a book.
Looks like its already starting.
***********************
Asa joined the dinner, which had already become a party at this point.
Gerards wives sang native songs with their melodic voices, and the children began dancing.
The daughters especially flocked around me while the men showed more moves as they followed the rhythm with their bodies.
It was like a festival, but smaller.
I noticed a few of the Beastfolk males approach Maria and Freya, only for them to be blatantly rejected.
Pfft I suppressed a laugh, happy they got turned down for some reason.
But, the funniest sight was spotting Gerard trying to hit on Serah with all he had.
I didnt know which was more hilarious; the fact that she was already into someone else, or that this was the worst time for him to make his move.
Serah simply ignored him and began downing booze in silence.
Once in a while, I would notice the girls glancing in my direction, but I pretended to be lost at the center of the Beastfolk cuties that swerved their bodies so seductively at me.
Hehehehe
I was not a womanizer.
This was simply the effect of the Wine I ingested.
Definitely!
And so, even as the night proceeded to be very wonderfulat least for the majority of those presentI made sure to keep my eyes on a particular individual.
Asa isnt dancing any longer.
His face is twitching.
His body is slightly throbbing.
Hes holding it in quite well.
But sooner or later
Just like clockwork, the festive atmosphere was interrupted by a sharp cry.
ARRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
It was bloodcurdling, and the intensity instantly shook everyone present.
Our attention sharply moved in the direction of the agonizing boy who was writhing in pain and screaming.
His Body twisted and turned on the ground as he cried.
Mana Overload at such a young age.
Its both impressive and disastrous
The girls who all flocked at me immediately ran toward their sibling.
Their worried expressionsespecially the blue-haired oneshowed how much they loved and pitied the poor kid.
Serah glanced at me, but I ignored her.
She wants me to cure him.
But, not yet
Jared Leonard! Please my son! Please cure him as well.
Gerard cried bitterly, looking at me for salvation.
I expected this outcome.
Ever since my encounter with the kid at the pool, it was very obvious that he didnt have much longer to live.
His delay in arriving at the party alerted me of a mild episode that must have occurred to him before he made an appearance.
Asa, this kids absorption rate is too fast.
His body was also not too built to handle the intensity of Mana Overload.
That meant even more pain and a shorter lifespan.
If left unchecked, he would probably die within five years.
Tragic I looked in the direction of Gerard.
Many eyes were on me at this point, and most people would have compromised as a result of the pressure.
But, I was different!
Did the child not deliver my message to you? I asked with a cold gaze.
I understood the pain of a father, but I wasnt an idiot either.
He wants to garner my pity or curry my favor, so I can spare his family
Apparently, the Beast King wasnt as stupid as I picked him out to be.
B-but, he is only a child! Gerard returned my question with words.
For a moment, there was silence pervading the roomwell, except for the obvious cries of the agonizing boy.
That wasnt silence, after all.
Many would consider me the villain.
A child was screaming in horrifying agony, yet I was doing nothing about it despite having the means.
Even the expressions of Freya and Maria had morphed from mere surprise to slight fear and rejection.
If this stops them from having feelings for me, then thats even better.
My focus was on Gerard and the statement he had just made.
There was only one response suitable for such an assertion.
And?
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