Lost Sword story · Event story
In Search of the Finest Brew
3 scenes, 163 lines
1. In Search of the Finest Brew Ep.1
72 linesOn a peaceful afternoon, an unexpected guest arrived at the inn.
Hey there. Long time no see, everyone.
Come on, just eat the meat on your own plate! Why are you trying to take mine?!
This is my first meal today! I'm not giving this up!
E-Everyone, please calm down... There's still plenty of meat left!
So... Ran, what brings you here?
I've got a little job to ask of you.
A friend of mine supposedly hid the finest liquor in Britannia somewhere...
but I haven't been able to find it.
If you've got some time, how about going on a little adventure with me?
I'm sure the Swordbringer could track it down.
Wouldn't that be better suited for a mercenary or the intel guild?
Sure, we've been around a lot, but...
hunting down a single bottle of booze on a continent this size won't be easy.
That means it's gonna take ages to find it!
Sorry, but I'm gonna have to pass on this one.
We may look like we've got free time, but finding the Holy Sword comes first.
Hmm... That's a shame.
I was planning to share a drink with you once we found it.
After all, good booze tastes even better in good company, right?
Ethan...
Hmm? Is that so?
From what I heard, it's a rare liquor that's hard to find even in Britannia...
I bet it pairs perfectly with steak.
They say good alcohol really enhances the flavor of meat, after all.
...! So it makes meat taste even better?
Ethan! Let's depart right away!
No way! You eat like a beast even without alcohol!
Ran led Elizabeth into a vacant room in the inn.
Is something wrong?
Elizabeth... have you ever seen the Swordbringer drunk?
Huh? I don't think so... Ethan handles alcohol pretty well.
I knew it.
Then maybe now's the perfect chance.
If he drinks something unfamiliar, even he might get drunk.
I-I don't think that's necessary...
You know what they say, alcohol brings out the truth.
Aren't you curious?
A drunk Swordbringer might say all sorts of interesting things...
...!
And besides... I'm sure there's something you've been hoping to hear.
......
Come on already! What if someone else finds it first?!
Try being this enthusiastic during our actual adventures!
And I'm pretty sure Elizabeth wouldn't even want to...
Ethan. Let's get going.
Elizabeth?! You too?!
I-I just... got curious about what the liquor tastes like.
And sometimes a little change of pace can help us stay sharp on our journey, right?
......
Something seems fishy, but if even Elizabeth's onboard...
Fine, I give in!
So where is this legendary drink? If your friend hid it, there must be some kind of clue, right?
The place closest to the sun...? Ethan! Could it be...?!
Yeah. It hit me the moment I heard it.
The Tower of Oberon. If we're talking about somewhere near the sun, that's the only place it could be.
2. In Search of the Finest Brew Ep.5
55 linesWe began scouring every corner of the Tower of Oberon.
But the liquor Ran had mentioned was nowhere to be found.
Ran, what kind of person is this friend of yours?
It's just a bottle of booze, why go to such lengths to hide it?
He was a strange one from the very first time we met.
Are you the Swordmaster of this region?
Then how about a duel?
Back in my homeland, I was once known as a Swordmaster too.
Challenging someone you've just met to a duel?
Naturally, I assumed he just wanted to ride my fame for his own gain.
Impressive swordsmanship.
That was the most enjoyable bout I've had in a while.
......
But neither of us could land a decisive blow, not even by sunset.
We sheathed our swords and promised to settle it next time.
But a week passed... then a month... and still no winner.
As our blades continued to clash... we naturally grew closer.
This liquor... tastes awful.
You're just too young to appreciate it.
Give it time, you'll come to understand the depth and flavor.
Don't act all high and mighty when you've barely had a sip.
I've drunk hundreds more bottles than you!
We became friends before we even realized it.
We'd duel until dusk, then quench our thirst at the tavern at night...
I didn't know it at the time, but those were some of the best days I've had.
But that time didn't last.
......
Hey, what's with that look? Something wrong?
At some point, he started to grow fearful of something.
I asked him why, but he never answered, just kept drinking.
And eventually, he left town.
Ran, I had a great time with you.
......
Sorry. I don't think I'll be able to drink with you again.
There's somewhere I need to go, somewhere I must go.
But I've hidden my favorite bottle somewhere in Britannia.
If you ever find the time, try looking for it. I think you'll like it.
Why not just give it to me instead of hiding it?
Because it's the best drink in the world, you won't find it anywhere else.
And something that good... isn't any fun if it's just handed to you for free.
Heh... I suppose you've got a point. So, where'd you hide it?
Hmm... probably the place closest to the sun.
It might not make sense now, but someday, someone will understand what I mean.
And if you have trouble finding it alone... ask "him" for help.
Don't worry. I'll find it myself.
...And that's why I came to you, Swordbringer.
You and that guy... you remind me of each other.
......
...Tch. After hearing that, how am I supposed to walk away?
Alright then! Now that we've started, let's head straight to the top!
...Thanks.
3. In Search of the Finest Brew Ep.10
36 linesEventually, we made it to the very top of the tower.
We stepped through the door, and there it was. A suspicious-looking chest, practically begging to be a trap.
What are you waiting for, Ethan? Open it already!
Can't you tell just by looking? It's obviously a trap.
The real chest must be hidden somewhere else.
There's only one chest, you know.
No other doors, no hidden paths. This has to be the right one!
You're just saying that because you're too lazy to search properly! Obviously, it's concealed by magic or something!
Hurry up and scan for illusions!
Guys, p-please calm down!
......
Ran, who had been quietly observing the chaos, stepped forward.
Ran...? You're actually going to open it?
I just have a feeling...
He might've done a lot of unpredictable things, but his sword was always honest.
Ran opened the chest. I instinctively drew my sword, ready for battle.
But no monster appeared. Instead, Ran reached in and pulled out a single glass bottle.
...!
Is that... a toad?
What a cute label.
But... are we sure that's really the legendary drink Ran was looking for? It doesn't exactly scream "treasure."
A clear bottle filled with a clear liquid.
A cartoonish little toad on the label. And writing that looked suspiciously familiar.
No matter how you looked at it...
That is obviously soju!!
...It really is the best drink I've ever had.
I've tasted a lot over the years, but nothing quite like this.
Ran took a swig straight from the bottle.