Drinking Contest (Start)

I'm Gomez. Head of the pirates.

Being a pirate is an honorable job that protects the peace of this town. We have dealings with the noble who rules this place, and we pirates serve directly under him.

So I'm kinda important. Which means I can do as I please.

One day, after finishing a job as usual, I was drinking with my underlings at the commercial guild when a well-groomed woman walked in. Listening in a bit, I picked up that she'd come to sell some liquor.

"Oi! Booze, huh! I'll buy it! I was just looking for some."

She said she'd sell three bottles.

But when I looked, it was Solasidor apple wine. Weak, sweet stuff.

I didn't need it. Still, I said I'd buy it, so I had to follow through.

I'd have liked to tell her to hand it all over for free, but with the commercial guild watching, some money had to change hands.

So one copper a bottle should be fine, right?

Seriously, bringing that crap in — reflect on your choices.

And hey, you get the honor of having sold to me. Be grateful.

Yeah, that's right. And maybe you can show some repentance with that body of yours while you're at it.

"Hey, Gomez!! Disputes between guild members are forbidden!"

"Aw, what's the harm. I heard you say lotion, too. You're the one using it, right? I'll keep you company."

When I tried to grab her shoulder, my hand swiped empty air.

… Huh?

"Heh. If you wanna buy me, bring 100 gold coins, you drunk."

What is she going on about — 100 gold coins? Oh, I must've misheard. She probably meant 100 silvers.

Damn, she sure wants to sell herself high, huh?

"One hundred, huh? Well, if you become my woman, I might consider it."

If she satisfies me, I'll pay up.

But the woman just snorted at my generous offer.

"Aw, come on, Staff-san. If he gets mad over this, he's admitting his capacity is small, right? A big-hearted person wouldn't take it personally. Hm? Are you saying there's someone that small here?"

"… … N-no, that's not—!"

The staffer looked over at me awkwardly.

Hey, are you saying I'm small!?

While I graciously ignored the brat's babbling, it seemed the guild decided to buy up the liquor instead.

Tch. The brat doesn't understand how the world works. If she'd just offered up the booze to me, she could've become my woman.

"So with that, please purchase the booze from the guild instead, okay? Um, what was your name again… Gomen-desu-sanSorry-san?"

"Haaaah!? The hell did you say!"

Did she just get my name wrong!? Damn brat, looking down on me!

I signaled my men with a hand gesture: ambush her later.

It's fine. We'll just truss her up like usual and load her onto a ship. Easy.

Then I can try her for the crime of 'attempting to launch an illegal merchant ship' and do as I please!

Execution, obviously — no wait! I'll strip her of everything and sell her off to a brothel near the slums!

That is, assuming she lives long enough for me to bother selling her.

"Silence, cur."

!?

She glared at me and my whole body froze up. M-my legs won't move!?

Don't tell me — I'm being intimidated!?

She snorted and looked away, and my legs moved again.

Could this brat actually be dangerous…!?

"Now then, Gomen-desu-san? How about we have a little contest here? A drinking contest sounds about right. I hear some good liquor just came in."

!

Fool. I've never lost a drinking contest.

"A contest!? Fine, I'll take that fight! A pirate's done for if he lets himself be looked down on!"

"Loser pays! If I lose, I'll pay with my body!! I can even swear it to the gods!"

"Bring it on!"

I signaled my men again.

To arrange something special in the booze.