Chapter 17: The Old Drunkard of the Mountain...

Claws walked calmly through the trees.

Nox lounged on the bear’s back as if he were lying in a recliner.

Audrey sat in front of him.

And Tessa... 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Was still tied up like a package, her arms restrained and Nox’s underwear still stuffed into her mouth.

"Mmph."

The inquisitor made an annoyed noise.

Nox decided to ignore her.

He was far too busy thinking about something much more important.

"...Those wolf squirrels were incredible."

Audrey looked at him.

"The ones I cooked?"

Nox nodded immediately.

"Yeah."

He adjusted himself on Claws’ back.

"In my previous life, I never would’ve eaten something like that."

Audrey looked curious.

"Were they really that good?"

"Audrey."

Nox raised a finger.

"With my father’s money, I’d open an entire restaurant dedicated exclusively to that dish."

She let out a small laugh.

"That exaggerated?"

"It would be a massive success."

Nox nodded with complete confidence.

"We’d have lines stretching for miles."

Audrey shook her head.

Then she looked at Tessa.

The inquisitor was still trying to spit out the underwear.

Without success.

"Mmph."

Audrey smiled.

"Was it really necessary to feed that bitch?"

Nox raised an eyebrow.

"Of course."

"Why?"

"Because I made a deal."

He pointed at his chest.

"I’m a man of my word."

Then he remembered something.

"Or a demon of my word."

He thought for a few seconds.

"...I think that’s basically the same thing."

Audrey laughed again.

"I would’ve preferred not giving her anything. She didn’t deserve it."

She looked at Tessa.

"But fine."

Nox nodded.

"If we hadn’t given her food..."

He pointed at the inquisitor.

"...she’d be even more unbearable."

"Mmph?!"

Audrey thought about it.

Then nodded.

"...You have a point."

Tessa looked offended.

Which only made Nox smile even more.

◇◆◇

The forest gradually began to thin out.

The trees became less and less dense.

And eventually...

They emerged onto a mountain path.

Night had already fallen completely.

Claws continued walking at a slow pace.

Until Nox noticed something.

"...Huh."

He sat up.

And pointed to the side.

Between the mountain’s stone walls was an opening.

A cave.

And inside...

A faint orange glow could be seen.

Like the light of a campfire.

Audrey noticed it as well.

"Looks like someone’s there."

Nox smiled.

"That means a roof."

"And probably trouble."

That was also true.

Audrey looked at his demonic face.

"...You’d better cover up."

Nox made a face.

"I don’t really like that idea."

He remembered the bark mask.

"But I also don’t want to get into trouble again."

Audrey nodded.

"Exactly."

◇◆◇

A few minutes later.

The four of them arrived at the cave entrance.

The firelight illuminated the interior.

And there they found its sole occupant.

An elderly man.

Completely bald.

Sitting beside the fire.

Wrapped in an enormous white hide.

A hide Nox immediately recognized.

"...Is that from a four-armed bear?"

Claws recognized it too.

And looked slightly offended.

The old man was warming his feet by the fire as though nothing in the world could possibly concern him.

Then he spoke.

"Who’s there?"

His voice sounded old.

But firm.

"Choose your answer carefully."

Nox remained still.

The old man continued.

"I may be blind."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"But I’m not deaf."

Nox blinked.

Then put away the piece of cloth he had been planning to use to cover himself.

"...Well."

He climbed off Claws’ back.

And walked forward.

"We come in peace."

The old man listened carefully.

"We’re one man."

He pointed at himself.

"Two women."

He pointed at Audrey and Tessa.

’Or one and a half women, depending on how you look at it...’

"Mmph?!"

"And one pet."

Claws growled.

Nox ignored the offense.

"We’re looking for somewhere to spend the night."

The old man remained silent.

Then he answered.

"There isn’t enough room."

Nox blinked.

"Huh?"

"There isn’t enough room for that many people."

Audrey immediately grabbed her bow.

And an arrow made of dark energy appeared between her fingers.

The old man slightly turned his head toward her.

Even though he was blind.

It felt like he was looking directly at her.

"Put that down."

His voice became a little harsher.

"Unless you want trouble."

Audrey narrowed her eyes.

Dark energy continued flowing through the arrow.

Nox sighed.

"...Audrey."

She didn’t respond.

"Not everything is solved with violence."

The hunter finally lowered her bow.

Though she looked rather disappointed.

Nox turned back toward the old man.

"Sir."

"What?"

"We have food."

The old man snorted.

"Not interested."

Nox blinked.

"You’re not?"

"No."

The old man adjusted the hide over his shoulders.

"I already had dinner."

He looked toward the fire.

"I can smell food better than any of you."

Nox blinked again.

"That’s strange."

"I can also take care of myself."

The demon fell into thought.

That complicated things.

Then he had an idea.

A wonderful idea.

An idea born from wisdom.

And alcohol.

Nox smiled.

"...In that case."

He reached into his bag and pulled out a bottle.

"We have alcohol."

A huge smile appeared on the old man’s wrinkled face.

"...Alcohol?"

Nox raised the bottle.

The firelight shone through the glass.

"The good stuff."

The old man stood up so fast he almost seemed like a different person.

"Why didn’t you say so sooner?"

Audrey blinked.

Nox smiled victoriously.

The old man spread both arms wide.

"You are most welcome."

He gestured toward the entire cave.

And solemnly declared:

"...To my grand residence."

Nox uncorked the bottle with one of his knives.

He had found another alcoholic.

But this time, it was one willing to give them a place to spend the cold mountain night.