My Computer Leads to an Instance Dungeon-Chapter 85 - 83: A Night of Revelry, and—Heresy

"I couldn’t sleep, so I waited for you here."

"Please, come into the tavern and tell us how dangerous the battle in the mine was!" Ande said.

Fang Zhen nodded.

He dismounted Jue Ying, grabbed his gear bag, and walked into the Redstone Tavern under the admiring gazes and cheers of the townspeople.

After entering the tavern, Fang Zhen chose a table.

He, Ande, and Matthew sat at the table. The others were considerate enough not to intrude.

Quade, however, was pulled over to an adjacent table by some acquaintances the moment he walked in.

The other patrons were dying to know how Fang Zhen had taken back the mine, but they were too intimidated by him to ask.

They weren’t afraid of Quade, though. They immediately pulled him over, plied him with drinks, and had him recount how they overcame the hardships in the mine and annihilated the Kobolds.

Quade, who had rarely been the center of attention, was both excited and shy. He stammered a little as he spoke, recounting the adventure in a straightforward manner. He clearly didn’t know how to embellish a story, sticking strictly to the facts.

This only added to the authenticity of his tale, however. When he got to the thrilling parts, the surrounding patrons would gasp, their excitement mounting, and urge him to keep going.

Fang Zhen’s table, by comparison, was much quieter.

The matron of the Redstone family brought over six large wooden mugs at once. Whether it was a skill born from long practice was anyone’s guess, but though the mugs looked ready to topple, her grip was rock-steady.

The matron placed the six large wooden mugs on their table.

"Six mugs of Ruska Wine. Just say the word if you need more. Unlimited refills."

"Ha, just like I said, if you could help Redstone Town take back the mine, I’d provide free food and drink until you’ve had your fill," the matron said, her face beaming with a warm smile.

"Thank you."

Fang Zhen smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

He picked up a mug of Ruska Wine. Its sweet aroma and pale, milky-white color were very inviting.

’I brought some anti-diarrhea medicine, so my stomach should be fine, right?’ he thought.

He smiled, raised the mug, and took a sip of the Otherworld beverage he had been wanting to try.

One sip was all it took for Fang Zhen’s eyes to light up with surprise.

Ruska Wine was incredibly smooth. It had a milky aroma, and by some unknown method, it was carbonated. The texture was something like a milky beer, but with a fresher, more fragrant quality.

It reminded him of the taste of a freshly brewed kvass he had once had.

Long ago, Fang Zhen had tried the kind of kvass sold in convenience stores—the drink often called "liquid bread"—and had assumed that was what authentic kvass tasted like.

It wasn’t until a trip to Harbin, where his host chose a Russian restaurant adapted for the palates of Xia Country People but using authentic ingredients, that he ordered a pitcher of freshly brewed kvass.

At the time, he’d figured it would just taste like the stuff from the plastic bottles, maybe a little fresher at best, and didn’t pay it much mind.

But when it arrived and he took a sip, his entire perception of the drink was overturned.

It turned out that freshly brewed kvass tasted nothing like the bottled version. It had a sweet, fragrant flavor similar to rice wine mixed with dairy, and it was far more delicate and delicious.

That trip had taught Fang Zhen that to experience authentic local specialties, it was best to go to the source. Otherwise, your palate could be deceived for years without you ever knowing it.

Now, feeling the delicate texture of the Ruska Wine in his mouth, Fang Zhen couldn’t help but recall that experience.

"Very good." Fang Zhen paused, then raised his mug and drained it in one go.

After downing the entire mug of Ruska Wine, he let out a long, satisfied breath, feeling the pleasure of a wish fulfilled.

The alcohol content of Ruska Wine wasn’t high, about the same as beer. His tolerance was more than enough to handle it.

Over at the other table, Quade was describing the part where they used Molotov cocktails to burn the Kobolds in the mine. Although Quade’s telling was plain, the event itself was thrilling, drawing gasps from the patrons.

Ande and Matthew were also listening with rapt attention as they drank their wine.

Seeing Fang Zhen finish his drink, Ande raised his mug with a look of admiration. "To your valor, my lord."

"You are a valiant Warrior," Father Matthew said, also raising his mug.

Fang Zhen nodded, picked up another mug, and clinked it against theirs.

Two mugs of Ruska Wine later, Fang Zhen felt a bit closer to Father Matthew and Ande.

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside.

Before long, someone outside shouted, "Fast-legged Ethan is back!"

"He says the Kobolds in the mine are really all dead!"

"We’ve taken back the mine!"

Hearing this news, even the most reserved and cautious people of Redstone Town outside erupted in cheers.

Ande had been listening with pricked ears. Upon hearing the shouts from outside, he visibly let out a sigh of relief, as if a great weight had finally been lifted from his mind.

Matthew, however, looked slightly surprised and re-examined Fang Zhen with a scrutinizing gaze.

Fang Zhen took in both Ande’s and Matthew’s reactions.

Matthew and Ande also drank their second mug of Ruska Wine.

Ande was fine, but Matthew’s face was flushed. He didn’t seem to hold his liquor well.

"Alright, it looks like tonight will be a night of celebration, but it might not be for us," Fang Zhen said suddenly. "There are some things that we three need to discuss in a quiet place."

Ande froze for a moment.

Matthew, however, nodded slightly, as if he had been expecting this.

"There’s an inn upstairs at the Redstone family. We can talk there," Matthew said.

Fang Zhen nodded.

He stood up and spoke to the matron.

"The Town Mayor, the Priest, and I have something to discuss. Give us a room upstairs," Fang Zhen said.