CHAPTER 146: BATTLE OF THE SCARLET ROSE INN

A moment ago, inside the bar of the Scarlet Rose Inn, a male elf was sitting on a chair, his elbows resting on the table in front of him.

He was the attendant of Princess Alisa and an Elven knight, leading the guards protecting the princess.

His name was Rufus. He had green hair, a pointed nose, and sharp, green eyes. His face was angular and handsome, with a strong jawline. He wore a black robe, and a sword hung at his waist.

And a big cup made of glass was put on the table, containing the drink called ’Scarlet’ by the name of the bar.

"Umm, I’m not sure about the taste. Is this really tasty?"

He tilted his head, a bit hesitant.

"What are you saying? Of course, it is. It’s my specialty after all." The bartender answered, smiling proudly.

"If you say so," Rufus replied, and took a sip from the cup.

’Mmm, it is sweet, and I can feel the heat of the alcohol in my body.’

The liquid slid down his throat, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake.

’I feel so refreshed and relieved after drinking it,’ he thought, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol. ’But it isn’t as good as the ones I tasted in the Royal capital.’

"Hey, elf, what do you think of the drink?" The bartender asked, his tone curious.

"I like it," Rufus answered, his expression serious. "But, I’ve tasted better."

"What?! Better than mine? That’s impossible."

The bartender’s eyes widened in shock, his face turning red with anger.

"Yes, I’ve tasted the best ones. There is no way a human like you can make better ones than the ones from the Elves." Rufus said, his voice filled with confidence.

"Oh yeah? Well, let’s have a drink-off then."

"Huh? A drink-off?"

"That’s right. Let’s see who can drink more without getting drunk." The bartender challenged, his expression challenging.

"Alright, I accept your challenge." Rufus replied, his expression determined. ’Heh, as if a normal human can drink more than a knight elf.’ he thought.

"Ha ha, let’s get started then," the bartender exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Bring it on," Rufus declared, his gaze fierce.

With that, the two men began their competition, each determined to outdrink the other.

And as the contest went on, the number of empty glasses on the table grew.

"Damn, how much can you drink?" Rufus muttered, his face flushed from the alcohol.

"I could ask the same to you," the bartender retorted, his tone slightly slurred.

"Heh, this is nothing. I’ve drunk more in the Royal Capital."

"Tch, I’m not even halfway through." The bartender snorted, his eyes glinting with determination.

"I bet you can’t even drink one more glass." Rufus challenged, his expression daring.

"Just watch me," the bartender replied, a smirk on his face.

With that, both of them picked up the last glasses on the table, ready to finish the competition.

’Shit, I’m starting to feel dizzy. I’m not sure if I can drink this.’ Rufus muttered in his mind.

"On the count of three, we’ll drink this last glass," the bartender declared, his voice firm.

"Fine by me," Rufus answered, his tone slightly unsteady.

"One, two, three."

Right after he finished counting, the bartender gulped down the contents of the glass, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

Rufus watched him, as the bartender finished the glass and slammed it on the table.

"I did it," the bartender exclaimed, his tone victorious.

"But... You still haven’t drunk your last glass," he said, pointing at the half-empty glass in Rufus’s hands.

Rufus chuckled, closing his eyes.

’Seems like I lost. I don’t think I can drink this. I still have to be in my right mind for the princess’ safety. Guess I will surrender this one.’ he thought.

"Well, well, looks like the elf can’t keep up with the human," the bartender mocked, a smug expression on his face.

"Heh, who would have thought that a human can outdrink an elf," Rufus remarked, his tone light-hearted.

"That’s what you get for challenging me," the bartender declared, a proud expression on his face.

"Oh well, you wi—" Just as Rufus was going declare his loss, he suddenly sensed some fluctuation in the mana emanating from the princess’ room.

’That’s...’

’Princess Alisa’

Then he sensed some dark energy enveloping the princess.

’Shit, it is a spell! The princess is in danger!’

"What’s wrong, elf? Are you too drunk to finish your sentence?" The bartender asked, his expression mocking.

"Something is wrong. I’m sorry, but I have to leave," Rufus snapped, his tone urgent and his expression serious.

"Wait, what?" The bartender asked, a bewildered expression on his face.

"Sorry," Rufus immediately got up from the chair and rushed towards the exit.

’Shit, I need to hurry!’

And with that, he sprinted out of the Inn, his footsteps echoing through the night.

His steps were unsteady, his balance slightly off.

’Fuck, why did I have to challenge that bartender to a drink-off? Why did I have to drink that much? This is bad, I have to hurry or else...’

Just as he reached the hallway of the inn, he suddenly sensed something approaching him from side.

He instinctively turned his head to the side, his gaze landing on a big, single-edged blade made of black metal.

’A sword?!’

He quickly moved his upper body backward, squatting his body and dodging the blade.

The blade missed him, the sharp edge cutting through the air right in front of his face and hit the wall behind him, creating a deep cut.

’Shit, a bandit or a rouge?!’

Rufus gritted his teeth and turned his head back, his gaze landing on a tall and muscular man standing before him.

The man had a broad, muscular body, his arms thick and powerful. His face was covered behind a hood, and he wore a black cloak that hid his form.

It was the boss of Devillius and the companion of the old in keeper who had came to make the guards busy so that Devil can escape with Princess.

He had came to deal with the leader of the guards, Rufus, meanwhile his underlings were dealing with the other guards.

Rufus stared at him, his eyes narrowed. ’A bandit? No, he seems too strong to be a bandit. Is he an mercenary, or a rogue? Whoever he is, I can’t let him interfere. I have to quickly find the princess and rescue her.’

His one hand was on the floor to prevent him from falling as he dodged the attack.

’I don’t have time for this. I need to go now.’

With his hand on the floor, he quickly raised his legs, kicking the muscular man’s chest and sending him flying backward.

The kick connected with a loud thud, the force of the impact sending the muscular man crashing into the wall behind him.

"Argh!" The man groaned in pain, the impact causing his ribs to crack.

Rufus didn’t hesitate and sprinted away, his gaze fixed on the princess’ room.

’Shit, I can’t waste anymore time. I need to hurry!’

But before he could take his fifth step, his vision blurred and his consciousness began to fade.

’Huh? What’s happening?’

The alcohol started taking effect and he could feel his mind getting fuzzy.

’The alcohol... It is taking effect. I can’t lose here!’

He tried to shake off the feeling, his eyes focused on the goal.

’I have to save the princess!’

And with that, he took another step, but this time the sound of the muscular man echoed through the hallways.

"You are not going anywhere!" The muscular man shouted, his voice filled with fury.

Rufus felt a surge of panic as he turned his head, his gaze landing on the muscular man running towards him at an incredible speed.

The man was fast, faster than he had expected.

’Shit, I have no choice. I need to fight him.’

Rufus gripped the hilt of the sword, and unsheathed it, a bright silver blade came out from the scabbard at his waist.

His head still throbbing, his hand holding the sword was slightly shaking.

’This is bad. My mind is still a bit fuzzy. I can’t muster my full power in this state.’ Rufus thought, his eyes narrowing.

’But I have no choice. If I want to save the princess, I have to take this guy out.’

Rufus tightened his grip on the sword and stood firmly, his gaze focused on the muscular man.

"Haaa!" The muscular man yelled as he closed the distance, his sword swinging towards Rufus’ head.

’Shit, the alcohol has made my body sluggish. I can’t dodge it. I have to block it.’

Rufus braced himself, raising his own sword and preparing to block the attack.

The blades collided with a loud clang, the impact sending shockwaves through the air, the sound echoing through the hallways.

"Urgh..."

Rufus grunted as the force of the impact sent him staggering backward, his feet skidding across the floor.

But, he managed to hold his ground, his sword still up in defense.

’Tch, this guy is strong.’

Rufus gritted his teeth, ’If only I hadn’t drank too much this kind of guy wouldn’t be a problem. Now there is only one way... And that is...’

"Ice Magic: Frozen Structure," Rufus whispered with intense determination as he cast the spell, plunging the tip of his sword deep into the floor.

Suddenly, an eerie transformation overtook the environment. The air grew frigid and dense, as though the very spirit of winter had descended upon them. A chill crept through the hallway, stealing away warmth and light. The walls themselves seemed to groan as they surrendered to the icy magic’s grip.

Rufus, despite his impaired senses due to the alcohol, fought to maintain his focus. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he struggled against the numbing effects of the drink. His vision blurred for a moment, but he knew he couldn’t waver. The safety of Princess Alisa depended on his unwavering resolve.

The ice magic’s power expanded with each passing second, spider-webbing from the point where Rufus had stabbed his sword, freezing everything in its path.

Frost-covered patterns danced across the walls and floor, transforming the once-familiar hallway into an otherworldly, frozen labyrinth. The ice encased the muscular man’s feet, locking him in place as if nature itself had turned against him.

"What the hell is this?" The muscular man exclaimed, his expression filled with surprise.