Chapter 420 - The Taste of the Wine of Victory......

After the game with Megiddo-san was over, I went around to the various attractions with Lilia-san and the others.

Even though most of the attractions were sport-like games, we still had lots of fun going around but to be honest, my scores werent so good.

I dont know if I was feeling listless after my victory over Megiddo-san, or perhaps, the joy I felt from winning against Megiddo-san hadnt settled down yet, but I wasnt able to concentrate on the attractions.

It was the first time I had fought to the death in front of such a large audience, so it was probably inevitable that the realization that I did such a thing would come to me later.

After visiting the attractions until evening arrived, I was able to gather 22 stamps. I then went to the Central Plaza to exchange the stamps for prizes.

I thought for sure that it would be counted as me having 22 stamps but Each of the Five Generals oversized stamps was worth ten stamps. The colossal stamp, which was the sign of my victory over Megiddo-san, was calculated as 100 stamps.

In other words, I had collected 172 stamps and I was able to get the top prize, a pair of gloves made from Megiddo-sans mane H- Hmmm.

It seems that they can handle extremely high temperatures, and if you put these gloves on, you wont feel the heat even if you touch magma However, the parts other than the gloves would still be burned though.

How should I say this Its a very difficult item to use. I at least dont think I would ever face an instance where I would need to touch magma in the future I mean, I dont want to be anywhere near magma.

Cant I just use them as a subst.i.tute for working gloves or as mittens? I guess not. Unnn, this thing would certainly be very expensive Well, Ill just leave figuring out how to use this for the future me.

The hectic first day of the Six Kings Festival came to an end at 8 p.m., and the partic.i.p.ants were now returning back to their accommodations.

However, since Lilia-san and I were invited to a party by Megiddo-san, we didnt return to our accommodations, but moved to the Central Tower where I challenged Megiddo-san.

Isnt this strange? How the heck could this have happened?

There were currently many people in my line of sight, and I was standing on a platform overlooking them.

[Ohh! It seems like everyone has gathered!!!]

And standing beside me was Megiddo-san, who had returned to his original form and was nodding in satisfaction at the sight of the gathered people. Ill just ask again, how the heck did this happen?

As soon as we arrived at the a.s.sembly hall, I was separated from Lilia-san and the others, and for some reason, I was brought to the stage set up in the center with Megiddo-san.

No matter where I look, I could only see people, people, and people I could feel eyes silently looking at me from a 360 degrees around me. I feel really restless here.

As if to say that he didnt care about my feelings, Megiddo-san proceeded to loudly speak.

[The people Ive called here tonight are my subordinates and those who performed well at todays festival! We all had a good fight! Today was a great day!!! As a thank you, Ive prepared plenty of food and drinks for everyone. Go and have all the fun you want!!!]

With Megiddo-sans shout, a loud cheer rang out.

As I was feeling overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the huge party, Megiddo-san picked me up and put me on his shoulder. What the heck is going on!?

[But before we start the party, I want to introduce someone to all of you! This is the only person who defeated me Miyama Kaito!!!]

Immediately after that, loud cheers rang out again. O- Oohh

As Alice told me on the way here, the number of people who have managed to defeat Megiddo-san or rather, the number of people who managed to challenge Megiddo-san was just one.

Thats because it seems like Agni-san, who was originally already strong, was completely fired up after she got defeated by Iris-san After I got a badge from her, night had fallen without any other person managing to win against her.

[Listen here! Kaito beat me. That means hes better than everyone at this party right now! Ora! Here comes the strong

warrior!!! Get excited, you lot!!!]

At that moment, the crowd broke into cheers U- Uwoooohhhh This feels kind of amazing. It feels like Im s.h.i.+vering in excitement.

Or rather, n- no matter how I look at it, lifting me up is a bit too much

After the loud cheers subsided, Megiddo-san announced the start of the party. Most of the people here were Megiddo-sans subordinates In other words, there were people who were used to parties, so no one was bewildered when a noisy party started.

Looking down at the scene of people everywhere shouting Cheers!, I felt an indescribable emotion welling up in my heart.

There was this itchy embarra.s.sment, but Im also feeling a different kind of excitement, making me reflexively clench my fist.

After slowly lowering me down, Megiddo-san took a large cup out of nowhere and handed me one of them before pouring me alcohol.

[Here, alcohol. Look here, Kaito.]

[Eh?]

[Youre better than anyone here today and no ones complaining. Thats because you beat me.]

[Megiddo-san.]

[Be proud, Kaito. You have fought your way through the fight with me and won. This scene is something you have definitely won.]

[]

Its there again. Another indescribable itch budding in my chest Ahh, I see, I understand what this feeling is now.

This is called a sense of accomplishment

As soon as I realized this, I felt joy surging from within me. Thats right.. It may have been an unrefined battle. Maybe it was because luck was on my side, or maybe it was because Alice was supporting me from behind the scenes.

Still, I certainly won It was my victory I had won against Megiddo-san.

[Come on, Kaito. Drink up, its a celebration!]

[Ah, yes! Thank you for the drink!]

As I was savoring the feeling of victory that had finally come over me, Megiddo-san called out to me and made a toast.

And then, I gulped down the alcohol entering my mouth, down my throat and into my stomach The taste of the delicious alcohol seeped into my entire body.

[This is very delicious. Is it an expensive drink?]

[No, it certainly was a relatively good alcohol, but its not that rare of a drink.]

[..Is that so. However, this tastes delicious. I think its one of the best Ive ever had]

[I see. Hey, Kaito. My bad, for having you deal with my selfishness today.]

[Eh? Ah, no Rather than that, in the end, what was it that Megiddo-san wanted to teach me?]

While having a somewhat peaceful conversation, I took another sip of alcohol before asking Megiddo-san.

What Megiddo-san wanted to teach me He said he would tell me about it at this party, but in the end, what was it all about?

[Unnn? Ahhh Thats right. Hey, Kaito. Today was quite a rough day, wasnt it?]

[Ah, errr Yes.]

[Hahaha, I guess so. Im sure youve had a tough day, and Im sure youre tired but what do you think? You fought like h.e.l.l and won and after that, drinking alcohol. Isnt it the best?]

[Ehh? Yes!]

[Remember this Kaito. The alcohol you drank there is called a Wine of Victory.]

[Wine of Victory Could it be that that is]

Is that what Megiddo-san wanted to teach me? Just as I was about to ask that, Megiddo-san drank all the alcohol in his cup at once, turned to me and heartily smiled.

[Well, theres certainly that too but theres still one thing I want to tell you. Kaito, youre a great guy. But you also have a flaw. Its that you have low self-esteem.]

[Ugghhh]

[Whats this? So youre well aware of it huh Then, you better start learning how to fix that. Ill tell you again, youre a great guy Otherwise, theres no way I would lose against you twice. So, well, how do I say this You need to be a little more composed and confident. Youre not a pathetic person whos always needing someones help. Youre someone who can seize glory on your own.]

[Megiddo-san.]

Those words of affirmation felt like a powerful push behind my back. How should I say this Im really quite blessed. There was someone who would warn me when I was wrong, someone who would scold me when I was being reckless and someone who would push me forward.

They were truly blessings in disguise.

[That was quite unlike me. Come, lets drink again! Were going to drink a lot today!!!]

[Yes!]

Dear Mom, Dad- I was bewildered, tired, struggled, and yet, I still desperately grasped for victory. Ill probably never forget this day for the rest of my life. Feeling this rewarding joy of standing up with your own two feet Megiddo-san taught me The taste of the wine of victory

This is the end of the first day isnt actually the case, as theres still a continuation of this party in the next chapter.

~~ Extra: Five War Generals Attractions Pa.s.sing Rate ~~

Ironblooded Bacchus: 25%

The Gallant Kong: 48%

Absolute Ice Epsilon: 9%

Peaceful Sky Ozma: 80% (He would give a pa.s.s to children who work hard.)

h.e.l.l Fire Agni: 1% (Only Kaito managed to pa.s.s her.)

This time is Ein, whose character rough draft appeared 8th.