Who Is the World’s Strongest Appraiser? ~Living in Another World With Satisfying Meals~

Drinking Is For Adults

“What are you doing?”

“”…!?””

The moment Yuuri’s voice was heard, everyone present stiffened. The reason was that Yuuri’s voice, usually soft and fluffy, was oddly cold. Everyone turned around in surprise at the tone of anger, something they had never heard from this boy before.

Sure enough, there was Yuuri, frowning deeply. He looked distinctly displeased. Yet, when he noticed everyone turning to him, he smiled as usual… which made it all the more terrifying.

“What are you doing?”

He was incredibly frightening.

This was the first time they had seen Yuuri this angry, so everyone was visibly tense. They had no idea what he was angry about, making it even scarier. Anger without a clear reason is the worst, as you never know what might set it off.

“Well… we’re having a drinking party?”

Barloi answered. The brainy wolf didn’t care about the details. Having just returned from a wild trip, he brought various food items as souvenirs and came to enjoy Yuuri’s meals. Of course, his overseer Archet was with him. However, Archet was currently bathing with the women, so Barloi was left alone.

And in that short time alone, Barloi managed to mess things up, showcasing his brainy wolf nature… For the honor of the wolf beastmen, it should be noted that wolves are originally thoughtful, kind, and wise creatures who value their pack. Beastmen share these traits. But sometimes, a disappointing brainy type is born, and Barloi was one of those.

“Barloi-san.”

“Hmm? What’s up, Yuuri? You look scary.”

“…Barloi-san, sit down.”

“Huh?”

“Sit down!”

“Yes!”

Yuuri’s tone was akin to someone shouting “Sit!” which made Barloi comply without resistance, sitting down as ordered. He held a large bottle of alcohol in his hand, surrounded by other bottles on the floor.

…If it was just bottles, it might have been fine, but among the bottles were Yakk and Camille, their faces bright red. Magg looked the same but seemed a bit unwell. Urgus, feeling guilty, was watching Yuuri with apologetic eyes, apparently unharmed. Kurresh and Lelei, bowing their heads repeatedly in apology, had tried to stop Barloi but failed.

“Barloi-san, I think it’s pointless to ask in this state, but did you give alcohol to Yakk and the others?”

“Oh, I got some top-notch stuff. Knowing good alcohol is a step towards adulthood, right?”

“But they are underage, right?”

“Hmm? That might be true, but a little drink…”

“Underage drinking is prohibited, right?”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

Although Yuuri was smiling, the aura he emitted was terrifying. Looking down at Barloi, who was sitting obediently, Yuuri’s eyes weren’t smiling, making it a “who are you” moment. Kurresh, Lelei, and Urgus, who weren’t being scolded, voluntarily sat down and then gracefully bowed, pleading for mercy from the angry deity.

“Why are you letting underage kids drink and get drunk! Responsible adults shouldn’t do that!”

Yuuri, eyes wide open in anger, shouted. This was the first time everyone had seen Yuuri this angry. The three bowing heads lowered even further, apologizing profusely. Though they weren’t the main culprits, the real offender was Barloi, who had poured alcohol into the apprentices’ cups and made them drink it. The apprentices had unknowingly consumed it, thinking it was water.

Especially Yakk, who had mistaken sake for water after a bath and drank it in one gulp, was now passed out. Fortunately, there was no immediate danger, but he was babbling incoherently. Next to him, Camille had mistaken fruit wine for juice and was now drunk and sleeping. Magg, being cautious, had tried not to drink but was forced to by Barloi and was now enduring a headache and nausea.

…Urgus remained unscathed because he had boldly refused Barloi, throwing back the cup and declaring he wouldn’t drink. Though no match for Barloi’s full strength, Urgus, with his robust build and skills, managed to escape.

When Kurresh and Lelei, called for help by Urgus, joined the drinking party, they managed to maintain some order. Both were of drinking age, and Lelei, in particular, was quite strong with alcohol. They had decided to have Archet retrieve Barloi once she returned from her bath.

However, before that could happen, Yuuri had appeared, furious.

No one could oppose Yuuri’s unexpected rage. Yuuri started scolding Barloi seriously. Barloi’s wolf ears and tail drooped, understanding he was being scolded and feeling somewhat repentant. Despite being a brainy type, he could sense real danger.

“Why do you think underage drinking is prohibited in the first place?”

“…To let adults monopolize the good alcohol?”

“What kind of reason is that! It’s because alcohol is harmful to the not fully developed bodies of minors! Drinking is bad for their health!”

“Really?! I didn’t know that!”

“How could you not know something so basic, Barloi-san!”

Yuuri shouted at Barloi, who was genuinely surprised. However, seeing the three bowing heads glancing up at him, Yuuri reconsidered. Maybe, in this world, the idea that alcohol was harmful to minors wasn’t widely recognized. Of course, he knew there were differences between this world and modern Japan. Still, if drinking was prohibited, it must be because alcohol was bad for undeveloped bodies.

“Is that really true?”

Lelei, who loved alcohol and often begged her father for a sip as a child, asked. Although she started drinking seriously only after reaching adulthood, she was now worried about the passed-out apprentices.

“…At least, according to what I’ve been taught, that’s the case. Alcohol might be tasty, but too much of it is poisonous to the bodies of children who aren’t fully matured. That’s why they shouldn’t drink until they are adults.”

“”Barloi-san, reflect on your actions!””

“Why are you all ganging up on me?!”

“”Stop being unreasonable!””

Hearing Yuuri’s explanation, the three immediately blamed Barloi. No one respected Barloi as he tried to defend himself. How could they respect such an irresponsible adult? To be honest, the worst adult in their hideout was Jake, but he was so absorbed in his own world that he didn’t directly bother the apprentices… though they occasionally had to retrieve him when he collapsed from exhaustion.

“…Hey, what’s all the commotion?”

“Archet-san, perfect timing!”

“Archet-san, Barloi-san is!”

“Yuuri’s really mad!”

“Yuuri is?! Hey, Barloi, what did you do!”

As Kurresh and Lelei screamed for help, and Urgus relayed the facts, Arshet’s expression changed instantly. Until then, she had looked somewhat relaxed after her bath, but now she was instantly brimming with combat readiness. Brandishing her beloved hammer (coated in metal, of course) from the pouch always at her waist, she promptly smacked Barloi as expected. Well, a brute wolf doesn’t really take much damage from that.

“It hurts, Ar.”

“Shut it! How do you plan to calm him down now? And you, sneaking around while I wasn’t looking…”

“I said, it hurts.”

“You’re so noisy!”

Arshet trembled as she gripped the hammer. Just moments ago, she had been relaxing in the bath with her close friends, and now this. There’s no blame on her for swinging her hammer while shouting, “Return our peace!” Instead, she’s a really good person, even though she’s aware of Barloi’s various quirks from their time as trainees, and she still takes care of him in their party. Somehow, she’s too good at looking after others. Also, she tends to retort.

The halfling relentlessly bashed his partner. Despite being bashed and complaining about the pain, the wolf beastman didn’t seem to take any damage. This spectacle was often seen in their hideout, but everyone thought it was too dramatic when they saw it again after a long time. Mainly, the brute wolf was just disappointing.

“Barloi-san, haven’t you reflected on this?”

“”…Yuuri?””

Seeing the exchange between Arshet and Barloi, Yuuri asked in a low voice. His face as he looked at Barloi was a dark smile. His aura was still that of an angry great demon. Arshet looked at the three groveling again with a puzzled expression, but she earnestly bowed her head to the unusually different Yuuri.

“Yuuri, I’m really sorry. It’s my fault for not properly supervising this fool.”

“That’s not true, Arshet-san. It’s Barloi-san’s fault. So please don’t apologize.”

“Yuuri… You really are a good person…”

Arshet gently wiped away tears at Yuuri’s sudden return to his usual gentle smile. … Not that she actually cried, but she felt like she wanted to. She really understands how she’s being toyed with by her brute partner.

Barloi, with a puzzled expression at their exchange, had a question mark floating above his head. The brute wolf still didn’t really understand. He felt like he’d done something wrong, but there was no sign of remorse. Because he’s foolish.

And so, Yuuri solemnly declared to Barloi. The highest level of punishment he could enforce.

“Barloi-san’s breakfast tomorrow will be bread, boiled eggs, and milk only.”

Barloi let out an inaudible scream. For Barloi, who was bribed with Yuuri’s food, it was almost like a death sentence. … However, Yuuri didn’t declare skipping breakfast. He’s not a demon who can declare skipping breakfast for someone going to work. He’s really angry right now.

“And the boiled eggs will be hard-boiled, just plain.”

“Yuuri!?”

“I don’t know. I’m angry. Barloi-san, who hasn’t reflected, needs punishment.”

“Why!?”

“What the hell are you doing while I’m not here, messing with the kids!?”

Arshet’s hammer exploded on the back of Barloi’s head, who was arguing with Yuuri. She was angry after hearing from the trio what Barloi had done. And she was ashamed of herself for letting this fool loose. And the usual exchange began. Yuuri smiled at the two of them, with a scary aura still, and told them again.

“I won’t accept any changes to Barloi-san’s breakfast menu. If you eat someone else’s breakfast without permission, I won’t cook for you again, Barloi-san.”

“Yuuri!?”

“Well then, it’s time for me to go to bed soon, so good night. … Kurresh, Lelei, Urgus, and Yakk, can you help take them to their rooms?”

“”Understood!””

Called by Yuuri, who withdrew his anger aura, the trio quickly revived and each carried one drunk apprentice. … Note that Kurresh is handling the lightest Magg because of his strength situation, so they forgive him. Lelei, a half with cat beastmen, has high strength, and Urgus retains strong arm skill. Among them, Kurresh is the weakest.

Thus, from this day onward, drinking alcohol by minors at Scarlet Lynx became a severe taboo.