CHAPTER 450: CHAPTER 293: DAILY LIFE_1

"Abstain from alcohol for one month," Lance stated, looking at her.

Boudica’s face turned deathly pale. For her, giving up alcohol was worse than death.

"Any objections?"

"None at all," Boudica quickly shook her head, indicating her agreement.

"Go back and reflect on your actions."

"Yes!" Boudica didn’t utter another word and fled as if escaping.

Only after Boudica had run off did Lance turn his gaze to Grendel, who was standing nearby, his tone softening.

"I apologize for the spectacle. I’ve told her so many times, but she never listens. She nearly drove me to my wit’s end."

Grendel hadn’t spoken out for Boudica just now, as she understood why the Lord was so angry. She recalled the last time Boudica got drunk and caused trouble; even Grendel had been alarmed, as she was the one who had to treat the injured afterward. To spend so much on commoners because of Boudica’s actions, and then to make Boudica personally apologize to them—such a thing was exceedingly rare, not just in the Empire, but in the entire world. According to the customs of the Mountain Barbarian Tribe, if you lose a fight, you bear all the responsibility; the victor has none. The Empire was even more ruthless than the Barbarian Tribes; a Noble Lord would never apologize to commoners because his Guard had beaten them. Usually, commoners would just have to accept their bad luck, let alone receive compensation and treatment. Boudica had even been thrown into the sanatorium for a few days, and Grendel herself had brought her meals.

But the results had been remarkable. The commoners didn’t hold any grudge against the Lord because of that incident. On the contrary, they became even more fervent. In their world, such treatment was unheard of after being assaulted by a noble’s lackeys. All of this mirrored what the Lord had said: all Hamlet’s People were his subjects. And I am proud to be one of Hamlet’s People, Grendel thought. She knew this because she had heard the patients saying these very words.

What was more miraculous was that the patients injured by Boudica—a member of the Barbarian Tribes—showed no aversion or prejudice against Grendel, despite her also being from the Barbarian Tribes. In that moment, Grendel realized, the ’rules’ the Lord spoke of have begun to truly take root in their hearts, gradually replacing their old, decaying ideas...

"Perhaps I should stop serving her drinks here as well?" Grendel asked tentatively.

Lance’s stern face relaxed. He waved his hand dismissively. "No need. That’s her only little pleasure; we can’t just strip it away arbitrarily. A month is a month, as agreed. Punishment isn’t the goal; it’s to make her remember this lesson."

Actually, before coming, Lance had already learned the specifics of the situation. Boudica had just returned from a major battle. The bartender, following the Lord’s regulations, refused to sell her more alcohol after she’d had only two drinks.

She’d fought her way back, covered in the blood of her enemies, and couldn’t even celebrate a great victory?

The bartender’s refusal naturally upset Boudica. She shoved him away from the barrel and started guzzling the wine.

Boudica hadn’t actually hit anyone, and aside from drinking a few cups of wine, she hadn’t caused much damage. Otherwise, her punishment wouldn’t have been so light.

But Lance had to make her remember this lesson. If he let her off this time because of her minor contributions, he couldn’t imagine what she might do next.

As for making her quit drinking altogether, Lance wouldn’t force her. As he’d just said, it was her one small pleasure, and he wouldn’t be too harsh on a companion, especially one he would fight alongside on the battlefield.

"Actually, I have a formula for a sobering draught. It can quickly counteract the effects of alcohol and restore consciousness."

"Oh! There’s such a thing?"

Lance was also curious. If this existed in his previous life, it would be considered a miracle cure, much like the little blue pill.

Since there was nothing urgent to handle, Lance sat down with Grendel to talk.

How to enhance physical constitution without side effects was a problem that had troubled Lance for a long time, and it was an issue the army urgently needed to solve.

This topic could branch out into many others. From Grendel, Lance learned that there were so many bizarre and wonderful techniques in the world.

Indeed, Grendel was a treasure. She carried the thousand-year accumulation of knowledge of the Deerhead Tribe.

「...」

"She didn’t look for me?"

"No. She did, however, wander around town a few times, trying to gather information about the town’s situation from everyone. But I’ve already notified our people, so no one spoke to her," Susan reported to Lance. Now that she no longer held any real power, it was actually more convenient for her to act as an informant, gathering information about the town, and also as a Messenger to relay information from the Lord.

Amanda still hadn’t come to find him? Wasn’t she anxious to complete her mission and retrieve the Sacred Object?

Lance had initially expected her to seek him out soon, so he had planned to give her the cold shoulder for a while. Her lack of action was unexpected. What on earth was Amanda thinking?

"However, she tried to pay some townspeople for information. Should we...?"

"No rush, let’s play with her a bit," Lance said, waving his hand dismissively. "Find a few clever people to approach her. Remember, they must demand an exorbitant price. She wants information, doesn’t she? Then we’ll give her some. It’ll be irrelevant information, of course. Let’s fleece her for some money first."

"Yes." Susan didn’t understand the Lord’s intentions, but she only needed to follow his orders.

"Go and rest. I’ll call you if I need anything; you don’t have to wait around." Lance noticed she hadn’t left and urged her.

But Susan pressed on, "My Lord, shall I find a Maid for you?"

"I’ve told you many times. I have hands and feet; I don’t need anyone to serve me."