Chapter 79: Drunkenness

Several hours later, the three returned to the camp. In addition to a giant green-scaled lizard, they also completed three golden-level advanced tasks along the way, enough to report back on their journey. However, they still hadn't found any traces of Blood Earth.

"Unable to find any clues about Blood Earth, it's quite challenging to locate it in such a vast jungle..." Hilda said, sounding somewhat disappointed.

For her, finding Blood Earth as soon as possible was crucial. The longer they delayed, the wider Blood Earth's range would become, and the more terrifying the bloody storm it would cause.

Feld naturally understood this, so he reassured her, saying, "Don't worry, not only are we investigating, but many mercenaries and adventurers will also take on related tasks. Coupled with the Empire's investigation teams, I believe we'll soon find something."

Hilda nodded in agreement at his words.

Lunch was prepared by a small wild boar, and although Feld wasn't a master chef, his barbecue skills were unparalleled. While he might create some peculiar dishes in the kitchen, by the campfire, with the right ingredients and seasonings, he could serve up a delicious and hearty barbecue. Hilda praised him endlessly for it, and Qi Qi ate with gusto, her lips glistening with oil.

To Feld's surprise, Hilda seemed to have a fondness for spicy food. When cooking the meat, he deliberately added some chili peppers he had picked along the way. Curious, Hilda tried a skewer, and the result was beyond her expectations.

"It's really spicy... but the taste is so good!" she exclaimed, fanning herself to cool down while excitedly sharing her experience.

"Do you rarely eat spicy food?" Feld asked.

"No, I've hardly ever tried it. At home, chefs rarely make spicy dishes. But your barbecue with chili peppers is simply a perfect combination!" Hilda praised.

Feld smiled satisfactorily. "As long as you like it, my specialty is barbecue after all."

After all, in the apocalypse, carrying a full set of kitchen utensils around was not practical, and there were no storage rings in that world. They had to rely on individual rations, which were barely palatable. To improve their diet, they chose barbecue, supplemented with beer, finding pleasure in their hardships.

"In fact, barbecue is more suitable with wine than tea. Do you drink?" Feld suggested.

Hilda hesitated for a moment and then licked her lips, saying, "I don't drink often, but since you suggest it, I suppose I can try."

Feld chuckled inwardly and took out a wine barrel from his storage ring, where he kept his extra provisions.

Just like how Hilda had exquisite tea sets and pastries in her ring, Feld had his favorites as well, such as tobacco and alcohol.

"Fine rum, care for a sip?" he offered.

"Sure!" Hilda responded excitedly.

For nobles, wine was a treasure in life, especially favored by the elders in the family. Although Hilda didn't usually drink, she was curious about why people were so fond of it.

So Feld poured her half a cup, and Hilda took a small sip, then showed a thoughtful expression.

"How does it taste?" Feld asked expectantly.

"It's slightly sweet with fruity notes, quite nice!" Hilda commented, "But I still think tea tastes better."

"How about trying some extra spicy skewers with a sip of wine?" Feld suggested.

Hilda nodded eagerly and followed his suggestion.

As the spicy barbecue entered her mouth, Hilda gasped again, hastily taking a small sip of wine. Then she exclaimed with surprise, "This combination creates such a refreshing feeling!"

"Isn't it?" Feld laughed out loud and refilled her cup.

Qi Qi also asked for a small cup, and the three of them enjoyed the barbecue and wine.

Before long, Feld finished his meal first, lit a cigarette, and enjoyed the leisurely post-meal time.

Qi Qi timely handed him a lighter and lit his pipe.

At this moment, Feld suddenly heard a burp and turned to see Hilda holding a wine glass, sitting on a log, staring blankly ahead, occasionally burping, her cheeks flushed.

Feld raised an eyebrow, thinking she might be flushed from the spiciness, but now it seemed like she... was drunk?

No way, she only drank less than a cup in total.

Moreover, the alcohol content of the rum in this world was not high, only about ten percent. Even he could drink it as a beverage, so how could a platinum-level powerhouse easily get drunk?

However, the fact was undeniable—Hilda was indeed drunk, looking a bit confused.

Feld approached her, waving his hand in front of her eyes to try to regain her attention. "Hilda? Hey, silly girl?"

"I'm not silly, I'll hit you!" Hilda suddenly spoke up, waving her small fist and lightly tapping Feld's shoulder.

Feld: "..."

Although he was relieved that she still seemed conscious, Feld couldn't help but wonder why she was acting differently after getting drunk. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The answer was soon revealed.

Hilda looked at the cigarette in Feld's mouth, tilted her head, and pointed to it, asking curiously, "What's that?"

"This?" Feld took out his pipe and explained, "It's a cigarette."

"Is it tasty?" Hilda immediately followed up with another question.

Feld was momentarily speechless. "No, it's not meant to be eaten, it's for smoking, similar to a cigar."

Did getting drunk lower Hilda's intelligence?

Was she really acting silly now?!

Next, Hilda's eyes showed a eager expression as she looked at the cigarette in Feld's hand. Feld hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should give it to her, afraid that doing so might mislead her.

In the end, he decided to refuse. "Never mind, it's not good for your health. You shouldn't smoke."

"No, I want to try!" Hilda immediately responded, reaching out her hand.

Usually, Hilda was extremely polite.

At this moment, Feld realized what the problem was.

Drunk Hilda seemed to have become a bit dull, but her courage seemed to have increased significantly!

Facing Hilda's expectant face, Feld hesitated whether to hand her the cigarette, worried that doing so might lead her astray.

In the end, he decided to refuse. "No, you can't smoke. Girls shouldn't smoke."

"No! I want to try!" Hilda insisted, puffing out her cheeks.

Feld raised an eyebrow. She was resisting?

"No, you can't smoke. Girls shouldn't smoke," he insisted.

Hilda suddenly froze, then lowered her eyelids, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Feld was taken aback. Was she going to cry?

But the next moment, he heard Hilda's voice saying, "Why... do they all look down on me... just because I'm a girl..."

"They even say I can't practice swordsmanship... But I'll do it!"

"I'll show them!"

"If you won't let me smoke, then I'll smoke!"

She suddenly looked up, radiating a dazzling golden light.

Feld was speechless.

The next moment, Hilda's small hand swiftly reached out, attempting to snatch the

 cigarette from Feld's hand.

Seeing this, Feld quickly retreated, but Hilda followed closely behind, her hand pointing straight at her target.

At this moment, the two seemed to be floating in mid-air, facing each other. Hilda's chest almost touched Feld's chest, but she seemed unaware, her gaze locked firmly on the pipe.

Feld was shocked.

Why did Hilda seem to have gained more strength after getting drunk?!

In an instant, Feld agilely rolled away from Hilda's small hand and leaned against a round log, holding the half-burnt cigarette. "Hilda, I think you need to calm down," Feld said somewhat awkwardly.

"I am calm! I just want to smoke!" Hilda pouted in retort, her demeanor completely different from her usual poised self, resembling more of a rebellious little princess.

Feld suddenly found her somewhat endearing and chuckled inwardly, "Alright, if you can grab it, I'll give it to you."

Before the words had even finished, Hilda had turned into a streak of golden light and rushed forward. Feld's pupils constricted, realizing that Hilda's speed had increased considerably in her drunken state!

In the blink of an eye, she was already close, aiming for the cigarette between his lips. Feld hurriedly leaned back to dodge, then jumped away swiftly. Unexpectedly, as he leaped, golden runes formed a magical array around him, and several chains of golden light struck towards him.

"Oh my!" Feld almost spat out the cigarette in surprise, hastily punching the nearby tree trunk to rebound and escape the danger. Once he regained his footing, he watched the chains of golden light dancing in the air and swallowed nervously.

Hilda seemed to have unlocked some kind of seal in her drunken state. Although she appeared rebellious, her combat power had greatly increased. Even forgotten magic was being utilized again, displaying astonishing strength.

Feld smiled and raised an eyebrow at the shimmering Hilda in the treetops. "Come on, let's continue."

In her drunken and rebellious state, Hilda sensed Feld's challenge and immediately pouted, turning into a golden streak and flying towards him. Feld bolted away.

The golden light followed closely behind, soon catching up to him. Feld skillfully changed direction to evade Hilda's pursuit. However, Hilda's reaction speed exceeded her usual abilities, closely tailing him.

Qi Qi held the barbecue skewer, watching the two chase each other through the forest, making the food in her hand even more delicious.

Soon, Feld was forced into an open grassland with nowhere to hide. Hilda's speed surpassed his own, and the two engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

Drunk Hilda's attacks were sharper and more focused, aiming directly for Feld's cigarette. Feld almost lost the cigarette several times.

Luckily, Feld's close combat skills were superior to Hilda's. Even with the added power of alcohol, she couldn't defeat him. Moreover, the cigarette was about to burn out, with only a few puffs left.

Just as Feld thought the battle was about to end, something unexpected happened. Attempting to defend against Hilda's knifehand strike, he was caught off guard as she unexpectedly changed her move mid-air and kicked towards his abdomen.

This attack didn't cause substantial damage, but it sent Hilda leaping into the air. Under normal circumstances, such a move would be suicidal in front of Feld.

However, the next moment, a pair of wings made of golden light appeared behind Hilda, leaving Feld dumbfounded.

Not only was she now as beautiful and angelic as an angel with her wings spread, but also because he had never known—Hilda could fly!

Indeed, Hilda could fly. Although she couldn't stay airborne for long, it was more than enough to deal with Feld.

With Hilda now airborne, she no longer engaged in close combat but instead used various magic spells to restrain Feld's movements. The ground churned with stone and soil, binding his legs; golden chains wrapped around his arms and waist; numerous vines bound him, along with magical and gravitational constraints... Eventually, his entire body was covered in ice crystals.

There were over a dozen binding spells in total! Feld was completely surrounded and immobilized, only his head exposed.

Despite the powerful magic, Feld could easily break free if he used his trump card. However, he just smiled indifferently and said, "Alright, I concede."