Chapter 416: The Strongest Brew

The grand feast carried on well into the evening, filled with laughter and loud banter. The energy in the room, already wild with celebration, rose to another level when Chieftain Kuruck had the servants bring out his personal reserve of Tier 10 alcohol.

The bottles that held these potent brews were masterfully crafted, etched with preservation runes and sealed with a green crystal topper.

"This," Kuruck said proudly, raising one high into the air, "isn't something you drink every day. But tonight's no ordinary night. With the Rite of Ascension near, and a guest of great honor among us, I say… why not let loose?"

He uncorked the bottle with a satisfying pop, and the scent alone made several of the weaker siblings' eyes go hazy, some of them visibly woozy just from the smell. Tier 10 brews were no joke, widely considered pseudo-legendary potions—or poisons—requiring years of preparation and ingredients gathered from rare beasts, mythical herbs, and magical processes few could even attempt. It was by no means easy to produce, and Kuruck himself had only four bottles ever made. But only something this potent could even begin to affect A-Rankers.

Before pouring a drink for himself, Kuruck poured a small cup for Sol.

Sol, when offered, politely declined with a shake of his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't tonight."

Kuruck, with thunderous enthusiasm, waved a hand dismissively. "Come now, one cup won't kill you! You've bested monsters, navigated ancient ruins, and escaped death itself—and you're telling me a drink is your limit?"

The table burst into laughter, and even some of the more inebriated orcs began chanting. Orla gave Sol a playful grin. "Just one. You won't regret it."

"Hahaha... Alright fine, pour me one." Under the weight of their combined pressure, Sol finally relented and accepted a small cup.

Kuruck poured drinks for Rodgul, Orla, and himself, while the others were served lower tier brews, ranging from Tier 6 to Tier 9, based on their tolerance. Only two were left without drinks. Reena, who strongly declined their offers, and Thorwyn, who was also left out after Sol explained he was too young to drink, leaving the poor wolf grumbling with a soft, disappointed whine.

Sol assumed it wouldn't taste particularly good, but the moment the liquid touched his lips, he was taken aback. It had a fruity, whisky-like flavor and went down incredibly smooth. He drank it all in one go, and it hit fast. A buzzing warmth spread through his limbs, clouding his mind just enough to make his thoughts pleasantly fuzzy.

Rodgul slammed down his empty cup, grinning with flushed cheeks. Orla sipped more slowly, savoring the taste. Kuruck laughed heartily and refilled his own mug before anyone could stop him.

"That's enough for me." Sol said, placing the cup back down. "Any more and I'll start doing somersaults off the roof."

"I don't see how that's a bad thing! Bahaha!" Kuruck bellowed, but seeing Sol had made his decision, he didn't insist further.

Across the table, Reena narrowed her eyes at him, clearly seeing through the act. 'Just enough to play along, but not enough to get drunk.'

She was certain the reason he declined more alcohol was because he was to stay sober and keep suppressing her law technique, keeping her space magic sealed. She had hoped Kuruck would pressure him into drinking more, but unfortunately for her, the Chieftain was more tactful than expected. But the truth was that each cup cost hundreds of gold. Kuruck was grateful Sol didn't want to drink more, saving him a lot of coins.

Sol felt her sharp gaze and offered a polite, knowing smile in return.

As the meal wore on, with the siblings getting steadily louder and the stories more exaggerated, Sol leaned toward Kuruck and asked in a lower voice, "Earlier, you mentioned I might attract a certain kind of attention. That I might get a visit from them soon?"

Kuruck took another drink, slower this time. "Ah. That."

He set his cup down and briefly scanned the table, making sure no one was paying attention, not that they could. Most of the orc siblings were too deep into their drink and conversations to notice anything else.

"There are hidden forces in this world," he began, "small in number, but stronger than entire nations. The ones I mentioned are called the Oath Keepers."

Sol frowned slightly. "I've never heard of them."

Kuruck nodded. "Most haven't. And those who have usually don't speak of them. They keep to the shadows and only step in when someone, usually an A-Ranker, starts stirring up too much chaos… or spreading certain secrets."

"Secrets like how to become A-Rank?" Sol asked, voice low.

Kuruck nodded slowly. "That's one of them."

'Torben was right. So they're called the Oath Keepers…'

Torben had warned him about curses that could detect when certain things people want to keep hidden are revealed. While this may not necessarily be a curse, for a group like the Oath Keepers to existed, then they likely had ways of knowing when someone spread the truth about law techniques.

That thought disturbed Sol. He had already shared that knowledge with Amber.

'But if that's the case, why haven't they come for us yet?'

Sol leaned in closer, hoping to learn more, but Kuruck raised a hand to halt the conversation.

"Another time. Let's not bore ourselves with whispers and shadows on a night like this."

Sol was disappointed but didn't let it show. He'd just have to ask again, privately.

Their attention was pulled elsewhere when Rodgul stood abruptly on the table, with his cup held high. His hair was a mess, his cheeks red, and his voice booming.

"—And then I leapt off the boulder, brought my fist down, and bam! Right through the mammoth's skull! The Iceborn Mammoth screeched one last time before it dropped dead! Whole damn mountain shook!"

The table erupted in cheers. Someone passed him another drink, which he took with all the pride of a war hero returning home. Whatever aloof dignity Rodgul had entered with was long gone, replaced by loud laughter and drunken theatrics.

...

Later that night…

The chaos had faded into a gentle lull. All of Chieftain Kuruck's children were passed out, some slumped over plates, others resting their heads on their arms, and a few sprawled on the floor.

Thorwyn lay curled in a corner, deep in a food coma, chest rising and falling peacefully. Amber was nowhere to be seen, having vanished at some point during the feast. Only Sol had caught a glimpse of her earlier, heading quietly toward the kitchen to learn from the chefs who created such an amazing feast.

Only three remained fully awake. Chieftain Kuruck, Sol, and Reena.

Kuruck sat at the head of the table, a new drink in hand. Nonalcoholic this time as it was only to warm the blood without fogging the mind. His expression was thoughtful as he tapped his fingers against the wood.

"You know…" He said suddenly, his voice breaking the silence, "Out of all the things I've heard about you, there was one report that truly surprised me."

Sol glanced over. "Oh? What was it?"

Kuruck nodded slowly. "The one about Lapis and Lazuli… and how you brought them back to life."