In the end, the dinner lasted until around nine in the evening.
Looking at Tomoe and Leonidas I, who were fast asleep at the dining table due to drunkenness, Naoki glared at Merlin and Merry with some annoyance.
"You two… do you really have to force people to drink like that?"
Although everyone present, except for the underage Mash and Ritsuka, drank quite a bit, only Leonidas I and Tomoe were truly tricked and made drunk by Merry and Merlin.
Leonidas I wasn't skilled at drinking. Moreover, as a warrior, while it wasn't an issue after a war, drinking too much during wartime was not ideal. Thus, Leonidas had initially been drinking sheep's milk.
However, halfway through, when no one was paying attention, Merlin secretly swapped his sheep's milk for alcohol. Leonidas, who collapsed after a single glass, went on a drunken rampage and only calmed down after Naoki hit him hard on the head.
Tomoe's situation was similar. As a daughter of a samurai family, combined with her gentle nature, she was the perfect target for entertainment in Merry's eyes. Merry essentially teased and harassed her with dirty jokes the entire time, then kept toasting her with glass after glass of alcohol, certain that Tomoe wouldn't refuse due to social etiquette.
The result was as seen now—both Servants were completely drunk and unconscious.
After delivering two consecutive punches that sent the two "trash Incubi" crashing into the ceiling, Naoki let out a helpless sigh: "Seeing their condition, it looks like they'll have to stay here. Luckily, King Gilgamesh also said they can take turns resting over the next two days."
"Mmm, that's good." Ushiwakamaru nodded. "After all, those two are probably the ones who need rest the most. It's great if they can take this chance to clear their minds. Especially Tomoe-dono—it's clear she's holding herself back with great effort."
Leonidas I needed rest because he had been busy training soldiers and fighting Demon Beasts since he was summoned. According to his personal rule of taking a fifteen-minute nap after fighting for two hours, he hadn't followed it even once. He often fought continuously for three or four hours without a break.
Although Servants don't require sleep, continuing like this would create significant mental strain. He truly needed to be allowed to relax.
As for Tomoe's situation…
"It's really tough for her to keep suppressing the Oni blood within her."
Placing her hand on Tomoe's forehead and weaving a dream she hoped for, Merry smiled and looked at Ushiwakamaru: "It's practically a miracle that you two have gotten along this far without fighting. Tomoe-chan is barely holding it together—she's on the verge of getting into trouble."
If asked whether Tomoe hated Ushiwakamaru, the answer would likely be yes.
After all, Ushiwakamaru was the enemy who killed her lover and lord. Even as a Servant, that wasn't something she could simply overlook.
However, the current situation didn't allow her to seek revenge against Ushiwakamaru. Both were now Servants summoned by Gilgamesh, comrades fighting together against Demon Beasts to protect Human History. She couldn't let her personal emotions affect the bigger picture.
Thus, Tomoe suppressed all her feelings and deliberately avoided excessive interaction with Ushiwakamaru during the day.
Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't cause issues. At most, she'd experience some psychological depression, which Tomoe could handle herself.
But the problem was—Tomoe was half-Oni.
"The Oni blood keeps affecting her spirit. Though it's still within a controllable range, if she keeps suppressing it, it'll cause problems sooner or later. You could say this rest is like timely rain."
"I'm truly troubling you, Merry-dono." Ushiwakamaru bowed deeply to Merry. "In that case, it's getting late, and we should return to the Northern Wall. Even though it's safe there now, we can't let our guard down."
"I'll take you." Naoki stood up. "With my Imaginary Manifestation, we can get there in the blink of an eye. Leonidas I and Tomoe's arrangements are up to you, Merry, Rei. I'll be back soon."
"Yes, leave it to us. Be careful on the way."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the camp below Uruk's Northern Wall.
Accompanied by a dazzling gate of light, the figures of Naoki, Ushiwakamaru, Benkei, and Nobunaga appeared instantly.
(Even though I've experienced it a few times, this ability still feels incredible.) Ushiwakamaru sighed inwardly.
If she had met someone like Naoki in her lifetime, she might have been able to prevent more tragedies and save more people.
"Thank you so much for tonight, Natsukawa-dono. Thank you for the dinner."
"It's nothing. If you want to eat, Ushiwakamaru, I can pick you up from the Northern Wall every day."
"Hahaha, that would be too presumptuous. If I could eat such delicious food every day, I'd feel like I owe you a huge debt."
"You're way too saintly, Tengu. I'm planning to eat there every day! Now that I know there's food this good, wouldn't it be a waste not to eat my fill?" Nobunaga laughed, patting Naoki's back. "Pick me up for dinner tomorrow too! And it doesn't have to be Japanese food!"
This big idiot from Owari really didn't bother with any pretense of politeness.
Though Naoki didn't expect her to be polite either: "Alright, tomorrow I'll cook whatever I feel like."
"Oh!"
After responding, Nobunaga walked toward her tent with a swagger.
Ushiwakamaru and Benkei also waved.
"Well then, we should take our leave too. Natsukawa-dono, you should hurry back to rest as well."
"Wait a moment, Ushiwakamaru."
Naoki called out to Ushiwakamaru as she was about to leave.
After gesturing for Benkei to go ahead, Ushiwakamaru frowned: "Is there something else, Natsukawa-dono?"
"You could say that. It's about Tomoe… I just wanted to know, personally, you seem to care about her a lot?"
"Oh, that matter."
Ushiwakamaru smiled: "After all, we're from the same homeland and era. Since we're together in this foreign land, it's only right that we look out for each other, isn't it?"
"Moreover, though it was forced by circumstances, I did bring tragedy into her life. This small concern of mine is a belated apology and compensation. I always said I wanted to prevent tragedies, but in the end, I created one myself…"
"Oh, right! Please don't ever tell her this! She'd definitely get furious!"
Ushiwakamaru had once witnessed Tomoe transform into an Oni out of rage on the battlefield. It was quite terrifying.
Naoki chuckled: "Got it. Thanks for telling me this. Sorry for bothering you."
"No, it's fine. See you tomorrow, Natsukawa-dono. And please take care of Tomoe-dono."