Chapter 33.1: The Red Tower of Magic (4)

Bolero Street only opened on the night of the full moon. The next full moon would be in one week.

Eugene gave up on trying to understand Gargith. He was already so big that it seemed like overkill, but to think that he still wasn't satisfied with that and was planning to buy some giant's testicles to chow down on.

"I'm not going to chow down on them," Gargith insisted earnestly.

"Then how are you going to eat them?" Eugene asked.

"Rather than eating them directly, they have a much better effect after being made into a medicine."

"So you're planning to grind them up and drink them."

"I'll give you some as well."

"I don't want any."

"Why not? According to what I've heard, the testicles of the giant species are very beneficial for increasing stamina, as well as muscle growth." Gargith's sincere eyes showed how seriously he had done his research. As he cut into his plate of lean meat, he continued speaking, "They also contain plenty of mana. All of this means that the testicles are a precious supplement that you might not be able to buy even if you wanted to."

"You should take the whole lot," Eugene offered generously.

Although he knew that they were a supplement that would greatly benefit his body, Eugene absolutely rejected the idea of eating a giant's testicles. Even though you wouldn't be able to detect its unsightly original appearance once it was made into a potion, it wasn't so easy to change your perception of it.

Gargith sighed, "I just can't understand you. Even the popular healing potion uses the heart and blood of a troll as its ingredients. Mana potions also use mana stones and other monster materials as their ingredients."

"But those aren't testicles," Eugene pointed out.

"The testicles of animals are often used as high-quality ingredients."

"Since you like them so much, you can have them all."

"Don't regret this later," Gargith warned.

"I won't," Eugene muttered as he sipped his tea.

"...But why do you need to disguise yourself?"

Having finished eating, Gargith asked this question as he sipped on a cup of egg whites like it was just an ordinary drink.

Eugene resisted the urge to comment on this and explained, "...It will draw a bit of attention if a scion of the main family is seen wandering into such a shady street."

"Hm, that's for sure."

"Well, even if the street has received tacit approval from the officials, nothing can be gained from pointlessly getting into a scandal."

"You've got the right idea," Gargith said admiringly as he nodded in agreement. "Although you don't intend to participate in anything shameful by going down that street, there's no need to create an unnecessary scandal. Especially since such a scandal will affect the dignity of your house."

"That's right; our dignity," Eugene slightly drew his head back as he agreed with Gargith.

Although Eugene also had a good appetite, it was nothing compared to Gargith. Having devoured several chunks of lean meat, Gargith was currently downing several glasses of completely unseasoned egg whites. Thanks to that, the fishy smell of raw eggs was wafting uncontrollably from his mouth.

"...Brush your teeth after you're done eating," Eugene requested.

"Don't insult my sense of hygiene," Gargith protested defensively.

"I don't care. Just make sure to brush your teeth. And spray some cologne as well."

"I am not ashamed of my body odor," Gargith insisted. "By the way, do I need to put on a disguise as well?"

"Hm...," Eugene's expression twisted as he considered this.

He had been planning to just cover himself up with a robe, but with how burly Gargith was, that wouldn't be enough to solve the issue.

Eventually, he decided, "...You probably don't need a disguise."

"Why not?" Gargith asked.

"Because that big bulk of yours is impossible to hide, no matter what we do."

"Thanks," Gargith replied with a smile.

It seemed that he had once again taken the observation of his large frame as a compliment.

'It won't matter since he'll be stuck in the auction house anyway,' Eugene comforted himself.

Eugene was the only one who needed a disguise. He was certain that Eward would be heading to Bolero Street on the night of the next full moon. Since he already seemed to be suffering from nervous anxiety due to his succubus addiction, it was obvious that Eward didn't have the strength of will to overcome the withdrawal symptoms.

'If he had had that kind of strong will in the first place, he wouldn't have ended up in such a state.'

But something was bothering Eugene.

With the signs of lifeforce drainage being so obvious, and since there were even rumors flying around about it, there was no way that Lovellian was ignorant of Eward's behavior. Could it be purposeful neglect? No, there didn't seem to be any reason for that. For now, he should try to hear Lovellian's side of the story. With this thought, Eugene got up to leave.

"I'm heading back," he informed Gargith.

"Already? I'll be working out soon, so how about we train together? If we visibly compare our bodies, you'll be able to clearly see the difference between you and me," Gargith suggested.

Eugene waved him off, "It's fine."

"Hold on," Gargith barked out forcefully.

Pushing the dishes on the table to one side, he drew himself to his full gigantic height. Then, placing both hands on his waist, he took a deep breath, threw his shoulders back, and pumped up his chest muscles.

Pop pop pop!

The buttons on his shirt, which had already been straining, were sent flying off like bullets. Having torn his shirt into shreds, Gargith flexed his upper body muscles as he sat down.

"Let's arm-wrestle," Gargith challenged Eugene.

After getting over his surprise, Eugene eventually asked, "...Why?"

"I've wanted to arm-wrestle with you since four years ago," Gargith said, his eyes sparkling. Then, placing one of his giant arms on the table, he took up an arm-wrestling pose. "Without using any mana, let's compete purely with the strength of our muscles."

His words sounded absurd. However, Eugene didn't refuse and took the seat across from Gargith.

"Since it's boring to just do it like this, let's place a bet on it," Eugene suggested.

"What kind of bet?" Gargith asked.

"If I win, you need to put on some cologne whenever you head out. And you also need to stop peddling your muscle-growth drug to me."

"Fine. But if I win, you need to do me a favor without asking any questions."

Gargith bared his teeth in a challenging grin. When Eugene took off his coat and rolled up his sleeves, Gargith glanced at Eugene's bare forearms.

'Quite impressive.... However, it's still not enough,' Gargith thought, sure of his victory.

Two hands, which had an overwhelming difference in size, met across the table.

Gargith clarified the rules, "Let's start on the count of three."

"Okay," Eugene agreed readily.

"Are you okay with me calling out the count?"

"It really doesn't matter to me."

"Then one, two—"

Creak.

Gargith began tensing up his muscles. Eugene immediately began sharpening his senses while keeping his own muscles relaxed.

"Three."

Bang!

The results were decided in an instant. Gargith looked down at his hand in disbelief. His tensed and bulging muscles had been pushed down before they could even properly release their strength. From the moment that the count had ended, the speed of Eugene's reaction had rendered his strength useless. Instead, his overly large muscles had only contributed to the speed with which his arm hit the table.

"It's my win," Eugene declared as he immediately stood up and began pulling on his coat.

"...How did you win?" Gargith asked, dumbfounded.

"Technique, timing, and sense."

Eugene patted Gargith's shoulder as he passed him on the way out.

"Next time, remember to spray on some cologne before arriving."

With this parting shot, Eugene immediately left the restaurant without looking back.

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