The NTR Knight Commander has Decided to Desert

Chapter 13

"Here, pour me a drink."

"Yes, General."

Cromwell responded in his characteristically calm and composed voice as he filled her glass.

Watching him, Franklin began to feel an overwhelming surge of pure joy from that alone.

'Oh my gosh! The commander poured me a drink himself! How could I possibly drink something so precious?'

A drink poured by the man she had always admired and revered.

Feeling her heart flutter at the immense meaning behind it, Franklin hesitated with the glass in hand.

But,

Amidst the fluttering emotions, she barely managed to regain her composure and recall what she needed to do.

'Ah... no... I-I can't be like this. Sure, it's a shame to waste a drink the commander poured himself, but I can't let that distract me and miss this rare chance!'

Still feeling reluctant to waste it,

Franklin, with determination to shake off her thoughts, downed the drink in one go.

And right after that—

The incredibly sweet taste of the alcohol hit her.

It gently wrapped around the tip of her tongue,

And at the same time, the delightfully fragrant flavor filled her senses,

Making Franklin feel like her lips were melting as she began to fall into a bliss she had never known before.

'Ah... it's sweet... I'm so happy... I've never had such delicious alcohol in my life...'

The drink itself was certainly of high quality.

But even so, the reason it stood out as the best she had ever tasted wasn't just because of that.

It was because the one who poured it was none other than that man...

The man who, even just sitting across from her like this, felt like a dream come true.

And so, while her original goal remained, Franklin fully savored the current situation and, feeling even more excited, picked up the bottle herself this time.

"Now, you have a drink too."

"...Understood. Please pour me a glass."

Cromwell spoke with a tone that carried a sense of resolve.

Seeing the firm and masculine expression she loved so much, Franklin poured him a drink with slightly trembling hands.

"Here... go on and drink. This one's to honor your achievements."

"Thank you. Then I shall."

At her words, Cromwell drank without hesitation.

But unlike Franklin, who was already starting to loosen up after just one drink, his face remained largely unchanged.

'Wait... does that mean this alcohol is stronger than I thought? Well, it's only been one glass so far, so it's too early to tell...'

Franklin could hold her liquor fairly well, but she tended to get tipsy a bit faster than most.

Given that her goal was to get Cromwell drunk and cloud his judgment,

She needed to drink less herself and get him to drink more.

That's what she needed to do...

"Then have another."

"S-Sure, another..."

Cromwell promptly refilled her glass, and Franklin accepted it without hesitation.

A part of her wondered if she should refuse,

But the memory of that incredibly sweet drink she just had made it hard to say no.

'I should pace myself... but... oh well? It's just one more drink. I can still handle it... Hehe... A drink poured by Commander Cromwell... so tasty... so sweet...'

Succumbing to the irresistible temptation, Franklin once again downed her drink.

Feeling firsthand just how much happiness such a perfect combination—being served the finest victory wine by the man she liked—could bring.

*

Since I didn't like alcohol, I'd learned a few tricks to drink as little as possible during drinking sessions.

The most effective one was to get the other person drunk as quickly as possible.

Of course, everyone reacts differently to alcohol, but I'd learned from experience that people who like drinking usually accept refills without thinking, and the more they drink, the harder it becomes for them to say no.

There's some scientific explanation about alcohol increasing appetite or whatever, but I didn't really care about that...

Anyway, if I didn't want to drink, the best way was to get the other person to drink.

With that in mind, I enthusiastically encouraged Franklin to drink as much as possible.

And Franklin, in turn, didn't refuse my glass and kept drinking it down.

I realized it after just one sip—

The alcohol General Franklin brought, regardless of how good it was, was definitely strong stuff.

It could easily knock me out if I drank too much. But conversely, it was perfect for getting the other person drunk fast.

And right now,

That was being clearly proven by Franklin, who was already starting to show signs after just four drinks.

"...Hic... What are you doing... Hurry and pour me another... Hic!"

"Yes, General."

At some point, Franklin had completely forgotten about pouring drinks herself and now eagerly held out her empty glass.

Seeing this, I felt a bit relieved and filled her glass again.

"Gulp! Gulp! Kahaah... So good... This is the best... Our Cromwell... Hic! The drink you poured... it's delicious..."

"Is that so? Then I'm glad. Here, have another."

"Sure thing... Our commander... not only great in battle but pours drinks well too... Hehe..."

From my perspective, the fact that I didn't have to drink anymore was definitely a relief.

And so, by the time the bottle was empty, I had managed to get by with just two drinks,

While Franklin, sitting across from me, was completely wasted and barely coherent.

"Huuuuh... What the... It's already empty... Hic... That's a shame... I wanted to drink more of the alcohol poured by Commander Cromwell..."

"You've had enough. It's time to rest."

"Mmm... should I...? Well... if it's our commander saying so... of course I have to... Hic!"

With those words, General Franklin began to stagger to her feet.

But then...

- —Clunk!

So drunk she couldn't keep her balance, she collapsed back into her seat.

"Oh dear... Are you alright?"

"Mmm..."

General Franklin's eyes were half-closed, her expression dazed.

Then, she slowly turned to face me and stared right at my face.

And then...

"?"

She reached both arms out toward me.

I was momentarily confused by this inexplicable gesture.

Then, with a sultry smile on her lips, she spoke in a voice full of anticipation.

"Hold me."

"...Excuse me?"

"Hold me... Hurry."

"Umm... I-I think that might be a bit..."

"That's an order... Hic! If you don't, I'll... Hic! make it a military command!"

"Ugh..."

Even in this situation, she was talking about military orders, so I had no choice but to cautiously reach out my hands.

Fortunately, since this was her room, the bed was right nearby.

So, feeling oddly tense, I tried to lift her up and lay her down on the bed.

But then...

"Hehehe! Gotcha!"

"Ah! W-Wait a second—"

As I got close,

Franklin suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

Then, putting strength into her arms, she began to lean her body downward.

As a result, I had no choice but to lift her up by the legs and carry her in a princess hold to stabilize her.

And at the same time, I felt a warm, soft sensation envelop me.

That soft sensation, which reminded me that she was also a woman regardless of her rank as a general, made my face flush red.

'In the game, she was a monster with over a million HP...'

She wasn't called the mid-boss of the final chapter for nothing—Franklin had led the knights and endured relentless assaults for over thirty minutes, boasting monstrous durability.

However,

The woman now in my arms felt so fragile, as if she might break with just a little pressure.

At the same time, a sweet scent tickled the tip of my nose.

Even though she had passed out from drinking, her scent somehow lifted my spirits, and I found myself falling into a strange, tempting mood.

With my heart pounding, I carefully tried to lay her down on the bed.

"Um... General...? We're here now, so could you let go of me...?"

Even after being laid on the bed, Franklin wouldn't release her grip on my neck.

So I tried to gently pry her arms off with some force.

Just then...

"..."

"?... General...? Ugh!"

The next moment, she yanked my neck down hard and pulled me onto the bed.

Now lying down, General Franklin stared straight into my face.

Her eyes were still hazy from the alcohol, but her gaze was clearly fixed on me.

Her blushing cheeks and ocean-blue eyes stared at me intently.

Looking at her like this, I was once again struck by how beautiful she was, and before I knew it, my heart began to race.

Then...

"...Commander."

"Y-Yes?"

"Let's sleep together...♥"

"!?!?"