Next day.
Bell walked toward Hostess of Fertility to thank Ryuu for her earlier help in the dungeon, since he hadn't found any free time until now to meet her properly.
The one time he had met her properly, that werewolf Bete had ruined everything.
He really wanted to deliver two more kicks to that sucker's crotch for good measure.
May he choke on his cat food, mid-bite.
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..
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Hostess of Fertility.
Bell stepped inside the Hostess of Fertility. Even in morning, business was booming for the establishment. It would have been shocking if it weren't—after all, Mama Mia employed waitresses who were all stunning eye candy for adventurers to admire.
Except each one of them could twist your head off for looking at them the wrong way.
But an average adventurer in Orario was quite thirsty. They would attempt to sneak a peek even if they'd get pummeled for it later.
No wonder Ishtar was the night queen of Orario. In fact, she might even earn more than Freya with her red-light district business.
But what could be said...
A shitty person remained a shitty person even if they started earning big bucks.
Bell didn't focus too much on Ishtar. At least Freya was competent when it came down to it. Meanwhile, Ishtar?
Incompetent didn't even describe half of her deeds. In fact, she had even cooperated with Evilus.
And everyone in Evilus had long been on his hit list.
It was just their good fortune or his misfortune that the higher-ups of Evilus hadn't crossed paths with him yet.
"Nyaa~ Is that you, Bell? Come, come, let big sis show you a free table." Chloe was the first among the waitresses to notice him at their door and quickly spoke to him, a sparkle in her eyes.
Her words pulled him from his thoughts. But he really had to wonder... wasn't this cat woman looking a bit too eager?
Chloe dragged him toward a free table by her hand.
Her actions did not go unnoticed by other waitresses. Syr watched the cat girl with piercing eyes while serving another adventurer, nearly pouring ale on the adventurer's head instead of his mug.
Ryuu, too, observed Chloe and Bell, her expression turning complex whenever her gaze drifted toward him.
"Hey, Chloe. Can you have Ryuu serve me? I'd like to have some small talk with her." Bell spoke without lowering his voice.
All adventurers from the surrounding tables heard him and gave him pitying looks.
Another one was about to get his head bashed in by that elf.
Brother... we all salute your courage.
Every adventurer nearby shared the same thought. Some from his adjacent table even sent admiring glances his way.
It was like watching people being dragged to the gallows one by one... then suddenly someone pops up and says, 'Where are the gallows? I want to have a go.'
Wouldn't you respect such a legend?
Bell did not know what was going through these adventurers' heads, and he didn't care.
"Nyaah~ I got rejected for Ryuu!? So sad, so sad. Bell, won't you give your big sis a consolation hug?" Chloe replied instantly, her hands reaching toward him.
"Mama Mia! Your cat is misbehaving." Bell called toward the counter where Mama Mia was cleaning mugs.
Chloe flinched back, her tail standing on end.
"Chloe! You better get to work, or I'll shave your tail off." Mama Mia's voice was enough to shake the whole tavern.
"Mama Mia! I'm on it." Chloe shouted back, scrambling away while mouthing 'No fun' toward him.
Big cat, you should be happy that this isn't another world, or you would've already been on your way to prison in a black car, having tea with FBI.
Bell was joking in his mind when both Ryuu and Syr headed over to his table.
He was nearly left speechless.
Did all Goddesses have no shame? I called over Ryuu, and got a Freya for free.
"Heya Ryuu, heya Syr. How have you two been?" Bell greeted them with a friendly wave. He was in a good mood since morning, and it showed in his interactions...he normally wouldn't have been so open with them, or rather Freya, otherwise.
"Syr... can you get me my usual, please? I'd really appreciate it." Just this single sentence from Bell made Syr's cheeks flush so red that she clutched them for dear life and hurried to the kitchen to fetch his usual.
His gaze then landed on Ryuu, who was watching him with a complex expression. He didn't mind and simply asked.
"Have you eaten? If not... you can join me for a bit."
His voice carried genuine kindness. For someone who had nearly died to protect him, he had nothing but goodwill.
"Oh. No, thank you. I've already eaten." Ryuu replied in a tone slightly softer than usual.
"Then, I'll be a little selfish and ask for some of your time." Bell spoke while gesturing for her to sit across from him.
Ryuu wore a conflicted expression as she glanced back at Mama Mia working at the counter.
"Boy, Ryuu still needs to work to keep our tavern running. Where is your sincerity?" Mama Mia spoke after looking up from her work a moment later.
"How can I not be sincere, Mama Mia? Take a good look at my sincerity and tell me if I'm sincere or not." Bell could read between the lines. He spoke while tossing a pouch full of coins toward Mama Mia.
Man, flexing on someone else's money feels so good.
Mama Mia replied after weighing the pouch.
"I feel your deep sincerity now, boy. Ryuu can certainly accompany you for some time." Her voice was satisfied.
Every adventurer and waitress's jaw dropped at their interaction. Even Ryuu was no exception.
Many adventurers shot up from their seats and rushed to Mama Mia, fumbling with pouches full of money, thrusting them toward her.
"Mama Mia, can you feel my sincerity with this? Just let me share a table with Miss Syr for two minutes, and I won't take a bath for months!"
"Mama Mia, this is my sincerity... Can I now have a short talk with Miss Lunoire face to face!?"
"Mama Mia, here is my sincerity, can you please fold me in half!? Then, then, use me as a rug to sweep the floor!!"
Ayo!?
Soon... Mama Mia's counter was drowning under pouches of money.
Mama Mia screamed at the top of her lungs in response, nearly making a whole nearby street tremble.
"SCRAM!!"
"You thirsty thugs! You degenerate paupers! You filthy pigs!"
"That was a one-time thing, not a precedent!!"
"ROLL... ALL OF YOU ROLL OUT OF HERE FOR ME!!!"
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***
[300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter]
[8 chapters ahead on P@tr3on = [email protected]/Not_Aaryan]
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[Author's Thoughts]
Can you feel my sincerity bro's?
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Once again my friends. I won't drop this story. I'm really happy with all the enthusiasm you all have regarding this story but releasing 2 chapters daily, one for Danmachi and one for Fate really puts tremendous pressure on my back, and it even affects the chapters quality, I'll see what can be done regarding it, no promises though.