Bell walked through Orario. Astraea, Hestia, and Haruhime followed close behind.
Ordinarily, Orario thrummed with life—adventurers, merchants, citizens—all weaving through its streets in a ceaseless current of noise and commerce.
But now?
The streets were barren. Blacksmith shops had their shutters drawn. Grocery stalls sat empty. Potion shops looked long abandoned.
A few people they did cross paths with scattered at the sight of them, bodies taut with vigilance. More often than not, those figures weren't civilians at all but members of the Ganesha Familia, patrolling every street corner in tight formation.
Even Bell felt his danger sense prickle around some of them. Undoubtedly Level 5s. From what he had seen so far, it was clear Orario took its internal security seriously.
"Bell… Adventurer's Guild is in the other direction. Why are you leading us the opposite way?" Hestia asked, her gaze drifting across their desolate surroundings with a somber expression. She had never seen Orario like this. On any normal day, countless voices would spill from street to street. Now, only silence lingered.
"The last time I saw it like this was during the dark era, when people barely left their homes." Astraea murmured, sidestepping Hestia's question entirely. Her eyes had grown distant, momentarily lost in memories of her Familia's past.
Haruhime brought up the rear. Her silence, stiff tail, and slightly hesitant steps spoke louder than words. Even under Ishtar's Familia, she had known that during previous Rakia invasions, nothing changed for the city. Orario carried on as it always had—indifferent, untouched.
To her, the Rakia invasion had been something akin to a distant rumor heard in whispers and offhand jokes rather than something concrete that brought visible changes to her everyday life. Which was why seeing Orario like this shook her deeply.
Bell glanced back at each of their reactions, said nothing in response to Hestia's question, and kept walking.
Soon, they arrived at a familiar place.
The Hostess of Fertility.
Surprisingly, it was still open.
Ryuu stood at its entrance, broom in hand. It slipped from her grip the moment her gaze landed on Bell and Astraea.
Inside, Syr was cleaning tables that were already spotless. Chloe stood in a corner, washing wooden mugs that needed no washing. Luniore was adjusting chairs that were already set at optimal angles. Beside her, Anya scrubbed each chair Luniore placed until they were immaculate.
And behind the counter, as always, sat Mama Mia. That behemoth of a woman kept her eyes fixed downward, her hands moving beneath the counter, probably counting money.
"Bell. Goddess Astraea. What are you both doing here at a time like this?" Ryuu asked, her brows knitted in concern as their group closed the distance between them.
"How have you been, Ryuu?" Bell offered a small smile.
"Bell… this is no time for pleasantries. Why are you here with our Goddess? Don't you know there's a war happening right now, just beyond the northern gates?" Ryuu's voice was firm, worry threading through every word.
"Come on, Ryuu. Let's talk inside." Bell stepped into the pub, his group trailing behind him. Ryuu followed without thinking.
"Oh… it's you, boy." Mama Mia glanced up from her counter, swept her eyes over him and his companions, then went right back to what she was doing.
Syr looked up at their arrival, her gaze settling on Bell in particular. For a brief instant, her eyes took on an unnatural violet glow—gone as quickly as it had appeared.
"Nyaa~ It's Bell-nyan." Chloe set down the mug she was holding, her attention fixed on the group.
Anya perked up, her eyes drawn to Haruhime's tail. Luniore observed the scene with the quiet attentiveness of an older sister.
"So… boy. Why have you come here at a time like this?" Mama Mia asked after a moment, her eyes still on her counter.
Every gaze in the room snapped to him.
"Mama Mia. I want to book your entire pub for three days." Bell spoke after a beat of silence.
The room went still.
Syr's eyes widened. Chloe's tail twitched. Anya's ears stood upright. Luniore's gaze sharpened. Ryuu's grip on her apron tightened.
"What are you saying, Bell? Booking a tavern at a time like this!?" Hestia's voice rose a pitch.
Astraea said nothing, her eyes fixed on his back.
Haruhime took a hesitant step closer.
Mama Mia finally looked up.
"Boy… can you even afford it?" A flicker of bewilderment crossed her features, as though his question itself had caught her off guard.
Bell let the silence hold. Then he slid a hand beneath his breastplate and pulled out a pouch. Without a word, he reached inside and withdrew a large magic stone that radiated a blinding blue light.
Every waitress went rigid. Ryuu. Syr. Anya. Luniore. Chloe.
Mama Mia rose from her counter. Her eyes carried a calculating glint as she appraised that stone, and the boy who had gotten his hands on it.
"Is this a magic stone from Amphisbaena, boy?" She asked, stepping around her counter to stand before him.
Bell nodded.
"Is this enough?" He pushed the stone toward her without hesitation. Five million valis, offered like loose change.
"Enough." Mama Mia took the stone and pocketed it.
"I might need one of your waitresses as well." Bell said, glancing toward Ryuu.
"Take them if you need. Just remember—if they get hurt, I charge extra." Mama Mia followed his gaze and conceded, satisfied enough to offer a small concession.
"Goddess Hestia, Haruhime. Stay here with Mama Mia and her waitresses. Booking the tavern comes with protection too." Bell turned to address his group.
"But Bel—" Hestia's protest died the moment his eyes met hers.
"Okay." Haruhime was clearly uncomfortable being left among strangers. Even so, she complied without argument.
"Ryuu… I want you ready and geared up when we get back. Just in case." Bell turned to her next.
"Where are you going?" Ryuu asked, her expression grave.
"The Guild called for Goddess Astraea. We're going to find out what they want." His words set Ryuu on edge. Why would the Guild call for Goddess Astraea?
Bell then turned to Syr.
"Take care of them for me, will you?"
A flush crept across Syr's cheeks as she nodded, exactly like a lovestruck girl.
Bell then stepped out of the tavern beside Astraea, throwing a wave back over his shoulder.
"No need to see us out. We'll be back soon."
Astraea wordlessly intertwined her fingers with his.
"Scared?"
Bell asked with a carefree smile.
Astraea's own lips curved upward.
"Not as long as you're with 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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[Authors Thoughts]
Bell had two options to keep Haruharu and Hestia protected when he'd be gone. One was Ishtar and another the Hostess. He didn't trust Ishtar one bit and chose Hostess without any hesitation, even if it cost him a Amphisbaena magic stone. Though I agree with Bell on this.
...
Another day. Another Chapter.
Have a amazing day everyone!