After the group returned to their base, Takatsuki seemed to remember something.
"Speaking of which, where's Eina?"
"Ah… she seemed to have gotten drunk and we left her on the table at the tavern."
Because the Loki Familia paid the bill, they didn't return to the tavern after the duel. Kiana then remembered Eina, who had gotten drunk from being plied with drinks earlier.
…
"What should we do with I?"
Inside the Hostess of Fertility, the Loki Familia looked at Eina, who was sleeping face down on the table.
"Ais, I remember she's your advisor, right? You should take her back."
Ais, whose mind was elsewhere, nodded upon hearing Finn's words.
…
"Eina is from the Guild, so basically no one will trouble her, and the Loki Familia is also there…"
Hearing Takatsuki's words, Kiana gave him a disdainful look: "Takatsuki, you're such a scumbag. You were the one who invited her."
"Alright, alright, I'll go pick her up, okay?"
Bell saw Takatsuki about to go out again and immediately followed: "Um, I'll go too."
"Oh, that's good. Let the girls take care of the main god at home. The two of us big men will go out."
Saying that, Takatsuki put an arm around Bell's shoulder and prepared to leave.
"Wait a moment, Takatsuki."
Fu Hua then handed him something.
"Oh, I almost forgot."
After casually putting away the Ox Talisman, Takatsuki looked at Fu Hua: "Speaking of which, I really didn't expect you to make a move."
Takatsuki remembered that Fu Hua shouldn't be the type to be competitive.
"Since I've promised to join your team, I believe it's my duty to uphold the team's honor."
Is that how it works?
However, it seemed that Fu Hua had acknowledged them, and would even actively protect them.
As Takatsuki and Bell hurried towards the Hostess of Fertility, they encountered someone unexpected, yet unsurprising, on the way.
"Ah, Miss Ais."
Takatsuki glanced at Bell, noting his composed demeanor. This kid was a bit different from how he ran away at the sight of Ais in the original story.
Oh, perhaps it was because the incident where Ais saved him hadn't happened. In the original work, Bell only developed feelings and the skill "Liaris Freese" after being saved by Ais.
That was also the biggest reason for Bell's success.
But the current Bell…
Oh no, I didn't mess up the protagonist's opportunity, did I?
Thinking this, Takatsuki watched Bell and Ais's interaction. The naturally clumsy Ais had accepted Finn's task to escort Eina home, and Bell wanted to help her, but Ais refused, leaving him in a dilemma.
"In that case, let's go with Miss Ais. After all, Finn only told you to escort Eina home; he didn't say others couldn't accompany you, right?"
Ais thought for a moment, felt Takatsuki made a lot of sense, and nodded.
Seeing the adorable Ais, Bell felt a cold sweat. Miss Ais… could she be a natural airhead?
The three of them walked together under the night sky, carrying the sleeping Eina towards the Guild. However, the one carrying Eina was the only female among the three, which might puzzle anyone unfamiliar with the situation.
"How can I become stronger?"
While walking, Ais, who had been silent, suddenly asked.
"Huh? Are you asking me?"
Startled by Ais's abrupt question, Bell subconsciously replied, "I'm just a rookie. To become stronger, you just need to go on adventures, right?"
"To become stronger, you must first have the heart of a strong person."
The heart of a strong person? Both Bell and Ais looked towards Takatsuki.
"Yes, do not be impatient, nor be discouraged. Think carefully about why you want to become stronger. Understand your true self, find your own path, clarify your direction, and then before you will be a smooth road."
Although the blessings of DanMachi are physical enhancements, their principles are somewhat idealistic. Most personal skills are influenced by the holder's beliefs; stronger beliefs make skills more likely to manifest.
For example, Bell's Liaris Freese and Heroic Wish evolved from his admiration for Ais and his desire to become a hero who turns the tide in desperate situations. Takatsuki remembered that Ais also had a similar skill, stemming from her hatred for the one-eyed Black Dragon.
After listening to Takatsuki, Ais fell silent. Takatsuki didn't know if she understood, nor did he say much more. The three of them escorted Eina back to the Guild and handed her over to her colleagues before Ais suddenly spoke.
"I don't understand!"
That reaction time is too long…
"But thank you. I will visit again."
Bowing to Takatsuki, Ais turned and left.
"Um… Takatsuki, what did you mean by all that earlier?"
After Ais left, Bell leaned over and asked Takatsuki.
"Bell, what do you think of Ais?"
Takatsuki didn't answer but suddenly asked an irrelevant question.
But Bell didn't think much and replied directly, "Miss Ais? She's a very beautiful person, just a bit of a natural airhead."
"Seeing such a beautiful person, don't you think she fits the beautiful girl you hoped to encounter?"
Hearing Takatsuki's words, Bell immediately smiled and waved his hand, "No way, no way. Miss Ais is so strong, how could she need saving from a LV1 rookie like me?"
"Perhaps she saves you. Although it's the other way around, it's still an encounter."
"Ah…"
It really is possible. Bell thought seriously for a moment: "But in that case, I might be so ashamed I'd want to die, being saved by a girl like a hero saving a beauty…"
Ah, it's over, I messed up the protagonist.
Ding!
Just then, Takatsuki suddenly heard a notification sound. He brought up the system panel in his mind, which displayed several large characters.
[You have a new quest]
Opening the quest list, Takatsuki saw a new quest added.
[Special Quest: Help Bell find his own path. Reward: Varies based on evaluation]
It's over; even the system thinks Bell's original path is gone.
Perhaps if he hadn't asked tonight, the original development might still have happened when Bell was saved by Ais. But after Takatsuki asked, Bell was mentally prepared, and if Ais saved him again, his mindset wouldn't be the same as before. With a different mindset, the skill wouldn't awaken.
"What's wrong, Takatsuki?"
Bell asked, looking at Takatsuki, who seemed to have a headache. This child didn't know that his original path had been cut off by Takatsuki.
"Nothing, just thinking Hestia is drunk, so she can't help us update our stats tonight."
"Ahaha, yeah, Hestia is asleep, but updating tomorrow will be fine, right?"