There was definitely something going on here.
Tsubaki raised one eyebrow, her gaze circling around the Military Police Captain who remained fully armed, not having even removed her gauntlets. Seeing that cold face which seemed to have "Official Business Only, Loiterers Keep Out" written all over it, Tsubaki thought for a moment and decided, tactfully, not to ask any further questions.
After all, from this morning until now, this entire day had brought her enough surprises from this Kami-sama. First, her own stingy Patron Deity—usually an 'iron rooster' who never gave up a feather—had unprecedentedly allowed him to bring people into the Familia's armory to pick whatever they wanted. Then came the performance of these little monsters entering the Dungeon for the first time. It wouldn't hurt to add one more surprise to the list now. Especially when it came to the affairs of gods, it was better to ask as little as possible.
Thus, Tsubaki turned her head, glancing at the group of young girls behind her. Although they were covered in dust and their clothes were even stained with spots of blood, they remained in high spirits, showing absolutely no signs of fatigue.
Her gaze landed particularly on the black bear that was currently standing obediently in place under the command of Hanasaka Warabi. That gigantic beast-hide package on its back was currently rising and falling slightly with the black bear's breathing. Although one shouldn't pry into the affairs of gods, the things packed inside were tangible reality.
"Well..."
Tsubaki shrugged, a smile curling up the corners of her mouth as she looked at Haimer.
"No matter what is said, Haimer-sama, these newcomers you've recruited are truly a group of out-and-out little monsters."
"They swept through and bulldozed their way directly from the 1st Floor all the way to the 12th Floor."
"If it weren't for the fact that it's their first day familiarizing themselves with the environment, and it's getting late, I would have even wanted to take them straight into the Middle Floors for an adventure."
Tsubaki was clearly still left wanting more. And this evaluation could not be considered anything but high. After all, there were very few in Orario who could make Tsubaki so unsparing with her praise.
At the same time, hearing these words, the eyes of the other passersby, including Shakti, almost popped out of their sockets. From the 1st Floor to the 12th Floor on the first day? Are you kidding?! For a normal rookie team, just keeping their lives intact on the first six floors on their first day would be considered a passing grade!
However, looking at the serious expression of Tsubaki, a Level 5 adventurer, and then looking at that group of girls who, although appearing delicate, clearly carried the scent of blood on them, the other passersby only felt their throats go a bit dry.
"To be able to receive such a high evaluation from Miss Tsubaki, it seems these children's performance today truly did not disappoint me."
Haimer nodded, revealing a smile that suggested he had expected this all along. Subsequently, he shifted the topic, seizing the opportunity to say:
"In that case, Miss Tsubaki, why don't you join us tonight at the tavern to celebrate together? I'd also like to take the opportunity to hear about their heroic performance down below."
"As for the expenses, due to special reasons during the day, all my expenses today have already been handed over to Captain Shakti to be responsible for."
"So regarding that point, there is absolutely no need to worry."
Saying this, Haimer turned sideways slightly, extremely smoothly revealing Shakti.
Shakti: "..."
As soon as these words came out, suddenly being named, Shakti felt somewhat helpless in her heart. For some reason, these words made it sound like she was a sucker being taken advantage of. But since the promise was made beforehand—she had promised to bear all of this Kami-sama's expenses for today—she naturally wouldn't renege on the debt halfway through. Thus, she silently nodded from the side.
However, in Tsubaki's eyes, she raised her eyebrows again, her gaze lingering for a second on the subtle distance between the two. Sure enough, there was definitely something going on here. But Tsubaki had no intention of digging deeper.
"Of course, no problem!"
Tsubaki laughed heartily and straightforwardly, revealing a mouthful of pearly white teeth as she agreed on the spot.
"I certainly won't refuse a good thing like someone else paying the bill!"
"But before that, Haimer-sama, I think we should handle the serious business first."
"After all, the Guild's exchange counter has a rule about not waiting past closing time. If we go too late, these Magic Stones will have to wait until tomorrow."
"Besides... I originally thought Haimer-sama would also be startled. Now it seems I was completely overthinking it."
"However, just letting me be the only one surprised along the way feels unpleasant. So, I plan to see what kind of wonderful expressions those guys in the Guild, who sit behind the counters yawning all day, will show when they see a group of newcomers registered just today bring back this amount of loot!"
After all, it is better to share the joy than to enjoy it alone. For this kind of experience of being startled, one must see other people's reactions to balance one's heart. Hearing this, Haimer also nodded.
"Since Miss Tsubaki is in such high spirits, then let's set off."
*
With that, a strange team appeared on the streets of Orario under the afterglow of the setting sun.
Clearing the path at the very front was the fully armed Military Police Captain Shakti, along with Tsubaki, who was striding forward with a mischievous grin. In the middle was a black bear with a body size as massive as a tank, carrying a beast-hide package almost as large as itself, making a "clatter-clatter" sound as it walked. Behind it, a small bear carrying a small bag followed, waddling diligently.
Further back was a black-haired deity with an unworldly temperament holding a silver-white long spear, and a group of girls with super high looks and varied styles, all emitting a faint scent of blood. As well as a loli Goddess who had mixed in, constantly eating Fried Potato Snacks.
With this configuration, a return rate of three hundred percent would be considered a conservative estimate.
"Hey, hey... that's Captain Shakti, right?"
"Behind her... is that a bear?!"
"Which Familia is that? This spectacle is too huge..."
The adventurers and citizens along the way stopped one after another, pointing and whispering, but intimidated by the deterrent force of Shakti's uniform, no one dared to get too close. The team passed through several streets in such a grandiose manner, heading straight for that magnificent building—the Guild Headquarters, the [Pantheon].
*
Creak—
The Guild doors were pushed open.
The lobby, which was originally noisy, clamorous, and full of adventurers bragging and talking nonsense, was suddenly silenced as if an invisible giant hand had choked its neck. The voices vanished instantly. Only the sound of heavy footsteps remained.
Thud.
Thud.
Countless pairs of eyes turned in unison. When they saw clearly the person in the lead—Shakti, dressed in the Ganesha Familia Captain's uniform—many adventurers who had a guilty conscience or had just committed some minor offense subconsciously buried their heads.
The entire lobby was eerily quiet. Tsubaki was quite satisfied with this. This spectacle was sufficient.
Thus, Tsubaki ignored the surrounding gazes of awe and led the team straight through the crowd, walking toward the novice reception counter on one side of the lobby. There, the half-elf girl from the daytime—Eina Tulle—was burying her head in a stack of documents half a person high.
Her brows were locked tight, and the quill in her hand was flying across the parchment, sketching and writing; she was obviously burnt out from the complicated data statistics of the day. As an advisor holding multiple positions, this was exactly her busiest time.
"Miss Eina."
A familiar voice rang out above her head.
Eina paused the tip of her pen, then looked up. What entered her vision was Tsubaki's trademark smiling face wearing an eyepatch.
"Tsubaki... Miss Tsubaki?"
Eina was stunned for a moment. Immediately after, her line of sight followed Tsubaki and shifted backward.
"Haimer-sama?"
"And..."
Further back. That beautiful woman with blue hair in strict light armor.
Lady Shakti?
Wait?!
Wait a minute?!
Why would Lady Shakti be together with Haimer-sama???!!!!
Seeing this scene, the emerald green eyes behind Eina's glasses couldn't help but widen a few degrees.
____
New Story: Danmachi: But I am a God, time to make a family!
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