Northwest Main Street.
High-class residential area.
And a large, detached stone house with a courtyard to boot.
When these words are combined, even a country bumpkin with no concept of Orario's housing prices knows what they imply.
——A territory piled up with gold coins.
Chloe's black cat ears on top of her head were pinned back like airplane wings.
"Ryu..."
"Confess honestly, nya..."
"That favor..."
"You didn't do something to that family's young master, did you, nya?"
Chloe leaned in, the tip of her nose almost touching Ryu's face, while that black tail of hers swished uneasily behind her.
"To actually have to work as a maid in that kind of place to repay it?"
"That's Northwest Main Street!"
"Even a somewhat famous Familia might not be able to afford a toilet there, nya!"
"Exactly."
Lunor also crossed her arms, looking at Ryu with a scrutinizing expression.
"Although we all know you usually look serious, you're actually an idiot who easily gets stuck in a dead end deep down in your bones."
"Moreover..."
Lunor pointed a finger at the maid outfit Ryu hadn't had time to change out of yet.
"What is up with this?"
"Was working as a maid in the shop to pay off debts not enough for you? You have to be a maid to repay favors outside too?"
"Don't you know anything else?"
"With your skills, wouldn't working as a bodyguard for them be better than wiping tables and sweeping floors?"
"Or could it be..."
"That the master of that house just likes you wearing this outfit?"
"I do not understand what you two are talking about."
Being sandwiched by their double act.
Ryu forcibly kept a straight face, attempting to muddle through with her usual aloof appearance.
Before the two could feel suspicious and question her further.
"You three!!!"
A roar like a thunderclap on flat ground suddenly exploded at the entrance of the back kitchen.
"Meow—!!!"
Chloe was so scared by this sudden shout that her fur stood on end instantly.
Lunor also shivered all over; the expression of enjoying a good show collapsed instantly, replaced by a face full of terror.
The two of them turned their necks stiffly, like small animals hearing the roar of a natural predator.
They saw.
The curtain of the back kitchen was roughly pushed aside by a large hand.
—The owner of the [Hostess of Fertility].
The Lv.6 Great Adventurer who once shook Orario, the "Little Giant," Mia Grand.
At this moment.
She was holding a large ladle that was still dripping water, her eyes emitting a fierce light sufficient to kill.
"Don't want to work anymore, is that it?!"
"Early in the morning, before customers have even arrived, you're chatting away so heatedly here?"
"I think your skin is itching!"
"Are the potatoes peeled?!"
"Are the tables wiped?!"
"Is the floor mopped?!"
"And you! Black Cat!"
Mia's large ladle pointed precisely at Chloe.
"The plates I told you to wash last night—why does it look like one is missing a corner?"
"Did you gnaw on the plate as a midnight snack?!"
"N-No, nya!!"
Chloe waved her hands frantically in fear, her tail tucked between her legs.
"That was an accident, nya! It really was just an accident, nya!!"
"Accident?!"
"If there's a next time, you will be the accident!!"
"Why aren't you rolling off to work yet!!"
"Yes—!!!"
The two let out a synchronized scream, then hurriedly rushed to their respective posts.
This was the deterrent power of Mama Mia.
"Mama Mia."
"Apologies, I returned late."
Ryu faced the approaching Mia and bowed dutifully.
"..."
Mia stopped in her tracks.
Those eyes, which had seen countless people, lingered on Ryu for a moment.
Her gaze swept over the apron stained with a bit of black ash, then glanced at Ryu's slightly tired but uninjured demeanor.
"It's good that you're back."
Mia didn't ask much.
She just snorted faintly.
"Since that was your favor, as long as you've paid it off yourself, it's fine."
"As long as you didn't lose your life in the process."
"I don't lack those few hours of your labor here."
"Yes."
Hearing these words.
Ryu's heart warmed.
She knew.
Although Mama Mia was strict with her words.
In reality, she was the most protective of her own.
If not for Mama Mia's protection, they would never have been able to live peacefully in Orario until now.
"Alright."
Mia waved her hand and turned to walk back.
"Hurry up and change your clothes."
"You smell like earth."
"Don't stink up the customers."
"Yes."
Ryu responded.
Watching Mia's broad back disappear into the kitchen doorway.
Only then did she completely relax.
However.
When Ryu changed into a clean uniform and came to the front hall to prepare for business.
Looking at the busy figures around her.
Anya was shuttling between the tables and chairs holding a stack of plates, humming an out-of-tune melody.
Chloe and Lunor were wiping the bar counter.
Ryu's brows, however, furrowed slightly.
One person was missing.
The figure who usually arrived earliest, always standing at the door to welcome her with a gentle smile.
Was not there.
"Anya."
Ryu stopped the idiotic cat girl passing by.
"Nya?"
Anya stopped and tilted her head.
"What's wrong, Ryu nya?"
"Where is Syr?"
Ryu looked around the surroundings.
"Has she not arrived yet?"
Usually at this time.
Syr should have arrived long ago, helping everyone organize their aprons, or tasting dishes for Mama Mia in the kitchen.
"Ah, Syr."
Anya blinked, speaking as if it were a matter of course:
"Syr asked for leave today, nya."
"Asked for leave?"
Ryu was stunned.
This term was a rare occurrence for Syr, who always had perfect attendance and even treated the tavern as her home.
"Is she sick?"
Ryu's heart instantly rose to her throat.
"No, nya."
Anya shook her head, her cat ears twitching.
"This morning Mama Mia said Syr sent a message."
"She said she was going to check on the orphanage, nya."
"Seems like there's something going on over there."
"You know how it is, nya."
"Syr likes going to that orphanage the most."
"The orphanage..."
Hearing this answer.
Ryu breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Indeed.
Syr had always looked after that orphanage on Daedalus Street.
She would often bring leftover bread from the shop and some old clothes over there.
If she went there to help.
It made sense.
In the past.
She would absolutely be extra concerned.
But right now.
Ryu knew very well.
If she ran around like a headless fly before she was completely certain, she would only fall into a more passive situation.
"I can only wait."
Ryu took a deep breath and refolded the rag that had been squeezed somewhat out of shape.
Wait for Syr to return.
Wait for the moment she sees Syr, to confirm with her own eyes that she is safe, and confirm her attitude toward that God.
It wouldn't be too late to make plans then.
Thinking of this.
Ryu's heart, which had been tight all along, relaxed just a tiny bit.
However.
Just as Ryu breathed a sigh of relief here.
At the other end of the tavern, in a shadowy corner.
Two pairs of eyes were still staring dead at Ryu's figure, burning with a raging fire named "gossip."
"Hey, Chloe."
Lunor lowered her voice.
"Don't you feel..."
"That Ryu is acting really abnormal today?"
"More than just abnormal, nya!"
"There's definitely something fishy!"
"Mm! Big time fishy!"
Lunor nodded with a face full of certainty.
"And think about it."
"Running off early in the morning to be a maid to repay a favor?"
"That kind of ghost story might fool that idiot Anya, but can it fool us?"
"In my opinion..."
Lunor rubbed her chin.
"That favor is definitely not that simple!"
"Say..."
"Should we go probe the truth, nya?"
Chloe nudged Lunor beside her with her elbow.
"Probe the truth?"
Lunor paused.
"How do we probe?"
"Ask directly?"
"That stubborn blockhead Ryu definitely won't say."
"Stupid, nya!"
Chloe rolled her eyes, wearing an expression that said 'you're really hopeless.'
"Since she won't say, we'll just go see for ourselves, nya!"
"Ryu might go again tomorrow."
"We'll get up a bit earlier tomorrow."
"Follow her from a slight distance."
"With our skills, as long as we're careful, are you afraid of being discovered by that clumsy Elf who only knows how to sprint in a straight line?"
Speaking of this.
Chloe got even more excited, her voice carrying a few tremors of excitement.
"Also, nya!"
"That's the high-class residential area of Northwest Main Street!"
"This is a rare opportunity."
"Just right to broaden our horizons."
"Incidentally..."
Chloe rubbed her hands together, revealing a standard greedy look on her face.
"If we happen to discover some valuable intel..."
"Even if we sell it to those third-rate tabloids that specialize in collecting gossip, we could exchange it for quite a bit of money, nya!"
"This..."
Lunor was somewhat tempted.
Indeed.
Staying in this tavern wiping plates and washing bowls all day, her bones were about to rust.
Although it was to lie low.
But going out occasionally for fresh air and finding some fun didn't seem excessive, right?
Moreover.
Regarding that mysterious wealthy family that could make Ryu owe a favor.
She was also extremely curious in her heart.
Just who were they?
"Fine."
Lunor gritted her teeth and finalized the plan.
"Then it's decided!"
"Tomorrow morning, we——"
However.
Before the two's perfect plan could fully take shape.
BOOM—!!!
A loud noise, like thunder on flat ground.
The solid wood bar counter in front of the two shook violently.
Even the wine bottles on top jumped up, making clinking sounds.
"Meow—!!!"
"Mommy—!!!"
The two who were immersed in beautiful fantasies were instantly scared out of their wits.
Chloe's fur all over her body exploded directly; she was like a startled spring, jumping half a meter high on the spot, almost hanging directly onto the ceiling.
Lunor wasn't much better off; the rag in her hand flew out directly, and she shrank into a ball.
The two looked back tremblingly.
They saw.
Just less than half a meter behind them.
At this moment, Mia had a dark face, and a raging fire was burning in those copper bell-like large eyes.
The giant wooden mallet in her hand used for crushing ice was smashing heavily onto the bar counter.
That loud noise just now came from this.
"Chatted enough yet?"
Mia's voice wasn't loud.
It could even be said to be calm.
But.
Hearing it in their ears, it was a hundred times more terrifying than that loud noise just now.
——It was the calm before the storm.
"Ah... Um..."
"Mama Mia..."
Chloe swallowed her saliva, feeling her calves trembling, and squeezed out a smile that was uglier than crying.
"This... This is really just a misunderstanding..."
"Misunderstanding?"
Mia sneered.
"I think you guys are so idle your bones have gone soft."
"Since you have so much energy to spy on other people's gossip."
"Then vent all this excess energy on work for me!"
"As punishment!"
"Today's toilets, and the firewood piled up for a week in the backyard!"
"All belong to you!"
"Especially you!"
"Chloe!"
"This month's wages, deducted completely!"
"As compensation for damaging public property!"
"NANI—?!!"
"No, nya!!!"
A miserable scream instantly penetrated the entire [Hostess of Fertility] tavern, even startling a few wild pigeons perched on the roof into flight.
Meanwhile.
On the spacious street of Northwest Main Street.
The morning sun sprinkled on the bustling crowd, dispelling the last trace of chill remaining from last night.
"Achoo—!"
Tsubaki, walking at the very front of the team, suddenly sneezed loudly without warning.
"Who is talking about me?"
"Could it be that Lady Hephaestus has come out of seclusion now and found that I'm missing?"
Tsubaki rubbed her nose, muttering somewhat bafflingly.
"Then I can only wish Miss Tsubaki good luck."
Haimer, walking alongside, chuckled lightly, the silver long spear in his hand swaying gently with his steps.
"However."
"Compared to Lady Hephaestus's grumbling."
"Miss Tsubaki, don't you feel the surrounding gazes..."
"Are a little too enthusiastic?"
Haimer tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping casually across both sides of the street.
Indeed.
If the gazes of the people around them when they first entered the city yesterday were just pure curiosity and sizing them up.
Then today.
Those gazes contained a shock, even awe, that was hard to conceal.
The adventurers by the roadside gathered in groups of twos and threes, pointing at Haimer's strange team.
The whispering sounds were like flies, buzzing incessantly.
"Look! It's that group of people!"
"That black-haired Male God, and that group of little girls holding swords!"
"Is this the rumored Familia from yesterday?"
"Nonsense! Look at that giant bear! Who else could it be but them?"
"Yeah! That's such a big bear!"
"I heard that on their first day into the Dungeon yesterday, they killed their way directly to the 12th Floor?"
"For real? They're bragging, right?"
"Bragging about what! The Guild has gone crazy spreading it! And many teams leveling on the 10th Floor witnessed it with their own eyes back then!"
"Especially that black-haired woman, it is said she tore a Killer Ant apart with her bare hands!"
"Lv.1 tearing a Killer Ant with bare hands?!"
"Is she a monster..."
"Hiss—"
Although the discussion voices were small, for the group with keen hearing, it was no different from shouting in their ears.
"Seems we've become famous."
Onigawara Rin walked in the middle of the team.
Although she was used to the feeling of being watched.
But this kind of encirclement, like looking at rare animals, still made people feel weird.
Hanasaka Warabi didn't care at all.
Riding on the back of the black bear Kyoubou, holding a lollipop in her hand.
Hearing someone praise Kyoubou as majestic, she even smugly swung her legs.
"Isn't being famous good?"
"Besides..."
Hanasaka Warabi patted Kyoubou's head.
"Kyoubou enjoys it too."
"Grooo~"
Kyoubou called out cooperatively.
Even the little bear was trying hard to stiffen that round face, attempting to put on a "I am very fierce" appearance.
What a pity.
Its clumsy and naive appearance, aside from attracting the affection of a few female adventurers by the roadside, had no deterrent force whatsoever.
"Just get used to it."
Tsubaki rested her hands behind her head, looking completely indifferent.
"In Orario, strength is the best advertisement."
"The commotion you guys caused yesterday was too big; it would be hard not to be noticed."
"Look at those people's eyes."
"Regarding that battle yesterday, the news of you rookie team who just registered for less than a day piercing through the first 12 floors must have flown across the entire Orario as if it grew wings."
"In this city where strength reigns supreme."
"The strong, no matter where they go, are the focal point."
"Even if you are currently just Lv.1."
"But in the eyes of others."
"You are already those monster rookies they must look up to."
"Nothing makes people shut up better than a fist."
"Indeed."
"However."
"Miss Tsubaki."
Speaking of this.
Haimer turned his head and looked at Tsubaki.
"Are you still going down with these children today?"
"I remember as the Captain of a Familia, your affairs should be quite numerous."
"No matter how much Hephaestus lets you be, not going home for two consecutive days is probably hard to explain, right?"
"Heh."
"Lord Haimer thought of it after all."
Hearing this, a somewhat helpless bitter smile appeared on Tsubaki's face.
"Yeah."
"Although I really want to continue leading this group of little monsters."
"But..."
Tsubaki sighed and shrugged.
"If I don't watch those guys in the group for a day, they'll start tearing the roof off."
"And the orders from several Familias are also pressing tight."
"If I don't go back to keep an eye on things, Lady Hephaestus might really get angry."
"So."
At this point.
Tsubaki stopped in her tracks.
She turned around, looking at this group of young girls behind her who emitted an aura of 'don't mess with me' even just standing there.
Her gaze swept over everyone's face.
Finally.
It stayed on Amou Kirukiru's eyes, which were still burning with battle intent.
"This trip today counts as the last time I accompany you."
"My mission ends completely here."
"Actually, Miss Tsubaki doesn't need to force herself."
"Since you have business to attend to, then go attend to it."
"Besides."
"With the current state of these children, no major trouble should occur."
"They are currently holding back a burst of energy, wanting to find a place to vent."
Hearing these words from Haimer, Tsubaki felt anxious inside, and a distressed expression appeared on her face.
"Don't, Lord Haimer!"
"Although I am busy."
"Don't chase me away right now."
"Today, I still want to lead the team personally."
"After all, I want to see."
"Just how much time these little monsters will take to break the fastest leveling record left by that [Sword Princess]."
"That Ais Wallenstein."
"Back then, going from Lv.1 to Lv.2 took a whole year."
"This is already a publicly recognized myth in Orario."
"But now..."
"I have a premonition."
Tsubaki glanced at Amou Kirukiru, then at Inaba Tsukuyo.
"The fastest leveling record left by the [Sword Princess] is afraid to become a thing of the past in just these few days."
"If I can't watch these little monsters grow with my own eyes."
"In my heart, I always feel like something is missing."
While speaking.
The group had already crossed the bustling square.
That towering white giant tower reaching into the clouds—the Babel Tower—was already close at hand.
As the only entrance to the Dungeon.
The huge plaza at the bottom of the Babel Tower was a sea of people at any time.
"So many people..."
Onigawara Rin tightened her grip on the sword in her hand. Looking at these dense heads, she couldn't help but let out a sigh.
For these young girls from a closed academy.
This hodgepodge scene mixing not only humans but also Beast People with animal ears, short Dwarves, and even occasionally seeing a few graceful Elves.
Was simply fresher than anything else.
"That is natural."
Tsubaki walked in front to clear the way. The surrounding crowd saw her signature eyepatch and that undisguised aura of a high-level adventurer, and they all consciously made way.
"This is the center of the world, Orario."
"Guys from all over the world who want to get rich, want to be famous, want to find fun, will eventually gather under this tower."
"Look over there."
Tsubaki pointed to a few stalls on the edge of the square where people were shouting energetically.
"Selling potions, selling maps, and those specializing in scamming rookies."
"In a place like this, keep your eyes peeled."
"If you're slightly inattentive, the Valis in your pocket could be picked clean."
"Pickpockets?"
Hanasaka Warabi, sitting on the black bear's back, immediately straightened up upon hearing this. She didn't eat the lollipop anymore, staring wide-eyed and looking around.
"Where? Where is the pickpocket?"
"I've never seen what an other-world pickpocket looks like!"
"..."
"Idiot."
Onigawara Rin, walking beside her, couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Stop embarrassing yourself there."
"How is it embarrassing!"
"We killed our way to the 12th Floor yesterday!"
Hanasaka Warabi puffed up her cheeks unconvinced, swinging her two short legs.
As for Amou Kirukiru, who hadn't spoken all along, her gaze was constantly locked onto that huge entrance of the Babel Tower.
The surrounding noise seemed to have nothing to do with her.
In her eyes, there was only that entrance leading to the Dungeon.
Although she lost the sparring match with Ryu.
That feeling after being defeated made every cell in her body scream for battle right now.
"Let's go."
Haimer looked at Amou Kirukiru's appearance of being unable to hold back anymore and smiled.
"Today's goal."
"Is to continue down the path you didn't finish walking yesterday."
"Understood—!!"
"Set off! Set off!"
Haimer watched as Tsubaki led the girls toward the Dungeon.
At the same time.
At the end of Northwest Main Street.
Here stood a building that would absolutely rank in the top three of "Least Wanted to Admit as a Landmark" even in this Orario full of wonders.
——The base of the [Ganesha Familia].
A huge Elephant God statue named [I am Ganesha] was sitting cross-legged there.
That huge body was a full dozens of meters high, face wearing a red and yellow elephant mask, overlooking the entire city.
What was even more ridiculous.
Was that the entrance to this building.
Opened exactly at the crotch of the statue sitting cross-legged.
That is.
Under the crotch.
At this moment.
Inside the main hall.
"..."
Shakti Varma, dressed in light armor with blue hair, was standing straight in the center of the hall.
Although there was no expression on that usually rigorous and cold face.
Posture upright, looking straight ahead.
However.
If one looked closely.
One would discover that the index finger of her right hand, wearing an iron gauntlet, was tapping somewhat irritably on her arm, again and again.
This was her habitual movement when anxious.
After all.
Since she returned last night.
Her Lord God had gone to find several other Main Gods and had disappeared for a whole night.
Although nominally it was to discuss the turmoil caused and the subsequent pacification matters.
However.
It had been so long, and Lord Ganesha had not returned yet.
This was a bit strange.
"Captain."
At this time, a Ganesha Familia member responsible for guarding the door approached cautiously.
"Has Lord Ganesha not returned yet?"
"Should be soon."
Shakti glanced at the wall clock.
"According to past customs, by this time those Lord Gods should have argued themselves tired."
As soon as the voice fell.
"I am Ganesha—!!"
A shout full of vigor came from outside the door.
This was Ganesha's habit when entering and exiting the [Ganesha Familia] base—[I am Ganesha].
Immediately after.
Sure enough, the door located at the crotch of the Elephant God statue was pushed open.
A burly figure wearing an elephant head mask with muscles knotted all over strode in with large steps.
——Ganesha.
The Main God of one of Orario's largest Familias.
"Those guys are really too difficult!"
Ganesha exuded a sense of deep exhaustion.
"Lord Ganesha."
Shakti immediately took a step forward and bowed slightly.
"You have worked hard."
"What was the result?"
"Regarding the issue of Lord Haimer's compensation..."
Hearing this question.
Ganesha's movements paused.
"Don't mention it."
Ganesha waved his hand and sat heavily on that extra-large chair belonging to him in the center of the hall.
"Those guys, as soon as it touches upon matters related to Haimer, every one of them is slippery as can be."
"Especially regarding the origin of Haimer's long spear; Hephaestus is in seclusion seeing no one, and the Captain has been by Haimer's side, so the reason can't be asked either."
"As for other matters."
"Argued with the gods for a whole night."
"The conclusion is to let us handle it ourselves."
"..."
Shakti fell silent.
Although she had anticipated it, hearing this result, she still couldn't help but feel a headache.
Handle it themselves.
These three words were naturally the most troublesome.
"So..."
"Your meaning is..."
Shakti asked tentatively.
"What else can be done?"
Ganesha sighed.
Even wearing a mask.
One could feel the helplessness exuding from this God at this moment.
"Since those guys intend to continue playing dead."
"So..."
"Tomorrow."
"Shakti."
"You have to work hard again."
"Go to that fellow Haimer's new home for a trip."
"After all."
"You were the handler yesterday and are relatively familiar with him."
Go again?
Shakti only felt her temples throbbing.
"Lord Ganesha."
Shakti sighed, attempting a final struggle.
"For this kind of thing, wouldn't it be fine for you, as a God, to go yourself?"
"I am the Captain."
"There is still a large pile of Familia affairs waiting for me to handle."
"No can do!"
"Dealing with him will definitely cost a layer of skin!"
"So."
"Lord Ganesha."
"What exactly are the gods guarding against Lord Haimer for?"
____
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