Authors note: Damn wth we're almost number 1 now in power stones, you guys must be starved or something
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Breakfast at the Twilight Manor was a far more subdued affair compared to the previous night's dinner. Most of the Familia members were still nursing the aftereffects of their early celebration, with more than a few clutching at their heads as they hunched over their bowls of food.
Yuji sat near the end of the long tables, with his newly cleaned clothes folded on the bench next to him. Someone had come over and brought it over the moment he entered the dining hall. He ran a thumb over the silver lining, taking note that there was even a slight floral fragrance emanating from the clothes.
He opted to go for something light for breakfast, thick slices of bread with butter and honey and what he assumed was a bowl of dried fruits.
"I really hope they have rice here." Yuji muttered quietly to himself, eating his breakfast in peace.
A faint familiar presence approached from the corridor. Light footsteps, but they moved with a destination in mind.
Aiz appeared at the edge of the dining hall, holding a portion of her own breakfast. She had been talking to Riveria earlier, asking her what was a good way to break the ice and talk to someone. Riveria had suggested for her to join him for breakfast, already knowing who she was referring to.
For as airheaded and awkward as Aiz was, she still had the self awareness to ask for advice so others wouldn't be so put off by her presence.
It didn't help that she was standing opposite Yuji, across the table, her golden eyes just silently staring at him.
Yuji raised an eyebrow, gesturing to the seat in front of him, "You can sit if you want. It's your home afterall."
Aiz nodded and then sat down. Just as she was about to speak up, her eyes widened in surprise and panic as Yuji stood up, having already finished his breakfast.
"Welp, I'm done. Time to get changed and ready." Yuji spoke out, standing up to leave, seeing Aiz attempt to flounder out a response, having not this specific scenario practised in her mind.
Yuji shook his head, a corner of his mouth lifting as he left the dining hall to head back to his room. He knew she wanted to talk with him, but he didn't want to just yet. He could already feel the amount of baggage the girl was carrying within herself and he would rather get used to life here before he was dumped with something else.
Changing back into his original clothing, he figured it was about time to meet up with the rest of Loki Familia and get on with the day.
Aiz meanwhile, sat still in the dining hall, still in shock at her failed plan. She turned to the side slowly towards Riveria who had been watching from a nearby doorway, quickly turned her face away, concealing her facial expression but the slight shaking of her shoulders revealed more than enough.
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The front of the Twilight Manor was filled with noise and controlled chaos by the time Yuji stepped outside.
Carts were being loaded with crates of magic stones, sorted meticulously by size and floor of origin. Supporters hauled large bags of drop items while others double checked their inventory against the parchment of paper they carried.
Finn stood near the main gate, overseeing the entire operation next to Riveria who had quickly escaped Aiz's wrath, a set of documents laid out across a portable field desk.
Gareth was directing the loading of heavier crates, his loud booming voice cutting through the constant chatter from the Familia.
Off to the side, Tiona draped her arm over Tione's shoulder, chattering in her sister's ear at a rapid pace about something while her sister tried to shake her off with increasing irritation. Lefiya stood off to the side, hands clasped nervously in front of her, wanting to intervene but lacking the courage to step between the Amazonian twins.
Bete leaned against the manor walls, arm crossed but missing a pair of his Flosvirt boots, a result of charging head on at Yuji. He tracked Yuji's approach with sharp eyes, but turned away with a huff.
As Yuji neared the gate, his jacked on and hood down, Finn looked up from his documents to regard the tall man.
"Good timing." Finn set down his pen and stepped around the table. Despite his short stature, he commanded a presence that invited attention and respect. "We're heading out shortly. I've arranged for you to accompany our grou to the Guild Headquarters, that's where we'll exchange the magic stones and file our expedition report. Afterwards, I'll have someone show you the main districts."
"The Guild." Yuji recalled the name that was tossed around from the time he spent with Loki Familia, "They're the ones who run the Dungeon, right?"
"Manage, more than run. They oversee adventurer registration, quest distribution, monster stone exchange and information dissemination. They serve as the mediating body between Familias and the Dungeon." Finn handed the leftover documents over to Riveria who tucked them away inside a leather case. "Think of them as the bureaucratic backbone of Orario. Nothing moves through the Dungeon's economy without passing through their hands first. Every Familia is required to pay tax to them as well, depending on the Familia's rank."
Riveria who had been quietly organizing the last of the documents glanced up at Yuji. "You would do well to exercise discretion whilst there." She said, her tone both filled with caution and sternness, "The Guild will have questions about your status and affiliations. Questions that, given your circumstances, would be difficult to answer without drawing unnecessary scrutiny."
"I don't plan on drawing attention to myself." Yuji replied, putting his hood over his head, staring back at the emerald eyed high elf.
"See that you don't." She held his gaze for a moment longer, not in a threatening manner but to make sure her point was properly conveyed, before turning away.
Finn gave a small, diplomatic smile. "Shall we?"
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The main group moved through theNorthwest Main Street of Orario in a loose procession, the carts of magic stones and drop items forming the center column with Familia members flanking on either side.
There were eight main streets in Orario. All of them started in the center of the circular city and expanded due north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west and northwest. From high above the city, the view of the metropolis would resemble a cake cut into eight slices.
Merchants shouted from stalls, their voices trying to outdo the other in competing pitches.
People and Adventurers alike parted naturally as the Loki Familia passed. Not out of fear, but out of recognition. Eyes widened, fingers pointed, voices exchanged with one another excitedly whispered. Adventurers eyed them with both gazes of envy and awe. Several shopkeepers waved or called out greetings.
A group of young adventurers, seeming to be Level 1's, stopped dead in the street to stare as Aiz walked by, their mouths hanging open. Aiz didn't seem to notice, or if she did, she gave no indication.
"Quite the reception." Yuji said to Finn, who walked behind him at the front of the procession.
"The return of a major expedition is always an event. People track our departures and returns, both rival and friendly Familia's alike. It tells them the state of the Dungeon, the health of the city's economy and the general safety of the upper floors." Finn nodded graciously toward a group of Pallum girls swooning over him, only for them to quickly be deterred and skitter away as Tione's murderous gaze focused onto them. "The attention serves a purpose, even when it's inconvenient."
Although Finn's tone was light, Yuji could hear the hidden calculation layered underneath it. Finn understood that public perception was a resource to be managed, no different from magic stones or Valis.
As they moved deeper into the city center, Babel grew from an impressive landmark into an overwhelming presence, its sheer scale dwarfing anything close by. Yuji's gaze drifted upward, tracing the tower's height toward the upper floors where yesterday's buzz had been.
The sensation was still there, but fainter than before, far more delicate. As quickly as he noticed, the gaze drifted away, having no desire of provoking him again.
The Guild headquarters soon came into view. Built from white marble with the front lined with a series of large pillars, the building itself was called the Pantheon, temple of the Gods. Several monuments stood on the front lawn as adventurers passed by them towards the front doors.
All adventurers were registered with the Guild, catalogued into their database as a way to protect and defer them from harming average citizens at the same time. In return, its employees advised Adventurers and provided them with information on the obstacles they would encounter throughout the Dungeon.
The better prepared Adventurers were, the more money they would make, and the more the city would prosper.
"Riveria, Gareth and I will take the magic stones to the exchange. Everyone else, stick to the plan and take care of your individual tasks. And please make sure all the money is accounted for… Isn't that right, Raul?"
"That was a one time fluke, sir! Won't happen again!!"
"Haha, we'll see, won't we? Let's get to it."
Finn gave out his orders, gesturing for Yuji to follow him in. A few supporters accompanied them, hauling the magic stones up the ramp at the side of the stairs leading up into the building.
"Normally, adventures must be registered with the Guild to conduct any business here." Finn continued as they headed up the stairs and inside, "Since you're unregistered and unaffiliated with any Familia, I've arranged to process your share through our accounts."
They were greeted by several Guild members and directed to a private room to the side, with Finn whispering to him, "Though I'll note that this arrangement can't continue indefinitely. At some point, you'll need to establish a more formal standing in the city."
"We'll see." Was all Yuji responded with, to which Finn merely smiled and said nothing else.
"You can wait out here, I'll be handling the exchange with these two." Finn said, as Gareth and Riveria followed him into a private room.
Yuji settled himself against one of the hall's stone pillars, letting his eyes roam. He took note of the various types of people that filled out the hall, ranging from humans, half elves, half dwarves, pallums and beast people. Some people gave him odd glances, but quickly scoffed and returned to their own business.
Yuji paid them no mind, but not long after a fat elf with white hair and short legs hurried out from the back of the Guild, wearing a black suit of a high quality over the standard Guild uniform that made him stand out.
He quickly rushed towards Yuji, sweat trailing down his face and neck as he rubbed his hands together, "Ahem, excuse me, esteemed sir?" The elf quietly spoke out, standing to Yuji's side and looking up at him.
Yuji barely turned his head to the newcomer, "What?"
The elf flinched, before coughing into his hand and straightening himself, "Someone has requested for your presence, someone very, VERY important, sir. They wish t-to meet you. Could you… come with me?" The elf slowly enunciated, as if the very words he had just uttered was something he could seldom fathom. He was suddenly summoned underground to meet with Him, the one that founded Orario, and was told to escort the man in the strange clothing before him. He was also instructed to not do anything to antagonize the man.
Yuji stayed silent for a moment, turning his head more towards the elf. The elf in question, Royman Mardeel, head of the Guild, could see the corner of Yuji's head and his response made his heart drop.
"No."