CHAPTER 1
V-V-V FOR VICTORY PARTY
As the sun sinks behind the mountains in the west, magic-stone lamps spring to life, filling the night with glittering lights as numerous as the stars in the sky. This is why everyone knows Orario as the city that never sleeps.
Recently, it’s been even more lively than usual because of a certain huge battle. A nonstop stream of shouts and cheers can be heard on any of the eight main streets of the city. Grinning adventurers and giddy deities eat and drink as much as they like while all the many bars and taverns keep serving up their best, fueling the city’s party atmosphere.
And The Benevolent Mistress is no exception.
“Here’s to our victory in the war game! Cheeeeers!!!”
“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”
On Lady Hestia’s cue, countless cups rise together for a toast.
The tavern’s filled with people, people, and more people. There’s loads of gods and goddesses, too.
Tonight, the whole place has been reserved for Hestia Familia and our friends. It’s dead obvious, but this is a celebration for winning the war game.
“You drinkin’, Little Rookie?!”
“No, we just started, and…! Oh, also, my alias is Rabbit Foot now, Mr. Mord…”
“Don’t be stupid! When are you gonna drink if not now?!”
I feel a thick arm around my neck and hear a gravelly voice as the smell of alcohol hits my nose. Mr. Mord is very red-faced as he raises his cup high while hanging onto me with his other arm.
“We woooon!!! Against Freya Familiaaaaa!!!”
““““Yeaaaaaaaaaah!!!””””
Mr. Gyle, Mr. Scott, Mr. Bors, the people of Rivira, plus Mr. Dormul and the dwarves of Magni Familia all roar in response.
Lots of the adventurers who lent us their strength in the war game have been partying hard from the get-go.
I understand why they want to celebrate. Our accomplishment is truly incredible. We defeated Freya Familia, which is considered as powerful as Loki Familia. Everyone who fought has earned the right to get drunk on the glory of victory.
…Even if they’re maybe a little too unreserved.
“Tonight’s on me!!! I got a mountain of cash from Freya Familia!!! Eat all you want! Bottoms up on those drinks!!!”
“Wooooooo!”
“Yeah, Bors!”
Overjoyed by their reward—a share of Freya Familia’s massive fortune—Mr. Bors and Mr. Mord and the others have loosened their purse strings and are dropping coins all over. I watch them throw back their drinks with a wry smile.
“They’ll burn through their prize in no time at this rate. I can see it now.”
“Ah, Mr. Luvis.”
“Don’t mind them. Let’s celebrate in our own way, noble friend of the elves.”
Mr. Luvis holds out a glass filled with ice and pure Alv Spring Water. I feel a little embarrassed as I gently clink it with my own cup.
I’m not old enough to drink just yet, but…I can still celebrate with the people who fought by my side.
“More food, meow!”
“Ale first! There’s not enough ale, meow!”
With Mr. Luvis’s help, I escape the crowd around Mr. Mord as catgirl waitresses rush around.
The Benevolent Mistress is arranged differently from usual. Tonight, it’s set up buffet-style. All the chairs have been put away, making the interior feel more open. Really, if it wasn’t set up like this, it would be almost impossible to fit everyone inside.
While all the people here are friends of Hestia Familia’s, a lot of them can get pretty rowdy, like the people of Rivira. Other mortals and deities who fought with us in the war game have also stopped by. It’s rare to see so many different groups mingling like this outside Denatus.
Speaking of, I go over to give my thanks to Takemikazuchi Familia.
“Mr. Ouka, Ms. Chigusa, and Ms. Asuka and everyone else, too. Thank you so much for helping us in the war game!”
“Not at all! If anything, I’m sorry we weren’t able to help you when you were in such a critical spot before!” Ms. Chigusa quickly says as she waves her hands.
“That’s right. We were simply following Laurus Fuga’s order to let the enemy cut us down, after all,” Mr. Ouka bemoans.
Ms. Daphne almost does a spit take with her beer before she manages to chime in.
“Hey now! Don’t make it sound like I got you killed! I spent more than my fair share of time getting carved up by Dáinsleif too!!!”
“C-calm down, Daph!”
I struggle to hold back a laugh as I watch Ms. Cassandra desperately soothing Daphne. Then I turn my attention to the pair next to them.
“Umm, Ms. Nahza…What are you and Lord Miach going to do about your broken prosthetic…?”
“It’s fine…We got our share of the reward too, so we should be able to make a new airgetlám…”
“It’s not enough to also pay off the loans for the last one, though, so we’re basically net even. Well, we did get to help you in the process, so let’s call it net positive.”
Ms. Nahza and Lord Miach wear warm smiles. I notice Ms. Nahza’s right sleeve is tied up. I heard her airgetlám broke during the war game, so I’m relieved to hear they seem to be handling it okay. I did consider going into the Dungeon to pay her back for it.
“It rubs me wrong having to pay Amid…but Lord Miach’s right, the return was well worth the price. I even reached Level Three…”
“Huh?! Really?!”
“Mhmm. So we’re celebrating…Not that it’s much use when I can’t fight monsters, though.”
Any excelia you earn under the effects of a Level Boost are supposed to be halved! And according to Ms. Nahza, Ms. Samira, Ms. Lena, and several other Berbera also leveled up. Seems like there were plenty of gains aside from the usual fortune and glory.
That stunning report reminds me how the opponents we fought were truly absurd.
“Bell Cranell? You know you don’t need to go around greeting everyone, right?” Lady Hephaistos assures me.
“Yes. You fought harder than anyone else—and got more wounded as well,” Lord Takemikazuchi says in agreement.
Ms. Tsubaki bellows, “Quit stumblin’ around and stand up straight, man!”
“Umm…” I take a moment to put my feelings into words. “I just wanted to let everyone know how grateful I am…The battle was a lot.”
I’m not doing this because I feel obligated. It’s simply what I want to do.
Lady Hephaistos’s heartwarming gaze suddenly disappears as her eyes blaze and she snaps, “Then have Hestia do it! She’s your patron deity!”
I freeze up and weakly respond with, “Y-yes, ma’am.”
The others chuckle as I excuse myself and continue making the rounds.
I don’t see Miss Eina anywhere in the crowd. Mostly just adventurers. Apparently, it’s not ideal for people from the Guild to join big gatherings of adventurers—or in this case, whole familias. The other notable absence is Lord Hermes and his familia. They turned down the invitation since they didn’t directly participate in the war game. In exchange, we got an expensive bottle of wine and a message that read, Enjoy the victor’s feast!
They aren’t the only ones being missed. Fels, Mr. Finn, Ms. Tiona, Ms. Tione…a lot of people who helped us aren’t attending today.
“Aiz cheered for you until her voice was hoarse! It got so bad she’s too embarrassed to see you right away! Don’t worry—she’ll come find you once it’s healed, Argonaut!” is what Ms. Tiona told me.
The reason we can enjoy this happy moment is because we had the help of so many people. I can’t pretend that we won this by ourselves.
“I still can’t believe we beat Freya Familia…It doesn’t seem possible, even now! It feels as if I might wake to discover it was just a dream…!”
“Please don’t say something so ill-omened, Ms. Mikoto! Lilly had to perform an extended tightrope walk down into hell and back four whole times! Never again! Lilly is never doing anything like that ever again! Never, ever, everrrrr!!!”
“C-calm down, Lady Lilly!”
After I finish seeing everyone, I return to the table at the center of the tavern where my familia is chatting. Ms. Mikoto clearly hasn’t fully processed everything that’s happened. Meanwhile, Lilly is ranting almost hysterically, and Ms. Haruhime is doing everything she can to calm her down.
We may have won, but Lilly is still having constant nightmares, and just this once, she desperately wishes she could drink herself senseless. She swore off alcohol after the incident with Divine Wine, but apparently “who could stay sane after all that without drinking?!” are her thoughts on the matter.
“Mgh, mgh…mhaa! That’s just how crazy things got! We had to win no matter what it took. It was a true life-or-death battle!”
Our goddess simply nods as she reaches out for more food like it’s a competition. As I watch her, I can feel my awkward smile growing.
Of course, I understand where Lilly is coming from. I’d rather not remember the war game too vividly. Being battered, beaten, pummeled, pounded, smashed, and crushed by Mr. Ottar for so long has probably left some scars. Just thinking about it makes the smile on my face twitch a little, even now…
“That’s all well and good, but…” Welf starts, only for Lilly to roar back with, “It is neither well nor good!!!”
After taking a swig of his drink, Welf glances to the side and continues.
“…Why is the losing side here?”
While Lilly has been decidedly not looking in that direction, the rest of us follow Welf’s gaze. Standing there are the four prum brothers carrying giant plates and a massive number of bottles of ale.
“It’s just a bit of service.”
“It’s just humiliation.”
“I’ll never forget this disgrace.”
““““I’ll never forgive you, Bell.””””
“Why me?!”
Hearing their four overlapping voices use the same exact tone, I reflexively respond just like I did when I was Freya Familia’s Bell Cranell.
The Gulliver brothers are wearing their usual imposing sand-colored armor and helmets. But they also have white aprons on, covering the armor as they work diligently as waiters.
And it’s not just them—it’s all of Freya Familia.
“Thus was our sin, thus is our fate. The reparations of the defeated…to die banquet slaves. Heh, the humiliation beneath so many gazes is unbearable. My material form must retreat to the holy kitchen…! …P-please…?”
“No can do. The kitchen is already covered. This place is crazy, though. Hard labor comparable to Folkvangr…”
Mr. Hegni is shy enough that he’s reaching his limits, but Ms. Heith casually cuts off his line of retreat, scooting by carrying platters of food in both arms. It looks like she’s already gotten the hang of waiting tables, and I could swear I’ve seen her like this before in Folkvangr…How do I put it…? Her exhausted eyes look like they belong to someone much, much older.
“Whew, this is definitely easier compared to normal! Only a little bit, though!”
“That’s right! Thanks to the slaves we got our hands on, it’s a liiiiiittle bit better, meow! Move it along, losers, work hard to make up for our share too, meow!”
Ms. Runoa and Ms. Chloe are smirking as they watch the Gulliver brothers, Mr. Hegni, and the others working all around the tavern…Well, that’s how it goes.
Freya Familia is being forced to work at the banquet celebrating the coalition’s victory. Now that their familia has been effectively disbanded, Ms. Mia has been dragging all the former members, particularly the Andhrímnir, to work in her restaurant. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say she forced them to join? From what I heard, she said something like, “That stupid goddess went on an absolute rampage, and her idiot children made a damn mess of my stupid girls. They better settle up with me, or else!”
I guess it’s sort of natural given her personality, but casually putting einherjar and first-tier adventurers to work…Ms. Mia really is unbelievable. They’re not visible from out here, but all the Andhrímnir working in the kitchen probably make for an incredible sight.
As it happens, there weren’t any staff uniforms for men, so Mr. Hegni and the other male members of Freya Familia are just wearing their normal battle clothes, while the women are wearing the iconic The Benevolent Mistress outfit.
The reactions to seeing Freya Familia working in the restaurant have been varied, to say the least.
Some like Welf find it almost disturbing. Some are even terrified. At the same time, people like Mr. Mord and his buddies are enjoying the view with big smirks on their faces.
Undoubtedly, the goddess of beauty’s familia members are renowned for their looks, and seeing many of them in waitress outfits is a treat, but it’s plain to see that if anyone tries anything untoward, they’ll be swatted to the ground in an instant, so even as drunk as Mr. Bors and the others are, all of them are very careful not to do anything foolish. It’s a delicate balance of excitement and cold sweat.
Just then, a terrifyingly icy voice skewers my brain.
“—What are you staring at, filth? You’re hideous. Put out your eyes and fall into hell. Animal.”
“I’m not staring! I’m not! So please stop glaring at me like you’re going to kill me with your eyes alone, Ms. Hörn!” I don’t need to look to know who just said that. Her long ashen hair is covering the right half of her beautiful face, which is currently frozen in an expression as cold as ice.
Calling her the Witch’s Disciple is a perfect description. Like Ms. Heith and the other women, she’s currently wearing the restaurant’s uniform. And now she’s standing right behind me.
She usually wears a long black dress, so seeing her in the cute, green uniform is really refreshing…is what I would be thinking if I wasn’t so terrified. My neck is coated in sweat and my jaw is insanely tense. Under her withering gaze, I just barely manage to offer a pathetic, polite smile.
“I-it…looks good on you, Ms. Hörn…that outfit…”
Her eyes widen, and her face turns so red I can almost hear her steaming.
“Beast! Beast! Beast!!!”
“Why?!”
Ignoring my cry, Ms. Hörn desperately pulls at the skirt that already reaches past her knees and isn’t exactly short, trying to cover her slender legs, which are also covered by black tights.
“How dare you leer at me with your vulgar gaze when I’m already enduring so much! Have some shame! Ugh, why do I have to wear this…? It suits Lady Syr, but it doesn’t fit me at all…!”
“We effectively lost because of your betrayal, so it makes perfect sense that you are first in line for punishment. Please keep up the swift work, Hörn.” Ms. Heith mercilessly cuts her down.
“Heith…! Gaaaaaaah!!!!”
Ms. Hörn glares as hard as she can at Heith, but her stare isn’t very effective when she’s still bright red and can’t even get a proper word out.
The rest of their familia initially branded her as a traitor until their goddess insisted she be formally pardoned. But even if she has technically been forgiven, the rest of the familia believes she still needs to atone, which is why she was the very first one to go to work at The Benevolent Mistress.
Because Ms. Hörn was the goddess’s attendant who hardly ever appeared in public, she has become the center of curious attention for quite a while now. The male gods are all singing the praises of the picture-perfect pretty-girl psycho.
“It really is all your fault! All because you are alive! Have some shame!” she shouts at me, making her long, tied-up hair swing wildly. I think I can see a tear in the corner of her eye.
“Hiiiii?!” I cry when I realize she’s holding a fork in her hand like she has some sort of murder-suicide planned.
Thankfully, Ms. Heith comes over and says, “All right, that’s enough,” before dragging her away. Even then, Ms. Hörn keeps looking right at me, like she might be able to kill me if she glares hard enough.
“This staffing choice is definitely messed up…How am I supposed to enjoy my drink like this?”
I’m still deathly pale as Welf sighs and mercifully props me up with one arm.
“It’s fine, I guess,” Ms. Samira says with a laugh. “They’re making themselves useful in other ways, too.”
“Yeah! After the war game, Haruhime’s been targeted constantly! If Freya Familia hadn’t been around for protection, who knows what would have happened?!” Ms. Rena agrees with animated gestures.
These Berbera Amazons are, of course, talking about the current situation surrounding Ms. Haruhime and her Level Boost ability.
“With her Level Boost out in the open thanks to the war game, all sorts of people have their eyes on her. That’s why I told you to keep that under wraps, you useless fox,” Ms. Aisha says as she musses up Ms. Haruhime’s hair.
“Auuugh. My humblest apologies…!” she says while doubling over.
Ms. Haruhime used Uchide no Kozuchi over and over during the war game and all of Orario was watching, so her ability is essentially public knowledge now. Even if it’s only temporary, magic that can break all the rules and raise your level is something that a lot of people won’t overlook…Ms. Haruhime has had to endure kidnapping attempts, shady offers, and all other sorts of dangerous activity recently.
Ms. Mikoto and I, plus Ms. Aisha and the other Berbera, have all been on guard…but Freya Familia has also been very helpful.
“All is as the heavens have decreed…What a pitiful fox, destined to be sacrificed on an altar. Severing that doomed fate is our duty, as our sin was the root of such misfortune…”
“What are you even talking about?”
Welf turns a sour eye on Mr. Hegni’s rambling as he walks by.
If I had to guess, he’s probably saying, “Ms. Haruhime is getting targeted because of our fight, so we’re taking responsibility by protecting her.” I think. Probably…
“Umm, Mr. Hegni? Out of curiosity, how many times has Ms. Haruhime been targeted…?”
“That’s hard to say…Until today, Hedin and I took turns watching over her. Just during my shifts, I crushed seventy-one different attempts.”
“Ugh.”
It hasn’t even been a week since the end of the war game, and even if they didn’t get off the ground, that is a crazy number of attempts.
Ms. Haruhime’s Level Boost is undoubtedly incredible, but this is also a reminder that Orario is a truly dangerous place. I’m sure there’s people and places outside the city that aren’t much better, but…
“…I have to say this to Ms. Samira and the other Berbera as well, but thank you for protecting Ms. Haruhime, Mr. Hegni.”
“Mmm…You’re going to make me blush, so you don’t have to be so formal with me.” His cheeks redden just a bit, and he briefly looks away. I’ve noticed that Mr. Hegni isn’t quite so awkward when he talks with me recently. “Also…if you’re feeling grateful, then be grateful to her, not us. It’s all because of what she asked of us.”
I don’t have to see where he’s looking to know who he means.
The girl with blue-gray hair has been the hardest worker in the entire restaurant.
“Syr, dear! Can I get another plate of this tomato pie?”
“Of course, Lady Demeter!”
“Some more beer, Syr!”
“Of course, Lord Nj rðr!”
“““Syrrr! Pour us some beer!”””
“Uuuuugh! Right away!”
Ms. Syr is running all around, answering the constant orders from the gods and goddesses, looking like she’s on the verge of giving up and staring at the ceiling in exhaustion. Lady Hephaistos smirks sadistically, thoroughly enjoying this, while Lord Takemikazuchi and Lord Miach share a wry smile.
The great goddess of beauty who once brought Orario to its knees is no longer here. She left the city days ago. That’s the official story.
Possibly because of the far-reaching and devastatingly powerful charm, hardly any mortal residents of the city have retained their memories from when Orario was her sandbox.
In other words, very few mortals know Lady Freya is actually Ms. Syr.
However, her true identity is now known to basically all the deities. With the city no longer threatened by her charm, many of them are nonchalantly stopping in to tease and bully Ms. Syr. Speaking for the whole coalition, Lady Hestia has allowed Ms. Syr to remain here, but this level of shaming is considered appropriate.
And Ms. Syr has obediently accepted. She’s already apologized to lots and lots of people, listened to all their complaints—and even been slapped more than a couple times. Even now, she is still taking her punishment.
There are apparently many people who think this is far too lenient, especially among the goddesses, but…she doesn’t have any status, honor, or wealth left to her name. As such, she is serving her penance not as a goddess, but as a normal girl.
I think the reason Freya Familia’s members are working here is not just because of Ms. Mia, but also because they want to lessen Ms. Syr’s burden. To share in her punishment. They are still her faithful followers.
“Syrrrrr! Where’s my brother, meow?! Today’s the day we’re supposed to have a proper talk, meow! We’re going to be family again, meow!”
“Umm, is he not on the roof? I think he’s looking out to make sure no bad people get close.”
“Got it, meow! Then I’m going to cut work to go see him, meow! Take care of my share, Syr!”
“Eh?! Wait, Ahnya! I’m at my limit here! Seriously, please wait! Ahnya?!”
Ms. Ahnya sprints into the back of the restaurant, and not long after, everyone can hear a thudding set of footsteps that don’t sound anything like a cat’s running across the roof. Then two voices that don’t sound much like cats meowing ring out.
“Stay away from me!” and “Quit hugging me!” and “Brother!” That sort of thing.
The voices quickly fade into the distance, meaning those two cats probably started a game of tag across the rooftops.
Thanks to Ms. Syr, Ms. Ahnya has really cheered up.
I’m not so naive that I believe everything will simply go back to the way it was, just like that…but I think it’s safe to say The Benevolent Mistress has reclaimed a little normalcy.
“…Ms. Syr, should I help out too?”
I’ve been trying to just watch over her with the best smile I can muster, but seeing how busy she is, I can’t help but offer to help.
“No, Mr. Bell. You promised to keep an eye on me, right?” She politely declines and goes on, saying, “Since I can’t be a good girl, if you disappear, I might turn into an evil witch again. So just keep your eyes on me all the time as I do my best. That was our promise, my Odr.”
She smiles merrily. Not like a goddess, but like a happy, normal girl.
…A smile I have to protect.
It’s just like the promise I made with Wiene and the Xenos. A selfish promise that I can’t break.
As the tavern swells with the excitement of a banquet, I realize Ms. Syr and I have been smiling together like the first day we met.
“—That’s right, Bell!!! This scheming, troublesome Syr-what’s-your-face is far more dangerous than Wallen-what’s-her-face, and she doesn’t need you going easy on her!”
“Gwah?!”
All of a sudden, I get tackled at high speed by my goddess and reflexively catch her in my arms.
“Listen up, Syr-what’s-your-face!!! Bell isn’t your Odr or whatever, he’s miiiiiiiine!!! My prrrecious Bell!!! If you eeever try to seduce my sweet, gullible boy again, I’ll hit you with the purifying flames agaiiin!!!”
Sidling up to me like a child clinging to a mother, my goddess is really not holding back with Lady Freya, not even using her name. She just keeps calling her Syr-what’s-your-face and slurring her words.
And I’m pretty sure that even Ms. Syr is finding Lady Hestia’s triumphant grin annoying.
“Ack! Ahem…uh, G-Goddess, I’m sure Ms. Syr is sorry about what she did. You really shouldn’t…”
“You’re too sweet, Bell! Sweeter than a red-bean cream Jyaga Maru Kun! This Syr-what’s-your-face is like the ultimate hidden boss! Leave a single opening, and she’ll sic that Warlord on you with a snap of her fingers! You’ll be abducted again!” my goddess says with a glare.
“Ah-ha-ha, that’s not true,” I say with a laugh.
“Ha-ha, of course not— Oops, my finger slipped.”
Ms. Syr has a big smile on her face as she suddenly snaps her fingers.
“—Here are the extra dishes. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Before I can even blink, a giant boar appears like he teleported.
“Uwaaaaaaaa! You can actually do that?!?!?! And what kind of joke is this? Warlord, serving dishes with a body like that?!”
“ Glub glub glub glub…”
“Wait, Beeeeeeeell?!”
The instant his massive, boulder-like body appears in front of me holding a tray, my consciousness slips into darkness. Mainly because of nightmarish flashbacks of being battered, beaten, and blasted.
“What are you doing, Lady Hestia?!”
“Sir Bell’s eyes have rolled back and his mouth is foaming!”
“Damn, that’s some serious trauma!!!”
“M-Master Bell?!”
I think I can hear Lilly, Ms. Mikoto, Welf, and Ms. Haruhime shouting all at once, but I have no way to tell for sure because I’ve fallen down.
“Oh my, Mr. Bell! Oh no! He isn’t breathing! I’ll perform rescue breathing!”
“Like I’d let you!!! You aren’t sorry at all!!!”
“Lady Frey—Lady Syr! You mustn’t bring your lips near such filth! S-such a terrible, awful burden should be borne by a sinner such as myself…!”
“It’s fine, Hörn. If it’s a healer you need, then there’s one standing here. Pucker up, Bell.”
“What are you all doing so casually?! Mr. Welf, burn this coven of witches to ash, please!!!!”
“As if I could…”
I have no idea what happens next because I promptly pass out. Who knows what sort of uproar this is going to turn into or if a fight is brewing. I have no way of knowing.
“How long are you planning to sleep? Fool.”
“Ghfu?!”
I wake up to something mercilessly slamming into my cheek. I sit up immediately and quickly gather that it’s the tip of a shoe.
Swinging around, I notice a certain pair of eyes peering down at me.
“Ah, Master…”
“Get up. Do not cause me any more trouble, stupid rabbit.”
Intensely relieved by the fact that Master is acting just like usual, I nervously look around.
The celebration is still going strong, and Mr. Bors is raising yet another toast. Who knows how many rounds they’ve already gone through?
How long have I been unconscious?
I’m currently lying up against the wall, and Master is the only one nearby…
“Umm…Why are you…a-apparently taking care of me…?”
“It was decided I would be the most neutral toward you. Quit making more work for me, you dolt.”
Neutral…? In what sense? Did they mean cruel—
“What are you thinking?”
After briefly suffering from a fresh kick, I finally realize something. Master, whose face is as pretty as any lady’s, is covered in bruises and cuts.
“U-um…where did you get those wounds…?”
“It’s my punishment for disgracing my goddess. From Allen and the other first-tier adventurers. And Heith. And everyone else in the familia.”
“Eh?!”
“After the second punch, I fought back.”
“Oh…”
“I accepted the first blow, but there was no reason to quietly take any more.”
Uhh…right. I can imagine him doing that. That’s basically a whole new Folkvangr…Yeah, that’s exactly what would happen.
It’s hard to tell with their armor on, but the Gulliver brothers also seem to be nursing some fresh injuries. I guess I know why now…
But…If it weren’t for him…
Master…Mr. Hedin. We were only able to win the war game because he sacrificed himself, knowing full well his familia would hold it against him and that this punishment was waiting for him.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason we achieved victory, but without him, we would have definitely lost, and I wouldn’t have been able to save anyone.
“Master…Thank you very much. For lending us your strength.”
“Don’t misunderstand, you nitwit. I simply used you. I didn’t help you.”
“Even so, thank you.”
Master is still standing and I’m still on the floor. Leaning against the wall, I look out at Lady Hestia and everyone else partying in the middle of the tavern, where Ms. Syr is being assailed from all sides. Her smile never falters even as she goes along with all their unreasonable requests.
“If it weren’t for you, Master…I don’t think Ms. Syr would be able to laugh like that.”
Instead of looking at each other, we keep our eyes on her as a brief silence passes between us.
After a moment, he snorts.
“Stupid rabbit.”
It’s faint. So faint it’s almost imperceptible. But I could swear he just smiled, though I don’t know for sure because I’m still looking forward.
Master finally steps away from the wall with an annoyed look on his face.
“Your stupidity is contagious. I’m leaving.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Do not break the promise you made her.”
“…Yes, Master.”
With that, Master’s long, blond hair sways as he turns toward the kitchen. As I watch him go, I finally get the sense that the long, difficult battle has ended at last.
“Is the booze here?! Then let me tell the tale of my heroic deeds!”
“Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
The banquet goes on. Mr. Mord and everyone else is enjoying themselves to the fullest with drinks and stories.
This is definitely going to last until morning.
With one last glance at the mortals and deities letting loose, I slowly stand up.
“Bell.”
It’s a cool voice.
When I turn around, there’s an elf standing there. Instead of the waitress uniform, she’s wearing travel clothes. My eyes widen a bit when I realize who it is.
“Ms. Lyu…”
She must have just gotten back.
“Could I have a moment of your time?”
We’ve stepped outside and gone a few steps into the back alley.
The laughter spilling from the tavern and the bustle of the main street has faded a bit. After struggling with my words a moment, I ask my question.
“Ms. Lyu, did you do what you wanted? With your goddess, I mean…”
“Yes. I finished saying my good-byes to Lady Astrea.”
Ms. Lyu stops and turns around.
Her patron goddess, Lady Astrea, rushed to Orario to make it in time for the great familia war. To see off the goddess who no longer lived in the Labyrinth City—and to make sure Lady Astrea made it safely back to her current home—Ms. Lyu had left Orario for a short while.
Together with the second-generation Astrea Familia.
“I was able to escort her to Zolingam safely. I was allowed to perform that final act of familial piety.”
With the help of Lord Hermes and his familia, she left the city. She called it her final selfishness, a final responsibility. Following her strict sense of honor, Ms. Lyu guarded her patron goddess and her new familia on their final journey.
Part of me thought she might never come back. So even though I am relieved that she came back, I also can’t help but ask.
“Is this really for the best? To not return to Lady Astrea…”
Lady Astrea’s blessing is still engraved in her back. No matter how painful the past, Ms. Lyu is still a follower of justice. She should have been able to follow her goddess.
If I were in her position, I’m sure I would waver.
Just thinking about having to say good-bye to Lady Hestia…
If it were me, if I could be forgiven, then I think I would choose to be together with her again.
“Yes, this is fine. I abandoned justice once before. To ask her to welcome me in again after I pushed her away is too selfish.”
“B-but! That’s—!”
“Besides, Lady Astrea has built a new home. A new familia follows her now.”
I start to lean forward, but like an older sister explaining things, Ms. Lyu smiles. She is at peace.
“And I have found a different home, too. With Syr and the others. And with you. I chose this, Bell. I want to be here.”
“Ms. Lyu…”
“Here, with all the people who saved me.”
In no uncertain terms, Ms. Lyu declares that she is choosing the future instead of standing still and looking toward the past.
She used to dye her hair. The natural blond hair she’s growing out in the open now seems to echo her answer.
“Besides, this isn’t farewell for good. I can go see her whenever I feel like it. And I promised to send her letters once I got back. My bond with Lady Astrea and Alize and everyone else will never disappear.”
Ms. Lyu’s eyes wander toward her back, where her goddess’s ichor is emblazoned. She’s wearing an expression I’ve never seen before. No darkness clouds it. No doubt. Ms. Lyu and Lady Astrea have decided this is for the best.
It isn’t my place to keep asking, so I stop leaning forward and smile at her. There’s only one thing left for me to say.
“Welcome back, Ms. Lyu.”
“…I’m back, Bell.”
Lit by the gentle, magic-stone light, we share a quiet smile. What should be a gloomy, dark alley almost feels bright and warm.
“Bell, shifting to the main topic…”
“Ah, right. You said there was something you wanted to talk about. What is it?”
After spending that moment together, Ms. Lyu quickly changes the topic, and I remember why we’re here.
Outside the tavern, it’s just the two of us. She must want to talk about something important. Something she doesn’t want anyone else to hear—the moment that thought crosses my mind, a shudder runs through me. My shoulder trembles.
“Bell, there is something I have to tell you first.”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“Yes…Wait, what?”
With everything going on, I somehow managed to forget that Ms. Lyu confessed her feelings for me!
“I love you…as a man.”
She made sure there was no room for misunderstanding about whether she meant as a friend or a pet or anything else!
The temperature of my face shoots up. The instant I remember I’m here alone with a beautiful older woman, my heart starts racing.
And at the same time, the color drains from my face.
Bell Cranell is an absolute fool who can’t turn his back on his idol.
If she wants an answer to that confession, there’s only one response I can give!
I’m starting to get scared by the idea of affection from women, and I know I can’t just go around saying this, and I don’t have the right to, either, but after the incident with Ms. Syr, the idea of rejecting someone is just a bit traumatic.
If Gramps were here, he’d probably say, Quit gettin’ ahead of yourself. If you don’t want it, trade with me, you disgrace! but I can’t help it! It’s hard!
Ms. Lyu’s sky-blue eyes are staring right at me!
I can’t escape! Well, I mean, I could, but that would be wrong!
“…Ordinarily, I should probably discuss this with Lady Hestia instead of you, but…”
She wants official permission from the head of the family?!
While my foolish thoughts are running wild, Ms. Lyu stares at me with a dead serious look in her eyes.
The two of us, alone in a stone-paved back alley.
The perfect place for a secret chat. Her thin lips part.
“Bell—”
“W-wait, I’m not ready!”
My pathetic cry echoes in vain as Ms. Lyu finally reveals what she wants.
“I would like to join your familia.”
“………………………………………………Huh?”
Needless to say, all I can do is stand there agog, looking like an idiot.
“Lady Lyu is joining us?!”
The next morning, Ms. Mikoto’s surprised shout echoes across the clear, blue sky.
“Yes. I have received permission from Lady Astrea to convert.”
Not just Ms. Mikoto, either. Ms. Lyu’s straightforward statement has stunned Lilly, Welf, Ms. Haruhime, and our goddess.
We’re all currently in the courtyard of Hestia Familia’s home, Hearthstone Manor.
As captain, I’m acting as the mediator, creating a space for negotiation.
“You’re crazy powerful, and I know you’re a solid, sensible elf, so from my perspective, I’d gladly welcome you, but…”
“That means quitting the restaurant, right? I’m amazed that dwarf allowed it…”
“Syr…no, Mama Mia told me, ‘If you’ve got a place you wanna be, then get on and go.’”
Lady Hestia and Welf were both thinking of the scary dwarf, but Ms. Lyu just answers with the declaration she was given before—from back around the incident with Wiene and them.
“You’ve got that troublesome sense of justice, so you won’t be able to stand still in one place for too long.”
Apparently Ms. Mia has grumbled before, saying something along those lines with a tired sigh after Ms. Lyu left the tavern one too many times to come help us. As the primary reason for those frequent excursions, I definitely feel a bit bad…but Ms. Lyu told Ms. Mia her intentions after the war game finished.
“If you’ve found a place for yourself, then hurry up and go there. Stupid girl.”
That’s what she said, not even looking up as she kept preparing food. Ms. Lyu gave her one last thanks before she left.
“Thanks to the Andhrímnir, the restaurant has enough staff now…Also, it seems they are more efficient and adept than I ever was.”
I laugh a little as Ms. Lyu supplements her explanation, looking down in embarrassment, maybe even seeming a little dejected. That only lasts for a moment, however, and she quickly collects herself.
“Lady Astrea has already performed the purification ceremony. I am an elf who has made a great deal of mistakes, but if you would be willing to have me…I would like to join this familia.”
The Falna on her back is no longer connected to Lady Astrea. Not sealed. Just in a sort of tentative state, waiting for conversion. And even after a conversion, Lady Astrea’s ichor would remain in her back. Her bond with Ms. Alize and everyone else will never be lost.
Ms. Lyu gently grabs her left shoulder with her right hand and looks at us with clear eyes.
Ms. Mikoto answers first.
“Of course! It would be an honor to be in the same family as you, to embark on the same adventures together!”
Ms. Mikoto has looked up to the elf who can Concurrent Cast ever since the battle with the Black Goliath on the eighteenth floor, and now her cheeks are flushed with a childlike excitement.
“There isn’t any familia who would turn down a first-tier adventurer who comes knocking, right?”
“Yes! And we have received Lady Lyu’s aid many times already. There is no reason to refuse her!”
“If a Level Six joins, and Mr. Bell is already Level Five…Our familia rank…The Guild tax…Ugh…my head…!”
Welf and Ms. Haruhime smiled as they agreed. Our familia’s top mind is groaning and cradling her head, but…I’m sure it’ll be fine.
And everyone already knows what I think.
It’s unanimous.
“All right, then it’s settled! We’ll take care of the conversion ritual in a bit, but first—welcome to our familia, elf girl!”
Our goddess welcomes Ms. Lyu with open arms as Ms. Mikoto and the rest of us celebrate.
Ms. Lyu smiles and says, “Lilliluka.”
“Hmm? …Ah, yes!”
Lilly seems a little caught off guard by Ms. Lyu using her first name instead of the “Ms. Erde” that she always used before. That surprised all of us.
“Welf, Mikoto, Haruhime…and Bell. And Lady Hestia. Please take care of me.”
It seems like an important distinction for Ms. Lyu. This is how she plans to talk to us now that we live under the same roof as a family. As equals.
I smile, feeling just a tad embarrassed that Ms. Lyu is already talking to us the way she used to with Astrea Familia.
This strong, beautiful paragon of justice is our comrade now.
Hestia Familia has just grown a little bit larger.
“You’re a good kid, elf girl! As expected of one of Astrea’s followers! Unlike a certain cat burglar, I can trust you to look after Bell!”
“Why are you looking at me while you say that, Lady Hestia?!”
“Because you try to get the jump on me every chance you get! And Haruhime is even worse because she does it naturally without even meaning to!”
“Eeep?!”
“In that regard, this upstanding elf is wonderful. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to tell me! I’m expecting great things!”
Goddess is singing Ms. Lyu’s praises from the rooftops, prompting Lilly to complain, “This is discrimination!” And for some reason, Ms. Haruhime got caught in the cross fire. Welf looks tired by all this, and I’m a bit concerned how Ms. Lyu will handle this sort of mood when she’s normally so serious.
“…I am sorry to bring something up so soon, but there is one thing I should mention.”
As everyone else freezes, Ms. Lyu starts to elaborate.
“There is one issue with me joining a familia…or rather, a demand from the Guild. I have been asked to change my name.”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Officially, Gale Wind is dead.”
Our goddess cocks her head, but I get the gist. In the aftermath of the Juggernaut incident, Gale Wind was officially recorded as dead. However, since the war game was broadcast throughout the city, Ms. Lyu basically announced that she’s still alive in a way that can’t be ignored…
“The situation is complicated, but…as it was a formal Guild decision, for the sake of appearances, they have asked me to not register as an adventurer under the name Lyu Leon.”
The gods seem to find this peculiar situation hysterical, and the people of Rivira are helpfully playing along, saying, “What are you talking about? Gale Wind is already dead, so of course that wasn’t Gale Wind!” Of course, plenty of people know the truth. Even though her offenses were technically expunged when she was declared dead, it wouldn’t be very convenient for the Guild to have someone who was on the blacklist openly walking around.
Out of consideration for her efforts to protect the peace during the Dark Ages and the practical considerations of not letting a valuable Level 6 go to waste, the Guild has requested that she at least change her name.
“So basically, the Guild wants to have a fake name in the adventurer registry, huh? Make it seem like you’re a new adventurer with an unknown past rather than a transfer from Astrea Familia.” Lilly mulls over the situation.
“Level Six rookie is an insane string of words…” Mikoto says as a bead of sweat trickles down her brow.
“Well, I guess that’s fine. It’s just for paperwork, so it’s not like you have to actually change your name,” Goddess summarizes.
It’s not like we have any real reason to say no, so Ms. Lyu says her thanks and we start thinking of a name she can use.
“Umm, the whole name doesn’t have to be different, right?”
“Yeah, just the family name should be fine. If I could, I would love to ditch Crozzo…”
“So, Lady Lyu Leon, changing just the family name…”
“Borrowing from Lady Mia, what about Lyu Grande…?”
“Hmmm, that’s a little foreboding…”
“Elf girl, is there anything you’d like?”
Sitting in a circle on the courtyard grass, me, Welf, Ms. Haruhime, Ms. Mikoto, and Lilly start playing with the idea while Goddess casually asks Ms. Lyu directly.
Sitting formally with her legs under her, Ms. Lyu pauses for a few moments before she glances at me and starts fidgeting.
After a couple more furtive glances, her cheeks go red, and she says, “Lyu…Lyu…Lyu Cranell…”
SMACK!!!
Goddess moved behind Ms. Lyu at lightning speed, a sandal in her hand, and a loud crack rang out as she hit Ms. Lyu in the back of the head.
“You were supposed to be different!!!”
“I-It’s not like that. If I’m joining a familia, borrowing the name of a deity would be too irreverent, so I thought I should borrow the name of the captain…!!!”
“I can see right through your lies, you hapless elf!!!”
“Calm down, Lady Hestia!”
Ms. Lyu desperately tries to explain herself while rubbing the back of her head.
There is a certain logic to it…But it doesn’t really feel quite right, either…
Ms. Mikoto is desperately trying to hold back Lady Hestia, who looks like she might kick out the newest member of our familia. Lilly quickly agrees with our goddess while Ms. Haruhime sways nervously back and forth as a noisy clamor fills the courtyard.
It’s interesting seeing Ms. Lyu frantically try to explain herself. She always seemed so cool and pretty and gallant…but suddenly there’s this clumsy side to her.
“…I think she’ll fit in better than I thought.”
“Yeah…”
I nod at Welf and do my best to stay out of it for as long as I can.
“Lyu Astrea…I know it’s not really my place, but you aren’t trying very hard to hide it, are you?”
That’s Miss Eina’s wry response as she takes the paperwork for a new adventurer from me as we enter one of the Guild Headquarters’s consultation boxes. The cleanup following the war game is almost finished, so I made several reports and came to talk with Miss Eina today.
“Yes, we ended up deciding it would be nice to just name her after Lady Astrea…”
Once we’re inside the mostly soundproof room that we’ve used so many times before, we sit down at the table, and after sharing a polite laugh, I sit up straight.
“Miss Eina, with this…our familia is now…”
“…Yes. Here is the official notice from the Guild.”
I feel like a defendant standing before a judge, waiting for a verdict, as Miss Eina passes the single slip of parchment in her hands over to me. It bears the official Guild seal, and written on it is…
“Hestia Familia has been promoted to B rank. Congratulations.”
…B…
…All the way to B from D, huh…?
“Even with Ms. Lyu, our familia still only has six people, though…”
“Mhmm. We know that, but…the Guild cannot classify a familia with two first-tier adventurers as anything lower. Especially not when one is a Level Six…”
I had to mention that, even though I knew what she would say. But after giving me the formal response, Miss Eina has a troubled look on her face.
“More than a few were arguing it should be A and not B, you know.”
When she puts it that way, there isn’t much I can say.
Loki Familia is S, and Ishtar Familia was A before it was disbanded, so the significance of being put into B rank instead is obvious. Lady Loki’s faction and Lady Ishtar’s Berbera are incredibly powerful groups that boast quantity and quality.
A small, elite faction. That’s apparently the niche Hestia Familia finds itself in now. To think that just a little while ago, we were completely insignificant…
And despite our new rank, we’re still holding a significant debt (that the goddess adamantly insists is her personal loan…)
A-anyway, the new tax we’ll have to pay the Guild is going to be a painful jump. I can already imagine Lilly wailing in despair. As captain, lately I’ve also been looking over the familia’s finances, but…all I can do when I look at the numbers is laugh nervously. We gave most of the prize from the war game to Miach Familia and the other familias, too.
“The level distribution of your members is part of it, but the biggest factor is, well…Goddess Freya has become Goddess Hestia’s subordinate…”
Even though she knows we’re in a soundproof room where no one will overhear us, Miss Eina still leans in close and lowers her voice to a whisper.
She’s right, of course.
Officially, Freya Familia was dismantled, but it would be more accurate to say Lady Freya—or rather, Ms. Syr—has been placed under Lady Hestia’s care.
The last thing Orario wants to do is give up an asset as powerful as the einherjar. At the same time, they’re terrified of a goddess who could charm the entire city. Their answer to those two big issues was to make her subordinate to Lady Hestia.
As Lady Hestia managed to burn through her playhouse before, she’s considered a deterrent if the goddess of beauty ever tries anything in the future. Plus, as long as our goddess is officially in charge of Ms. Syr, then Mr. Ottar and her other followers won’t leave the city and will continue being useful in clearing the Dungeon.
For appearances’ sake, they are nothing more than scary employees at a tavern and followers technically available for a conversion (though they’ll never accept any offers).
…Anyway, that’s apparently what the top brass of the Guild decided. The reasons are mainly political, so I probably only half understand at best.
The point is, in a certain sense, Hestia Familia has absorbed the enormous power of Freya Familia. Of course, we can’t give them orders, let alone get them to fight alongside us…or rather, we’re too scared to even try.
So if we’re being precise, Hestia Familia’s rank is B (S). Officially, it’s B, but in the upper levels of the Guild, we’re treated as S.
I don’t really understand the full implications myself, but that’s the rough idea.
“Apparently, this is a fairly common system in Rakia and other country-level familias, but it’s not done much here in Orario…At least, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it. That’s just how much Freya Familia stretches the rules, I suppose.”
“Oh right, you mentioned the Guild had trouble dealing with the aftermath surrounding Lady Ishtar, too.”
“That’s right. So…how has it been? Your relationship with Freya Familia?”
Miss Eina sounds a little concerned, so I smile to reassure her.
“I don’t think we’re going to be happily exploring the Dungeon together anytime soon…but outside of that, they’ve been really, really helpful.”
What immediately comes to mind is the security they provided during the banquet the day before yesterday. Ms. Syr asked Mr. Hegni, Master, and the Gulliver brothers to keep watch around the clock, paying special attention to Ms. Haruhime.
Another thing is that lots of people who hold a grudge against Ms. Lyu have been popping up recently ever since word got out that Gale Wind is alive and well. One word from Ms. Syr was enough to eradicate them all. Master and the others did it before we even realized, clean and fast.
Hestia Familia is effectively under the protection of some of the strongest first-tier adventurers and the einherjar. After the Guild confiscated Folkvangr, Mr. Van and the others officially made their base of operations in the Dungeon, exploring every day and taking turns staying at Hearthstone Manor—or rather, standing watch from the shadows.
In a way, Hearthstone Manor is probably the safest place in the world right now because it’s being guarded by the strongest, most terrifying bodyguards you could possibly have.
“This isn’t atonement or anything of the like. It is just taking responsibility.”
That’s what Ms. Syr said as she refused to accept any thanks, but…it’s thanks to her Ms. Haruhime and Ms. Lyu can live freely out in the open. If it weren’t for them, it would have been quite difficult for Ms. Lyu to even join our familia.
“There’s no need to worry. Thanks to Ms. Syr, there won’t be any problems.”
“Really? That’s good to hear…”
Miss Eina has a bit of a troubled look on her face when she hears me use that name.
She probably has some lingering doubts due to what she experienced in the walled garden. I understand that it might not be easy for her to get over that. It isn’t like either of us is a saint.
All I can do is smile apologetically.
“…Sorry. If you’ve decided to accept it, then it’s not my place to say anything. So, shall we discuss what to do going forward?” Miss Eina asks.
“Yes! Please!” I say with a firm nod.
Once she’s collected herself, Miss Eina spreads a Dungeon reference book out on the table.
Time to discuss our future plans in the Dungeon.
“What is your familia thinking?”
“We’ve been out of the Dungeon ever since the Goddess Festival, so we discussed easing back in by going to the middle floors first. We were thinking that setting up base on the eighteenth floor and staying in the Dungeon for a while could be an option.”
Lilly, Ms. Haruhime, and I all leveled up, and the Level 6 Ms. Lyu has joined us. The Hestia Familia from before the Goddess Festival and Elegia is a completely different party from what Hestia Familia is today. Our current plan is to test ourselves in a relatively safe area to get a measure of our new strength and confirm what we can and can’t do.
“When you add a new member to your party, you need to adjust your tactics and teamwork.”
That’s the advice Ms. Lyu gave us as a seasoned adventurer. Our commander Lilly completely agreed.
“Yes, that would be best,” Miss Eina nodded. “What is Ms. Leo—Ms. Astrea’s position in the party? Magic swordsman?”
“Umm…she said she can basically do anything, so she would cover whatever position we’re missing. Vanguard, back line…she said not to expect too much, but she could even be a healer apparently…” I say, stumbling a bit on my words.
“Umm……………She really is an incredible adventurer, isn’t she?”
Miss Eina’s glasses almost slip off her face, but she manages to keep them on as she jots down a note with her quill.
Ms. Lyu has always been able to use healing magic, but thanks to her new Astrea Record skill, she can access the magic of all her fallen allies from Astrea Familia, including a dedicated healer’s area-healing spell.
Without dancing around it too much, Ms. Lyu can essentially do everything herself.
Despite also being a first-tier adventurer, she’s clearly a cut above someone like me who only knows how to charge in from the front.
With her addition to Hestia Familia, we have a lot more options in how we deploy. Lilly said it would be ideal for Ms. Lyu to fight as a pure mage or healer so she can move around freely, but…that might be asking a bit too much.
Either way, thanks to Ms. Lyu, we have long-range offense and healing covered. Between Welf’s magic swords and Ms. Nahza’s items, we don’t have any gaps to speak of. That’s why Lilly and I have concluded that Hestia Familia can move to the next stage.
“What do you think, Bell?”
Miss Eina almost seems like she’s reading my mind, so I answer plainly.
“I want to move on to a new floor…beyond the twenty-seventh.”
There was the incident with Juggernaut, so while we haven’t completely explored the Water Metropolis, we should be able to go further.
With Ms. Haruhime’s Level Boost, the entire party could be Level 3 or higher. More than enough to safely advance all the way to the thirty-sixth floor without too much issue, even going by the Guild’s suggested level requirements.
Ms. Lyu made it to the forty-first floor with Astrea Familia, so with her experience and knowledge, there shouldn’t be anything to fear even on floors the rest of us haven’t seen—and unlike me, Lilly and the others have a better feel for the lower floors because they made it to the thirty-seventh floor with Lido and the Xenos by their own strength.
Of course, we have no intention of pushing ourselves too hard. I don’t want to expose the familia to danger just because I’m in a rush.
Only after proper preparation and learning how our party works in the Dungeon…only then will we be ready to brave new territory. Safely, surely, steadily.
“…Right. Your party is more than powerful enough. In fact, it’s almost excessive. That’s what it means to have two first-tier adventurers in a party. I don’t think passing the twenty-eighth floor safe point and pushing into the twenty-ninth floor would be a mistake.”
The region beginning at the twenty-ninth floor is known as the Jungle Glens.
It is a heavily forested area where bloodsauruses and other dinosaur-type monsters begin to appear. Level 3 is a requirement for survival there.
After recalling what I learned about that part of the Dungeon in lectures, I nod in affirmation, only to notice Miss Eina suddenly smiling with a quiet look on her face.
“It’s hard to believe it was only half a year ago you were being chased around by a minotaur on the fifth floor.”
…Does she mean that it feels like that only happened yesterday?
Or that feels like forever ago?
I can’t bring myself to ask, but she continues slowly.
“A lot has happened, and many things have happened to you that I don’t know about…You’re an adventurer, Bell. A full-fledged adventurer.”
Her gaze seems tranquil, but also slightly lonely. Rather than an older sister happy to see how much her brother’s grown…it’s almost like a mother watching a child getting ready to leave the nest.
Before I realize it, I feel her emerald eyes pulling me in.
“Is it rude to say something like that to a first-tier adventurer?”
“Oh, uh, no, not at all…! Honestly, I still don’t really feel like a first-tier adventurer myself…”
“Ha-ha…The truth is, I don’t feel that way about you either,” she says with a small chuckle, like she’s finally coming to grips with her true feelings on the matter. Then she continues, saying, “I don’t think you need my advice anymore.”
“!!!”
“More like, I don’t think I can help you anymore. I can teach you what’s written in books and records, but…you’re a first-tier adventurer now. You can think for yourself and find the answers on your own.”
—So anything I can think of to tell you, you should already be thinking, too.
Without saying it explicitly, Miss Eina explains that all she can do is give harmless, noncommittal advice now.
“That’s not—!”
“No, it is true. Because I’m not an adventurer.”
“!!!”
“What you see as a first-tier adventurer is different from what I see.”
She’s still smiling as she says this, and I can’t force myself to deny it.
The way Miss Eina sees the world and the way we adventurers—especially upper-class adventurers—see the world is fundamentally different.
“An adventurer must not risk adventure.”
Miss Eina’s standard advice, the golden rule for lower-class adventurers, applies less and less as an adventurer grows more capable and experienced. There comes a day for all of us when we have to risk something. A day when we delve ever deeper into the Dungeon and brave new dangers.
What I see and what Miss Eina sees are no longer the same.
“That isn’t the only reason, but…”
Miss Eina grasped that fact far more firmly and quickly than I did, so as a final bit of advice, she suggests, “Why don’t you rest for a while, Bell?”
“Huh…?”
“So much has happened. Too much. And you risked more than anyone…That’s why I want you to take it easy for a little bit.”
My eyes widen.
“I know you have a goal…That you look up to Ms. Wallenstein, that you want to chase after her. You talked about it with me before anyone else. I remember.”
“………”
“So rest. Even if it’s only for a short while. You’ve been pushing yourself so hard and for so long. If you aren’t careful, you might wear yourself down completely before you even realize. Especially when you’ve been making progress toward your goal and feel like everything is going smoothly.”
After the Xenos incident, and after returning from the deep floors, I took proper breaks before going back to the Dungeon—but that’s not what Miss Eina means.
She’s saying…
“You should reward yourself…and also, maybe try something new.”
“Something new…”
“Mhmm. Based on my own experience, when things don’t seem to be going right, and especially when you’ve been working really hard, it’s good to try something different. It can change your perspective, and you might even notice that it connects back to your goal in surprising ways.”
So why not try looking at something outside the Dungeon?
That’s what she’s saying.
“Hestia Familia is rank B now, so you will be given expedition missions. You will be facing the Dungeon sooner or later. So until then, take this chance to give yourself room to breathe, broaden your horizons, and take things slower…That’s my suggestion.”
With our new familia rank and the problem of higher taxes, it would be difficult to remove ourselves from the Dungeon entirely. And there’s definitely a part of me that’s tempted to sprint forward now that I’ve become Level 5—now that the woman I’ve been chasing has finally come into view.
But that might be all the more reason why I should take a deep breath and take stock of things.
With the great familia war over and the title of first-tier adventurer hanging over me, I realize that I’ve subconsciously been getting a bit hasty.
“Sorry for raining on your parade right when you were feeling so eager to rush ahead.”
“…No, not at all.”
Miss Eina looks apologetic, but I shake my head.
She might be feeling a bit down after declaring that she doesn’t have anything more to teach me now that I’m a first-tier adventurer. But that simply isn’t true. No matter my level, it doesn’t change the fact that I only have half a year of experience as an adventurer.
Compared to Ms. Aiz and the other first-tier adventurers, I’m incredibly lacking in knowledge and experience, both as an adventurer and as a person. There are still so many things I need to learn.
And Miss Eina has always thought more about me than anyone else, despite the half-baked adventurer that I am.
“You help me realize so many things.” Miss Eina knows me better than I know myself. As much as my goddess, even. That’s something I can believe in. “I’m glad I came to talk to you, Miss Eina.”
I try to put my feelings into words and give her a smile.
Behind her glasses, I can see her emerald eyes shoot open before she also breaks into a big smile. After sharing a quiet moment together, we both start laughing.
“So, something new…Hmm, what should I do?”
“There’s no need to force it. Once you find something that piques your interest, go ahead and take a look.”
In the meantime, we’re supposed to acclimate to our new statuses and work on our coordination as a party. And avoid setting a new goal for the time being.
Settling on that plan, we emerge from the consultation box. Not many people are in the Guild Headquarters since so many adventurers are in the Dungeon during the afternoon, so the place feels more spacious than usual.
Miss Eina watches in amusement as I immediately start racking my brain about what to do next, when—
“!”
“Bell? What is it?”
My gaze immediately turns to the window when I hear a certain sound.
“…A whistle? No, this is…”
It’s a sound I’ve never heard once in Orario.
It isn’t loud enough for Miss Eina to hear it. Only a first-tier adventurer who has been through several level-ups could possibly catch this faint, deep note.
A Guild employee bursts through the lobby entrance. As soon as he whispers something to the receptionist at the counter, everyone starts moving at once.
The few adventurers hanging around are also on the move. Sensing something, they dash out of the headquarters with a destination in mind.
“What’s happening…? Things suddenly got really busy…”
I’m stunned by the abrupt shift. Miss Eina murmurs, “Ahhh, the School District has come back.”
—The School District?
It’s an unfamiliar phrase…or actually, I think I heard it once before.
Was it Lai and the other kids who told me the first time I visited the orphanage on Daedalus Street?
“Why don’t you go have a look?”
“Huh?”
“The School District returning to port is like a festival for Orario. I’m sure the top of the city wall has been opened to the public.”
R-returning to port?
What does that have to do with the top of the city wall? Miss Eina smiles as I obviously have trouble understanding the connection.
“I need to go over there as well to give a proper welcome.”
Her smile seems a little awkward, almost revealing the swirl of emotions in her heart.
The top of the city wall where Ms. Aiz and I trained so many times before is on the northwestern side, which was only accessible because Ms. Aiz knew an unlocked way in.
The section of the city wall that the Guild has currently opened to the public is on the southwest side.
“I can see it! It’s coming into view!”
“It’s been three years!”
From the Guild Headquarters in the northwest, Miss Eina and I walk south together before climbing the long stairs up to the top of the giant wall. As we ascend, we hear the chorus of shouts coming from above.
All sorts of people line the wall’s walkway, including regular townsfolk, adventurers, Guild employees, merchants, and even travelers. I’m stunned by the size of the crowd, but we somehow manage to make it to the outer edge.
“There it is…!”
In front of me, dozens of people are pointing farther to the southwest.
Beyond the big harbor and a giant, brackish lake lies the big, wide ocean that goes on and on to the horizon. And on that horizon sits an enormous silhouette, big enough that anyone can spot it clearly from this distance.
“A floating city?!”
Thanks to the enhanced vision of an adventurer, I can make out some details. The gleam of metal in the sunlight. A grand, imposing form consisting of three stacked discs. And atop those discs sits a dense collection of what are unmistakably buildings, plus a giant tower.
And extending out from the inorganic structure are what looks like blue plumage, or possibly wings, almost giving the impression that a town was built on the back of a sea dragon.
A town?
A city?
Or a country?
Is it…a ship?!
“That ship is called the Hringhorni. It is far and away the world’s largest ship.” Miss Eina gazes at it warmly like a second home as I watch in stunned silence.
That’s when the realization suddenly hits me.
The sound I heard wasn’t a whistle, it was a ship’s foghorn. A giant, magic-stone foghorn!
“Its official name is the Maritime Academy for Scholarship Special Administrative District—commonly shortened to the School District.”
At the same time she says that, the excitement on the wall boils over.
“The School District’s baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!”
The Labyrinth City welcomes the gargantuan ship home with cheers.
My eyes are wide open and the flush of excitement burns my cheeks.
This is just how adventurers are.
The thrill of the unknown…
My heart races as I lay eyes on a new world I’ve never seen before.
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