As the figure revealed their true appearance, an unstoppable divine charm swept through everyone's minds, robbing them of their ability to think. The entire tavern fell silent in an instant.
"That person… could it be?"
The young Pallum girl named Liliruca snapped out of her daze almost immediately, her eyes widening in shock.
Indeed, with the circulation of portraits, most people in Orario would undoubtedly recognize that person's identity now.
Not to mention, she had personally met them just a few days ago and received help from their companions.
"No mistake! That person is definitely…!"
"The Aurora!"
"He was actually listening right beside us?!"
The adventurers whispered in awe.
Some looked at him with worship, others with burning admiration, while a few even gazed with infatuation—as if the boy sitting there was no different from a god in their eyes.
This was the true heavyweight of the night!
Compared to him, Bell Cranel, Hyakinthos—they were all just nobodies!
"A-A-Aurora…?!"
The Pallum man nearly bit his tongue in shock.
Why would such a big shot appear in a place like this, and by sheer coincidence, cross paths with them?
"Go on, what about your Familia?"
Eiji sat leisurely on his chair, looking at the Pallum with amusement.
"Apollo Familia, right? Are they strong?"
"Eek!"
The Pallum man immediately clammed up in fear.
Even though Eiji showed no intention of acting, the man cowered behind Hyakinthos, too terrified to utter another word.
"Aurora, why are you here?"
Hyakinthos wore an extremely troubled expression.
"Do I need to report my whereabouts to you?"
Eiji chuckled dismissively.
"Tch. Are you really planning to meddle in this mess?"
Hyakinthos clicked his tongue again.
"With just you guys, do you really think you can muddy the waters?"
Eiji looked at the four members of Apollo Familia with disdain.
"Not to belittle you, but even if there were ten more Apollo Familias, I still wouldn't bat an eye. Believe it or not?"
Hyakinthos's expression darkened.
Believe it?
Of course he did.
The difference in strength between Level 5 and Level 3 was immense. No amount of magic or skills could bridge that gap—not everyone could fight above their level.
With Eiji's power, he wouldn't even need to resort to schemes. He could crush Apollo Familia head-on ten times over.
"Get lost already. Your presence is ruining my appetite!"
Eiji waved his hand as if shooing away flies.
"...Let's go!"
Hyakinthos's face twisted, his eyes burning with complex fury.
But he hadn't lost his rationality. Knowing full well that Apollo Familia stood no chance against Loki Familia, he suppressed his voice and growled, leading his group toward the exit.
"Wait a second. That Pallum leaves horizontally."
Eiji suddenly remembered something and flashed a brilliant smile at the Pallum man.
"Huh?"
The Pallum froze.
Thud!
Hyakinthos kicked him out without hesitation, sending him rolling across the floor with a yelp before tumbling out of the tavern.
So ruthless!
"Boss, another fork, please!"
Eiji raised his hand toward the bartender.
"...Sure."
The boss froze for a moment before casually handing a new fork to Eiji.
After that commotion, the once lively tavern suddenly became quiet, with adventurers appearing somewhat restrained.
Eiji shrugged and continued enjoying his dinner as if nothing had happened.
"Um... thank you for earlier."
A somewhat hesitant voice came from the side.
A white-haired, red-eyed rabbit girl approached Eiji's table and bowed nervously.
"Just a small matter."
Eiji speared a piece of steak and put it in his mouth as he spoke: "But you should be careful from now on. Apollo isn't exactly a magnanimous god."
"Just an ordinary conflict shouldn't be enough to attract a god's attention, right?"
The red-haired man, Welf, scratched his head, feeling rather awkward speaking with the famous Aurora.
"I don't think it was an ordinary conflict."
Eiji waved his fork. "That prum's acting was terrible, but Hyakinthos attacked you immediately. It looks like it was planned for a long time."
The prum's scheme was actually quite flimsy.
With so many adventurers in the tavern, using such a shallow reason to make a Level 3 attack a Level 1 would easily draw contempt. For the sake of his Familia's reputation, Hyakinthos should have hesitated, but he attacked instantly as if he had planned it all along.
"P-planned for a long time?"
Bell shivered slightly, sounding alarmed. "But what value could we possibly have to be targeted by Apollo Familia?"
This kid is really humble.
"You don't know?"
Eiji gave him a strange look.
"Apollo is a switch hitter, you know!"
Bell's face stiffened, and he instinctively clenched his buttocks.
"Haha, that's not a very funny joke..."
"Who's joking?"
"..."
Welf also had no idea what to say.
A little inquiry would reveal that Apollo was a very promiscuous male god.
Most members of his Familia were brought in after he pursued them. If they refused, he would use any means necessary to get them, often resorting to underhanded tactics.
"Lily has heard this rumor too."
The chestnut-haired prum girl, realizing the seriousness of the situation, spoke up with a tense expression.
"And it's said that most of those Apollo drags into his Familia are men!"
Bell instantly turned to stone.
Appearance-wise, this rabbit was rather plain, but his white hair was distinctive, and his timid, rabbit-like demeanor made him tempting to tease.
It was hard to understand why Apollo would take a liking to the rabbit... but not impossible.
"Enough about that. You're Welf Crozzo, right?"
Eiji turned his gaze to the red-haired young man, asking with interest. "From the famous magic sword-smithing family, the Crozzos?"
The young man's expression immediately darkened, and he averted his eyes in clear distaste.
"That's right..."
Meanwhile.
"Hyakinthos, are we just going to let this go?"
The prum man rubbed his bruised buttocks as he hurried to catch up with Hyakinthos.
"You want to pick a fight with Aurora?"
Hyakinthos gave him a cold look.
"If I remember correctly, you mocked him when he first entered the tavern, didn't you?"
The reason only he was singled out to be carried out horizontally was undoubtedly because of this incident.
"No, no, no! How could I dare to fight against a Level 5?!"
Just imagining such a scenario made the prum shudder uncontrollably, shaking his head like a rattle-drum.
"But what about Bell Cranel?"
Yet he immediately grew anxious again. "Lord Apollo ordered us to publicly humiliate them and instigate a Familia War with Hestia Familia. We completely failed in that!"
"...We'll just find another opportunity."
Hyakinthos was extremely unwilling.
What frustrated him wasn't just having his plans thwarted by Aurora.
But because the one who thwarted his plans happened to be that very Aurora!