After a few hours of rest, Cael's eyes slowly fluttered open. His body felt strangely fine, as if nothing had happened — but the memory of the pain, sharp and agonizing, still lingered faintly in his mind. His body might have recovered, but the phantom of what he endured hadn't quite let go.
Yet something warm pulled him from those thoughts.
Turning his head slightly, he saw Hestia curled up beside him, clinging to his arm. Her breath was soft and steady, but at the corners of her eyes, he noticed dried tear stains.
'I must have worried her,' Cael thought, his heart sinking with guilt. A bitter smile touched his lips.
He looked down at himself. His shirt was gone, neatly folded on the side table. He wasn't surprised.
'She must've taken it off when I collapsed,' he thought. Gently slipping out of her grip, careful not to wake her, he picked up his shirt and pulled it on.
Then he looked at her again. Her brow was slightly furrowed — a small frown creasing her sleeping face.
'She's having a nightmare…' Without a word, Cael took a nearby blanket and gently draped it over her shoulders.
But as he did, her eyes slowly opened.
"Cael?" Her voice was soft, still groggy.
"Hello, Goddess," Cael said kindly. "You're awake."
She blinked and rubbed her eyes. "Are you… going somewhere?" There was worry in her tone — understandable, considering how he returned in pain before without saying a word.
"Yes," he replied. "I was thinking of going to the Guild. I want to register… and maybe take a look at the Dungeon."
Hestia stared at him for a long moment. Then, with a small sigh, she offered a faint smile. "Just be careful, okay?"
Cael nodded. "I will."
As he turned to leave, her voice stopped him again.
"Wait—take this with you."
He turned back to see Hestia holding out a small cloth pouch, tied at the top.
"It's not much, but… enough for a weapon. I don't want you going in unarmed," she said, a sheepish grin on her face. She looked almost embarrassed.
Cael hesitated. He knew this money was all she had. It was the last of what Hephaestus had given her after granting her the small church and telling her to find a Familia member.
Even now, Hestia's pride remained intact — but her generosity was overflowing.
"Hephaestus really is kind," he said quietly, taking the pouch with a deep bow of his head. "Thank you, Goddess Hestia."
His genuine smile made Hestia freeze. Her cheeks flushed bright red, and her ears turned hot.
Ba-dum.
Her heart pounded hard against her chest. Her eyes darted away as she tried to keep her composure.
"D-don't mention it!" she stammered. "J-just be careful, alright?!"
Cael chuckled softly at her reaction, nodded once, and made his way to the door.
Behind him, Hestia buried her face into a pillow and groaned.
'Why is my heart beating so fast…?!'
The morning sun had only just begun rising over Orario, casting long golden rays down its bustling streets.
As Cael walked, he found himself fascinated by the sheer diversity of people. Catgirls, elves, animal-like humanoids — it was a parade of races and colors. He caught himself staring at a girl with fluffy fox ears for a moment longer than he should have, and quickly looked away.
He really wanted to touch their ears.
But he refrained. He was not some random creep. At least, he hoped he didn't look like one.
As he approached the Tower of Babel, he caught sight of a duo standing by the corner near a bar, a catgirl with chestnut-brown hair and tail, chatting animatedly with an elf with green hair raching her shoulders.
Anya Fromel and Ryuu Lion.
Cael recognized them immediately.
Mid-sentence, Anya suddenly looked his way. Their eyes met, and her face lit up with mischievous interest.
"Oi, nyah~! That's a new face!" she called, prancing over with energetic steps. "You lost, pretty boy?"
Cael laughed lightly, "No, just passing through."
Ryuu had turned as well, her calm blue eyes observing him silently, like she was trying to read past his words.
Anya's eyes scanned him quickly from head to toe, her tail swaying behind her. "You sure you're just passing by? You've got that 'main character' vibe, nyah~. Like someone about to get into big trouble."
Cael returned her playful tone with a gentle smile. "Maybe. But not today. I'm just heading to the Guild."
Anya puffed her cheeks dramatically. "Boooring~!"
Cael glanced at Ryuu, offering a small respectful nod. "Hi."
Ryuu nodded back. "Hello."
Before Cael could continue on, Anya leaned forward, grinning like a cat about to pounce. "Hey, hey! You got a girlfriend, Mister~?"
Cael blinked, amused by her forwardness. "Not right now," he replied smoothly.
Anya gave a dramatic gasp, then smiled slyly. "Oho~ single and mysterious. That's dangerous, nyah."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Cael said with a chuckle.
He gave them both a parting nod. "It was nice meeting you. Take care of yourselves."
As he walked away, he could still feel their eyes on his back — one curious and fluttering, the other thoughtful and silent.
Behind him, Anya tilted her head. "Nyah… who was that guy? He's kinda cute."
Ryuu, ever the composed one, watched Cael's retreating figure for a moment longer before turning away. "I don't know. But he's different."
Anya leaned on Ryuu's shoulder with a teasing grin. "Ooooh~ Ryuu-ryuu noticed someone. That's rare~!"
Ryuu gave her a sidelong glance. "You're the one who asked if he had a girlfriend."
"Yeah, but you stared at him like he was a riddle you wanted to solve!"
"I did no such thing," Ryuu said calmly.
"You totally did, nyah~!"
Ryuu gave a quiet sigh and began walking. "Come on. We're going to be scolded by Mama Mia, if we talked without doing the chores"
Anya skipped after her, still giggling. "Nyah~ admit it! He was your type, wasn't he?"
Ryuu didn't answer — but there was the faintest trace of a blush on her cheek.
"He was ok." Ryuu whispered to herself, so quite even Anya didn't hear it.