The bar Hostess of Fertility was a large two-story building, topped with a triangular attic.
In the Seventh District's Old Town, even shops along the bustling western main street rarely reached such a grand scale.
Not only was the tavern's food delicious and varied, but, perhaps most importantly, its staff of lovely young women made it an irresistible attraction.
All in all, The Hostess of Fertility was easily the most popular tavern in the area.
That said, its fame wasn't due to coddling customers. The waitresses treated the saying "The customer is always right" as utter nonsense. Troublemakers were often thrown straight out the door, and their coin purses "accidentally" lightened on the way out. One elven waitress was even known to chase down dine-and-dashers with a drawn blade.
Because of this, adventurers jokingly referred to the baras scarier than the chaotic transfer hub, Rivira.
Yet business never suffered. After all, every veteran adventurer in Orario knew better than to cause trouble in an establishment run by a Level 6 tavern master.
And since adventurers were notorious for their short tempers, often turning other taverns into all-out brawls over a single insult, this particular place had become a haven for those who wanted nothing more than a warm meal and casual chatter after a long, exhausting day in the Dungeon.
In Orario, a filling meal could usually be had for as little as 50 valis.
In the Third District's slums, the price was even lower.
But here, at The Hostess of Fertility, even the cheapest spaghetti cost 300 valis. A simple drink was 200 valis.
The tavern's daily specials? Nearly a thousand valis each.
To put that into perspective:
Basic adventurer equipment for low-levels cost only a few thousand valis.
Even the weakest recovery potion was just 500 valis per vial.
Clearly, The Hostess of Fertility wasn't a place ordinary folk could afford.
Luckily, Renjiro didn't have to worry.
Freya, no, Syr, knew he had been making good money lately, so…
"Mama Mia, big brother Renjiro's a huge eater. We shouldn't hold back on him."
"Oh? Then we'll bring out dish after dish. I'd love to see just how great an appetite Syr's big eater really has."
Renjiro now found himself seated with Syr at a corner spot along the first-floor bar. The location was separated from the long row of seats, perfect for a single diner.
Come to think of it… isn't this the very seat that red-eyed bunny kid first sat in when he came here?
He smirked inwardly.
Looking at Syr, who wore a maid-style uniform and was covering her mouth as she giggled, Renjiro couldn't help but notice how utterly different she seemed from the goddess Freya's usual image of a peerless, untouchable beauty.
If Freya was a queenly figure, radiating the presence of a ruler always calculating and commanding, then Syr felt like a mischievous, girl-next-door type.
And Renjiro knew: this wasn't some fake "acting" persona to fool him. Syr's cheerful demeanor was Freya's true nature.
The goddess who reigned over all of Orario, who could seize the lower world with but a thought, was at heart a playful woman.
She had even tried sticking her tongue out cutely at Ottar once, attempting to slip past him in disguise.
Of course, trying to charm that stoic warrior was about as effective as playing a lute to a cow.
In truth, Freya was the mask, the serious, untouchable goddess act put on for the outside world.
Now…
"I have a feeling tonight's wages are going to look very nice."
Syr's eyes curved into playful slits, her smile mischievous and sweet. "Thank you, LinShu-bigbrother~."
"...Tch."
Renjiro instinctively turned away.
Damn it, feels like I'm having a heart attack.
She's Freya. She's Freya…
He repeated the mantra in his head like a prayer.
It wasn't that he hated Freya's past deeds. He just wasn't attracted to women with such overwhelming, queenly auras.
Personally, Renjiro preferred girls like Duckie, slightly tsundere and fun to game with, or like Cooky, the gentle, housewifely type.
Which made Syr… dangerously close to his type.
Calm down. Calm down. A heart of ice, unshaken even if the sky falls.
He let out a long breath,
THUD!
Just in time for Mama Mia's usual serving style. She slammed the dish onto the bar with such force that the counter trembled.
Right, Mama Mia, full name Mia Grand, was a dwarf standing at a towering 180 cm.
Yes, you heard that right. A dwarf taller than most humans.
Because of her formidable stature, the gods had dubbed her Little Giant. Years ago, she had already reached Level 6, stepping into the so-called Heroic Realm. She now serves as captain of Freya Familia's combat unit.
Honestly, the fact that the bar had withstood her daily slams was a miracle in itself.
After all, another Level 6 dwarf, Gareth Landrock, the Stalwart, could split the ground open for dozens of meters with a single axe swing.
Compared to that, this bar counter was like the legendary wooden dummy from martial arts films, unyielding and iconic.
Moment of silence for the bar.
"Here we are! Today's special, charcoal-roast whole chicken with crispy skin!"
Mama Mia rolled up her sleeves, laughing heartily. "Not enough for you? Don't worry, more's coming."
"Oh. Uh. Okay…"
Renjiro blinked at the massive bird placed before him.
A whole chicken… seriously?
"Mind if I order a few drinks, too?"
He turned to Syr, who was still standing nearby.
"Of course, Renjiro-nii~."
Syr's lips curled upward as she skipped away with the tray.
Watching her retreating back, Renjiro's heart skipped.
Way too cute!!!
"Ahem. Right. Focus."
He cleared his throat, forcing his mind back into order.
Know your limits. Don't play games you can't win.
That was the mantra he repeated.
At least wait until you're the strongest in Orario. Then we'll talk.
It was a simple thought:
With strength, you can do anything.
Without it, stop daydreaming and keep your feet on the ground.
With that, he tore off a drumstick and bit in.
First bite,
"Hmm. Not bad. About the same as takeout fried chicken back before I crossed over."
The truth was, modern humans had spoiled their taste buds. Even here, in Orario's most famous tavern, the food still felt just a bit lacking compared to his old world.
Which made him think,
Speaking of which… besides forging, I really should try my hand at cooking sometime.
Gnawing on the chicken leg, propping his cheek against one hand, he mused aloud:
"If divine-grade cooking really exists… could its effects be reproduced in this world?"
The thought excited him greatly.
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Footnotes:
Mama Mia (Mia Grand) – A famous dwarf in the DanMachi world. Exceptionally tall at 180 cm, earning her the ironic nickname Little Giant. Former Level 6 adventurer and captain of Freya Familia's combat unit.
Heroic Realm – A term used for adventurers who have reached Level 6 or higher, considered living legends in Orario.
Rivira – A bustling settlement located on the 18th Floor of the Dungeon, serving as a rest hub and trade point for deep-floor adventurers.
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