The setting sun dyed the sky a deep crimson. The western district was already glowing with the bustle of Magic Stone lamps. Workers, exhausted from the day, drank freely, while a flower shop girl laughed as she tended to adventurers. In the midst of this warm, lively atmosphere, the "Hostess of Fertility" stood out even more than usual.
"Everyone's worked hard! To celebrate Ais's level-up, drink as much as you want tonight!"
"You all did great. Bell reached Lv2 in such a short time—forget the Dungeon for now and enjoy yourselves!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
After the clinking of glasses, the tavern was quickly drowned in lively energy.
A moment later, the two people who had sparked the toast suddenly spoke at the same time.
"Why is Loki here..."
"Why is the shorty here too..."
Goddess Loki and Hestia held their cups, glaring at each other across a long table and the aisle between them.
"My Ais reached Lv6, you know. Of course we'd celebrate here."
Loki often brought her familia to this tavern. The reason was obvious: the tavern girls, all beautiful, and their charming uniforms.
"My Bell reached Lv2 too!"
Hestia didn't lose an ounce of momentum.
"You penniless Goddess—can you even afford the drinks? Freeloaders don't end up well here."
Loki fired the first shot.
"Ugh..."
Hestia really was dirt poor. Her hourly pay wasn't high, and whenever she managed to save a bit, she couldn't resist buying something tasty to share with Bell. Tonight's celebration was, in fact, supposed to be paid for by Bell. Of course, Hestia kept insisting the cost should be counted under her own name and that she'd pay it back in a few days.
"Loki, I understand your feelings. How long did it take your kid to level up? A year? Pffft. But my Bell reached lv2 in just half a month!"
Hestia struck right at the weak spot.
"Guh..."
Loki took a direct hit. "Don't tell me you faked the data?"
"What... what did you just say?!"
Hestia shot to her feet. "Your heart is as narrow as ever!"
"Hah? Want to start something, shorty?"
...
Just as their fight threatened to break out, their familias stepped in.
"Loki, it's a rare party. Keep this up and even the drinks will taste bad," Finn said.
"I must also ask you to stop. This kind of bickering is far too disrespectful to both Ais and Bell Cranel," Riveria added.
At another table, Bell shut Hestia up with a single line.
"Goddess-sama, this is a celebration worth remembering. Do you really want to ruin it?"
After that brief interruption, the tavern returned to its cheerful mood.
"Ais, did Argonaut really take down the Minotaur? What happened? Tell me everything!"
If her sister hadn't held her back, Tiona would have already sprinted to the boy's table. She was dying to hear that story—like something straight out of a heroic legend—so she could only ask the others nearby.
"Bell... was amazing..."
Ais's reply was short and quiet. That brutal duel between man and monster was still vivid in her mind, even after two days.
Tiona looked at Riveria with wide, innocent eyes.
"Hey, I want to know the details..."
"There are too many people listening here. I'll tell you when we get back."
Riveria was mindful of the boy's privacy. She had already learned the details of the fight from Ais—his resolve to push past the brink of death had been thrilling beyond words. But that unorthodox, desperate fighting style was best kept confidential for his sake.
"I... I want to hear it too! I promise I won't tell anyone!"
Lefiya gathered her courage to speak. It was only to understand her rival—absolutely nothing more. She held back her anticipation and silently reaffirmed her resolve.
"Hmm, no problem."
Riveria smiled softly.
Loki frowned and downed her fruit wine in one gulp.
"Why is everyone at Ais's celebration talking about that boy? Ais, you're really fine with this?"
"Hmm... This is fine..."
Ais blinked, answering softly from the heart.
"Hmm... What about Bete? Didn't he always call people scrubs and such? Hurry up and say something."
Loki tossed the topic to the werewolf who usually spat insults. At the last banquet, everyone had sat in the same places, and Bete had relentlessly mocked the boy he'd never met. This time, though, he seemed strangely restrained.
"Bete, what's wrong?"
Loki pressed again.
"...Tch."
Bete didn't answer. He just kept swallowing mouthfuls of fruit wine. The boy had gone beyond all limits and protected a woman. For that alone, Bete couldn't bring himself to insult him. And on top of that, during the Viola incident, the boy had risked his life to save Ais.
Finn seemed to catch on and stepped in to smooth things over.
"Can't you tell, Loki? They're using the time you spend chatting to divide up the wine and the food."
"Hahaha, looks like we've been found out."
Gareth set down his empty cup with a bold laugh.
"Wait... You finished my favorite wine?! That was the one I specifically asked Mama Mia to keep for me!"
Loki's complaints mixed into the ongoing playful commotion.
Lefiya's seat happened to face the boy's table. And unexpectedly, no matter what her companions talked about, her gaze kept drifting back to him on its own.
...
"Bell, is this person your girlfriend?"
Hestia looked the human girl over—beautiful like a doll.
"Yeah, she's Airmid from the Dian Cecht Familia."
Bell introduced her.
"The Dea Saint...?"
Lili and Welf were utterly stunned.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I look forward to getting along with everyone."
Airmid greeted them politely, sitting beside Bell with the nervousness of someone meeting their partner's family for the first time.
"Um..."
Hestia could feel the girl's kindness and sincerity, leaving her unsure how to respond.
"By the way, I only made it back safely this time thanks to the potion Airmid gave me. I'm really grateful."
Bell said.
"Between us... there's no need to thank me..."
Airmid and the boy were already lovers. Though their closeness hadn't gone beyond kissing, she had made it clear from the very beginning that their relationship was one meant to lead to marriage. The Dea Saint had long accepted in her heart that everything she had belonged to the boy.
"Hmm..."
Hestia's cheek twitched. Just as Bell said, Airmid had played a huge role in everyone's safe return. And Hestia, as a Goddess, could only offer prayers—she had no grounds to blame Airmid for anything.
"Bell, what about your other girlfriend? Isn't she the tavern clerk?"
Hestia shifted her gaze and asked casually.
"She's still working. Do you want to see her, Goddess-sama?"
Before the banquet began, Bell had already asked Syr about the details. She had only smiled and said that if he really wanted to meet, he should bring Hestia upstairs and let Ryuu handle things.
"..."
Hestia hesitated for a moment, then set down her glass.
"Never mind. In a few days, Airmid can come with her and meet at the church."
Hestia didn't know what to say; she didn't have the right or the mood to question him now.
"Anyway, let's keep celebrating!"
Hestia lifted her glass, stirring the atmosphere back to life.
"Oh! I'll drink to you, Bell. Your weapon's finished—you can look forward to it."
Welf laughed loudly.
"Well, when you're naming it, I hope you'll go easy on me..."
Bell remembered the absurd name of the rabbit armor and gave a wry smile.
"Bell-sama, Lili wants to clink glasses with you too!"
Lili, a bit envious of Airmid's place at his side, gathered her courage and raised her cup.
"Hmm."
Both cups held mead that wouldn't get them drunk.
Bell didn't want to end up wasted like other adventurers.
Lili, meanwhile, disliked the taste of alcohol and chose something that barely qualified as a drink.
The sweet flavor spread in their mouths, refreshing and light.
Airmid had originally ordered only juice, but seeing Bell's expression, she casually picked up his cup and took a few sips.
A simple gesture between lovers—but it made both Hestia and Lili frown.
They exchanged glances, silently wondering just how far the two had progressed.
Their questions faded into the lively atmosphere, wrapped in laughter and mead.
...
The conversation among Hestia Familia caught the attention of nearby patrons.
Whispers and murmurs filled the air.
"That white-haired kid? That's Hestia Familia...?"
"That Imp? The one who went from weakest adventurer to fastest?"
"That's just the gods joking around, right? Half a month? The Sword Princess's record is dozens of times longer."
"Who'd believe that?"
"But I heard he killed a Minotaur on the seventeenth floor."
"He probably just coasted along with stronger party members."
"Exactly. A Lv1 going to the seventeenth floor? Yeah right."
"Definitely fake stats..."
"Spreading rumors just to ditch the 'weakest adventurer' title. Pathetic..."
"That Imp got lucky and survived once, now he's getting full of himself. He's gonna get himself killed soon."
"They say he's dating the tavern's poster girl. If she'll go for an Imp like him, maybe we could..."
"That gray-haired girl? Not bad at all. When she comes out, we should get her to keep us company..."
"..."
"The truly despicable ones are you."
A tavern attendant finally lost her patience. Ryuu's cold stare fell on them like ice.
The tavern was large, and those adventurers sat at the outdoor seats, their voices unable to reach Bell's table—giving them the confidence to openly insult him.
But Ryuu wouldn't forgive them.
She could barely tolerate the earlier remarks, but this time they'd crossed the line completely.
"What's wrong, lady? Come join the big boys for a drink?"
The scarred adventurer burst into laughter, completely unfazed by Ryuu's words.
The others joined in, leering at her with shameless eyes.
"Looks like it's your first time here," Ryuu judged calmly.
"If you know what's good for you, sit down and pour us a drink."
The man reached out arrogantly, trying to grab her.
The next instant.
With lightning speed, Ryuu swept the tray and wine glass aside.
The man collapsed with a scream, rolling on the ground.
Anyone who had seen it would have assumed he'd smashed himself into the fast-moving tray.
Whether his arm was dislocated or he'd simply face-planted—either way, he had brought it on himself.
"...You filthy woman!"
The man shot a look at his companions.
Several of them stood up with murderous intent, ready to rush her—only to be slammed to the ground in an instant.
She hadn't even let them touch the hem of her clothes; a single wooden tray had settled everything.
Ryuu glanced at the writhing men and spoke coldly.
"I do not allow anyone to insult my friends or that boy. This is just a small lesson."
She turned and walked away, composure sharp and unshaken.
"Oh, and before you leave, make sure you pay for your meal."
"Pah! You think we'll pay?!"
The man grabbed a chair and wobbled to his feet.
Just as they were cursing and getting ready to slip away, several figures approached.
"Don't go making extra work for people..." Lunoire cracked her knuckles.
"So we just beat them up and take the money, nya?" Anya said with a cheerful smile, the words dangerously casual.
"I don't want the boy to see anything too bloody. You'd better behave yourselves, nya." Chloe scanned the area, confirming the boy and his group couldn't see this corner before relaxing.
"Tsk, bunch of filthy women..."
The man drew the short sword at his waist, and the others followed, pulling out their weapons.
They were Lv2 adventurers who roamed the Middle Floors, used to swaggering around every tavern they entered.
Just as the tension reached its peak, Mia stepped out.
"All my customers today are here for celebration banquets. Are you planning to ruin my reputation?"
She shot them a glance, grabbed one man's spear in one hand, and snapped it apart as if it were nothing.
"...."
Their faces drained of color. The men froze on the spot.
Mia was already restraining herself—for the sake of the celebrations.
"Pay for your meals, hand over some compensation for my girls, and get out."
"Did you hear me?!"
The men nodded furiously, dropped a money pouch full of coins, and fled without a word.
The scene at the outdoor seating didn't affect the cheerful atmosphere inside the tavern at all.
"Thank you, Ryuu."
Syr offered sincere gratitude.
"It's nothing. I only did what I wanted to do."
Ryuu returned to her work.
Both of them carefully avoided Bell's table, not wanting to expose the fact that she had been pretending to be his girlfriend.
Syr picked up the dishes and walked toward the corner with a gentle smile.
"Hm? Long time no see, Syr-chan," a male god greeted her.
"...Hermes-sama? Long time no see."
Syr set the dishes down in the center of the table. Aside from the God, three members of Hermes Familia were seated.
"I just finished my travels a few days ago and rushed straight to the tavern. Shame I didn't see you then..."
"Probably just missed each other," Syr answered politely.
"Anyway, I heard you and Bell Cranel became lovers?" Hermes asked.
"Hmm..."
"Oh! So my unrequited love ends like this? How heartbreaking!"
Hermes clutched his chest dramatically.
Ignoring his party members' cold glares, he leaned forward and pressed:
"So... are you serious about him?"
Hermes narrowed his eyes.
The god's deep, probing gaze seemed to question Syr's very soul.