Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Page 1046

"We'll comfort the dejected Hestia; you and your kin can go and have some fun," said Takemikazuchi. He seemed to be planning to invite Mihedra, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Demeter to join them for a drink together.

It seems they have a lot to talk about.

"Oh, it's so delicious. Although it's a bit pricey, 'Abundant Mistress' is really a great restaurant."

"You've never been here before? This shop must be quite famous among adventurers."

"That's right... but for some reason, Apollo is very averse to this shop, so I never came here when I was with the previous faction."

Not only were Miss Daphne and Welf enjoying the meal served, but everyone else was relaxing and enjoying themselves. Perhaps discussing the purchase of elixirs, Miss Nazha and Lily were half-joking—but their eyes held no hint of amusement—talking about business; Miss Mikoto, Miss Chigusa, and Miss Haruhime were chatting and laughing about the past, and the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia joined their conversation. They must be trying to recapture the time they had been separated from Miss Haruhime for so many years.

Seeing Mr. Sakura acting like an older brother, not interrupting but simply observing quietly and gently, I couldn't help but smile.

(…The Loki Familia probably won't come.)

After glancing around our table, my gaze inadvertently swept across the restaurant.

I can't help but search for that most renowned and powerful clan in the city.

And a beautiful blonde girl.

After the incident with the "heretic" and many "adventures," I now long to see Miss Ais.

I wouldn't dare say I want her to see how I've grown... but perhaps I just want to know where I stand, to be clear about it.

By facing the person I admire, I can come to know myself better.

Although she did promise to teach me combat skills again, to be honest, I didn't know what kind of expression to use when facing her.

"Hmm, what's wrong, Bell? You're looking around."

"Ah... well, I was wondering if the restaurant could accommodate the Loki Familia if they came to hold a banquet. I heard that Miss Ais and her friends often come to this restaurant."

I quickly made up an excuse to cover it up, and Welf, who was sitting next to me, listened and smiled easily, saying, "Oh."

"It should be alright, right? Besides, the Elegia festival is just around the corner."

At that moment, he uttered an unfamiliar word.

"A 'Lament'...?"

"Although the guild members are in charge of organizing it, they'll probably tell the Loki Familia or Freya Familia to behave themselves for now."

After saying this, Welf ordered another beer.

I tilted my head, about to ask what a "dirge ceremony" was, when...

"Mr. Bell! ...How is your left arm?"

Miss Cassandra, who hadn't participated in the conversation until now, seemed to have made up her mind to speak to me, interrupting my question.

"Ah, it's all over now. Miss Amid said the injury is healing very well, and there's no more pain or stiffness."

"Oh, I see... That's good then~"

Miss Cassandra, sitting diagonally across from me, staring at the glass she was holding with both hands—or rather, she seemed nervous?—laughed when I replied.

I also clenched and unclenched my left fist several times to make sure there was no problem.

Although Miss Amed told me that I can't fight for the time being, judging from the current situation, maybe it won't be long before I can go back to explore the dungeon?

"Oh, right... Welf, Miss Cassandra. Thank you so much back then."

At that moment, I thought it was perfect, so I took the opportunity to thank Welf and Miss Cassandra.

I am grateful for the Goliath scarf they prepared for me during the expedition.

Honestly, without that, I wouldn't have been able to fight the Destroyers at all, and I might not even be here now.

Hearing me speak frankly from the bottom of my heart, Welf raised the corners of his lips and waved his hand, while Miss Cassandra opened her eyes wide and smiled broadly as if her heart were blooming, saying, "Yes!"

Her beautiful smile, with what seemed like tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, made my heart skip a beat, but that was a secret.

I felt a little ashamed of my lack of devotion, and I smiled bitterly.

"But speaking of which... Lady Daphne and Lady Cassandra have both leveled up together, that's truly something to celebrate."

"Th-thank you!"

"Now our [Family] has two Level 3 members... Hehe, I look forward to your performance exceeding the tax amount, Daphne, Cassandra..."

"Don't threaten people so subtly, Commander..."

Lily's congratulations made Miss Cassandra bow her head in gratitude, while Miss Daphne was somewhat frightened by Miss Nazha's strange smile.

That's right.

This "expedition" has resulted in both Miss Daphne and Miss Cassandra getting "leveled up".

While I was wandering around in the "deep layers," Lily and her friends seemed to have experienced an "adventure" no less impressive than mine. The fact that a mere handful of them managed to defeat the floor master of the "lower layers" was already an astonishing "feat."

I feel a little guilty that my isolation caused trouble for everyone, but I feel even stronger admiration and awe for them.

Perhaps you also feel a little lonely.

I regret that I couldn't join everyone for a group maze exploration (team activity).

In short, another significance of this banquet was to celebrate Miss Daphne and her colleagues' promotion.

"Lily Luca, you've leveled up too? Congratulations."

"It's nothing, I have to thank Lady Daphne for her guidance. Thank you."

Miss Daphne smiled, and Lily thanked her as if she were an apprentice.

Perhaps influenced by Miss Mei or Miss Haruhime, she knelt on the chair and bowed her head in a very Far Eastern style to express her gratitude. Seeing her like this, even Mr. Sakura and the others couldn't help but smile wryly.

People in the same team keep getting upgraded.

This illustrates how many severe trials and tribulations occurred during this "expedition".

Even compared to the "expeditions" of other [families], it is probably impossible to find a similar example.

"Heh heh! Don't forget about the cats' antics, meow!"

"That's right! The scene where the boy sees the cat appear in front of him while he's injured and vows, 'Ah, Lady Chloe, my butt belongs to you for life!' is so touching, meow."

Miss Anya and Miss Chloe abandoned their work, striking inexplicably cool poses while interrupting the conversation.

Just as Miss Chloe was explaining things I didn't remember, making my cheeks twitch, Miss Lunova, the human who had taken away a pile of plates, had a dumbfounded look on her face.

"By the time we got there, everything was already over, okay? You two stupid cats, what are you smug about when you haven't done anything?"

"What did you say?!"

Just as Miss Anya and Miss Chloe were angrily retorting...

"Have you finished talking nonsense, you bunch of idiots!"

Aunt Mia's roar suddenly erupted from inside the bar.

Miss Anya and her friends, who skipped work to come and rescue us, now seem to be under strict surveillance.

Aunt Mia's fierce glare made Miss Anya and the others jump. "I'm sorry!?" they said, half-crying, and quickly went back to their work.

Miss Anya and her reinforcements were actually for our sake, so I'm really sorry...

"Please don't worry about it, Mr. Bell. Anya and the others were mentally prepared before they went."

"Miss Seele..."

"I'm so glad you all came back safe and sound."

As if she could read my mind, Miss Xi'er, who came to serve the food, smiled at me.

"I even went to some adventurers I know and cried out, 'Please save them!'... Heh, but it seems like it was all for nothing."

"...I'm sorry that matter caused you trouble."

Miss Seele whispered something in my ear, and I apologized, feeling embarrassed.

Honestly, I've made so many people worry.

"So, Mr. Bell."

As I scratched my head and smiled wryly, Miss Seele also smiled and asked me:

"What happened between you and Ryu?"

Crack!

I heard a freezing sound around me. And around Lily too.

...Recently, Miss Ryu has been avoiding me.

Probably, probably, definitely, there's no mistake.

Even after I was forced to have a cast put on, I visited "The Abundant Mistress" a few times, but each time Miss Ryu refused to face me and would always quickly retreat to the kitchen with a natural movement.

I felt like she wanted to stay away from me, so I didn't dare to pursue her.

"Ever since returning to the tavern, Ryu has been acting strange whenever Mr. Bell is mentioned."

Miss Seele stared at me with a smile, almost as if she were looking a hole through my face, which inexplicably made me break out in a cold sweat. My smile froze awkwardly, and after a moment of unease, I stammered, "..."

"She's acting strange...?"

"That's weird."

"How is it strange...?"

"That's such a strange method."

Miss Seele held a wooden tray in one hand and pointed in a certain direction.

Miss Ryu is right there.

Like Miss Anya and the others, she moved nimbly between the tables, serving dishes to the guests.

At first glance, there was nothing strange about it... but she didn't look in our direction at all.

They became so uncomfortable not looking at our table.

To be precise, they weren't looking at me.

Because she was busy taking orders from customers, she sometimes had to turn towards us, and even walk near our table... But as soon as she saw me, she would turn around and immediately turn to the other side, attracting surprised looks from a bunch of customers.

Simply looking away or lowering your gaze won't attract attention.

But her turn was so swift, it was completely abrupt.

Her movements made it seem as if she were the only one in the dungeon.

As she spun around like a whirlwind, her skirt was unnecessarily lifted by the wind, repeatedly revealing her beautiful legs clad in black pantyhose...

After observing Miss Seele for a while, I broke out in a sweat again.

"Ryu! Take this to the boy's table!"

“…………”

Aunt Mia placed the plated food on the bar and gave her direct instructions.

After a long silence, Miss Liu, with her dignified and beautiful face remaining unchanged, lightly placed several plates on her hands or arms.

Then, she walked directly towards us.

"Ryu, Miss Ryu..."

"Your steak."

"Would it be convenient for us to say a few words...?"

"Would you like to order?"

“Eh!”

"Ale?"