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

Mr. Modo hooked his thick arm around my neck and, after speaking in a hoarse voice, a pungent smell of alcohol hit me.

Mr. Modo, his face flushed, grabbed me with one hand and raised the wine glass in his right hand high.

"We defeated the infamous Freya Familia!!"

"Yay!!"

Under Mr. Mordo's booming voice, Mr. Kyle, Mr. Scott, Mr. Perth, and the residents of the labyrinthine inn town (Rivera Town), even Mr. Dorumur and his dwarves from the Manny Familia, cheered.

The many adventurers who provided assistance in the "faction war" were already drinking heavily from the very beginning of the banquet.

I can understand why they're so happy.

And I must fully understand that this is indeed such an amazing "feat".

The matter of "defeating the strongest faction in the city (the Freya Familia) on par with the Loki Familia" has reportedly sparked heated discussions around the world. Furthermore, this is the first time I've seen Mr. Perth, the leader of the labyrinthine inn town (Rivera Town) and a seasoned adventurer, display such ecstatic joy.

Everyone who participated in the war naturally has the right to toast and celebrate the hard-won victory.

...But I still think everyone is being a bit too indulgent.

"This meal is on me today!! We've already plundered so much money from the Freya Familia!! Everyone, eat and drink to your heart's content!!"

“Uoooohhhhhhh!”

"As expected of Perth!!"

After dividing the spoils of the War Game—the assets of the Freya Familia—Mr. Perth and Mr. Mordo, among others, became extravagant spenders. Watching Mr. Perth and his companions drinking heartily and becoming carried away with their revelry, I couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Judging from that, they will probably run out of money soon, and it's not hard to imagine that these people will soon be in a state of distress."

"Ah... Mr. Lewis."

"No need to worry about them, let's enjoy the victory in our own way, allies of the elves."

Mr. Luvis the elf walked up to me and held out a glass filled with ice and fairy (Orb) water.

I felt a little embarrassed, but I still gently toasted him in celebration.

Although I am not old enough to drown my sorrows in victory wine... I can still share this joy with those I fought alongside.

"The food is served, meow~!"

"The important thing is to hurry up and get the alcohol!! There's not enough alcohol at all, meow~!"

Thanks to Mr. Luvis, I finally escaped Mr. Mordo and the others, only to find the cat-people waiters frantically weaving through the crowd.

The seating arrangement at "The Abundant Hostess" today is different from the past, adopting a so-called standing buffet format.

All the chairs in the store were put away to create a spacious feel—frankly, without this design, it wouldn't be able to accommodate so many people.

Although the invitation was for all factions allied with the Hestia Familia, the residents of the labyrinthine inn town (Rivera Town) readily accepted. Besides our comrades from the War Game, people we knew and even the gods were present. Aside from the gods' grand assembly, there are probably few opportunities like this for us to interact with members of other factions.

"Mr. Sakura, Ms. Chigusa, Mr. Asuka, and everyone else, thank you so much for joining the war game and helping out!"

"No, please don't say that! On the contrary, we were the ones who couldn't provide assistance at the crucial moment... I'm really sorry!"

"Yeah, we were just following the orders of the Laurus Fuga and got hacked down."

"Wait a minute! Please don't make it sound like I forced you to your deaths! I was also seriously injured by the [Dainsleif]!!"

"Daphne, calm down!"

When I went to thank all the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia, Ms. Chigusa hurriedly waved her hands, not daring to take credit, Mr. Sakura expressed his regret with a bitter expression, and Ms. Daphne, who was standing to the side, almost spat out the wine in her mouth in embarrassment and anger, and loudly retorted. Ms. Cassandra quickly stepped in to comfort her. After struggling to suppress my laughter, I turned to look to the side.

"Um, Miss Nazha, God Mihe... about the broken prosthetic arm...?"

"Don't worry... based on our share of the reward, it should be enough to create a brand new 'Agateram'..."

"Although we still can't pay off our previous debts, it doesn't matter. Our income and expenses are just breaking even. The important thing is that as long as we can help our neighbors (Bell and you guys), we're content."

Miss Nazha, whose right sleeve was tied with a knot, smiled gently at me along with Mihe.

When I first heard that Ms. Nazha's "silver arm" was damaged in the war game, I was so nervous that I planned to rush to the dungeon to earn money to compensate for the prosthetic arm. This news really put my mind at ease.

"Although it's annoying to have to pay Amid and the others... as Mih said, the reward I received this time was quite substantial. Also, I've [leveled up] to Lv.3."

"Huh!? Is this for real!?"

"Well, so celebrate with me... but I still don't dare to fight monsters, so in the end I'll still be pretty useless."

I've heard that under the "level boost" status, all experience points gained are halved!

According to Ms. Nazha, many of the combat prostitutes, led by Ms. Samira and Ms. Lina, have successfully leveled up. Aside from the compensation and fame gained in the war game, this is their "most significant achievement."

I was terrified upon hearing this shocking news, and I realized once again how formidable this opponent was.

"Bell Craney, you really don't need to go around thanking everyone like this, do you?"

"That's right, after all, you were the most seriously injured of all, and also the primary contributor who fought to the last moment."

"Stop wandering around, you brat! Just enjoy the banquet!"

"Um... but I still want to thank everyone who offered assistance in person... because it was such a thrilling and intense battle."

After gathering my thoughts, I put them into words and spoke my heart to the goddess Hephaestus, the Thunder God Takemikazuchi, and Miss Tsubaki. It wasn't that I felt guilty towards anyone, but rather that I wanted to convey my gratitude to each and every one of them.

After hearing my answer, the goddess Hephaestus smiled kindly, but immediately added with a stern look, "Leave this to Hestia! After all, she's your chief goddess!" Timid as I was, I immediately stood at attention and obediently replied, "Yes, yes!"

Then I said goodbye to Takemikazuchi and the others who were amused, and went on to thank the others.

Among the large number of guests, mostly adventurers, I couldn't find Miss Eina anywhere.

According to others, it's inappropriate for management personnel (guilds) to be present at adventurers' gatherings... It's more like a faction-organized event. Furthermore, Hermes and his group didn't attend, declining the invitation on the grounds that they weren't directly involved in the battle, but they still sent expensive wine and sent a message saying, "Enjoy this victory celebration!"

Apart from Hermes and others, Mr. Fels, Mr. Finn, Miss Tiona, and Miss Tione also did not attend the banquet... but they still provided considerable assistance.

"Little hero Argo, Ais actually cheered for you until her voice was hoarse! She said her voice sounds strange and she's too embarrassed to see you right now! She'll come find you once her voice recovers!"

...Through Miss Tiona's message, I learned about Miss Ais's recent situation.

I must always remember that this present-day scene is all thanks to everyone's help.

In any case, I cannot be so arrogant as to believe that I won this battle solely through my own strength.

"Even now, I still can't believe we've truly defeated the Freya Familia! I keep feeling like when I wake up the next day, I'll find it was all a dream...!"

"My Lord, please stop saying such frightening things! Lily was forced to go through a terrifying experience, like walking a tightrope, and even traveled between hell and the underworld four times! Therefore, Lily swears she will never do such a thing again! Even if you kill me, I will never take on such a burden again!! I will absolutely never do it again!!"

"Please, please calm down, Lady Lily!"

After greeting everyone, I was about to return to the main table in the center of the tavern when I saw Miss Mikoto, who seemed to still be caught up in her high spirits, expressing her feelings. Lily was screaming as if she were having a hysterical fit, while Miss Haruhime, who was standing next to her, was trying her best to comfort her.

Even though she had won the war game, Lily had been waking up from "deathmatch nightmares" every night lately, and tonight she seemed to hate her inability to get drunk. Although she had become a teetotaler since the "divine wine" incident, her current state of mind was probably, "How can anyone not relieve their emotions through alcohol?!"

"Ah! Glug... Pfft! Just thinking about that battle makes me realize how intense it was! Since I had to win no matter what, I practically risked my life!"

The gods, nodding in agreement, kept stuffing food into their mouths as if afraid of falling behind, which made me smile even more bitterly.

Well, to be honest, I understand what Lily is trying to say.

That fierce battle... I don't want to think about it if I can.

After all, I was utterly thrashed by the strongest guy in the city (Mr. Otto) back then, it almost became a psychological trauma. Specifically, even now, just thinking about it briefly makes my facial muscles reflexively spasm…

"Let's put that aside for now..."

"How are we supposed to expect people to just let this go?!"

Ignoring the enraged Lily, Welf, who was drinking, turned his gaze to the side.

"...Why are all those defeated opponents here too?"

Lily and we, who had been pretending not to see anything, both followed Welf's gaze.

What came into view were four little people quadruplets holding bowls, plates, and a large number of wine bottles in their arms.

"We're just waiters, aren't we?"

"Are we just enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens?"

"We will never forget this humiliation."

"Bell, don't expect us to let you go."

"Why me!?"

Hearing four identical voices speaking in unison, I couldn't help but retort in the manner of "Bell Crane of the Freya Familia".

The four Jariba brothers—Mr. Alflick and his three younger brothers—were still wearing their usual sand-colored armor and helmets, with white aprons on top, diligently performing their duties as "waiters."

To be precise, it wasn't just Mr. Alfred and his group—it was the entire Freya Familia.

"The loser's fate is to pay the price, and this is our sin... to be slaves during dinner. Hmph, hmph hmph, I will not allow myself to be humiliated in front of everyone. The solution is to escape back to the sacred kitchen for refuge...! I... I really can't do that?"

"Of course not~ because the kitchen is already well-staffed~ Speaking of which, this tavern is really strange, the workload is almost as heavy as 'Fólkvangr'~..."

The dark elf Mr. Hegny, who was extremely suspicious due to his shyness, pitifully begged Miss Heather, but she flatly refused. Then Miss Heather carried a dish in each hand and helped serve the food.

At first glance, Miss Haici seemed to be very skilled at her job, just like the one I saw in "Battlefield"... Well, how should I put it, her eyes looked as tired as an old lady.

"Hmm~ It's easier than before~! But only by a tiny bit!"

"That's right, meow~! Thanks to these slaves, it's a little... really a little... a little easier than usual, meow! Hey, you bunch of defeated whelps, you'd better do your job properly for the cats, meow!"

Well, to put it bluntly... Miss Lunova and Miss Chloe smirked with schadenfreude, watching with delight as the four Jariba brothers and Mr. Hegny and the others busied themselves with their work.

In short, the Freya Familia was forced to serve as waiters at this victory celebration, responsible for entertaining the victorious faction alliance in the war game.

Since the Freya Familia had essentially disbanded, Aunt Mia dragged all the members—mainly the Andhrímnir, led by Miss Haze—to the tavern to work as laborers. No, to be precise, she forcibly recruited them all into her ranks.

"Just because that foolish goddess acted so recklessly, daring to let her subjugated clansmen (you bunch of idiots) bully my silly daughters, she must pay the price!"

Aunt Mia seems to have said that.

While it might seem reasonable given Aunt Mia's personality, the fact that she treated all the valiant warriors and first-class adventurers the same, ordering them around like they were no different... that's quite something. Also, it's impossible to see the actual situation inside the kitchen from here, but the Comforting Grayfaces working there are probably being driven crazy. Incidentally, because there aren't enough uniforms for the male waiters, the male members of the party, including Mr. Hegny and other first-class adventurers, are wearing their usual combat gear, while only the female members are wearing the grass-green uniforms with the tally mark "The Abundant Mistress."

The strongest faction (Freya Familia) unexpectedly had all its members come to work as waiters, and the guests' reactions varied.

Some, like Welf, were disappointed, while others looked fearful.

The rest of the group, like Mr. Modo and his companions, wore wicked grins and were immersed in their pleasure.

Since the female members of the Goddess's Clan (Miss Haici and others) were all beautiful, and now appeared as waitresses, it was a feast for the eyes of many people; however, anyone who dared to harass them would be immediately subdued. Therefore, even the drunken Mr. Perth and others constantly reminded themselves not to overstep the bounds. Thus, they displayed an unparalleled ability to multitask, leering at each other from afar while simultaneously sweating profusely with nervousness.

"—You filth, what are you staring at so lewdly? How can there be such a horrifying creature as you in this world? I advise you to gouge out your own eyes and go to hell, you beast."

"I didn't look lecherous! Really, I didn't! So please, don't give me that murderous look, the kind that could kill with a glare, okay!? Miss Herren...!"

The next instant, a voice so cold it could pierce my brain came. Even without looking at the person, I had already guessed who it was, so I quickly turned around and called out the speaker's name.

What comes into view is a stunningly beautiful face with long gray hair covering the right half of her face, as if surrounded by zero-degree cold air.

Miss Herren, who could be described as a "witch's apprentice," stood behind me, wearing the same tavern uniform as Miss Haici and the others.

Since Miss Herren usually wears black dresses, her lovely grass-green uniform was a refreshing sight—but I didn't have the energy to appreciate it properly. I was already sweating profusely and my expression was stiff. Under her gaze, I dared not make any rash moves... I could only force an awkward smile onto my face.

"Hmm... Miss Herren, this outfit... suits you very well too..."

Miss Herren's eyes widened at first, then her entire face turned completely red.

It was almost as if you could hear the sound of her brain boiling over.

"You lewd beast! Lewd beast! Lewd beast—!!"

"Why!?"

"You're not allowed to stare at me like that again, looking at my pathetic state!! Waaah, why do I have to dress like this too...! Putting aside Lady Seele, these clothes just don't suit me at all...!"

"Since this defeat can almost entirely be attributed to you, you should rightfully be the first to be punished~ Instead of worrying about that, get back to work~ Heron~"

"Hai Ci...! Waaaaaahh ...

Miss Herren ignored my protests, continuing to pull down her already not-so-short, knee-length skirt, as if trying to conceal her slender legs encased in black stockings. Miss Heather, on the other hand, showed no mercy in ordering Miss Herren around. Miss Herren glared angrily at her colleague with the pale red hair, but this gesture was futile. Left speechless and unable to defend herself, Miss Herren could only tremble, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Miss Helen, labeled a "traitor" within her faction, was reportedly pardoned only thanks to a decree from her own god. Even so, Miss Haici and the others treated Miss Helen with the attitude of "Please accept your punishment," so she was the first to be sent to "The Abundant Mistress" as a waitress.

Since Miss Herren is a "goddess's attendant" who rarely appears in public, she has been under the gaze of many curious eyes since the beginning. This is mainly due to the male gods, who keep praising her, saying things like, "The yandere-type ice beauty is showing her piercing expression—!"

"So it was all your fault!! It's all your fault for being alive!! You need to reflect on your actions right now!!"

"Eeee ...

Miss Herren, with only her left eye showing, had teary eyes, and her temporarily tied ponytail swayed gently as she brought her face close to mine. Terrified by this sight, I screamed on the spot.

"Alright, alright, hurry up and get to work~" Miss Herren, who looked like she was about to grab me with a fork and drag me away with her, was dragged away on the spot by Miss Haici. However, Miss Herren still glared at me fiercely with murderous eyes after that.

"I still think we hired the wrong person to be a waiter... He's too bothered by those people, so even if he drinks a lot, he won't get drunk."