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

"What are you thinking...?"

She waved her hand to indicate that she was "overthinking it," and left the foyer with a wry smile.

Finally, she turned around and said, "I'm leaving now," before leaving through the back door used by staff.

"good--……"

With a crisp click of her stylish guild-issued shoes, Eina headed in the opposite direction from her residence. Her home was relatively close to the guild headquarters, but that wasn't where she wanted to go.

As dusk settled over this northwestern avenue, few stalls or vendors were visible, only rows of enormous shops lining both sides of the road. This was because this avenue was home to the guild headquarters, and shops related to adventurers filled the entire street.

Among the few main streets in the area, the people there particularly call this Northwest Street "Adventurer's Street".

The road was also wider than other main streets, and Eina didn't feel crowded when she brushed past groups of adventurers in heavy armor.

(As a result, relying solely on information from headquarters, we could only find the official views of the Soma Familia...)

Eina has been trying to find out the internal situation of the Soma Familia these past few days.

When asked why, she always answers simply: out of curiosity. If asked to elaborate further, she says she's worried Belle might get into trouble.

(Even if you ask the person in charge of the Soma Familia, everyone's answer will be more or less the same... You'd better try to see how it goes on your own.)

She searched everywhere for guild references and inquired about information, but the results were not ideal.

Because their abnormal obsession with money was so blatant, everyone only noticed the surface facts, knowing only that there was an unusual atmosphere driving the members to work themselves to the bone. Eina organized the key points while also trying to think things through.

(The main god incited the [familiars] for his own purposes... No, that doesn't make sense.)

If we were to list the suspicious impressions and problems, it would be the obsession with money and the size of the faction itself.

Unlike others' assessments of Soma, that "familia" had a large number of members and followers.

(What if the cause isn't with the main god Soma? No, assuming there's just a trigger, perhaps it's the [Family] itself... the members lost control?)

Thinking of this, Eina paused for a moment.

A large tavern came into her view.

"Hmm... Asking here would be the best option, but..."

Throughout history and across the world, gathering intelligence has always been done in taverns.

However, this place also made Eina somewhat hesitant.

For her... no, for the elves, taverns frequented by numerous adventurers were almost always a major challenge.

To put it bluntly, men of all races will approach her, like bees swarming around a flower.

"Haha...maybe I'll pass."

Anticipating what might happen, Eina gave a wry smile and obediently walked past the tavern entrance. The adventurer's gruff voice came from behind the door, making her quicken her pace in alarm.

(It's not that I'm narcissistic...)

Eina was fairly self-aware of her appearance.

After all, she had inherited half of the blood of elves, whom other races also praised as beauties. She had to admit that men would indeed change their expressions and vie to pursue her.

(I'm not that oblivious, I just don't want to interact with the opposite sex...)

She recalled the look of surprise on her friend's face when she left the workplace, as if she had no idea she had a boyfriend.

Eina didn't think she was that naive. She was nineteen, and it wasn't strange that she had a boyfriend. Sometimes she couldn't help but feel empty.

However, this is also because she loves her work so much.

(But I just can't seem to meet anyone who makes me feel, "That's him!"...)

Most of those who pursue Eina are strong and capable adventurers.

They all seemed reliable, as if they could lead you forward, or even make you dizzy with excitement.

It was precisely because they were all like that that Eina felt a little apprehensive.

(Actually, it doesn't need to be that reliable—that's what I think...)

After all, everyone acknowledges that she is very caring, and she thought that perhaps she prefers someone who is a little bit irresponsible... Eina couldn't help but have such an overly explicit thought.

He couldn't solve many things on his own, yet he still wanted to try. In the end, he would always come to Eina dejectedly. That was exactly the kind of person she wanted. Eina smiled and said, "I just can't do anything with you," and helped him. The two helped each other and built a relationship of mutual support.

For Eina, someone who was willing to rely on her, or rather, someone who could evoke her protective instincts, was just right.

(Sigh—where can I find a man like Bell—…)

Well, that's right.

This is what she wanted. It's much clearer when put into words.

Yes, that's exactly the kind of man I like—hahaha—Eina completely understood.

(……Wait a moment.)

Hey, hey, hey, she slapped back with one hand in mid-air.

What man like Bale—isn't that him?

Eina blushed in an empty space, and laughed to herself, "Aha, ahahaha!" in a deserted place.

"Ah, we're here!"

She made an exaggeratedly loud noise even though she was alone. With her cheeks still burning, she walked into the two-story item shop built of rough-hewn stone. The shop sign hanging above read "Retailer".

She came here to investigate the alcohol that is supposedly sold by the Soma Kinkaku.

Aside from the fact that this was the only option left to investigate, the fact that it was unnaturally known for its small-volume alcohol business also seemed quite suspicious. Eina herself didn't think this would reveal anything, but she still felt it was worth investigating.

(It seems like there are more items available compared to when I came a long time ago?)

Transparent crystal display cases, stronger than glass, were arranged in a grid pattern in the center of the store, seemingly taking up space. Eina turned her head, browsing through these tall display cases.

Many items are displayed in cabinets. The blue liquid in the round-bottom flask is a magic potion, the liquid in the slender test tube is an antidote, and the liquid in the fashionable bottle is a panacea... All of these are goods sourced from the commercial category [Family].

The items from the [Family] are basically sold in many item shops. This shop, having successfully purchased a location facing "Adventurer's Town," is quite popular with adventurers and has a wider variety of items.

After looking through all the adventurers' tools, Eina walked toward a corner of the shop marked with an arrow indicating the grocery store.

(Wow! I've got it!)

In the wine cabinet lined with bottles, Eina found the label for the [Soma Familia] and became excited.

The bottles in the wine cabinet were completely undecorated; they were just plain glass bottles. The contents were also transparent. No matter how biased your perspective, they didn't look very appetizing.

However, compared to other alcoholic beverages that had several bottles on display, the Soma Familia only had one bottle left, indicating that it was indeed selling very well.

(...Soma?)

Seeing the blank, uninspired label, Eina blinked her emerald-green eyes.

A brand with the same name as the main god... was it named by the god Soma himself?

Eina tilted her head slightly, wanting to ask the shop assistant to take the item out of the closed cabinet, when she inadvertently saw the price tag.

Sixty thousand Fali.

Bang! Eina's forehead hit the cabinet.

(W-what?! No, it's just a bottle of wine!)

—I can't believe it! It's more expensive than Bell's entire outfit!

Eina touched her bruised forehead and stared intently at "Soma".

It rivals, or even surpasses, the more expensive adventurer-specific items and equipment. While not prohibitively expensive, it's not something the average person can easily afford.

In terms of the quality of hobby items, the difference in level is too great.

(I can't possibly carry that much money on me...)

While the guild's salary was generous enough to rival that of ordinary adventurers, it wasn't enough to carry around a sum as large as 60,000 falies. Besides, if she actually bought it, Eina's living expenses would become quite tight. She had just bought armor for Bell two days ago.

Facing the wine cabinet, Eina was truly at her wit's end.

"...Is that Eina?"

"what?"

A clear sound brushed past her ear. Hearing someone call her name, Eina turned her head.

Behind her was a tall, elfin beauty.

Her shimmering emerald hair grew down her back and was tied in a low ponytail. Ears, like sharp leaves, peeked out from her beautiful long hair. Among the most beautiful elves, she possessed an exceptionally stunning beauty, like a fairy descended from heaven. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her otherworldly.

She exudes a heroic spirit at all times, and her eyes are the same color as Eina's—no, they are a clearer emerald green.

Eina was truly taken aback this time.

"Lady Rivera!"

"It really is you... Long time no see! You've become even more beautiful. I almost didn't recognize you."

Upon seeing Riveria Leos Alf, whose smile was barely perceptible, only a gentle curve at the corners of her mouth, Eina quickly adopted a respectful demeanor.

"Thank you, sir! You flatter me. I am deeply grateful..."

"...Don't talk like that. This isn't Elf Village. Besides, you weren't born here. There's no need for you to be so deferential to me."

"But...but my mother told me that we must never forget to show respect to noble people..."

"Even someone like Aina instills this kind of thinking in her daughter... It's truly lamentable, considering we escaped the village together."

With a sigh that captivated all who saw it, Riveria gave Eina a stern look.

"Yes, it's important to know the minimum boundaries, but there's no need to go overboard. I'm utterly fed up with that kind of rigid, cage-like treatment. If you want to respect me, try to understand my feelings first."

“W-Why is this happening…”

Riveria's somewhat oppressive tone left Eina unable to cope.

Admittedly, Eina was born in a free city that opened its doors to the world and was home to a diverse mix of races. She only knew about the Elven Land but had no real knowledge of it. However... the person in front of her was royalty (high elf).

Half of the blood flowing in one's own veins makes one bow and scrape.

"I'm not telling you to completely abandon etiquette. I'm just telling you not to be so sensitive."

"I...I understand..."

"very good."

She nodded in satisfaction, while Eina felt uneasy, her eyebrows curving in a strange direction.

Eina kept the thought "This is really troublesome" to herself, but she soon changed her mind and felt joy at the reunion again.

She hadn't seen Riveria since she'd met her a few times when she was a child.

After Eina joined the guild, she quickly learned of Riveria's existence due to her profession, but because of the nature of her work, she could no longer easily visit Riveria.

It's not that we absolutely can't meet, but Eina always finds herself hesitant.

"I'm relieved to see you're alright. I never imagined you were working for the guild."

"I'm sorry. I did consider contacting you..."

"Don't worry about it. Ever since I came to this city, I've been spending all my time in the underground city, and I haven't had time for anything else. I guess it'll just keep getting delayed like this."

Even a nod from Rivera exuded elegance. Although Eina had also grown up observing her mother's refined manners, she couldn't compare to her royal lineage. The difference in their social standing was too great.

"What brings Lady Riveria here?"

"It's nothing, I just used up all my items during the exploration the other day. I'm just here to replenish them."

"I remember Lady Riveria can use healing magic... Ah, wasn't it silly of me to ask that?"

"Hmm. After all, magic isn't omnipotent. It's best to solve this with tools. What about Eina?"

"what……"

When asked, Eina remembered her purpose. Since Riveria urged her to tell her, Eina hesitated for a moment before recounting her story, but avoided mentioning the investigation of the Soma Familia.

This is to avoid creating unnecessary rumors that "guild members are secretly investigating a specific faction."

"Oh, this sake. Many people in my clan enjoy it too."

"Eh... excuse me, Lady Riveria? Among those who enjoy this kind of sake, are there any who are addicted or experiencing any unusual symptoms?"

"In my opinion, people who are addicted to alcohol are all abnormal, but... no one seems to do anything out of line. Why are you asking that?"

"Um... well, a friend recommended this kind of sake to me, but when I heard it was from the [Soma Familia], I couldn't help but have a bit of a prejudice against it..."