The Hostess of Fertility.
As Orario's most popular tavern, this establishment bustled with activity even in the morning. The staff was preparing to open for the day to serve their constant stream of customers.
At this moment, however, the waitresses had abandoned their kitchen duties to watch an intriguing scene unfold in the dining hall. Most surprisingly, Mama Mia hadn't scolded them for it.
A petite maid with gray hair was enthusiastically offering her homemade lunch box, while a tall, dignified young man before her was politely — yet frantically — refusing.
"Please take this lunch box."
"No, I don't need it today. Next time for sure, next time!"
"Um, I made it myself, if you wouldn't mind..."
"No, no, no, thank you for your kindness, Miss Syr, but I don't want a lunch box today."
"Why not? Adventurers need energy, don't they?"
"I'm a special case. I can go without eating for a day."
"Eh, why would you go a day without eating?"
That was clearly a lie. What adventurer would explore the Dungeon all day without eating or drinking?
In truth, Adam planned to buy supplies elsewhere after leaving. He absolutely would not accept this lunch box!
If Bell hadn't insisted on coming this way, he would have gladly taken another street to the Dungeon.
But his diplomatic excuse had made the perceptive Miss Syr notice something.
With a hurt expression, she said in a downcast voice, "Um... I'm sorry, is it because my cooking tastes bad? Even though it's terrible, I was still trying to force you to eat it."
As the tavern's most popular waitress, her signs of distress were sure to draw the staff's ire toward the offender.
The waitresses peeking from the kitchen started glaring, and Anya even raised her little fist. Mama Mia, the proprietress, wore a terrifying expression that could frighten children to death as she glowered at the young man who had refused her maid's goodwill.
The message was clear: Couldn't he just straightforwardly accept it like Bell did?!
Waves of subtle hostility emanated from the corners of the tavern, setting off Adam's internal alarms.
This is bad, he thought. He'd made a mistake and was about to become their target!
It wasn't being surrounded that he feared — rather, it was the tenacious persistence of those clingy Freya Familia members. Once they latched on, he wouldn't find peace even in the Dungeon.
Realizing his error, he quickly tried to make amends, "No, Miss Syr, you misunderstand. I'm not looking down on your cooking."
"Really? Adam, you're not lying to me?" The petite maid looked at him with disbelieving eyes.
"Ah, really, really." Adam quickly nodded, "Miss Syr's lunch boxes have a special flavor. When I ate it, it even made me see the people I miss most. I truly respect that power."
It's fine, he wasn't lying. During his near-death experience, he really had seen the people he missed most — his father, mother, sister — his family.
"Is that so? I had no idea my homemade lunch boxes had such an ability." Syr's dejected expression instantly brightened into a smile, "Then, all the more reason you should accept this one!"
"...Eh?" Adam fell silent, "Well, as I mentioned, I need to train..."
"So... it's still not okay?" Syr stepped closer, her eyes full of hope, deploying her upward 45-degree face attack with a pout.
She seemed to be begging him to take the lunch box from her hands.
At that moment, not just the staff and Mama Mia, but even Bell looked at him with eyes that said "anyone who doesn't accept would be an absolutely evil villain".
Seeing this scene, Adam wondered if Syr had somehow enchanted everyone present to force his hand.
With a cold heart and trembling hands, he silently took out a V$500 coin from his pocket, accepted the lunch box, and gently placed the coin in the petite maid's palm.
"Thank you very much!" She beamed at receiving the money. Seeing the coin in her palm, her face bloomed into a radiant smile.
That smile dispersed the tense atmosphere in the tavern. The waitresses relaxed their stern expressions, and Mama Mia smiled approvingly, satisfied with his choice.
But Adam was in extreme distress — not over the V$500, but over his stomach!
Maybe he could just throw it away? Surely he didn't have to eat it?
"Adam, you absolutely must eat it, okay?" As if reading his thoughts, Syr spoke words that made the young man want to vanish from existence.
"Yes, I'll be sure to savor it properly." Adam said stiffly, forcing a smile.
Since there was a Goddess who could detect lies, he'd have to eat it to avoid being caught in his deception.
But just thinking about possibly seeing Aqua again made his stomach churn. He felt utterly miserable.
"Well then, we'll be taking our leave."
"Goodbye, Mama Mia and Miss Syr."
Not wanting to stay a moment longer, Adam bid farewell and quickly fled the tavern, dragging Bell along.
"Have a safe trip!" Syr waved, her smile unwavering.
The V$500 income would clearly keep her in good spirits all day.
Training was just practice.
To test what one has learned, one needs to engage in real combat. In Orario, the best testing ground was none other than the Dungeon. Fighting monsters of similar or greater strength was the most accurate way to identify one's weaknesses.
So, the two headed to the Dungeon to test what Bell had learned in these three days.
Though the time was short, under the effect of〚Liaris Freese〛, Bell's learning speed was incredible.
While he was toying with a monster that only knew how to charge straight ahead, they both heard the sound of clashing metal.
They exchanged glances. After swiftly dispatching the monster, they ran over to investigate.
It turned out to be a small party of Adventurers, transporting a monster trapped in an iron cage on a cart.
"This is... preparation for the Monster Feria, right?"
According to Bell's knowledge, this monster would be brought to the arena during the festival to fight against Adventurers. This was a traditional event of the Monster Feria, nothing particularly noteworthy.
But was that really all there was to it?
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