What she thought or wanted didn't matter to Adam.
His only concern was making a trip to the Dungeon with their expedition team while investigating matters related to the mysterious beings.
He preferred to avoid involvement with the Loki Familia. If any connection emerged, he would simply report it to Ouranos for the Guild to handle.
Still, he wondered what arrangement Ouranos and Loki had made to allow an outsider like him to join their Familia's expedition.
After exchanging pleasantries with Bell, the three of them headed to The Mistress of Fertility to celebrate both Adam's return and their bountiful harvest.
The moment they stepped inside, they received a warm welcome.
Anya's reaction stood out most — the cat-eared girl leaped forward at the sight of Adam, clutching his arm and refusing to let go. Silent tears welled in her eyes as she gazed up at him.
She appeared haggard, though he wondered if it was just his imagination.
Her usual vivacious, cheerful demeanor had vanished. With drooping ears and a limp tail, she looked utterly dejected — a sight that would break any furry enthusiast's heart.
Unfortunately, Adam remained unmoved.
"Um, Miss Anya, there's no need to be this enthusiastic just because I've been away." He tugged at his arm, attempting to free himself from her embrace.
Her grip proved too strong, and he eventually gave up trying to break free.
"Adam, Adam—! I missed you-nya!" Anya's tear-filled eyes suggested countless unspoken grievances.
She looked absolutely miserable.
"What's wrong? Did something happen? Is someone bullying you?"
He asked casually, knowing full well that The Mistress of Fertility provided an excellent work environment. As one of the shop's beloved mood-makers, Anya's gift for getting along with others made her far too treasured to face any ostracism from her fellow waitresses.
But something about the current situation felt off.
"Anya, where are you? Come try the curry I made!"
Just as the pitiful cat-eared girl was about to speak, Syr's voice rang out from the kitchen.
Syr wanted Anya to taste test?!
"I think I understand now…" Adam said, his gaze softening with sympathy.
"Uuu, uwaaah..." Anya burst into tears.
It was clear now — while he'd been away, she had become the unwilling victim of Syr's terrible cooking.
Poor thing, being forced to eat such food. Somehow, they found themselves sharing a moment of mutual understanding.
Wait… Adam's expression changed as he sensed danger silently approaching!
Before he could slip away, the petite grey-haired maid was already behind him, greeting the young man she hadn't seen in weeks with her sweetest smile.
"Adam, it's been two weeks. I missed you." Syr stepped closer, bringing with her an enchanting fragrance.
Her cute expression somehow carried an underlying terror.
Don't come any closer!
Miss me? More like you want to torment me!
Adam stiffened and unconsciously stepped back, trying to maintain some distance.
"Ahaha, long time no see, Miss Syr." He forced a cheerful laugh, carefully keeping his tone neither too familiar nor too distant.
Had to at least maintain appearances.
"Adam, Bell told me you went on an expedition alone, is that true?" Syr asked, still wearing that sweet smile.
But Adam knew his next answer would surely earn him a scolding from the maid before him.
"Uh, yes, that's right."
"Why would you go by yourself?!"
As expected, she was angry.
Unlike others when angered, Syr maintained her sweet smile. However, the dark aura emanating from her left no doubt about her true feelings.
"Because I wanted to help the Familia improve... and among other reasons, I had no choice but to go to the Dungeon alone. Sorry."
Somehow, despite having no real reason to apologize, Adam found himself doing so under her forceful questioning.
"Really now, you don't need to push yourself so hard!" Syr said angrily, "Even if you want to help the Familia, risking your life in the Dungeon isn't necessary. Your life is the most precious thing, understand?!"
"It's not that you can't go adventuring in the Dungeon, but you must go with companions! Did you hear me?!"
"Yes, I heard you." Adam completely gave in.
He found it strange that even with Hestia present, Syr boldly lectured him, showing no concern about angering the Goddess.
Not only was Hestia not angry, but she watched their interaction with an amused smile.
This confused Adam even more. What was so funny?
Syr (the Goddess of Beauty) has her sights set on your Bell, and scolding me is just her way of warning the kid, so why are you grinning like that!
But still... As expected of the Goddess of Beauty — despite her sweet smile, the cold aura she emanated made one shiver.
"Hmm, but I can't let you go without punishment. Let me think... ah yes, I'll punish you by making you eat the curry I just made."
Syr announced this demonic punishment with her sweet smile.
Adam's stomach immediately began to cramp at hearing this. But before he could react, she had already skipped off to the kitchen.
"W-wait!" He instinctively reached out, but Syr had already disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"I-I survived-nya? Yahoo—!" Anya had watched the whole process from the side.
Having escaped from Syr's clutches (and her dark cooking), Anya cheered in relief, then forcefully patted Adam's shoulder like a good buddy.
"I'll leave the rest to you-nya, you're my savior-nya!" She declared triumphantly.
Where was the weak and fragile girl from earlier? She had transformed back into her usual bouncy, clever, street-smart cat-eared self!
But her renewed vitality would come at the cost of Adam's suffering!
"No, please no! It shouldn't be me!"
His cry of anguish echoed through the tavern, making all the Adventurers turn to look curiously.
Then, he ate a curry he would never forget for the rest of his life.
It was so terrible he wished for death!
"Adam has left-nya." Anya said while wiping tables, speaking to Syr who had come to help, "He looked really weak when he left, is that really okay-nya?"
"Hmm, who knows." Syr replied, maintaining her sweet smile.
Like a little devil who had succeeded in her scheme, her petite figure was adorably charming.
"Hey Syr-nya, why are you always smiling-nya? It's kind of scary-nya."
"Oh? Am I?" Syr seemed to only just realize it, unconsciously touching her cheek, "Well, if you ask why, I suppose something good happened."
"Yes, something good." As she spoke, Syr's smile became even more radiant and beautiful.
Anya looked at her curiously but couldn't figure out the reason no matter how hard she thought. Seeing that Syr had no intention of explaining, she dejectedly swished her tail and carried the plates toward the kitchen.
But she didn't see Syr's now-opened eyes behind her.
"Because I'm afraid my intense gaze might frighten him."
I want him! I want him so badly! I can't wait any longer!
Even though it's only been two weeks, that child's soul has become even more radiant than before!
What happened in those two weeks? She had to know.
I must know everything about him! Every single detail!
Her passionate feelings surged like a volcanic eruption, wild and untameable. Syr clutched her chest, trying to contain her thundering heart that felt ready to burst.
She couldn't hold back anymore.
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