"Heh… since you've chosen death yourself, don't blame me for giving you a little push."
----------------------------
Afterward, Fron comforted the members of the Hestia Familia, settled the bill, and slowly left the tavern under Ryu's watchful gaze.
However, Ryu felt a bit puzzled.
"What's wrong, Ryu?" Syr, ever perceptive, noticed the slight change in Ryu's expression and leaned over with a mischievous smile to ask.
"It's nothing… it just feels like… Fron knows something. As if he's hiding something."
"Oh ho? As expected of Ryu, your intuition really is sharp. But… it seems you can't hide secrets from him either, huh?"
Syr's teasing made the stubborn, golden-haired elf instantly blush red, twisting uncomfortably.
"Wh-what are you saying, Syr? Don't say weird things…"
"Hehehe, Ryu, you're embarrassed? Wah~ how cute!"
"J-just stop already!"
Neither of the two girls realized that amidst their playful commotion, those golden eyes were quietly fixed on Fron.
"…You know the truth behind that boy's disappearance, don't you?"
"..." Fron was stunned, locking eyes with the girl beside him.
He never imagined that she would see right through him.
If he knew that not only Ais, but even Ryu had noticed, Fron would probably be completely dumbfounded.
"Ahem… I'm not certain yet, but I have some clues. If things really are as I suspect, then Orario is going to get very lively soon."
Just thinking about the other party's flustered, enraged expression made Fron secretly rejoice inside.
'Right, while they're distracted, I can seize the opportunity to rescue that fox. Not only will it strengthen my side, it'll also strip them of a trump card. That's three birds with one stone!'
A sharp glint flashed in Fron's eyes at the thought.
Tione, Tiona, Lefiya, and the others didn't pay much attention to the incident involving the Hestia Familia, treating it as nothing more than a small episode.
After all, it concerned another Familia, it wasn't wise for them to meddle. Relations between Familia were complicated, and getting involved could lead to endless trouble later.
Even the Loki Familia, during the War Game, only observed without directly helping the Hestia Familia. Not even the fact that Fron and Bell Cranel knew each other changed that.
After a full day of play and indulgence, eating and drinking to their hearts' content, and splurging at luxury stores, the girls were all very satisfied.
After continuous adventures, both mind and body needed a break. Work hard, rest well, that balance was essential for one's health.
Adventurers were human too, especially when they were all girls under the age of twenty.
Night fell, and the stars glittered like shattered clusters of crystals against the tranquil, beautiful sky.
A full moon hung high, half-concealed by drifting clouds, appearing and disappearing.
In the far north stood the Twilight Manor, standing proudly in the guild-established residential district.
Within its spacious courtyard, under the dim glow of magic stone lamps, greenery swayed gently in the wind, and flowers released their fragrance.
By now it was midnight. As a high-class residential district, the place was already quiet, with only a few guards patrolling diligently.
With a soft click, a wooden door on the fourth floor of the southern tower opened slightly.
Fron narrowed his eyes, using his "Reader" amplification and night vision to carefully scan the surroundings before quietly closing the door again.
Back in his room, he picked up his staff, slid Short Sword No. 6 into the sheath at his waist, pushed open the window, and leapt out. His figure blurred into the darkness of the night.
As a top-class level 6 adventurer, Fron's stealth under deliberate concealment meant that not even Finn, Gareth, Riveria, nor the beast-humans with their superior senses, nor even the level 6 werewolf Bete, could possibly detect him.
He was no longer that greenhorn level 2 adventurer of year past.
Meanwhile, as Fron snuck out of headquarters, the southern district of Orario, the city's liveliest District at night, was bustling with noise and activity.
It was a pink-colored world. Customers in suits and formal wear strolled the streets, excitement and anticipation on their faces.
Beautiful women stood by the roadside, some stepping forward to greet suitable patrons, others simply waiting for opportunities to come to them.
Even the air along the street was thick with the scent of perfume and rouge.
This was Night Street, the infamous red-light district of Orario.
Berbera, adventurers, merchants, nobles, commoners, even gods, all played different roles in the day, but here, on Night Street, they shared the same identity and the same purpose: to seek pleasure.
High above, on the roof of a tall building, a blond god dangled one leg over the edge, leaning back on both hands with a sly grin, watching the lively scene below.
"So this is where you want to enjoy the show tonight? Pardon me for speaking bluntly, Hermes-sama, but if you wanted to come here secretly on your own for fun, I wouldn't say a word. I'd even brew you the finest 'stamina potion' myself. But to bring along a female Familia member like me here, that's going too far."
Wrapped in a white cloak that concealed her graceful figure, short wavy hair the color of the sea, and sharp, intelligent eyes, the gallant girl glared at her god, seething with anger.
"Now now, Asfi, don't get so worked up. Didn't I explain already? I came here on business before. Or did you forget about that cargo we shipped from afar?"
The blond god, Hermes, laughed awkwardly, raising his hands to placate his Familia's captain. The last thing he wanted was to get punched back to the manor before the show began.
Asfi adjusted her silver-rimmed glasses, her expression tense.
"You mean… the Killing Stone?"
Her eyes widened as she glanced up at the night sky, at the moon half-hidden by clouds.
"I see… there's a time limit to performing rituals with the Killing Stone. Based on our investigations, it must be during a full moon night… and that's tonight, isn't it?"
"As expected of my captain, figuring it all out so quickly."
Ignoring his praise, Asfi fell into deep thought.
"You went to the Ishtar Familia a few days ago, didn't you? That wasn't just for a delivery, was it? From what I've heard, Bell Cranel, the captain of the Hestia Familia, has been missing these past two days. Hermes-sama, what are you planning?"
"The War Game only just ended, and the fate of the Apollo Familia is still fresh in everyone's minds. Are you trying to have the Ishtar Familia wipe out the Hestia Familia?"
Hermes pressed down his ranger's hat, the corners of his lips curving into a wicked smile.
"Heh… wipe out the Hestia Familia? No, no, no. Tonight's 'main attraction'… might not be them at all."