Chapter 29: Strange Admiration Has Increased
A handsome young man with a distinct shota style, the emblem symbolizing the "Freya Familia" on the back of his jacket. He wasn't here alone.
The companions following behind him were also members of the Freya Familia.
Upon walking into The Hostess of Fertility restaurant.
Feeling the gazes from the surrounding adventurers, Bell, who hadn't completely adapted to his current status, felt inexplicably nervous.
He recalled what Captain Ottar had said to him.
"When Familia members walk outside, they represent Lady Freya."
The young man gradually straightened his back. Although he felt the Familia's atmosphere was a bit strange, his impression of that exceptionally beautiful goddess was quite good.
After learning that he had been adventuring alone during this period, Lady Freya chose to intervene.
After repeatedly asking for his opinion, she finally introduced him to several exceptionally reliable adventurer companions with whom he got along well.
"It seems... we're a bit late, there don't seem to be any seats."
"..."
Listening to the suggestions of his other companions, Bell, visiting "The Hostess of Fertility" for the first time, hadn't expected it to be so lively.
His gaze swept left and right, finally noticing a figure sitting at the counter – black hair, wearing a grayish-brown cloak, his face obscured.
Yet, it felt inexplicably familiar to Bell.
"Is that the senior adventurer I met in the Dungeon the day before yesterday evening?"
This guess formed in his mind. After all, Liam had left in a hurry at that time, and when asked his name, he only said he was a "passing ordinary swordsman."
Offering help willingly, without asking for anything in return...
Recalling the dangerous situation at that time, trapped by the ant swarm, Liam, who had helped him, using a magnificent swordsmanship he had never seen before...
What truly moved Bell.
Was Liam's belief in not yielding to fate despite enduring a physical disability. If it were him, could he really do it?
As for how strong he actually was…
Bell didn't know. He still yearned to become an adventurer like Liam. Even if not as powerful as the great heroes of ancient times…
Liam, facing the unfairness of fate, would still choose to resist.
Bell felt that this too was a kind of romantic heroism!
"I feel like I've seen him somewhere before?"
He stood frozen in place. He knew it was impolite to stare, and after all, the Labyrinth City Orario was really big.
But if he missed this chance to get acquainted, when would the next opportunity be?
---
Liam noticed the white-haired young man who had entered the restaurant. Current developments were all within his expectations. One could even say this encounter.
Was the result orchestrated by Syr Flova, the poster girl of The Hostess of Fertility, and Freya, the leader of Orario's strongest Familia.
After all, getting Bell, as her dependant, to come to The Hostess of Fertility restaurant.
The method would be simpler than imagined.
"So."
"What exactly is the purpose?"
Picking up the orange juice-flavored drink placed before him, Liam thought for a moment. It was difficult to fathom the complex and ever-changing thoughts of a god.
Then, let's try another angle.
Starting from Bell himself, the reason he became a member of the Freya Familia and was noticed by the goddess was simple: his pure soul.
Even if Bell mentioned their encounter in the Dungeon.
Given that Freya clearly didn't know his name, yet she could orchestrate this meeting, either there were Familia members on site keeping an eye on things.
Another possibility was…
When Bell was besieged by the Killer Ant swarm, he had used his newly mastered skills to help him escape. The battle scene had left a deep impression on Bell.
Causing the deviated world line to briefly return to normal?
Allowing the original protagonist, Bell, to still obtain the "Single-Minded Aspiration" skill, only the object of his admiration changed from Ais Wallenstein.
To himself?
"."
Thinking of this, Liam's expression froze directly. It inexplicably felt reasonable. Bell, having grown up with Zeus, had listened to hero tales since childhood.
He yearned for heroes.
And heroes didn't have a fixed gender. Although that was the case, he just couldn't feel happy…
The subsequent development of events further corroborated the guess that had arisen in Liam's mind. Several customers at a table to his rear-side finished their bill and were about to leave.
In the packed Hostess of Fertility restaurant, the vacated seats fell to Bell, who had just entered the restaurant, and the several unfamiliar faces accompanying him.
Anya Fromel, a spirited cat-girl with short brown hair and prominent beastman features on her ears and tail, was assigned to serve them.
The choice of seating was very subtle.
Especially the angle at which Bell was seated; if he himself turned sideways to speak, they would "luckily" meet in The Hostess of Fertility restaurant.
To be honest…
Liam mainly couldn't figure out Freya's true intentions behind arranging this whole affair.
"Is it really necessary?"
"..."
Admiration, in a sense, was the most distant emotional distance. Could it be that all these actions by Freya.
Were just so Bell would know his name?
And at this moment, Syr, carrying a tray, walked into the restaurant from the back kitchen, heading straight towards him, a hint of slyness perceptible deep within her smile.
"Liam-kun."
"What would you like to eat tonight? I recommend the signature set meal!"
With Syr's arrival.
Came Bell's surprised gaze from his rear-side. The thought deep in his heart was confirmed. With extreme luck, in The Hostess of Fertility restaurant, he encountered the senior who had helped him that day.
And during Liam's conversation with that waitress, he learned the other's name. Even so, Bell's heart was still conflicted.
As he hesitated whether to go up and greet him, his companions who were already seated waved at Bell, "Come quickly and see what you want to eat..."
"Okay..."
Withdrawing his gaze, Bell didn't say much more, merely etching the name he had just learned firmly into the deepest part of his heart.
"Liam Moon."
---
His gaze focused, Liam didn't feel uncomfortable. It was just that if he had known this would happen, he would have directly told Bell his name back then.
Would the situation have been slightly better?
Without striking up a conversation with Bell, Liam turned his gaze to Syr and said calmly, "Two orders of the noodle main course, and the signature set meal."
"Please pack them all for takeaway."
He emphasized the words "pack them all" particularly heavily.
After all, Syr had only said to come to the restaurant for dinner. From another perspective, him coming to the restaurant to pack dinner to take away.
Wasn't that also a way of fulfilling the promise?
Most importantly, it was almost evening, and there was a goddess at home waiting for him to return. Making this choice was also perfectly reasonable.
"Alright."
"Including this drink, the total is 2400 Valis."
Syr's smile remained enthusiastic. Her goal for now had been achieved; at least Bell knew the identity of the senior he admired.
A clear direction for him to strive towards.
As for Liam from the Hestia Familia, she only saw a soul intertwined layer upon layer with defilement. Why she would suddenly become interested.
The fundamental reason was still Bell's skill.
"Single-Minded Aspiration."
In a soul interwoven with brutality and destruction, what kind of personality did Liam possess that would make Bell develop such strong admiration?
Syr was very curious.
The smile on the young woman's charming face was like a flower blooming in spring, vibrant and bright. She bowed slightly, her tone serious.
"Also..."
"Thank you very much for keeping the appointment, Liam-kun!"
(End of this chapter)