You know, When the panic and dread gave way all the way back then, It felt.. Relaxing, just walking through such a lush forest, despite my mind being in turmoil- Having little to no clue if I'd ever see my family, or friends ever again, If this was all some sick joke the universe played on me, I tried to make my father proud, Even when he's not in the same universe as I, Keep my chin up, and walk forward.. Orario's reputation didn't help much, however..
After all, Who just walks into a den of monsters, Mindless- and ones that look exactly like people? Brave fools, Bold people, or perhaps those blinded by dreams of grandeur.
-------
Attention, Language module installed.
That single line caused me to pause and nearly choke on my own spit- Thank GOD I haven't met anyone yet! It also makes sense.. Originally, this whole world just speaks Japanese, Can't say I'm not curious to know if I now speak fluent Japanese, or if everything is just perfectly translated to English..
POV change, 3rd person.
Raz kept walking on the beaten dirt path, Casting his eyes on it, Footprints weren't visible, but wheel marks sure were, He could forget about cars or other vehicles, however, Everything must've been moved by chariots, considering this world's level of technology is basically a hybrid of middle ages tech, and fantasy wonders..
Something something Elixir, Raz was sure people back on earth would heave millions of dollars just to get one of those magic healing potions.
Thankfully, all his thinking and wondering of exactly just.. Wheremst he is, made an otherwise boring trek far more manageable, He considered summoning peashooter, or perhaps summoning Sunflower, though considering plant monsters are a thing too- that idea was clearly wiped off before he even began contemplating it.
A few minutes later had him finally find an entry point, and a few minutes later had him waiting in line for inspection before entry, Tilting his head and body to the side a little- revealed the place was manned by a squad of guards, Exactly four, Hopefully this will go smoothly.
A good 10 minutes later, It was finally his turn, the person in front of him, Seemingly a merchant, had quite a large backpack, Not Liliruca big- but big none the less, Just the thought of that specific individual made him feel quite sour- He tried not to let that slip into his expression though.
It was truly a reminder of just what he was throwing himself into.
"Next!"
Show time.
Walking forward, I approached the four guards, Heading to the window where one of them sat, Taking my backpack off pre-emptively, I'd place it on the desk, Where another guard nodded at me, and began checking it, and after a quick thumbs up to the one at the counter, I took my bag and wore it once more.
"Name and reason of entry, please."
"Name's Raz, Been thinking of becoming an adventurer, and also heard of the Monsterphilia event that the Ganesha familia hosts, It is something I would love to see for myself one day."
The guard laughed, causing me to raise an eyebrow at him before the other one shot up- This wasn't just some guard, This was Hashana Dorila, also known as the same dude that welcomed Bell into Orario, and also the same one who died at Riviria, Assasinated by an Evilus agent, If memory serves..
"Nice to meet you Raz-san, My name's Hashana Dorila, of the Ganesha Familia, You came early to the city! The Monsterphilia event will occur in 2 months and three days from now, Do take the time to see the city for yourself, It's quite a sight.. And about being an adventurer? Take it as a tip from me, Think it well, Dreamers die in the dungeon."
Before I could even say thanks- The guard behind me shouted for the next person to walk forward, Prompting me to mull over his words..
on the bright side, I had a wealth of knowledge to exploit when it comes to this world, I haven't seen the entire anime, nor do I remember too much- but most major events and major characters are ones I remember, Hephaestus, Loki, Hestia, Freya, Icktar, and then some, Not to mention two months and three days before Monsterphilia.. This means the Hestia familia wasn't founded yet, Highly likely that if Hestia is around at this time period- she's with Hephaestus.
Which means for now, I better NOT go there, I do not want to end up with Hestia, Not because she isn't good- But more because that is not a path made for me, I'm Raz, after all.. Not bell Cranel.
Doesn't mean I won't help them out if the time comes, Bell's a good person, albeit somewhat extremely naive at first, Plot armor helps that guy enough, Something I heavily doubt I have.
And I absolutely was not planning on finding out, I do not trust myself to instantly "git gud" against the horrors the dungeon throws at people, I'm not him. Not yet, at least..
The massive path ahead lead to Babel itself, luckily, there was a large map nearby, One I approached with a small smile on my face, Knowledge of the city would be invaluable, considering this place is absolutely larger then I thought..
Looking around though, the hustle and bustle of people seemed to be high, Adventurers, and seemingly regular people walked the street, Looking back at the map, I attempted something.
"Alma, Can you take a mental image of this map for me please?"
Done.
Perfect, and now- To find the Demeter familia.
and as his stomach growled- he decided to find them AFTER grabbing a bite somewhere.. Luckily for him, there seemed to be a stall just ahead selling food, What looked like kebabs.. And Raz was all up for a few of those.
With his purse slightly lighter, and large sticks of kebab in his hand, He marched on, the Demeter familia isn't going to find itself after all, and much to his dismay- they were literally, on the OTHER side of Orario..
A walking montage later, His legs began aching somewhat, Which he found odd, Considering he never was extremely fit, and thinking about it, He just walked for around for 3 hours, He must've covered over 10 kilometers of distance! Just how BIG was this place!?.. and how were his legs JUST aching? Back on earth, He'd have fainted long ago..
Whatever, The wheat manor is just up ahead, I can experiment with my body's constitution and plants after I get in..
----
Inside of the Wheat manor, at the entrance lobby area, sat a woman, Long brown hair, a pretty face and a scar over her eye, With two amber eyes and a flower-like accessory on the top of her head, Sighing as she rifled through a few papers.
For Chloe Daphnis, this was just another day at the Demeter familia, As one of the secretaries for the largest food producing familia, there was quite a lot to do, tasked with the management of quite a few fields, what they grow, and when the produce will be picked up by buyers.. Never the less, The familia itself was a powerhouse for Orario.
Not as wealthy as the guild- Nor as large as Ganesha's, But someone had to keep the adventurers fed, it is said after all, that if the Demeter familia would disappear, Orario would be plunged into an "eternal winter", with no food, It gave her a sense of motivation to work hard and make sure everything is going well.
Her flow was disrupted when the door opened, It was almost noon, Almost no one came here at the time.. Except for the Goddess herself, and a few other familia members, The wheat manor didn't get a lot of visitors, and looking at the person that just stepped through..
She was just a little curious, She was, after all- Level 3 before becoming a secretary and leaving the Dungeon behind, and this person before her was someone she never saw before, Somewhat tall, human, with dirty blonde hair, modest clothes, a knife strapped to his belt, coupled with a pouch- probably for Valis, Perhaps he was here to become a farmer?..
"Hello, welcome to the Wheat Manor, My name is Chloe Daphnis, How may I help you?"
He seemed a little lost in thought, Something was clearly on his mind..
"Hey, My name is Raz Fern, it's nice to meet you, I'm new to Orario and I want to join the Demeter Familia, as an Adventurer."
She paused, adopting a thinking pose for a moment, An adventurer? In the Demeter familia? As a mainly produce Familia, they weren't really.. Ideal to join for most new adventurers, in fact, Many of the members of the familia are those who retired from that wretched place, Herself included.
Perhaps he was confused? Or simply stupid, She knew for sure there wasn't a lack of people like that in the world, Much less Orario.. causing her to squint at him, Crossing her arms and letting out a soft sigh, She had work to do- and didn't have the time to deal with people.
"I see.. but why would you want to join the Demeter familia as an adventurer? You do know it is mainly a produce familia right?, Did Loki send you by chance as a prank? You do seem like a newbie, after all.."
Raz thought she might have been a little rude- But considering he basically barged in here with quite an odd request for a farming familia, and the city's reputation- and Loki's reputation, He didn't take any offense, instead he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"Hehe, Good eye you've got Daphnis-san, I am new in Orario in general, Most of what I know is from what I've heard travelling to this place, and as for why I want to join, I have a special ability of a rare type that could be useful to this familia, and to for my own.. I'm sorry, but I can't afford to divulge any more details, I am well aware of what happens when a "rare" ability appears in a place like Orario.. I do not wish to be fought over by power hungry gods."
Or worse, attract the gaze of Freya, Raz had to suppress a shudder, He needed to find a way to get Hypno shroom and quick, Hopefully it can give him an ability to resist mind fuckery.
Raz hated mind fuckery, at least when used on him..
Chloe leaned back in her chair, Adopting a thinking pose which to Raz, seemed almost comical, and yet too cute to be real, before he remembered once again- Just in what kind of world he is..
He should find a mirror, no doubts his own face, features- everything changed somewhat..
And as Chloe was thinking about how to reply, A soft, melodious voice spoke as a door opened, and when Raz turned around, Just by looking at the woman before him he could tell- That gods walked this earth.
"A rare ability you say, Hmn? I would like to be the judge of that."
Long and wavy golden hair, A face that seemed it was sculpted out of marble, piercing orange eyes, thin waist.. I get that she is the Goddess of the Harvest, but is putting melons on her chest really necessary?
Pervert.
"Tch- Shut up alma.."
At least this goes in my favor, Gods did come down to this earth for excitement and whatnot- right?.. Better use that to my advantage.
"Sure thing, Goddess-sama! uh, I'd love to show the ability right here and now, but If possible, I'd like to keep it secret, That, and it would destroy the floor."
Or worse, give peashooter a nasty concussion if he tries to burst out of concrete headfirst.
Do note, User perv-Ehem, Raz.I heard that..In places where plants cannot sprout regularly, They may be summoned through summoning portals.
With a soft "hmn", The Goddess turned around, and beckoned both of them to follow.
"Come with me, Both of you. Raz-san, was it? You can demonstrate your ability in the garden behind wheat manor, You can trust Chloe-chan~ I personally appointed her to be a secretary for me, She is quite diligent, and hardworking.."
A look to the side revealed that diligent, hardworking woman was now blushing like a love-struck schoolgirl, Even giggling like one too!.
And as they walked, that curious nature of gods was really showing, and Demeter asked him a question
"Where do you come from, Raz-san? If you've just entered Orario, must have been quite a trip to get here."
And for a moment, Raz almost tripped- He wasn't expecting to hear such a question- never the less in such a critical moment, And just before fumbling a "Wuh?" out, He had an Idea.
"I may not look like it, But I came from the far east, It indeed was quite a trip to get here.."
And as the goddess hummed in satisfaction, Raz had to resist wiping his brow, He really was not prepared for that one..
And as they arrived, Raz took a few moments to admire the scenery, It was a very well kept garden, With luckily- more then a few areas where a small mound won't bother anyone.
Cracking his knuckles, he stretched his arm out, opening his hand in the same pose he took the very first time, Calling forth his companion!