"So this is the place, huh?"
"Mhmm! I only came here once too!"
"I-I hope the food tastes good…"
"Of course it does! If yours truly said it's good, then it's good!"
The three of them stood in front of the Hostess of Fertility—a sturdy two-story building made of old stone, warm light glowing behind the windows.
The entrance had wide double doors, polished from years of use, with wooden carvings decorating the frame.
Even from outside, they could hear the faint hum of laughter and clinking plates drifting through the cracks of the doors.
The sign of the restaurant can be seen on the left side of the entrance, as well as on an overhanging sign with a crossed fork and knife.
"This place must be pretty popular. I can hear the noise coming from inside."
From the many overlapping voices coming from within, one could tell it's packed with people.
"Come on, hurry! Seats might get taken if we don't move quickly!"
Hestia grabbed hold of Kaelis's arm, making him feel the sensation of two mounds wrapping around it as she pulled him along.
Not seeing the need to, he didn't bother addressing it as he allowed himself to get dragged by the shortstacked goddess.
"Come on, Bell!"
"Coming!" He quickly followed.
Inside the Hostess of Fertility…
"Ryuu! Table six needs their order, and take this to table four!"
"Yes."
Waitresses weaved between tables like it was nothing, dodging half-drunk adventurers, balancing plates stacked way too high, and somehow keeping perfectly practiced smiles.
Adventurers were the same everywhere—loud, competitive, and convinced their near-death stories were the best in the building.
"Hey! We need more beer over here!"
"Got it!"
A light-gray-haired waitress responded brightly before spinning toward the kitchen, calling out the order without missing a step.
"Mama Mia! Four jugs of beer for table three!"
"Oi! Lunoire! Grab that for me—my hands are full!"
A voice boomed from inside the kitchen, and another waitress immediately answered back.
"On it!"
Lunoire, a brown-haired waitress with warm brown eyes, hurried over and swapped trays—handing the gray-haired girl her plates while picking up the next order herself.
She wove through the crowd and set the dishes down in front of a group of rowdy adventurers.
But just as she turned—
—the front doors slammed open, the sound cutting clean through the noise and pulling every pair of eyes toward the entrance.
Soon, voices drifted in from the doorway.
"You put too much force into opening the door. You nearly tore it off its hinges."
"S-sorry!"
"Aren't you a little too excited?"
Every head in the pub turned toward the entrance.
Three figures stood there—dressed not just neatly, but in clothes so high-quality that they looked wildly out of place among sweaty adventurers and traveling merchants.
The gray-haired waitress lifted her head with her usual cheerful smile, ready to greet the new customers.
"Welcome to th—"
The words died in her throat.
Even she blinked in surprise, taken aback more than anyone else.
A petite, strikingly pretty girl.
A small, adorable white-haired boy.
And a tall, handsome young man with the presence of someone who absolutely did not belong in a noisy tavern.
They didn't look intimidating—just… different.
Different enough that the whole room paused, sizing them up with open curiosity.
The silence that had been pressing on Bell didn't last long. The tavern quickly fell back into its usual noisy rhythm.
Even though the newcomers looked out of place, it wasn't completely unbelievable—just unusual.
"Syr… Syr! Hey, Syr! Snap out of it, nya!"
A voice called out, pulling the gray-haired girl from her daze.
"Hm! Eh! Ah… Um… Anya?" Syr stammered, turning to her colleague—a girl with distinct feline features.
"You were totally zoned out there, nya. What happened? Did something catch your eye, nya?"
Anya, the cat-eared girl, followed Syr's gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly before a smug grin spread across her face.
Without even giving Syr a chance to explain, she turned toward the other waitresses, ready to speak.
"Hey everyone! A man caught Syr's interest, nya!"
"WH—Anya!!"
Syr almost dropped her tray. Her face's color alternating between pale and red
Across the room, heads turned instantly—not the customers, but every single waitress within earshot.
Chloe's, another cat person, ears perked up first. "Oho? Really now?"
Lunoire raised an eyebrow as she glanced towards the new customers before bluntly, "Well, he is handsome," before continuing with her tray.
Syr became mortified as she began flailing her hands. "N-No! It's not like that! I was just surprised!"
Anya nudged her with her elbow as she giggled mischievously. "Sure you were, nya."
Syr groaned embarrassed. "I hate you so much…"
She humphed annoyingly before turning away.
While her coworkers continued laughing, the trio who caused all the fuss ignored it entirely.
Kaelis, Bell, and Hestia had already slipped through the noise and found an empty table near the corner.
Hestia threw herself into the seat, bouncing lightly as she swung her legs comfortably.
"This looks like a nice spot!" she chirped.
Bell sat across from her, still a little stiff from all the stares. "Everyone was staring at us…"
"That's normal," Hestia said, brushing it off. "Our clothes aren't what you'd call normal. Besides, I'm a beautiful goddess. It's natural for them to stare!"
She puffed up her chest.
Bell glanced at himself. "…That's true."
Kaelis didn't bother commenting.
Instead, he scanned the room until he spotted an extremely beautiful elf with green hair wearing what seems to be the uniform of the establishment with the addition of a white frilly headband.
She's cute.
He couldn't help mentally commenting, being drawn in by her calm and stoic expression.
Like those professional maids.
She was passing nearby, carrying empty plates.
She noticed his attention and approached the table.
"Yes?" she asked simply.
"We'd like to order," Kaelis said, flashing a smile. "We'll have the restaurant's special. Three plates. No alcohol."
He paused, then added, "It's a celebration."
Who knows. Might get a discount, right?
Ryuu nodded without hesitation. "I'll place the order. Please wait a moment."
She left smoothly, disappearing into the kitchen area with the same quiet presence she always carried.
Just then—
"HEY!!"
A booming voice boomed across the entire pub.
Every waitress who had been teasing Syr froze simultaneously.
Mia Grand, a tall, broad shouldered woman that gave off a strong aura appeared from the kitchen with a look that could make steel bend.
"Why're you all gathered up like you're hosting a tea party?! This isn't break time—MOVE!"
"Yes ma'am!!"
They scattered instantly, each scrambling to look busy.
Syr practically ran toward a table with an empty tray, hoping Mia didn't notice her lingering embarrassment.
Kaelis watched the chaos unfold, one eyebrow raised.
Bell whispered, "They're… energetic."
Hestia leaned closer and smirked. "The staff is pretty fun. You'll get used to it."
"You sound oddly familiar with them for someone who only came once…"
Kaelis jabbed, earning an embarrassed glare from the goddess.
Syr, while pretending to deliver drinks, couldn't help but sneak a few glances back toward their table again—just a quick peek.
This was noticed by Kaelis.
Even though he didn't react outwardly, something about the intensity of her gaze clearly stood out to him.
'Love at first sight? I guess my charms are still good.' He smirked inwardsly.
Hestia tapped the table excitedly. "I can't wait for the food! I'm starving!"
Bell nodded. "Me too. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast…"
Kaelis just leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, relaxed but still made it a point to observe the surroundings.
Around them, the Hostess returned to its usual lively rhythm—clattering dishes, laughter, arguments about dungeon loot, and the steady footsteps of waitresses weaving through the tables.
Every now and then, Syr's eyes drifted back toward their table.
Sometimes to Bell… but mostly lingered on Kaelis for minutes at a time.
There was something about them that kept pulling her attention, making her eyes sparkle.
From the outside, to the other waitresses and even Kaelis, it probably looked like a typical scene: a young maiden who hopelessly fell for a stranger.
And in a way, they wouldn't be entirely wrong—but there was more to her gaze than met the eye.
Chapter 60 end.