Ding-a-ling~
Pushing the door open, Takumi heard the clear tinkle of a wind bell above his head. Night was when the tavern came alive; adventurers of every stripe crowded the room.
Watching humans, beastmen, dwarves and more all bragging, drinking, and eating, Takumi's eyes lit up.
At last, it felt like stepping into a medieval fantasy city. The last time he'd had this vibe was back at a tavern in Branicca.
Just then, a cat-eared girl in a barmaid's uniform came briskly over. Her short brown hair framed a cute face beaming with energy; the white kerchief on her head somehow boosted that cuteness another notch.
The conservative uniform still traced a full, tempting silhouette—her figure was anything but average.
The instant their eyes met, a shock like static leapt between them. Anya Fromel blinked, spacing out for a beat; her heart pounded in a way she'd never felt before. Only after a few seconds did she recover, a hint of softness entering her bright eyes.
"Dear customer, here's today's menu. If you'd like to order, just tell Anya, nya~"
Smiling, Anya quickly found Takumi an open seat.
Takumi, saying nothing, simply stared at the adorable catgirl for a good ten seconds—until Anya's cheeks turned rosy red under the look.
Only then did he apologize. "Sorry—ran into Phryne of Ishtar Familia just now. She was so ugly she hurt my eyes. Seeing someone as cute as you right after… I got carried away."
Flowers need green leaves to set them off—after beholding that pile of walking sludge named Phryne, everyone else's face value ticked up a few tiers by default.
Hearing that, Anya's shyness snapped and she burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Bad luck, onii-san, nya~ But with a face like yours, you're bound to be targeted, nya~ Still, you can relax here—I'll protect you, nya~"
Every nya out of Anya's mouth only made Takumi fonder of her. He ordered two dishes and the two of them began to chat idly.
Anya, who should've been tending other customers, very openly started slacking off.
When she learned Takumi was here looking for Alfia, Anya was stunned.
"Takumi—don't joke around. Are you really Alfia-sama's child??" So startled she skipped her usual verbal tic, Anya stared.
"I was adopted," Takumi waved it off.
"Even so, that's huge news, nya~!"
She looked like she wanted to emphasize how explosive this was. After the failed expedition of the Hera and Zeus Familia—and Hera Familia being absorbed by Freya Familia—Alfia was the strongest adventurer in Orario!
To suddenly hear that she had a child… spreading that would whip Orario into a frenzy.
Lowering her voice out of concern for him, Anya quickly warned.
"Takumi-kun, until you find Alfia-sama, don't say it around so casually, nya~"
"Haha, I believe Miss Anya wouldn't harm me, right?"
Takumi flashed a carefree smile and winked at her. His real confidence lay in his own strength—but to Anya, it read as trust.
They'd only known each other minutes, and he was already trusting her. Gratitude and a sense of honor welled up in Anya's heart.
From Takumi's perspective, he could see her affection value climbing—in one jump from the low sixties to the high eighties, almost ninety.
At that moment, a slim figure came up behind Anya and tapped her shoulder.
"Anya, Mama Mia is grumbling. You've been stuck here too long~"
A clear, bell-like voice. The newcomer was another waitress Muted gray hair gathered into a bun at the back with a ponytail trailing down; eyes of the same hue shone pure and lovely.
Her skin was milky and fine; her face brimmed with youthful vitality. Big eyes fluttered, rosy lips parted—beneath it all, an unusual, natural allure. The same uniform traced an equally curvy silhouette on her.
At Syr's reminder, Anya noticed the tavern's manager, Mia Grand, staring daggers their way.
"Ehe~ got carried away chatting with Takumi-kun, nya~"
Anya rapped her own head and hurried off to work. Syr, however, did not leave. She stared straight at Takumi.
In those limpid gray eyes, a bewitching violet light stirred. The instant their gazes met, that violet all but became tangible—pink-purple hearts pulsed deep in her pupils.
[Affection: 100]
"…"
Seeing the number float above Syr's head, Takumi silently slid his eyes away.
A little scary—another one, straight to max. That didn't happen often.
Given what he remembered about Syr, Takumi risked exposure and invoked the Jade Eye for a peek.
[Name: Syr Flova (Freya)]
[Level: ???]
[Traits: Innate Deity (Gold), Authority of Beauty (Gold) …]
[Innate Deity (Gold): A god born of the world; true spirit branded upon heaven and earth, undying and imperishable. Easily perceives the world's essence; qualified to wield Authority.]
[Authority of Beauty (Gold): Holds the Authority over "Beauty."]
It was Freya herself!
Realizing the Syr before him was merely Freya's disguise, Takumi was momentarily at a loss.
Sensing his scrutiny, Syr showed no displeasure—on the contrary, happiness blossomed on her face. Being peeked at by the one she loved made her body and soul sing.
His look lasted only a heartbeat. When he withdrew it, a tiny pout flickered across Syr's flushed cheeks—but it vanished the instant she looked at him again.
She liked him. She liked the man before her. Since descending a thousand years ago, she'd searched for just such a perfect beloved.
To Syr's sight, Takumi's soul was crystalline: neither justice nor evil—purely faithful to himself, faithful to desire.
That soul shone like a sun, dazzling and resplendent.
Eyes full of only Takumi, Syr blushed and asked softly, "Dear customer… do you need anything else?"
A natural, cuddly-creature aura flowed off her, stirring instant protectiveness.
...
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