DanMachi Universe, Lower World, Orario.
Wanting to have a good meal after their time in the Dungeon, the members of the [Dimensional Chat] moved at what could be considered a blistering pace towards the Pantheon to report the two Irregular Situations to their Guild Advisor, Rose. Luckily, because they handled both situations on their own, it did not take too much time to process everything. Though, they did spend quite a bit of time being scolded by Rose, who believed they were far too reckless.
Naturally, no one agreed with that last point. However, no one made a big deal out of it either. Though, Zelretch did make a comment before the Aislynn Familia left the private room where they made the report.
"We truly appreciate the concern you and the Guild show to the Adventurers, Rose." Zelretch said in a solemn tone just before leaving the private room. "But you, as Guild staff are stifling quite a few Adventurer's' growth with the way you give advice."
Hearing that, Rose widened her eyes in surprise. Then, she furrowed her brows with anger. Yet, before she could retort, Zelretch continued.
"We all agree that being reckless is the fastest way to get yourself killed in such a hostile environment." Zelretch said. "But you ask us to be excessively cautious. It's like you're telling Adventurers not to adventure."
Then, without letting Rose say anything, Zelretch closed the door as he left. Meanwhile, Rose could only stand there fuming. She, and all the other Guild staff who acted as advisors, understood that point quite well. But no one wanted to see the people they'd grown familiar with while advising them just stop showing up because they never made it back from a dive into the Dungeon.
But at the same time, Rose did understand where the members of the [Dimensional Chat] were coming from. Calling them reckless when the Irregular Situation just popped up on them while they were following the guild's advice about how deep they should venture while exploring with their current Stats was a bit harsh on her part.
"*Sigh* I doubt they'll even listen to anything I have to say after this." Rose muttered to herself as she picked up the report she filled out about the two Irregular Situations. "Well, it's not like it would be the first time Adventurers ignored their advisor's advice."
Then, like the others, rose left the private room, filed the report, and returned to her desk to continue working.
Meanwhile, the Aislynn familia had met up with Loki after leaving the private room and left the Pantheon to make their way south towards the so-called best restaurant in Orario, the Hostess of Fertility.
"Oh, by the way, let me give you two a little advice." Loki said while leading the way next to Aislynn as she glanced at Tatsuo and Alfonzo. "Even if you think you can do a better job than Mia and May, keep it to yourselves. Because Mama Mia will kick you out if she feels offended."
"Hmph!" Tatsuo snorted disdainfully. Then, he continued with his dragon pride on full display. "If she's that petty, I'll buy everything I need and set up a stall right outside her doors and steal all her business."
"This kid's got a pair on him." Loki said while looking at Tatsuo as if she was seeing him for the first time.
"Besides, if she really tries any more than that…" Aislynn said while narrowing her eyes dangerously. "Even if she's the former captain of the Freya Familia, her goddess, nor any other, will be able to save her from my wrath."
"Right, I almost forgot about the big, red fuck-off dragon in the room." Loki muttered while shaking her head. "Well, I really hope Mama Mia isn't that petty, now. I'd hate to lose such a good place to get drunk."
"Does the place really matter to you?" Aislynn asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Huh? Now that you mention it…" Loki said with an expression of contemplation on her face.
Like that, the group continued to chat and banter while on their way to their destination. And before long, they arrived at the Hostess of Fertility, a two-story stone building built on West Main Street with the size of a fairly well-off inn.
Being built on the Main Street, the restaurant saw a lot of foot traffic with Adventurers fresh out of the Dungeon being most of the clientele at this time of the day. As a result, the scent of food and the sound of rowdy adventurers could be smelled and heard even from a few buildings away.
The building's entrance was a set of wooden double doors with intricate carvings in the door frame. On the left side of the doors was a sign that read "Hostess of Fertility" while another sign that read the same hung over the door with a crossed fork and knife design behind the lettering.
"Here we are!" Loki said with her arms crossed as if she were introducing something grand. "This place has the best grub you can buy in Orario. Plus, the waitresses are all super cuties, too."
Loki winded and licked her lips at the last part. Though, because of her perpetually squinted eyes, it was hard to notice the wink if you weren't paying really close attention.
Ignoring Loki, Tatsuo stepped forward to pull the doors open. However, before he could grab the handles, his eyes narrowed. Then, he leapt back, clearing the doors that were blasted open just in time to see a large male Adventurer fly past him. {Pic}
"Well, damn…" James muttered while watching the unlucky Adventurer slam into the middle of the street.
What the members of the [Dimensional Chat] found amusing was the fact that no one on the street even paid more than a single glance to the unfortunate Adventurer lying face down on the street.
"Remember to keep your hands to yourself next time, Nya!"
Hearing that voice, the Aislynn Familia turned to see who it came from. When they did, what they saw was a beautiful young woman standing at 5'2" or so with green eyes, black hair, and cat ears and a tail of the same color wearing a knee-length green dress with a white collar and puffed long sleeves, an orange bow tied around the collar, a white apron and headband, black leggings, and short brown leather boots.
A beat later, the cat person also noticed the group standing outside the pub's entrance. And when she saw Loki, her eyes lit up slightly.
"Oh, it's Lady Loki, nya." The cat person said with a smile. "And it looks like you brought us some new customers, nya. Will you all be joining the rest of your Familia, nya?"
"Yeah, they're here already, right?" Loki replied casually. "If so, take us to their table, Chloe."
"Right away." The cat person, Chloe Rollo, replied energetically as she let her eyes pass over the group of unfamiliar faces.
Then, without losing her smile, Chloe turned around and started walking towards a large round table at the center of the pub. Then, she gestured towards the table where, Finn, Riveria, Gareth, Bete, Tione, Tiona, and Ais sat as another cat person with brown hair and wearing the same outfit as Chloe was taking their orders. {Pic}
"There they are, nya." Chloe said as she turned away from the table. "Anya will be serving you, tonight. But I'd better get back to work before Mama Mia threatens to dock my pay."
"Oh, it will be more than a threat if you don't hurry up!" A husky female voice boomed across the pub.
"I'm coming, Mama!" Chloe shouted in terror as she ran towards the kitchen while even forgetting her verbal tick.
Turning in the direction of the booming voice, the group saw the proprietress of the Hostess of Fertility, Mia Grand, a 5'11" tall dwarven woman with long brown hair and brown eyes wearing a blue version of the uniform the cat people wore, standing behind the bar with her arms crossed, while glaring at Chloe as she ran away. {Pic}
A moment later, after Chloe disappeared into the kitchen, Mia turned her gaze onto the newcomers. However, when it passed over Tatsuo and Alfonzo, her eyes narrowed.
"Oh, we've got a couple of chefs, huh?" Mia asked with a smirk. "Well then, I'm looking forward to seeing how our cooking blows your socks off."
"She could tell with just one glance?" Momo asked in an astonished tone.
"She's good." Alfonzo said while narrowing his eyes back at Mia.
"She is." Tatsuo added with a nod. Then, he addressed Mia with a challenging grin. "We're looking forward to seeing what you and your staff can do, too."
Mia responded with a challenging smile of her own. Then, she got back to mixing drinks and commanding the employees bustling around the pub.
"They can tell, too?" Momo asked. "Are chefs really this perceptive?"
"All professions can see through people in the same trade to some extent." Elicia said. "For example, I'm looking forward to seeing the seamstresses in this city for myself, too."
"Alright, Kids." Loki said, drawing her Familia's attention onto herself. "You've all heard me talk about her, and I have no doubt you've heard the rumors, too. But this is my good friend, Aislynn."
As she introduced Aislynn, Loki threw an arm around the Dragon God's shoulders. Then, she gestured to Tatsuo and the others with her other hand.
"And this is her Familia." Loki continued with a smile. "They just registered today. They're all Level 1s. But don't underestimate them. Aislynn has been in the Lower World for years now. But this is the first time she took the initiative to recruit children. So, there's definitely something special about them."
Hearing that, Finn, Gareth, Tione, and Tiona looked at the members of the Aislynn Familia with interest. Meanwhile, Riveria and Ais only nodded in greeting, having met them the day before. Though, Riveria's face was slightly pink after remembering how their last meeting ended.
However, there was one person present who did not show the same level of interest as the others.
"Hmph!" Bete snorted disdainfully. "Why are you introducing us to a bunch of small fries? Weaklings like them should be staying at home while cowering under their beds."
Immediately, Finn, Gareth, and Riveria sighed in resignation, knowing Bete would not be able to hold back from saying something like that. Meanwhile, Tione and Tiona were just about to say something about how rude Bete was. Yet, before they could say anything…
"Oh, yeah, because you were Level 5 from the moment you entered Orario." Tatsuo said in just as disdainful a tone.
"What did you say?" Bete asked while dangerously narrowing his eyes at Tatsuo.
"Are you hard of hearing, or something?" Tatsuo asked, not backing down in the slightest. "Yeah, I'll admit you're strong. But that's only because of your Level. If we were the same Level, I'd bet everything I own that you'd never be able to touch me or anyone in our Familia."
"Oh ho! This kid's got a brass pair." Gareth said with a hardy laugh.
"I said the same thing." Loki added. A moment later, however, she turned to Bete. "Alright, Bete , that's---"
*Swish!*
Bete, not the type to take trash talk lying down, stood up and vanished from his seat in a burst of speed before Loki could finish. A moment later, he reappeared in front of Tatsuo with his right hand reaching towards the young man's collar.
However, before Bete could grab Tatsuo, his eyes widened as Tatsuo vanished from in front of him with a [Blink]. A moment later, he froze in his tracks when the tip of Tatsuo's tail pressed against the spot between his jaw and his Adam's apple.
Noticing that Tatsuo did not chant before vanishing, all the members of the Aislynn Familia looked at him strangely. However, they stayed silent, deciding to ask him about it when they got back to the Dragon's Nest later on.
"Chill out, dude." Tatsuo said into one of Bete's wolf ears, causing it to twitch involuntarily. "it's not that serious."
Tatsuo then gestured towards the rest of his Familia, who were now holding their weapons as Sakura had summoned them from her [Shadow Space], which she always kept active when outside of the Dragon's Nest.
"But it can be if that's what you want." Tatsuo said in a low threatening tone.
"That's enough, Tatsuo." Aislynn said with a smirk. "He's not worth the trouble." And the rest of you, put your weapons away. We're in public."
Following Aislynn's orders, Tatsuo pulled his tail away from Bete's neck. At the same time, the others dropped their weapons back into Sakura's [Shadow Space] while Aislynn turned to look at Loki with her eyes narrowed.
"And my dear friend, Loki." Aislynn said as her draconic aura expanded, blanketing the entre pub. "Would you like to explain why one of your children attacked my Familia's Captain? I won't say it was unprovoked, but Tatsuo only responded to an insult that your child levied first. Even worse, this is the second time Tatsuo has been attacked by a member of your Familia without reason."
Ais could not help blushing minutely when she heard that as she lowered her head with shame.
While Loki was only dripping cold sweat under Aislynn's gaze, every other person in the pub, other than the members of her Familia, was frozen stiff under Aislynn's pressure.
"Don't be mad. Don't be mad." Loki replied while raising her hands disarmingly. "Bete's always had a short fuse. But don't worry, I'll make sure to give him a stern talking to, I promise."
As soon as she finished speaking, Loki sprinted towards Bete and grabbed his tail. Then, with all her strength, she pulled him back to the table and sat him down between Finn and Gareth.
"Sit. Stay." Loki ordered with her squinted eyes cracked open so that Bete could see the fury brewing in their depths. Then, she addressed the other members of her Familia. "Aislynn is MY friend. And that means that her Familia will be our allies. Do. I. make. myself. Clear?"
Although she spoke to all the members of her Familia sitting at the table, everyone knew that was a warning specifically for Bete. Unfortunately, because Aislynn was still exerting her pressure on the pub, no one could respond or even nod their heads in acknowledgement.
Realizing that a moment later, Loki turned to look at Aislynn with puppy-dog eyes.
"Aislynn, could you let up a bit?" Loki pleaded. "If you don't, you're gonna end up scaring some people to death."
Loki wildly gestured towards the other patrons in the pub. And just as she said, all those below Level 4 had either already lost consciousness or were about to.
Naturally, Aislynn was already aware of the states of the other people in the pub. However, she did not particularly care about how they were faring. However, because she had no beef with Mia or the Hostess of Fertility, she acquiesced.
Once the pressure was gone, it did not take long for those who remained conscious to go back to normal. Though, they all looked at Aislynn with fear. Meanwhile, those who had lost consciousness started waking up about a minute later. And just like the others, they also looked at Aislynn with fear.
"I apologize for my outburst." Aislynn said in a dignified tone. "As an apology, I'll pay for everything everyone has ordered so far. I won't be paying for anything ordered after this moment, though.'
Figuring that was more than what they would get from any other god in this city, the Adventurers affected by Aislynn's pressure, after regaining all their motor functions, raised their mugs in a toast. However, no one was under the illusion that everyone in Orario would not know about this by noon tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Finn, Gareth, and Riveria all glared at Bete for almost causing an incident that the entirety of the Loki Familia would not be able to handle. In fact, they had a feeling that even if every Adventurer in Orario teamed up, Aislynn still would not have to use her Arcanum, a god's true power tied to their divinity, to defeat them all.
"Well then, now that all the unpleasant things are out of the way, why don't we sit down, eat, and get to know each other." Loki said quickly a few minutes later.
From there, the group gathered harmoniously. Though, Bete could not help glaring at Tatsuo, which Tatsuo completely ignored while engaging the others at the table in conversation.