Chapter 213: The Performance That Made the Half-Elf "Big Sis" Fall for It
Babel Tower.
The center of the Labyrinth City, and the center of the world.
At the very top of this renowned tower, a goddess was gazing into the distance.
There was no need to worry about what she could see; the Goddess of Beauty's eyes were divine, possessing special abilities. Right now, her gaze was fixed on a certain figure.
Freya leaned against the window, swirling a glass of red wine. An air of elegance and charm filled the room.
Not far behind her, the strongest man in Orario, Ottar, watched her back.
Suddenly, the goddess's voice broke the silence. "Why has his soul changed so much in such a short time?"
"..."
Ottar remained silent.
He knew the goddess was not asking him.
Freya continued, "Unlike Ari, Kobayashi's soul... it's undergone a qualitative change..."
Souls could change, but they needed potential—they had to be a seed that could blossom.
Jade was jade, and a stone was a stone.
The two were completely different.
Otherwise, no amount of incentive or polishing would do anything but cause it to shatter.
Ari was the former. She was a piece of raw, top-quality jade, and under Freya's nurturing, her soul's brilliance had bloomed.
In fact, every member who joined the Freya Familia was like this.
But Kobayashi was different.
He was originally a classic case of "an impressive exterior, but rotten inside." No matter how bright he shone on the outside, his essence was chaotic. And now, he had somehow changed, qualitatively, from within.
"Ottar, what could be the cause?"
"...My apologies."
Ottar did not know how to answer the goddess's question.
It was always like this.
When it came to matters of the soul, the Goddess of Beauty became this way. Although he hated to see her look so troubled, he, a mere child of the lower world, could not provide an answer.
Freya had expected Ottar's reply. It was precisely this that made her feel so lonely, always searching for her mate.
Although his soul's brilliance couldn't compare to Ari's, the fact that this child (Kobayashi) had changed so fundamentally was fascinating.
What on earth had happened?
Should she go see him?
...No, that child (Kobayashi) is too mature, and he knows how to deal with gods. If she approached him directly, she might not get an answer. She might even frighten him off.
If that's the case, she'll just have to find another way.
Isn't there another place where he has connections? As a maid, it should be easy to get close to him.
Still, she should do something.
Kobayashi's soul isn't on Ari's level, but it has transformed into jade. She might as well polish it a little.
She'll see if he's really what she thinks he is.
"Ottar."
"Yes, Lady Freya."
"Go and test the results of that last 'guidance'."
"As you wish."
That should be fine.
Kobayashi had said he was a traveler and a warrior. His purpose in Orario was clearly to improve his strength. She could have Ottar "guide" him again. She just hoped this wouldn't scare the child off.
The next morning.
In a certain inn.
Just as Kobayashi opened his eyes, his attendant's greeting came from below him. "Are you awake, Kobayashi-sama?"
"RyuZU."
He looked down and saw the attendant in his arms.
The early morning sun streamed over her delicate face. She didn't look the least bit drowsy, but she was still as beautiful as a painting.
Kobayashi didn't get up. He just held her tighter, closed his eyes again, and pretended he was going back to sleep.
"Kobayashi-sama, you should get up."
"Just a little longer."
"I see. Are you planning to become a freeloader? It is fine. Even so, as your attendant, I will not complain in the slightest."
"...You're already complaining, RyuZU-san."
It was like this every time. The moment Kobayashi showed a hint of laziness, RyuZU would stimulate him with her words, delivering a sharp spiritual condemnation.
Sometimes she'd even use her mouth.
Unable to withstand the perfect attendant's sharp tongue, he had no choice but to get up.
He stretched.
With RyuZU's assistance, Kobayashi began to dress.
"Ugh... I'm surprised no one came to bother us last night. That's a shock."
The two were staying in a small, cheap inn far from the main streets.
Because of what happened at The Hostess of Fertility last night, Kobayashi had been worried someone would come looking for trouble... mainly Anya's brother, Allen, or one of the other Freya Familia executives. But, unexpectedly, they never came.
Was it that they didn't want to, or that they couldn't?
He had no way of knowing.
"Furthermore, staying in such a dilapidated inn last night... don't you have anything to say, Kobayashi-sama?"
"...Sorry. We really don't have much money."
The currency in Danmachi was Valis. The Valis Kobayashi had was from the small sum Bofman had given him to curry favor. As for why he didn't bring money from the Konosuba world... let's just say Aqua and the others spent way too much. The party's finances were already stretched to the limit; there was no extra to give him as start-up capital.
"But it's fine! That will change today!"
As long as he successfully registered as an adventurer, he could go to the Dungeon, hunt monsters, and exchange the magic stones they dropped for money. A simple supply chain, wasn't it?
Adventurer's Guild.
As the most important facility in the Labyrinth City, it was already running like a precision clockwork first thing in the morning.
Everyone in the guild hall was in a hurry, but it wasn't unpleasantly loud. Receptionists moved back and forth, ensuring adventurers weren't held up for any reason.
Kobayashi was no different. With the help of a receptionist, he arrived at a counter.
"Excuse me, am I interrupting?"
"Hm?"
A shadow fell over her, and the counter-service lady—Eina Tulle—looked up from the booklet she was holding.
Pointed ears, emerald-green eyes, and medium-length brown hair. She had a face similar to an elf's, but softer. Her slender figure looked very good in the guild's black suit-and-pants uniform.
Eina's eyes widened slightly.
The man and woman in front of her were simply too dazzling. The woman's beauty, in particular, could rival that of a goddess.
"Um..."
"Y-Yes! How may I help you?"
Eina scrambled to her feet, awkwardly adjusting her glasses. It was the first time she'd been so flustered. She hoped she hadn't made a bad impression.
The man in the lead spoke. "My name is Kobayashi, and this is RyuZU. I'm here to register as an adventurer."
"Yes, adventurer registration, is it?"
In a second, Eina switched to work mode—mature, calm, and efficient. This "big sister" atmosphere seemed to be quite popular in the guild.
The long line that was forming behind him was proof of that.
Eina pulled a form from under the counter.
"Please fill out your information here."
It had only simple fields: name, age, level, and so on. Since he was a new adventurer, the level field would be filled in as LV1.
But beyond that, the one column that made Kobayashi's pen freeze was Familia Affiliation.
The half-elf in front of him had a name tag, so Kobayashi called her by her name.
"Eina-san... right?"
"What is it, Mister Kobayashi?"
"This column... is it mandatory?"
"Yes, it is."
"I see... Is that so..."
————I'M SCREWED!
Kobayashi roared internally.
He knew registering didn't cost money, didn't care about race, gender, or age... but he had completely forgotten that he had to list a Familia!
What should he do?
Should he write... "Aqua Familia"?
But wouldn't he be suspected of impersonating a fake Familia?
Seeing Kobayashi hesitate, Eina thought he was in trouble and leaned in to ask with concern, "Mister Kobayashi, is there a problem with your Familia?"
"...No."
Kobayashi shook his head and finally wrote "None" in the Familia column.
That's right, "None."
If he was afraid of being misunderstood, he'd just hide it. It's not like you had to join a Familia to be an adventurer.
More importantly, writing an unknown "Aqua Familia" would just make her suspicious, which could lead to a chain reaction of unnecessary trouble.
It was fine. If this wasn't allowed, he'd just have to sneak in.
He handed her the completed form.
"Eh?" Eina, as expected, noticed the oddity. "Mister Kobayashi, you've written 'None' for your Familia?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No... It's just, it might not be my place to say, but going into the Dungeon without a [Falna] is just too dangerous. It would be better if you joined a Familia first."
This wasn't just basic professional duty; Eina couldn't help but advise him out of kindness.
Anyone with the will could become an adventurer. But because of that, the number of casualties was astronomical.
If the survival rate for an adventurer with a [Falna] was 70%, then for one without a [Falna], it plummeted to 30%.
But Kobayashi had an excuse ready.
He shook his head, feigning helplessness. "If I could join a Familia, who would willingly register alone? It seems... I'm one of those people with no talent."
Kobayashi's sorrowful look reminded Eina of a certain red-eyed rabbit boy.
That child... Bell. He, too, had been rejected by every Familia for having no talent.
Luckily, he eventually met a kind goddess. Even though that goddess wasn't well-known, had only just descended, and the Familia she established only had Bell... at least he had a place to belong, a goal to fight for.
And the man in front of her... he seemed even more pitiful than Bell.
Eina suddenly spoke up, "Mister Kobayashi, would you like to have me as your Adventurer Advisor?"
"What?" Kobayashi blinked.
"Adventurers are in extreme danger during their initial runs. Having an advisor can significantly increase your survival rate."
"Th-That's..."
"Please don't worry! It's often said that 'the long-lived elves are wise,' and I just so happen to be a half-elf."
"W-Well..."
Kobayashi tried to shy away from her sudden intensity.
Just register me and let me leave! I have no idea why she's being so enthusiastic! Is her motherly instinct overflowing?!
The "I don't want you to die" look on her face was completely undisguised. Others might see it as concern, but to Kobayashi, it felt like a curse.
Besides, if he told her he was actually very strong and didn't need an advisor, she would definitely assume he was just posturing and launch into an even more serious lecture. That was just Eina's personality.
Most importantly, he was terrible at refusing someone's kindness.
"...I'll be in your care."
"Please leave it to me!"
Eina looked as if she had just accepted a great mission, clenching her fist in determination.
Kobayashi's mouth twitched.
He never thought that he—someone who had fought Demon King's generals, intercepted the Mobile Fortress Destroyer, and battled countless strong enemies—would one day be doted on like this.
Maybe he should have just written down a Familia name?
He wondered.
After that, Eina ignored the wails of the adventurers still in her line and led Kobayashi and RyuZU to a private room in the guild.
She sat on the sofa, looked at Kobayashi, and asked with a serious expression, "Kobayashi, do you really have to be an adventurer? A Supporter is also a good choice."
"...I'm sorry, I have my reasons." Kobayashi maintained his "sad man with a secret" expression.
"Very well."
Eina sighed deeply.
This wasn't just a work formality; this was her heartfelt plea. But it was clear that nothing she said would work.
Therefore...
"Let's begin!"
THUD—
A dull sound came from the coffee table.
Kobayashi didn't know what magic Eina used, but a stack of books about half a meter high had appeared in front of him.
Eina said, "To ensure you can survive in the Dungeon, Kobayashi, it's time for remedial lessons!"
Kobayashi's eyes went wide at the sheer volume. He was here to hone his skills, not to take an exam! Was this really necessary?
"Eina-san, I'm actually pretty strong. I don't think we need all this..."
"That's what all the adventurers I'm in charge of say."
"No, no, I'm different from them!"
"No more talk!"
The truth was, Eina had been the advisor for many adventurers before Kobayashi... before Bell. But ever since the first human girl she advised had died, most of them never returned from the Dungeon.
Kobayashi had his secrets, and she wouldn't pry, because she had her own. But she would absolutely not allow him to die on his adventure!
Absolutely not!
And so, Kobayashi was forcibly crammed with knowledge about the Dungeon for a full six hours. He was only liberated from the devil's tutoring in the afternoon when Eina finally had other business to attend to.
Walking down the street, Kobayashi let out a deep sigh.
His attendant, far from sympathizing, jabbed him with her sharp tongue.
"As expected of Kobayashi-sama. You've deceived a half-elf's trust with your acting. At this point, you could probably earn a hefty sum performing on a stage."
"...Is that something to be proud of?"
Kobayashi couldn't help but give her his dead-fish eyes.
He had only intended to act pitiful to stop Eina from asking too many questions. Who knew he would awaken her hidden maternal instincts and inexplicably become her "advisee"?
Still... the feeling of being cared for was nice.
But Kobayashi felt an indescribable guilt. RyuZU was right. He had deceived Eina; he had taken advantage of the half-elf's kindness.
"RyuZU-san, if I went back and apologized right now, would she kill me?"
"No. Because that half-elf miss would never believe you. On the contrary, she would just assume you are posturing again."
"...You're right."
That's just her personality. It looked like he'd have to wait for a suitable opportunity to clear up this misunderstanding.
"Kobayashi-sama, where to now?"
"To the long-awaited part, of course!"
Kobayashi looked up at the giant chalk tower in the center of the Labyrinth City.
"Let's go. To the Dungeon!"
(Author's Note: There's a controversial point about adventurers: can you become one without a [Falna]? The original work says anyone, regardless of race, gender, or age, can, but it doesn't explicitly state if [Falna] is a prerequisite, so I'm going with my own interpretation.
Also, he will join a Familia, but just for show, and it will be one that can grant him a title without arousing suspicion from other Familias. You can guess which one.)