Alice was resting at home.
As for the Loki Familia, they had gone to the pub to celebrate.
"Mou!!! Why didn't Alice-chan come? It's a rare chance after an expedition; it'd be so much better if we all celebrated together!" Loki was heartbroken that Alice hadn't come to see her after returning from the expedition.
However, this sadness lasted only a few brief seconds.
"...But it's fine, I suppose. After all, Alice-chan can't hold her liquor well, and she gets uncomfortable in overly rowdy settings."
"Since Alice-chan said she'd come tomorrow, let's all have a proper feast today!"
"Mama Mia~! Put everyone's tab here tonight on the Loki Familia's account! Don't hold back—bring out all the delicious food! And everyone here! Don't worry about a thing—eat and drink to your heart's content!"
Loki stood on a stool, holding a mug of ale high in the air, shouting loudly.
The atmosphere in The Hostess of Fertility was incredibly lively, and thanks to Loki's generous declaration, everyone present burst into cheers.
"Woo!!! Long live the Loki Familia!"
"Lady Loki is so cool!"
"I love you, Lady Loki!"
Listening to the adventurers' cheers, Loki puffed out her chest, looking immensely pleased with herself.
Seated at the table, Finn frowned and reminded her, "Loki, I don't know what's happened in the Familia these past few days during our expedition, but our earnings from this Dungeon trip might not leave much to spare. So you'd better think carefully."
Tiona's Urga had been melted, Ais's weapon was already sent for repairs, and the weapons of Finn, Gareth, and Bete had all suffered varying degrees of damage.
The corrosive fluids of the worm monsters were exceptionally potent.
Although the expedition's profits would be substantial, most would be eaten up by repair costs. So, Loki's treat didn't have much financial backing to begin with.
Hearing Finn's words, Loki waved a hand dismissively. "No problem~ In the past, I've always been living off you guys, but that pipsqueak went and got a job for her Familia. I can't let myself be outdone by her."
"Besides, recently, the pipsqueak and I discussed a little project. I'm actually pretty rich right now."
Loki smirked.
"So, don't any of you worry. Order whatever you want. This won't be coming out of the hard-earned money you made in the Dungeon."
Not to mention the hefty compensation she'd squeezed out of Soma, just this past week, the comic she and Hestia had collaborated on had released its first chapter today.
Thanks to their connections among the gods, the orders from this morning alone were enough for Loki to splurge freely, let alone the future income.
"Is that so?" Finn eyed Loki suspiciously. "You've found a way to make money?"
"Heh heh~ Just wait and see tomorrow! For today—feast! Feast! Everyone, get wild! Wahaha!!!"
Loki laughed boisterously.
Seeing her like this, everyone could only shake their heads helplessly before diving into the food and drink with abandon.
During the expedition in the Dungeon, they'd survived on dry rations.
Though, for some reason, Ais kept pulling out fried potato snacks to munch on, compared to those, Mama Mia's cooking was still the best.
The Hostess of Fertility, always doing good business, saw its revenue double that day.
The waitresses were exceptionally busy. If not for their hidden backgrounds, they'd never have managed the crowd.
Among the waitstaff, one human girl felt a slight pang of disappointment when she didn't see the figure she'd been hoping for at the Loki Familia's table.
After a night of revelry, Loki paid the bill generously.
Everyone returned to their Familia home, fully satisfied.
The next day, after getting up, Alice still didn't see Hestia. According to Lili, Hestia had been busy recently with some secret project involving Loki, only returning at night, when Alice could briefly see her.
Even then, Hestia looked utterly exhausted.
Early this morning, after waking up, Hestia had gone straight to find Loki.
So, Alice figured she'd probably run into Hestia at the Loki Familia.
Lili, like any regular adventurer, went to the Dungeon with Bell after breakfast, while Daphne and Cassandra had been summoned by Hestia to help with something.
After finishing her own breakfast, Alice headed toward the Loki Familia. She'd previously promised Ais and the others to let them try training under her gravity magic.
If she went today, she could set one up directly.
However, when Alice arrived at the Loki Familia, she couldn't even get through the door.
At the entrance, she found a huge crowd of gods, each accompanied by one of their children, all jammed around the Loki Familia's gate, making a tremendous racket.
Loki and Hestia, sweating profusely, were trying to explain something to the deities.
Members of the Loki Familia were struggling to maintain order, while Daphne, Cassandra, Lefiya, and Raul were hurriedly ferrying something back and forth.
Suddenly, Loki, who was negotiating with the crowd of gods, spotted Alice watching from a distance.
She immediately shouted, "Alice-chan! Get over here and help!!!"
Loki's voice made all the gods fall silent at once, their eyes turning in unison to Alice.
Feeling the gods' intense, unwavering stares, the corner of Alice's mouth twitched, and she felt a bit creeped out.
Once the gods quieted down, Alice could see clearly.
In front of Loki was a table piled high with books. These gods were probably here to buy them.
No doubt about it—they had to be the comics Loki and Hestia had drawn over the past seven days.
Loki vaulted over the table, ran to Alice, grabbed her hand, and pulled her back.
"Alice-chan, you came at the perfect time. Finn and the others took some of my Familia members to pick up goods from the Hermes Familia, so we're short-handed here. I need you to lend a hand."
Hearing this, Alice understood.
Dragging Alice back behind the table, Loki shouted again, "Alright, you lot! Alice-chan is here now! So everyone settle down! I'll have Alice sell the comics to you, one by one!"
Hearing this, Alice gave Loki a puzzled look.
Why not just sell them directly? Why specifically have her sell them?
Alice found it very strange.
But when she saw the title on the book covers, her face went blank. Written there was:
[The Adventures of Alice]
The moment she saw the title, Alice immediately wanted to ask these two gods what in the world they meant by this.
Had they made her the protagonist again?
Hestia, noticing Alice's expression, gently tugged on her sleeve and held up three fingers.
Seeing Hestia's gesture, Alice's mouth opened slightly, then she gave a small nod.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
20+ advanced chaps on my patreon.
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If you guys wanna check it out.