Judas stared at Welf for a moment until he realized…
'Ah, right, the Denatus… it must have happened when we were away on the expedition.'
Honestly, he almost forgot that the Denatus was a thing here in Orario.
Then again, he usually kept to himself and didn't go out of his way to keep up with what was happening in the city.
Because usually Tiona or the others would tell him anyway.
'Still… Veneratus Est… did Loki based it off on my obscure skill [The Venerated One]?'
This was the first time Judas had heard of a title based on a random skill.
"Belle, what about you? What's your title?"
Judas asked as he shifted his gaze to her.
"Ah, right… its Little Rookie, well, uh, an alright name I guess…"
Belle replied unenthusiastically, rubbing the back of her head.
She had been expecting something much cooler... like the nicknames from the hero stories she loved... so she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
'Her alias still ended up being Little Rookie.'
"You guys want to come to our camp? The inns here can be pretty pricy."
Judas suggested, to which Lili reacted by coming up to him with stars in her eyes.
"R-really? We get to stay with you for a while?"
"I am the one who suggested it, why would I lie?"
Judas said as he slowly took a step back.
"Great! Thank you so much, Judas."
…
The crystals on the ceiling of the 18th floor gradually dimmed.
That was when they realized... night had fallen.
Judas walked back to the Loki Familia's camp, with Belle, Lili and Welf following behind him.
"Oi! Judas! There you are! Look at this!"
Tiona shouted with excitement in her voice and appeared in front of him, holding a newspaper in her hand.
"Oh… its Miss Argonaut and her pallum friend, what a surprise to see you guys here."
Tiona added, after noticing that Belle and the others.
"Tiona… nice to see as well."
Belle replied with a small smile.
"Oh? Is that who I think it is? Is that you Welfy boy?"
Tsubaki walked up and immediately ruffled Welf's hair.
"Captain? Why are you here?"
Welf looked a bit surprise to see Tsubaki here.
"Why would I not be here? Never mind that, come, lets drink our hearts out…"
Tsubaki said as she raised a cup of ale in her hand with a grin as she put Welf in a chokehold.
"Argh…"
"You guys don't mind if I borrow him for a while, won't you?"
"Not at all."
Lili replied without hesitation.
"Belle… help…"
Welf spoke with difficulty as he was being dragged along by force.
Belle could only smile wryly, knowing that Tsubaki was a level 5, there was nothing she could do.
She could only apologize to him in her mind.
'I am sorry Mister Welf…'
After that small episode was finished, Tiona opened up the newspaper that she bought from Rivira and presented it to Judas.
"Look at this Judas, this is your alias that you got from the Denatus that happened some time ago."
"Oh… I already knew that."
"Eh?"
…
When it was time for dinner, the expedition team as well as Belle's party gathered around in a circle, surrounding a campfire.
"Cheers to everyone for a successful expedition."
"Cheers!"
Everyone raised their cups in celebration, laughter filled the air, and food and drinks were passed around freely.
"Mouu… I wanted to be the one to tell Judas about the news of his alias…"
Tiona muttered with a small pout, looking a bit depressed.
"So that is the reason why you are being sulky? Really?"
Tione questioned with a look that said 'are you serious?' as she turned her head to look at her sister's face.
"I am sorry…"
Belle said with a guilty expression.
"Make sure to eat your food while it's still hot."
Judas said as he grabbed a ladle and putting soup on his bowl.
"Right!"
Belle exclaimed, reaching for the ladle...
Their hands inevitably brushed against each other.
Feeling the warmth of his skin, Belle froze for a split second before blushing, her palm growing slightly sweaty.
stare
Lefiya gave a deadpan stare when she looked at this scene, seeing Belle seated between Judas and Ais, she felt annoyed in her heart.
'That is my spot… how dare she take it from me.'
Lefiya thought with envy, biting her napkin.
'This Belle Cranel…'
'Why are they giving her so much attention when she is from a different familia?'
'So what if she defeated three minotaurs and even slain a Violas? I could do that as well!'
She continued shooting Belle annoyed glances.
Although deep in her mind, she was aware that Belle was an amazing adventurer…
'I'm not going to acknowledge her!'
She got so distracted that she accidentally spilled hot stew all over herself.
"Kyaa!"
She yelped as the liquid soaked through her clothes.
Thankfully she had the body of a level three and didn't suffer any burns.
"Lefiya! What is the matter with you?"
Riveria turned towards her and reprimanded with a stern expression.
"S-sorry…"
Lefiya bowed her head, but in her mind, she had already put the blame on Belle.
'That human… its all her fault, because I kept thinking about her that I spilled stew on myself.'
She thought as she gave Belle an annoyed glare one more time.
…
Later that night, as everyone began settling down, Lefiya could be seen washing her own clothes that she accidentally spilled on earlier and hanged them out to dry.
As she was about to finish up, the sound of leaves rustling was heard.
"Hm? What's that noise?"
Lefiya muttered as her elven ears twitched.
She turned to investigate and after walking some distance, she could hear the sound of someone training.
The familiar swoosh of a sword entered her ears.
'Ais?'
Expecting her idol, Lefiya crept through the bushes and arrived at a small clearing.
A lone figure stood there, back turned to her.
However, instead of the golden-haired girl, her eyes instead landed on a woman with long white hair.
"Ah… it's you! What are you doing here!?"
Lefiya exclaimed with an accusatory tone as she pointed with her finger.
"Eh? Miss Lefiya?"
Belle turned around, wielding a sword on her left and the Hestia knife on her right.
"I am just practicing."
"Hmph. I see."
Lefiya exhaled loudly, but then a lightbulb suddenly appeared above her head.
"You are practicing right? How about letting me join?"
"Hmm? Miss Lefiya wants to train with me?"
Belle tilted her head.
Hearing that, Lefiya couldn't help but let a small smirk form on her lips.
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