Potions, stamina restoratives—whatever you call them, their effects vary greatly depending on which Familia crafted them.
Bell took out the healing potion he had left. Inside the slender test tube, a pale blue liquid like seawater swirled gently.
When he placed the two healing potions side by side, the difference was obvious. The one Bell had bought earlier was noticeably lighter in color and texture.
"They really are different. Could it be they gave us the premium stuff?" Hestia asked hopefully.
"I doubt beginner adventurers can afford that kind of thing."
From what Bell remembered, those adventurers' gear looked pretty shabby. Rather than spending a fortune on high-grade potions, it made more sense to upgrade their equipment.
If they were simply trying to thank him, after seeing Heith's healing abilities, only a fool would buy expensive potions just for that.
"Don't tell me… you got scammed?" Hestia frowned.
"Afraid so."
Bell had gone to a small item shop earlier, run by a silver-gray-haired Chienthrope girl.
"Hmph, you probably dropped your guard because she was a girl and got tricked," Hestia said with an annoyed pout.
Remembering the Chienthrope girl's faintly sorrowful expression, Bell swallowed the words he'd been about to say.
"I knew it... Where did you buy that potion? That cheating cat—how dare she trick you! I'll never forgive her!"
Hestia clenched her fists, looked around, then decided to vent her anger on a pillow.
"It's called Blue Pharmacy," Bell answered honestly. She had deceived him first, so there was no reason to hide it.
Hestia froze mid-swing and hugged the pillow to her chest.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I remember it clearly."
Adventurers need to pay attention to more than just dungeon monsters. Every little detail above ground—people, relationships—matters too. That was something his grandfather had taught him.
"Could you be mistaken?" Hestia tilted her head.
"That's the name. Why? Does Goddess-sama know that place?" Bell noticed her hesitation.
"No, that's impossible. Miach's a good guy," Hestia murmured softly. "When Hephaestus kicked me out and no one would join my Familia, Miach kindly gave me some healing potions so I could recruit followers. He wouldn't do something like this. No way, absolutely not..."
"Goddess-sama?"
Bell sensed he'd just overheard something important but chose to ignore it for her sake.
"Grab the healing potions! We're going to that shop right now!"
Hestia threw the pillow aside and jumped to her feet.
"Now? Isn't it a bit early?"
The clock on the wall had just struck seven. The odds of the scammer being at the shop were low.
"Don't worry. Miach isn't like those lazy gods—he's always diligent. His shop should already be open."
Was the "lazy gods" she mentioned supposed to include herself?
Bell held back his question and followed the petite goddess out the door.
The Blue Pharmacy was tucked away deep in a narrow alley, in a remote corner much like the ruins of the church where Hestia lived. From the perspective of their shared poverty, it made sense that Hestia got along well with the god Miach. But that didn't justify selling poor-quality potions.
"Huh? Isn't that Hestia? Out on a date with one of your familia members this early?"
The god Miach carried a calm, dignified air that suited his divine nature.
"D-date? No, no! We just went out together, that's all!"
Hestia fidgeted, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before whispering to Bell, "See? I told you he's a good person."
Where exactly in that sounded like "a good person"?
Bell looked at the adorable goddess beside him and sighed. "The one who sold me the potion wasn't this god."
If, as Hestia said, Miach had no idea about it, then the situation was far more serious. To deceive a god and secretly sell inferior potions—such an act was unforgivable among gods who valued loyalty above all else.
Hestia picked up the potion and walked straight into the shop. "Did this come from your store?"
Her straightforwardness never changed.
Miach took the potion, studied it briefly, then uncorked it and took a light sniff. His expression darkened.
"My apologies. This was my failure to supervise properly."
Most gods tended to act easygoing, almost frivolous. Bell hadn't expected Miach to admit fault so quickly, and silently acknowledged the god's sincerity.
"How could this be? Was it really sold from your shop?"
Hestia looked stunned, as if struck by the news.
"I'm truly sorry. I'll refund the cost and give you extra potions as compensation."
The Blue Pharmacy had a classic, old-fashioned atmosphere. Wooden shelves lined with various goods filled the room, and a curtain divided off the back area.
"Naaza!"
Miach turned around, his expression filled with anger.
The Chienthrope girl lifted the curtain with her left hand and poked her head out. "What's wrong, Miach-sama?"
"I don't recall teaching you to deliberately mix other ingredients into healing potions! Why would you do something like that?"
Miach's voice carried both pain and fury.
Naaza glanced calmly at Bell, her eyes tinged with sadness. "Because the white-haired boy couldn't defeat the monsters on the first floor. The potion's healing effect still works—it just makes the pain harder to ease."
Even when diluted, a wound might heal, but the pain wouldn't disappear right away. Naaza had clearly adjusted the potion's mixture specifically for Bell.
Miach frowned deeply. "Foolish! Trust is everything. What grudge do you bear against this boy? Why go so far?"
"I don't look down on him," Naaza said quietly. "I only made what suited him best. Those who can't fight monsters must face reality early… otherwise, they'll only…"
She stopped and clutched her arm, saying no more.
When Bell had first bought a potion, she'd looked exactly the same as now. Her gentle eyes carried pain and pity, like an old soul gazing at its younger self. The Chienthrope girl had clearly gone through something of her own.
Miach clenched his fists, let out a long sigh, and turned back to continue apologizing to Hestia.
"Naaza-san, is that correct?" Bell inquired.
"Bell Cranel. I apologize for the potion matter, but I won't change my mind. If you fail, turn back quickly. Persisting will only lead to tragedy."
Naaza's expression held no mockery, only the quiet sorrow shared by those who understood powerlessness.
Bell knew that those of the Lower World could not lie to the gods. Even if this Chienthrope girl had acted out of her own bias, she had still considered his well-being.
For adventurers, slaying monsters, collecting Magic Stones for money, and spending it on gear and potions were all indispensable steps. Bell had once been defeated by Goblins. From Naaza's perspective, letting him experience pain from an inferior potion and give up early was the kinder choice.
"Actually, I made it to the second floor yesterday and even took down a giant Goblin," Bell said, recounting his recent triumph.
Naaza's expression shifted—first surprise, then mild doubt—before she stared at Bell's smile, lost in thought.
"It seems I overstepped. My sincerest apologies."
Without a doubt, Naaza had underestimated this white-haired boy, both in ability and resolve.
"It's fine. My goddess seems to have received quite a bit of help from Miach-sama. As your impoverished neighbor, I hope you'll continue to look out for us."
Bell extended his right hand, hiding the thoughts running through his mind.
In Orario, rough behavior among adventurers was nothing unusual. Gods could see through lies, and since Naaza's actions had been driven by concern, pressing the issue further would gain him nothing but apologies.
Besides, with Miach's earnest nature, the Chienthrope girl would surely be punished severely.
Emotionally, Bell couldn't forgive what had happened, but reason prevailed. Rather than dwell on it, he decided to turn Naaza's mistake into an opportunity—to make use of her guilt and build a good relationship with the pharmacy.
His familia was still new, and potions were expensive. In this odd situation, strengthening ties with Miach could only help him secure better prices and lay the foundation for future supplies.
Naaza stood there, looking a little uneasy. Bell noticed her slightly raised right hand, its long sleeve completely covering the palm. In contrast, the left side of her outfit was a short sleeve, leaving her entire arm exposed.
Realizing this, Bell guessed that her right hand might be injured—something she didn't want seen.
He pulled back his right hand and corrected himself. "I misspoke. I should've said, for the prosperity of both our familia in the future, I hope we can rely on each other."
Naaza blinked.
Before she realized it, another hand was already extended toward her.
He even noticed that detail?
If it's him… he'll definitely go farther than I ever could.
"Yes, we're the ones who should be asking for your support."
Naaza reached out with her left hand. The rough calluses on Bell's palm spoke of his effort and determination.
What an extraordinary boy.
Moved by the moment, Naaza silently made up her mind. To change her familia's fate, she would help Bell Cranel reach the very top.
As the two came to an understanding, Hestia nearby was already chatting and laughing with Miach, proudly speaking about Bell.
The morning sun hid behind a thick layer of clouds, unnoticed by any of them.
Several uninvited guests were secretly watching the shop.
The sky seemed on the verge of tears, and a single raindrop fell.