"If you really leave, you'll be disrespecting that God, and also disrespecting the Ganesha Familia."
"If we offend both sides, we'll really end up catching rats in the sewers! Even Mama Mia won't be able to save us!"
Hearing this, Chloe's tail immediately tucked tighter. She could only follow Lunoire with a bitter face, completely losing her temper.
...
And so...
Syr was on leave.
Ryu was gone.
Chloe and Lunoire were also gone.
Thus, in The Hostess of Fertility tavern...
"It's time for the great Anya's breakfast, meow!"
As the only morning shift member today, Anya had just energetically pushed open the kitchen door.
What greeted her was a completely empty tavern.
"Eh?"
...
Inside the mansion's entrance hall.
After taking their seats...
Even though it was his first time visiting, Ganesha didn't dare to casually look around at the furnishings.
Because Heimdall was sitting right across from him.
Shakti stood behind Ganesha, looking helplessly at her patron god's stiff and formal posture.
As for Ryu, Chloe, and Lunoire...
They were holding rags and brooms, starting to clean every corner of the hall.
Although Ryu's window-wiping movements were standard, her back—which was noticeably stiffer than yesterday—betrayed a sense of total discomfort.
Meanwhile.
On the second-floor corridor.
A row of heads peeked out.
Rin, Kikakujuo Mary, Hanasaka Warabi, and Tamaba Satori, who had just woken up, were rubbing their eyes. With their hair still a bit messy, they leaned over the railing, peering down curiously at the big drama unfolding on the first floor.
Especially when they saw two unlucky souls below, dressed in tavern maid uniforms and cleaning just like they had been yesterday.
Rin, Kikakujuo Mary, Hanasaka Warabi, and Tamaba Satori couldn't help but huddle together, whispering to one another.
...
"Tea."
Inaba Tsukuyo had taken it upon herself to serve. Like an exquisite doll, she quietly brewed the tea and brought it over.
Although she was blind,
her movements were as smooth as flowing water, without any hesitation. The stream of tea fell precisely into the cups without a single drop splashing out.
Even when she set the teacups down, there was no unnecessary noise, only the slight sensation of porcelain meeting the tabletop.
This level of control made Ganesha, sitting opposite Heimdall, take a few extra glances.
—This is one of those rookies who caused such a sensation?
—A blind person?
"..."
Ganesha looked at the cup of fragrant tea in front of him, then at Inaba Tsukuyo, who had retreated behind Heimdall, as quiet and serene as a doll with her eyes closed.
Ultimately, he picked up the cup and took a small sip, using it to hide the flash of astonishment in his eyes.
"Speak."
"You've entered the building."
"You've drunk the tea."
"Ganesha, don't dawdle like an old man."
Heimdall didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"..."
Ganesha swallowed hard and put down his teacup.
Since the other party had already laid things out so clearly, there was no need for him to keep hiding his intentions.
Although he liked to shout "I Am Ganesha" to maintain his man-of-the-people image, it didn't mean he was a fool.
On the contrary.
To be able to lead the largest Familia in Orario, maintain the city's public order for so many years, and remain standing amidst the complex political struggles of the gods...
His boldness was not to be underestimated.
"Regarding the incident last time."
"Suddenly having Shakti follow... ahem, guard you, was indeed a lack of consideration on my part."
"It was my mistake for causing you trouble."
"So, regarding a new compensation plan, I have already drawn it up."
Having said that,
Ganesha pulled a rolled-up piece of parchment from his robe and slowly pushed it toward Heimdall.
It bore the bright red seal of the Guild's certification.
And a string of zeros long enough to make any Adventurer present stop breathing.
"My Ganesha Familia is willing to compensate the Haimo Familia with three hundred million Valis in startup funds!"
"Three hundred million?!"
In the corner.
Chloe, who was wiping a blue and white porcelain vase that looked very expensive,
felt her hand shake the moment she heard that number.
The vase, which had been steady, slipped right out of her grasp.
Fortunately, Lunoire had been keeping an eye on her; with quick reflexes, she caught the vase and even performed a smooth buffering motion.
However, Ganesha's words
had equally shocked Lunoire's heart.
—Three hundred million Valis!
-------------------------
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