I stood at the edge of Eastbrook, the afternoon sun warm on my back as I faced the small crowd that had gathered to see me off. Their hospitality had been unexpected, a kindness I wasn't accustomed to. It left me feeling... uncomfortable. Indebted.
"Thank you all for your generosity," I said. "I won't forget it."
A chorus of farewells and well-wishes rose up, punctuated by giggles from some of the younger women. One of them, a pretty blonde with freckles, stepped forward.
"You'll come back and visit us, won't you, Dante?" she asked, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
『Oh my,』 the Advisor chimed in, her voice tinged with amusement. 『It seems you've made quite the impression on the local ladies. How... quaint.』
I ignored her, focusing instead on the expectant faces before me. "I'll certainly try," I lied smoothly. "But the road ahead is long, and my future uncertain."
It was a non-answer, but delivered with enough charm to satisfy. The blonde beamed, clearly taking it as a promise rather than the polite brush-off it was.
As I turned to leave, the Advisor spoke up again. 『You handled that well. I detect no emotional response to their obvious interest. I take it this isn't a new experience for you?』
"No, it's not. And it's not something I particularly care to discuss."
『Noted,』 she replied, her tone neutral. 『I'll file that away under 'topics to avoid.'』
The road stretched out before me, a dusty ribbon cutting through fields of golden wheat. As I walked, my mind drifted to the entity sharing my headspace.
"Advisor," I muttered, "we need to come up with something else to call you. It's a little..."
『Clinical? Impersonal? Lacking in panache?』 she supplied.
I snorted. "All of the above."
『Well then, by all means, exercise that silver tongue of yours. I'm all ears. Metaphorically speaking, of course.』
I considered for a moment, sifting through possibilities. "How about... Athena? Goddess of wisdom and strategy."
『Hmm,』 she mused. 『A tad on the nose, don't you think? Besides, given our current locale, it might be best to avoid names with divine associations. We wouldn't want to ruffle any celestial feathers.』
"Fair point," I conceded. "Cassandra, then? The prophetess cursed to never be believed."
『Now you're just being cheeky,』 she retorted. 『Though I do appreciate the literary reference.』
We bantered back and forth as the miles fell away beneath my feet. The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. I found myself oddly grateful for her company, a realization that both surprised and unsettled me.
"Minerva," I said suddenly, interrupting her dissection of yet another rejected name.
There was a moment of silence, then: 『Minerva. Yes, I rather like that. It has a certain... gravitas to it.』
I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile. "Minerva it is, then."
As twilight deepened into true night, the first glimpse of Orario's walls appeared on the horizon. Even at this distance, the sheer scale of the city was staggering. Towers pierced the sky, their silhouettes backlit by a soft glow that spoke of countless lives and stories contained within.
『Impressive, isn't it?』 Minerva murmured. 『The Labyrinth City. A beacon of adventure and opportunity for the blessed and ambitious alike.』
"And a death trap for the unprepared," I added grimly.
『Indeed. Which category do you fall into, I wonder?』
I didn't answer. The truth was, I wasn't entirely sure myself.
As we drew closer to the gates, the trickle of fellow travelers grew into a steady stream. Merchants with laden carts, aspiring adventurers with dreams in their eyes and weapons on their backs, pilgrims seeking the favor of the gods... Orario called to them all.
I fell into step behind a group of young men, their excited chatter carrying back to me on the night breeze. They were clearly new arrivals, filled with the brash confidence of the untested.
"...heard the Loki Familia's recruiting," one of them was saying. "Think we've got a shot?"
His companion laughed. "Dream on, mate. We'll be lucky if a minor familia gives us the time of day."
I tuned them out, focusing instead on the imposing gates looming before us. Guards in polished armor stood watch, their eyes sharp as they scanned the incoming crowd.
『Remember,』 Minerva cautioned, 『you're just another face in the crowd. Keep your head down and your story straight.』
I gave a slight nod, adopting the wide-eyed expression of a newcomer overwhelmed by the city's grandeur. It wasn't entirely an act; Orario truly was a sight to behold.
As I passed through the gates, a prickle of awareness ran down my spine. I resisted the urge to look around, to search for the source of that unseen scrutiny. Instead, I kept my gaze forward, my steps measured and unhurried.
The streets of Orario were a riot of sights, sounds, and smells. Lanterns cast pools of warm light, illuminating vendor stalls hawking everything from exotic fruits to enchanted trinkets. The air was thick with the mingled aromas of spices, roasted meat, and the less savory odors of a city packed with too many bodies.
I wove through the crowds, my senses on high alert. Every brush of a shoulder, every quick glance could be a pickpocket or a cutpurse looking for an easy mark. But there was excitement here too, an electric current of possibility that seemed to hum in the very stones beneath my feet.
A group of adventurers stumbled out of a nearby tavern, their laughter boisterous and uninhibited. One of them, a muscular man with a shock of red hair, caught my eye and raised his mug in salute.
"Welcome to Orario, fresh meat!" he called out, his words slightly slurred. "May the dungeon be kind and your pockets heavy!"
His companions roared with laughter, clapping him on the back. I offered a small smile and a nod, careful not to encourage further interaction.
『Charming,』 Minerva drawled. 『Though I suppose there are worse welcomes one could receive in a city like this.』
As we continued deeper into the city, the crowds began to thin. The buildings here were older, their facades weathered by time and the constant ebb and flow of fortune. Shadows deepened in doorways and alleyways, and the laughter from the main thoroughfares felt distant, muffled.
『We should find lodging soon,』 Minerva advised. 『This area seems... less than reputable.』
I scanned the street, my eyes settling on a modest inn tucked between a pawnshop and what looked suspiciously like a fence for stolen goods. A weathered sign creaked in the night breeze, proclaiming it to be "The Broken Blade."
"It'll do," I murmured, heading for the entrance.
The common room was dimly lit and sparsely populated. A few patrons hunched over their drinks, pointedly ignoring my arrival. Behind the bar, a grizzled man with an eyepatch watched me approach with undisguised suspicion.
"Room for the night," I said, placing a handful of coins on the scarred wooden surface. "And information, if the price is right."
The barkeep's single eye narrowed, flicking between my face and the money. After a long moment, he grunted and swept the coins into his palm.
"Up the stairs, third door on the left," he said gruffly. "Information? Depends on what you're after."
I leaned in, pitching my voice low. "You wouldn't happen to know where I might find the Goddess Hestia, would you?"
The barkeep's single eye narrowed, and he scratched his stubbled chin thoughtfully. "Hestia?" he muttered, more to himself than to me. "Isn't she still mooching off of Hephaestus?"
The barkeep turned to one of his regulars, a hunched figure nursing what looked like his fifth drink of the night. "Oi, Marcus. You know anything about that Hestia goddess?"
The man lifted his head, revealing a weathered face and bloodshot eyes. "Hestia?" He let out a dry laugh. "Not much. Though her familia's got that one kid - the one who tore through Central Street this morning, covered head to toe in blood. Caused quite the commotion."
『Interesting,』 Minerva noted. 『A small familia with a penchant for dramatics, it seems.』
"Any idea where I might find them?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.
Marcus shook his head, taking another long drink. "Nah. But if you're looking for info..." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Try the Hostess of Fertility. That pub sees all sorts - adventurers, guild workers, even gods sometimes. Someone there's bound to know."
The barkeep nodded in agreement. "Mia's place. Down on Western Main Street. Can't miss it - just look for the crossed fork and knife sign." He paused, giving me a considering look. "Word of advice though - mind your manners in there. Mia doesn't take kindly to troublemakers."
I pushed away from the bar. "Thanks for the tip."
『Are we heading there now?』 Minerva asked as I climbed the stairs to my room.
"No," I said, locating the third door on the left. "It's late, and I'd rather approach this with a clear head."
The room was exactly what I expected - small, musty, with a narrow bed and a window that didn't quite close properly. I sat on the edge of the bed, testing its stability.
『A wise choice,』 Minerva said. 『Though I must say, this accommodation leaves much to be desired.』
I sat on the edge of the bed, finally allowing some of the tension to seep from my muscles. The events of the past few days washed over me – my awakening in that field, the strange abilities I could barely control, the looming question of my true identity and purpose.
『You should rest,』 Minerva said, her tone gentler than usual. 『Tomorrow will bring its own challenges.』
I nodded, stretching out on the thin mattress. Sleep came swiftly, but it was far from restful. My dreams were a chaotic swirl of faces and places I couldn't quite recognize, shot through with flashes of violence and power that left me gasping.
When I finally jolted awake, pale sunlight was streaming through the grimy window. I sat up, running a hand through my hair.
『Good morning, sunshine,』 Minerva chirped, far too cheerful for my liking. 『Ready to take Orario by storm?』
I grunted, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "One step at a time. First, we need to get the lay of the land. Figure out how things work around here."
『And find a way to unlock more of your abilities,』 she added. 『You're at a distinct disadvantage without a Falna.』
"Agreed," I said, standing and stretching. I moved to the window, gazing out at the awakening city. The streets below were already coming to life, vendors setting up their stalls, early risers hurrying to work or to the dungeon.
As I turned from the window, my reflection caught my eye in a dusty mirror hanging on the wall, taking in my reflection for the first time since awakening in this strange world. The face staring back at me was both familiar and foreign, like a half-remembered dream.
Midnight black hair, styled in a casual, slightly tousled manner, framed a face with high cheekbones and a strong jawline. My eyes, a piercing blue, seemed to hold an intensity that was almost unsettling. I ran a hand through my hair, noting the athletic build of my body, graceful yet powerful.
My skin was unmarked, save for the intricate tattoos that adorned my arms. They seemed to shift and change as I moved, patterns flowing like liquid shadow beneath my skin.
"These tattoos," I murmured, tracing one with a finger. "What are they?"
『Manifestations of your latent abilities, I believe,』 Minerva replied. 『Though their full significance remains... unclear.』
I nodded, cataloging the information for later consideration. My gaze traveled down, taking in my attire. I wore a simple black shirt that clung to my torso, showcasing the lean muscle beneath. Dark pants and sturdy boots completed the ensemble – practical, yet stylish.
As I studied my reflection, I noticed something odd. For a brief moment, my image seemed to flicker, like a glitch in a digital display. I blinked, and it was gone.
『Interesting,』 Minerva mused. 『It seems your... unique nature is manifesting in unexpected ways.』
I frowned, leaning closer to the mirror. "What do you mean by 'unique nature'?"
『I'm afraid that information is... redacted,』 she replied, a note of frustration in her voice. 『Another gap in my databanks. 』
I stepped back from the mirror, my mind racing with questions. Who was I, really? What were these powers lurking beneath the surface? And why couldn't I shake the feeling that I was meant for something... more?
『Well, aren't we the brooding protagonist?』 Minerva chuckled. 『Shall I cue the dramatic music?』
I shot a glare at my reflection, knowing full well she could sense my irritation. "You're not helping."
『On the contrary,』 she countered, 『I'm providing much-needed levity in what could otherwise become a rather maudlin scene of self-discovery. You're welcome.』
I sighed, turning away from the mirror. She had a point, loath as I was to admit it. Dwelling on the mysteries of my existence wouldn't get me any closer to answers. Action would.
This was Orario, the city of endless possibilities and brutal realities. And I was going to conquer it, one way or another.
『Well then,』 Minerva said, a note of excitement in her voice, 『shall we begin?』
I nodded, squaring my shoulders. "Let's go introduce ourselves to the Hostess of Fertility."