Chapter 67 - Chapter 5

P/N let me know if there's any mistakes and I will try to fix them

CHAPTER 5

THE CITY GIRL'S SECRET

"—All done!"

Black smoke rose from the cramped kitchen.

Not only the various ingredients of the dish but many of the cooking tools

themselves were either singed or charred. The culinary combat that had just

taken place was extremely intense.

Apron tied around her waist, the silver-haired girl, Syr, emerged from the

kitchen with a satisfied smile on her face.

Neither her coworkers nor the café owner was around.

Syr didn't even taste her creations—an oddly colored meat pie and several

sandwiches that didn't smell like they should—before cramming them into

containers. Then she piled all the containers into one large basket.

Humming a happy tune to herself, Syr changed clothes before leaving the

café with the basket in her arms.

"I wonder if I'll get to see their smiles today."

A smile of her own on her lips, she went out into the city.

It's evening at Guild Headquarters.

Many adventurers, home from the Dungeon, are taking care of their own

business inside the white lobby, which has fiery beams of sunlight from the west

slanting in from the overhead windows.

"I'm going to go talk to Miss Eina."

"Understood. Lilly will take care of things at the Exchange."

"I'll just hang around."

I get in line to see my adviser, Eina. Lilly, carrying a backpack stuffed to

capacity, Haruhime, her own tubular backpack bursting at the seams, and Mikoto

walk over to the Exchange with the magic stones and drop items we brought up

from the Dungeon today. Welf doesn't really have anyplace to go, so he decides

to just kill some time. All of us go our separate ways in the lobby.

Just like all the adventurers around us, Hestia Familia has errands to attend to

at Guild Headquarters.

Normally we just take care of our drop items and magic stones at the

Exchange located in Babel Tower, but today we need to take care of the familia

tax levied by the Guild. So, everyone decided to come here and take care of

everything at once. I mean, we might as well get everything done at the same

time as long as we're here.

Off on my own, it's really surprising to see the long lines in front of the

reception counter. The Guild employees behind it are practically flying back and

forth, trying to help everyone. Once it's my turn, I give Eina a simple update and

leave it at that. I shouldn't waste her time with meaningless conversation, so I

get in and out quickly.

But it looks like the girls aren't finished at the Exchange yet, so I've got a

little time on my hands. It might be a good idea to head over to the bulletin board

and see what's posted.

Guild Headquarters has loads of information about the Dungeon and many

other things that are useful to adventurers, including the advice that advisers

provide. There's no reason not to take advantage of everything the Guild has to

offer.

I work my way into the crowd already gathered around the bulletin board and

take a look at the many quests and mercantile familia advertisements for the

latest posted items.

It's hard to believe we're under attack from Rakia…Everything seems so

normal here.

I'm pretty sure the battle against the Kingdom of Rakia is still going on

outside the city wall. But there's no difference between a day "at war" and a

regular day at the Guild—all races of demi-humans are just bumping shoulders

and talking among one another as far as I can see. The invasion has no impact on

our day-to-day lives as adventurers.

I mean, I'm sure the top-tier adventurers are out there fighting for us, but not

everyone in the middle of the pack and below has been called to the front.

Probably the city of Orario—well, the Guild, since it's the governing power—is

trying to maintain a constant incoming flow of magic stones to continue

producing magic-stone products. Too many of us fighting on the front lines

would have a direct impact on the economy, so the Guild probably wants as

many adventurers in the Dungeon as possible.

At least, that's my theory as I stand here looking at all the adventurers fully

equipped with different types of armor and weapons.

"What, seriously? Again?"

"Somethin's fishy here."

…?

While my brain was busy thinking about the Rakia invasion, my ears pick up

a conversation just in front of me.

Actually, it's happening right in front of the billboard. Other people notice,

too, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks to see what's going on.

I do the same, stretching up many times, trying to get a glimpse of the sheet

posted on the billboard.

"Looks like there's a monster down there with a taste for armor and

weapons."

"Ah, Welf."

Welf comes right up next to me.

He's a bit taller than me, so he can see over the crowd better than I can. He

can read the posting, too, by the sound of it.

"…A 'taste for'? As in stealing?"

"That's right. Some of them take equipment off dead bodies, but this one

likes to take equipment off adventurers in battle."

That's a real surprise.

Monsters stealing from adventurers?

When you think about it, it's not all that strange, considering monsters use

landforms and other natural things in the Dungeon as weapons, but the thought

of one of the beasts in armor is shocking. If it's true, I'm sure more than one

adventurer wants to cry.

All of us work hard, shedding blood and tears to find a combination of

equipment that suits us the best…If mine got stolen, I don't know what I'd do.

Especially if one of the weapons I've gotten used to was suddenly gone.

A monster that steals an adventurer's weapons—the lifeblood we need to

survive. It's frightening to think about.

—An image of a Minotaur wielding a greatsword suddenly flashes through

my mind.

S-scary.

The memories I have of that day send shivers down my spine.

I shouldn't be scaring myself like this. Shaking the images out of my head, I

turn to Welf.

"Wh-where was it spotted?"

"Deep Zone, mostly. From what I can see, the highest confirmed sighting

happened on the twentieth floor."

Then he says that second-tier adventurers gathered all the information.

He seems to be getting a kick out of this, and he's not the only one. Quite a

few people in the area are laughing it off like it's a funny rumor. They don't

believe the reports.

In fact, a few of them are taking it as a joke.

"There's some more interesting info about that, though."

Welf grins as he looks over at me.

"This one's from a while back, but apparently a Black Minotaur wearing

armor showed up in the Dungeon."

"Black…Minotaur…?"

"Yeah. Word spread around real quick but then disappeared just as fast. Now

it's only a rumor I've heard."

Usually, Minotaurs are a rusty, reddish color.

I've never heard of a black one.

A subspecies…I ask him if it's a rare offshoot of monsters. Welf tells me not

to take it seriously, grinning as he shrugs.

It makes me nervous whenever I hear the word Minotaur…I follow up with

another question.

"When was that rumor going around, Welf?"

"About two months ago, maybe?"

Two months ago…That's about the time that I leveled up to Level 2.

Welf adds that that story was circulating at about the time he joined the battle

party, so that's why it's stuck in his memory.

"…"

I look back at the board, the voices of countless adventurers around me.

There's an artist's rendering of a monster wearing armor and holding a

sword. I stare at it until the girls come back from the Exchange.

"Um, is Syr taking the day off?"

The day after we paid our familia tax for the month, I decided to visit The

Benevolent Mistress. As soft morning sunlight brightens the sky, I arrive at the

front door.

"That she is, meow! Syr's playing hooky again, meow!"

The catgirl Ahnya is standing right in front of me, her long, thin tail twitching

behind her. She looks irritated.

Even after I moved into Hestia Familia's new home, I still swing by here to

pick up a lunch from Syr before going to the Dungeon.

Now that my familia has more members, especially Mikoto with her great

cooking skills, I didn't want to bother Syr. Making a lunch for me every day is

just one more thing on her to-do list, but Lyu and a few of the other waitresses

visited Hearthstone Manor directly and practically begged me to keep coming.

"Just because you've picked up a useless way to sense danger…!" "Think of

the guinea pigs, think of their pain, meow…!" Runoa and Chloe pleaded with

me as Lyu looked on with a blank look in her eyes. For some reason, all of them

had been clutching at their stomachs.

Anyway, since then, I've kept coming here every day like usual…but I

haven't gotten a lunch from Syr in a while.

I've been wondering what's going on, so I came here today to ask some of

the other waitresses about it and found out that Syr was absent today as well.

"Syr has a way of going 'poof' and disappearing, like today."

"Hee-hee-hee, sounds like our young maiden has some secrets, meow…But

she doesn't want us to work too hard and always comes back, meow! I don't

know the first thing about accounting, meow!!"

Other waitresses—the human Runoa and another catgirl, Chloe—are on

break and come to join Ahnya and me at the front door.

I remember them saying something about it when we stopped by to get the

recipe for Mikoto's cake, but Syr's been absent ever since then…That had to be

at least ten days ago.

"You must understand, Syr is not like us, in that she does not reside here. She

has her reasons, so this situation is bound to occur occasionally."

The catgirls and Runoa keep talking among themselves as Lyu calmly

explains the details over their voices.

The other waitresses are all excitedly grinning as they speak, but there's a

centered composure in Lyu's sky-blue eyes.

"Um…Couldn't you just go to where she lives and ask her…?"

"…"

I question why they don't just go get a direct answer from Syr…but then Lyu

and the others fall silent.

Well, that's weird. I tilt my head in confusion, but the waitresses look just as

lost as I am.

"Now that you mention it, we…meow…"

"No one knows where Syr lives?"

"Well, that, and nothing about what she does in her free time, meow."

Ahnya, Runoa, and Chloe all speak in turn. I can't hide my surprise.

These girls work together at this café and bar, so the fact that no one here

knows anything about Syr outside of work surprises me.

Lyu stays quiet for a moment as I look around in shock. Then she confirms

what her coworkers had been saying.

"We have tried—we've asked her about her private life…She says it's a

secret and quickly changes the subject every time."

Lyu looks slightly off to the side before explaining.

"Only one thing to do, meow—A quest, boy! Find Syr, trail her, and discover

her secrets, meow!"

"Huh?!"

"Oh! Great idea! We might find out a few of her weaknesses at the same

time! Two birds, one stone!"

W-weakness…?

Chloe and Runoa enthusiastically jump on board right away. I break out in a

cold sweat at the prospect.

Lyu cocks an eyebrow. "Stop this at once. You are putting Mr. Cranell in a

difficult spot." But that doesn't put an end to their excitement.

"As long as there's a reward, what's the problem, meow? What should it be,

meow…I could sing you a song, meow!"

"Huh? Ahnya, are you a good singer?"

"The best! Why don't I give you a little taste, meow? My throat's feeling

great today—"

"Stop that, tone-deaf kitty!"

"We told you, customers won't come if you sing, meow!"

Ahnya was all set, ready to start humming a few bars, when the other girls

descended on her with a vengeance.

Two of them pinned the catgirl to the ground and held her mouth shut.

"MpFHHH!" Another bead of sweat drips down my skin.

Just how bad a singer is she…?

"Mr. Cranell, please don't take them seriously."

"Ha-ha…Okay, I won't."

Lyu was very clear. I try to smile.

I decide not to stick around much longer and say a quick good-bye. I leave

the bar and café behind.

"Now, what to do today…"

The sky is bright and blue over my head. I walk among the many demi-

humans on West Main Street, taking in the sights and sounds.

We aren't going into the Dungeon today.

To be honest, the goddess and Welf insisted. "You've gone in every day for a

while now, so take a rest," they said, and practically forbade me from going

anywhere near the Dungeon entrance.

Welf spends a lot of time in the forge, and the girls are very careful not to

work too hard and spend a lot of time away from the battle party. I guess that my

going to the Dungeon every day without fail must've really made an impression.

But she's so far ahead of me. Catching up to her is going to take everything

I've got…

"…Still, a day or two like this won't hurt."

I shield my eyes from the sparkling early summer sun and try to smile.

Everyone's looking out for me, and they do have a point. I won't be able to

accomplish anything in the Dungeon without being well rested. Even Eina told

me days off are just as important as days in the Dungeon.

Time to spread my wings. I should try something new and walk around the

city for a change. It might do me some good.

I live here, but it's amazing how much of the city I don't know…

The small, family-run shops that have lined the backstreets for generations,

the flower stores that are run by animal women who aren't affiliated with any

familia, the random Jyaga Maru Kun street stands in the most out-of-the-way

places…There are hardly any adventurers here because they're in the Dungeon.

Everything I see as I look all around is new, and it's painfully apparent that I

don't know the first thing about Orario aboveground.

The Labyrinth City is huge.

There are many different neighborhoods in the city, from the Industrial

District to the Shopping District, and the one I recently became too familiar

with, the Pleasure Quarter.

I've lived here for over three months now, but there's still so much I haven't

seen yet. It seems like there's a new discovery around every corner. Then again,

I'm sure the fact that I'm always in the Dungeon has something to do with it.

The sky is bright blue and clear overhead. I'm in a great mood as I pass

through the main streets and back alleys.

I see people I've never met and places I've never been to, and I catch new

smells at every turn.

I'm really starting to enjoy this. Today's my break from the Dungeon, and it

finally feels like I'm taking advantage of it.

Why not splurge? I happen to come across a place selling meat skewers at the

edge of one of the side streets and decide to buy one. The animal man behind the

counter is about to ring me up when he says, "Hey, aren't you the Little

Rookie?" He's so happy that he gives me another skewer for free.

Honestly, I don't know if I should be embarrassed, but it's an amazing feeling

to be recognized. I enjoy the warm happiness settling in my chest while walking

down the street with a stick of meat in each hand.

"Whew…"

The last of the meat juices drips down my chin as I finish satisfying my

hunger, so I find a bench in Central Park and have a seat.

Amid all the trees and water features built into the city's center, amid all the

people coming and going, I look up at Babel Tower in all its glory. The white

tower of the gods stretches all the way into the blue sky, practically into the

heavens. I can't believe I forgot how awesome it is.

I see it every day, so I should be used to it. It's just…it looks different

somehow today.

"Huh…?"

I've been enjoying the sun's warmth on my face for a little while.

I'm looking off in the distance at nothing in particular, watching the ebb and

flow of many demi-humans passing through Central Park, when I catch a

glimpse of a girl.

I recognize the silver hair waving back and forth and immediately sit up.

"Isn't that Syr?"

The conversation at The Benevolent Mistress was only a few hours ago. I

shift to the edge of the bench.

She's wearing a clean white dress with a straw hat.

I usually see her dressed for work, so this cool, early summer look takes my

breath away. She's pretty cute.

Syr comes from the southwest, walking north into Central Park. But she

doesn't pass through the center, instead skirting around the edge toward East

Main. I see her starting to disappear into the crowd from my bench on the

northern rim of Central Park and get to my feet.

The voices of Ahnya, Chloe, Runoa, and Lyu are running through my head.

Everything said this morning is on replay.

I think about it, but curiosity gets the best of me and I follow her into the

crowd.

Not sleepy anymore, I go through the entrance to East Main Street.

"Where is Syr going…?"

I avoid the path of the horse-drawn taxis and stay close behind the fluttering

silver hair and white dress.

The Guild controls many of the buildings and facilities located in the East

District. The massive Coliseum stands out among all the fancy red-brick hotels

that spread out as far as I can see. I have a strong feeling that this area is for

hosting events as well as tourists and travelers when they visit the city.

Syr has something in her hands—a large basket, maybe? There's a pretty big

lid on it, too.

She must be taking something somewhere…I come up with few guesses as to

what it might be, when she suddenly veers off the main road and onto a side

street.

I follow her southeast, making sure to stay close enough to see her but far

enough away not to be noticed, meaning I need to dash to catch up with her

every time she disappears around a corner.

Wait a second, I know this street…

I've seen this narrow alleyway before. Even so, I follow her farther in.

A few more turns down other paths and my suspicions are confirmed.

"Daedalus Street…?"

The whole place spreads out in front of me after I come out of the last

alleyway, and my eyes widen.

Daedalus Street. Built by an architect said to have gone insane and remodeled

the neighborhood many times over, it's a residential area with absolutely no

sense of order or direction. With its stone buildings and stairwells and winding

roads going up and down with no rhyme or reason, it's easy to understand why

this place has been called Orario's "second Dungeon."

I stop to catch my breath and watch as Syr casually makes her way through

the entrance.

I've already come this far…can't exactly turn back now.

Memories of bad experiences in this place hold me back for a moment, but

my mind is already made up.

Passing through the gates to Daedalus Street myself, I double-check to make

sure I can feel the Divine Knife snugly tucked into my belt.

For starters, this place is a slum where the poorest citizens in Orario live, and

a lot has happened to me here, so having a weapon ready is reassuring. Keeping

my guard up, I make my way into the maze of blackened brick and stone.

What would Syr be doing in here…?

I climb to the top of some stairs, only to have my path blocked by a room

jutting out of a stone house. I turn around, looking for the way forward, only to

see a dark, narrow street where the sun can't reach. The only light is coming

from a worn-out magic-stone lamp. There are people here, but I don't think

they've had a bath in a while; they're doing laundry next to the well or enjoying

a game of chess by the side of the road. I make my way past and onto even more

complicated roads.

I can still see Syr, but the way she moves through here without any hesitation

is bringing up more questions than answers. Down-on-their-luck and less-than-

respectable adventurers are known to hide in this slum; this area's crime rate was

the highest in Orario. A girl without the Blessing of a deity shouldn't be walking

around alone in here. That's just asking for trouble…

But such concerns seem to be nothing to her because she's carrying that

basket and moving forward without a care in the world.

I got completely lost in here during Monsterphilia and during my escape from

the Pleasure Quarter. Honestly, I doubt I can get out of here by myself. There are

red arrows—called ariadne—on street corners that should lead the way, and I try

my best to memorize them. Unfortunately, I lose sight of Syr in those precious

moments and take off at a sprint in the last direction I saw her in a desperate

attempt to catch up.

Up and down, left and right, and forward through so many streets.

Flashes of Syr's white dress guide me to the front of a building.

—A church?

Indeed, this building hidden at the heart of the city's labyrinth reminds me a

lot of the place Lady Hestia and I used to call home.

It's built out of wood, and it's really big. There's an open courtyard in front

of it with a broken fountain that doesn't spray water anymore. The buildings

around the church encompass it on the remaining sides. I cautiously stick my

head around the corner of the side street that led me here and see Syr open the

church's front door with a loud creak. She disappears inside.

"…"

There's a church in this place, too…? Many questions fill my mind as I look

up at the old structure.

There are several broken glass windows at the top of the outside walls.

Moments pass as I stare at them, trying to decide whether or not to go forward. I

have to see this through. I go to the front door and place my palms on the door

handle.

"Anyone here…?" I say softly as I pull the old wooden door aside and go in.

"This place is massive!"

Sure, it looks big from the front, but the real surprise is how deep it goes.

The main chamber has got to be at least ten meders across, and the walls to

my left and right are lined with doors that lead to other rooms. There's an altar

all the way at the back. The tile under my feet has so many cracks that wild grass

is threatening to reclaim the floor. The ceiling is high, too. The architect

Daedalus himself would be right at home.

Several long wooden pews are stacked on top of one another nearby.

"That seems like…"

A fort that kids would make.

The back-and-forth pattern of the pile of pews makes it look like a small

castle. I think to myself, as I pass it and search for clues as to where Syr went,

that…I'm not alone.

Adventurers who've spent any time in the Dungeon have sharpened this

sense to the point where we can pick it up very quickly. My body reacts to the

feeling of being watched before any noises reach my ears. I look in that

direction, ready.

I'm almost to the altar when I feel it coming from my right. Sure enough, a

small face is poking out from behind one of the doors.

"…Who are you?"

I see a child, a blond elf with a vacant expression.

"I…um, I'm not a bad guy or anything. I-I'm just looking for someone…"

"Someone…?"

I kind of broke in here, didn't I? Flustered, I try to explain myself to the

child. The elf stares at me and emerges from behind the door.

Dirty-blond hair and plump pointed ears.

Maybe not an elf; half-elf?

The kid keeps his eyes on me as he walks closer without any concern

whatsoever.

A little boy…or maybe a girl? I seriously can't tell, but the kid comes right

up to me.

I have no idea how to react to his continuous stare. But maybe he knows

something about Syr. I decide to ask him and open my mouth, but before any

sound can come out…

"Yo, Ruu, Big Sis Syr's going to have a fit if she sees—You. Who are you?"

"What's going on, Lai?"

The voices of two more kids cut through the air.

I look up and see them burst from the door and grab hold of the half-elf child,

shield him from me. One is a human boy with brown hair, the other is a

chienthrope girl with her tail tucked against her body.

Both are glaring at me like I'm some monster fresh out of the Dungeon, but

they also have an extremely nervous light in their eyes. This isn't good. I have to

convince them that I'm not a threat, explain my situation, and fast.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you and I'm not going to do anything! I'm

just here looking for…Wait a second, didn't you say 'Syr' just now?"

"…What if I did?"

"That's who I'm looking for! Do you know where she is?"

The boy and girl glance at each other, apparently startled, the moment I bring

up her name.

They don't move, but the half-elf they're protecting pushes them away,

swatting at their hands.

"Lai, Fina…This one is…not bad."

We've never met before, but he sounds so sure of himself.

The human and the animal girl let their shoulders relax after hearing that, but

they're still very much on alert.

"…So, do you know Big Sis Syr?"

"Ah, yes. I'm really sorry for scaring you. Can I ask who you are? And about

this church, too…"

I bend down to their height, a little bit shorter than the goddess. I'd say

they're about as tall as Lilly.

That's also when I catch a glimpse of several more little faces poking out the

door behind them. They aren't saying anything, only watching.

The chienthrope girl is closest to me when I ask my question, but it's the half-

elf child who answers instead.

"Lai, Fina, and me, Ruu…We live here, in Mother Maria's house."

The child points to everyone in turn and then talks about the church.

Mother Maria…I wonder what he means by "house."

Well, that didn't tell me very much.

"Okay, um…What were you doing?"

"…Running away from Big Sis's lunch box."

The little girl, Fina, answers this time, but I can tell she's still on edge.

"Huh?" I respond, not sure how to process what she said.

I take a moment to think it over—when the boy, who'd been watching me

with suspicious eyes this whole time, suddenly flinches. His arm flings forward,

finger pointed directly at my face.

"White hair and red eyes—you're Bell Cranell, second-tier adventurer!"

"Little Rookie?!"

"From the War Game?!"

The door bursts open the moment Lai yells, children toppling over one

another as they rush out into the main chamber.

My eyes go wide as the wave of children consumes me.

"Holy cow, it's really him!"

"He's no hume bunny, but he looks just like a rabbit!"

"Can I see your knife?"

The initial hit knocks me off balance. That would've been fine, but more and

more kids jump onto my legs, some of the larger ones trying to tackle me.

"Ouph!" Was that a headbutt just now?! Their high-pitched screams and laughter

fill my ears as I try desperately to keep my feet.

It's a tidal wave of youthful humanity, with the boy named Lai at the helm.

Even the chienthrope girl has gotten excited and joined the ring forming around

me. The half-elf, looking aloof as ever, is outside the ring, quietly watching us.

Completely surrounded with many sets of hands on me from all angles, I grab

hold of my knife to protect it. But what can I do? I can't just throw them off me

by force, and at this rate—.

"Wait, wa WAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I fall flat on my back in the middle of the floor.

"Wh-what's going on out here?!"

"Children!"

My pitiful scream and all the children's laughter draw two women out of the

room directly behind the altar.

One is an elderly human, and the other is…Syr.

She looks down at me in surprise. Must be quite a sight, me cradling the

Divine Knife in both hands while underneath a pile of excited children.

All I can do is laugh dryly as I look back up at her, while trying my best to

ignore all the small hands pulling at my hair and cheeks.

"So then, you followed me out here?"

"Y-yeah…I'm really sorry."

We're in the cafeteria at the back of the church.

I'm sitting in a chair next to a large round table, getting scolded by Syr and

apologizing to the best of my ability.

After I was unearthed from a mountain of kids, everyone came inside the

cafeteria.

Sure, the walls and pillars are showing their age. There are cracks all over the

place. But the use of magic-stone lamps and half-melted candlesticks is proof

that there are people living here. There are at least twenty children around Syr

and me, watching and listening to us with great interest.

"Um, so, this church is…?"

"Exactly as you're thinking, Mr. Cranell. This is an orphanage."

The elderly woman is facing us…I've only just been introduced to Mother

Maria, but she's smiling at me like an old friend. The half-elf from before, Ruu,

and another child are standing at her sides with a tight grip on her arms.

She told me that she's been living with all the children here inside this old

abandoned church for quite a while now. This isn't part of some organized

program, but the elderly woman explained that they're living happily here. Poor,

but finding a way to make it day to day. What's more, she said everything with a

smile.

She has long black hair, but it's tied up on top of her head. She's on the thin

side, so her facial features are a little more pronounced. Even so, she has a

calming air about her. All the children here call her "Mother," and after being on

the receiving end of her kind gaze, I understand why.

She must love kids.

"But…if this is an orphanage, that means…"

"Bell, this kind of place isn't all that uncommon on Daedalus Street."

I started a question, unsure about how to ask. Syr speaks up from the chair

next to me and offers an explanation.

She says it's impossible to know how many children have been born among

the adventurers residing in Orario, but there are a lot of them. And it's not a

guarantee that they have parents who have sworn to spend their lives together

and work toward a common future. In fact, many babies are the product of single

nights of passion or the result of working in the Pleasure Quarter…Anyway,

there are many reasons a woman might have to give up her child.

After all, this is Orario. Many adventurers lose their lives in the Dungeon,

leaving widows and children behind.

The ones unlucky enough not to be allowed into a deceased adventurer's

former familia, as well as the parents who can't handle the responsibility, often

resort to abandoning their offspring in this slum, Daedalus Street.

"At first, it was out of pity. I just couldn't bring myself to ignore a child

who'd been abandoned by their parents…so I claimed this abandoned church as

my own and decided to help these children in my own way."

Maria explains this sad truth all while patting the children on the head.

I hear that she once was one of the women left behind by an adventurer and

had never joined a familia. She wasn't fortunate enough to have a child with the

man she loved but instead took in a child—abandoned during a rainstorm in the

middle of the night—she had found in this slum. She couldn't bring herself to

think of the situation as someone else's problem and raised the child as her own.

That sequence of events repeated itself several times, and that's how this

place came to be.

"…"

Mother Maria's story still in my ears, I take a look at the children seated

around the table.

Every single one of them abandoned by their parents…That's another side of

Orario I didn't know about. I can feel the muscles in my face tightening, my

heart sinking.

"What's that face for, Little Rookie? We're happy here with Mother, so we

don't need your pity."

"S-sorry."

The human boy, Lai, glares at me, the many half-healed scratches on his face

bending with his frown.

"Watch your mouth!" Mother Maria scolds him, but I still apologize right

away.

He's right…I don't need to feel sorry for them. These children are smiling,

laughing every day with a loving mother. I doubt any of them feels like life gave

them the short end of the stick.

"Can I, um, ask another question? Do you have enough money…?"

"Yes, enough to manage. We're lucky that several compassionate goddesses

lend their assistance."

It'd be impossible to take care of this many kids without a healthy bank

account. Mother Maria lightly smiles when I bring it up and lays my fears to

rest. She also explains that other than this one, "Maria's Orphanage," there are

even more places like this on Daedalus Street. They're all funded by a group of

familias, providing them with enough money to keep their heads above water.

One woman would certainly have her hands full taking care of these kids, so

I'm sure she's grateful for any help she gets in keeping them fed. She still has

that gentle smile on her face.

Maybe I could talk to the goddess, see if we can help, too.

Then again, we don't exactly have much money to spare…

My train of thought takes off when, out of the corner of my eye, I see Syr

chuckling to herself as if she's reading my mind.

"Syr has been gracious enough to come by and play with the children ever

since we met. She does so much to help while she's here, I don't know what I'd

do without her."

"Oh, so that's what's been going on…"

"Hee-hee-hee. Have you solved the case, Detective Bell?"

"I-I guess so…" My cheeks get hot as Syr starts teasing me.

So then, Syr comes out here whenever she has any free time. Which means

that she's playing with these kids when she's not working at The Benevolent

Mistress.

"Big Sis Syr brings us delicious food from her restaurant."

"She's been here every day recently…"

The chienthrope girl, Fina, chimes in with a smile on her face, and the half-

elf boy (?) Ruu tells me even more in his spacey voice.

Judging from all the excited, happy grins, they want to play with Syr just as

much as she wants to be here. That explains where she's been for the better part

of these past two weeks while playing hooky from her job at the bar and café.

"This is a secret from everyone, including Lyu, okay?" Syr warned me once I

figured out the truth.

It sounds like she thinks they'll be angry with her if they find out she's been

playing with kids.

Hmm, I really don't think there'd be a problem if she explained the

situation…

But…

Why is she coming here in the first place?

Going back a bit further, how did she meet Mother Maria?

It's going to bother me if I don't ask about it. I turn to do just that, when

suddenly…

"Hey hey, enough about that stuff. What's the Dungeon like?"

Lai's champing at the bit. He's even halfway out of his chair.

That gets the other kids going, too. More and more of them jump out of their

seats, asking me to tell them stories about being an adventurer.

I look around, trying to figure out if I should. "Please, go ahead." Syr smiles

at me from her chair at my side.

While I'm a little surprised by this turn of events, I start talking. Thinking

back on my time as an adventurer, I give them a few highlights, jumping around

a bit.

Of course, I leave out the battle against the strange Black Goliath because the

gag order from the Guild is still in effect. But the kids seem to enjoy hearing

about the beautiful quartz in the Dungeon pantry and the time the Goliath chased

me on the seventeenth floor.

Seeing that twinkle in their eyes makes me really happy, and I start giving

even more details…But then I see the look on Mother Maria's face.

Her eyes are cloudy, almost depressed. "Oh, I'm sorry." She apologizes when

she sees me looking at her.

"Many of the children I've raised became adventurers…"

Her eyebrows sink as she smiles sadly.

"A great deal of them joined a familia, went into the Dungeon, and shared

their earnings with this church…That is, until they didn't come back."

"Oh…"

"I don't want these little ones to suffer the same fate…That's all."

Being an adventurer is a high-risk, high-reward occupation where your life is

always on the line.

There's no better job to have if you want to make money quickly, but at the

same time, death is always one wrong step away. And many of the children who

were lovingly raised by Mother Maria didn't listen to her pleas, choosing to help

the orphanage by going into the Dungeon. They became just like the adventurers

who left their families behind…

I should've known. The children might have goaded me into it, but it was

careless of me to fill their heads with ideas that glorified the work of an

adventurer. Now they probably want to go into the Dungeon more than ever, and

history will repeat itself.

What can I say to Mother Maria now? She's so worried about their futures,

and I just…Lai suddenly jumps to his feet.

"You don't have to worry about me, Mother! I'm going to the Education

District!"

The oldest of the children declares this with a beaming smile on his face.

"I'll study so hard and learn so much and get so strong that I can make lots of

money!"

"Well…Of course I won't stop you from going to the Education District…"

"Money's not a problem! There's this thing called a 'scholarship,' isn't there?

The Education District is coming back to Orario this year, so everything should

work out perfectly!"

"You might be too old to start, Lai…"

The boy grins ear to ear, his brown hair swishing around his head as he

excitedly explains his plan. Maria can only force a smile. Fina and the other

children start piping up, "I'm going, too!" "And me!" Many hands shoot into the

air, following Lai's lead. The large round table comes alive.

Syr watches them, a burgeoning smile on her lips. I seem to be the only one

who's confused.

"Education District…?"

"Don't you know?"

"Seriously, Little Rookie? Some adventurer you are!"

Fina and Lai start an avalanche of childish retorts and teasing remarks all

aimed at me because I'm clueless. Blushing again, I try my best to laugh it off.

"Hey, have some respect for your elders! And he's not 'Little Rookie'! His

name is Bell, yes?"

Syr stands up and comes to my defense.

They quiet down right away, but several of the kids, including Lai, have evil

grins on their lips even as they say, "Oka—y."

Well, this is different.

Syr's being an older sister.

I've never heard her raise her voice like that before, and it catches me off

guard.

I stare at the side of her face, dumbfounded until…DING! DONG!

Bells start ringing on the eastern side of the city. It's noon.

"Oh, it's lunchtime. Well then, let's eat."

With that, Syr puts the large basket onto the table. It's the one that I saw her

carrying on the way here.

Flipping open the lid, she takes out one container of food after another.

Grilled meat, sandwiches, you name it…There's a little of everything.

So then, the basket she was carrying was filled with food for these

impoverished kids.

I missed my chance to learn more about this "Education District," but I can

just ask Eina next time I see her.

Happy with that conclusion, I look around the room and…all the children are

completely silent.

"Ah…huh? What's wrong?"

"Big Sis's…lunch box…"

Fina's close by, so I ask her what the problem is. The expression on her face

is so glum it would make a grown man cry. The other kids, too. Even the ever-

distant Ruu has his lips clamped shut.

Wait a minute, didn't they say something about running away from Syr's

lunch when I first walked in…? Huh?

Maria smiles wryly as I take a step back.

"Now everyone, dig in!" says Syr, arms open wide and beaming like a

goddess as she faces the table.

After the children recover from the mental trauma of seeing Syr's cooking

placed in front of them, they slowly but surely extend their hands toward the

precious food that will delay starvation for another day.

"Ugh, uhhh."

"Today, again, like last time…"

"Have to eat it…or the food'll…go to waste…!"

Moans and groans fill the room as the kids force the food down their throats.

Starting with Fina, Ruu, and Lai, every face around the table darkens with the

first bite of meat or vegetables. Only their love for Mother Maria and the

orphanage they call home gives them the will to clean their plates.

…Sure, Syr's cooking always has some unique flavors to it, but…

The contrast between her happy smile and the suffering of the kids around the

table is astounding. It can't be that bad, can it? I reach out and take one of the

sandwiches to see for myself—Snatch!

Syr takes it right out of my hand.

"These aren't for you, Bell."

"Eh? But…"

"I said no."

"O-okay."

I've never felt so much pressure from a smiling face. Giving up now without

a fuss is the best option.

Holding the sandwich in her hands, Syr tells me, "I made these lunches today

for the children, so it wouldn't be fair to them for you to eat one, Bell." Now I'm

just embarrassed. She says she'll go make some tea and takes the empty basket

with her into the back of the kitchen.

"Did you see that? Big Sis was acting so girlie…"

"There's someone who she wants to compliment her cooking, for sure…"

Whispering voices start flying everywhere with Syr out of the room. A bead

of cold sweat runs down my neck as many little eyes focus on me.

"It's your fault that Syr started making lunches…!"

"She used to bring delicious food from the café every time…!"

"We're guinea pigs…"

Lai glares at me with tears in his eyes, the same as Fina. Ruu is looking

blankly off into space, muttering to himself.

It takes me a while, but I think I understand what's going on here.

These children are being sacrificed to protect my stomach.

The tragedy unfolding in front of my eyes is all for me, but I'm too scared to

say anything.

I chance a glance at Mother Maria…and she looks away.

"No, no, the food is edible, and we are very…grateful…"

All the muscles in my face tense up. I'm at a loss.

"Ughhhh…" Another child's moan echoes off the wall before fading into the

air.

"If you have time, would you play with the children?"

As soon as everyone is finished massaging their stomachs, Maria gives me

the invitation.

"They seem to have taken a liking to you, Mr. Cranell…"

She smiles at me again, and I have no reason to refuse. So I smile and accept.

I hunch over as the children grab my arms and pull me out of the room to join

Syr and the others out in the main chamber.

"Big Sis, story time, story time!"

"Bell, adventurers and monsters!"

Syr joins the girls in the corner, telling nursery rhymes and singing songs.

The boys corral me into the open space in the middle of the chamber. I'm the

"monster" in their game before I know it.

Afternoon sunlight pours into the chamber through the broken windows. The

children run around on the grass-sprouting tile floor, smiling and laughing.

They drag Syr and me all over the place.

"So, um, little Lai…"

"Lai, just Lai. You're an adventurer, aren't you? Why the heck do you speak

like that? Feels weird. Just call everyone by their name!"

I talk with some of the kids amid the playful chaos and laughter.

The human boy, Lai—"just Lai"—has lived here the longest. He'll turn

eleven this year.

His skin is covered in small cuts, like he plays outside all the time. There's a

bit of a wild air to him, kind of like Welf, in a way. He keeps asking me about

the Dungeon even after everything Maria said. I'm sure this boy wants to be an

adventurer.

"Hey, Bell, are you Syr's lover?"

"Nothing like that!"

"Why not? Big Sis Syr's really cute. Not much of a cook, but, yeah…She's

thinner than she looks. And her boobs are pretty big, too—"

"Don't say any more, please…!"

The chienthrope, Fina, is a blossoming young lady.

She and Lai are the oldest of the kids, and the leaders. Her long cream-

colored hair is surprisingly straight. It looks a lot like mine, if my hair were

longer and straighter. With her bright eyes and small nose, she'll be a beautiful

young woman in a few years or so. She was really nervous when we first met,

but she's warmed up to me quite a bit. Warmed up so much that…she's started to

say things that shouldn't be said.

"Um, Ruu? Are you a boy or…?"

"…Sleepy."

"I, um, I see…"

The half-elf Ruu is a year younger than Lai, and a strange child.

Thanks to the elvish blood in his veins, the little boy—I think—is probably

the handsomest of all the children here. Since Ruu doesn't say much at all and

has short dirty-blond hair, I seriously can't tell if this kid is a boy or girl. His

mind is always somewhere else, and there aren't any other clues to help me out.

Actually, there are many mixed children at the orphanage, along with

humans, animal people, prums, and even a timid Amazon. But every one of them

is bubbling over with curiosity and has a ton of energy.

"Big Sis Syr! Let's play!"

"Aww, I wanna play, too!"

"Sure. Everyone will have a turn, so don't fight, okay?"

Syr continues her rounds through the main chamber of the church, playing

games with all the kids. I overhear her talking with a few and catch a glimpse of

her being pulled in a different direction. Not just the girls, the boys want to play

with her, too.

Just like before…This is strange.

I know Syr only as a bar waitress, so seeing her laugh like this, playing

games with the kids, giving them hugs and whatnot…it feels so different.

The kids absolutely adore her; I can see it in their eyes. I watch her playing

with the kids for a little while, entranced until she peers over her shoulder. She

must've noticed my gaze because she's giggling at me.

Cute and beautiful at the same time…My cheeks are getting hot again.

"…?"

Children are on both sides of her, laughing and exchanging smiles. But Lai is

sneaking up behind her with an evil grin on his face.

She hasn't noticed him. Lai's eyes flash as if he's spotted a once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity to attack a defenseless target from behind "Gotcha!" He grabs her

skirt and flings it up in the blink of an eye.

"!"

"EEK!"

The ruffled white fabric goes up past her belly button. I see it all happen in

slow motion, my eyes open wide.

So…so this is…what Gramps was always talking about! The legendary

The hell am I thinking?!

I get a full view of panties the same color as her dress. Now my skin is

roughly the same color as an apple, my face burning red.

Her cute little squeal fills the chamber as she quickly pushes the fabric back

down and turns to face me before freezing in place. Syr looks me right in the

eye.

Her cheeks the color of an overripe peach, she storms up to me.

"Did you see?"

"No, not really, well, I…!"

"You saw, didn't you?"

"Y-yes, but…!"

"You're horrible, Bell!!"

"How was that my fault?!"

Her eyes filled with fire and the tip of her nose bright red, Syr lets the

accusations fly. I blush even more and desperately try to stand my ground.

"A boy…A boy saw my panties…Bell, as punishment, you have to do

whatever I say!"

"I—What?!"

"If you don't…I'll tell Lyu and the others you peeked up my skirt!"

"That's not fair!!"

I'll be dead by morning if she does that! She's blackmailing me with false

charges! I yell back at the red-faced Syr, desperate tears beginning to leak from

my eyes.

"…It worked…For the first time ever, I got to flip Big Sis's skirt…"

"You always catch him…No way. Big Sis, was that on purpose?"

"Skill and technique…"

Lai, Fina, and Ruu have gathered around our argument, their eyes wide as

they mumble to one another.

I think that's fear in their eyes as they look at her. As for me, on the other

hand, they seem to be enjoying my embarrassment…I give in, in the end.

My punishment for seeing under Syr's skirt becomes performing one task—

anything she wants me to do.

"Okay, Bell…Take a nap with your head in my lap."

"?!"

"That girl, the Sword Princess, Aiz Wallenstein, has done that for you before,

hasn't she?"

Why would she want that?

Wait a minute…How does she know that Aiz…?

"As you know, Bell, Loki Familia are regulars at the bar where I work. Their

goddess, Loki, seems to like us…and she's quite the talker when drunk, so

imagine my surprise when they started talking about the famous Sword

Princess…"

"I'll do it, okay! You don't have to say anything else!!"

Sure, it was a while ago, but I remember what was said all too well. My skin

flares pink yet again as I yell at the top of my lungs at Syr's extremely calculated

verbal strikes.

I knew she was a witch!

"Good. Now, then…"

She happily crouches down, bends her knees, and sits on the floor.

Every child in the orphanage is watching her, but she doesn't care. Getting

comfortable, she sticks out her knees in my direction.

Skin still bright red, I hesitate for a second. She's looking at me, enjoying the

moment and excited about what comes next—but then a light seems to go on in

her head.

She's thought of something new, but the grin on her lips gives it away. It's

easy to see the gears turning behind those eyes.

"…Bell, has the Sword Princess ever slept in your lap, by any chance…?"

"N-no, she hasn't."

Like that would ever happen! I practically choke on the words as they come

out.

She locks eyes with me after my answer, and I swear I see a little twinkle.

A few minutes later…

"Wha-ha-ha…"

"…"

It has come to pass: me sitting on the ground, Syr sprawled out on her back,

using my thigh as a pillow.

Her cheeks a bright shade of pink, she nuzzles her nose into my leg.

"Um, are we done yet…?"

"No, not yet."

I can't stand all these kids staring at us—it's like they're waiting for

something to happen. My only way out of this shame has her head in my lap. I

try to bring an end to the humiliation, but my plea is rejected.

This is a punishment from hell. I serve as Syr's pillow until my leg goes

completely numb.

We play in that church for hours.

Either they run out of energy, or seeing Syr so comfortable with her head in

my lap makes the kids drowsy.

The oldest kids, Lai's group, decide it's time for a nap. They lead the rest of

the kids up to one of the rooms on the second floor of the church, yawning all

the way.

"How about that, out like a light…"

"Out cold…"

The bedroom on the second floor is just as large as the cafeteria beneath it.

The floor is completely covered with blankets.

Building blocks and old picture books are scattered all over the place. It's a

kid's playroom in every sense of the word. I thought that some of the kids might

need a bedtime story to get to sleep, but all of them are off to dreamland at the

drop of a hat.

Cuddled up next to one another like a bunch of sardines in a can, the only

sound in the room is their soft breathing.

"…"

"Zzhh…" Syr lightly pats Ruu's head.

She's only a little bit older than me, but watching her kneel next to the kids

and smile affectionately makes her look more like a mother. If I didn't know it

was Syr, I'd say she was a saint or even a goddess.

Her silver hair gently brushes across the nape of her neck.

"Shall I put you down for a nap, too, Bell?"

"I'll, um, pass."

I blush just as hard as during the "lap nap" incident downstairs, so I hunch

over to try and hide my face as I look away and politely decline. She's laughing

at me again.

"Mr. Cranell, Syr. Both of you must be tired, yes? Leave the children to me

and get some rest."

Maria slowly opens the door and steps inside.

We take her up on the offer. She thanks us again for playing with the kids and

sees us off with a short bow. We quietly close the door behind us and leave the

room behind.

"Bell, how about a walk?"

Why would I refuse her invitation? I nod my head.

I follow her through the orphanage's main chamber and out to the small yard

behind the church.

"A garden…?"

"Mother Maria and the children are growing their own vegetables."

There's a well and a small fenced-in area behind the building. There's not

much sunlight back here, so the plants aren't very big, but I can tell that they're

well taken care of.

Looking up, I see the back garden is surrounded by layer upon layer of

square buildings in an almost random combination. However, there is a patch of

blue sky above the labyrinth just overhead.

"Syr…how did you meet Mother Maria and these kids?"

"It was just…a happy accident. I just strolled onto Daedalus Street one day,

and…"

There's a path among the buildings that surround the church's backyard. We

follow it all the way to a wide road.

Well, a wider road, anyway. It still feels like a back alley would in a different

part of the city, except here there are stairs going up and down in every direction.

At the same time, there is quite a bit of rubble strewn about, as well as the last

remaining walls of collapsed buildings jutting into the air.

Maybe it's because of the bright blue sky, but seeing this isn't all that

depressing. I can't see or hear anyone else around, so walking through here with

Syr is kind of calming. Even time seems to be passing at a leisurely pace.

We come to a massive building, probably community housing. The wall

facing us is thick and tall, almost like the side of a distorted castle. Even so, we

gradually make our way past while navigating through the rubble.

"The truth is…I grew up in this slum."

"!"

"I don't have a mother or father…so maybe that's why I can't leave those

children to their fates."

I turn toward her; she's looking off into the distance in front of us. I can see

only half her face. The eye in my line of sight is almost completely closed, yet,

somehow, twinkling.

Syr grew up dirt poor, as an orphan in this slum—.

This secret I've learned shocks me to my core.

She takes a quick glance at me before going into more detail, explaining she

comes to Daedalus Street for the same reasons that Maria chose to open the

orphanage.

Once she knew it was there, it had become her routine to visit and interact

with the children.

Parents…

I have no memory of my mother and father. I don't even know what their

faces looked like.

What I do know is that they both passed away soon after I was born.

But I don't think I was ever lonely. All thanks to Gramps…His happiness, his

energy always kept up my spirits.

But…the desire to meet my parents, to hear their voices…I can relate to that

feeling.

I'm not all that different from those orphans. They have Maria and Syr to

bring light into their lives, just like Gramps did for me.

"But I I didn't want you to know, Bell."

"Oh?"

Step, step, step. I look back in her direction and see her ascending a flight of

stairs that leads to the top of only another pile of rubble.

There's no path through there; she's walking on top of the rubble on purpose.

"That's dangerous!" I call up to her. But she just keeps walking, the hem of her

white dress dancing around her legs as she goes. It's no use trying to convince

her to come down, so I climb up after her.

"What didn't you want me to know?"

"What I do on days like today. Putting a lot of effort into making lunches,

running around with a bunch of children…It's embarrassing."

I step carefully on top of the stone slabs as I follow her. She doesn't look

back when she answers my question. All I see is her silver hair swaying in the

light breeze.

Syr nearly loses her balance when one of the rocks beneath her feet shifts

unexpectedly, but she catches herself in time and keeps walking forward.

"I don't really care about that…"

"Well, it was embarrassing for me…Although it never was before today."

Her voice trails off into a whisper. "What did you say?" I call out, asking her

to repeat that second part, when…

"Eeek!"

Her foot falls into a crack in the sea of rubble, and she stumbles forward.

I warned her! There's no time to yell at her, though—I have to help!

Dashing forward across the stone slabs, I grab hold of her hand and pull her

to my chest.

"…"

"…"

"Whew…" Even before her sigh of relief is over…

Her body is pressed against mine, her eyes raised toward me. Our faces are so

close that I can feel her breath.

I can see my white hair and red eyes reflected in her silver ones.

Heat—my skin is heating up all over my body. I can feel her every curve

against mine. My cheeks are boiling. Oh, she's blushing, too.

This is a side of her I didn't see at the church—a little flustered. Her true

face.

"I…didn't mean to do that."

"Of course you didn't mean to!"

What is this girl saying?

Who in the world would fall like that on purpose?

"S-so embarrassing…"

She steps away from me, hiding her red face in her hands.

Seeing her reaction makes me realize something very important, albeit a bit

late.

The reason she came up here, and probably the reason for the lap nap, was

because she was ashamed and wanted to hide her "embarrassment."

The straight face was all an act. She had to go out of her way to do

embarrassing things on purpose just to put up with her own shame.

"…"

She's older than me, but this is the first time I've seen her act like a girl. It

really is strange.

I've always seen her as someone who's got every base covered, always on the

ball, as well as polite and friendly.

But after everything I've witnessed and learned today, I don't think I can see

her the same way again.

There are some butterflies in my stomach.

My cheeks flush as I look at her shyness; I'm drawn in by that look on her

face.

"…Maybe this is a good thing."

"?"

A few heavy heartbeats pass in silence on top of the rubble. Syr looks up

from her feet.

There's a carefree smile on her face, cheeks a rosy pink.

"Maybe it was good that you…found out after all. Because it became a

happy memory," she says.

She said that last part without hesitating, even though I can tell she still feels

a little awkward.

Now it's my turn to blush. She puts her fingers to her lips and smiles from ear

to ear. That's real happiness in her eyes.

I can only open and close my mouth a few times as I look at her beneath the

beautiful blue sky.

" ?"

Suddenly…

We're being watched.

I've recently gotten really good at sensing pairs of eyes focused on me.

Reflexes taking over, I spin and look up.

The upper floors of the "castle" community housing.

A balcony is sticking out of a tower overlooking us. And on it is a black and

gray catman.

That guy…I've seen him before.

For some reason, his thin frame triggers my memory.

I can't put my finger on it, but I'm sure we've crossed paths somewhere

before.

"Bell?"

"!"

I'm facing away from her, and she calls out to me.

"What's wrong?" She tilts her head to the side. I look back up to the top of

the building, but the catman has disappeared.

"Was somebody there?"

"Yes…I'm pretty sure."

My voice wavers as I look back and forth between her and the balcony.

Almost as if it was a midday mirage, there's no trace of the catman. The only

thing left on the balcony is the bright sunshine from overhead.

The sun is starting to go down.

Syr and I were assaulted by a barrage of questions from all the children the

moment we got back to Maria's Orphanage.

"Where did you go all by yourselves?" Fina led the charge as one kid after

another upped the ante with every question. The two of us somehow manage to

hold our own against the avalanche when I hear, "Would you like to stay for

dinner?" Maria invites me to join them.

I don't want to make the goddess and the others worry…but I can't ignore the

pleading looks on all the kids' faces, and there's Syr's request to consider. So I

decide to grab a quick bite and then get home as soon as possible.

I never thought that I'd spend my day off playing with a bunch of friendly

kids in an orphanage.

I can't help but grin once I see how happy they are after I agree to stay for

dinner. Looks like I've got a bit of time on my hands before it's ready, though.

"…Hey."

"?"

Maria and some of the kids have gone into the kitchen to start preparing the

food when I feel a pull on the back of my shirt.

I turn around and see the half-elf Ruu looking up at me with the same blank

stare while holding on to the hem of his shirt.

"What's up?"

"Here…"

I bend down to his height as he holds out his hand…with three metal coins in

his palm.

"O-oi! Ruu."

"Are you really going to ask?"

"Both of you said you're worried about it…"

Lai and Fina see us talking and dash over to Ruu's side.

Ruu's flat and level tone seems to have answered their questions. Falling

silent, they look up at me.

"Um, what's this…?"

"It's our…secret stash."

S-secret stash…?

These three metal coins? A bead of cold sweat runs down the back of my

neck as I look at the three valis in the palm of his hand.

"It's a reward…Sorry it's not more."

Okay, now I'm confused. The androgynous half-elf isn't done, though.

"Please accept our quest…"

A darkening sky is far overhead.

What's left of the sun casts us in a dark-red glow as I follow the three

children outside and through the back garden.

"Out here?"

"Yes…Not far."

The quest they asked me to complete—well, more like a favor—involves the

road filled with rubble that Syr and I walked through earlier this afternoon.

The all-important mission of said quest is to investigate a "mysterious voice"

coming from somewhere around here.

"We keep hearing this weird 'uwaa…uwaa' back here!"

"I was sure it was a dog or something like that…but there's nothing here."

Lai and Fina tell me about how they walked through here in the middle of the

night recently as a test of courage and heard it firsthand.

Ever since then, they've been avoiding this place yet still hear it from time to

time. Apparently it's an unnerving moan of some kind, and they want to know

what's making it.

I follow their line of sight out over the sea of rubble.

It's quiet out among the piles of stone and wood, no animals, no nothing…

"...wu…wuaa…"

…I hear it. It's real.

That has to be this mysterious voice the kids are talking about.

They immediately run to hide behind me even as I strain my ears to try and

get a better idea of what's out there.

My Status also enhances my senses. Thanks to my sharp ears, it doesn't take

me long to find the spot where the voice is coming from under the rubble. It's

hard to describe, almost like a cry. I come to a stop directly on top of it, nerves

starting to kick in.

It's the ruins of an old building, but…there's no mistake. The voice is coming

from directly below my feet.

"One, two, three…!"

Grabbing hold of the top piece of stone, I start moving rubble out of the way.

The kids sound really impressed. My Level 3 strength allows me to move

even the largest stone slabs and wooden logs out of the way to make a path.

A few minutes later, I take a step back to look at the exposed stone pavement.

It matches the rest of the roads perfectly.

…Wait, isn't that…?

There's a stone slab sticking out just above the pavement that looks oddly

familiar.

A few days ago, during my escape from the Pleasure Quarter—Lady Ishtar's

home—Haruhime led me through a series of hidden underground passages. The

exits were all hidden by wooden doors and stone caps that looked exactly like

this one.

Sure enough, there's just enough space between the stone slab and the rest of

the road to grab hold. What's more, the mysterious voice is definitely coming

through it.

Slipping my fingers through the crack, I pull the "door" up off the ground.

"Whoa! That's awesome…!"

"Is…is this a secret tunnel?"

"You're amazing, mister…"

I swat the rising dust cloud away from my face as the kids run through the

sea of rubble to have a look for themselves.

Hearing the excitement, curiosity, and admiration in their voices sets my train

of thought in motion.

More than likely, this tunnel connects directly to the Pleasure Quarter. And,

more important, there's something in there at this very moment.

My muscles tense as I silently prepare myself.

It's the same feeling I get before going into the Dungeon. I control my

breathing to center my focus.

For the first time today, I feel like an adventurer.

"You three, and Bell, too! My word, what're you doing all the way out here?"

Syr's voice and footsteps sound from the street that leads back to the

orphanage.

As bluish darkness covers the sky in the east, she approaches and waves a

portable magic-stone lamp at us.

She's probably angry because we left through the back exit without telling

anyone. But her silver eyes go wide the moment she sees the open doorway at

our feet.

"What is that…?"

"I think it's an entrance to an underground tunnel. Syr, please keep an eye on

them while I check it out."

I explain the series of events that led us here before letting her know my plan.

Of course, none of us knows what's down there, so I should investigate by

myself first…or at least that was the plan.

"I'm coming, too!" "And me…" "It's…it's a bit scary, but I…"

The kids want to come with me.

What am I supposed to do? Maybe Syr can help.

"After seeing this, you understand how hard it would be for me to just wait

here, don't you? I'll be joining you as well."

She said it all with a smile.

Well, it'd be a lie to say I don't understand that feeling…I look back at her,

eyes half closed in an empty gaze, and fight back the urge to sigh. There's no

refusing her at this point.

I agree to let them come along as long as they don't go off on their own and

they promise to stay close to my side. "We promise!" come three excited voices

on top of Syr's. This is starting to feel like a field trip.

But no, I have to focus. Taking the portable lamp from Syr, I start down the

staircase that leads underground.

"Whoa…It looks like the Dungeon down here…"

"It's…very dark…"

"Dusty, too…"

The light from the lamp in my hand cuts through the overwhelming darkness

engulfing the stairs.

Stone stairwell, stone walls, stone ceiling…I knew it. This passage looks

almost the same as the one I traveled through with Haruhime. Then it's almost a

sure thing that that estranged architect designed these tunnels.

Lai is excited, Fina is a little frightened, and Ruu is the same as always. Their

voices echo off the walls as we go farther and farther down. Proceeding as

carefully as possible, I catch a glimpse of something embedded in the stone wall

—a lamp. Syr sees it, too. She reaches up and—bzzt! The lamp comes to life,

making a small hum and lighting the tunnel enough for our eyes to adjust.

There are more lamps spaced out at intervals farther down the tunnel. With

every step I take, I'm more and more certain that this is connected to the same

path that I took when I ran away from the Pleasure Quarter.

Then, as the kids' curiosity is starting to reach its peak…the mysterious cry

sounds from deeper in, louder than ever before. All of us pause to catch our

breath.

"Stay quiet."

With whatever it is making that sound close by, I whisper to the kids to make

sure they don't draw unwanted attention.

My serious tone must've caught them off guard, because all three freeze like

statues, their mouths shut tight. Syr, looking as composed as ever, gives me a

quick nod, and I leave the kids to her.

I have allies with me when I go into the Dungeon. Just having them there

gives me strength but…I'm the only one who can fight right now. No matter

what happens, I have to protect them.

The Divine Knife is still tucked snugly against my waist. Of course, I don't

have any armor on. My item pouch…has only the three metal coins I received

for accepting this quest. I'm completely unprepared for a fight.

A sense of the unknown overtakes me. I can't get this feeling in the Dungeon

because it has been explored by a countless number of my predecessors. Now

I'm the one making headway. Fully aware of my surroundings, I scout ahead to

the bottom of the staircase.

"Uwaa…uh…Uhhaa."

A dark, open space. All I can tell is that I'm in a decently wide chamber and

that the noise is coming from the opposite corner, completely shrouded in black

shadows.

—No human or animal makes that sound.

All the muscles in my face tighten as I tell Syr and the kids to wait in the

stairwell and shine my light into the dark corner.

It illuminates the owner of the sound that was neither a howl nor a cry.

" Uhooo."

Emerging from the darkness are two curled horns, dark skin, flaming red hair,

and a towering body frame.

The light from my lamp reflects off its golden eyes, making them flash like

jewels in the darkness. Suddenly, I can't breathe.

Two legs and two arms, just like a Minotaur. This thing making noises—this

monster is of the large-category variety. It springs to its feet with a powerful

jump from where it was kneeling on the floor.

"Cover your ears!"

The monster unleashes a wall of sound at the same moment I shout the

warning over my shoulder.

"UHWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Goose bumps cover my skin as the monster's fierce howl passes over me.

I have to protect myself. It's too strong for me to worry about taking care of

anyone else.

What the hell is something like this doing underneath the slum? Its bright

eyes flash, blood pumping through its veins and itching for a fight—it charges,

the howl's echoes still shaking the chamber behind it.

I thrust my right arm out in front of the oncoming creature.

"Firebolt!!"

Flaming scarlet bolts blast their way out of my hand and connect with the

creature's torso.

It howls in pain, completely blindsided by my Swift-Strike Magic. It staggers

backward amid the scarlet flames. Now! I draw the Divine Knife and go on the

offensive.

I drop the magic-stone lamp at the entrance and use the window created by

my magic to get close to the monster, which is burning like a torch in the middle

of the chamber.

"OHU,

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"!"

Its pupil-less eyes flash with murderous intent as it swings a mighty fist

directly into my path. Surprised by its quick reflexes and incredible strength, I

duck out of the way and bring my knife to bear. A dark-purple arc carves through

the air.

But it pulls back just in time, my knife cutting through empty air by the

slimmest of margins. I see a look of shock on its face—shock that I somehow

managed to dodge its attack. But that disbelief quickly turns to anger, and it

throws another punch. I move once again to engage.

This monster—it's a barbarian! These things belong in the Deep Zone!

Thanks to the flames of Firebolt, I can finally see its whole body. What I do

see delivers yet another shock to my system.

Standing over two meders tall, it's a large-category monster—a barbarian.

First spotted on the thirty-seventh floor, the Guild classifies them as Level 3

—or even 4!

So what's it doing here?

Don't tell me—it's a leftover from Monsterphilia!

As much as I don't want to remember, flashes of the time when a Silverback

chased me around this labyrinth fill my mind.

This beast that has managed to elude both adventurers and Guild

extermination teams, this unidentified monster has been lurking underground all

this time?

It continues to unleash powerful punches even as my brain endures more

surprise and anguish.

Every time one of those massive limbs comes careening toward my head, I

dive out of the way and slice with my jet-black knife. However, its unpredictable

movements, coupled with the strength of a second-tier adventurer—possibly

stronger than that—prevent me from getting into point-blank range. What's

worse, my counterattacks aren't hitting.

This monster is really, really strong. Every time I think I've got a window to

strike, the creature either knocks my knife out of the way or steps out of its path

before coming back for more.

It's like trying to fight a storm. But wait a minute, what's all that?

It's covered in blood?

I certainly didn't inflict those wounds.

The light of its still-burning skin reveals several closed gashes surrounded by

streaks of dried blood. Why would that be?

The barbarian's glowing yellow eyes become bloodshot. It's looking at me

like I pose the biggest threat that it's ever seen. It's terrified—and it's trying to

kill me with everything it's got.

It recognizes me as an enemy and continues to dodge my attacks while

setting up its own counters. It knows how to fight using strategy and techniques!

I know this feeling—

I feel like I'm fighting another adventurer—no, not quite.

It's more like…that one-horned Minotaur.

Rather than relying on instinct and brute strength in battle, this beast is

fighting with a sense of self—

My eyes tremble as I see flashes of that phantom of my past. I shake the

images out of my mind, plant my foot, and charge straight in.

One of its massive fists swings right at me, but I jump over it just in time.

With its arm out of the way, I've got an open shot at its lower back! I swing my

knife as hard as I can.

" !"

A stream of blood flies as the barbarian's howl echoes.

"Nice one!"

The effects of the howl must've worn off because Lai and the others are

poking their heads into the chamber.

""

Their excited voices in the background, I stand tall in front of the wounded

monster as it clutches its latest injury.

My ears are still ringing from that last roar.

Most of it was just like a regular beast's howl, but there was also anger, pain,

and a hint of sadness to it.

I've never heard a beast's lamentation before. Words have left me.

What is this monster…?

Anguish in a monster's howl? And I'm feeling sorry for it?

While I stand there contemplating these strange new emotions, the injured

barbarian's eyes flash yet again. Its long jaws open as its tongue lashes out.

"Gah!"

It catches me flat-footed, its tongue nailing me right in the chest.

I tried to jump out of the way, but there wasn't enough time. Since I don't

have any armor, the blow knocks me off my feet, and I tumble across the cold

stone floor.

A long slash of burning pain sears its way across my chest. Focus! I scream

at myself for having left myself that wide open to attack. I finally come to a stop

at the opposite end of the chamber, away from the stairwell entrance. Ignoring

the pain all over my body, I climb to my feet.

"Don't hurt my friend!"

Then I see him.

Lai, inside the chamber, throws a rock at the monster to draw his attention

away from me.

" UHOO."

The rock hits its target, and the barbarian turns around to face him.

The child freezes in the face of the ferocious monster It sees Lai as

another enemy and charges him.

"NO !"

"OHWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

I launch my body at the monster, putting everything I have into stopping the

beast, but I won't make it in time.

Syr rushes into the chamber and embraces the terrified boy, using her body as

a shield.

I thrust my right arm forward, willing the instinct to run away out of my

mind, and take a deep breath to scream at the top of my lungs.

" UGAA!"

But my flaming lightning never thunders.

Instead, a single silver javelin tears through the air like a comet and punctures

a hole straight through the barbarian's chest.

" Ah."

It doesn't even have time to let out a dying breath. The monster's magic

stone, along with most of its rib cage, is gone, leaving a gaping hole. It falls and

dissolves into ash.

Whoosh…Thick stillness descends on the chamber that makes everything

before feel like an illusion. The only proof that our battle ever took place is the

fact that the drop item Barbarian Skin in the middle of the pile of ash is charred.

Smoke wafts into the air.

Syr and Lai, still planted on the chamber floor, slowly, cautiously, look over

their shoulders toward the entrance. But I can see directly behind them. The

figure standing there is clear as day to me in the dim light. His presence is

overwhelming.

Black and gray fur. A short, lithe body line.

He's the catman I saw earlier this evening.

"…Uh…umm!"

He jumps over Syr and Lai with nary a sound, landing softly in front of the

pile of ash, and retrieves his javelin. I try to say something as I run up to him.

I have to thank him for saving us—all of us.

"Can't even protect women and children, worthless rodent."

The pressure coming from his glaring eyes silences me on the spot.

"I…I'm sorry."

"…"

He's right. There's nothing I can say, only apologize as I look at my feet.

If he hadn't been here, something horrible might've happened to Syr and

these children that I'd never have been able to undo. An adventurer has failed

the moment he allows average citizens to be exposed to danger.

The catman ignores me, turning his back as I fall into a vicious spiral of

powerlessness and piercing shame.

He doesn't say anything as he walks back to the chamber entrance.

"Vana Freya…A top-tier adventurer?!"

Lai silently watches the man walking past and suddenly yells with the most

excitement I've heard in his voice all day.

Vana Freya—as in the guy from Freya Familia?

Ishtar Familia collapsed not all that long ago. I was right in the thick of

things when it happened, and this man was one of the adventurers who wiped

out that once-powerful familia. He's awe-inspiring and intimidating at the same

time.

But wait, that reminds me.

His voice…That night after training with Loki Familia's captain, Aiz

Wallenstein, on the city wall, a cat person attacked her in the middle of the

street. The attacker had the same voice.

"…"

He comes to a stop in front of Syr as I gawk at him from behind.

He says nothing, only slightly bows his head before exiting the chamber for

good.

Syr stays put but watches him go as a small smile appears on her face.

"S-Syr, are you okay?"

"Bell."

I still haven't recovered from the shock, but I rush over to her side to make

sure that she and the children are all in one piece.

I apologize over and over for putting them in this life-threatening situation,

even though she smiles and waves me off, saying it's fine.

"What's this, Little Rookie? You need Vana Freya to save you!" Lai doesn't

seem the least bit sorry for his actions. Those words strike me like a bolt of

lightning, send me deeper into that vicious spiral. That is, until Syr unleashes a

tirade of a lecture, her words turning into whips that leave even Fina and Ruu in

tears. I break out in a cold sweat almost immediately.

"Um, Vana Freya…Do you know him?"

"Yes. He's an adventurer who drops by the bar from time to time."

We stare at the pile of ash for a few moments before I break the silence. She

happily tells me about one of The Benevolent Mistress's regular customers. It

sounds like they've become acquaintances.

"Isn't he…a little scary…? It was hard to be so close to him. Syr, you're

amazing…"

"Oh, I don't think so. Actually, he has a really sensitive tongue. Whenever

there's a hot drink in front of him, he curls up with the mug in his hands and

blows on it until the steam goes away. It's really cute when he does that."

The words flow from her mouth easily; she giggles to herself as if she's

remembering that image.

She just used the word cute to describe a top-tier adventurer…Is Syr secretly

a powerhouse or just plain naive?

I force a smile.

"Does this mean the quest is over…?"

"Ah, yeah, I think so. Nothing else seems out of place…"

"I've never been so scared."

Ruu tugs at my arm. The two of us take a quick look around the chamber,

checking every dark corner.

Fina lets her shoulders relax, a deep breath slowly flowing out of her lungs.

Just to be sure, I grab the magic-stone lamp and do a lap around the chamber,

thoroughly checking every nook and cranny. I discover a connecting tunnel at

the other end, but it's caved in. The only other exit to the chamber is the stairwell

that we uncovered, so probably the monster didn't have anywhere else to go. So

the cries we heard were because it was trapped, or maybe…

It might be a good idea not to get carried away. I'll let the Guild know the

next time I'm there and let them worry about it.

After making sure the children promise never to come back this way—Syr's

silent smile is scaring Lai and the other two half to death, so I'm sure they won't

—we go back up the stairs, place the stone slab back over the entrance, and

stamp it down tight.

It's already nighttime, the starry night here to greet us now that we're all back

on the surface.

I'm sure that Maria is worried about us by now…

Wait, isn't…?

The children run circles around us, recounting their first adventure as we

walk back to the orphanage. Syr's at my side as something important comes into

my head.

Vana Freya…Isn't Freya Familia fighting outside the city walls right now?

I take a look at the moon overhead, wondering if something has happened.

"How fares the battle?"

A silver-haired goddess asked as she walked around inside a tent illuminated

by magic-stone lamps.

Thirty kirlos due east from Orario, a beautiful starry night spread out over

Freya Familia's forward base.

The few followers accompanying her huddled around a boiling pot, ladling

soup into their bowls. Meanwhile, Freya removed her robe and gave it to a

human girl inside the largest tent in the facility. "Thank you, Helen," said the

goddess as her follower gave a deep bow before leaving the tent.

The goddess took a seat upon her throne and looked up at an exceptionally

large boaz, Ottar. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Enemy formations are in pieces. Hedin, Grale, and our most powerful

fighters are pursuing their broken ranks individually. Signal flares have been

spotted, so one can only assume they have captured their targets."

"We should have done this from the start."

Driving Rakia's forces away from the city had been only a waste of time.

Freya said she regretted not rounding them up all at once as she leaned back into

the ornate chair.

Having a tremendous penalty levied against her by the Guild, she couldn't

ignore their orders to remain on the battlefield at all times during the invasion.

To the Goddess of Beauty, it was one big hassle.

"This might be one minor detail, but the enemy soldiers seem to be shaken,

restless. Perhaps something has happened?"

"It's the work of Loki Familia, after they left us to do the dirty work. They

must've succeeded."

The goddess wasted no time in responding to Ottar's observation.

Freya picked up a glass of wine from the round table next to her chair and

brought it to her lips. At that moment, a catman appeared at the entrance of the

large tent.

"Pardon the intrusion."

"Welcome back, Allen. I do hope your time away from the battlefield has

been restful."

Allen Fromel—whose gods-assigned title was Vana Freya—made a polite

bow as Freya showed her appreciation for his return.

He came to a stop next to Ottar directly in front of his goddess, answering

politely yet retaining a sharp tone to his voice.

"That it was. However, that girl of yours left the bar…and I lost the better

part of two days keeping an eye on her."

Allen's voice was laced with agitation as he continued speaking to Freya.

"If your Ladyship would issue a direct order, one telling her not to wander off

on her own…it would be greatly appreciated."

Freya set her wine back on the table, a grin on her lips.

"Hee-hee, surely Syr is grateful for your actions?"

"…"

"Didn't she smile at you?"

Allen closed his mouth and fell silent. There was nothing he could say to that.

However, his usual cold, emotionless expression was lined with a very faint

shade of pink. The long tail emerging from his waist twitched side to side.

In very much the same way a teenager would deny interest in the opposite

gender, the young man endured the embarrassment.

The boaz said nothing as he watched his ally put up with the light teasing.

"Got a staring problem, Ottar?"

"…"

"I'm nobody's clown! Scram, would you?"

Allen's face flushed red as he told off the giant man. Ottar, however, didn't

even flinch.

Standing over two meders tall, Freya Familia's commander listened to his

subordinate's wishes and stepped outside the tent.

The catman gritted his teeth as he watched Ottar's boulder-like shoulders slip

through the cloth door.

"Hee-hee-hee…" Freya covered her mouth with her fingertips, enjoying the

spectacle of her two followers' one-sided argument. Allen blushed even darker

as he hunched over and turned to face his goddess once again.

Once her laughter had dissipated, Freya picked up her wineglass and took

another sip.

"I'd love to return to Orario as soon as possible. On the other hand, I rarely

leave the city anymore. This might be a great chance to just go and see what

there is to see."

"…For you, My Lady, I would gladly become your chariot. Tell me where

you would like to go and I shall take you there."

"My my, so dependable."

Freya made an offhanded remark about traveling, since they were already

outside the city, but Allen took it as more than the musings of a goddess and

swore to become her legs if need be.

The unquestioning loyalty of her follower brought a smile to Freya's lips.

"Allen. Have you seen Ahnya?"

"I've already severed all ties with that simpleton."

"No, we can't have that. She's the only sibling, the only family you've got,

yes? I didn't separate you from her just to be cruel."

"...Fine, then."

The catman let a few moments pass before responding, and even then, he

didn't appear enthusiastic about the idea as he nodded to her.

"Such a problem child," said Freya with a grin before drinking the last of her

wine.

Her eyes shone like the moon in the night sky far overhead."Ah! She's back, meow!"

The first thing she heard through the door was Ahnya's excited voice.

The sunlight was just beginning to warm the streets of the city. Syr, in her

waitress uniform, watched as all the other staff members came to greet her with

smiles on their faces.

"I'm back, everyone."

"Meow, there's so much work to do because you've been gone so long,

meow! We're going to work your fingers to the bone to teach you a lesson,

meow!"

"Chloe, the work yet to be completed only remains because you missed your

shift. That punishment should be yours."

"I was getting so worried because you'd been gone so long. So, where'd you

go?"

"Sorry, Runoa, but it's a secret."

Syr turned to Runoa to respond, holding a finger up to her lips, as Chloe and

Lyu broke into an argument next to them.

The happy smile on the city girl's face made Runoa moan. "Still…?"

"…Meow? Something happened with the boy?"

"What?"

"Mee-hee-hee, with that good mood, you look like a love-struck young lady,

meow."

There was no fooling Chloe's eyes and instincts. The young catgirl giddily

swished her tail side to side and stepped closer.

Syr cupped her burning cheeks with her hands, unable to keep the grin off her

face.

The staff members all smiled in unison with twinkles in their eyes, as if

they'd discovered something juicy, when the owner of the bar, a dwarf named

Mia, appeared on the other side of the counter.

"Ya sure ya're ready ta come back?"

"Yes…I'm fine, now."

Mia took a look at the silver eyes staring up at her and said, "Then stop yer

dillydallyin' an' get ta work." She huffed through her nose and turned her back.

"Same goes fer the lot o' ya!" With that, the rest of the staff members quickly

returned to what they should be doing to get The Benevolent Mistress ready for

business.

Syr still had the same smile on her face as she went to hang the OPEN sign on

the front door to start the day.

"—Thank you for coming to The Benevolent Mistress. Welcome."

The city girl smiled to greet the day's first customers as they walked to the

front door.