Chapter 29: The Hostess of Fertility
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Although expeditions and military training seem unrelated, the distinction doesn't really matter. As long as you grasp the general idea, it's fine.
After watching the familia's expedition team depart, Izzy washed up and stepped out of his room.
His first stop, as usual, was the second floor. However, upon entering the restaurant, he was greeted by silence and emptiness. It took him a moment to recall something Loki had mentioned the day before, during his ability update.
During an expedition, no one in the familia prepared meals.
The reason? All the familia's cooks were also members of the expedition. Most of them were women, but their levels were far from weak, and they had important roles in the team.
This left only a handful of members behind, and during this period, anyone who wanted to eat had to fend for themselves.
With a reluctant sigh, Izzy exited the Manor and decided to find food elsewhere.
As he crossed the courtyard, he encountered Loki, who was just returning.
"Hey, Izzy-kun, heading to the dungeon already?"
Her sharp gaze immediately landed on the spear strapped to his back and the medium-sized backpack he carried.
"Yeah, but I'm planning to grab breakfast first," Izzy replied.
The more time he spent with Loki, the more casual he became around her. When he first joined the familia, he'd taken great care to use honorifics and show respect. Now, after only two days, he barely bothered.
Even Izzy couldn't explain the change, but he didn't dislike it.
"Breakfast first, huh? Well, you should work hard today. Try to catch up with Ais and the others. I think it won't take too long for you to reach their level. I really believe in you," Loki said with a grin.
Her tone shifted to something more serious. "But remember, today you're exploring alone. Keep an eye on your surroundings and don't push too deep into the dungeon. Some adventurers might take advantage of a lone rookie if they see one. Don't trust anyone too easily."
"Yes, I understand," Izzy responded earnestly.
"Good, then. Take care of yourself. I'm off to take a nap. Mama-san woke me up early this morning, and my head's still pounding from yesterday's hangover. See you later~"
Loki yawned and stretched before casually walking into the central tower.
After yesterday's assessment, she wasn't particularly worried about Izzy venturing into the dungeon alone.
With his impressive abilities—including three magic spells and two unique skills—he was more than capable of handling himself. As long as he didn't do something idiotic, like rushing into the middle levels unprepared, there shouldn't be any problems.
Feeling reassured, Loki disappeared inside, already looking forward to her nap.
Meanwhile, Izzy crossed the courtyard and headed for West Street.
The western districts were known for their concentration of taverns, which often doubled as restaurants.
If he wanted a proper meal, West Street was the best place to go.
Upon arriving, Izzy found the area bustling with life. He wasn't the only one who had thought of starting the day with breakfast at a tavern.
The morning sun bathed the streets in warm light. The stone taverns lining the road had already opened their doors, and adventurers clad in full gear were streaming in and out. The lively, chaotic energy of the place was invigorating.
Stopping in the middle of the street, Izzy surveyed his surroundings, searching for his destination.
For breakfast, he decided to visit the Hostess of Fertility. Though he had been in Orario for several days now, he hadn't yet visited this iconic establishment.
As for the possibility of attracting unwanted attention from a goddess, Izzy wasn't worried.
Let's not even consider whether my soul would catch their eye. And even if it did... so what?
He, Izzy was destined to be the man that others couldn't easily claim.
Unless someone disregarded Loki's divine status and tried pulling a tiger's whiskers, they wouldn't dare lay claim to him.
As Izzy wandered through the lively streets, he noticed several scenes unfolding around him: a shop assistant tidying up an outdoor café, a pair of orcs chatting in the corner of an alley, and a girl watching the avenue from the second floor of a store.
Among the bustling scenery, one particular tavern caught his attention.
Unlike the other establishments, this tavern was distinctly larger, extending backward in a two-story stone structure. A signboard hung over the door, proudly displaying its name:
—Hostess of Fertility.
Like most taverns, it opened during the bustling morning hours. Yet, compared to others, it seemed quieter, with fewer adventurers coming and going.
The reason?
The tavern was considered high-end—its prices were no joke. While it saw more patrons during the evening, mornings here remained relatively serene.
Izzy pushed open the doors and stepped inside. The first person to catch his eye was a tall, broad-shouldered woman standing behind the bar. She was dressed in a white apron, busy serving food and drinks with practiced ease.
This was Mia Grand, the owner of the tavern, affectionately called Aunt Mia by adventurers.
The moment Izzy saw her, a joke came to mind:
Have you ever seen a dwarf who's 1.8 meters tall?
Well, now he had.
Noticing Izzy's gaze, Aunt Mia turned toward him with a welcoming smile.
"Welcome! What would you like to order?"
Approaching the bar, Izzy softly asked, "Any recommendations for breakfast?"
"Oh, there's plenty to recommend! Egg dishes, fruit salad, bread, milk, meat, and a drink you'd probably refuse. How about all of it?"
As she spoke, Aunt Mia handedIzzy a menu. While he scanned the list, she deftly called to the kitchen, ordering one of everything for him.
"Ahem, wait a minute—I didn't say I wanted all of that! Not to mention the price, I can't finish all that food," Izzy quickly protested, realizing her ploy to trap him into a larger order.
"Fine, then," he continued, "just a bacon and egg omelette, a fruit salad, two buttered baguettes, and a glass of milk."
"Would you like a drink to go with it?"
"No alcohol in the morning, thanks."
"Ah, how can an adventurer skip drinking? Young man, you haven't yet grasped the true spirit of adventuring! But don't worry—I'll save you a portion for tonight," Aunt Mia teased, leaving Izzy no chance to retort before turning back to the kitchen staff.
Izzy stood there for a moment, stunned and hesitant.
"..."
Why are you so skilled at swindling people? How many adventurers have fallen for this?
It was truly a mystery how this tavern had such a stellar reputation among adventurers.
"Mmmm~! Mr. Guest, this way, this way!" A cheerful voice suddenly broke his thoughts.
A brown-haired, cat-eared girl approached, her lively demeanor impossible to ignore.
"Mia-mama's like this, nya~ She doesn't mean any harm, nya~ She just wants everyone to eat and drink well, meow. Please don't mind, nya~"
Before Izzy could respond, the girl gently pushed him toward an empty seat. Her bright smile and infectious energy made it impossible to refuse or even feel annoyed.
As Izzy sat down, he sighed inwardly.
Ah, now I get it. This is why this place is so popular among adventurers.