The boy who entered was clearly of the shota-type—delicate features, a youthful face, and wearing an outer coat bearing the crest of the Freya Familia. He wasn't alone; several of his fellow familia members trailed behind him.
As they stepped into The Hostess of Fertility, Bell could feel the eyes of other adventurers on him. Not yet fully accustomed to his new identity, he felt a pang of nervousness.
He recalled something Captain Ottar had told him:
"When a member of the familia walks outside, they represent Lady Freya herself."
Bell straightened his posture. Though the atmosphere within the familia was admittedly a bit strange, his impression of their exceptionally beautiful goddess was still quite favorable.
When she learned he had been adventuring alone, Lady Freya had personally stepped in. After asking for his opinion multiple times, she introduced him to several reliable, easy-to-get-along-with adventurers.
"…Looks like we're a bit late. Seems there aren't any seats left."
"…"
Hearing his companions' comments, Bell glanced around the lively tavern. This was his first visit, and he hadn't expected it to be so crowded.
Scanning the room, his eyes caught a figure at the bar—black hair, a gray-brown cloak, face partly hidden.
But something about that presence felt strangely familiar.
"Isn't that… the adventurer I met in the Dungeon the other night?"
The thought crossed his mind instantly. That evening, the man had been in a rush and only gave his identity as "a passing swordsman."
A man who had helped him without asking for anything in return…
Bell remembered all too well the danger he had been in—surrounded by a swarm of Killer Ants—only to be rescued by this man, who wielded a dazzling sword technique unlike anything Bell had seen before.
What truly moved him, however, was that this man, despite bearing lasting injuries, refused to bow to fate.
If it were me… could I have done the same?
As for how strong he really was, Bell had no idea. But he found himself longing to be the kind of adventurer this man was—not necessarily the legendary hero from the stories, but…
Someone who, when faced with life's unfairness, still chose to fight back.
To Bell, that was its own kind of romantic heroism.
"Feels like I've seen him somewhere before…"
He knew staring was impolite, especially in a city as big as Orario, but if he missed this chance to connect, who knew when the next one would be?
———
Liang Yue had already noticed the white-haired boy's arrival. Everything was unfolding as he'd expected—perhaps even orchestrated.
After all, having Bell visit The Hostess of Fertility was simple enough if you were Syr Flova, the tavern's poster girl… or the goddess Freya herself.
"So… what's the real aim here?"
Lifting his glass of orange-flavored drink, he thought it over. The mind of a god was never easy to guess.
From Bell's perspective, the reason for Freya's interest was simple—his pure soul.
Even if Bell mentioned their Dungeon encounter, it was impressive that Freya, without even knowing Liang Yue's name, could stage this meeting.
Either one of her familia members had been spying that day…
Or perhaps, after witnessing Liang Yue save Bell from the Killer Ants with a newly learned skill, Bell had been so moved that the "original" timeline snapped back for a moment—
And the Liaris Freese skill had still awakened…
Only this time, its object of admiration had shifted from Ais Wallenstein to him.
"…."
The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Bell had grown up on Zeus's stories of heroes, and heroes didn't have to be female.
That said… Liang Yue couldn't bring himself to be happy about it.
His suspicion was confirmed moments later when a group at a nearby table finished their meal and left. The now-vacant seats were offered to Bell and his companions—by none other than Anya Fromel, the energetic catgirl waitress.
The arrangement was subtle. Bell's seat was positioned so that if Liang Yue merely turned slightly, they could "just happen" to meet eyes in the tavern.
Honestly…
He just couldn't see why Freya would go to so much trouble.
"…Is this really necessary?"
Could it be that all of this was just so Bell could learn his name?
At that moment, Syr emerged from the kitchen with a tray, heading straight toward him with a smile that carried a faint hint of mischief.
"Liang Yue-kun, what would you like for dinner tonight? I recommend the house special!"
Her arrival was accompanied by Bell's surprised gaze from behind. His suspicions were confirmed—what a stroke of "luck" to meet the very man who had helped him in the Dungeon.
Even after hearing his name during Syr's conversation with him, Bell hesitated to approach.
One of his companions waved him over. "Come on, pick what you want to eat!"
"…Alright."
Bell turned away, saying nothing more, but silently etched the name deep into his heart:
Liang Yue.
———
As for Liang Yue, he didn't feel uncomfortable under Bell's gaze. If anything, he thought that maybe he should have just told him his name back then—might've made things simpler now.
Without addressing Bell, he looked to Syr and said calmly, "Two noodle mains and the house special. Please have them all packed to go."
He emphasized "packed to go."
After all, Syr had only said to come here for dinner. From another angle, getting takeout still fulfilled that promise—and with evening approaching, there was a goddess at home waiting for him.
"Alright. With the drink, that'll be 2,400 valis."
Syr's smile was as warm as ever. Her goal had been achieved: Bell now knew the name of the man he admired.
She had given him a clear direction to chase after.
As for Liang Yue, a member of the Hestia Familia, she didn't know why she had suddenly become interested in him. The core reason still lay with Bell's skill—
Liaris Freese.
What kind of man, with a soul so laced with violence and destruction, could inspire Bell's admiration so strongly?
Syr was curious.
Her pretty face bloomed with a springtime smile—bright, vivid, and warm. She dipped her head slightly, her voice gentle yet sincere.
"And also… thank you very much for keeping our appointment, Liang Yue-kun!"
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