Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Laurier had never tasted the sweetness of love. Driven by alcohol and shame, she leaned forward, inches away from the boy. Bell naturally had time to react. He grabbed Laurier's shoulders, intending to stop her by force. But Ryuu's sudden appearance shattered his plan. Laurier reeked of alcohol, and Ryuu instinctively avoided touching her skin. So Ryuu lunged toward the boy, attempting to push him away from those tempting lips.
The forces and momentum of all three collided. To keep Laurier from falling, Bell redirected the impact onto himself.
The next second, Laurier missed her target, stunned in place. Bell fell to the ground, and Ryuu ended up sitting on top of him.
"...Ryuu-san?"
The tender leaf-green skirt spread around her. From Bell's angle, through her tavern uniform, her slender, delicate figure was fully revealed. To any onlooker, the position would seem quite indecent.
"..."
Ryuu had acted impulsively. Though the boy could have handled Laurier perfectly, the sight of the elf girl's eager, trembling lips had left Ryuu's mind blank.
"I'm... I'm sorry, Cranel-san!"
Suppressing her embarrassment and guilt, Ryuu scrambled to her feet. It was just an accident. A simple apology should fix it.
That was what Ryuu believed—until a voice turned her flustered thoughts into a tangled mess.
"What are you doing, Ryuu?"
At some point, Syr had appeared behind them. She held up the drunken Laurier, letting the girl lean against her shoulder.
"Syr... I was stopping this elf from doing something inappropriate to Cranel-san."
Ryuu hurried to explain.
"She's already drunk, you know. From what I saw, you were the one attacking Bell."
Syr countered mercilessly.
"Um... Syr, I absolutely didn't intend to do anything strange!"
The composure on Ryuu's face visibly shattered.
Syr blinked thoughtfully and murmured:
"Something strange... like pinning Bell to the ground, spreading your skirt, and sitting on top of him?"
"...!"
Ryuu hadn't expected her friend to witness the earlier incident. She stammered helplessly.
Syr wore a sorrowful expression as she continued:
"If I hadn't happened to walk by, you definitely would've used this guest as a shield, taken off your skirt, and done all sorts of things to Bell's body..."
"I would never do that?!"
Ryuu cut off her friend's wild delusion, cheeks blazing. She turned to Bell for help.
"Cranel-san, you were there—please explain to Syr."
Bell listened quietly, then offered a gentle smile.
"Syr, teasing Ryuu-san too much—she might actually believe you."
Hearing that, Syr returned a charming smile.
"Sorry, Ryuu. I just couldn't resist messing with you."
"Mmm..."
Ryuu pressed her lips together, then shot the boy a cold glare. Her blush remained, and her eyes clearly said:
Since you realized it was a joke, you should've defended me sooner.
Teasing me together with Syr... is absolutely unforgivable.
Bell gave a helpless smile. "Sorry, Ryuu-san, but you were the one at fault first. This was just a little payback. Why did you suddenly rush out like that..."
"Because..."
Ryuu couldn't continue.
Seeing Laurier trying to force a kiss on the boy had shut her mind down completely, sending her charging forward without thinking. That was something Ryuu absolutely couldn't admit aloud.
"It's fine. You were probably just looking out for me, right? Thank you, Ryuu-san."
Bell thanked her.
"N-no... it's nothing."
Ryuu recalled the incident, her cheeks still faintly warm.
Syr gave an amused smile. "Bell, are you done with your talk? We should head back."
Just as they reached the alley entrance, ready to return to the tavern, Ryuu snapped back into composure.
"Cranel-san, you're being watched."
"Yeah, I noticed. Let's pretend we don't know and head back inside."
Bell sensed the sharp, hostile gazes and made his decision without hesitation.
Night spread on the cold wind, and several figures lingered at the edge of the street. Their eyes followed Laurier as Syr supported her, smiling with wicked intent.
...
Bell returned to the tavern, where the lively atmosphere remained unchanged. Instead of going back to his seat, he walked toward a corner with Syr and the others.
Hermes saw Syr bringing Laurier in and instantly understood the boy's choice. Wearing a faint, teasing smile, he spoke:
"My thanks for looking after my Familia member."
"Hermes, Laurier has been targeted."
Bell didn't bother questioning why the blonde elf had gotten so drunk and instead went straight to the point.
"Is that so..."
Hermes lowered the brim of his hat, thoughtful.
"Bell Cranel, I still haven't thanked you for saving Laurier. I've already heard the details—thanks to you, she made it back safely."
"Yeah, it was urgent, so no thanks needed. Those people's gazes were filled with malice. If Laurier had stepped outside, she would've been attacked." Bell reported calmly.
"Most likely tied to that familia... the ones who tried to use monster baits against you."
Hermes' expression grew stern. "They've been taking on shady escort jobs. I sent Laurier to investigate, but the rogue adventurers involved ended up dead. Looks like we startled the snake..."
The people waiting outside weren't seeking simple revenge—they intended to silence Laurier, who might know too much.
Hearing the explanation, Ryuu's brows tightened.
"If that's the case, please allow me to help."
But her resolve was immediately cut off by a sharp voice.
"What nonsense are you saying, silly girl? The shop's overflowing with customers, and you want to skip work?"
Mia stepped in front of them. After glancing out the window, she said calmly:
"They're after the boy and the blonde elf. It has nothing to do with you, so don't go sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. If they need help, they'll come ask for it."
"But..."
Ryuu lowered her head.
She didn't want the boy to get hurt because of this mess.
And she didn't want Syr to be saddened either.
Mia gave a soft chuckle. "What? Don't tell me you've fallen for the kid too?"
"T-that's impossible!"
Ryuu snatched up a tray and fled the dangerous conversation, her movements so frantic she nearly ran into a pillar.
"That's how it is. Sorry, kid — you'll have to figure this one out yourselves. You only just hit level 2, after all."
"Gotta test your skills on someone."
Mia waved her hand and strode off with her usual bold flair.
Syr apologized softly.
"I'm sorry, Bell. I'll ask Ryuu and Chloe to protect Goddess Hestia and your companions."
If she personally pleaded, Mia would almost certainly soften and let Ryuu and the others help. But just as Mia had said, adventurers couldn't rely on others forever. If Bell intended to become a hero, he had to keep climbing on his own. Syr understood his dream, which was why she'd made this choice.
"No need to apologize. I planned to handle this myself anyway. The only issue is..."
Bell glanced at the half-asleep Laurier and gave a helpless smile.
"...."
Asfi let out a long sigh and fed Laurier a sobering potion.
"I'll help however I can."
"Wait."
Hermes cut in.
"Asfi has more important duties. I want you and Lulune to use this chance to investigate the enemy Familia's base."
"Yeah, I was thinking the same. As long as Laurier comes with me, drawing their attention won't be a problem."
Bell answered without hesitation.
Even in the alley, those men hadn't made a move. They were clearly wary of the tavern's strong fighters. Dragging things out any longer would only make it worse. More important than defeating them was uncovering their intentions. And Bell couldn't help feeling oddly familiar with this scheming god.
Thanks to the potion, Laurier quickly sobered up. The scenes from moments ago flashed through her mind, turning her face bright red.
"Bell... I... I'll follow your instructions..."
She fought down her embarrassment, focusing on the task ahead.
Once their plan was settled, Bell relayed the situation to Hestia and the others, then stepped out of the tavern with Laurier.
"Bell..."
Syr murmured as she watched them leave.
"If you're that worried, why not order someone else to help?"
Hermes teased lightly.
"Order someone...? I don't have anyone I can order around..."
Syr pulled her gaze back and gave a devilish little smile.
"Oh, and Hermes-sama, I did tell you not to joke around with Bell, didn't I?"
"...And what exactly does Syr-chan mean by that? I'm not quite sure..."
Hermes turned away, brim of his hat hiding his eyes as he lifted his cup.
"There's not a drop left. Want me to pour you more?"
Syr's sweet voice somehow carried real pressure.
"N-No... no need..."
Hermes shook his head quickly.
"I've heard everything. From encouraging the confession to getting Familia members drunk—it was all Hermes, wasn't it?"
There was no doubt his antics had caused Bell trouble. Naturally, Syr wasn't letting him walk away.
"I really can't beat you... To figure out so much so quickly—what are you, really...?"
Hermes let out a helpless smile.
"Syr is just Syr. And since you admit defeat, you have to accept your punishment."
"Uh... please go easy on me."
"Let's see..."
Syr blinked thoughtfully.
"How about you cover Bell's tab at the shop today? How's that?"
"You should've said so sooner. That's nothing."
Hermes agreed without hesitation.
The next second, Syr pulled out a bill. Hermes scanned it, and his eyes flew wide.
"T-This... this is fraud!"
"Hm? But you agreed, didn't you? Hermes-sama isn't going to break his word, right?"
Syr smiled gently.
In her hand was a contract. Bell would pay the Hostess of Fertility a lump sum, and in return she would provide the boy with three meals a day. The duration—an entire hundred years.
Hermes's brow twitched violently as Syr gave him a sweet smile.
"Well then, Bell's future meal expenses are all yours~"