Harbor City of Melen
After 20 days of leisurely travel, the massive airship finally docked at the shore. In truth, the Swordsmith City wasn't far from Orario even by horseback, it would take just three to five days. But the school district had a tradition of recruiting students across countries, so it lingered in each nation for about a week.
Trainees leaned against the ship's rail, breathing in the warm coastal breeze: "Finally back! We've missed Orario so much!"
They watched excitedly as crowds gathered below children eager to join the school district, or simply thirsting for knowledge. On the harbor, many familias waited, ready to scout for fresh talent during their stay.
Blank stood at the bow with Astraea Familia members, their eyes fixed on the distant Tower of Babel.
"Is this Orario? The world's center?!" Sora grinned confidently, stepping onto the railing. "Is the game finally starting? Time to make 'Blank' known to everyone!"
For a moment, students' attention was drawn to Sora, then cheers erupted. His smile widened: "See? This is how the strong are treated!"
But then…
"Oh! It's the Loki Familia!"
"Really? That's them!"
"Aren't those 'Ladycat' and 'Pure Garden'?"
"Why are they here? They're supposed to be at odds with Principal Baldr!"
Whispers spread, leaving Sora a bit embarrassed. Shiro comforted him: "It's okay, brother. They'll realize our strength soon enough. After all…"
"Against Blank, there is no option for failure."
As the gangway lowered, Anakitty and Alicia approached, their movements elegant exuding the poise of high-ranking adventurers and elven grace.
Standing beside Blank, Lefiya cheered with starry eyes: "This is amazing! As expected of Riveria-sama's familia!"
Arisa nodded: "Lefiya, you'd make a great adventurer. With your talent, the Loki Familia might notice you."
"No way, I'm not ready yet! I haven't even decided if I want to be an adventurer!" Lefiya waved her hands frantically.
Yui patted her bottom playfully: "You can do it! Follow your heart don't leave regrets! Then we can go on adventures together!"
"Stop patting my butt already!"
"Hehe~"
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The welcome ceremony ended, and familia recruiters boarded the ship one by one. For the next period, they'd act as guides, captains, and instructors for favored teams giving speeches and handling recruitment work while staying at the school district.
This was all in preparation for the school district's special event upon returning to Orario: the Special Dungeon Internship. Teams would enter the dungeon to fight monsters, gain experience, and face the dungeon's malice.
The dungeon is alive.
Blank had heard Shaka mention this many times, but most students were more focused on dungeon ores, soil properties, and hidden secrets.
After being overshadowed by the Loki Familia, Sora began plotting ways to "bring down this arrogant group" though he was quickly deterred by the sight of three Level 6 fighters.
"Ugh, the power gap is way too big. We can't do this alone we need help first…"
Lefiya, eavesdropping nearby, was stunned: Is he really thinking about this? The Loki Familia is one of the two strongest in the world, and he just calls it "troublesome"?
Her heart raced. She'd only just met these friends, but it seemed each one was far from ordinary.
Swordsmith City
"All done, you can carry these with you and install them at the school district or Orario."
Makise Kurisu pushed two large metal boxes to Shaka.
"Thanks, assistant."
With Blank and the others safely in Orario, and all Swordsmith City matters resolved, Shaka was ready to depart. After final debugging and disassembly of the Space-Time Environment Device, he planned to bring his "achievements" to the school district for rewards.
That evening, he packed his bags, arranged for daily protection of the goddess, and prepared to leave the next day. Then he remembered the guild Hermes had mentioned.
"They said to contact them when I go to Orario."
After searching his room, he found a business card tucked in a drawer corner engraved with a flame-winged giant bird.
"The Phoenix Merchant Guild… hiss—"
Shaka's pupils contracted. Now he understood why the scimitar's emblem had looked familiar. He wondered what Hermes's intention was in giving him the card.
"Is he asking me to investigate? Or just offering a side job? Lulune hasn't reported back on my commission yet… But since Hermes knew about them, Lulune must have already looked into the guild and kept it quiet. Given his relationship with Astraea, he wouldn't play dirty tricks. Knowing his personality, it's probably just a small prank."
"Looks like I'll have to investigate the truth myself."
Guild Branch
The guild was filled with mercenaries posting escort requests finding the Phoenix Merchant Guild was easy. After a short wait in the reception room, a mustached man in a top hat entered, tapping his cane rhythmically. He carried himself like an English gentleman.
"It's an honor to meet you, Commander Shaka. It's been too long since we've heard your name." The man bowed elegantly after removing his hat.
Shaka stepped forward and shook his hand: "Please, call me Shaka."
"My name is Maize, Old Maize, if you like."
Old Maize gestured for Shaka to sit, then stood by the table: "Would you like a drink? This is a special wine from Dionysus's familia, made with Demeter's grapes it's quite good."
"No thank you, I don't drink." Shaka sat down, eyeing the glass in Old Maize's hand with disdain. That wine god's products aren't meant for drinking.
"Ah, but I heard you run a liquor business how can you not drink?" Old Maize asked enthusiastically.
Shaka raised an eyebrow, looking down meaningfully: "You seem to know quite a lot about me."
Old Maize's smile faltered briefly before he laughed heartily: "Hahaha everyone in Swordsmith City knows about Astraea Familia and Commander Shaka! We were thrilled to hear you'd take on our escort request."
Shaka didn't deny it. He pulled out a bottle of cola, poured it into a wine glass, swirled the bubbling black liquid, and drank it down in one go. Then he grinned:
"Don't be nervous. Assuming the request is in order, I need to transport supplies to Orario, so…"
"Of course! No problem at all. We'd also like to discuss placing an order for your wine," Old Maize agreed readily.
Trying to get a deal out of me? If I'm bringing alcohol, why not sell it myself in Orario? Shaka thought. But he knew merchants were profit-driven if he wanted information, he'd need to work with them. So he nodded in agreement.
With departure set for tomorrow, Shaka left the guild and headed back to base.
Not far away, a cloaked figure watched him go and smiled: "Don't blame me, Brother Shaka this is God's will."
She crumpled a piece of paper and stuffed it into a pigeon's leg. As the bird flew off with the message, she pulled her cloak lower and vanished into an alley.