As evening approached, the Adventurers' Street was bustling with activity. All manner of adventurers who had finished their dungeon explorations chose to head back, filling the thoroughfare with lively movement.
After leaving Hephaestus's weapon shop,
the assets Ron had painstakingly saved up shrank in an instant after commissioning his exclusive greatsword, leaving him with less than two hundred thousand Valis to cover daily expenses.
As for the "Glintstone Staff" and the "Sacred Seal"… for now, in the world of DanMachi, he could not think of any concrete way to obtain them. Perhaps there would be a chance for them to drop only after defeating specific floor bosses?
Still, just how difficult the monsters capable of wielding such weapons would be to kill was something Ron did not even dare to imagine.
On the other hand, the large drumstick commonly used in Soulslike games could be crudely crafted from the "Goblin Guard Leg Bone" that had been left to gather dust in the communal dormitory.
'Now that the Guts Sword is customized, my equipment finally looks the part.'
He felt quite satisfied.
After all, Soulslike combat fundamentally emphasizes mastery over all kinds of weapons.
The challenges Ron would have to face next, however, were not the mutated monsters of the Dungeon. Instead, they were the Soma Familia and the possible chain reactions they might cause.
'At this point, let's think about what to eat tonight first!'
He turned his gaze to the girl beside him, who was clearly forcing herself to stay spirited.
Yet the exhaustion in Hestia's eyes was impossible to fake. Considering her previous living conditions, Ron felt that such fatigue was, in fact, perfectly understandable.
Moreover—most of the reason she worked part-time was because of him.
Although his financial situation was not great at the moment, treating someone to a meal was more than affordable. From any angle, Ron felt it was necessary to thank Hestia.
Most importantly, tonight was very likely one of the few opportunities.
He stopped in his tracks and, in a relaxed tone, suggested, "Lady Hestia."
"Thank you so much for everything lately. Without your support, my Dungeon explorations surely wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
"So..."
"Since it's a rare opportunity today, I'd like to invite you to the Hostess of Fertility for a meal."
"So sudden!"
As a goddess, nothing was more gratifying than having a child in her Familia who not only had talent but was also willing to work hard. Ron perfectly met those requirements, and on top of that, he had a mature personality.
Hestia felt it was already a perfect score. No god would refuse such a fully self-motivated Familia member.
Yet beyond meeting all those conditions, he even clearly understood "gratitude." At the very least, in terms of emotional reassurance, the weariness in her heart was instantly swept away.
The girl lifted her head, her eyes shining.
In that instant, it was as if the countless stars filling the night sky above paled in comparison to Hestia's radiance.
Out of habit, she thought from Ron's perspective and explained, "You just spent money customizing a weapon. You should keep some funds on hand."
"And besides..."
"Didn't we agree that we'd celebrate in the name of a victory feast once you reach Lv2?"
"It's just that this period happens to be relatively free."
Gods can discern lies, which left Ron with no choice but to explain vaguely: "Things might get pretty busy next, and eating doesn't really need a reason."
"Mainly, Lady Hestia has been working very hard lately."
"I don't think there's any better way to reward yourself than having a good meal and some drinks."
"…"
Did the atmosphere feel a little strange?
Hestia had basically never seen Ron like this before. It was almost as if he were setting some kind of flag. She tried to search the boy's brown eyes for his true thoughts—but found no answer.
Maybe so...
Why think about things in a negative direction? That was something she really needed to correct about herself!
If relieving the fatigue in her heart had the best solution in Ron, then as for physical exhaustion, Hestia felt that a bit of sparkling wine was absolutely necessary.
"Then I'll go with what you say."
Her tone carried a hint of emotion as she nodded seriously. "Come to think of it, ever since we founded the Familia, we really haven't relaxed in a long time."
"I want to have a drink. You don't mind, right?"
"How could I mind?"
Receiving a clear answer, the girl finally felt completely at ease.
But as if struck by a sudden thought, she abruptly stopped, reached out, and gently hooked her arm around Ron's. With curiosity, she asked, "Has your Dungeon exploration been going smoothly?"
"Lady Hestia… why do you ask that?"
Ron did not give an answer.
Yet Hestia already had a rough guess in her heart. She did not press for the specific reason; perhaps there were considerations behind why Ron did not tell her.
As a goddess, all she could do was offer support: "Mm."
"I mean, if… if one day you feel tired of your life as a Dungeon adventurer, don't worry…"
"Then… come back to my side!"
...
The Soma Familia's base.
The adventurers who had been dispatched returned one after another. As for the answers they brought back, they made Zanis's already foul mood turn even darker.
There was no other reason.
They had not encountered any kind of "abnormal situation" at all!
Familia members had died inexplicably in the Dungeon—this was something he had to get to the bottom of. As a result, he once again summoned the surviving member from that day.
"Wald."
"Is there anything else you want to say?"
The young man being questioned could feel the atmosphere in the air nearly congealing. He also understood clearly that Captain Zanis was treating him as a suspect.
Wald's face turned pale, and he hurriedly shook his head to explain: "This really has nothing to do with me. Besides, even with my strength, I absolutely wouldn't have been a match for Bruno and the others. You said it yourself, Captain…"
"Even if conflicts arise among Familia members, mutual killing is absolutely forbidden."
"Wait…"
"I just remembered—there were signs that their bodies had been searched. Everything valuable on them was taken." He quickly added.
As for why Wald knew this, of course, it was because he thought—since they had already become corpses, it would be a waste to leave anything valuable behind!
"Heh."
Knowing all too well what these Familia members were like, Zanis could not even be bothered to expose it. Still, the matter gradually became clear. With the timing lining up so perfectly, it was hard not to suspect murder.
The greatest suspect, was naturally the adventurer who had been surrounded by Bruno. As for the claim of being killed by a "special monster," it was very likely just that person's disguise.
"I more or less understand the truth of the matter."
They had found a fat sheep, but after being outmatched, they were killed in return. No matter how one looked at it, this was not the fault of that passing adventurer—any normal person would think so.
But Zanis was different.
Every member of the Familia was a claw he used to rake in wealth.
He absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen. Even if the conflict had been initiated by Bruno, did that person truly bear no fault at all?
Zanis's gaze was filled with gloom.
"Wald."
"You should have an impression of that person. I'll leave the task of tracking him down to you. If there's any development, you must report it to me immediately."
"Do you understand what needs to be done?"
Knowing that, after this incident, taking part in the pursuit was the best way to change his standing within the Familia, Wald did not hesitate and decisively nodded in agreement.
"Of course. I definitely won't disappoint you, Captain Zanis!"
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