Night fell, and the starry sky sparkled above the bright lights of the Labyrinth City.
After a long day of hard work, people were tired. Now was the perfect time to call friends and have a drink.
This was especially true for adventurers. The noise coming from the various pubs added a unique rhythm to the night in Orario.
"Jeanne, are you ready? It's time to go." Ronan knocked on the door with a helpless expression. He didn't understand why it took her so long to get ready.
She was just changing clothes and putting on a little makeup. Was it really that big of a deal?
"I'll be out in a second," a voice replied from inside.
Ronan wondered if it was just his imagination, but after their serious talk earlier that evening, Jeanne's attitude toward him seemed to have changed slightly.
With a creak, the door opened. Jeanne walked out, looking carefully dressed.
When he saw her outfit, Ronan's eyes lit up.
Jeanne wore a simple white off-shoulder top and a light blue skirt. Her long blonde hair was braided again, reaching her waist, and tied with a blue bow that matched her skirt.
Finally, she wore a black wide-brimmed hat with a light-colored band. A green bracelet on her wrist added a little color to the outfit.
Ronan looked at her for a moment longer than usual.
"Jerk! Pervert! Where are you looking!" Jeanne's cheeks turned red. She instinctively took half a step back. She felt her resistance against Ronan's direct gaze was dropping fast.
"You have great taste. You look beautiful, and I love looking at you," the man praised her shamelessly. His direct words made Jeanne blush even more. Clearly, Jeanne was still quite shy.
"Let's just go. Behave yourself," Jeanne urged him. She was embarrassed, so she pushed him toward the exit.
"You dressed up this nicely. If I don't look, wouldn't that be rude?"
"You still shouldn't be so direct!"
The two teased each other and laughed as they left the house. They walked down the tree-lined path together.
They passed through the quiet residential area and turned a few corners. Suddenly, they were surrounded by bright lights and busy streets.
"The night in Orario is so lively. I feel like there are more people now than during the day," Jeanne said. She held Ronan's arm closely. They walked on the stone pavement of Western Main Street, looking at the crowds and the busy shops.
Ronan heard her excitement and explained as they walked.
"You're right. Most people are busy during the day, so there aren't as many people shopping as there are at night."
"Orario is famous as the 'Labyrinth City' for adventurers, but it's also a world-famous place to spend money. Besides pubs and restaurants, there are casinos, the Pleasure Street, and theaters. Rich people from all over the world come here to spend money. Combined with all the adventurers, it naturally became like this."
"Oh, so that's why it's called the 'Center of the World,'" Jeanne realized.
"That's pretty much it," Ronan nodded, rubbing his chin.
Their destination was not far. It was also on Western Main Street.
"We're here."
He stopped with Jeanne in front of a two-story building. The sign said "Hostess of Fertility" in the common language.
After studying with Ronan's help, Jeanne could now read and write basic common language. She recognized the name of the pub.
"Is it this shop?" Jeanne asked, looking at Ronan.
Ronan smiled and said, "Yes. Let's go in."
At that moment, a cute cat person waitress in a pub uniform approached them with a smile. She had brown hair. "Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility, meow! A table for two, meow?"
Anya asked enthusiastically.
"Meow?"
Jeanne opened her eyes wide. She looked curiously at the cat girl whose tail was wagging.
This wasn't her first time seeing a cat person. In the Dungeon, she sometimes saw other adventurer teams. Cat person adventurers were common in the Upper Floors. Her first impression of them was that they were very fast.
But this was her first time meeting one up close, especially one with such a cute way of speaking. That soft "meow" immediately touched Jeanne's heart.
"Is it your first time seeing a cat person, meow? Do I look strange, meow? Or are you charmed by my cuteness, meow?" Anya tilted her head innocently.
"Yes, you're very cute!" Jeanne nodded repeatedly.
"Ahem. Just two of us. Sorry, my girlfriend just came from the countryside. It is her first time seeing a cat person. She finds other races very interesting," Ronan interrupted to explain.
He didn't want any trouble. Between the goddess hiding in this pub and the "sister-obsessed" person who watched over this girl, things could get complicated quickly.
"Okay, meow! I understand, meow! My name is Anya Fromel. I'm a cat person, meow!" Anya introduced herself cheerfully.
"Jeanne d'Arc," Jeanne replied with her name.
"Then we are friends now, meow!" Anya announced happily.
Ronan: "..."
He was confused. Was making friends always this fast? He shook his head and followed Anya into the pub.
"Mama Mia, two guests, meow!"
"Got it!" A loud female voice came from the bar area.
The cat girl led them into the main hall. Immediately, they were hit by the noise of a full house.
Customers were drinking cold beer and eating food. They sat in small groups at the tables, laughing or shouting. Adventurers were bragging loudly or talking quietly with friends, enjoying their rest.
Ronan looked around. Large wooden mugs filled with beer sat on the oak tables. Beer foam splashed under the warm yellow lights. Combined with the food on the tables, it looked like a cheerful scene.
"The atmosphere here is good, and there are so many adventurers," Jeanne whispered in Ronan's ear as she looked around.
Ronan caught a glimpse of a grey-haired girl carrying a tray in the aisle. He raised an eyebrow. "Well, the owner's goal is to make sure everyone can get a full meal."
They walked down the aisle and sat at a table in the back.
Ronan noticed that many people in the pub were staring at the girl beside him. He could see the admiration in their eyes. Clearly, Jeanne drew attention wherever she went.
"It looks like you are very popular, my dear Saint," Ronan leaned in and teased her in a low voice with a smirk.
"We are in public... behave yourself!" Jeanne's ears turned red. She gave his arm a small, annoyed slap.
Ronan chuckled. He thought Jeanne was still too shy. If it were that grey-haired waitress nearby, she wouldn't care about a small scene like this at all.
"What would you like to eat, meow?" Anya stood by the table with a menu.
"Jeanne?" Ronan handed her the menu.
However, Jeanne's attention was elsewhere. She waved her hand distractedly. "You order."
"Alright," Ronan shrugged and looked at the menu.
He didn't notice that Jeanne was staring at Anya's wagging tail with eager eyes. A voice in her head was screaming:
That tail is so cute. I want to ask if I can touch it. Just once.