Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

As I ran faster, the scene I saw one morning overlapped with the scene before me.

A shop assistant prepares to open his outdoor café, while a duo of orcs gather in a corner of an alley. The girl overlooking the avenue from the shop's second-floor window is not here today.

"Hey—wait a minute, meow, that white-haired head over there—!"

The word "white hair" made me pause for a moment, and I couldn't help but stop in my tracks.

Turning my head in the direction of the sound, I saw a cat-woman with cat ears and a thin tail waving her hand in front of the "Abundant Mistress" shop.

...Was she the tavern clerk who appeared with the elves earlier?

I remember her calling me a "white-haired bastard" to my face last time. I looked around first, then pointed to myself to confirm, "Are you talking to me?" She nodded.

If she was asking about the lunch basket Miss Seele gave me, I should have already returned it... I ran towards her, who was dressed as a waitress, without understanding why.

Good morning, meow. Sorry for suddenly calling you, meow.

"Oh, no, good morning. ...Um, is there something you need?"

She bowed in front of me, and I bowed back in return.

The shop assistant, who seemed to have received professional training, bowed and then got straight to the point without saying a word.

"I have a catty problem I'd like to ask you for help with. Here, take this."

"Eh?"

"The white-haired guy is Seele's best friend, meow. So I'd like to ask you to give this to that clumsy meow."

What she gave me was a purse for carrying money, which has recently become quite common.

It was a cloth bag-shaped, beaded clasp "frogmouth wallet." A rare emblem discreetly engraved on it indicated it was a product of a commercial [family]. It was a small and lovely purple purse.

Well, there's nothing wrong with being cute... but I'm still a little confused about the situation?

What exactly does it mean that I should give this to Miss Seele...?

"Anya, your explanation isn't sufficient. Mr. Crannie is also troubled."

This time, it was the elven shop assistant who appeared. She walked out of the outdoor café, which was preparing to open, and headed towards us.

...I probably shouldn't be saying this now, but hearing the elf call my name actually touched me a little. I still haven't learned my lesson. They remembered my name!

"Ryujin, you silly cat—. Seele skipped the shop and went to the festival instead, but forgot her wallet, so she wants you to bring it to her. You know what I mean, right, meow, white-haired one?"

That's how it is. I'm sorry I didn't explain it clearly to you.

"Ah, no, I understand completely now. So that's how it is."

The shop assistant, named Ryu, ignored me completely, giving me a "sigh—I can't do anything with you" look, and apologized instead. My question was answered, and I suddenly understood.

The girl called Anya suddenly seemed bewildered; her proudly wagging tail drooped limply, and her face flushed red as she lowered her head and began to tremble. I started sweating.

"It's alright to ignore her. Getting back to the point, could you please do me a favor? Anya, the other employees, and I are all busy preparing to open the shop, so we're stretched thin. I know you're heading to the dungeon soon, and I feel a bit bad about it, but..."

"I'm fine, but... is it true that Miss Seele skipped work?"

"Saying we're being lazy is a bit of a grammatical error. We're only staying here because of your kindness, unlike Seele's situation."

Miss Seele seemed like a very conscientious person, so it was hard to imagine her slacking off. When I asked her, I learned that she was apparently on vacation. Miss Liu said that Miss Seele was different from the others who lived and worked at the shop; she didn't have to come to work every day. She also mentioned that the dwarf shopkeeper, Aunt Mia, had granted her leave as well.

To put it simply, Miss Seele comes to work from her own home, so she is exceptionally allowed not to work shifts.

Then, I heard that Miss Seele used her vacation to go see the "festival"...

"...A monster festival?"

"Yes. Seele went to see the event that was held today."

Words heard in the Tower of Babel.

Being completely ignorant of the subject, I was naturally intrigued.

"Is this the first time you've heard of this? Everyone who lives in this city should know about this event."

"Actually, I only recently arrived in Orario... If it's convenient, could you teach me?"

"—Meow, let me teach you, meow!"

As soon as I said that, the cat-themed shop assistant, who had been keeping her head down, immediately sprang into action, unceremoniously squeezing between us. Seemingly trying to salvage her reputation, she began to explain triumphantly.

"The so-called Monster Festival is a super-large event held once a year, hosted by the Ganesha Familia, meow! The event takes up the entire arena to train monsters captured from the dungeons, meow!"

"Huh... training?"

The sudden use of a word caught me off guard.

Training...did she mean taming? Taming such a ferocious monster?

"It's not strange that a cat can fight a monster. Since the white-haired guy is a cat adventurer, he must have had similar experiences before. The moment when a defeated monster suddenly gets up and looks at the cats with eyes that yearn to become cat companions..."

"No, that... it's never happened even once..."

Just as I was wondering what kind of look that would be, the elven shopkeeper interrupted:

"Training is already a standardized technique. Although I've heard it's greatly influenced by the monster's temperament, it's basically about letting the monster know that the tamer is superior to them, thus making the monster docile."

Making monsters docile... it just sounds like something from another world.

"The monsters in the dungeon are more wicked and harder to train, so I usually tame the monsters on the ground... However, the members of the Ganesha Familia are generally strong, so even monsters raised in the dungeon can be successfully tamed."

I've also heard about the Ganesha Familia. In Orario, which has many Familias, their strength is guaranteed. I've heard that the number of members under their command is quite astonishing.

"So, the goal is to let the audience enjoy watching the animal trainer fight the monster and make it obey?"

"That's exactly how it is, meow. To put it bluntly, it's no different from a circus, meow."

However, it's extremely difficult, the shop assistant added at the end. It seems there's still some degree of danger involved.

"The cats really wanted to go too, meow. But Mom absolutely forbade it, meow. Seele said she'd bring back a present, and even gave a big smile and a salute before leaving... She actually forgot her wallet at the store, how awful, meow. Seele is just so absent-minded, meow."

"Anya, I don't think you have the right to talk about her."

"Ha ha……"

Okay, I understand the general situation. Let's put aside the gift for now; without money, we can't buy anything, and that will likely cause a lot of trouble. I've received a lot of help from Miss Seele, so let me handle this little matter.

"The main street leading to the arena should already be packed with people. You can head there first. Just follow the crowd, and you'll eventually reach the venue."

"Seele just went out, you'll definitely catch up with her if you go now, meow."

"I see."

They were worried that it would be inconvenient for me to carry a backpack, so they let me leave it there.

Feeling much lighter, I took Miss Seele's wallet and gazed at the towering skyscrapers in the city center, and the direction of East Street stretching far behind them.

A monster festival... what kind of event will it be?

As I thought I might go check it out sometime, I set off from the tavern.

✟

The avenue was bustling with activity and filled with the sounds of joy and excitement.

It was just past nine in the morning. While many adventurers were heading into the dungeon, East Street was bustling with ordinary people.

Countless vendors lined the middle or sides of the road, their stalls emitting enticing aromas and sizzling sounds of grilling. The entire road was decorated with ribbons and beautiful flowers, adding a touch of glamour compared to usual.

Above the heads of pedestrians on the road, colorful flags strung on thin ropes fluttered in the wind. The flags featured two designs: the outline of a ferocious lion representing a monster, and the elephant head emblem of the Ganesha Familia.

The blushing orc child tugged at his mother's hand repeatedly, and the footsteps of the crowd seemed particularly excited. The sunlight in the sky was as bright and dazzling as if celebrating this day.

At this time, East Street was filled with festive atmosphere.

"..."

The crowds marching down the street headed towards the massive arena facility located in the east of the city. A pair of silver eyes looked down upon the throngs of people heading to the Monster Festival.

The coffee shop facing the main street, on the second floor.

Inside the shop, where the wood-grain interior created a warm atmosphere, she sat alone by the window, where she could see the endless road. To conceal her appearance—no, her fair skin—from being exposed, she wore a dark blue robe.

However, a single piece of fabric could hardly conceal her "beauty".

The best evidence was that even when she pulled her hoodie down low, all eyes in the store remained fixed on her. Every time her slender fingers brushed against a glass on the table, or her beautifully shaped jawline peeked out from under the hoodie, gasps of amazement filled the air. Many people even lost track of time while watching her.

Freya, the "goddess of beauty" who could captivate everyone present without making any move, kept her gaze fixed on the window, quietly passing the time.

"..."

The lower realm masses flooded the entire road... many children.

Humans, orcs, dwarves, elves. Among the diverse crowds of different races, adventurers could also be seen scattered among the citizens.

Freya gazed at them as if trying to make out every single face, when suddenly, she heard a "squeak".

Accompanied by the scraping sound of the wooden floor, the presence of more than one person approached.

She stopped looking down at the road and turned to look at the person she was waiting for.

"Yo—have you been waiting long?"

"No, I just arrived."

Freya smiled faintly from under her hood at the divine being who casually waved with one hand.

Unlike Hephaestus's striking red hair, this person had pale crimson hair. Her hair was tied back, reminiscent of twilight, and she wore an old tunic and trousers, giving her a somewhat unkempt, masculine impression.

Loki swallowed the yawn he almost let out and chuckled with tears in his eyes.

"Hey, I haven't had breakfast yet. Can I eat here?"

"Please go ahead."

Hearing Loki pull over a chair and speak so casually, Freya smiled, seemingly unbothered. The atmosphere between them was like that of familiar old friends.

"I heard that after you left the banquet, you stayed in bed for a long time? Drinking alone until you were completely drunk. Heh, Hestia's got quite the skills, huh?"

"Hey, you big-breasted slut. Where did you hear about this?"

"It seems like all your lovely band members are talking about this? It started with someone bringing it up, and then it became a hot topic among everyone."

"Ah—those brats, we really can't beat them."

It was Loki who arranged to meet Freya, and it was she who specified that they should meet at this shop.

The two met again a few days after the "Feast of the Gods" ended, and that was the reason.

"By the way, when will you introduce me to that child?"

"What? Do I need to introduce it?"

"After all, this is the first time we've met."

Besides Loki, there was another person who came to Freya's side.

Carrying a sword sheathed, standing to the side as if to protect Loki, was a beautiful girl with golden eyes and blonde hair who even Freya, known as the goddess of beauty, couldn't help but squint.

"Alright then, she's Ais on my side. Is that enough? Ais, don't let her appearance fool you, she's still a god, so please say hello."

"...Nice to meet you."

"Sword Princess," Freya murmured the name deep within her lips as she gazed at the girl before her.

Ais Wallenstein. The foremost female swordsman among the Loki Familia, a group particularly renowned among the gods. Her fame and exploits have long surpassed those of Orario, spreading throughout the world; she truly needs no further explanation.

That pitiful appearance should have been completely unrelated to the dangerous profession of an adventurer. Anyone who met her without knowing the truth would never imagine that she had trampled on the corpses of countless monsters.

The human girl with exceptionally delicate facial features obediently sat down next to Loki when he told her, "You can sit down."

"So cute. And... well, now I understand why Loki is so smitten with this kid."

Their golden eyes met Freya's silver eyes. Ais maintained her detached expression and gave a polite bow.

Seeing the girl's appearance, which didn't match her nickname at all, Freya couldn't help but smile.

"May I ask why you brought Fiora?"

"Hoohoo...! You wouldn't understand, it's a rare celebration! I'm going to have a proper, enjoyable date with Ais later!"

Loki grinned lewdly and shouted loudly.

"...Sigh, and besides, she just returned from her 'expedition.' If we leave her unattended, this little princess will immediately disappear into the underground city again."

"..."

"She'll never rest until someone comes to help her relax." Loki reached out and patted the girl's head beside him. Ais seemed to admit she was wrong, her gaze lowered slightly, letting her do whatever she wanted.