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

Page 822

"Come here, over here~"

After being teased and played with by Demeter and the others for a while, Ais and the others left the central square and came to a street corner on East Street.

Ais lifted her tired face and saw a large tavern built next to the main road.

Judging from the fact that the doors and other building materials are still very new, you can tell that the tavern was just built.

"Ais, remember that—we'll always be taken care of by this shop from now on, definitely."

Loki seemed to be in a very good mood, but Ais couldn't discern her true intentions, so she tilted her head.

As if to answer her question, Loki said:

"Although this place has just been built, in the turbulent labyrinth city of Orario, this is the only place... where you can leisurely and happily enjoy a good drink."

I guarantee it—God's finger makes a circle.

Ais, like Loki, couldn't understand what basis Loki could give such a guarantee.

Although Ais had absolutely no interest in alcohol, she looked up at the shop's sign.

The shop is called "The Abundant Mistress".

"Boss lady—we're here to patronize you—"

Ais and Loki entered the store together. The store was a bit dark and empty.

Behind the counter, a short woman so tall you'd doubt your own eyes was wiping glasses.

"I told you, our shop only opens at night now. How many times do I have to tell you before you understand, you idiot?"

"No, no, I don't plan to drink from morning till night!"

The dwarf's indifferent reply struck even Ais as quite dignified.

She was referring to him as an adventurer, a powerful figure. Surprisingly, this dwarf possessed a presence equal to, or even surpassing, that of Finn or Grace.

Loki was not intimidated by her and responded with a sweet, coquettish voice.

"Could we borrow this place tonight? Please, please, Mia's mom~"

"Stop being so mushy, just call me as you always have."

"But you're the lady of the house now (Mom)~. Our whole [family] will be coming here often~. Please~ serve us~"

"Seriously, they chose a time when they don't have enough employees and are already incredibly busy to bother me."

Even Ais found Loki's act disgusting, and the dwarf shopkeeper simply snorted in response.

Unwittingly, Ais sensed someone else's presence. Just then, a uniformed shop assistant passed by near the counter, where it looked like the kitchen entrance. It was a cat-person older than Ais, with a doll-like expression and dark eyes that made Ais feel a certain sense of closeness.

"Anya! Bring out all the alcohol! We have some troublesome guests coming!"

After giving instructions to the shop assistant, the dwarf came to Loki and the others.

"So, is she a newcomer?"

"Yes! She's our Ais!"

"Oh, the 'Doll Princess'."

It seemed that even the tavern had heard the rumors about Ais, as the owner stared at her without any politeness.

Soon, a hearty, motherly smile appeared on the shop owner's face.

"With your small frame, you can't last long as an adventurer! Today I'll let you eat your fill of good food!"

"Be prepared!" These words, along with her cheerful smile, left Ais feeling quite taken aback.

Ais slowly understood why they had come here, and glanced at Loki.

The crimson goddess grinned triumphantly.

"We're having a banquet today, Ais. It's a celebration to reward Finn and the others."

"Well then, Finn, let's toast to your outstanding performance!"

"Cheers!"

As Loki held up his large beer mug, many mugs clinked together.

As night fell, just as the sun had foretold, a banquet was held at the tavern "The Abundant Mistress".

"Seriously, you're rushing to throw a banquet as soon as you get back... You should at least have contacted us beforehand."

"What does it matter, Rivera? I just wanted to reward the kids who always work so hard! It's just a small thing I can do!"

"Haha, Loki, you're mistaken. It's probably because you wanted to drink it yourself, isn't it?"

"Hmph! There's no need to come all the way to this tavern."

Loki and Ais left the shop for the time being. Upon welcoming Rivera and the others back to the mansion after suppressing the riot, Loki said, "Let's head straight to the tavern!" and led them out. Just as she had said, it was for a banquet.

According to the main god, "My lovely retinue has been fighting day and night, it's time for them to get some fresh air," and so on. But Ais felt that Finn's reasoning also played a significant role. Ever since she started living with Loki in the mansion, where he was always reeking of alcohol, Ais had known that Loki was an alcoholic.

Just as she was sitting at the same table with Finn and the others, sipping her freshly squeezed juice...

"I heard you, you old dwarf. Believe me or not, I'll kick you out alone!"

Thump! A large piece of roasted pork was placed on the table.

Ais jumped in surprise as she saw the dwarf female shopkeeper, who had brought out the food, looking down at Grace, who was grumbling.

"Alright, give it a try, you unscrupulous shopkeeper. All you do is keep growing upwards, what's with all the arrogance?"

"Alright, Grace. The other members are watching."

"Hi, Mia, sorry we came so suddenly today. Thank you."

"That's right. I won't be polite when I take your money."

"This shop was established by profiting from adventurers, right? I get it. Let's eat and drink to our hearts' content."

Ais was surprised to see Grace deliberately picking a fight, and then she saw Riveria reminding her as usual, while Finn seemed to be very familiar with the shop owner, smiling at her amiably.

The dwarf Mia snorted and went back to the understaffed kitchen.

"...Do you know that dwarf?"

"I guess you could say we know each other...or perhaps we have a complicated, tumultuous relationship..."

"The shopkeeper, Mia, was originally an adventurer. Although she's somewhat detached from the faction now, she had various relationships with us not long ago."

"Hmph! She's just a female thug. She tries to solve everything with her fists."

"Heh, are you lonely because no one's arguing with you, Grace?"

"Stop talking nonsense, Finn."

Ais sensed an inexplicable connection between Riveria and the shopkeeper, and when she asked about it, the answer she received greatly surprised her.

"He's an adventurer, yet he runs a tavern...?"

"Yes... When we heard about this, we were so surprised we couldn't close our mouths."

Grace tilted his head back and gulped down the liquid in his large beer mug while keeping a straight face, at which point Finn beside him squinted his blue eyes.

"I think Mia's ambition is quite remarkable."

"...?"

"That's why Mia opened this tavern. In Orario, where the security situation is deteriorating, she wanted to create a place where anyone could drink and laugh... That's why she left her Familia.

"No matter how bad the times are, there should always be a place where everyone can eat happily." This was originally the owner's catchphrase, but it later became the tavern's slogan; after hearing this, Ais looked around.

Besides the members of the Loki Familia, the shop also housed many demi-humans. These included not only adventurers, but also ordinary people who appeared to be laborers without family ties, and a group of blacksmiths with a craftsman's spirit. Everyone laughed heartily, drank, and enjoyed the delicious food.

The gloomy atmosphere I'd seen on the streets during the day was nowhere to be found here. Everyone wore genuinely relieved expressions, enjoying the moment. The typical lively scene of a tavern unfolded before Ais's eyes.

(...So warm.)

To be honest, Ais wasn't particularly interested in the banquet at first, but she also felt very comfortable there.

At the same time, the scene before my eyes overlaps with my past memories.

The father, who looked troubled as he was pressured to drink, and his companions, who sang and danced after drinking.

Ais and her mother watched with smiles on their faces.

The memories of the past pierced her heart like a deep longing for home... However, Loki and the others heated up the atmosphere by drinking with the lower-ranking members, and the shouting and commotion helped her dispel these feelings.

Just like the sign hanging high, this is indeed "The Tavern of Abundance".

"Ais, don't just drink beverages, eat your food properly too. Give me your plate."

"You're getting better and better, Rivera."

"Haha, that's right."

"Stop making fun of me, Finn, Grace."

Ais was listening to Riveria and the others' conversation, slowly savoring the vegetable salad or steamed/grilled fish that Riveria had prepared for her—unexpectedly, the other members of the group suddenly appeared at their table.

"Ais, don't always hang out with the captain and the others, talk to us sometimes!"

「!?」

"Go, Kevin!"

Normally, the other members wouldn't talk to the unemotional Ais, but perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, they let their guard down. They and the others, already a little tipsy, surrounded Ais's seat, like they were having a social gathering. Apparently, everyone was already filled with curiosity about this mysterious new member who was treated like a doll in the [Family]... or rather, like a rare human.

As for Ais, she was quite startled.

"Ais-chan... no, I mean, Ais-nii! Want to try our delicious magical drink?" "Hey! You guys! What are you going to give her to drink?!" "Okay, okay, Rivera—what's wrong with having a little now and then—" "Drinking this magical drink will make you stronger!"

"Get stronger?"

The little girl was overwhelmed by the conversations involving group members, Rivera, and Loki, and only reacted to the words "can become stronger." Showing her naiveté... or rather, her natural airheadedness, she actually accepted the glass offered to her.

Finn smiled wryly, turning a blind eye, while Grace stroked his beard with interest; the little girl drank the magical beverage that smelled of fruit—fruit wine—while the two watched.

"........."

"How is it, Ais? It tastes good, doesn't it!?"

"Aren't you feeling more and more comfortable? Come on, let's chat!"

"...That's strange? Ais-chan, isn't she??"

"Something doesn't seem right...?"

Ignoring her bandmates' antics, Ais became unresponsive. She held the empty glass in both hands and placed it on the table with a thud.

"...Ais?"

"Ais, my girl?"

Just as Rivera and Loki were casting surprised glances at them, the next moment...

Whoosh!

"Gugaa ...

"Kevin, Kevin—!?"