The Magic Stone lamp gave off a faint glow as a cold breeze swept through the alley.
For an instant, Syr's smile froze.
The arm touching the boy's also gave an unconscious little tremble.
"Honestly, this is all Bell's fault. You startled me. Why would you suddenly say something like that?"
Syr puffed out her cheeks, then complained, "Look, you even stunned Ryuu."
"Um..."
Ryuu simply could not keep up with the two of them.
A moment ago, they had still been chatting affectionately, so how had the conversation suddenly become even more baffling?
Syr was a Goddess?
How could that possibly be...
Syr glanced at the pensive Ryuu and said, "Bell, Gods have Divinity. Anyone can see through them at a glance."
Even on a first meeting, even without knowing the other party's identity, people of the Lower World would be affected by Divinity and recognize a God.
That would not change even if the other party dressed up as a ragged beggar.
"You're right. I was just saying it offhand. After all, Syr is as cute as a Goddess."
Bell followed his girlfriend's lead and did not press the matter any further.
Gods could actively release their Divinity.
Looking at it that way, could they also completely suppress their Divinity and become ordinary people?
Bell did not know the answer to that guess.
His grandfather had never taught him anything about it. Was it because he did not know himself, or had his grandfather deliberately avoided the topic for some other reason?
Bell buried the suspicion deep in his heart.
Whether Syr was an ordinary tavern girl or an unknown Goddess made no difference to him.
The love they had exchanged was real.
Although Syr had hidden certain things, she had never once lied when it came to their relationship.
For such a pure girl, Bell would naturally respect her wishes.
"Even if you're calling me cute, you still can't just say something like that out of nowhere."
Syr pouted and changed the subject. "Look, we're here."
The Magic Stone lamps pointed toward a spacious building like signposts.
"Is this... a church?"
Ryuu asked softly.
She recovered from her earlier shock and looked at the somewhat old wooden building.
"Bell hasn't been here either, but let's have him answer that question."
Syr seemed to still be bothered by the boy's earlier guess, so she gave him a test.
An old yet spacious building located deep in the slums.
Bell had never visited this place before, but Syr's question itself was a hint.
"This is where those children live."
Bell recalled the first rainy night he had spent with Syr and answered.
Back then, the two of them had met two children from the orphanage on the road.
Bell had always remembered that conversation, and he knew Syr would bring food to Daedalus Street to visit the children from the orphanage.
"As expected of Bell..."
Syr smiled softly.
Even after everything they had been through, the boy still had not forgotten the little moments they had shared.
"Let's go in. The food won't taste good if it gets cold."
After that brief probing, Syr actually seemed a little happier.
The three of them passed through a spacious corridor stacked with many chairs and headed toward a door farther inside.
By unspoken agreement, both Ryuu and Bell held back their remarks.
How exactly was any of this food supposed to be delicious?
...
"Huh? It's the big brother we met before!"
A human boy poked his head out from behind a door, and when he saw Bell, he happily pushed it open.
"Rye, long time no see."
Bell greeted him with a smile.
"It's been so long, and big brother still remembers my name?"
Rye blinked, then cheerfully ran up to Bell. "I watched the fight in the Divine Mirror. Big brother was so cool!"
"Rye, where are Fina and the others?"
Syr asked gently.
"They heard Sister Syr was coming, so they all hid..."
Rye betrayed his companions without the slightest hesitation.
"Oh, now that's some interesting information."
Syr looked around at the nearby doors and called out in a kind voice, "I prepared a special dish for the naughty children. Now then, who will be the lucky one?"
Before she had even finished speaking, the children poked their heads out one after another and bashfully made their way toward Syr.
"Um... good evening, big sister..."
The Chienthrope girl at the front drooped her ears and greeted her with obvious reluctance.
"You must all be starving. It's time for something fun."
Syr smiled gently and led the twenty-odd dejected children deeper into the church.
Under the glow of the Magic Stone lamps, clean dining tables were neatly arranged in the cafeteria.
Ryuu finally escaped Syr's clutches and silently stood at the back.
Bell, meanwhile, was surrounded by the cheerful children.
"I know your title, big brother! You're Little Rookie, right? What do I have to do to become an Adventurer as cool as you?!"
Rye's eyes sparkled.
"You really like adventure stories, don't you?"
Bell answered with a smile.
"Yeah! Adventurers can make lots of money, then let Mama Maria and everyone live a good life!"
Rye declared his dream with bright enthusiasm.
"Rye, I've told you many times. I don't want you children becoming Adventurers."
A kind middle-aged woman walked over from the other side of the cafeteria.
"Um... then I'll go to the School District and come back after earning lots of money!"
Rye looked downcast for a moment, but quickly perked up again.
"Lady Maria..."
Even though this was their first meeting, Bell could see the flash of sadness on her face.
"I'm sorry. I don't have any prejudice against Adventurers. It's just that most of the children I raised before joined Familias, and then..."
Lady Maria's voice was very soft, but it carried countless memories.
"I understand."
Bell nodded solemnly.
He looked toward the silent Ryuu, and the instant their gazes met, the elf girl avoided the boy's crimson eyes.
"Still, with the Goddess's support and Syr-san's care, our lives are actually quite good now."
A little girl clung to Lady Maria's side. She smiled gently and stroked the girl's head.
"Mama Maria~"
Amid the child's call, Lady Maria said a few words of welcome, then took Rye with her and left Bell and the others.
"So, big brother, who's your real favorite, Sister Syr or this one beside you?"
Fina slowly approached Bell like a little adult.
Syr was busy greeting the children, so only Ryuu and Bell heard those words.
"You've misunderstood. Cranel-san and I aren't in that kind of relationship..."
Ryuu answered first.
The topic should have ended there.
But with a Beast Human's dynamic vision, Fina caught one detail.
She smiled lightly and pressed on.
"Huh? But just now, weren't you two exchanging glances?"
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