Gotou Yae Kaguya was well aware of Aris's personality. In fact, it wasn't just Aris; even she, though she didn't say it, wanted to see that fool. She nodded decisively, "Then let's go."
Thanks to the information provided by Levi, the two women knew that their friend was currently working as a servant at the 'Hostess of Fertility.' However, when they actually saw her at the entrance of the tavern associated with the goddess Freya, Aris and Gotou Yae Kaguya couldn't help but laugh.
"Pfft—what's up with Ryu's hair color?" Aris clutched her stomach, laughing so hard she could hardly breathe. "Still as clumsy as ever," Gotou Yae Kaguya smirked, amused by the sight of the clumsy elf tripping over nothing.
The green-haired elf, who was picking up a tablecloth that had fallen to the ground, seemed to sense the distant gaze and turned her head towards the corner where Aris and Gotou Yae Kaguya were hiding. However, it was clear that she, who hadn't seriously fought in years, was no match in reaction speed to her former captain and vice-captain.
"An illusion...?" Thinking it was just her imagination, the 'Gale' muttered to herself and resumed her work, mainly because she was on the surface.
"Almost got caught," Aris said with a hint of satisfaction, wiping her eyes as she listened to the distant shout of "You idiot!" from inside the tavern. "It seems that even without us, Ryu can live well on her own now."
Gotou Yae Kaguya nodded slightly. The two were ultimately beings of the past, and even though they had been 'revived' by Levi's heroic summoning magic, they were not truly humans of the lower world. The most crucial point was that their other companions had not yet returned. Even if they wanted to reunite with Ryu, now was not the time.
"It's time to go," Gotou Yae Kaguya patted her friend's shoulder. "Alright," Aris nodded. "Where to next?" the girl with white hair styled in buns asked. The energetic girl with dyed ash-blonde hair tapped her lips, "Hmm~~~ the dungeon?"
"Again?" Gotou Yae Kaguya raised an eyebrow. Compared to Levi, who had a clear goal and unwaveringly pursued his chosen path, the two women, though desiring to become stronger, couldn't bear the thought of running to the dungeon every day.
"Isn't it because our employer won't let us go back?" Aris spread her hands, "Or do you want to be fed dog food until you're full?" "Uh, never mind," Gotou Yae Kaguya shuddered at the thought of Hestia and Levi's oblivious affection during breakfast and dinner.
"The dungeon it is, then. Saving up some money is never a bad thing." As they spoke, a faint cry for help came from a nearby alley, barely audible unless one listened carefully. "Help... help..." "!!!" x2
Aris and Gotou Yae Kaguya exchanged a glance. In the next second, without a moment's hesitation, they exploded with leg strength, leaping onto the roof of a nearby residential building. In a few bounds, they appeared beside a small pallum girl, whose hands and legs had been broken, her chest stained red, lying on the ground calling for help, though she had long lost hope.
Aris crouched down, retrieving a high-grade healing potion from her pouch and gently patting the semi-conscious girl's cheek. "Don't sleep, open your mouth." Gotou Yae Kaguya placed her right hand on the hilt of her sword at her waist, her expression serious, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
Liliruca Arde had always felt her life was a tragedy. Born into the Soma Familia, her parents, obsessed with earning money for divine wine, never cared for her, constantly venturing into the dungeon. Eventually, like countless nameless adventurers and supporters, they perished within. Kind-hearted grandparents once took her in, but due to interference and sabotage from other Familia members, they parted ways. During this time, she was lured into the inescapable trap of divine wine.
Thus, her soul was bound, her will plundered. Initially, Liliruca didn't want to be a bad person; she tried to become an adventurer. But with her naturally frail pallum body and age limitations, even battling the weakest goblins was a struggle. After a day's hard work, the farlis she earned might not even cover the cost of medicine. Turning to support work, she repeatedly encountered situations where adventurers swallowed her pay.
Born in the black mud, her soul long tainted, Liliruca realized that for someone as weak as her to survive in the unkind Orario, she had to discard the useless sentiment of kindness. She had to be more ruthless than adventurers, more cunning than others! In truth, after deciding to abandon morality, Liliruca's situation improved significantly. She, who once couldn't afford food, later moved out of the Familia's residence and slowly began to save money. Though occasionally found by adventurers she had wronged, being on the surface, and having chosen a lodging near the Ganesha Familia's patrol, meant that with quick reflexes and shamelessness, it was merely a matter of enduring a beating.
Lili wasn't afraid of pain. However, human desires are not so easily satisfied. When struggling to survive, she only wanted to live. Once achieved, she wanted to live better. Knowing the dire state of the Soma Familia, Liliruca had been considering switching Familia as her savings grew. She hadn't considered which Familia would truly accept someone with few skills. Or perhaps she had thought about it but deliberately ignored it.
Until a month ago... She heard a suggestion from a target she had been eyeing for some time, one that might help her. —Seek the help of 'Braver' Finn as a fellow pallum. Liliruca was not lacking in action or thick skin. After only half a day's hesitation, she appeared at the gates of the Loki Familia's residence. What followed was unexpectedly smooth. Liliruca wasn't troubled by the guards at the entrance and soon met the pallum who stood at the pinnacle of Orario. Whether out of genuine intent or to set an example, he indeed offered help. Not only did he personally visit the Soma Familia, but he also reached an agreement with 'Wine Keeper' Charnis: as long as Liliruca handed over 10 million farlis, she could immediately leave the Familia.
At that moment, Liliruca truly believed she had found salvation. However...
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Danmachi : I'm Surrounded by Goddesses (173 Chapters, Ongoing)
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