'I knew you'd react like this.'
Tsubaki, as if expecting this, stepped forward and blocked Eina's worried gaze.
She jerked her thumb backward.
'But,
Eina, let's get the job done first.'
'This is our haul for the day.'
With that,
Tsubaki snapped her fingers.
'Fierce Person! Bring in the goods!'
'Thud! Thud!'
The ground trembled.
The massive figure that had been hiding in the shadows stepped forward, its heavy footsteps shaking the counter.
The enormous shadow of a Black Bear instantly enveloped Eina.
Eina instinctively shrank back.
The Black Bear awkwardly turned around, presenting the large, bulging beast-hide pack on its back to the counter.
'This... this is...'
Eina stared at the pack, which exuded a strong smell of blood and wild beast.
'A small gift.'
Tsubaki interjected,
reaching out to untie the thick, sinewy rope securing the beast-hide pack.
'Whoosh—!'
Without any warning,
as the rope was untied,
countless colorful magic stones poured out like a flood!
'Clatter! Clatter! Whoosh—!'
The crisp, melodious sounds of the stones colliding filled the entire hall.
Magic stones of various sizes piled up on the counter, forming a small mountain. Some even slid off the counter, rolling across the floor.
This amount was comparable to what a main force Adventurer party of over a dozen people could gather in a day.
'This...'
Eina looked at the pile of magic stones that was about to bury her, her glasses slipping down to the tip of her nose, but she didn't bother to push them back up.
'All of these... were gathered... today?'
'Not just that.'
Tsubaki pointed to the back.
'There are also materials back there, but we won't bring them over. Those hides, claws, and teeth will be sent directly to our Familia's workshop for processing, so we won't trouble the Guild.'
...
With that,
Tsubaki boasted in the Guild for half a day.
Finally,
night fell completely.
The group left the Guild and arrived at the busiest section of West Street.
A two-story building stood at the street corner.
Warm yellow light spilled from the windows, along with the tantalizing aroma of roasted meat and the fragrance of ale, enticing passersby.
The sign of 'The Hostess of Fertility' tavern was particularly eye-catching in the night.
'We're here! We're here!'
As soon as Hestia saw the sign, her eyes lit up like two light bulbs.
'Finally, time for a feast!'
She was clearly eager.
...
'Creak—'
As the group pushed open the oak door,
a wave of noise hit them—the clinking of glasses, the laughter of Adventurers, and the chatter of barmaids.
'Welcome—!'
'Hey! Isn't that Tsubaki?'
'What brings you here today? Long time no see!'
Behind the counter,
a burly woman with an apron tied around her waist looked up from polishing a glass. She was as imposing as a small mountain.
—The proprietor of 'The Hostess of Fertility'.
—Mia Granado.
Former captain of the Freya Familia, a dwarf, known as the 'Little Giant,' a Level 6 Adventurer.
Even after retiring for many years, her aura of a Big Sister remained unchanged.
She first glanced at Tsubaki with a familiar smile,
then her gaze shifted to the others, pausing briefly,
before finally settling on the fully armed Shakti.
Her glass-polishing motion noticeably paused.
'Well, well, well.',
'If it isn't the Commander of the Military Police.'
Mia raised an eyebrow.
She slung the cloth over her shoulder, her booming voice instantly cutting through the din of the tavern.
'What brings you here tonight?'
'Did my little tavern hide some notorious outlaw that requires your personal attention?'
The tavern, once bustling, fell silent as if a group silence spell had been cast.
Especially the few female staff members in green maid uniforms who had been busy in the hall—their movements noticeably stiffened.
The atmosphere in the tavern became tense.
After all,
many of them had once been wanted criminals.
Especially the Catfolk girl with black cat ears.
She had once accepted a mission to assassinate Shakti Varma,
only to be thoroughly defeated and nearly traumatized.
This instinctive reaction to seeing a cat was ingrained in her bones, even after she had reformed.
'...'
At the same time,
Shakti also noticed the subtle change in the tavern's atmosphere.
As the long-time Commander of the Military Police,
she was all too familiar with this reaction.
However,
she was only here as a bodyguard today.
Her stern aura, characteristic of the military police, seemed out of place in this tavern filled with Adventurers.
'...'
Thinking this, Shakti frowned slightly, paused for a moment, then leaned toward Heimdall and lowered her voice,
'Lord Heimdall'
'Since I have safely escorted you here,
'I will wait outside.'
With that,
Shakti did not want her presence to dampen the festive mood of the god she was protecting and turned to leave.
This way,
she could continue her surveillance task.
But,
Heimdall, seeing this, helplessly reached out and gently pulled her back.
Shakti was startled and turned around.
'Captain Shakti, since you're here, there's no reason to leave.'
Heimdall withdrew his hand and gestured to the curious patrons inside.
'Remember our agreement.
'Tonight is a celebration of my children's first expedition.'
Shakti paused, then nodded slightly, acknowledging Heimdall's words.
She understood the importance of the occasion and decided to stay, despite her initial reservations.
'Very well, Lord Heimdall.',
'I will join the celebration, but I must remain vigilant.'
With that,
the group entered the tavern, ready to enjoy the night's festivities while Shakti kept a watchful eye on the proceedings.
"Since tonight is a celebration."
"Such a happy occasion."
"Naturally, no one can be left out."
"Lord Heimdall..."
Shakti opened her mouth to say something.
"This is the will of the god, Commander Shakti."
Heimdall abruptly interrupted Shakti.
"Even the tautest bowstring will break if it never relaxes."
"So tonight, Commander Shakti, you cannot refuse me."
Heimdall's attitude was unusually firm.
Shakti, listening to this, showed a hint of helplessness on her serious face and stepped back half a step to stand behind Heimdall again.
"As you command."
"Lord Heimdall."
"Since this is your divine will."
"That's the way it should be."
Heimdall nodded in satisfaction and withdrew his hand.
...
After this.
This subtle interaction was observed by everyone in the tavern.
Even Mia behind the counter flashed a hint of surprise in her eyes.
...
"Hey hey! The more the merrier!"
Tsubaki, seeing this, also loved to see such unconventional scenes.
Then.
Tsubaki turned around and waved to Mia behind the counter.
"Alright, Boss Mia!"
"Don't just watch the show!"
"Set up a few of the biggest tables for us!"
"Tonight, bring out all the best food and drinks!"
"We are tonight's big customers!"
"Whoa! No problem."
Mia let out a hearty laugh, and the tense atmosphere from before vanished instantly.
"Since they are honored guests, why be polite!"
Mia waved her hand and immediately shouted at the few shop assistants who had been hiding.
"Lunova! Chloe! What are you two still doing?"
"Didn't you hear the customer? Quickly set up a few of the biggest tables!"
"N-no way, meow—?!?"
Hearing this, Chloe of the Catfolk was scared out of her wits.
-------------------------------
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