In the end,
perhaps because the first victory was too exhilarating, or perhaps because Mia's fruit wine here was too intoxicating, this celebration feast lasted much longer than expected.
Finally,
when even the biggest eater, the Fierce Person, had to hold his round belly, sprawled on the ground, and let out a satisfied burp,
the gathering finally came to an end.
"Alright."
Heimdall put down his empty glass, looking at the disheveled crowd.
"It's getting late."
"There are plans for tomorrow."
"Let's call it a night."
With that,
Heimdall stood up.
Almost simultaneously,
Shakti, seeing this, also immediately stood up, deftly pulling out her money pouch from her waist, and walked to the counter to pay.
That smooth series of actions
left the drunk and full Tsubaki staring in amazement, unable to help but shake her head, her single eye full of amusement.
"Hehe."
"Next time, I must find a reason to make the Guild treat me to a meal."
Tsubaki let out a long sigh after drinking.
...
"Thank you for your patronage—!"
As everyone stood up and headed towards the door,
two figures that had been hiding in the corner, playing dead, finally came to life.
In the shadow behind the counter,
two pairs of eyes stared intently at the back of the figure in standard light armor, until they saw the oak door pushed open, and that suffocating figure disappeared into the night.
"Phew—"
A synchronized sigh of relief.
"Finally gone, meow..."
Chloe's entire body went limp, slumping over the counter, her cat ears finally perking up tremulously.
"Scared the cat to death, meow..."
"Just having that woman around makes it hard to breathe, meow..."
"Who can disagree, meow..."
Lunova also had a look of relief, wiping the fine beads of sweat from her forehead.
"As long as that woman is wearing that gauntlet, I feel a chill down my spine."
"I always feel like the next second, she'll pin me to the ground, rubbing my face against the floor."
The two looked at each other, seeing the same emotion in each other's eyes.
—Thank goodness, we survived.
This was probably the most difficult night they had faced since retiring from the world and taking refuge under Mia's wing, eating this peaceful meal.
But.
Behind the counter.
After seeing them off, Mia still couldn't help but thoughtfully stroke her chin.
"This is interesting..."
"This deity is quite generous."
"To make even a member of the Ganesha Familia so devoted."
At that moment,
the other female shop assistants, having finished their tasks, also gathered at the counter.
"Indeed, Mama Mia."
Anya tucked a tray under her arm and asked gossipingly,
"Do you think what that Tsubaki said is true?"
"That group of newcomers."
"Did they really reach the 12th floor on their first day?"
"That's ridiculous!"
"When I was Lv.1, I spent half a month just wandering around the first 5 floors!"
"Who knows?"
Lunova also looked incredulous, clicking her tongue.
"And did you see that red-eyed little girl with the tachi?"
"Although she can't see,"
"but when she put that sword on the table earlier, I sneaked a glance."
"That sharpness..."
Lunova gestured.
"It's definitely a first-class weapon!"
"They don't seem like newcomers at all."
"More like a group of elite fighters armed to the teeth."
Chloe sighed, slumping over the counter, her two black cat ears drooping listlessly.
"Comparisons are odious."
"If we had that kind of treatment back in the day, we wouldn't have had to do those shady jobs..."
"But speaking of which,"
Anya suddenly looked around, as if noticing something.
"Where did Ryu run off to?"
"She said she was going to take out the trash."
"It's been half the day; why isn't she back yet?"
As soon as she said this,
the others who had been gossiping also paused.
True,
although Ryu usually didn't talk much, she was the most reliable when it came to work.
It was just taking out the trash.
Why would it take so long?
"..."
Hearing this, Mia's hand paused slightly as she wiped a glass.
She looked up, her gaze deep as she looked towards the door leading to the back alley.
"She's probably tired."
After a moment of silence, Mia said calmly.
"After all, Hestia isn't here today."
"She has plenty of work to do."
"Let her be."
"She's probably busy with something else."
With that,
Mia lowered her head again, wiping the glass in her hand.
Meanwhile,
in the tavern's main hall,
as the group left, the previously hushed discussions suddenly erupted like a boiling pot.
Voices rose and fell,
some envious, some jealous, some doubtful, some astonished.
But regardless,
after tonight,
this news would surely spread like wildfire through the streets of Orario.
...
As for
the night-shrouded streets,
the cool night breeze dispersed the smell of alcohol on everyone.
Walking beside the group, Tsubaki stopped and pointed towards the back, somewhat puzzled.
"Lord Heimdall."
"If my sense of direction hasn't been thrown off by those drinks,"
"the Hephaestus Familia's residence should be back there, right?"
"Although I don't mind taking everyone for a night stroll, with all these bags and two bears..."
"If we keep going, we'll end up in the high-end residential area of Northwest Street."
Tsubaki looked at the direction the group was heading, her face full of confusion.
After all,
since they were already staying with the Hephaestus Familia, shouldn't they be going back to rest?
But,
"Hehe!"
Hestia, who had been holding it in, finally couldn't resist jumping out.
She stood with her hands on her hips, puffing out her impressive chest, looking mysterious.
"You just wait and see, Tsubaki!"
"Just follow Heimdall!"
"This guy has prepared a big surprise for his children!"
"A big surprise?"
Tsubaki and the girls beside her looked at each other in confusion.
Before they could realize what this big surprise was,
...
twenty minutes later,
when they arrived at the prime location where North Street intersects with West Street,
—a quiet oasis amidst the bustle.
Heimdall stopped in front of a large, ornate black iron gate.
"We're here."
Heimdall said softly.
"This..."
Tsubaki looked at the obviously expensive stone house, then at Heimdall, her eyes widening.
The massive black iron gate gleamed with a high-end feel under the moonlight, and the tall stone walls blocked the view inside, revealing only a corner of the three-story stone building and a few tender branches extending over the wall.
-------------------------------
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