After crossing the streets, Isis arrived at the Hostess of Fertility.
Like the other taverns, it opened during the busiest hours of the morning—but compared to most places, far fewer adventurers actually chose to walk in.
After all, the drinks here were not something an ordinary adventurer could afford every day. Delicious as they were, the prices were simply too high.
At night, however, it was a different story. Adventurers would return from a full day in the Dungeon with bulging purses.
A normal Level 1 adventurer might earn only a little over five thousand valis from a whole day of exploring the Dungeon.
But if you wanted to enjoy a proper meal at the Hostess of Fertility, it would cost at least ten thousand valis. That alone showed how far beyond the reach of ordinary adventurers this place was.
Then again, this was the most fashionable tavern on West Main, and both the food and drink were exceptionally good. Naturally, it deserved the price.
Isis, however, did not care much about that. Before he left home, his mother had prepared quite a generous amount of valis for him—more than enough to support a rather expensive lifestyle in Orario.
Just as he stood in front of the Hostess of Fertility, thinking about what to eat today, a sudden, very unpleasant feeling rose within him.
It was not as though he were some high-level adventurer capable of sensing the slightest fluctuations in the air.
But he did have a certain sensitivity to natural elements, and with the effect of the Dark Eyes, he could perceive some things.
At that moment, Isis realized that someone was watching him.
It felt almost like his skin was being violated—an unapologetic, appraising gaze, as though he were an item being evaluated.
Before he had time to think it through, a voice sounded from behind him.
"On your own today?"
The tone was light, smiling—the kind of voice that made people want to answer from the very first word.
Isis turned around.
Syr stood a short distance behind him, carrying a basket full of ingredients. She had probably just returned from the morning market, and the breeze was lightly stirring her hair.
Her smile was as gentle and natural as ever, giving off that same easy warmth that made people instinctively feel close to her.
"Yes. Good morning, Miss Syr."
Though Isis found the whole thing a bit strange, he could only assume he was being overly sensitive.
After all, this cute Miss Syr in front of him really was just an ordinary person, with nothing unusual about her.
"The Familia is off on an expedition, so I have to take care of breakfast myself. That's why I came here alone."
He answered her earlier question.
"Oh, I see."
Syr lightly tapped a finger against her lips in understanding. After all, the Loki Familia's expedition force had departed in quite a grand procession this morning.
On her way back from buying ingredients earlier, she had even greeted a few Loki Familia adventurers she recognized.
"Then since it's a solo breakfast today, would you like to come in and sit down?"
She shifted slightly to the side, opening the way to the tavern behind her.
Seeing that, Isis nodded lightly.
"Sorry for the trouble, Miss Syr."
Syr followed behind him, the curve of her lips deepening just a little more than before, though she said nothing.
She merely replayed the earlier moment in her mind.
He noticed her gaze…
This child is interesting.
As soon as they stepped through the door, Mia at the counter noticed Isis.
After Alicia's introduction yesterday, Isis already knew that Aunt Mia was the owner of the Hostess of Fertility.
It had to be said, though… she really overturned his expectations. He had never seen a dwarf over one meter eighty before.
Syr came in behind him and set the basket down beside the counter.
"Syr, you're back."
Mia's voice came from behind the bar, and her eyes immediately shifted to Isis.
"And who's this kid?"
"A new member of the Loki Familia. He's here for breakfast."
Mia nodded, then promptly handed over a menu.
"Hmm…"
Isis took it and started reading.
After putting down the basket, Syr drifted over with light, graceful steps. Her soft, elegant voice sounded beside his ear.
"Egg dishes, fruit salad, bread, milk… those are all good breakfast choices…"
Hearing that, Isis nodded in understanding. After a moment's thought, he spoke.
"One serving of bacon and eggs, a fruit salad, two rolls of bread, and a glass of milk, please."
"I thought you were going to order alcohol."
Mia looked slightly surprised that he had chosen milk.
"Aunt Mia, I'm underage."
"Hm? How old are you?"
"Twelve."
"Well then, you definitely can't drink."
When she heard that Isis was only twelve, Mia could not help staring for a moment. She clearly had not expected the Loki Familia's new recruit to be this young.
And that fair, refined face even resembled Riveria's in a few ways. If she had to guess, he was probably from Riveria's homeland—maybe even related by blood.
The moment Syr heard that Isis was only twelve, her eyes lit up at once, as though she had discovered something very amusing.
The next thing Isis knew, Syr had gently but firmly ushered him into an empty seat, still wearing that sweet, adorable smile no one could possibly refuse.
Honestly, there was clearly a reason the Hostess of Fertility did such good business.
Then Syr sat down across from him with a cheerful smile, with absolutely no intention of leaving.
At the moment, the other waitresses in the tavern were all busy wiping tables and taking care of chores. Apparently even Miss Syr had moments where she liked to slack off a little.
"Going out to adventure at twelve—wouldn't your family worry?"
Resting her chin in one hand, Syr looked at him with smiling eyes, curiosity dancing in her brows.
"No. I got my parents' permission."
"I see… no wonder."
Syr nodded as if it all made sense.
Then her eyes narrowed just a little, and her smile gained a hint of probing curiosity.
"Isis, are you Lady Riveria's illegitimate child?"
"Cough—cough, cough, cough—!"
In an instant, Isis, who had been drinking water, nearly choked to death. He stared at Syr in utter shock, clearly never expecting something so outrageous to come out of her mouth.
Seeing that, Syr hurriedly passed him a napkin. Isis took it and wiped the corner of his mouth.
"N-No… Miss Syr, why would you think that? You really can't say things like that casually."
He rushed to explain.
"Because you look a little like Lady Riveria, especially this face of yours… it shows in your brows and eyes."
Syr answered with innocent sincerity, giving the basis for her guess.
"This…"
Isis took a deep breath.
"To avoid any misunderstanding, I'd better explain. Lady Riveria is my aunt."
He exhaled and added firmly,
"My real aunt."
Clearly, Isis had never expected Syr's reasoning to be based on that.
Though, thinking about it that way, her assumption was not entirely unreasonable. Better to explain it quickly, or his aunt's reputation might really suffer because of him.
"So that's how it is. No wonder."
Syr nodded with an understanding expression.
Resting her face in her hand, she watched the boy across from her seriously eating his breakfast.
Born of elven royalty. Lady Riveria's nephew. Twelve years old. From Alf Forest to Orario.
She understood the nature of elves well. Most of them carried something deeply rooted within them—about bloodlines, about purity, about that invisible line they maintained between themselves and humans.
But the way he sat here, the way he spoke to her…
He did not feel like someone who lived behind that line.
Tilting her head slightly, she tucked that discovery away in her heart.
Not enough, she thought.
She needed to watch a little longer.
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