“I’ll probably join the Loki Familia.
I plan to go to Twilight Manor tomorrow to check it out.”
Looking up at the towering white chalk tower in the distance, Asta replied.
Soon, that would also be his daily haunt.
As for the possibility of him failing to join a Familia?
Call it blind confidence if you will, but for now, Asta hadn’t considered that possibility.
Just the fact that he would have two rare skills after becoming an Adventurer, he didn’t believe Loki wouldn’t be tempted.
It should be known that among Adventurers in the DanMachi world, many skills displayed common effects and uses.
While acquiring a skill itself was a rare occurrence, from the confirmed types, it was often found that only the names differed, while the abilities were similar to other skills.
If it was between the same races, this possibility would increase significantly.
Each race seemed to have common latent skill factors, for example, Elves had magic support effects, Dwarves had strength enhancement, and Beastmen had beastification.
Among these various skill effects with overlapping content, those that were unique or rare were called rare skills.
This was a nickname given by the Gods themselves.
Holders of rare skills were like rare animals, but if discovered, they usually ended up in a miserable state~
Perhaps due to their thirst for entertainment, other Gods, upon hearing special terms like “rare skill” or “original,” would easily react like fools.
Like children, they would do everything in their power to become interested, and then do everything in their power to meddle.
And they would even giggle while doing so.
Even more so, even if someone had already signed a contract, they would still entice and threaten them to join their Familia.
Yes, Asta was referring to a certain perverted male God.
And Twilight Manor was the name of the Loki Familia’s main annex, located in the northern part of Orario.
“Loki’s Familia, huh?
That’s a good choice.
The Familia is strong, and she herself has a personality that isn’t stuck up, making her easy to approach.”
At this moment, Artemis, who had just finished her meeting with Uranus and walked out of the Guild’s main entrance, happened to hear this and spoke with a half-smile.
“Asta, you seem very confident about this.
Be careful not to make a fool of yourself.
Although Loki is easy to approach, her standards are also very high.”
Asta blinked.
According to the plot of Adventure stories, shouldn’t she be giving him some encouragement right now?
So he rested his hand on his chin, deep in thought, as if contemplating the possibility of Artemis’s words coming true.
“If I really can’t be favored by God Loki, then I’ll just have to run to Lady Artemis and beg for shelter.
Seeing as we’ve traveled together for so many days, Lady Artemis should take me in, right?”
Hope appeared in Asta’s eyes as he looked at Artemis.
To make it more convincing, Asta even forced a few tears from the corners of his eyes.
However, facing Asta’s appearance, Artemis’s delicate nostrils twitched, she narrowed her eyes slightly, lifted her chin to expose her fair neck, and snorted lightly while looking at him askance.
“I’d be damned if I believed you.
Put down the garlic cloves in your hand before talking to me!
The smell is drifting over.”
“Exactly, so fake.
How could such a small trick fool Lady Artemis, impossible!”
Hearing the Goddess’s words, Lante immediately joined in, kicking him while he was down.
“I was careless.
I didn’t expect you, Lante, to have the potential to be a lackey.
I won’t argue with you this time.”
Asta didn’t dare to refute Artemis’s words, but as for that little girl Lante, he had more than enough to handle her.
“What did you say?!
Argh!!!
Asta!
I’m going to bite you to death!”
Provoked by Asta’s words, Lante instantly became enraged, transforming into a clawing, biting kitten struggling in Rethusa’s arms.
“Now, now…
Lante, don’t be angry, don’t be angry.
It’s not worth getting angry with him.
Lady Goddess is still watching…”
Hugging Lante, Rethusa gently soothed her.
“If you bully Lante like this again, next time Rethusa and I won’t help you.
We’ll just watch you get beaten into a pig’s head.”
Perhaps unable to stand such bullying, Artemis shook her head helplessly.
Having said that, she strode away with her long legs.
“Let’s go, let’s find a place for lunch.
Aren’t you hungry yet?”
Looking at the retreating figure with aqua-blue hair, Asta glanced briefly at the half-elf cat still baring her teeth at him.
As he rose to follow the Goddess’s footsteps, he also wondered if he had truly gone a bit too far.
To examine his conscience, Asta placed his hand over his heart.
Conscience, are you in pain?
“…”
No?
Then it’s fine.
Sorry for interrupting your work, Conscience.
“Alright, Lante, let’s follow them.
Think of something happy~”
“Mmm-mmm…
I’m going to bite that heartless Asta to death.”
“Yes, yes, yes, you’re going to bite him to death.
Mhm-mhm-mhm, you’ll definitely succeed…”
Very skillfully calming Lante down, Rethusa was already immune to her usual threats.
Believe it or not, when they ate later, this girl would completely forget what just happened and be all smiles?
So, just listen to these words with one ear and let them out the other.
After much coaxing, Lante finally pouted and reluctantly followed the two people ahead.
She put her hands behind her back in a huff, glaring fiercely at Asta’s back.
However, it was useless…
The four of them came to the southwest area, to a tavern with a bright red bee signboard named Flaming Bee Pavilion, to enjoy a somewhat late lunch.
Though called a tavern, in Orario, “taverns” were actually restaurants using that name.
It was just that Adventurers liked to drink to console themselves.
Hence the name tavern.
In a corner of Flaming Bee Pavilion.
Because she was not old enough and had been ordered by the Goddess not to drink alcohol, Lante was chugging a glass of juice, drinking it with the vigor of ale.
After finishing a glass, the blue-haired girl put down the cup, let out a satisfied sigh, and exclaimed,
“So delicious!”
“Asta, get me another one!”
“If you want to order, find a waiter, why are you asking me…”
Asta, who was quietly eating, immediately retorted, but still, he called a waiter for her and asked for a few more glasses of the same juice.
Rethusa calmly took a bite of her food.
See, what did she say just now?
…
After lunch, the four decided to go shopping on the commercial street.
According to Miss Rethusa, the Familia leader, this was to purchase supplies needed by the Familia members.
Then, the leader, who was supposed to be buying supplies, kept pulling the half-elf girl far behind Asta and Artemis, “observing in secret,” her face practically screaming “plan successful,” just short of holding a watermelon.
Asta could more or less guess her intentions.
It was similar to someone who enjoys watching their best friend and gay friend fall in love and is enthusiastic about shipping couples.
Now, the leader wanted to try and advance the relationship between the Goddess and him.
After all, they wouldn’t be staying in Orario for long; if they missed this opportunity, it might be several months before they saw Asta again.
At least before they left, hmm…
a hand-hold, a hug?
Forgive the pure thoughts of a girl in her twenties; she tried her best.
However, reality was about to disappoint her.
Because both parties had their own concerns, this was destined to be just a very ordinary outing for two.
Even if it looked very much like a date, and some delightful scenes occurred during it, it was still just that.