“Whoa!
You seriously said something like that?!” “In all these years, I’ve never heard of anyone daring to speak to the Guild that way!” “Ritsuka-san, are you always this fearless?” Inside the Hostess of Fertility, the waitresses gathered around Fujimaru Ritsuka, grinning as they showered him with questions.
After Ritsuka arrived, Ryuu recounted everything that had happened outside the Adventurers’ Guild.
The waitresses were amazed by his glorious achievement.
After all, no one had done anything quite like it in the Guild’s thousand-year history.
After enjoying their praise for a while, Ritsuka answered with a smile.
“It wasn’t anything remarkable.
I simply couldn’t tolerate their behavior.” “Besides, I belong to the Goddess of Justice’s Familia.
Naturally, I had to step forward and do something.” “A follower of justice…” Syr listened carefully but sensed no deception in his words.
Even with her divine power sealed, she retained a god’s natural ability to distinguish lies from truth.
Once she confirmed his sincerity, her curiosity only deepened.
“The Astraea Familia has always accepted only women.
You’re its first male member, aren’t you?” “How did you manage to join?” “Right, right!
I’m curious too, nya!
How did a man join the Astraea Familia, nya?” Anya eagerly joined the questioning.
“Well, I suppose I was fortunate.” Ritsuka continued without concealing anything.
“When I first traveled to Solingen, I became lost in the forest without any food.” “After wandering for three days, I collapsed from hunger.
Astraea-sama found me and saved my life.” “To repay that debt, I asked to join her Familia.” “Huh?” His answer left everyone confused.
“You were rescued, so she let you join her Familia?
Isn’t that a little unusual?” “It may have been because of my circumstances.
I have no relatives or anyone else to rely on in this world.” “Astraea-sama took pity on me and accepted me.” “When I joined, I swore that I would return to Orario and make the Astraea Familia great again!” “Making an entire Familia great again isn’t a promise you can easily fulfill.” “That’s precisely why it’s worth fulfilling.” “If something could be accomplished effortlessly, could it truly be called an oath?” “Then the road ahead of you will be extremely difficult, Fujimaru-san.” Despite her warning, Syr’s eyes held clear admiration.
Ritsuka spread his hands helplessly.
“That’s why I came here searching for my senior.
I hoped she might help me.” “Unfortunately, none of you seem to have met her.” “There’s nothing we can do about that.
None of us have worked here for very long, so we know almost nothing about what happened years ago.” Chloe smiled while rubbing one of her ears, though her eyes repeatedly drifted toward Ryuu.
Feeling awkward beneath Chloe’s gaze, Ryuu hurriedly spoke.
“The manager is probably the only one who knows the full story.
You should ask her when she comes out.” “What did you want to ask me?” Mama Mia appeared at the perfect moment, carrying a plate.
Her tall, muscular body made her resemble a small giant, perfectly matching the alias Little Giant she had borne during her adventuring days.
She placed the plate in front of Ritsuka.
“Here.
I heard you’re Noel’s new friend and only arrived in Orario today.
This meal is on me.” “Thank you very much, Mama Mia.” Ritsuka nodded gratefully.
“As for my question, did a golden-haired Elf ever stay here?
Her name is—” “There’s no need to say it.
I know who you mean.” Mama Mia raised a hand and stopped him.
“Do you understand how much trouble speaking that name aloud could cause?” Ritsuka glanced at the waitresses around him, looking puzzled.
“Everyone here is Noel-san’s close friend.
I thought it would be safe.” The waitresses all smiled, while Mama Mia looked utterly speechless.
“I can’t decide whether you’re naive or simply lack common sense.” “I’ll assume you’re naive.
You’re a rookie who only arrived today, so you don’t understand Orario’s darkness.” “No.
I’ve already experienced Orario’s darkness.” Ritsuka shook his head slightly.
“I experienced it firsthand twice on my very first day.” “True.
Anyone willing to shout something like that outside the Guild must be deeply disappointed in Orario.” “Orario is certainly very different from what I imagined.” Ritsuka nodded, but his expression showed no disappointment.
“That’s exactly why Orario needs justice, isn’t it?” “Heh.” Mama Mia could not help laughing.
“Young people certainly are energetic.” Ritsuka immediately rejected her description.
“I’m already twenty.
I’m practically an old geezer.” “An old…
what?” Mama Mia stared at him in confusion.
“It’s nothing.
Don’t worry about it.” Ritsuka waved dismissively.
“I’m more interested in what happened to my senior.” “She came here several years ago and stayed while recovering from her injuries.” “Once she recovered, she left.
I don’t know where she went afterward.” Mama Mia delivered the answer they had prepared in advance.
“So no one knows where she is now.” Disappointment appeared on Ritsuka’s face.
“It seems Astraea-sama’s hopes will be disappointed.
I wanted to bring my senior back into the Familia.” “Given the current circumstances, I suggest putting that idea aside for now.” As an experienced veteran, Mama Mia immediately offered her advice.
“What happened back then caused an enormous disturbance.” “The Guild certainly had plenty of darkness and shared some blame, but your senior still went too far and publicly humiliated them.” “You embarrassed the Guild again today.
For the sake of preserving its reputation, it won’t easily forgive your senior.” “So what should I do?” “First, stop carelessly revealing information about her like you just did.” “Then accomplish something that makes an enormous contribution to Orario.” “Only after earning enough merit will the Guild have no excuse to trouble you.” “It may also choose to overlook your senior’s crimes.
Once that happens, she can safely return to the Familia.” Ritsuka looked at Mama Mia in surprise.
The method she described was exactly how Ryuu had openly returned to adventuring in the original story.
When Freya lost control and her Familia challenged nearly every other Familia in Orario, Ryuu joined the battle against them.
She defeated major members of the Freya Familia and earned tremendous merit.
The Guild then chose to overlook her past, allowing her to register under a different name as a supposedly new adventurer.
Now Mama Mia had directly handed him the same solution.
“Thank you, Mama Mia.” Ritsuka rose from his seat.
“I’ll earn enough merit to bring my senior back into the Astraea Familia!” “Then I’ll look forward to seeing what you accomplish.” Mama Mia smiled and nodded.
“But for now, let’s eat!” …