Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven: Artemis – “I trust you, NOT!”

“Probably going to join Loki Familia. Tomorrow, I’ll head over to Twilight Manor for a look.”

Izay replied while gazing up at the towering white chalk tower not too far away.

Soon enough, that place would become somewhere he frequented daily.

As for the possibility of failing to join a Familia?

One might call it blind confidence, but Izay hadn’t even considered this yet.

Just from knowing he’d gain two rare skills as an adventurer, he couldn’t believe Loki wouldn’t be interested.

You see, in this world of Orario, many skills displayed by adventurers share common effects and utilities.

While obtaining a skill is indeed rare, confirmed types often reveal similar abilities under different names.

If within the same race, the likelihood increases dramatically.

Each race seems to have inherent potential skill factors; like Elves with magical assistance, Dwarves with enhanced strength, and Beastmen with beast transformations.

Among these recurring skill effects, those unique or scarce are known as rare skills.

A nickname given by the gods themselves.

Rare skill holders are like precious animals, but when discovered, they usually end up suffering…

Perhaps due to boredom, other deities react foolishly upon hearing terms like “rare skills” or “original,” showing immense interest and meddling however they can, all while laughing gleefully.

Worse still, despite existing contracts, they’ll persuade or threaten others to join their Familias.

Yes, Izay was referring to a certain perverted male deity.

Twilight Manor refers to the annex of Loki Familia’s main headquarters, located at the northern end of Orario.

“Loki’s Familia? Not bad, strong Familia, easy-going goddess without airs, very approachable.”

At this moment, Artemis, who had just finished meeting with Uranus and exited the Guild gates, heard this and spoke with a smirk.

“Looks like you’re pretty confident about this, Izay. Don’t embarrass yourself now. Loki may be easy to approach, but she has high standards.”

Izay blinked. Shouldn’t someone give him encouragement at this point in the story?

He rested his chin on his hand, pretending to ponder the possibility of Artemis’ words coming true.

“If Lady Loki doesn’t favor me, then I guess I’ll have no choice but to beg Lady Artemis for shelter, considering how we’ve traveled together for so long. Surely Lady Artemis would take me in?”

His gaze filled with hope, Izay even forced a few tears from the corner of his eyes for realism.

But Artemis wrinkled her delicate nose, slightly narrowed her eyes, raised her chin to reveal her pale neck, and gave him a sidelong glance before letting out a light humph.

“Trust you? In your dreams! Put down those garlic cloves first before talking to me. The smell’s reaching me already.”

“Exactly, acting all fake! There’s no way such a trick could fool Lady Artemis!”

Hearing the goddess’s words, Lanti immediately chimed in to rub salt in the wound.

“I underestimated you, Lanti. Didn’t expect you to have the talent of a lackey. This time, I won’t argue with you.”

Artemis’ words Izay dared not oppose, but this little girl, he could easily handle.

“What did you say?! Ah!!! Izay! I’ll bite you to death!!”

With those words, Lanti instantly exploded, turning into a snarling kitten thrashing around in Letsha’s arms.

“Ah… Lanti, don’t get angry, it’s not worth it. The goddess is watching…”

Hugging Lanti tightly, Letsha soothingly calmed her down.

“If you keep bullying Lanti like this, next time neither Letsha nor I will help you. We’ll just watch as you get beaten into a pig’s head.”

Perhaps unable to bear the sight of such bullying, Artemis shook her head helplessly.

After saying that, she gracefully walked ahead on her long legs.

“Let’s go find a place for lunch. Aren’t you guys hungry?”

Looking at the water-blue haired back, Izay glanced briefly at the half-elf cat still glaring at him and followed the goddess, pondering whether he had gone too far.

To reflect inwardly, Izay placed his hand on his chest.

Conscience, do you hurt?

“…”

Nope?

Then there’s nothing wrong. Sorry for disturbing your work, conscience.

“Well, Lanti, let’s follow too. Think happy thoughts~”

“Hmph… I’ll bite that heartless Izay to death!”

“Yes yes yes, you’ll bite him, hmm hmm hmm, surely you’ll succeed…”

Extremely skilled at calming Lanti down, Letsha was already immune to her usual threats.

Believe it or not, by the time they eat, this girl will probably forget everything and be smiling happily.

So, just let these words pass through one ear and out the other.

After much persuasion, Lanti finally reluctantly followed the two ahead, pouting and glaring daggers at Izay’s back.

Yet, utterly useless…

The four arrived at a tavern in the southwest district with a bright red bee sign called Flame Bee Pavilion for a somewhat delayed lunch.

Though called a tavern, in Orario, “taverns” are actually restaurants under that name.

It’s just that adventurers love drinking, using it to comfort themselves.

Thus, they’re named taverns.

In a corner of Flame Bee Pavilion,

Since Lanti was underage and forbidden by the goddess to drink, she compensated by guzzling juice with the fervor of ale.

Finishing a glass, the blue-haired girl put it down, exhaled contentedly, and exclaimed,

“So fragrant!”

“Izay, another one for me!”

“Order food from the waiter, why come to me…”

Izay muttered a complaint while quietly eating, but still called over the waiter for more of the same juice.

Letsha calmly took a bite of her food.

What did she say earlier?

……

After finishing lunch, the four decided to stroll through the shopping street together.

According to Familia leader Letsha, it was to purchase supplies needed by the members.

And thus, the leader kept pulling the half-elf girl far behind Izay and Artemis, “secretly observing,” her face practically screaming “plan successful,” only lacking a watermelon in her hands.

Her thoughts weren’t hard for Izay to guess.

Like those who observe friends’ romances and enjoy shipping couples.

Now, Leader Letsha wanted to try advancing the relationship between the goddess and him.

After all, they wouldn’t stay in Orario long, and the next time they saw Izay could be months later.

At least before leaving, um… hold hands, hug?

Forgive the pure-hearted twenty-year-old girl, she tried her best.

But she was bound to be disappointed.

Because both parties had concerns in their hearts, this was destined to be a very ordinary duo outing.

Even if it looked like a date, and some amusing scenes occurred, it remained the same.