Chapter 567

Chapter 574: A Chance Encounter at the Tavern (Please Subscribe!)

The eastern sky glowed with a faint grayish light, and upon closer inspection, it seemed to be a phenomenon caused by clouds.

If nothing unexpected happens, there should be a heavy rain today, right?

After having lunch at Adimi House, Izay walked on the streets of Orario in his seven-night suit.

He looked up at the sky and made a judgment about the upcoming weather.

But even if it rains, it doesn’t really matter to him. He’s determined to dive into the Dungeon today.

For this reason, he has temporarily put aside his date with Artemis.

Come to think of it… if it rains today, we probably can’t go out for a date either…

Maybe this is fate, huh～

With some unfounded sighs, Izay gradually headed towards his destination.

On the main road in the western part of Orario, ordinary citizens were beginning to hustle for their livelihoods, and the streets were filled with the noisy voices of adventurers from the taverns.

Stopping in front of the most stylish tavern, Izay pushed the door open.

“Mama Mia, I’ve come again to patronize your business～!”

As a regular customer of The Bountiful Mistress, every encounter with Mama Mia starts with a routine greeting.

After that, the Level 6 former adventurer and unscrupulous owner would display a very amiable smile, trying to encourage him to spend more with friendly service.

Anyway, Izay is filthy rich.

“I don’t believe you came here just to patronize my business at this time… It’s already past noon, we’re almost closing.”

Mama Mia squinted her eyes upon seeing him enter, directly puncturing his polite words.

Izay responded sheepishly: “Indeed, I can’t hide anything from you～, I’ve actually already eaten. I came here to look for Ryu.”

While speaking, Izay also looked around the environment inside, trying to find his target.

At this moment, the tavern was already quite empty, many customers had finished their meals and left. Compared to its busiest times, it was now rather quiet. Aniya and Kuroi, the two catgirls, were wiping the tables, while Lunowa nearby had just taken the leftover plates into the kitchen.

Here, he noticed a somewhat different, lazy figure.

She leaned against the counter near Mama Mia, a very familiar witch’s hat hung on the wall nearby, her jade-like delicate hand held a cup of honey wine, deep gray hair draped over her shoulders, and her signature side ponytail fell in front of her.

Who else could it be but Victorica?

“How did you end up here? And drinking alcohol?”

Izay blinked, somewhat surprised as he approached.

“Ahla～? We meet again, Mr. Izay～, what you’re saying is so strange… As a traveler, isn’t it normal for me to have a meal in a tavern? Regarding the alcohol… I don’t have a particular fondness for drinking, I’m merely curious about how the local beverages taste in this foreign land.”

Victorica placed her slender fingers lightly on her lips and smiled gently.

She wasn’t wearing her black robe now, perhaps because she found it too cumbersome to wear such a large robe during meals.

Her brown-red coat reached down to her thighs, revealing an upwardly graceful waist like a willow branch. Her elegantly crossed legs perfectly showcased her curvaceous figure. One could faintly see the black stockings clinging tightly to her leg muscles, showing enticing elasticity under the pressure of movement, leaving one unsure where to look.

Under normal circumstances, such a mature beauty dining alone would definitely attract a lot of adventurers coming over to chat.

But Victorica happened to sit in the most awkward spot.

That is, next to Mama Mia.

You see, all the adventurers who are familiar with the West Street know how terrifying Mama Mia, the dwarf owner, is.

Every adventurer who dared to cause trouble here ended up in a very miserable state.

Due to Mama Mia’s inherent intimidation, Victorica’s dining process was extremely quiet. She was currently enjoying her post-meal drink, and Izay was the first person to come over and greet her.

“It’s not strange, I just think it’s a bit too coincidental…” Izay shook his head and explained.

“Ohoh…? Do you two know each other?” At this point, Mama Mia suddenly spoke from behind the counter, her tone puzzled.

“What do you mean by that, Mama Mia?”

“This young girl got lost last night nearby, couldn’t find a inn, and was picked up by our staff. She stayed here for one night.”

When Izay looked at her, Mama Mia told him about last night’s situation.

The inns in Orario are almost all located in the east. When Izay parted ways with Victorica, she was in the west, completely unaware of this fact. Naturally, she wandered around until nightfall, eventually… being picked up by Hiel on her way home.

Just that Hiel’s identity… is special, unable to let Victorica follow her home, so she brought her to The Bountiful Mistress Tavern.

“To be amazed… that a proper witch could get lost…” After listening, Izay feigned astonishment and spoke.

Victorica rolled her eyes helplessly: “What about witches? It’s my first time coming to this city! Not finding an inn is pretty normal, right? Who says it’s so big!”

Speaking of which, it’s all your fault!

Knowing I didn’t know the way, you still brought me to the district with few inns.

Puffing her cheeks slightly, Victorica silently sulked at Izay.

“Hmm… Excuse me? Izay, weren’t you looking for me?”

At the same time, Ryu, who was working as a waitress, noticed the situation and came over.

She had heard the conversation between Izay and Mama Mia earlier, so she was also curious why Izay had actively come to find her today.

“Ryu, you’ve come～? It’s like this, I want to discuss tonight’s matters with you. Isn’t it that time these days? But I was wondering if we could move it up a bit, since I plan to investigate something.”

“Time?” Ryu was confused for a moment, but quickly realized: “Are you talking about going to the eighteenth floor with me?”

“Yes.”

Every one or two months, Ryu goes to the eighteenth floor to pay respects to her friends.

And ever since the first time, Izay has always accompanied her. This has been happening for two years.

Not only does he accompany the elf, but also because there’s always a lingering regret in Izay’s heart.

The Astrea Familia back then was truly unfortunate.

It leaves one feeling deeply unsatisfied.

So he has kept visiting them for a long time.

Even though only memorial stones remain there.

“You want to move it up a little? I don’t mind… But Mama Mia needs to agree too…”

Ryu glanced at the robust Mama Mia, slightly pulling her head back, appearing very obedient.

She needed to ask for leave early, and the owner who took her in had to agree.

Seeing the elf looking at her cutely, Mama Mia immediately waved her hand: “Go ahead, go ahead, have I ever refused before?”

There was a hint of indulgence in her words.

After getting along for many years, in reality, she considers her employees as family.

In such a dangerous city full of farewells, having a few people who have always been by your side is actually a very happy thing, especially for someone like Mama Mia who used to be an adventurer and then retired.

Therefore, Mama Mia almost never refuses requests from Ryu and others.

“Um… Mr. Izay, Miss Ryu, may I join you two? To be honest, I am also interested in that Dungeon.”

After Mama Mia agreed to Ryu’s request for early leave, Victorica raised her hand like a student asking a teacher.

Although she didn’t know why Izay invited this girl to the Dungeon.

However, as a traveler, Victorica’s curiosity wouldn’t allow her to ignore this opportunity.

After all, exaggerating a bit, the foundation of this Labyrinth City is the Dungeon beneath their feet.

Such a place naturally sparked Victorica’s desire to take a look.

Moreover, her strength gave her the capital to carry out this idea.