Chapter 27 - Naaza's Shock

Orario, Western District of the city. This area was a large residential zone.

It housed many ordinary citizens, most of whom hadn't joined a Familia.

To make a living, they worked as laborers for the Guild, helping to produce magic stone products.

Their numbers far surpassed the adventurers who explored the dungeon.

Due to the high foot traffic, West Street became the most bustling area in Orario.

Taverns and inns stood side by side, along with the city's famous red-light district.

Many male gods would come here to spend time with their favorite girls.

The [Hostess of Fertility] was the largest tavern on West Street.

The headquarters of the [Hestia Familia] was located between Northwest Street and West Street.

"Hestia-sama, why aren't we going to the biggest tavern on West Street?"

"—Nope, it's too expensive."

"—[Fire Bee Tavern] is more affordable. I used to hang out there with a few old friends."

"I see..."

The glow of magic stone lanterns at night lit the entire avenue brightly.

As they walked, Hestia held onto his arm affectionately, clearly in a very good mood.

Raven Eltharion was puzzled. Was he really not going to run into Syr?

...

After a while, the two arrived at the [Fire Bee Tavern] on Southwest Street.

Despite the late hour, it was still very lively inside.

As soon as they entered, Hestia spotted two familiar faces at a wooden table.

"Yohoo?"

"Miach, Akin?"

"What a coincidence?"

Raven turned to look curiously.

One of them, Takemikazuchi, was someone he had met shortly after arriving in this world.

The other, a refined and elegant-looking god named Miach, was someone Raven was seeing for the first time.

His first impression was that Miach looked like a noble young man.

The [Miach Familia] was a commercial Familia that specialized in selling recovery items.

They ran a small-scale herb store called [Azure Apothecary].

They were direct competitors to the [Dian Cecht Familia], who also dealt in medicinal goods.

Currently, Hestia, Miach, and Takemikazuchi were all gods of lower-tier Familias.

In Orario, there were many powerful Familias such as the [Freya Familia] and the [Loki Familia].

These Familias boasted many first-tier adventurers with exceptional combat prowess.

These were considered [Exploration-Type Familias].

In addition to those, there were also [Commercial-Type Familias].

Examples include the [Hephaestus Familia], [Hermes Familia], [Demeter Familia], and so on.

There were even [Fisherman-Type Familias], like the [Njord Familia].

...

Sitting at the table alongside the two gods were two women: Naaza and Mikoto.

Mikoto Yamato was a member of the [Takemikazuchi Familia], upright and polite, currently Level 1.

Naaza Erisuis was the captain of the [Miach Familia], a canine beastman, currently Level 2.

She had lost her right arm during an expedition and now used a prosthetic "Silver Arm."

"Hestia?"

The two gods looked over simultaneously.

"Hmm?"

"Who's that young man?"

Miach studied Raven with a curious gaze.

Hestia grinned and sat down with them. "That's my Familia member."

"And my one and only Raven-kun."

"Raven-kun, come here. Let me introduce you to my friends."

"—Oh, okay." Raven walked over after placing their order.

Mikoto's eyes sparkled as she saw him. "He's so handsome!"

Naaza, who had been drunkenly slumped over, looked up curiously.

In an instant, the alcohol's effects seemed to fade.

After sitting down, Hestia said, "Raven-kun, these are Takemikazuchi and Miach."

"—Greetings, gods." Raven respectfully bowed before pulling over a stool to sit beside Hestia.

Mikoto greeted him warmly, "Nice to meet you! I'm Mikoto Yamato. Just call me Mikoto."

"I'm Naaza Erisuis." Naza quickly tidied up her messy brown hair.

"Nice to meet you both. I'm Raven Eltharion."

Takemikazuchi smiled. "So you didn't end up joining the [Loki Familia]?"

"Hehe… a bit embarrassing. But I felt more comfortable with Lady Hestia."

Hestia immediately pouted. "You didn't meet that flat-chested tomboy, did you?"

"Loki-sama?" Raven shook his head. "No, I haven't."

Technically speaking, he hadn't. Only Loki had briefly seen him before.

"Good."

Hestia beamed, hugging his arm. "I'm so glad my Raven-kun wasn't stolen."

"You know, my Raven-kun is really strong!"

Takemikazuchi nodded. "Congratulations on forming your own Familia."

"Hehe, I'm really looking forward to the next 'Gods' Conference.'" Hestia was beyond thrilled.

Just imagining all those smug gods looking stunned gave her immense satisfaction.

The [Gods' Conference] was held every three months by the gods of Orario.

The purpose was to assign titles to adventurers who had leveled up.

Miach caught the implication. "Wait... are you saying..."

"He leveled up?"

"—Yes!"

"—My Raven-kun is a genius. His leveling speed completely crushed that Wallen-someone girl!"

Hestia's eyes were filled with pride and joy.

The moment she said that—

Takemikazuchi and Miach looked utterly stunned.

"Nani?!" Mikoto gasped.

She leaned in close, examining Raven like a rare creature.

Naaza sobered up completely, shocked speechless.

At that moment—

Their food and drinks arrived at the table.

Raven scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh… I'm kind of hungry, so I'll go ahead and eat."

Without waiting for a response, he began slurping down the steaming ramen.

He really was starving...

Naaza couldn't help but crack a cold joke. "What, did you go through 81 trials in the dungeon or something?"