A long forgotten dream. The path will be mastered by those who walk.

- So be it.

From that moment on, next to the gray-haired goddess most of the time there was a gloomy silhouette. And many people didn't like it.

.....

*Folkvangr, Night*

Folkvangr is a huge mansion that has a solemn structure similar to a temple. It covers a large area and is surrounded by four large walls, and has a garden large enough for all Familia members to assemble in.

A room adjacent to the goddess's mansion was allocated for the new family member. However, she was not often in it, preferring her own room at the top of Babyl.

The aforementioned newcomer was sitting on the bed, looking out the window.

- Sooner or later this had to happen.

To begin with, it is worth telling that due to a common obsession with their goddess, most of her family members spend time in constant clashes with each other. It seemed that in their heads, the strongest members of the family attracted more of Freya's attention.

{ Another world, and fanatics also continue to believe that they know what is best for their God. Fortunately, the local celestials are more conscious of their desires. }

There was a persistent knock.

A group of hostile people stood in front of the door to Crowley's room.

Door opened. In front of Crowley stood a group of level 2-3 adventurers whose names he did not know. And there was no point in memorizing each of the more than 200 names of adventurers of the Freya family.

- Can I help you with anything?

Annoyed, the hunter remembered to keep his manners.

- Help? Us? Of course you can, tell me how you managed to win the love of our goddess?

- Love? - The teenager's face twisted. - Isn't that too nice a word to describe your own unrequited obsession?

The group of ill-wishers clearly did not like the answer, and at the same time each of them went to the owner of the room with obvious desire.

....

*a minute later*

A group of adventurers lay unconscious in the corridor. The culprit calmly returned to his room and fell asleep.

.....

Waking up the next morning, the hunter decided to go to "Hostess of Fertility".

Entering the establishment, the first thing that caught your eye was the hall filled with visitors and shocked Syr Flova, caught by the gaze of the young Great One.

{ Magic of transformation. I don't think she will be happy if I reveal her identity. }

- Miss Syr, this time I have money. Today's special, please.

The novice adventurer shouted, waving his hand.

- Y-y-yes! One minute. May, today's special to a boy behind the bar!

The head of a short cat girl in a cap poked her head out of the doorway. - Got it, it will be ready soon.

While waiting for the order, the owner of the establishment approached the bar counter.

- Dear visitor, while at the table I will ask you to remove some of your headgear, there is no need to hide your beauty.

- Beauty? To be honest, my appearance is more likely to scare off visitors. I don't think I've changed so much that I'm completely unrecognizable, Mia. Long time no see.

The owner of the establishment took a closer look: long dark brown hair, a smile visible even through the fabric and a cape with an embroidered Cheshire cat.

- Yes, this is Crowley! We saw each other just a few days ago, this is not a long time. I heard you have money this time. May, baked meat and liquor here!

After ordering the teen an extra helping of food, Mia's hands removed the teen's hat and lowered his bandana. If he had not sat with his back to the hall, the sight of his insane face would have haunted the visitors for a long time. But pity appeared in the hostess's eyes.

- What happened?

- I think it's the same with all the employees of this place. A tragedy with a happy ending, which nevertheless left its mark on each of us. But now I'm fine, a couple of days ago I got a job with Freya's family.

- So the rest of the time you are free. Would you like to work here in your free time? I just warn you right away, if you offend the girls, I will finish you off.

The hunter's thoughts wandered to the white-haired waitress.

- I agree. I will work full time, but if something requires my attention, I can leave at any time. I will also need something to cover my eyes and mouth. And as you already understood, I was from a distant place, close physical contact was the norm there. So I apologize in advance for any awkward moments this may cause. Deal?

- *Sigh* Deal. In the evening I will introduce you to the team.

......

Girls, come here, we have a new addition.

7 workers of "Hostess of Fertility" lined up in front of Crowley

- Introduce yourself. And boy, when there are no visitors, you can take off your disguise.

The future waiter bowed elegantly, taking off his hat and the cloth covering his face.

- Okay. My name is Cheshire Crawley, an aristocrat and friend of the royal family of Cainhurst, as well as the royal family of Yharnam. Favorite activities are hunting, helping others and reading. Please take care of me.

The teenager's unusual situation raised many questions among the workers, but they decided to ask them later.

-Very good, you already know me and Syr, so we'll skip us for now.

The blonde elf is called Ryuu Lion, she is not a particularly sociable person, but she is a good girl.

Cat girl with black hair - Chloe Rollo, if I were you I would be more careful with her, she is a bit of a pervert.

The cat girl with brown hair is Anya Fromel, a rather irresponsible person who has the worst singing in Orario. - Nya! Hey!

You've already seen our chef, May, who loves to cook and has a cheerful personality.

And in the end, Lunoire Faust she is a lazy human girl, but when necessary she takes matters into her own hands.

That's all. You can continue the conversation yourself. I need to order a newbie uniform.

......

A question and answer session began in the closed bar.

Syr started first - Sorry if my question seems offensive to you, but what's wrong with your eyes and mouth?

- Syr! - everyone present considered this question too harsh.

- It's okay, I think everyone here are interested in the same question. Just consider that these are hereditary appearance traits that I got from my parents.

- How old are you? - this time the question was asked by Chloe

- 14? I guess.

- You carry your cane everywhere, but your step is steady. Is this part of your culture? - Ryuu.

- You could say this is a weapon developed in my homeland. It symbolizes preserving oneself when faced with a terrible virus.

- You said that you are an aristocrat and a friend of two entire royal families. How did you live until now? - May.

- Both kingdoms are not in the best position, so in any case I am a representative of the dead nobility. And besides hunting, my life is not much different from other people.

- You said that you like to help other people. If I ask you something strange, will you help? - Anya.

- Yes. Whatever you ask, I will do it. And we're done for today. I think we can get to know each other while working. Good night, girls!

......

*Next morning*

Crowley was dressed in a green restaurant uniform and a cat-shaped mask that covered his entire face, with tinted lenses.

- Today we have a table reserved for Loki's family, if you think you can't cope, we will replace you.

Syr's voice sounded from behind the hunter.

- I'll be fine, don't worry about.

- Did you decide to stay here because of me?

The girl who approached whispered.

- Freia...*Sigh* Partially, every girl working here is tormented by the past they left behind. Maybe I just want to help them.

- I know the history of each of them. Everything is not as simple as it seems.

- It seems to me that I have never talked about myself, although I know a lot about you. I think it's worth fixing this. I am a skilled swordsman and a marksman. There is enough knowledge in my head to fill several libraries with hundreds of thousands of books. So tell me, goddess, can I help them?

- They need someone who brings hope, hero if you want.

- Hero? Honestly, when I first came to Orario, I wanted to be a hero. Do you think that after everything, I still have a chance?

Syr's hands carefully rested on Crowley's shoulders. - Just recently you said that you would definitely save me. What changed?

- I realized that my presence drives mortals crazy. If I stop holding back, everything will collapse.

- But you haven't made a mistake yet. And in my opinion, it is better to fail in trying than to retreat at the beginning of the path.

The waitress's words resonated in the hero's soul.

- Thank you, Syr. I think at the moment you are the only person close to me in this world at the moment.

Crowley's palm gently touched a goddess's hand.

A pair of sky-blue elven eyes watched interact between them from afar.

- Anything, you say...