Hostess of Fertility (Part 1)
Ugh, Uni started back up again yesterday so I couldn't write a chapter. I'll post two tomorrow. I am NOT looking forward to all the studying I hate to do again.
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After finishing their business, the three walked out of their room and got back to Leo, who was busying herself by looking out of the window and at the passersby.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. If you're ready we can be on our way now." Hecate addressed her with a friendly smile. After all, she was a potential member of her familia.
"Oh, yeah, I'm ready to go. Where are we going exactly?"
"There's an excellent pub I know that mainly caters to adventurers. They have delicious food. It's called Hostess of Fertility."
--- Hostess of Fertility ---
The red rays of sunshine had been replaced by the gentle glow of the moon. The street was lit up with dozens of lamps, an unusual sight for such a medieval world, but it was surprisingly advanced.
They had functioning lamps, stoves, refrigerators, elevators, and more. But instead of the usual electricity, they were powered by the magic stones obtained from the dungeon monsters. The only dungeon in the entire world.
This was why Orario was considered the center of the world, why it was the strongest and most wealthy nation in the world, and why it was coveted by every single nation as well. But that would remain wishful thinking for all of them, a star that cannot be grasped.
Only a few fools, like Ares, even tried, but Orario was far too powerful for any nation to stand a chance at conquering it. Really, if Orario and the familias didn't view Ares and Rakia as a funny joke and entertainment, they would have wiped them out a long time ago. Ares was a lucky fool but seemed to not realize it. He genuinely believed he could take Orario.
Perhaps that is why the gods of Orario found him amusing in the first place…
The main street was bursting with life. Cafes and pubs were open, with different music flowing out of them, complemented by happy or angry shouts of the adventurers inside, who finished their dungeon dive and came out to drink and dine to release their stress.
Reaching the pub, they heard the loud noises coming from the inside, and the way the building was lit up contrasted nicely with the dark dusk outside.
Hecate led them in and immediately the noises they were hearing increased in noise. They were greeted by the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the clinking of mugs from the rowdy adventurers. The warm glow of the lanterns cast the hall in a pleasant light and the wooden furniture created a cozy feeling.
This pub was a place of respite for the adventurers of Orario, where they gathered to unwind, share stories, and enjoy a hearty meal after a long day in the dungeon.
When they got a look around the place, Cassian and Nico could both see several familiar faces among the waitresses. Lunoire flitted between tables with a cheerful smile, Chloe and Anya tended to patrons while expertly balancing trays of food, and Ryuu quietly but efficiently took orders. And at the entrance…
"Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility!" Syr, a cute girl with bluish-gray hair greeted them enthusiastically, though her eyes were stuck on the white-haired elf. But she looked a bit off. Her hair was slightly out of place and there was a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead, as if she had to exert herself for a straining task.
However, it was not to last. Hecate stood in front of her blocking her gaze, while looking down at her with a strangely smug smirk, as if saying she had something the shorter girl would never have. Considering Hecate's height compared with Syr's, she completely blocked out her sight.
Few knew the truth about the girl. To everyone else, she looked like an ordinary cheery waitress, but for the select few, she was the most powerful goddess in Orario and possibly the entirety of Gekai. She was Freya, the goddess of love, war and death.
And among those few was Hecate. Freya's disguise only changed her physical appearance, but her soul remained unchanged and laid bare before the goddess of souls.
Immediately an unpleasant frown crossed her face, when she was cut off from target. She looked at the offending party with annoyance and narrowed her eyes when she saw who it was.
And Freya was no fool, she knew her disguise was meaningless in front of the goddess standing before her.
"Oh, is that how you should look at customers? You might scare us away." Hecate spoke in a playful manner, while Syr remembered her role and looked a bit panicked at them mentioning leaving.
"Oh no no, I apologize, something must have gotten in my eye. Anyway, a table for four?" She quickly went back to her jovial and friendly face, while guiding the four to a table.
As they were seated, Syr was about to strike up a conversation but was quickly cut off.
"I'll take a Sienna Pasta please and a glass of Soma wine." Hecate gave her order with the same smug smile she'd been wearing since opening those doors. Clearly, she was enjoying screwing with Freya.
"I-I see, I'll write that down." Syr answered with a strained smile. She knew the other goddess was doing this to spite her, but she had to stay in the role. On top of that, she was quite worried about the implications of her being together with the elf she saw. She hoped the worst wasn't the case.
"What meat-based dishes do you have?" Cassian decided to interject. He didn't want his goddess to antagonize Freya. At least, not too much.
Immediately upon hearing him speak, the strain in her smile vanished and became genuine, as her eyes sparkled upon gazing at him.
"I'm glad you asked! We have Minotaur Steak, Spicy Monster Curry, Orario Roast Platter, Herb-Grilled Wyvern Wings, and Orc Rib Special. These are the most popular dishes."
Cassian was a bit unnerved by the names but knew they didn't have actual monster meat in their dishes. They just had fanciful names and were made with special secret recipes only the owner, Mia and the chef, May knew.
"Hmm, I'm not sure which one to pick. What would you recommend, Miss Syr?"
"Oh! I would pick the Curry if you want a spicy dish, and if not, then the Minotaur Steak is very rich in flavors." Syr was all too happy to give recommendations.
"Ah, I'll take the Steak then, and soma wine for me too. I'm curious what a drink made by a god of wine tastes like, even if it is a failed version. Thank you." He said with a smile, which sent Syr's heart fluttering. He knew because he could hear it.
"Leo, what will you have? No need to be shy or considerate, we're celebrating." Cassian asked Leo after looking away from the blushing waitress.
"Uhh, can I take Blue Crab Cakes?" She answered after a bit of hesitation.
"And for a drink?"
"Apple Juice"
"You don't want something alcoholic?"
"Oh no, I'm not used to drinking and have to reach home later, Hahah."
"Ah, I see. Nico, how about you?"
"I'll take Orc Rib Special, as for a drink uhhh… Can I drink?" He looked at his brother inquisitively. He had drunk before, behind the matron's back, when his brother let him drink a bit of beer a couple of times, he was unsure now.
"If you're old enough to kill monsters in the dungeon, you're old enough to drink." Cassian wasn't about to forbid his brother from drinking while allowing him to risk his life in the dungeon. That would be plain stupid.
Nico grinned happily at that and ordered. "I'll drink soma wine too."
"You should start with an ale first. I'll try the wine first then give you the go-ahead if I think it's fine." Cassian remembered the psychic effects Soma wine had and his brother does not have any defense against that sort of thing. He knows that only the successful versions have the intense euphoria and addiction effect, but he rather not risk it.
Nico was a bit disheartened by that but understood where his brother was coming from and didn't argue with it. Plus, ale should be good enough for him anyway so he agreed.
"2 ales please and that will be all for now." Cassian gave the waitress a polite nod as he smiled mysteriously at Leo.
"Very well, I promise to blow your minds with the dishes!" Syr wrote everything down and went to the kitchen to the bar to pass on the order, but not before looking back at Cassian. "I'll be back."
Cassian felt genuinely weirded out by having a literal goddess serve him as a waitress. Growing up in a world where the gods of various religions were respected as ultimate beings by their worshippers, created a weird dichotomy with their current reality.
Nico wanted to talk about Syr but held back as Cassian had warned him not to say anything weird or suspicious. After all, the waitresses here all had super senses.
One of the other waitresses, Anya, brought them their drinks and set them down.
"Enjoy your drinks, nya!" She said with her famous verbal tick.
'I wonder if that is intentional or genuinely a sound cat folk make. And why do other beast races not have something similar?' Cassian wondered but quickly brought his attention back to his table when Hecate started talking.
"Well, first of all, I would like to congratulate you on your victory. Defeating such a strong foe in under a month is one of the greatest feats in Orario's history. I can't tell you how proud of you I am, and I'm confident this is only the first great adventure in your lives, with many more to come." Hecate spoke with a happy smile and pride obvious in her voice.
She raised her glass, and the others raised theirs with her to clink against one another in the center. Cassian and Nico were happy, both with their achievement and the praise they received from the person who was rapidly becoming closer and closer to them every day.
Leo on the other hand was feeling awkward and uncomfortable. She was unsure of whether she should be sitting here with them. She certainly has not done anything to contribute to their victory.
Hecate noticed this and moved on with the second announcement.
"And I hope this night becomes more than just a celebration of your triumph. I hope we can also celebrate welcoming a new member into our familia." She said with a smile as she looked at Leo. She was clearly enjoying the girl's eyes widening in disbelief and hope, when she started realizing what was happening.
"Well, Leo? Do you wish to join my familia?" Hecate asked the question with all the regality of a goddess.
"M-me? A-are you sure goddess?" Her voice trembling from nervousness. So many gods turned her away, deeming her to be hopeless. Could a god actually want to recruit her?
"Yes. You may have been with us for a short amount of time, but you've shown yourself to have the potential to be an adventurer. Cassian has told me all about your bravery, composure, and abilities. Few adapt to the dungeon as fast as you did. And few can be so unphased, after nearly dying a few hours ago. So yes, I believe you will make a great addition. So, I will ask again, will you join my familia?"
"Yes! I would be overjoyed goddess! Thank you so much!" Leo was happy beyond belief, with tears in her eyes. She has admired heroes all her life. She had wanted to become an adventurer as she thought that would be the path to maybe one day becoming like them, but coming to Orario was a harsh awakening. She was ready to embark on an adventure and yet no one wanted her. But, now? Now she could finally pursue her dreams!
"Call me Hecate, no need for formality within the familia." Hecate accepted her thanks with a smile, while Nico congratulated her, happy for the new addition to the familia.
"Congrats, you sure you don't want an ale now?" Cassian congratulated her as well and slid the extra mug of ale towards her.
Leo was far too happy to not join them for a drink now and all four of them knocked back their respective drink, starting their celebratory night.