7 Hostess of Fertility
Alec entered the Abandoned Church and made his way to the hidden stairs that led to the underground room.
"Alec!"
As soon as he stepped into the room he was greeted with Hestia's shout and her relieved face.
'She must have been worried sick' Alec noted and smiled gently at the Goddess.
"I'm home," Alec greeted her.
"Welcome home," Hestia replied with a smile of her own, before running in Alec's direction and stopping in front of him.
She immediately started to check him for injuries and Alec let her do her thing. He knew that she needed to see it for herself that he was well and uninjured.
"Good," she nodded her head and step back.
"Tell me, how did it go?" Hestia asked expectantly.
"Fine, but let's sit first," he said and a moment later Hestia took his hand without much care she pull him over to the couch.
Alec was amused by her behavior.
Alec retold the story once again, but this time he enjoyed the faces Hestia was making. They were hilarious, and if not for the underly concern she was displayed, he would laugh in her face.
"You idiot! That was reckless," she started to hit him in the arm, but she was too weak to make him feel any real pain.
Alec let her work out her worry on him, it wasn't a big deal to him, but he could tell that Hestia needed it.
He let her do it for a few minutes, before stopping her.
"Come on, that's enough," Alec took her hand in his, and started to draw soothing circles on the back of her hand.
Hestia visibly relaxed.
"Better?" Alec asked softly.
"Yes, thank you," Hestia replied with a nod.
"Good, do you think you're up to update my status?" Alec was curious to discover how much he grew.
"Absolutely," Hestia quickly stood up, seemingly suddenly energized.
"Took off your t-shirt," she demanded while wiggling her fingers.
'If I didn't know better I would say that I about to be felt up… oh wait.' As soon as he took off his t-shirt, Hestia's hands started to unashamedly roam his upper body. It lasted for a bit before she decided it was enough and she got down to business.
Hestia pricked her finger and a drop of blood fell on his bare back. The Goddess immediately started to work. Alec heard a few gasps and sighs, and he knew that his excelia showed what he went through in the Dungeon. Thankfully he already told Hestia and she knew what to expect, so her reaction was somewhat subdued.
With a bigger and final sigh, Hestia reached out for a paper, pressed it on his back, and run her finger on its length, top to bottom.
"Here," she took the paper and passed it to Alec.
"Can you teach me how to read and write hieroglyphs?" Alec sat up and asked, not yet reading the paper.
"Sure, why not, but don't get too disappointed if you're not going to pick it up fast. It's a difficult language and normally it would take years to properly learn it and be fluent in it," Hestia shrugged and warned him.
"Cool," Alec smiled.
'Not everyone possesses a Sharingan. With that, I'm sure that I could cut up the time needed to learn' Alec knew that it was something useful to learn and it even had solid applications in forging gear. The knife that Hepheasestus made for Bell was really something else and Alec wanted to learn how to properly use them.
Alec then focused his attention on the paper in his hand.
Alexander Von Nazarick
Level One
Strength: I – 0 --> F – 390
Endurance: I – 0 --> I – 21
Dexterity: I – 0 --> E – 475
Agility: I – 0 --> E – 475
Magic: I – 0 --> D – 565
Magic: Yggdrasil Magic [EX]: It allows the user to use Magic from Yggdrasil.
Development Abilities: Luck [S], Mystery [H], Weapon Master [A].
Skills: ().
Alec whistled, he was impressed that his stats went up 1905 points, but it was to be expected, after all, he was a walking cheat. What got his attention was how his endurance didn't go up even a digit. He was hit quite a few times, but his Akatsuki cloak did prevent him from getting injured, so it was quite logical that the stat didn't improve.
'It seems that I have to go without it if I want to improve my endurance.' Alec sighed, and he knew that he was going to be in an unhealthy amount of pain very soon.
Aside from that, he was very satisfied with his improvement, it had been only one day and his growth even surpassed Bell's.
"Well, I think I promise you a night out. We should change and go out, I'm starving," Alec told her while putting his update in his inventory.
"Yes, I'll be right back," Hestia took some clothes from her almost empty closet and went into the bathroom to get ready.
Alec changed as well, he spent a few gold coins on a simple white shirt, black trousers, socks, and a pair of nice black shoes. Thankfully it didn't cost much since they were simple items that don't even qualify at the lowest grade possible and had no protective power nor any other abilities whatsoever, the only thing they do was make Alec look good.
Alec really wanted to check his system, but he knew that it would take a while and with a heavy sigh he decided to postpone once again. He had the feeling that he would fall into the proverbial rabbit hole and he didn't want to be interrupted in the middle of it.
Alec didn't have to wait long. After ten minutes Hestia was out of the bathroom wearing a nice light blue dress, with her hair tied in her signature twin tails.
"You're beautiful," Alec complimented.
He honestly thought that she was a beauty even if it didn't do anything for him.
"Well, thank you. You're quite dashing yourself," Hestia complimented back and Alec was surprised by it. He remembered that in the animes she was easily flustered, but she took his compliment very well.
'Perhaps it has to do with the fact that she knew that I'm not attracted to her.' Alec speculated in his mind.
They walked out of the Church and went outside. The sky was already dark, but the temperature wasn't overly chill yet. It was relatively warm for a late spring evening.
"Shall we go?" Alec asked while offering his arm to his Goddess.
"Sure," she grabbed his arm and started to walk.
They didn't even make ten steps when Hestia stopped.
"What's wrong?" Alec asked as he was forced to stop as well.
"How are we going to pay?" Hestia suddenly asked and Alec had to resist the urge to slap his forehead.
"Check your card," Alec told her.
Hestia hastily took her card out from where was hidden in her amble bosom and checked the balance.
"HOW?" she asked with shock written all over her face and for a moment Alec feared she was about to faint, but she stood there, rooted on her spot.
"I went to the Dungeon. We have an agreement that 15% of my earnings will be put your and will serve to sustain the expense of our Familia, remember?"
"Yes, I do, but in here, there's almost 800.000 Valis and if we account the 50.000 you give me this morning is more than that," Hestia explained, and Alec could almost see smoke coming out of her ears.
"Yeah, don't worry too much, it's just money. Furthermore, it's just 15% of my income," Alec shrugged and started to drag Hestia, who after a moment she started to walk on her own. Alec noted that her demeanor was more cheerful than a moment ago.
They made their way to West Main street where the Hostess of Fertility was located. Alec looked around himself in wonder. The street was buzzing with people of many races, ethnicity, and gender. Elves, humans, dwarves, cat people, and amazoness were only some of them. It was so different from the desolated streets he roamed early in the morning, and Alec instantly loved the business of the city. He knew that there was more than what was shown in the anime and he was ready to explore once he got stronger.
Alec noticed that some people would shoot him dirty looks, and he supposed that it was because Hestia was clinging to his arm, pressing her chest against it. He really wasn't bothered by the looks nor by Hestia's chest, he was simply too taken by the scenario in front of him. If someone would have told him that he would be walking on a busy street surrounded by Demihumans he would call them crazy, but life worked in mysterious ways and here he was.
It didn't take too long for him to spot the sign he was looking for.
'Hostess of Fertility.'
"We're here, he told Hestia with excitement in his voice.
Alec's eyes were sparkling like the ones' of a child on Christmas morning, he was about to meet his favorite character.
Alec and Hestia stepped through the opened wooden door and into the bar. Alec immediately noticed the bulky dwarfess behind a counter. The famous Mia Grande, a former adventurer, and captain of the Freya Familia. She was a Level Six that partially left her Familia, after which her Goddess appointed Ottar as the new captain of the Familia.
Around the place, beautiful girls were serving food and alcohol to customers with big smiles on their faces. They were wearing black leggings, and short brown ankle boots, underneath a white apron they wore a green above the knee dress with long puff sleeves, a white collar with a small orange bow under it, and a white headband.
Ryuu was making her way towards them and the only word that come to Alec's mind was 'breathtaking', even if it didn't do her any justice. She was what most would call a world class beauty and the knowledge that she would be able to kill someone without effort, added to her beauty in Alec's opinion.
She had green hair and sky blue eyes, her skin was pale as snow, and she moved with extreme grace and unnatural swiftness. Alec wondered if she had some fairy blood flowing in her veins, her beauty was too much even for the Elf race.
"Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility, I'm Ryuu and I will be your server for this evening," she was already in front of them, graciously greeting them, tone perfectly polite, she bowed.
Alec was sure that it was due more to Hestia's presence than a requirement when meeting customers.
Alec wasn't surprised, he was well aware that Gods and Goddesses were easily recognizable from their aura alone. A mortal would always know when a God was among them and would know not to mess with them.
"Thank you, Miss Ryuu,"
"Thank you, Miss waitress,"
Alec and Hestia said at the same time.
"I'm Alec, and this is my Goddess Hestia," Alec told her.
Ryuu nodded at them before turning around and walking.
"Now seating two!" she announce with a normal tone of voice, but Alec didn't doubt that she was heard by almost all her fellow waitresses. The Hostess of Fertility was a trove of high level adventurers, everyone but Syr and May was one. Everyone else was a Level Four and Mia was a Level Six.
Hestia and Alec followed her to a nice table nearest the counter and took a seat while Ryuu excused herself and come a moment later with two menus.
"I'll be back in a few minutes," Ryuu excused herself once again and went to serve some other tables while Hestia and Alec looked through the menu.
"Do you think you can arrange a meeting with Hephaestus and the captain of her Familia?" Alec asked once he chose what to get.
Hestia looked up from the menu with a confused face.
"Yes, but why?" she asked with a clear interest in her tone.
"I got a unique drop item and I was told that they would be really interested in acquiring it?" Alec told her vaguely.
"What is it? what is it?" Hestia demanded excitedly.
Alec leaned over the table and whispered in her ear.
"It's a secret," Alec lean back and watch in amusement as Hestia pouted.
Hestia was about to say something else, but Ryuu chose that moment to make her reappearance.
"Are you ready to order?" she asked with the same polite tone.
"Yes," Hestia and Alec replied at the same time.
"We'll have the soup of the day, the pasta with shrimps, roasted beef with butter potatoes, a salad, grilled vegetables, and fried meatballs with the special sauce," Alec told her.
Ryuu simply nodded while Hestia nodded her head in approval.
"Is that all?" Ryuu inquired.
"No, we would like your best alcohol, a jug of juice, two slices of chocolate cake, and two slices of the raspberry one for after the main dishes, thank you," Alec told her with a smile, Ryuu didn't comment. She write the order and excused herself once again.
Alec thought that it was a pity that she was so professional, but he knew very well that she was quite reserved with strangers, nonetheless, Alec wanted her to join his Familia and he may have a way. He already have a plan, but he had to wait until the appropriate moment. She would be a great addition to the Hestia Familia and he couldn't risk screwing things up.
Hestia and Alec continued to chat and joke around, trying to know each other better. They met less than 48 hours ago so there was a lot they didn't know about each other. They were interrupted once again, but this time was Mama Mia. She put a large bowl with fried shrimp and another with fried chicken.
"Lady Hestia, kid," She greeted them, "I'm Mia Grande, but you can call me Mia or Mama Mia. This is the plate of the day, enjoy it," she said with a boisterous laugh.
Hestia looked bewildered, but Alec not so much, after all, she did pull the same stunt with Bell. Alec was merely a bit surprised that she did it in the presence of a Goddess.
'Well, business is business, there's no space for shame.' Alec smiled wrily.
"Thank you," Hestia said as she wasn't opposed to getting more food, she was quite the gluttony.
The owner was about to go back to work when Alec stopped her.
"Excuse you, what's the meaning of this?" Alec questioned her with a serious tone while gesturing at the table.
"Huh," she grunted out, "What ya mean boi?" she asked with narrow eyes.
"We're here to celebrate and everyone knows that we can't without some good booze," Alec said with mischief in his eyes.
Mama Mia was a little taken aback by his statement but immediately a wide grin formed on her face.
"What are you celebrating kid?" she asked him.
"The formation of our Familia and surviving my first day in the Dungeon," Alec told her with a smile.
Mia whistled and patted him on the back. The force was so great that it almost threw him off his seat, and Alec was sure that it was a little payback for his little charade.
"Good, very good," she laughed, "Ryuu, bring me two Mia Special," she called out.
"Make it three!" Alec told her, "You're not going to let us drink alone, are you?" Alec elaborated further when he met Mia's questioning gaze.
"You're a good lad," she laughed heartedly as she corrected the order.
A moment later Ryuu came back bearing a tray with three mugs of beer and three glasses with an amber liquid in it, plus the jug of juice which was of an odd green color.
"Drink first what's in the glass and then the beer in the mug," Mia instructed.
"You ready?" she asked excitedly with a glint in her eyes that Alec knew meant that she was up to something.
"No," he said once he notice that Ryuu was standing there looking at them. Alec poured her a glass of juice, guessing that as she was an Elf, she wouldn't drink alcohol. He took her hand without too much thinking and put the glass in it.
Ryuu looked at him awkwardly.
"Here, now you can drink with us," he told her and he couldn't help but notice the sorrow in her eyes. Alec guessed that it was due to her remembering her friends.
"Thank you," she murmured, but Alec still heard her, and smile at her.
"Now we're ready," he declared to Mia who was looking at him with an appreciative face.
"To the Hestia Familia," Alec boldly announced, and the other echoed his words.
"To the Hestia Familia!"
Alec gulp the amber liquid in one go, and as he did so he could feel a burning sensation running down his throat along with the liquid. He could feel tears forming in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall, and he met Mia's gaze almost in a challenge. Then he did the same with the beer, and it was so cool that he moan in relief. It not only completely removed the burning sensation but also completely quench his thirst.
When he focused his attention back on his surrounding, he saw Hestia freely crying while Mia was looking at him with a mildly impressed face.
"You're a tough bitch, kid," she laughed loudly and slapped him once again on the back.
Alec almost groaned in pain.
"Gave me a holler if you need anything else," she said, and just like that, she was gone.
As the evening went on, the food kept coming, and Alec and Hestia share many laughs. The food was amazing and they order even more things. Alec was not only surprised by how big an appetite he developed, but he thought that it was due to his mana consumption, but he was, even more, astonished that Hestia could keep up with him. It was a bit hilarious how a tiny person could eat so much, but she was a Goddess, after all, so he shouldn't be too surprised.
They ordered three more Mia Special and every time Hestia's reaction got him, and he couldn't stop laughing for minutes. At the end of their meal, Alec was sure that Hestia was completely gone. Her cheeks were red and her eyes were a bit glassy, and he knew that even he wasn't completely unaffected by the amount of alcohol he ingested, as a matter of fact, he drank quite a bit more than Hestia. He could circulate the mana in his body and sober up, but he decided to just enjoy himself.
He pay a grand total of 57,946 Valis, but it was more than worth it, not only for the amount of food and alcohol but for its quality as well. He bid farewell to a smiling Mia and a bowing Ryuu, before walking into the night towards their home. Once they were there, they strip to their underwear, and at Hestia's insistence, they shared the bed.
It only took a minute or so before they fell asleep.
Not too far from where Hestia and Alec were peacefully sleeping, there was a series of abandoned warehouses. In one of them, there was a dark and damp room, a figure could be seen lying on the dirty and dusty floor. Their arms were restained with a chain, and they weren't wearing any clothes. They had nine fluffy tails, and animal ears, and if one was to see them on the street in broad daylight, one would describe them as breathtakingly beautiful. They had an odd tattoo inked on their chest.
"I'll kill every one of you if it's the last thing I do in my life. I swear it on my honor!" They vowed with tears in their eyes, but there was no one to witness it, other than the moon that was visible from a tiny window in the room.
