Chapter 12

Two weeks had passed since Shirou began working at the Hostess of Fertility. Every day, the tavern was filled with customers—adventurers, merchants, and locals who came to enjoy the delicious dishes and warm atmosphere. During this time, Shirou not only learned about the work in the kitchen but also gained much information about this new world of his.

Shirou often spent his breaks chatting with his coworkers, listening to their stories about life in Orario and the various Familia in the city. Taking advantage of his curiosity, Shirou would ask questions at the Guild whenever he had the chance, seeking more information about the gods, Familia, and what it took to become an adventurer in this city.

One day, while peeling potatoes in the kitchen with Ryuu, an elf who always seemed serious and calm, Shirou decided to start a conversation.

"Ryuu," he called out as he set down his knife. "I'm curious, do you know which Familia is the strongest in Orario?"

Ryuu looked at Shirou for a moment with her sharp blue eyes. "There are several very powerful Familia," she finally answered. "But if we're talking about raw strength, Loki Familia and Freya Familia are probably the most famous. They have many high-level adventurers and are always at the forefront of dungeon exploration."

Shirou nodded, recalling the two names he had heard several times before. "I heard that Loki Familia is led by the goddess Loki, who is known for her intelligence and unpredictable tactics."

Ryuu gave a faint smile. "That's right, and Freya Familia is led by Goddess Freya, who has a captivating allure. Many adventurers have fallen in love with her and devoted their lives to her."

Shirou absorbed this information. "Are there any other Familia worth knowing about?" he asked again.

Ryuu nodded slowly. "There are many other prominent Familia as well, like Hephaestus Familia, known for crafting the best weapons and armor. They often collaborate with adventurers to ensure their equipment is of high quality."

She continued, "There's also Ganesha Familia, which is responsible for maintaining security and order in Orario. They often hold events and tournaments to strengthen relationships between Familia and the city's residents."

Shirou listened attentively, storing every bit of information given. "And what about the smaller or less well-known Familia?"

Ryuu thought for a moment. "There's Miach Familia, which you already know, specializing in healing and potions. There's also Takemikazuchi Familia, small but known for their determination and some quite talented adventurers."

On other days, Shirou spoke with Anya, Chloe, and Lunoire about the same topic. They provided a broader and more relaxed perspective on the various Familia, including some gossip and interesting stories.

"Freya Familia is a bit scary, you know," Anya said one day while wiping a table. "A lot of people say Freya can make anyone fall in love with her just by looking at them."

Chloe added with a mischievous grin, "And Loki Familia, they might be strong, but they're sometimes a bit... eccentric. Many say Loki herself likes to cause little problems just for fun."

Lunoire, who was usually more serious, explained, "But don't forget that there are also many smaller but very respectable Familia, like Hermes Familia, which often acts as a mediator and liaison between various groups."

During these two weeks, Shirou also observed how adventurers interacted and behaved, looking for clues about who could be trusted and who should be avoided.

From the information he had gathered, Shirou began to understand that Orario was not just an ordinary city; it was a hub of various interests, powers, and the ambitions of gods and adventurers. Each Familia had unique characteristics and different goals that reflected the nature of the god or goddess who led them.

Shirou pondered all this information. "If I want to become an adventurer and explore the dungeon," he thought, "I have to join a Familia. But... which Familia would be right for me?"

Though he felt there was still much to learn, Shirou knew that the time to make a decision was getting closer. And whatever happened, he was determined to make this journey an opportunity to test his dreams and resolve.

With renewed enthusiasm, Shirou continued his work at the tavern, while still thinking about his next steps in this new world.

One calm afternoon, when the tavern was still quiet, Shirou decided to take a short walk around the district where the Hostess of Fertility was located. The sun was beginning to dip westward, casting a soft orange glow over the rooftops and buildings of Orario. Along the way, Shirou observed the bustling daily life, from merchants peddling their wares to children playing happily in the streets.

As he walked past a narrow alley, he suddenly heard a small, panicked voice. "Ah! Oh no, oh no… what am I going to do?"

Shirou stopped in his tracks and turned toward the voice. In the corner of the alley, he saw a girl with long black hair, with a large white ribbon tying it up. Her distinctive blue and white outfit made it easy to identify her as a goddess. In her hands, she held a small bag of potatoes, looking confused and frustrated.

Shirou approached, trying to get a better look. The girl was attempting to peel the potatoes with a small knife, but the result was not neat. She seemed overwhelmed, and there were traces of flour dust on her cheeks.

"Excuse me, do you need some help?" Shirou asked gently.

The girl was startled and turned to see Shirou with her big blue eyes. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't see you there… Yes, I'm trying to make Jagamaru-kun, but I was late buying the ingredients, and now I'm not sure where to start..."

Shirou smiled. "I can help if you'd like. I often help in the kitchen, so I know a few ways to prepare potatoes quickly."

The girl's eyes lit up. "Really? Ah, thank you so much! My name is Hestia, goddess of Hestia Familia. I always make these Jagamaru-kun to sell, but today I'm having a bit of trouble."

Shirou nodded and introduced himself. "Nice to meet you, Goddess Hestia. I'm Shirou. Let's see what we can do with the ingredients you have."

As Shirou drew closer, he noticed Hestia's distinctive warm scent—like the comforting smell of a home hearth. The aroma made Shirou feel a bit nostalgic, reminding him of his old home in Fuyuki during the winter, where the fireplace was the center of warmth.

Without saying much more, Shirou quickly got to work. He deftly peeled the potatoes and cut them into the right size. Hestia, who was watching in awe, felt a little embarrassed to realize how much more skilled Shirou was at this.

"I'm really grateful," Hestia said with a shy smile. "I rarely cook, except for this. Jagamaru-kun is my favorite snack, and I love sharing it with others. But sometimes… well, it turns out like this."

Shirou chuckled softly. "It's okay, Goddess Hestia. Everyone has their own specialties. And if you love Jagamaru-kun, then I want to help you make it better."

After the potatoes were neatly cut, Shirou began heating the oil and taught Hestia how to fry them properly, so they were crispy on the outside yet soft on the inside. Hestia, who had initially seemed nervous, began to smile wider as she saw the potatoes turn a perfect golden color.

"Wow, you're really good at this, Shirou!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm. "It seems this batch of Jagamaru-kun will be much tastier."

While waiting for the potatoes to cook, Shirou asked, "Goddess Hestia, may I know why you make these Jagamaru-kun? I know you don't have any Familia members yet, right?"

Hestia nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Yes, that's right. I don't have any Familia members yet, and I want to form a Familia someday. So, I'm trying different ways to earn a little money and attract potential members. Making and selling Jagamaru-kun is one of my ways to get noticed."

Shirou nodded understandingly. "I'm impressed by your hard work. Many people may not realize how difficult it is to be a goddess without a Familia."

Hestia smiled with great determination. "Yes, but I believe in effort and sincerity. Besides, I want to prepare my Familia in any way I can."

Shirou felt touched by Hestia's sincerity. "Then, I'd be happy to help whenever you need, Goddess Hestia."

When the Jagamaru-kun was ready, Hestia took a bite, and her eyes widened with delight. "This is so delicious! Thank you, Shirou! I'm sure these will sell quickly!"

Shirou smiled, feeling relieved to have been of help. "You're welcome, Goddess Hestia."

As Shirou and Hestia were serving the freshly fried Jagamaru-kun with great enthusiasm, the tempting aroma began to spread around them. Several passersby stopped to smell the delicious scent. However, among the crowd, one person was paying special attention—Aiz Wallenstein, a famous adventurer from Loki Familia.

Aiz, with her neatly flowing blonde hair and sharp golden eyes, approached the cart with quick steps. As she got closer, her nose caught the distinctive savory aroma of Jagamaru-kun, and she immediately directed herself to Hestia.

Driven by her curiosity, Aiz ordered several Jagamaru-kun and immediately took a bite. Her calm expression quickly turned to admiration as the savory and crispy taste touched her tongue.

"This... is much tastier than usual," Aiz remarked with awe, her eyes still fixed on the snack she was tasting.

Hestia, seeing Aiz enjoying the Jagamaru-kun so much, felt delighted. "Really? Thank you so much! I worked hard to make them better this time."

Aiz nodded while continuing to chew contentedly. "This flavor is different from what I've tried before. Who made them?"

Shirou, standing beside Hestia and observing the interaction, felt a little awkward but also proud. "I helped make them," he said, adding a friendly smile.

Aiz looked at Shirou with curiosity, clearly impressed by the quality of the food. "You made them? They taste amazing."

Hestia, who didn't yet know Aiz very well, tried to recall the adventurer's name. "Oh, thank you! Thank you, Aiz… ah, sorry, I can't quite remember your last name…"

Aiz gave a slight smile, not bothered by Hestia's mistake. "Aiz Wallenstein. And I really appreciate your efforts. I'll order more."

With that, Aiz bought almost all the Jagamaru-kun in stock, leaving Hestia and Shirou feeling both satisfied and a little surprised.

As Aiz left, Hestia looked at Shirou with deep gratitude. "You really made today better, Shirou. Thank you for your help."

Shirou smiled, happy to have been able to help and make a difference. "You're welcome, Goddess Hestia. I'm glad I could help and see the Jagamaru-kun so well received."

That moment boosted Shirou's confidence and further strengthened his bond with Hestia and the community around them. As someone new to Orario, he felt more connected and motivated to continue learning and adapting to this new world.

That evening, the atmosphere at the Hostess of Fertility was quite lively. Customers were enjoying their meals and chatting in a warm and cheerful setting. Shirou, who was working in the kitchen, was handling several orders quickly and efficiently. However, the atmosphere turned tense when a drunk customer, who appeared to be a level 3 adventurer, began to bother Syr, who was serving a table near the bar.

The drunk adventurer rudely grabbed Syr's arm and spoke in a disrespectful tone. "Hey, beautiful! Why don't you come over to my table and serve me a bit closer?"

Syr tried to smile calmly, but it was clear she felt uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm busy with other tables. Please give us some time."

However, the drunken customer became more impatient and started to get pushy. Seeing Syr in trouble, Shirou quickly moved to help. He approached with good intentions, but unexpectedly, the drunk adventurer shoved Shirou roughly. Shirou fell to the floor, feeling pain throughout his body.

Ryuu, one of the stronger waitresses in the restaurant, witnessed the incident. With remarkable speed and strength, Ryuu stepped forward and kicked the drunk adventurer out with a powerful kick. The adventurer flew out of the restaurant, his angry scream fading away into the distance.

Ryuu helped Shirou up. "Are you okay?" she asked with concern, helping Shirou brush the dust off his clothes.

Shirou nodded, though his face showed some pain. "Yeah, thank you, Ryuu. I'm okay."

Syr, standing beside him, looked very grateful. "Shirou, thank you for trying to help me. I'm sorry you had to get involved like this."

Shirou gave a weak smile. "It's no problem. I just wanted to help."

However, after the incident, Shirou found himself reflecting deeply. He observed Ryuu's extraordinary strength, thanks to the blessings from the gods. The difference was obvious between those who were blessed and himself, who had no blessing. In this comparison, familia members like Ryuu seemed like artificial demigods who could grow stronger as they leveled up. Shirou, without such power, felt weak and helpless.

In his heart, Shirou felt frustrated. Without a god's blessing, he had to rely entirely on his magecraft skills to have any chance of fighting against those who were blessed. Aware of his physical and skill limitations, he knew that to survive and thrive in this world, he might need to join a familia and gain a blessing that could help him.

Shirou decided not to let this defeat stop him. "I need to get stronger," he murmured to himself. "If I want to fight in this world and protect people, I have to obtain power equal to those blessed by the gods."

With renewed determination, Shirou continued his work at the restaurant that night, thinking about the next steps he needed to take. He knew that his journey in Orario had only just begun, and there was much to learn and do. But he also realized that to reach his goal, he would have to face many challenges and overcome his limitations in more strategic and effective ways.

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