Chapter 12: Hostess of Fertility

Sitting up on Athena's bed I slipped my shirt back on.

When I was finished doing so she handed me my status sheet.

Two months have passed since Ryner and I stared diving into the dungeon along with the others. It's been going great.

My status sheet in hand I began reading it.

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Name: Morax Lapis

Level: One

Strength: I0 >I50

Endurance: I0 >I38

Dexterity: I0 >I33

Agility: I0 >I55

Magic: I0 >I34

Magic:

Geo Force: Allows the user to create and manipulate earth constructs such as weapons. The more complex the constructs are the faster mana and mind are drained.

Chant: Ground and soil, heed my command and come forth!

Slot 2: ?

Slot 3: ?

Skills:

Geo Archon: Increases the effect and power of any earth-based magic. It also doubles the user's strength and agility stats anytime they are in combat within rocky terrain. This allows one to be able to sense people within a 50 meter radius upon rocky terrain, but only if they are part of one's familia.

Developmental Abilities:

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Looking at my stats I nodded.

For two months I am making good progress, and just like I wanted my strength and agility stats are climbing faster than the other three. Now when I get to rocky terrain and my [Geo Archon] skill activates things will certainly get more interesting.

Very interesting indeed.

Also once my skill comes into play leveling up should be much easier, since I plan to level up in a year.

I mean if people like Ryuu, Allen Fromel, and Ais can do it then so can I.

Especially if a giant asshole like Allen Fromel can do it.

How he and Anya are related is still a mystery to me.

Once I was done looking over my status I handed the paper to Athena and she disposed of it as usual.

Like she does every single week.

I regularly get my status checked, just in case something like a new skill appears. Because unlike magic and developmental abilities skill can appear at any time for an adventurer or those who posses Falna.

Since while all adventurers have Falna, not all those who possess Falna are adventures.

Like those in Rakia, who receive the blessing from that moron Ares.

Who is a disgrace to what Ares the God of War truly should be.

If I ever meet that idiot I beat him up without hesitation.

But I won't kill him. I don't want to get blacklisted by the guild after all.

"Thank you Athena." I told her.

"No problem." She said. "Also, I was wondering if you would accompany me through town tomorrow Morax?"

"That's fine." I told her.

Since I am taking three days off from dungeon diving starting tomorrow.

All work and no play will make me burn out quickly. Which will not be good for my life expectancy inside the dungeon.

So even though I want to get stronger I know that taking a break once and a while is also necessary to accomplish my goal.

Once I agreed to Athena's request I left her room and let out a yawn.

Now that all the important stuff is done, it's time for some much needed sleep.

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"Apples, fresh apples here!"

"I've got some fine potions for sale."

I heard this and many other things as I walked down one of Orario's many streets filled with vendors selling everything from weapons to clothing.

Despite us being in the "Dark Period" it seems that the economy is still thriving.

Good, if that started failing then Orario would really be in trouble.

As I walked down the street I paid extreme attention to my surroundings, making sure no one with ill intent got near Athena.

Along with Millhiore who decided to accompany us today as well.

Both of us have our weapons with us, despite being in civilian-clothing. Since we are adventurers its allowed.

We three mingled with several vendors, and just generally spent the whole day taking it easy.

Before I knew it is was noon.

I can tell my the angle of the sun in the sky.

'We've sure been out here a while.' I thought.

Then a moment after I did so I heard something.

*Grrr!*

The sound of a stomach growling.

Stopping in my tracks I slowly turned my head to the one the growl came from.

Millhiore.

Who has stopped in her tracks as well, along with Athena.

"Milli-"

"-Nothing." She shouted. "You misheard just now Morax!" She said again, her face flushing red with embarrassment as she did so. Her ears are even drooping as well.

"Right, I heard nothing." I said. I may like to tease people, but I am not an asshole and I know when to not take thing too far. Like pointing out when a girls stomach is growling. "But you know we have been walking around since early morning and I am getting hungry, are you ladies the same?"

"Yes." Millhiore said.

"I am." Athena said.

"Great, then let's find a place to eat." I said.

"Actually I have heard of this place that's in the area." Athena said. "It's supposed to have very good food."

"Then lead the way." I told her.

"Yes, please lead the way." Millhiore said.

Athena nodded.

She then started walking again, with the two of us following behind her.

We then walked for about fifteen minutes before finally reaching our destination.

And the moment we did so my breath hitched.

Since the place we are standing outside of the Hostess of Fertility.

I never expected this. I mean I knew this place existed since according to the timeline I saw of Danmachi in my last Mia started it fifteen years before canon so it was opened five years ago. But I did not except Athena to ever bring us here.

Sure I wanted to eat at this place one day, but not right now.

The main reason being Syr, also known as the yandere goddess Freya.

I don't want to risk her taking any interest whatsoever in me. Especially right now when I am too weak to defend myself should she send her familia members after me like she does with Bell in the future.

But since we are here I guess I'll just have to take the risk and hope she doesn't like me too much.

As Athena headed inside I followed her alongside Millhiore, saying a silent prayer to the One Above All to keep Freya off my ass as I did so.

The moment we three entered inside I was greeted by the sight of Mia Grande, also known as Mama Mia. Two young girls by her side in hostess uniforms.

One of them is Anya, and the other one is Syr.

"Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility." Mia said to us.

"Yes, welcome." Syr happily said.

"Welcome nya~" Anya added.

"Greetings." Athena said.

"Hello." I said.

"Yes, hello." Millhiore said.

"Table for three." I spoke.

"No problem." Mia told us. "Anya, please attend to them."

"Leave it to me nya~" Anya said, a smile on her face as she did so. She then came up to the three of us. "Follow me please, nya~" She said.

So we did and immediately got seated.

Anya then handed us our menus.

"So then, can I start you off with something to drink nya~ Perhaps some beer?" Anya asked.

"I'll just have water." I said.

"Me as well." Millhiore said.

"The same." Athena said.

"Got it, nya~ Three waters coming right up." Anya said.

She then scurried off.

As she did so I once again questioned how someone like her can be related to Allen.

He's an all the time angry asshole who is seriously too obsessed with Freya. Meanwhile Anya is a happy go-lucky airhead.

The disparity between the Fromel brother and sister is real.

I also question a bit how Anya survived in the Freya familia with her personality. Since most of those guys are really intense.

But well, I guess that's just one of the mysteries of Danmachi.

A few moments after we ordered our drinks Anya returned and placed them in front of us.

"Alright nya~ Here are your waters. So then, are you ready to order?" Anya asked us.

"Yes." We three said.

We then ordered our food.

I got some pasta, Millhiore got some kitchen, and Athena got some sort of potato bowl.

Within a few moments our food was out, and we were able to enjoy it. Smiles on our faces as we did so.

The food here at Fertility is really good.

No wonder civilians and adventurers alike come to this place.

Before I knew it my plate was completely clean, and I had a satisfied smile on my face.

"That was delicious." I said.

"Oh, I'm glad you liked it." A voice spoke up behind me.

Turning around I found myself face-to-face with Syr.

"And since you liked it, please come back again." She asked me.

"Sure." I told her. "I will." I said.

Which is not a lie.

"The same." Millhiore said.

Athena simply nodded.

"I'm glad." Syr said, showing a bright smile as she did so.

Seeing this I am getting a bit mesmerized. But I have to keep my wits about me. Even though she is cute and seems innocent I have to remember she cannot be trusted completely.

"Syr nya~ What are you doing to my customers?" Anya asked. Coming back to the table.

"Nothing Anya, just telling them to come back again since they liked the food." Syr explained.

"I was going to do that nya~" Anya said.

"Oh, really my mistake then." Syr said. Giving herself a small tap on the head after she did so.

Seeing this I can see how she becomes the poster girl for the Hostess in the future.

After talking with Anya Syr moved in, and we paid the bill and then left.

Walking I looked towards Athena. "Athena is there anywhere else we need to go?"

"No, let's head home." She said.

Millhiore and I nodded at that.

But the moment after we did so an explosion rang out from our left.

The force of the blast knocking us all to our feet.

A ringing in my ears and my left eye covered in red, I saw fire and people running.

As well as several black-cloaked figures.

One of which is heading straight towards me.