Chapter Thirty-Nine

(Hostess of Fertility)

With that, he withdrew his blade and resumed his work on the wall, the rhythmic sound of his repairs resuming.

Ryu's thoughts raced as she processed the situation that had just occurred, the advice, and the unexpected depth behind Muichiro's words.

How did he get in front of her so quickly, when did he unsheath his blade, how could she not react in time, she was a level four while he was a level one.

It didn't make sense, Yes her guard may have been down but still...

As she watched him, a sense of realization settled within her. His actions had conveyed a message that words alone couldn't capture.

'Wait his stance, wasn't that stance he described I should make when swinging and cutting?'

Ryu looked back at his stance in her mind and then back at Muichiro, Ryu began to practice again, her movements more deliberate and thoughtful this time.

She incorporated the principles Muichiro had briefly touched upon, feeling the difference in her form and recognizing how much harder it was to swing her blade despite only changing a few subtle things.

As the day unfolded, the sun's warmth bathing the city in a golden hue, Ryu continued her training with renewed determination. And Muichiro's repairs neared its completion.

...

Meanwhile, on one of the patios of the Hostess of Fertility, Anya observed from above, her eyes widening in astonishment as she witnessed Muichiro's remarkable speed and sword technique.

The sight triggered a memory, a shadow of her brother's skills, but she swiftly pushed the thoughts aside, not wanting to dwell on painful memories.

Determined to distract herself, Anya descended to the kitchen, fetching a glass of water for Muichiro.

She approached him, a friendly smile on her face, as she engaged in conversation. Their exchange flowed effortlessly as she inquired about their upcoming date in two days.

His affirmative response brought a genuine smile to her lips, her excitement evident.

However, their conversation was cut short as Mama Mia's voice rang out, summoning Anya to attend to her duties.

Regretfully, she bid Muichiro a temporary farewell and made her way back into the pub.

Muichiro continued his work on the wall, the sound of his tools against the wood creating a rhythmic cadence.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting warm hues over the city as the day gradually transitioned to late afternoon.

The progress he made was evident, and soon the task was completed.

As the girls of the Hostess of Fertility began their evening shift, Muichiro entered the pub once more.

With the confidence of a job well done, he informed Mama Mia of the successful repair and enjoyed a meal, engaging in conversation with the waitresses whenever they had a moment to spare.

Syr and Anya's voices stood out among the chatter, their conversations with Muichiro taking on an animated quality.

Chloe, on the other hand, observed from afar, her gaze occasionally stealing glances in his direction.

'Ahhh, he's so cute, especially when he's eating.' May, like always presented him with a bento, a gesture of appreciation for his hard work.

They talked for a little while longer before he left the establishment.

Ryu, from her corner, watched him leave and she felt a little anxious. She wanted to approach him, to express her gratitude for his advice and apologize for her earlier brashness, but before she could gather her words, he was already gone.

'Mmm! I'll apologise the next time he comes.'

....

At nightfall, Muichiro made his way back to the Wheat Manor.

Unbeknownst to him, the following day would bring a surge of excitement to the streets of Orario, as one of the city's most renowned familia parties, the Loki Familia would return from their dungeon expedition.

...

(Location: Babel - Dungeon Entrance - The Next Day)

The triumphant return of the Loki Familia brought a wave of energy and excitement to the streets of Orario.

As they emerged from the dungeon's depths, exhaustion and exhilaration mingled on their faces, a testament to the trials they had endured beneath the surface.

Their armour was worn, yet their spirits were high, as they could finally relax and go home.

Carts laden with monster drops and treasures accompanied the Familia, each cart representing the fruits of their arduous labour.

*Crack, Crack*

"Ahhhhhhh! Fresh air, how I've missed you." Tiona hiryute said in an exaggerated tone, as she stretched her back.

"Yeah, Despite being gone for a month we're lucky we didn't have any casualties this time." A familia member with a broken arm said as he looked around.

"I know everyone's tired and they want to head back home as soon as possible, but before that, we have to drop off our loot at the Guild." Finn deimne said, a Pallum and the captain of the Loki Familia.

Though reluctant everyone followed the captain's order and made their way to the Guild.

Conversations buzzed as the residents of Orario watched the Loki Familia with admiration and awe.

"Look, it's the Loki Familia!"

"They've returned from the dungeon expedition!"

"I heard they went deeper than ever this time."

As the Loki Familia made their way through the streets, cheers erupted from the onlookers.

People clapped and shouted their congratulations, expressing their respect and support for the adventurers.

The energy in the air was infectious, as the crowd shared in their triumph.

Children held up signs painted with words of encouragement and gratitude. Banners bearing the emblem of the Loki Familia fluttered in the wind, showcasing the symbol of their bravery and dedication.

Among the crowd, hushed conversations spread, recounting rumours and stories of their exploits:

"I heard they faced a fearsome mutated minotaur on the 50th floor!"

"Did you hear about their encounter with a rare dragon on the 49th floor?"

As the parade of adventurers continued towards the Guild, the energy seemed to intensify.

The cheers grew louder, and the Loki Familia members shared smiles and waves with the people of Orario.

At last, they reached the entrance of the Guild, where they were welcomed by the familiar surroundings and the resounding cheers of their fellow adventurers.

Inside, the Guild members congratulated them, sharing tales of their own experiences and exchanging knowing glances with the Loki Familia members.

Among the returning adventurers, Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess, stood tall and poised.

She looked around the Guild Hall before finding her adviser...briefly separating from her group she greeted Rose Fannett.

...

As Muichiro walked back to the Wheat Manor, Demeter was by his side, being warmly greeted by the various familia members that were part of her familia.

They were comprised of people running food stalls and various other trades, and their cheerful greetings created a lively atmosphere around them.

Among the greetings, Muichiro couldn't help but overhear whispers about the Loki Familia's triumphant return from the dungeon.

It was a topic of discussion that echoed through the streets, a testament to the familia's reputation and the impact of their expeditions on the city.

Amidst the warm exchanges, Muichiro's thoughts drifted to Loki herself – the red-haired goddess he had encountered twice before.

He recalled her lively and spirited personality, as well as her occasional bouts of intoxication.

He found it interesting how she often mentioned a person named Ais, known as the Sword Princess.

The reputation of her skill as a swordsman piqued Muichiro's curiosity.

He wondered just how skilled she truly was and whether he might have a chance to cross blades with her someday.

.....

Hahaha!!! Damn, there were a lot of mixed comments on the chapter posted yesterday.

A lot of you hated that a love interest was Oc, even though it was only one confirmed member of the Harem.

And a lot of you also liked that Freya wasn't in the Harem.

I just have one thing to say so you understand my thought process better. I never planned for Muichiro to only ever stay in Orario...there's a whole ass continent to explore after all.

I did give a few hints that Muichiro wasn't going to always stay on Orario, the library chapter talking about the school district and the map that shows Muichiro the whole continent and more...

If I had planned to keep Muichiro grounded in Orario then I wouldn't have made any oc character a love interest, but because I'm not doing that it just made more sense for me to go in this direction.

If you're not happy, I'm sorry to say, but that's life. You don't always get what you wish for, I also understand if some of you would drop the story, as some of you made it very clear you did.

In any case, that's all I want to say...love me, hate me, I'm writing the story how I planned to, if it's bad it's bad, if it's good great, I'll learn from my mistakes in any case...

(Cute Muichiro Gif Story)