Chapter 43. The Appearance of Hermes
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The sudden appearance of the floor boss Goliath on the 18th floor, and the fact that the Pure White Hero defeated Goliath single-handedly, had made him famous once again, without him even realizing it.
Apparently, after he defeated Goliath, an adventurer had hurried out of the dungeon at top speed to spread the news. Coupled with the songs of hope that the Apollo Familia sang day in and day out, the Pure White Hero had truly entered the public's consciousness. He went from being known only to the gods and top-tier adventurers to being a subject of discussion for everyone.
This is really...
Cyd sighed as he handed over a bag of magic stones to the exchange counter's staff. The blatant stares from those around him made him incredibly uncomfortable, especially since the staff member was one of those staring.
What a hassle!
Come on! Just give me the money already!
"Um, can you hurry up a bit... I'm in a rush," Cyd cleared his throat, awkwardly waving a hand in front of the staff member's face.
"Oh... oh! Sorry!"
After receiving a large bag of money, Cyd slumped onto a bench. Lili and Welf had hurriedly left—one with a look of determination, the other looking like he couldn't wait to get started on something... and they hadn't even received their payment yet.
"I'll give it to them next time."
"Teacher, what about that huge floor boss's magic stone?" Bell asked curiously. After all, they didn't have the strength to haul it out of the dungeon, and if they broke it into pieces... they'd probably be heartbroken.
"They said they'd send a team to retrieve it, and we'll get paid after an evaluation," Cyd stretched, "We might be able to afford a new place."
"If you ask, Apollo could hand over his super luxurious residence to you anytime~"
A cowboy hat suddenly appeared behind Cyd and landed on his head.
"Of course, mine's available too~ Though it's not as luxurious~"
"A god?" Ryuu squinted, eyeing the young man who had casually taken a seat beside Cyd with some wariness.
"No need to be so tense. I mean no harm. Ask him if you don't believe me," the young man said, spreading his hands.
"It's because you can cause trouble without any malice that I find you troublesome," Cyd rubbed his temples, "Lord Hermes."
"An enemy?" Bell asked cautiously.
Ais promptly drew her sword.
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't point something so dangerous at me!" Hermes quickly raised his hands in surrender.
"He's... not an enemy, probably..." Cyd waved dismissively.
"I'd be more touched if you left out that 'probably,'" Hermes feigned wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "Do you know how long it took me to help that straightforward boy, Apollo, spread your story?"
"So you were involved," Cyd rolled his eyes. "Apollo never struck me as someone particularly skilled at that sort of thing."
"Of course! I'm the messenger of the gods. Even gods believe whatever I say," Hermes instinctively reached up to flick the brim of his hat but awkwardly realized he had left it on Cyd's head for a dramatic entrance...
Hermes tilted his head, thought for a moment, then flicked Cyd's hat brim.
"So~ Lord Hermes, what kind of surprise do you have for me this time?" Cyd sighed.
"How cruel~ You make it sound like I always bring you bad news," Hermes sighed dramatically. "And yet, every time you profit quite handsomely."
"Thanks so much for doing so much for my sake," Cyd rolled his eyes again.
[Isn't that obvious?]
Hermes opened his mouth, but the words that once came so naturally now stuck in his throat.
"No... no problem," Hermes stammered.
Cyd raised an eyebrow and pointed to his own head, "Um, Lord Hermes, did you bump your head? I've got some healing potions here."
In Cyd's mind, Hermes had always been carefree and nonchalant. This sincerity… didn't suit him.
"Actually, I..."
"Lord Hermes!!!!"
"Oh dear~ Trouble's coming," Hermes closed his right eye, pretending to be troubled as he held his forehead.
"How much trouble are you going to cause me!" A blue-haired girl panted, waving her fist in frustration.
Cyd could tell that if she could, the blue-haired girl wouldn't hesitate to punch Hermes in the face.
"You tricked me into buying snacks and then slipped away by yourself!" The blue-haired girl glared at Hermes with resentment. "Do you know how long I've been looking for you!"
"How long?" Hermes tilted his head.
"I...!" The blue-haired girl's face turned bright red. She couldn't exactly use magic to blast Hermes away. "Can't you consider how I feel, cleaning up after you day in and day out?"
"Because~ Asfi, you seem so boring," Hermes rested his chin on his hand and pouted. "Since you can't make pleasant sounds, I have to settle for making you pull faces that please me."
Cyd sighed, stood up, and placed a hand on the magic wand Asfi had pulled out. "Don't expect much from him. They've lived far too long. Our time with them is but a few fleeting moments. They won't change for just a few moments. So... just bear with it."
"I feel like... we'd get along well," Asfi adjusted her glasses.
"Hahaha... After all, before you, I was the one who spent time with him," Hermes laughed heartily.
Bell stroked his chin. Somehow, there was something bitter in Hermes' smile... but maybe it was just his imagination.
"Ah—almost forgot the main point," Hermes suddenly jumped up and extended his hand to Cyd as he had done in the past, "There's going to be a god's banquet tomorrow~"
"I can't refuse, can I?" Cyd spread his hands.
"Of course not, because this time, you're the main character," Hermes pressed down on the cowboy hat on Cyd's head.
"Alright, alright," Cyd rolled his eyes. "I've never turned down your requests anyway. I was planning on going."
Asfi squinted. Hermes' hand had trembled just now.
"You could have... er, anyway, give me back my hat," Hermes coughed heavily, took the cowboy hat off Cyd's head, and put it back on.
"I thought you'd give the hat to me," Cyd rubbed his chin.
In his memory, Hermes would usually laugh and say something like, "Since it's already on your head, you can keep it." After all, this hat was something Hermes had personally put on his head.
"Well... let's just say I changed my mind. I've grown rather fond of this hat. If I give it away on a whim," Hermes flicked the hat and turned to look at the sky.
"I wouldn't be able to change it back."