CH. 364: Stalker on vacation?

Allen Fromel clenched his jaw at the sight of his sister Anya entering the Hostess of Fertility with Asahi and Ryuu.

'This little…'

Allen hated the newbie adventurer to his core. Asahi took Freya's attention away from her children.

'Now Anya.'

If it weren't for Freya's order, he would have attacked Asahi.

"You look pissed," an amused voice came from behind him as a hand touched his shoulder. "Stalking your sister isn't a good habit."

Allen's cat ears twitched. He immediately identified the voice, which made it all the more impossible for this person to be not here.

Allen slowly turned around to Asahi's smile. "How are you here?"

He saw Asahi entering the bar just now. There was no way someone could move so fast without giving any sound. Then again, he forgot how much interest she had in Asahi. He might have something special if his goddess wanted him so badly.

"It's easy to follow your killing intent here." Giving a slip to Ryuu and Anya was harder than sneaking up to Allen. "So did Freya order you to keep an eye on me?"

"It's Freya-sama," Allen growled. "She didn't order me anything. I'm on a... vacation today."

"She kicked you out before having that date with me," Asahi nodded. "Sounds reasonable."

Allen's face twisted in rage. "Don't slander Freya-sama. She would never fall for a pathetic adventurer like you."

(My love, you're breaking him!)

'That was my purpose, I guess.'

"I don't want Freya to fall for me anyway." He shrugged. "What are you doing here exactly?"

"Why would I—"

Asahi grabbed Allen's throat and lifted him. "I'm not a man of patience."

He wasn't sure who Allen was really stalking. It could be Anya, him, or Ryuu. Freya's loyal cat could be out on a mission to apprehend someone from his Familia. He was fine with people going after him, but those who targeted his family will only have one place left to live—Underworld.

Allen poured every bit of his level 6 strength to free himself, which wasn't enough. First, he gave a shocked look at Asahi's strength before he glared at Asahi in defiance as though he'd accept death over speaking a word.

Asahi sneered. "Fool."

He tossed Allen into the wall. Killing Allen would make Anya sad, and a sad Anya will ruin Ryuu's day.

"Be grateful to your sister. I'll use a gentle method now."

Asahi grinned as he walked toward Allen. He bought a mind-reading spell from Klyscha and tested it on his new 'prisoner.' He truly was here to stalk his sister, which he did frequently. Freya had called everyone to Folkvangr this morning and told them to take a day off.

All except Ottar.

'What is that goddess scheming?'

Asahi's curiosity was getting the better of him. He might get the answers sooner rather than later.

(What do we do with him?)

'He'll stay as a prisoner until Freya's dinner.'

He called Grayfia to take Allen to the Stardust Garden.

***

Ryuu kept glancing at the door, even though Anya was talking to her. The Hostess of Fertility opened after evening; the best time for adventurers to hang out and have drinks.

"Nya, you miss him already."

Ryuu shook her head. "No, it's not like that… I'm just curious where he went."

"Nufufu. Look who is back."

As though using Anya's words as a signal, the door opened. Asahi winked at Ryuu as he walked toward Ryuu's table. "I saw an acquaintance."

Ryuu smiled. "It's alright. I wasn't curious."

"She totally was," Anya chimed as she rubbed a plate with a cloth. "Clean, clean, clean, nya~."

"Anya, why are you cleaning?" A deep voice arrived, and Anya's tail became alarmed.

Mia Grand appeared from the kitchen door. The dwarf lady proceeded to bonk Anya on her head and snatch the plate. "You broke nine plates this month. NINE. You won't clean any time soon."

Anya furiously waved her hands. "Nya, that hurt."

Asahi and Ryuu chuckled at the teary-eyed Anya. Asahi unconsciously rubbed Ryuu's head, something he did to every woman at his side. "No wonder Saeko and others visit this place without me. It's a pretty lively place."

Ryuu became drowsy from the surge of warmth, which ended as soon as it came, leaving her yearning for more.

Mia finally noticed Asahi and waved at him with a wide smile. "Haven't seen you in a while. Though your wives come here often to see Syr and Chloe."

"I've been busy."

"Busy fighting monsters." Mia nodded. "Your achievements are at the tip of every adventurer's tongue these days. It certainly takes effort to be this good at fighting."

"It's not worth mentioning."

Ryuu stared at his face. If his strength wasn't worth mentioning, then what were they? Level 1s who just picked up a weapon?

"Hahaha, kid. Being too humble can be bad in Orario. You don't wanna let other adventurers push you for your kindness."

Asahi simply nodded at her advice. She meant well, and her advice could've been better for a kind adventurer.

The door opened again, and two waitresses walked into the bar.

A young woman with short brown hair. Other than her pretty features, her relaxed aura stood out. The other waitress was a catgirl with bob-cut black hair. Her green eyes flickered with mischievousness as she looked at Asahi.

"Lord Asahi is here to grace us." Chloe raised her skirt and curtsied. "Welcome~."

Lunoire greeted Asahi with a nod before she walked back into the room that led to the resident quarters for waitresses.

Mia crossed her arms on her chest as she stared down at the catgirl. "Chloe, any news on Syr?"

"She isn't at the orphanage." Chloe let out a sigh. "She shouldn't have taken a day off without informing us."

"She didn't tell me either," Ryuu added, worry apparent in her voice.

"It might be something urgent." Mia shrugged off Syr's sudden disappearance as nothing.

Asahi wondered if Mia knew something about Syr's disappearance. From her carefree reaction, she might have a hint of Syr's location. Nobody seemed to notice that except for him.

"Oh, Chloe." Ryuu pulled a small pouch from her pocket and handed it to Chloe. "The ten thousand valis I borrowed yesterday."

Chloe accepted the money with a smile. Ten thousand valis wasn't much for a high-level adventurer like Ryuu, but it was a lot for a 'normal' waitress like her.

"I'll get going then."

"Goodbye, Nya!" Anya waved cheerfully. "Bye, Asyahi."

Chloe grinned. "Bye, Asyahi."

"Now you're intentionally ruining my name." Asahi shook his head. "Well, see ya later."

He followed Ryuu out and headed toward the Twilight Manor to pick up Ais and Riveria for their training.