[87] Favor

"Alright." Bell nodded, though still a bit nervous.

"Then let's get started, Eina. The sooner you finish, the sooner you can leave." Aiden spoke up.

"Mm, let's begin." Eina turned around, deftly retrieved forms and a pen, and began registering Bell.

With a familiar procedure, Eina asked, Bell answered, and soon it was done.

"Eina, I need to update my information." Aiden spoke up after Bell finished registering.

"Update? So, Aiden, you've leveled up?" Eina looked up with a smile tinged with surprise. As one of Aiden's closest acquaintances in Orario after Hestia, she was well aware of Aiden's rapid increase in ability values, so she wasn't overly shocked.

"Yeah, just leveled up recently. This is the loot I got from the upgrade." Aiden smiled faintly, casually mentioning as he unsheathed the Dragon Slayer hanging from his magnetic back.

"Wow, impressive! Congratulations, Aiden. Now you're also a high-level adventurer." Eina clapped her hands together, genuinely congratulating him.

"I'll gratefully accept your congratulations." Aiden chuckled softly.

"Oh, by the way, there's one more thing." Aiden seemed to remember something as he looked at Eina, who had finished updating her information.

"Hm? What else?" Eina looked up and asked, then joked, "Are you asking me out to dinner?"

"Yeah, that's exactly it. Our familia is holding a small banquet in honor of Bell's joining. Could I trouble Lady Eina to grace us with her beautiful presence? No need to go home and change; I think you look great just as you are." Aiden continued following Eina's jest.

"Seriously?" Eina, initially half-joking, now asked in disbelief.

"Of course, it's true. Today, to welcome Bell's inclusion, Hestia decided to host a small gathering, and she's currently preparing for it. If you don't believe me, ask Bell." Aiden urged, patting Bell's shoulder.

"Yes, Hestia-sama instructed senpai to bring me here first to register." Bell responded promptly.

"Then please wait for me a moment." After a brief consideration, Eina finally nodded.

"But, there's still a small favor I'd like to ask you." Aiden said somewhat sheepishly.

"I knew it, there's no way you'd invite me to a banquet for no reason." Eina gazed at Aiden's handsome face for a moment, sounding a bit disappointed.

"Hehe, that means you've agreed, right?" Aiden chuckled.

"Fine, fine, just tell me what you need." Eina put away the forms in her hands, somewhat exasperated.

"Well, actually, this favor isn't for me, it's for Bell." Aiden shifted the topic to Bell.

"Huh? For me?" Bell, who had been standing quietly listening to Aiden and Eina's conversation, widened his eyes in surprise.

"For Bell?" Eina echoed, following up with a question.

"Yeah, just like how you helped me back then, help Bell. Lady Eina, who is very popular among male adventurers for her warmth, kindness, and beauty, is known for her extensive knowledge of Orario and the Dungeon. Isn't that right?" Aiden started with compliments for Eina before getting to the point. "I've just leveled up to Level 2, you know?"

"Yes." Eina sighed, blushing a bit at Aiden's flattery.

"While I can teach Bell how to fight and adapt to combat, when it comes to understanding the Dungeon, I think you're better suited for that, Eina." Aiden coaxed gently.

"Yes." Eina considered for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"So, I'd like to ask you to be Bell's adventurer advisor. Now that I'm Level 2, I can start exploring deeper levels, which means I can't shuttle back and forth between Orario every day, let alone constantly accompany Bell." Aiden finally revealed his intention... to delegate everything except teaching Bell combat to Eina, akin to his role in the original work where she served as Bell's advisor.

"Alright, I agree." Eina pondered for a moment and ultimately agreed to Aiden's request. She extended her right hand towards Bell. "From now on, I'll be your adventure advisor. Nice to meet you."

Seeing the beautiful onee-san figure offering her hand, Bell blushed slightly and froze for a moment.

"Why are you standing there dumbstruck?" Aiden patted Bell on the back and chuckled.

"Oh, right! Nice to meet you!" Bell snapped out of his daze, gripping Eina's right hand tightly, clearly excited.

"Seriously, do you have to be that excited?" Aiden laughed as he watched Bell's enthusiasm. He saw a bit of himself in Bell, though he himself wouldn't get that excited so easily, thinking somewhat smugly.

"Okay, can you let go now? Let her tidy up, and we can get ready to take you out for a stroll." Seeing Bell still holding Eina's hand, Aiden said impatiently.

"Oh, sorry, I'm sorry." Bell immediately released Eina's right hand and bowed apologetically, his face flushed red.

With Bell's reddened face, coupled with his naive and handsome features, he looked remarkably innocent, almost like a heartthrob to women.

No one could have guessed that Bell harbored dreams of having a harem.

Seeing Bell apologize so sincerely satisfied Eina's vanity, and she certainly didn't blame him. She smiled and said, "It's okay, Bell-kun. Just wait for me for a moment."

After Aiden, Eina, and Bell, who was now dressed in the new adventurer gear provided by the guild, stepped out of the guild, the twilight hues had long faded. The sky had shifted from orange-red to the somber shades of dusk under the deep blue night sky.

Under the deep blue night sky, various colored lights illuminated the streets. Workers ending their day and adventurers returning safely from the Dungeon celebrated with wine, and merry voices and hearty laughter spilled out from every tavern. Orange lights poured out through open windows, casting a warm glow on the bustling crowds dancing along the roads.

Bell looked around curiously as they walked along the busy streets filled with pedestrians.

The streets had completely transformed into the nightlife of Orario, bustling with activity.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Aiden and his group. After a stroll and accompanying Eina to buy a bottle of wine, they started heading home.

They walked through the broad and dimly lit alleys, where the surroundings had gradually turned pitch black without anyone noticing. It felt unnaturally dark, as if they had stepped into a bottle of ink, obscuring most of the moonlight and starlight.

___

If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my pat reon: 

https : // www .pat reon. com /XElenea