[6] Paper Trails and Fairy Tales
Orario pulsed with life, a cacophony of voices and clattering hooves filling the air. Merchants hauled carts laden with goods, their calls mingling with the chatter of passersby. I waved to a shopkeeper wrestling with an unruly awning, earning a grateful nod in return.
A group of children darted past, laughing as they chased a stray cat. The feline, sleek and nimble, effortlessly evaded their grasp. I couldn't help but smirk at the scene.
My gaze drifted upward, drawn to the colossal structure dominating the skyline. The tower stretched impossibly high, its peak lost in the clouds.
『That's Babel,』 Minerva chimed in. 『It's built atop the Dungeon.』
I nodded, absorbing the information. The Dungeon. The very reason for Orario's existence, if the rumors were to be believed. A wellspring of monsters and magic that had shaped the world.
My eyes swept the street, searching for my destination. "Excuse me," I called out to a passing woman with feline ears. "Could you point me towards the Hostess of Fertility?"
The catgirl's cheeks flushed pink. She mumbled something, gesturing vaguely down the road before scurrying away.
I blinked, caught off guard by her reaction. Perhaps I'd have to work on my approach.
Following her directions, I soon found myself outside a two-story stone building. The sign above the door left no doubt – this was the place.
I pushed open the heavy wooden doors, stepping into the dimly lit interior. The scent of beer and hearty food lingered in the air. A handful of staff bustled about, preparing for the day ahead.
Behind the bar stood a woman who could only be described as imposing. She radiated an aura of authority that commanded respect.
"We're not open yet," she called out, her voice gruff but not unkind.
I approached the bar, offering a disarming smile. "My apologies. I'm new to Orario, and I was told this is the place for information."
The woman's eyes narrowed, assessing me. "Mia Grand," she said finally. "I own this establishment."
"Dante Valac," I replied, inclining my head.
Mia's gaze softened a fraction. "We're not serving food yet, but if it's a drink you're after, we can arrange that."
"Water would be appreciated," I said, tossing a few valis onto the counter.
As Mia turned to fetch my drink, a familiar sensation prickled at the back of my neck. I spun, my eyes landing on a gray-haired woman in a waitress uniform. She met my gaze, her expression unreadable.
That presence. The same one I'd felt upon entering Orario. What did it mean?
Mia returned, setting a glass of water before me. "So, what brings you to our fair city?"
I took a sip, considering my response. "I'm searching for someone," I said carefully. "The goddess Hestia. I don't suppose you'd know where I might find her?"
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the gray-haired waitress shift her weight, her shoulders tensing at Hestia's name. Interesting. But that was a thread to pull later.
Mia scratched her chin, brow furrowed in thought. "Hestia? Ah, that tiny goddess with the blue ribbons." She wiped down the counter with practiced strokes. "Last I heard, she and her familia took up residence in some abandoned church. East side of the city, can't miss it - looks about ready to collapse."
I took another sip of water. "An abandoned church? Seems fitting for a goddess."
"Fitting?" Mia barked out a laugh. "That place is held together by prayers and stubbornness."
『The Hestia Familia isn't known for its wealth,』 Minerva added helpfully. 『Or... much of anything, really.』
"You seem well-informed about the city's divine residents," I said, studying Mia's face.
She shrugged, massive shoulders rising and falling. "Part of the job. You don't run a pub in Orario without learning who's who." Her eyes narrowed. "Speaking of which, what's your interest in Lady Hestia? Looking to join her familia?"
"Something like that."
The gray-haired waitress had drifted closer, pretending to arrange glasses while clearly eavesdropping.
Mia grunted. " You seem strong so here's a word of advice. There are bigger, richer familias out there. Loki, Freya, take your pick."
"I appreciate the concern," I said, standing. "But I have my reasons."
"Don't we all." Mia collected my empty glass. "Head east until you hit the old temple district. Look for the building that's more ivy than stone. And tell that rabbit-boy of hers to pay his tab before I find him myself."
I dropped a few more valis on the counter. "For the information."
"Save it. Just try not to die in the dungeon - cleaning up adventurer bits is bad for business."
As I turned to leave, the gray-haired waitress spoke. "The church bells still ring, you know." Her voice was soft, measured. "Every morning at dawn. Strange, for an abandoned building."
"Maybe the goddess likes to keep time."
A slight smile played at her lips. "Maybe."
The morning sun hit my face as I stepped outside. East. An abandoned church. It wasn't much to go on, but-
『Watch your left,』 Minerva warned.
I sidestepped just as someone barreled out of an alley, nearly colliding with me. A small figure in white and blue, twin-tails streaming behind her as she ran.
"Sorry!" she called over her shoulder, not slowing. "Late for work! So late!"
I stared after her retreating form. Short stature, blue ribbons in her black hair...
『That was her,』 Minerva confirmed. 『Goddess Hestia herself.』
"Well." I smiled. "Isn't that convenient."
『Are you going to follow her?』
"And miss the chance to explore a creepy abandoned church? Where's your sense of adventure?"
『Somewhere between your recklessness and your sarcasm, I imagine.』
I headed north, weaving through the morning crowd. The buildings grew older, more weathered as I walked. Crumbling temples lined the streets, their forgotten gods long returned to heaven.
And there it was. Rising above its decrepit neighbors, a church that nature seemed determined to reclaim. Verdant ivy wrapped around weathered stone like possessive fingers. Stained glass windows, miraculously intact, caught the sunlight.
『This is it,』 Minerva said. 『Home of the Hestia Familia.』
I approached the heavy wooden doors. They creaked open at my touch, revealing a simple sanctuary. Rows of dusty pews faced a modest altar. Shafts of colored light painted patterns on the stone floor.
"Hello?" My voice echoed in the empty space. "Anyone home?"
No answer. Just the whisper of wind through cracks in the walls.
『The residential area is likely below,』 Minerva suggested. 『Most churches in Orario have basement levels.』
I found the stairs leading down, worn smooth by countless feet. The air grew cooler as I descended.
The basement was surprisingly well-kept compared to the sanctuary above. Clean floors, fresh torches in their brackets. Signs of habitation. A bed and a couch the only furniture able to be seen.
"Now what?" I murmured.
『Now,』 Minerva said, 『we wait for the goddess to return from work.』
"Tempting, I could use a moment to think."
『About what you'll say to her?』
"About why a gray-haired waitress with combat training is so interested in the Hestia Familia."
『You noticed that too.』
"Hard to miss." I leaned back, getting comfortable.
I drummed my fingers against the stone steps, the rhythmic tapping echoing through the empty basement. Thirty minutes of waiting had done nothing for my patience.
"This is pointless," I muttered, standing up and brushing off my clothes. "The goddess won't be back for hours."
『You could always return later,』 Minerva suggested.
"Exactly what I was thinking." I climbed back up the stairs, squinting as sunlight streamed through the stained glass. "Might as well get to know the city I'll be calling home."
The streets had grown busier since morning. Adventurers now mixed with the merchants and civilians, their weapons and armor glinting in the sun. Most traveled in groups, laughing and chatting about their upcoming dungeon runs.
I turned right at random, letting my feet carry me wherever they pleased. The architecture shifted subtly as I walked - from weathered stone temples to wooden shopfronts, then to elegant manors with manicured gardens.
『The northwestern district,』 Minerva said. 『Home to Orario's merchant class and minor nobility.』
A commotion ahead drew my attention. A crowd had gathered outside what looked like an auction house, their excited voices carrying over the general street noise.
"Did you see it?"
"Twenty million valis, at least!"
"The Ganesha Familia's really outdone themselves this time."
I edged closer, curiosity piqued. Through gaps in the crowd, I glimpsed something massive being wheeled into the building - covered in heavy cloth.
"Upper floor boss," a gruff voice said beside me. I glanced over to find a dwarf stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Goliath, if I had to guess. Nasty pieces of work, those."
"You've fought one?" I asked.
He laughed. "Me? Nah, I just sell the parts. Speaking of..." He eyed me speculatively. "You look like an adventurer. Need any armor? I've got a fresh batch of high-quality-"
"Not today," I cut him off, already moving away. The last thing I needed was to get roped into some merchant's sales pitch.
My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn't eaten since... well, since this body had been mine.
『There's a good kebab stand two streets over,』 Minerva offered. 『Popular with adventurers.』
"How do you know that?"
『I know what you know. And apparently, you know where to find decent kebabs.』
I shook my head, amused despite myself. The relationship between my borrowed memories and Minerva's knowledge was still unclear, but I wasn't about to complain about convenient food recommendations.
The kebab stand was exactly where she said it would be. The smell of grilled meat and spices made my mouth water.
"Two please," I told the vendor, dropping coins into his outstretched hand.
He worked quickly, wrapping the meat and vegetables in flatbread. "New in town?" he asked, handing over my food.
"That obvious?"
"You've got that look. Like everything's still shiny and interesting." He gestured at the street with his tongs. "Give it a month. You'll be sick of it all just like the rest of us."
I bit into the kebab. The flavors exploded across my tongue - salt and heat and something deeper I couldn't quite place. "If your cooking stays this good, I doubt that."
He grinned. "Flattery'll get you everywhere, kid. But watch yourself out there. City's been weird lately. Weirder than usual, I mean."
"How so?"
He glanced around before leaning in. "You didn't hear it from me, but word is the Guild's losing control of the lower floors. Monsters acting strange. More adventurer casualties than normal."
『Interesting,』 Minerva murmured. 『The dungeon's behavior patterns shouldn't be able to change so dramatically.』
I finished my first kebab, considering the vendor's words. "Any particular floors I should avoid?"
He shrugged. "Below ten is dicey these days. But hey, what do I know? I just sell kebabs."
I thanked him and continued my wandering, working on the second kebab as I walked. The sun had climbed higher, and the streets were starting to empty as adventurers headed for the dungeon.
"Do I need to do anything special before going into the dungeon?"
『Besides joining a familia?』Minerva asked, her tone dry. 『You'll need to register as an adventurer with the Guild.』
"Right." I started walking toward the massive Guild building. "Any other requirements I should know about?"
『Basic equipment would be wise. The Guild provides starter gear, but it's... rudimentary at best.』
The Guild's entrance hall was a study in organized chaos. Adventurers crowded the counters, waving papers and arguing over monster crystal prices. Behind the counters, Guild workers maintained an air of professional patience that bordered on supernatural.
I approached an empty counter where a red haired woman with wolf ears sat sorting papers. She looked up, golden eyes sharp and assessing.
"Welcome to the Guild. How may I assist you today?"
"I'd like to register as an adventurer."
She pulled out a form and grabbed a quill. "Name?"
"Dante Valac."
"Age?"
"Nineteen."
She paused, quill hovering over the paper. "Familia affiliation?"
"None currently."
The woman set down her quill. "I should inform you that solo adventuring is strongly discouraged. The mortality rate-"
"I'm aware of the risks." I leaned forward slightly. "And I plan to join a familia soon. I'd just like to get the paperwork started."
She studied me for a moment longer, then resumed writing. "Very well. We'll need to conduct a basic physical assessment and review dungeon safety protocols. Are you available now?"
I gestured at the empty air around me. "I'm all yours."
『Smooth,』 Minerva commented.
The woman stood. "Follow me to Assessment Room Three." She led me down a corridor lined with wooden doors. "I'm Rose Fannett, by the way. I'll be your assigned advisor."
The assessment room was small but well-lit, with various measuring devices laid out on a table.
"Strip to the waist, please."
I complied, folding my clothes neatly on a chair.
Rose went through a series of tests - measuring reach, checking reflexes, testing grip strength. She made notes on her form after each one.
"Unusual results," she muttered, more to herself than me. "Well above average for an unblessed adventurer."
"Is that a problem?"
"No, just... unexpected." She handed me my shirt. "You can get dressed. Now, let's discuss dungeon basics."
What followed was an hour of safety regulations, monster descriptions, and proper crystal collection procedures. Rose was thorough, pausing often to ensure I understood.
"The first floors may seem easy," she said, "but overconfidence kills more new adventurers than any monster. Start slow. And most importantly..." She fixed me with a stern look. "Don't go past your limits."
"What if I don't know my limits?"
"Then you definitely haven't reached them yet." She stamped my registration form. "Here's your guild card. Basic equipment can be requisitioned from the storage room. Any questions?"
I pocketed the card. "The kebab vendor mentioned something about the lower floors acting strange lately. Any truth to that?"
Rose's expression tightened. "The Guild is investigating some... anomalies. But that shouldn't concern a new adventurer. Focus on the upper floors for now."
『She's hiding something,』 Minerva said.
"Of course." I smiled. "Thank you for your help."
"One more thing." Rose pulled out a small book. "This contains maps of the first five floors and basic monster information. Consider it a welcome gift from the Guild."
I leafed through the book. The maps were detailed, with notes about monster spawn points and safe zones.
"This is generous."
"It's practical. Dead adventurers can't pay Guild fees." She returned to her counter. "Good luck, Dante. Try not to make my job harder than it needs to be."
I left the Guild, guidebook tucked under my arm. The sun had begun its descent, painting Babel's white stone in shades of gold.
『Going to check out the equipment storage?』 Minerva asked.
"Tomorrow." I started walking back toward the church. "First, I think it's time we had that chat with Hestia."
『Assuming she's returned from work.』
"If not, we wait. I've had enough of wandering for one day."
『You're just hungry again, aren't you?』
"That too." I patted my stomach. "Think the goddess likes kebabs?"