Chapter 8: Aisha Belka

The aroma of freshly prepared food filled the Hostess of Fertility as Ptah and Saly crossed the threshold. The lively chatter and laughter of adventurers filled the space, accompanied by the clinking of beer mugs and the sound of cutlery against plates. Every corner of the place vibrated with an energy that only such an establishment could offer.

Mia Grand, the sturdy owner of the place who, despite being a dwarf, didn't seem like one at first glance due to her immense size, noticed them enter. Her smile was a blend of hospitality and authority. "Ah, look who's come in!" she exclaimed in a booming voice. "A god and his adventurer. Take a seat wherever you like."

Ptah responded with a slight nod, his voice soft but clear. "Thank you, Lady Mia. We've heard much about this place, and we wanted to see it for ourselves."

Mia let out a deep, contagious laugh. "I hope our food doesn't disappoint! Is there anything special you'd like to try?"

Saly quickly glanced at Ptah, seeking his approval. He returned a calm smile and nodded. "Whatever the house recommends will be fine," Saly said, trying to relax.

Mia nodded with satisfaction. "Good choice! I'll bring you something that will satisfy you."

As they waited, Ptah and Saly exchanged words in hushed tones. Ptah, his gaze on his drink, said, "I've been thinking about our search for new members…"

Saly leaned in a little closer, intrigued. "Do you already have someone in mind?"

"For now, no," Ptah admitted, setting his cup aside. "But I think it's best if you focus on improving your skills. In time, the right person will appear. Our situation doesn't allow us to be impulsive, and if we don't find anyone within a month, we'll actively search for a new member." Ptah prioritized strengthening Saly over recruiting inexperienced members. Besides, he had earned a good amount of valis from selling his potions at the witch's hidden house, and though he paid her a small commission, it was much better than wasting time searching for customers instead of improving his skills.

Saly nodded slowly, feeling reassured by Ptah's perspective. "That makes sense. Prioritizing my growth is the most logical thing to do now."

A burst of laughter erupted from the nearby table, catching Saly's attention. One of the adventurers, visibly animated by the drink, was enthusiastically recounting how he had defeated a monster deep in the dungeon. Though the story sounded exaggerated, it brought a smile to Saly's face.

Ptah, noticing her reaction, commented with a smile, "Even the most experienced started from the bottom. We're not alone in this journey."

Saly took a sip of her drink, nodding. "You're right, Lord Ptah. Everyone has their own story."

When the food arrived, they both immersed themselves in the flavors of the dishes, their sporadic conversations revolving around their future plans.

As they left the Hostess of Fertility, Ptah noticed Saly's thoughtful expression. In a gentle voice, he asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Saly sighed, but a slight smile curved her lips. "I was thinking about how every step brings us closer to our goals. Sometimes I worry that we're not progressing fast enough."

Ptah placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and said, "Every adventurer has their own pace. Don't rush. The important thing is not to stop."

Saly nodded, feeling more confident. "You're right, Lord Ptah. Thank you."

***

Two weeks later...

Night had fallen over Orario, and the stars twinkled above the city, faintly illuminating the cobblestone streets. Ptah and Saly walked in silence, enjoying the cool breeze that offered them respite after a long day.

"How was your day in the dungeon, Saly?" Ptah asked, his tone serene but full of genuine curiosity.

Saly exhaled deeply, a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction reflected on her face. "It was productive, Lord Ptah. I was exploring the sixth floor and hunted many monsters, but sometimes I feel uncomfortable around the other groups of adventurers. They're very alert and sometimes even hostile if I get too close. But, despite that, I feel like I'm improving," she said, lightly swinging her halberd, the one Ptah had bought for her despite its high cost.

Ptah nodded, noticing her improvement. Although his mind was partly occupied by the growing activity of Evilus and what it implied, he couldn't help but worry about the hostile interactions between adventurers. But he was relieved to know that, at least for now, the great conflict he feared had not yet fully erupted. The signal that it was near would be when Aiz reached level two and Evilus members started attacking the factories that processed magic stones.

"I'm glad to hear that, Saly. It's important that you enjoy your time in the dungeon, despite the challenges."

"Thank you," Saly replied with a smile. "Though sometimes I wish I had a teammate. The dungeon can be lonely."

Suddenly, a crash interrupted the calm of the night, followed by screams and the unmistakable sound of a fight coming from a nearby alley.

"Let me go, you damn perverts!" shouted a female voice, young but filled with fury.

Ptah and Saly exchanged a look and, without hesitation, ran towards the source of the commotion. Upon arrival, they found a chaotic scene.

A young Amazoness was surrounded by three rough-looking men, one of them sporting a black eye, evidence that the girl wasn't easily intimidated. As expected, Amazonesses were known for their combat prowess, and those who messed with them were either reckless or overly confident.

"Come on, sweetheart," one of the men said with a lecherous grin. "We just want to have a little fun." It was clear from their erratic movements that they were drunk.

The Amazoness spat on the ground in front of them. "I'd rather kiss a Minotaur!"

Without warning, the young Amazoness lunged forward, striking the jaw of one of her assailants with force. The man staggered back, surprised by the power of the blow.

Ptah wasted no time and positioned himself between the Amazoness and the men, his divine presence radiating undeniable authority.

"This ends now," he declared firmly.

The men hesitated, aware that they were facing a god. However, one of them, perhaps braver or more foolish than the others, attempted to attack Ptah.

Saly reacted instantly. Her halberd gleamed under the moonlight as she blocked the attack, disarming the aggressor with a precise movement and knocking him unconscious with the pommel of her weapon.

"I suggest you reconsider your actions," Saly said, her voice as sharp as the edge of her halberd.

The other two men, seeing their companion fall, quickly picked him up and fled the alley, casting terrified glances over their shoulders. The young Amazoness looked at Ptah and Saly with a mixture of awe and suspicion. "Thanks," she murmured, though it was clear she was annoyed at having needed help.

"You're welcome," Ptah replied with a warm smile. "You have a lot of courage. What's your name?"

The Amazoness eyed them warily before answering, "Aisha. Aisha Belka."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Aisha," Ptah said. "I'm Ptah, and this is Saly. We are the Ptah Familia."

Aisha frowned, clearly intrigued. "Ptah Familia? I've never heard of you."

"We're new to the city," Saly explained, resting her halberd on the ground. "But we're looking to grow."

Ptah looked at Aisha with interest. "Tell me, Aisha, do you belong to any familia?"

The Amazoness shook her head. "No. I arrived in Orario recently. I was looking to join a familia, but..." Her voice trailed off, and a shadow of disappointment crossed her face.

"But?" Saly prompted gently.

Aisha sighed. "I haven't found a familia that convinces me yet. Besides, I've been considering going to the entertainment district and joining the Ishtar Familia. There are many Amazonesses there, and the work they offer would let me meet strong and interesting men." She said it without a hint of hesitation.

Ptah and Saly exchanged a look Saly was relieved, doubting that someone like Aisha would be interested in Ptah, since gods don't possess strength beyond that of a normal human once they descend. Meanwhile, Ptah was intrigued by Aisha's potential, though her level in the series wasn't particularly high, it was worth noting that the Ishtar Familia focused more on the brothel than on exploration. Additionally, she was considered very strong compared to others of her level, indicating that she accumulated stats before leveling up.

"Well, Aisha," Ptah said, "we are looking for new members. And after seeing your skills, I think you'd be an excellent addition to our familia. If you're looking for strong men, I assure you that the stronger you become, the closer you'll be to finding them."

Aisha regarded them with interest. "Really? But... you're a new familia, right? What can you offer me?"

Saly smiled. "We offer the opportunity to grow together. We're not just looking for strength, but also for camaraderie and loyalty. Plus, Lord Ptah is an expert in making potions, which could be useful for enhancing beauty if you wish."

"Exactly," Ptah nodded. "We value potential and determination. And you, Aisha Belka, seem to have both in abundance." Despite Saly's words, Ptah didn't feel entirely comfortable with the idea of making beauty potions, he preferred to focus on the more practical aspects of an adventurer's life. After all, it felt a bit embarrassing to have transmigrated to a world of swords and magic only to end up making beauty products.

Aisha considered their words, interest reflected in her eyes. "Well... I suppose I wouldn't lose anything by hearing what you have to offer."

"Excellent," said Ptah. "How about we go somewhere more comfortable to talk? I know a nearby tavern where we can discuss the details."

As they walked away from the alley, Ptah asked curiously, "Aisha, what brought you to Orario?"

The young Amazoness shrugged. "I was looking for adventure and the chance to become stronger. Orario is famous for its dungeon and adventurer familias." After saying that, she murmured quietly, "And because I wanted to get away from where I grew up."

Saly nodded understandingly. "Orario is a good place for that. Though it can also be dangerous."

They continued walking, and the initial tension dissolved into a more relaxed atmosphere. Ptah felt optimistic about the possibility of Aisha joining his familia.

"So, Aisha," Saly asked, "what kind of adventurer do you aspire to be?"

Aisha smiled, her expression full of determination. "I want to be someone strong."

It was a fairly common goal, Ptah thought. Even so, he nodded with a smile and said, "It's quite an ambitious goal." After all, it's very difficult to be considered strong when there are so many high-level adventurers. "It's not easy to find people with that kind of determination, and I sincerely believe that with the right support, like what our family can offer, you could go very far."

They arrived at the tavern and entered, where the warm and welcoming atmosphere greeted them.

"Welcome to your potential new home, Aisha Belka," Ptah said, raising his mug in a toast. "May this be the start of a great adventure for all of us."

Saly and Aisha raised their mugs as well, and the sound of the toast resonated in the tavern, symbolizing the potential and promises awaiting the Ptah Familia.

"By the way, Aisha, do you have a place to stay?" Ptah asked, with a hint of concern in his tone.

Aisha shook her head. "No. I came to Orario with the bare minimum, and my money ran out quickly due to the city's expenses. In fact, I came to the east side of the city thinking it would be easier to find a place to stay."

"Well, if you join our familia, you're welcome to stay at our home. Though we might need to buy a new bed, and you'd have to share a room with Saly until then," Ptah offered with a smile.

Aisha thought for a moment before responding. "Alright, then. I'll join your familia, but if I don't get what I want in the end, I hope you'll let me join another familia." Although it's the god's decision whether to let one of their children switch familias, she at least wanted Ptah's confirmation.

"Of course, I have no problem with that," Ptah replied with a smile. But Saly's face showed an expression of panic at the thought of having to live with another beautiful girl, which would make it much harder for her to win Ptah's heart.