Celebration

English is not my first language so you might find some mistakes in the translation of the chapter.

This chapter has been translated by various means in order to obtain the best result, so you may find some simple or normal wordings.

If you find any grammatical error or misspelled word, please feel free to correct it or write a recommendation to improve the story. Your support would be appreciated.

Enjoy the chapter.

xxxxx

"My sword..." *Sniff*

"Just shut up already"

"My dear sword..."

"Shut it already" Bete growled annoyed "You've been complaining since the deep floors"

"You always do the same thing, all day long you complain" Riku looked at Bete with a raised eyebrow "But if I do it's annoying. Heh"

"Don't laugh, you fucking rabbit"

"Aha, mad dog"

Riku and Bete as usual would argue over basic things about them and then end up arguing over things that annoy each other respectively.

The group near them sighed internally to avoid receiving a glare from them. It was common in the dungeon for arguments between Riku and Bete to occur, rather it would be strange if they didn't.

Bete always fights with everyone he comes across and not to mention Riku. The girl has been bothering Bete about everything she encounters since she arrived and it could be said that their friendship has been like that, even if Riveria scolds them.

The two of them insult Riveria when she was meddling and end up being punished by the Elf.

Six days had passed since Finn gave the order to ascend to the surface. The terrain on which the Loki Familia was passing was similar to a cave, the floors in between.

Each time one went deeper into the dungeon, the topography became more complex with forests, ponds, deserts, and other areas that simulated some of nature's biomes. At first it is complicated to adapt.

In the intermediate floors the areas seemed closer to caves with vegetation, but the landscapes were already present with some forests and deserts. Also, one had to be careful with the holes between the floors.

These were common because falling into one caused the unfortunate ones to fall to deeper floors and in some cases the adventurers did not have the strength for the floors they fell into. Some used them as a method of quick travel between floors.

The adventurers looked at each other to sigh but continued on their way. They were all forced to carry armor in very poor condition and weapons that could break at any moment.

Arguably, the weapons were beyond repair and the armor had some holes in its armor, making the defense very poor. Literally the adventurers' equipment would fall at any moment.

Only very few had armor that could be said to be in a decent state for adventuring. An adventurer stood for many things, but their equipment was also part of them and without it their strength was reduced.

"Uwaah! this is bullshit. Getting this far down and retreating just like that" Tiona grumbled crossing her arms behind her head "All because of that monster. what the hell was that?"

Tione, Tiona's twin, only gave her the look anyone would give her at that instant saying 'How could I know?' What everyone knew was that this was a new species.

"Well, it was unfamiliar and strange..." Tione pulled a stone from between her breasts receiving a crumpled face from Tiona momentarily to thus open her eyes.

"That's one of the stones, how did you get it? Ah wait, I remember"

Tiona remembered her twin sister's scream of rage and how Tione literally ripped the gemstone out of the inside of a caterpillar and ended up bathed in corrosive acid. It was lucky because the other stones were destroyed in the explosion the caterpillars made when they died.

"Wait a minute, why that color?"

"Who knows" Tione shrugged "We kill monsters, but we don't study their core"

"Ah, you're right"

The magic stones were of different shapes and sizes, but common among them all was their dark purple color. The one Tione held in her hand showed a very unusual shiny coating.

"Strange... We're here!" Tiona quickly perked up as she noticed where they were, the 17th floor. They were very close to the surface.

The corridors of the intermediate floors were narrower, so the Loki Familia split into two groups. That way, coordinating a large number of adventurers was easier and avoided traffic jams.

Riveria led the first group where there were some First-Class adventurers with other adventurers coming behind them. Finn and Gareth led the second group in case of any trouble from the rear.

"Line... Do you want help?"

"Huh?" The healer looked at Ais in surprise "N-No, no. Am I okay!"

Ais tilted her head at Line's behavior. Like many people Line respects Ais and the blonde always acted indifferent, so the moment she receives Ais' attention it becomes a little... strange.

The swordswoman offered her support to the others, however, she was immediately rebuffed. For many to have a First-Class adventurer do such mundane things as carrying luggage was unthinkable.

This happened when someone became stronger. Many went through this when they leveled up because the respect of the weaker members for the stronger ones was very high and they didn't want them to be distracted from combat by simple things.

"Don't bother with them, Ais. These weaklings aren't worth it" Bete said disdainfully purposely bumping into the adventurer's shoulder "As strong as you are, you don't know anything, do you? Talking to weaklings is a waste of time"

"..."

"Look at them with pity. It's your right for being someone strong" without looking back, Bete kept walking while chuckling under his breath.

Ais still didn't know what to say, but her mind always said that Bete was not a bad person. As someone who wants to know Ais looked at the only person who knew Bete well enough to understand what the werewolf says.

"Hm"

"What?" Riku raised an eyebrow "What do you wish to know?"

"Bete... Is he bad?"

Riku looked at Ais as if she had grown a second head "Ais, what's bad for you?"

"..." Ais thought for a few seconds "It's someone who makes others cry... Right?"

"Yes and no" Riku explained calmly "Evil people are those who do actions that harm others, but equally some people unknowingly hurt others. Many things define evil"

"Hm" Ais nodded "... Bete is bad?"

"Eh, 50 50" Riku shrugged "Buy him beer from some pub in town and see how Bete treats you better than before"

"I heard you brat"

"It was my intention stupid"

"Midget"

"Light pole"

"You two get along well!"

""Shut up flat!""

"Why the hell do they always say that to me?!" Tiona quickly groaned at the insult that affected her the most. She looked at Riku's chest but snorted instantly noticing that Riku's was much bigger.

Ais looked at her companions in disbelief. She could see them insulting each other and fighting over anything, but there was nothing hateful about them. Ais didn't quite understand and wanted to know.

"UUUUOOOOOOOOO!"

A great chorus of roars was heard on the 17th floor. Monsters began to appear, a great herd of minotaurs. Large humanoid-shaped monsters with cow-like heads.

A large group of monsters could be considered a Monster Party, but large numbers on deeper floors are commonplace. Likewise, before the Loki Familia they were not a danger.

"Miss Riveria, there are a lot of them, shall we take care of it?"

"All right, Raul" the noble Elf nodded "Take command of the battle. Finn feels you are ready to gain the necessary experience and this is a good time"

"Yes!" Raul nodded decisively and began to spread the directions among the adventurers.

The adventurers of the Loki Familia had fought much more dangerous threats dozens of floors deeper. The power gap between the two sides was extremely large and these monsters gave no useful excelia for them.

Riku stood on guard and watched, along with the other First-Class adventurers, the weaker groups take on the monsters. Even if the monsters are weak, there is still some experience to be gained.

Raul's orders were quick and effective. The monsters fell quickly without the need for great effort. Bodies lay dead on the ground making the unexpected happen.

"UUUUUUOOO?!"

A minotaur noticed the difference between them and the adventurers and thus froze in place. Snarling the minotaur spun with speed turning his back to his enemy.

A chain reaction occurred as the other minotaurs took off in different directions at the same time puzzling the adventurers.

"Huh?" Tiona looked around after breaking a minotaur's head "What's wrong?"

"Hey! You call yourselves monsters?!" Bete shouted confused as to why the minotaurs were running away "Come back here you wimps!"

Ais's eyes widened at the unique event happening. She always saw the monsters running towards her with the instinct of a monster, but now they were running away.

Riku contemplated the situation remembering how some monsters ran away from her in the past when she wanted to try certain things. It could be said that the attacks she tried seemed like torture causing the enemy to flee.

She never did it again until Loki told her how to avoid getting carried away. Riku sighed taking a battle axe to chase the enemy across the 17th floor.

"Go after them!" Riveria ordered with concern "Don't let them go down that hallway or they'll go to the upper floors!"

Tiona, Bete and Ais quickly took the lead, while behind them came Tione and Riku who took care of the minotaurs that strayed from the path and the others killed those farther away.

The minotaurs destroyed the obstacles in their path. The group ran to the far corners, turning from side to side in an attempt to elude the adventurers, some even threw their comrades to the ground to gain time in their escape.

Bete noticed the corridors leading to the upper floors where the weaker ones roamed and snapped his teeth. The Werewolf took a big leap throwing the minotaur into the wall breaking it in the process.

"Hey, go get the ones who went left!" Bete roared in annoyance "We've got to stop them from scattering!"

"We got it!" Riku quickly responded with Tione and Tiona at her side.

They went after the group that strayed into some tricky corridors, while Bete and Ais followed the minotaurs running along the main path of the dungeon.

The herd had grown smaller with numbers that could be counted on the fingers of one's hands, but the problem was that the minotaurs were running around the upper floors and some unlucky adventurers saw the minotaurs freezing in fear.

"Shit!" Bete growled kicking his foot at the monster "Out of the way!"

A minotaur that was about to strike an adventurer was killed by Bete, but he did not stop and continued to pursue the remaining minotaurs.

The problem was not to kill the minotaurs, but to prevent an unfortunate level 1 adventurer from coming face to face with a minotaur and being killed without the opportunity to defend themself.

'Gone!' Ais thought looking for the last two remaining minotaurs the upper floors.

"This way!" Bete indicated, taking advantage of his semi-human nose to find the minotaur.

Ais opened her eyes noticing that the fifth floor was an area heavily used by novice adventurers and the size of the floors was not massive like the deep floors, so the unfortunate encounter could happen.

They ran through a room noticing one of the minotaurs. Ais pounced on it and cut it in two to continue running in search of the last one with Bete following the trail.

"Tch. Two paths" Bete murmured sniffing the air "You go down that one" Bete indicated the right corridor where Ais followed and Bete went down the left. The smell had spread, so the location was not exact.

Ais ran until she heard something. Straining her hearing, she found what she was looking for.

"WUUOOOOH!"

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The roar of a minotaur and the scream of a human boy. Ais ran towards the sound and managed to find them. The huge bull was chasing the human boy, Ais noticed how he was a novice for the 5th floor and lacked the strength to continue down the dungeon.

He had snow-covered white hair and ruby red eyes, these were filled with tears as he ran from the monster. At a glance, the boy didn't even look like an adventurer and was more of a fanatic trying to be an adventurer.

A rabbit in the wrong cave.

Ais accelerated behind the rabbit.

"Aaahh?!"

The boy had entered an unexited hallway and curled up on the floor with the minotaur hitting the wall above him. All the boy could do was brace his body to withstand the impacts in case one hit him.

Ais passed to become a blur. She darted like a silent arrow towards the enemy. The boy's tears welled up in his eyes as they watched the maw of the minotaur like a sadistic smile.

"Huh?"

"Uoooh?"

The boy and the minotaur were startled by the sound, as a silver line ran through the minotaur. A slash had happened, splitting the minotaur in two.

"Guo? GUOOO?!"

The minotaur froze as its body fell as it realized what was happening. The monster's scream of pain echoed in the dungeon and it fell to the ground inert, while its blood was scattered everywhere.

The boy had an unfortunate bloodbath that covered him completely. He sat there, frozen under Ais's gaze.

"Are you okay?"

Ais leaned over him, but the boy didn't even move. He just looked at her as if he was oblivious to everything around him. Ais didn't know what to do because of her lack of interaction with other people.

"Umm... Are you sure you're okay?"

Once again she received no response. Ais could only blink as she made eye contact with him. She felt sorry for him as tears flooded the boy's eyes, an innocent look full of fear.

Ais began to worry about the lack of reaction, she had seen many of her companions not respond for various situations to which Ais thought the worst. She reached out her hand to offer her help.

"Can you stand up?"

The boy was about to speak, but Ais was quicker in trying to offer her help. The boy looked at the outstretched hand before turning back to Ais' face.

"Ah"

"Ah?"

Ais tilted her head and unexpectedly the boy got up and ran.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

Ais was stunned as her eyes watched the boy run as fast as he could run. The echoes of the scream of fear transformed Ais's face and left her with a speechless countenance.

The [Sword Princess] didn't know what to do.

"Kahahahaha!"

Ais turned around and noticed Bete with his body shaking and a hand over his mouth, trying to stifle the laughter escaping from him. Bete leaned over and grabbed his stomach seeking to calm his laughter.

"..."

Ais's face blushed slightly as if she were a girl her age. She showed no emotions, but this moment did affect her.

"Kahaha! He run away from you! Tomato boy ran from Ais Wallenstein!"

Ais frowned more with a blush.

"This... Can you tell me why a child bathed in blood was screaming and running to the surface?"

Ais stopped her thoughts and watched Riku arrive with a confused face. The blonde didn't want to speak because she would embarrass herself more, but there was someone who did.

"That kid looked like a tomato! He was crying like a brat!" Bete laughed derisively.

"Well, it was our problem about the minotaurs, so that doesn't accuse me of much fun" Riku shrugged "Ais, why is your face red?"

"The boy ran away from Ais!" Bete mockingly exclaimed "A person ran away from Ais! Kahahahaha!"

"..." Ais said nothing and watched Riku who remained silent.

"Pff" Ais widened her eyes "I'm sorry but... It's funny"

Riku's body trembled slightly to start laughing at Ais who didn't know how to react. Many people were always looking to strike up a conversation with the blonde.

Ais watched Bete and Riku laugh at the situation, while the other members chasing the minotaurs arrived. The Werewolf mocked Ais and the boy, while Riku laughed at Ais and how a person ran away from her.

Ais pouted.

xxxxx

Like other times the Loki Familia returned from the expedition, however, the state of the adventurers who went to the dungeon was more deplorable than it seemed. The blow they received in the depths was a great one.

Those who remained in Twilight Manor supported the newcomers with the objects brought from the dungeon, or rather, the things that could be saved and were collected.

The acid of the new species, caterpillars, was very powerful, destroying much of the Loki Familia's camp and equipment making their return faster as they did not have to move much.

There was also priority in doing certain things like taking a bath. The new arrivals had to be taken care of, to say the least, after an arduous effort to build up the Familia's strength.

When the Loki Familia returned from the dungeon, a group went to the Guild to exchange the magic stones and the loot obtained. The Guild was the only legal means of purchasing the magic stones, so it was necessary.

A group went to exchange the loot obtained by monsters to certain Familias, for example: Tione exchanged the skin of Cadmus with Amid, an adventurer of the Dian Cecht Familia.

Also Tiona went to the Goibniu Familia, to the nightmare of the blacksmiths, and asked for a new Urga because hers melted. Tiona thought to Riku about why she decided to stay at the headquarters as Bete, but the girl replied that she wanted to sleep and did not want to argue with Tsubaki about destroying a First-Class weapon.

During the afternoon of the day it was a great movement for the Loki Familia until everyone had done their duty.

Ais Wallenstein was on her way to the person who helped her when she didn't know what to do, or rather, couldn't find a way to solve some problem that arose.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Go ahead"

The voice was heard and Ais opened the door. She looked around and noticed Riveria sitting at a table drinking some tea. Riveria looked calm, but she was reflecting on many things.

"Ais" Riveria spoke leaving the teacup on the table "Is something wrong?"

"I need help"

"Oh?" Riveria raised a dubious eyebrow "I'd like to think that's the reason Bete and Riku were laughing at you, right?"

Ais nodded a little embarrassed "Riveria... He ran away from me?"

Riveria stared at Ais causing the girl to tense slightly under the Elf's gaze, but then Riveria let out a small laugh causing Ais to pout.

"Don't laugh..."

"I'm sorry, but now I understand why they were laughing" Riveria cleared her voice "Bete made fun of the boy and you, however, Riku laughed at how you acted... You have nothing to worry about"

"..." Ais looks at the ground "He ran away from me... he screamed when I reached out my hand"

"I see" Riveria pondered Ais' words "Arguably, any novice adventurer encountering a Minotaur would not come out unscathed. It's possible that the mental burden from that encounter caused that reaction"

"So, he''s not afraid of me?"

"Afraid?" Riveria blinked several times and resisted the urge to laugh at the sight of a depressed Ais because someone ran away from her "Eh, I wouldn't know"

It could say that Ais Wallenstein is a gem in a bag of stones, Orario. She has excelled in strength and beauty, making even the Goddesses envious of her mortal beauty.

Humans have tried to court her and failed in the attempt. Ais is a good person and has nothing against others, but if it is necessary to defend herself, she will hurt others to protect herself.

The only people who ran away from her were people who wanted to take advantage or enemies. For that reason, Ais did not know why someone with such a pure look ran away from her.

"Explain everything to me" Ais looked at Riveria who motioned for her to sit down and she did "I want to know exactly what happened on the fifth floor"

"Hm" Ais nodded "It was..."

.

.

.

"I understand" Riveria analyzed each situation that Ais told her "A novice facing a minotaur or rather running away from a minotaur so that he has to cry for being on the verge of death"

Ais nodded.

"Eventually, his salvation came and killed the minotaur, but the boy ended up bathed in blood" Riveria sighed "Instead of checking to see if he was okay you decided to talk to him"

Ais nodded again.

"That provoked a reaction in the boy, ending in him fleeing to the surface bathed in blood. Ais it was good that you saved him, however, you have to remember that it was our fault that the minotaurs went to the upper floors"

"So...?" Ais cocked her head to one side, not knowing what to do.

"Just apologize to him" Riveria said calmly "There are many ways that situation can be defined, but the main one is that the boy suffered because of us. As the last person he saw it is your duty to apologize"

"Hm, okay" Ais accepted with ease "How do I apologize properly?"

Riveria again blinked, looking at Ais' seriousness. It could say it's the first time she's dealt with someone like the boy with a situation where he almost died because of her, Ais thinks it's her fault.

"By the way, the boy's appearance, are you sure that's how you told me?"

Ais nodded without changing her expression "White hair and red eyes...he looked like a rabbit"

Riveria pondered deeply on those words because there was only one person with an exact or similar appearance to that. It was not uncommon to find individuals with unique appearances, but sometimes there were exceptions to that.

In the Loki Familia there were some very unique people who were found by Loki and she invited them into her Familia. It could be said that the strongest became beautiful for some strange reason... although there were exceptions.

'Did Ais forget that Riku has a brother or did Riku never tell Ais?' Riveria guessed observing the blonde 'No. It's better to leave it at that. Riku doesn't want anyone to know about her family. Very few know that she has a last name'

"Thank you so much for telling me all that, Ais" Ais nodded with a nonchalant expression, but inside Ais was happy to be of great help "I guess Loki will want to go celebrate the expedition, so get ready for the night"

"..." Ais, as usual, simply nodded without changing her expression "About the boy... Is it bad?"

"It's not bad, you just don't understand how other people act" Riveria explained calmly "Since you don't show much emotion and you don't socialize with other people, it's strange to you that kind of situation"

"... Oh" Ais's gaze fell a little. She knew very well about her communication flaw, so she always struggled with that, something that didn't get good results "How... how do I get better?"

"Go out and enjoy your time with your companions instead of going to the dungeon" Riveria raised an eyebrow "Time will not always be available, so enjoy with your companions and understand their emotions"

Ais mulled things over and nodded slightly "Thank you" she bowed and left Riveria in her room.

Riveria sighed as she rubbed her forehead at the trouble that could come. Trouble was not for her, rather the child she had cared for since she was a little girl.

The noble Elf had the attitude of a mother, however, she would not admit it openly and Riku was already someone else's child. Mia Grand saved Riku and the girl trusted her as her mother, but Riveria could also be considered a mother to Riku.

For Riku, family was important, not the Familia of a God, but the family that each person has in their life, unfortunately not everyone has that opportunity to have people by their side.

Riku has left many things behind, but family is something she can't forget and Riveria knows that very well. Growing up, Riku has visited Riveria to learn certain things and also to talk a little.

Apparently Mia is a tough-love mother and Riku prefers a soft love, in which case it would be Riveria.

Riku has always been thinking if she ever met her brother, she wouldn't know what to do with him if she found him. Riveria considers that if Riku had saved her brother it would have been a very strange encounter.

Riveria shook her head and took another sip of her tea. There were things to do before worrying about something that Riku would calmly resolve.

xxxxx

Celebrating after an expedition is one of the things Loki enjoys doing with the whole Familia. We usually do it in the bars of the city and it has become a tradition for the Familia.

A way in which, according to Loki, she showed her appreciation for all of us. The sun had long since set and the streets were illuminated by the light of the magical lamps that were adorning the buildings.

Bars and Hotels, those were visible along the main street of the city. My Familia called attention on the way or rather wherever we went. People opened the way out of respect and that showed that we were not just anyone.

It sounds very narcissistic of me, but it is partly true. The Loki Familia is not just any Familia, if there are serious problems, we take care of them and also in many other important things that no one can solve.

No one had any armor or weapons with them, we just wore casual clothes or the same as always, but we were not prepared for combat. The only thing the whole Familia wanted was to celebrate and rest.

"Mama Mia, they're here!"

Loki took us to one of the bars she liked best, which had great drinks. A group of waitresses came out and greeted us as Loki called Mama Mia. The Hostess of Fertility, my old home.

"We have tables set up for you inside and on the terrace. We apologize for the inconvenience"

"It's not a problem Mia" Loki didn't consider it a bad thing "There are quite a few of us around here, so it's normal that you don't have room now... It's time to drink!"

Mia smiled as she ordered the waitresses to order the space for the Loki Familia, she gave me a look and I waved at her from afar. It's been a while since I've been to the Hostess of Fertility, so it's good to see her again.

I was part of the group inside. At my table were all the executives of the Familia, or rather, those of us who stood out the most from the entire Familia.

Raul and the others are close to us. I say only Raul because I consider him one of the most important in the Familia and Finn taught him to lead, so in essence Raul is second in command.

And not only that, as there are more things about Raul that impress me.

Leaving my friend aside. I concentrated on noticing how the Hostess of Fertility became momentarily silent as we spread out in the pub, but then all the bustle of people returned.

"Good job in the dungeon people!" Loki stood on the table with one foot and an ale in her hand "Time to let loose! Let's drink!"

The drinks of every adventurer joined the celebratory shout initiated by Loki, including me. This moment is one of the few where I concentrate to drink and there's Gareth to stop me.

The food and drinks arrived, the smell of each was fantastic. Hands started going from one plate to another, grabbing as much as they could before it was too late and someone else got it.

For some reason grilled chicken and wine was what my companions were looking for most on this night. I'm not a fan of wine, but if I can have some to get in sync with the mood.

xxxxx

"Captain I'll pour you another drink"

"Ah, thanks Tione" Finn said with a little pause "But you know, this is already the third one. I'm not used to drinking very fast, is this some kind of plan to get me drunk?"

"Fufufufu, nothing at all. Now try this" Tione said with a mischievous grin.

"That damn Amazoness never changes" Gareth gave Finn a sidelong glance, but someone caught his attention.

"Hey old man! I'm going to drink until I see you on the floor!" Bete said with a challenging smile.

"Ah, are you sure? Then I'll do the same" Gareth accepted the challenge raising his ale "Don't give up doggie!"

" I declare the winner will have time to play with Riveria's breasts!" Loki roared with fervor cheering the atmosphere even more.

"I-I'll join in!" Raul gasped, his face flushed from the ale.

"Me too!" "I'm in!" "Likewise!" more voices were heard making the Elf sigh at the animated attitude to the challenge.

"Hic! Then I'll join in too"

"Captain!" Tione looked at Finn who gave her a peaceful smile over the ale. Tione pouted noting that she failed, again.

"A reason to drink!" Riku declared raising her ale causing Bete and Gareth to laugh. She was already being affected and more so by tremendous opportunity that presented itself.

"Miss Riku?!" Lefiya exclaimed in shock seeing her friend who is always calm join the competition. The shy Elf saw Riveria "L-Lady Riveria?"

"Forget them" Riveria didn't even deign to look at the group "They'll forget when they regain their consciousness" Lefiya nodded a bit puzzled.

Laughter could be heard everywhere. The waitresses were moving from one side to the other delivering dishes and drinks to the different tables. As Mia would say, if they didn't move, the profits would be less and the customer had to be squeezed as much as possible.

Ais looked around her, refusing the drinks she was invited to drink to avoid any problems that might occur. Loki forbade Ais to drink and she has followed that rule because she always remembers a big headache that time she drank.

The Loki Familia were hitting a great event, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. Loud laughter was also coming from the other patrons at the other tables. Time was moving quickly, but the night was still young.

"Oh, yes Ais! Tell us that story!"

Bete gave out loud drawing the attention of many people who were looking for something to amuse themselves with, so the gossip caught their attention. Ais did not understand what Bete was referring to so she tilted her head to the side.

"You know! About those minotaurs who ran away on their way back! Remember how you finished off the last one on the fifth floor?" Bete scoffed "Remember, the tomato boy!"

The boy she had saved.

"Minotaurs?" Lefiya asked "The monsters that escaped from the 17th floor, but were eliminated?"

"That, that!" Bete grinned "By some miracle they all kept coming up and we hauled our asses to catch them" Bete slapped his ale on the table drawing everyone's attention "And there's that adventurer! The damn rookie boy!"

'Stop' Ais' heart whispered thinking that it was her fault that.

"He was cornered like a scared rabbit! Trembling like one too! I almost couldn't stand the sight of him!"

"Hey, leave the rabbits alone!" Riku exclaimed to Bete with annoyance "They're cute and they taste delicious *Hic*"

"Wah! You be quiet rabbit!" Bete fussed Riku's hair "You're the only rabbit I know who dares to hunt wolves. You're strong, so laugh with me"

"Hehe, I'm strong" Riku murmured with a smile at Bete's cuddles. When Riku was drunk, the flattery calmed her down.

"Oh? What happened to the boy? Is he all right?" Gareth, as the one who looks out for everyone, asked guessing at the rookie and his unfortunate encounter.

"Ais cut the monster to pieces at the last second, right?" Tione added doubtfully.

Ais didn't know how her face was, but she understood that she didn't like the situation at all. She didn't know why her heart ached and she felt bad about herself. Bete looked childish laughing at her and the boy.

"That kid took all the blood blast from the stinky cow getting soaked all over! He looked like a bright red tomato left in the dungeon! Gyahaha- ow my ribs!"

"Whoa..." Tiona blinked at Bete's story. Ais felt her heart weep for a wrong she caused, though in itself it wasn't her fault entirely.

"Not only that! Tomato boy ran away screaming like a baby! Geeh! Our princess rescues a boy and he just runs away! He's a loser!"

Laughter from the others in the Fertility Hostess of Fertility was not lacking at Bete's words. Ais clenched her fists under the table trying to keep her composure.

"Well, a minotaur is dangerous for a novice..." Riku mumbled slumped on the table, keeping her consciousness from drinking. Lefiya who heard Riku nodded, she can barely defeat one on her own.

"I don't think that's it..." Ais said but she was not heard.

"That's enough Bete" Riveria calmed the situation "It was our fault the minotaurs escaped in the first place. Have some respect and show yourself ashamed"

"Ah! The Elves and their pride in protecting brats like that or what?!" Bete was annoyed "You're just trying to protect your ego because you feel guilty. Trash is trash! What's wrong with calling it what it is?!"

"Hey, hey, enough with that" Loki butted in seeing Bete's instincts taking over "Bete, Riveria, you're killing the mood so don't fight"

"Ais! What do you think of that piece of trash? Do you think he deserves to be on our level?"

"... I don't blame him for his reaction in those circumstances" Ais said, keeping calm in the face of the teasing she was receiving.

"Are you acting polite? What's that?" Bete denied "Question change! As a woman, who would you choose? The boy or me?"

"Bete, are you drunk?" Finn asked in surprise.

"Shut up! Choose Ais! Which one of us makes you feel better?"

"I have no intention of answering that, especially not to you" Ais was annoyed with Bete. She would choose the boy over Bete any day, however, her flames of anger were immediately quelled 'No, that's not possible.'

"Absurd" Riveria said shaking her head.

"Easy witch!" Bete laughed and pondered what was said "So, if the boy comes now and proposes to you, Would you accept it?"

That was impossible.

Ais had no time for that kind of thing and even less with people weaker than her. She had her eyes fixed on a higher level, a dream that had to become reality. Ais would not go back to the weakness she once had.

"Of course you wouldn't! Why would such a weak, flimsy, nauseating child be allowed to be by your side? Your pride wouldn't allow it!"

Ais just looked at Bete waiting for him to calm down, but Bete took a sigh before speaking.

"A small child could never stand before Ais Wallenstein"

She could not deny it...

*THUD!*

Someone stood up and ran out.

Ais opened her eyes.

"Bell?!"

One of the waitresses went after the runner as she pushed through the crowd and ran out the door.

It happened so raggedly that people barely noticed the event when they heard one of the waitress's scream.

'That boy...'

Hair as white as a mountain of snow and eyes as red as ruby with tears escaping from them.

Ais got up from her seat and walked towards the street. She looked down both sides of the street, noticing the boy running towards the center of town, but she couldn't take a step.

"Bell..." the gray-haired waitress said the boy's name sadly.

That's the name of the boy Ais had saved in the dungeon, that's also the name of the boy she hurt. Ais knew her younger self would have run after him, but she couldn't do that right now.

Ais felt that pain in her chest even more.

"Did something run?" Bete said in confusion over what happened in the pub "Ah! Bring more beer!"

"You're drunk!" Tiona snatched the ale from Bete who growled "This is mine now!"

Tiona and Bete began to fight while Riveria analyzed the situation. She contemplated the boy because she was aware of her surroundings and did not lose sight of him when he appeared.

However...

"Huh? Did someone run out of the pub?" Riku looked at the commotion remembering the blurred image of a person "A rabbit?" Riku looked at Riveria "Hey Mama Riveria, who was that?"

"Who's a mother?" Riveria denied annoyed by that nickname "You're drunk. Better get some rest and stop drinking, it's bad for you"

"Bah! Just tell me you don't want to pass the gossip on to me woman!" Riku huffed in annoyance taking more from her ale "Grumpy Elf"

Riveria, hearing the insult, looked at Riku who flinched and fled from the table to sit next to Raul and laugh with him about life's anecdotes. The Elf shook her head again.

'That was your brother, brat. Your first impression of you on him was shattered' Riveria thought remembering the boy's expression from the teasing he received. Many people would run to hear all the laughter about him or her.

Riveria sighed and shook her head again. If Riku was lucky, she could apologize to her brother as well, though it wasn't entirely her fault because Riku was drunk and Bete calmed her down with her compliments, a weakness of Riku's when she was drunk.

Trouble aside, Riveria took a deep breath as she tried to avoid hitting Loki in the face for trying to touch her breasts. The celebration was not over yet and the night was young.