Danmachi: Adventuring Till the End!

"Please continue to dine here, two guests!!!" 

At the door of the Hostess of Fertility, Orsted and Hestia stood side by side. 

Orsted looked calm, while Hestia appeared embarrassed. 

In front of them was Ryuu, who was observing them calmly. 

Although her expression was composed and her tone lacked dramatic fluctuations, Hestia was visibly shocked. 

Orsted, however, remained unfazed.

After all, he had not spoken ill of anything.

"I will definitely come to your store next time," Hestia agreed with a dry laugh.

"Sir, if you have any questions about adventuring in the future, you can always ask me."

"I will do my best to help you." After receiving Hestia's response, Ryuu nodded, then turned her gaze to Orsted and addressed him in a slightly gentler tone.

From the moment she saw Orsted, Ryuu had sensed something from him—a presence that only appeared after returning from the Dungeon. 

In other words, despite his youthful appearance, Orsted had already ventured into the Dungeon as an adventurer.

Ryuu didn't mind offering assistance to a fellow elf.

Moreover, she felt that this person might be the benefactor she had been searching for all these years.

If so, then the return of the Astraea Familia could be expedited.

She missed Alise and the others.

Hestia: ???

Orsted: ???

Hearing Ryuu's sudden and inexplicable words, Hestia and Orsted were both puzzled, their faces filled with question marks. 

However, Ryuu had no intention of explaining further. 

After speaking, she turned and walked back into the tavern.

"That elf is really strange… too kind, perhaps," Hestia remarked, frowning.

"Maybe it's because she and I are of the same race," Orsted speculated, though he wasn't entirely sure why.

"That's possible. It seems we've met a good person."

"But is she really capable of helping?"

"No matter how you look at it, that elf waitress doesn't seem like someone with much experience." Hestia began to doubt it.

This left Orsted speechless.

If Ryuu wasn't qualified to guide someone, then very few would be.

After all, Ryuu had already reached Level 5 several years ago.

At that time, even the Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein, wasn't as strong. 

If not for the disaster that occurred that year, Ryuu might have nearly reached Level 6 by now.

After pondering for a sec, Orsted leaned close to Hestia's ear and whispered Ryuu's true identity to her.

"Hmm?"

"What do you mean?" Clearly, Hestia hadn't paid much attention to adventurers' affairs, so she didn't immediately grasp Orsted's words.

In response, Orsted shrugged and didn't press the matter. 

He took Hestia's hand and led her toward home.

It wasn't until halfway through their journey that Hestia realized the weight of Ryuu's name and exclaimed in surprise.

Fortunately, Orsted was quick to react and covered Hestia's mouth before she could shout Ryuu's name aloud, preventing her from causing a scene on the street.

After all, Ryuu was now blacklisted by the Guild.

Although the Guild wasn't actively hunting her down, any clue about her whereabouts would prompt them to act in accordance with Orario's rules.

This would inevitably lead to endless trouble.

Hestia seemed to realize this as well and made no further attempts to shout.

Orsted then released his hand.

"Don't make a fuss, Hestia."

"Do you know how much trouble it would cause for our Familia if you had called out just now?" Orsted said helplessly.

"Sorry, sorry! I didn't think of that earlier," Hestia apologized, embarrassed.

Then, Hestia grew excited.

"If that's the case, then Orsted, don't you have a powerful ally?" Hestia exclaimed, but she quickly dismissed the idea herself: "No, that's not right."

"Even though she said you could go to her if you have any problems, the idea of her being there is still too far-fetched."

"It's fine, Hestia. If I come back late one day, you can go to her."

"It would be great if she could rescue me from the Dungeon. If not, that's okay too," Orsted said with a slight nod.

"Hey, is that really okay?" Hestia was surprised. 

She had considered the possibility earlier but quickly dismissed it.

Although Ryuu had made the offer, they weren't closely related—just fellow elves. 

How could Ryuu risk so much for a mere request?

After all, she was on the Guild's blacklist. Acting on such a request could easily expose her.

"You can always try. If it works, we gain an advantage. If it doesn't, we lose nothing, right?" Orsted smiled faintly, ruffling Hestia's hair as he spoke.

Orsted, who had knowledge from the anime, knew that Ryuu was someone worthy of trust.

Ryuu didn't care much for strangers, but once she recognized someone as a friend, she became an incredibly trustworthy ally.

Although he wasn't sure why, Ryuu's words had already signaled that Orsted was someone she recognized.

Therefore, if he were ever in danger, Ryuu would not stand idly by.

"Well, if you come back late, I'll go to her."

"Nooo! let's hope it doesn't come to that," Hestia agreed, nodding repeatedly, but she gasped in surprise midway.

She didn't want such a situation to arise, as it would mean Orsted was in danger.

Orsted didn't comment on this, but his gaze softened as he looked at Hestia.

Although they had only known each other for five days, Hestia had been incredibly kind to him. 

She was one of only two close friends he had made since arriving in this world.

The other was Eina, both of whom genuinely cared for him.

Given the current circumstances, perhaps Ryuu would become the third.

However, the future was unpredictable, and no one could be certain until it actually happened.