Volume 7 Chapter 421 - Hermes Familia
Ais, Aika, Sona, and Koneko arrived on the 18th floor and immediately looked for the pub called Golden Cellar Bar as the black-robed person instructed. They found the bar which was similar to Willy's as it was a cave refurbished as a bar.
Once they entered, they immediately gathered everyone's attention. In the pub, there were a total of 17 people, including the bartender, and each one of them, were doing their own things. Either gambling, singing, or just plainly talking some stuff over some alcohol.
And one of them is someone familiar, "Huh?" Lulune turned towards the newcomers and waved at them once she recognized them, "Hey, it's the Sword Princess, Aika, Koneko, and Sona! What a coincidence, meeting all of you here!"
"…Lulune-san?" Ais muttered.
"Yo~, Lulune. It looks like you're still alive and kicking~." Aika greeted back with a smile.
"It's thanks to you lot that I was able to survive that day. As thanks, let me buy you all a drink." Lulune replied while scratching the back of her head. She was the one who was carrying the Jewel Fetus which Hashana passed to her in secret and was almost hunted down by the red-haired tamer.
While Ais and Aika were talking to Lulune, Sona and Koneko were doing the diligent job of observing their surroundings. After all, they can't just trust every word of that very suspicious quest-giver.
'That's… Asfi Al Andromeda?' Sona thought as a certain girl with bob cut aqua blue hair and cyan colored eyes who was also wearing a pair of glasses came into her view, 'Now that I've looked at all of them, except for the bartender, everyone in here is part of the Hermes Familia.'
Sona knew their information because Yoruichi gave her a description of the Familia and people to watch out for. Although not very strong, the Hermes Familia caught Yoruichi's attention because, after some digging, she found out that their group would sometimes act as agents for the Guild.
Remembering what the black-robed person said, Ais sat down on the second seat from the right of the counter which was 'coincidentally' just beside Lulune.
"Huh? That seat is…" Lulune panicked a bit.
However, the bartender's expression didn't change and asked, "What would you like to have?"
And just like the quest-giver instructed, Ais answered, "May I please have a fried potato flavored green tea?"
Lulune fell from her chair.
"?" Ais looked at her in wonder while the trio already knew what was going on after noticing the activities from their surroundings and got ready just in case a fight broke out.
"Uhhh… You people are the reinforcement!?" Lulune shouted while pointing at Ais and Ais also finally got it as she looked around, 'Don't tell me, the person we're working with are all the customers here?'
Asfi stood up from her seat and went beside Lulune while asking, "Are you sure you aren't mistaken about her, Lulune?"
"A…Asfi." Lulune called out to her with a shaking voice.
Ais looked at her and recognized her. She then helped Lulune stand up so that she can explain the situation, "Did you all accept this request as well?"
Lulune thanked her and stood up and explained while wearing a wry smile, "Just a few days ago, that person in the black robe appeared and asked for our help. At first, I said, 'No more' and rejected him but…" Her voice started trailing off.
Asfi, in an irritated tone, continued her words, "Then he threatened to rat us out for lying about our level. In the end, we got dragged along…"
The Guild is responsible for collecting tax from Familia's that live in Orario based on their ranks. And the Hermes Familia had many group members, which lied about their levels. They would be ranked higher if they submitted their real strength, increasing the amount of tax due. The amount of tax and fines that they have been evading was building up.
"You idiot! Stupid fool! You call yourself a thief!? You should have just pretended to be ignorant instead of being threatened!" Asfi couldn't help but lash out at Lulune.
"Uuuu… Forgive me…" And Lulune already realized her mistakes. Although she had good skills as a thief, she didn't have a disposition of one.
"I already have my hands full from dealing with Hermes-sama's selfishness… Now I have to deal with this." Asfi held her aching head.
"Uhhmm…"
Asfi finally remembered there are other people besides their Familia in here and fixed her glasses while saying, "Sorry. I showed you such a pitiful sight…" Not wasting any time, Asfi started explaining without questioning their presence. It's not like they had a choice, anyway, "Let me go over the details of the request. Our destination is the pantry on the 24th floor. So our objectives are to find out the reason behind the large amounts of monsters appearing and to eliminate it. Am I mistaken?"
The Pantry is a giant quartz crystal, of which 2 to 3 exist on every floor. A clear liquid flows from this crystal and monsters born in the Dungeon use this as a source of nutrients.
Confirming that they have received the same request, Ais nodded, "Yes."
"Well then, let me introduce our members." Asfi then introduced everyone from their side aside from Lulune who the group already knew, "And I'm Asfi Al Andromeda. I'll be giving orders to everyone from the center guard. My weapon is a short sword and I have a small number of items. Most of our statuses are at Level 3."
Fixing her glasses in a similar fashion as Asfi, Sona introduced themselves, "I'm Sona a bow user, and this is Aika and Koneko. A long sword and war hammer users respectively. We are from the Hestia Familia and all at Level 2 and coincidentally came with Ais-san when she received the request."
Asfi nodded at her and felt strange seeing someone with the same mannerism as her, "The Sword Princess might have warned you already, but this is a very dangerous mission for a Level 2 and we wouldn't be able to cover for you as we'll prioritize ourselves."
"We're aware of the risks and we'll be fine on our own," Sona replied.
"Right! For people who claimed to be Level 2, they are strangely strong!" Lulune added.
Asfi furrowed her brows but didn't ask any further and looked towards Ais.
Although everyone already knew about her, she still has to introduce herself as a formality, "Loki Familia, Ais Wallenstein. My weapon is a rapier."
Heaving a sigh, Asfi faced everyone from her party, "Since it's like this, it can't be helped. All members, try your hardest towards the completion of the request. Especially you, Lulune! Work as if you were about to die!"
"I got it…" Lulune replied with a dejected face. She was not sad because she received an earful from her captain, but she was feeling guilty that her comrades had to be dragged along the problem she created.
Asfi then faced Ais, "I feel more confident since you're with us, Sword Princess. However, I think it will be a short party. Best regards, and also to the three of you."
"It's a pleasure." Ais and Sona replied.
Asfi, with a serious face, suddenly approached and gathered Ais, Aika, Sona, and Koneko, "However, please refrain from talking about our secrets."
"Ah, yes…" Ais could only reply such while the trio didn't know what expression they should make and wondered if this party is going to be alright.
Wubalubbadubdub:
28th00: Megane wars are going to happen. Sona vs Asfi! IT'S HAPPENING! Who shall Megane HARDER!? Koneko and Aika have the recorders, Kisuke will never let her live this down…
Alexander: Screams for an official contest. The judges are Kisuke, Loki, Hermes and Ganesha.
Goyya: I still dig the can't-be-honest Kaichou.
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