"How many days are you staying with Hephaestus?"
Roy was slightly taken aback by Hestia's announcent, then teased, "Hestia, you were nearly kicked out by Hephaestus before."
"Are you sure she'll agree?"
"No way!" Hestia puffed up proudly.
"I'm not the penniless goddess I was when I first descended. I have my own familia now."
Roy rolled his eyes.
"Thanks for boasting so confidently in front of your only familia mber."
"Hee hee, it's because of you I've got this confidence!" Hestia grinned.
"I'm not scared of Hephaestus anymore!"
"Why the sudden visit to Hephaestus?" Roy asked.
"Don't pry! It's a little secret between girls. Boys aren't allowed to ask!" Hestia declared, resolute.
"Fine, but bring so money. Don't freeload. I don't want Hephaestus sending you back the next day," Roy teased.
"I'm not freeloading!" Hestia huffed.
"I'm helping this ti, and Hephaestus said food and lodging are included."
"That good of a deal?" Roy raised an eyebrow, half-suspecting Hestia had been duped.
"Anyway, for the next few days, if you need your status updated, find at Hephaestus's place," Hestia said, a touch smug.
"Got it," Roy nodded.
The next day, Roy visited the guild to check if anyone had accepted his commission.
He wasn't too hopeful but wanted to save ti navigating to the lower floors without a map.
To his surprise, soone had taken it.
"The person who accepted is waiting in the reception room. You can et her now," Eina said, her expression odd, eyes flickering toward Roy as if searching for sothing.
"Eina, why the weird look? Is the person who took it strange?" Roy asked, intrigued.
"You'll see when you et her," Eina replied, keeping it vague.
"Sounds like soone special," Roy said, his interest piqued.
Eina led him to the reception room behind the guild.
A figure sat on the sofa, back to the door, with long, well-grood blond hair cascading to her waist, revealing a smooth back through the strands.
At the sound of the door, the figure turned.
"This is the adventurer who accepted your commission: Ais Wallenstein," Eina introduced.
"Miss Ais, this is the client, Roy Flott."
Eina's gaze lingered on Roy, brimming with curiosity.
The Sword Princess taking Roy's commission was shocking.
As a star of the Loki Familia, Ais had no need for such a task's reward.
Though Roy's offer was generous, it was trivial for a first-class adventurer like her.
Was it because of the arena match two days ago? Tiona had lost to Roy.
Perhaps Ais was here to confront him.
Eina's thoughts wandered.
"Roy," Ais said softly, her eyes trembling slightly, though her face remained impassive.
Since learning Roy was from the Hestia Familia, Ais had a goal.
Not knowing his address, she figured he'd visit the guild as an adventurer.
Spotting his commission on the bulletin board, she accepted it without hesitation and waited.
"Nice to see you again, Miss Ais," Roy said with a chuckle.
"You've t before?" Eina asked, surprised.
Did Ais take the commission because they knew each other?
But if Roy was acquainted with a first-class adventurer, why bother posting a guild request?
A pang of unease hit Eina, like a sour knot in her chest.
"Just a chance encounter," Roy clarified.
He'd accidentally stumbled into Ais's room once due to his world travel.
"Oh, I see," Eina said, her unease dissolving. No special bond, just a fleeting eting.
Roy had only arrived in Orario recently and beca an adventurer two days ago.
How could he have a deep connection with the Sword Princess? She'd overthought it.
"Miss Advisor, may I speak with Roy privately?" Ais asked.
"Of course." Eina left, closing the door behind her, leaving Roy and Ais alone.
"You have a question for ?" Roy said, noting Ais's hesitant expression.
"Are you an enemy of the Loki Familia?" Ais asked after a long pause.
"Wow, you're direct," Roy laughed.
"Even if I were, do you think I'd admit it outright?"
Ais's showed a hint of distress, as if struggling to find the right words.
---
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