Chapter 11: Ryu Lion
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Hestia spoke casually, but Liang Yue could detect the hidden threat beneath her tone, even the way she addressed him was oddly familiar.
“Lord Warren something or other.”
Of course, he knew the name of the Sword Maiden, Ais Carbon. The fact that she didn’t call her by name was deliberate, and Liang Yue keenly picked up on this crucial detail.
This was certainly not about survival instinct.
Besides, his interactions with Ais Carbon had only ever been about the Minotaur and swordsmanship, Liang Yue explained candidly.
“We met during a dungeon adventure today. She was curious about my sword techniques, and after a brief exchange, we got to know each other.”
“Oh.”
“After all, Lord Warren something or other is a high-ranking member of the Loki faction. If you get too close to her, it might cause trouble for you.”
Hestia did not doubt Liang Yue’s explanation. Of course, there was some selfishness behind her words, but mostly it was an objective assessment.
Getting close to other high-ranking faction members often meant becoming a target of animosity from other members.
“Of course.”
Liang Yue nodded lightly, then shifted his attention to the dinner menu. Meeting the Loki faction was just a side event.
The real goal of coming to the “Bountiful Mistress” restaurant was to improve their meals.
For ordinary people, the restaurant’s prices were somewhat high—just a noodle main course with a drink cost 500 Fari.
Today’s recommended grilled fish set was priced at 850 Fari.
If it weren’t for the decent haul from today’s dungeon run, he wouldn’t have enough money to eat heartily.
He glanced at the eager young girl beside him and smiled as he asked, “So, Lady Hestia, what would you like to eat tonight?”
“I’ll have a main course set.”
“Hmm... and a drink.”
Hestia’s eyes scanned the menu; overall, the prices were steep. Based on her usual part-time earnings, this meal alone would be a stretch.
Considering Liang Yue was still stubbornly repaying his weapon debts.
As a goddess, she had to look out for her child, so she opted for a relatively inexpensive set meal. Even so, their meals were an improvement over yesterday’s.
“All right.”
If Liang Yue remembered correctly, the noodle main course portion was quite generous. Besides that, he ordered two portions of the grilled fish special.
It would count as a fairly hearty dinner, costing less than 3,000 Fari in total.
Thinking this, he looked toward the restaurant’s busy waitresses dressed in green maid dresses with pure white aprons.
He raised his hand slightly to signal for service.
In a corner at a two-person table, a customer waved back—a girl wearing a white maid headpiece, her pale green hair tied into a ponytail.
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Riu Lian placed the dishes before the customer, then leisurely walked toward Liang Yue and Hestia.
Her cyan eyes coldly appraised the unfamiliar faces in the restaurant. They appeared to be adventurers younger than herself.
Her appearance was delicate, but her attention was quickly drawn to Liang Yue’s unusual eyes.
Riu quickly shifted her gaze away. Her demeanor was exceptionally icy, yet her tone was unexpectedly gentle: “May I take your order?”
Before them stood a girl holding a wooden tray, dressed in a leaf-green maid dress paired with black stockings and brown boots.
Her slender, upward-pointing elven ears marked her elven heritage. Her skin was the most striking feature—cool and pale with a subtle sheen.
Her natural aura of aloofness clearly conveyed “Keep your distance.”
“Riu Lian.”
Liang Yue knew her identity well. Officially, she worked at the Bountiful Mistress restaurant, but in truth, she was a former member of the Astraea faction.
A level 4 adventurer, better known by the title ‘Gale.’
“Noodle main courses, drinks, and two portions of today’s recommended grilled fish, please.”
“Very well.”
After recording Liang Yue’s order, Riu did not recommend any other specialty dishes, considering not to waste food.
Her red lips parted slightly: “For two people, this should be enough.”
“Good.”
Watching Riu’s retreating figure, Liang Yue quickly withdrew his gaze, still feeling the weight of the resentful look from beside him.
Hestia’s tone was thick with emotion, though it was unclear whether it was because of Riu’s cold yet beautiful appearance...
Or because the order was too expensive.
“Liang Yue, I think we should only come here occasionally. The prices are too high, and we spent so much on this meal!”
“...”
Whether it was concern over money or something else, Liang Yue couldn’t say for sure. Still, he chose to go along with Hestia’s thoughts, given their current financial situation.
If they spent like this every day, all their earnings would be gone.
They had to improve their living conditions, repay debts, and still save to buy more types of swords if possible.
“Tonight is a celebration with Lady Hestia, that’s why I ordered so much.”
“We definitely have to control spending going forward. There are many expenses—improving life and faction development.”
“All of which require a lot of money!”
Liang Yue felt a bit emotional but not overly pressured. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day; everything had to progress step by step.
Hearing this...
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Hestia slumped over the table with a hint of despondency, her delicate fingers tracing circles on the surface. “It’s because I have no fame...”
“That no followers want to join my faction.”
As she spoke, she turned slightly to look at Liang Yue. If she weren’t aware of the heavy burdens he carried, she might have said, “Actually, it’s quite nice for the two of you to keep each other company.”
But she didn’t say it. Instead, from the perspective of a goddess caring for her followers, she said, “I’ll keep trying during this time.”
“I can’t bear to see you shoulder all the burdens alone.”
“Aren’t you working hard too, Lady Hestia?” Liang Yue replied with a smile. He truly had no intention of interfering with her recruitment efforts.
He preferred to let things take their natural course.
Having faction members to team up with in dungeon exploration made things easier, but even without them, adventures would proceed normally.
“As long as we get through this period, everything will get better.”
“Liang Yue...”
To Hestia, when he said this, it wasn’t just his soul shining; he himself radiated light.
“Thank you.”
“To meet a child like you, I am truly a blessed goddess!”
“Bang!”
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of dinner plates clattering onto the table, laden with sumptuous food.
Liang Yue and Hestia exchanged glances before smiling at each other.
“Let’s eat!”
—
Under the pale moonlight spilling over the streets of Oraly, Liang Yue and Hestia walked side by side, sharing stories of the dungeon.
Of course, they omitted the part about the Minotaur.
As the listener, Hestia felt relieved that Liang Yue’s dungeon adventure had gone smoothly without danger.
Having just received a “Blessing,” he now possessed his own skills.
This symbolized his strong talent. After a full day of dungeon exploration, she eagerly anticipated his changing abilities.
Before returning to the abandoned church’s basement, Hestia already clenched her fists with excitement:
“Liang Yue, when we get home, let me help you update your status!”