Chapter 72: The Fertile Mistress

Night quietly descended.

As the evening glow gradually gave way to the night, the members of Loki's Familia, who had been running around in various parts of Orario, returned to the Twilight Hall one after another.

The large quantities of dropped items and various precious resources that the members had taken away had disappeared, replaced by large bags filled with golden coins.

Rig and his group also returned to the Familia's base camp with a bag containing over ten million faris and a medicine box with twenty vials of the Universal Elixir, a bountiful return indeed.

Of course, this trip, while the Familia returned with a full load, Rig spent a considerable amount of money.

To have the "Battle Maiden" use her renowned high-level healing magic for a comprehensive treatment, the cost was not low, a full one million faris, twice as expensive as the highest quality Universal Elixir.

But this money was well spent.

One million faris for the permanent use of the "Battle Maiden's" high-level healing magic, such a deal would make anyone in the world willing to pay.

Rig was no exception, paying the money without hesitation.

With Amade's magic, Rig had officially learned it.

From this perspective, he could also be considered to have returned with a full load.

However, for the Familia itself, the money earned today did not seem to make up for much of the shortfall.

"We'll have to tighten our belts for a while," Grease muttered in front of everyone, indicating just how dire the current situation was.

In contrast, Loki, as the goddess, still had a carefree attitude.

"Let's not worry about these things for now. If you have a headache, wait until tomorrow. Today is the day of the banquet, so don't think too much, just enjoy the food and drinks!"

With this declaration, Loki led the expedition team members of Loki's Familia out of the base camp, under the envious gazes of the留守人员.

Holding a grand banquet after returning from an expedition was a tradition of Loki's Familia.

Under the guise of rewarding the Familia, the alcohol-loving Loki would always hold a grand feast the day after the expedition team returned, allowing the members to indulge in play and enjoyment on that day.

According to Loki, the mere fact that people returned was worth celebrating.

Therefore, regardless of whether the expedition was fruitful or resulted in a loss, as long as there were no casualties or significant reductions in numbers, the victory banquet must be held.

The Familia could save money in many areas, but not on the victory banquet.

Finn and others had no objections to this idea.

Clearly, they also agreed with rewarding the hardworking expedition members of the Familia.

Thus, under the lead of the goddess, dozens of members of Loki's Familia expedition team came to the West Street.

West Street, unlike the Northwest Street known as the Adventurer Street, was home to many ordinary citizens.

The guild, which primarily dealt in the trade of magic stones, employed many laborers responsible for producing goods in Orario. The number of these laborers exceeded that of the adventurers exploring the dungeon, and they generally lived on this West Street with their families.

Thanks to this, West Street had large residential areas, and many taverns, inns, and restaurants lined up, making it a popular spot for adventurers to relax after exploring the dungeon, often removing their gear and seeking a moment of ease.

Loki's Familia members came to this street and found a shop.

It was a two-story stone building.

Its layout resembled an outdoor café, with many outdoor seats outside the shop, and the inside exuded a lively atmosphere, indicating how well the business was doing.

Outside the shop, a sign read "The Fertile Mistress."

"The Fertile Mistress?"

Seeing the shop name, Rig, who was chatting with Raphi, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

However, Loki, without the slightest hesitation, strode into the shop with a somewhat arrogant gait.

"Mom Mira! We're here!"

Loki's shout upon entering the shop made the noise inside suddenly quiet down.

Many people poked their heads out to look, and they saw the members of Loki's Familia.

"It's Loki's Familia!"

"There are so many?"

"I see, they must be here for a victory banquet."

Some people exclaimed, some whispered, and some, who had seen this before, showed a look of realization.

Inside the shop, a female owner standing behind a bar-like counter glanced at Loki and the members of Loki's Familia and snorted.

"Shir, welcome the guests."

The robust female owner, who looked like a boxer, was not intimidated by the fame of Loki's Familia and instead had an indifferent attitude, shouting to someone inside the shop.

"Coming, coming!"

With a light and nimble response, a human girl ran out from inside the shop.

She wore a white blouse and a light green vest that reached down to her knees, with a longer apron tied around her waist. She had lusterless light gray hair tied into a short ponytail, and she looked very innocent and cute, with a fair and delicate appearance.

"Oh, isn't that Shir?" Loki immediately approached her, grinning. "Long time no see, you're getting more beautiful."

"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Loki." Shir smiled innocently, then lightly swayed her body to avoid a hand that silently reached out towards her. "But please don't harass the female staff."

"Ah, what's the harm?" Loki persisted. "It won't hurt, and since we're all women, it's better than letting those smelly men have their way, right?"

Shir ignored Loki's unreasonable remarks and turned to the Familia members standing behind Loki.

"Please come in. Lord Loki has reserved a table, but your group is quite large. We can only provide one indoor table for everyone, and the rest will have to sit outside. Is that okay?"

This was a reasonable request.

If the entire expedition team were to be welcomed inside, there would be no room for other customers.

Considering the feelings of the guests and the impact on business, it wouldn't be right to make all the customers sit outside.

"No problem," Finn nodded. "One indoor table is fine, and the rest will stay outside."

"Thank you." Shir bowed to the group and again nimbly avoided the hand of a persistent and lecherous goddess. "Then, those who are coming inside, please follow me."

Shir turned and walked into the shop, leading the way for the group.

"Stay outside," Finn instructed some of the members.

"Okay!"

The members all nodded in agreement.

Those who could enter the shop held a special status within the Familia.

Finn, Riria, Grease, Ais, Thione, Thione, and other top adventurers all entered the shop.

Raphi could also enter, along with Raul and Anki, who were part of the Familia's second and third teams.

"Rig, come in," Finn beckoned to Rig, who was standing at the shop entrance.

Rig glanced at the robust female owner who was grinning at him and then at the female staff member Shir leading the way, and finally stepped into the shop.

At this point, the shop was almost full.

Adventurers of various races seemed to have gathered here, drinking, eating, and even playing together, with only a large central area left empty, contrasting with the lively atmosphere.

The shop was decorated with wooden panels, and the magic stone lamps on the ceiling were not very bright, giving the tavern a cozy and romantic feel.

The group, led by the staff member Shir, entered one after another, drawing the attention of many people.

Especially Rig, who was walking with Ais and Raphi, received a lot of attention.

"Is that the one we've heard about?"

"It must be, he's the only unfamiliar face."

"Tsk, he looks so young."

"He's only 17, of course he's young. The Sword Maiden is even younger."

"Can you compare them?"

"No, the Sword Maiden took eight years to reach level 2 and another eight years to reach level 5. That person is different."

"Hmph, he doesn't seem that impressive. I don't believe he could go from level 1 to level 5 in just over three months."

"Whether you believe it or not, the guild has announced it. Could it be fake?"

"Still, I don't believe it."

Such comments continued, perhaps because some people had had too much to drink, and their voices were not well concealed.

Raphi and some others frowned, slightly angry, and Finn and the others glanced at the source of the comments, making them quiet down.

Rig, however, seemed indifferent, basking in the many gazes and sitting down with his Familia companions.

"Please enjoy!"

Shir, along with two catgirl staff members, served the group with food and drinks and then smiled and withdrew.

"Alright!"

Loki stood up.

"Everyone, you've worked hard on the expedition. Cheers!"

Loki raised her glass.

"Cheers!"

The group raised their glasses and clinked them together.

The atmosphere immediately became lively.

Under Loki's lead, the members first drank, and after a while, they began to use their knives and forks to enjoy the delicious dishes on the table.

Since it was a banquet, there were no formal dining rules, and Loki didn't follow them either. She simply offered a greeting and then indulged in eating and drinking, finishing a whole glass of wine.

The others were the same, some chatting, some laughing, and some savoring the fine wine and food, all showing a sense of familiarity.

"Mr. Rig, I'd like to toast you," Raphi, sitting on Rig's left, shyly raised her glass to him.

"Sure, let's have a drink," Rig smiled and clinked glasses with Raphi. Then he looked to his other side and said, "Ais, aren't you drinking?"

"No," Ais, sitting properly on Rig's right, held a cup of a drink and was sipping it.

Rig was about to say something more when he suddenly felt two different gazes.

These gazes made Rig pause, and he turned his head to look at their source.

The next moment, Rig saw two people.

New book, seeking support! Recommendations! Collections! (*^▽^*)

(End of Chapter)