Knowledge

Azrael scratched his chin while he looked to the left where he saw the sign for the Hostess of Fertility.

Sighing a little, he went up the few small stairs and opened the door to enter the building.

"Welcome~, nya~~" A happy welcome was thrown in his direction and he could see a cat person with brown hair and brown eyes wearing a green dress with a white apron above looking his way.

It was Anya that seemed to greet about anyone that enters the tavern.

"Ah, I remember you! Mama Mia~ There is a special guest here today, nya~" The woman grinned sheepishly and hopped off to the next customers that seemed to have ordered something.

'Way to throw me under the bus...' Azrael smiled lightly even though he was clearly betrayed the instant she saw the person owing a large debt.

And of course, the owner Mia made large eyes when she looked over and saw that it was him that entered her establishment.

A small smile was on her face and Azrael suddenly felt a gust of wind that let him look back.

Another employee of the hostess was now standing in front of the door and the sign hanging that normally showed either open or closed was now turned to closed.

The person standing there was a black-haired female cat person.

Even the customers started staring at him and became quiet. Everyone seemed to know that something was up. They either watched silently or just kept on going their own way.

With nothing else to do Azrael went ahead and set down at the bar where he was right in front of Mia Grand.

Then taking out his valis card he placed it on the table and pushed it towards her.

Mia took it and placed it on another device where she could input something and swipe the card over it. By the looks of it there was really a coinless system for payment. Thank god for that.

The people in the tavern saw Chloe open the door again and walk away doing her tasks again. That got them to sigh in relief and they became somewhat rowdy again with continuing their own previous conversations.

Taking the card back Azrael checked the sum she subtracted. It was an option on the card that would magically show the amount of saved valis depicted in numbers. And when he saw the remaining amount his eyes became large.

"Uhm...Taking away a million valis? Was the food really worth that much?", asked Azrael carefully.

"No, but to make sure you don't just vanish for another half a year without paying I made sure to get some interest and also upfront payment for your upcoming eating assaults." Mia still remained rather calm all things considered and even continued doing her work after having been paid.

Azrael laughed wrily. "Well, I was in the dungeon until yesterday. So sorry about it taking so long."

"Wait, did you go on a prolonged exhibition? You could at least had given me some notice. At first, I was very sad that a stupid little rookie ran off dying in the dungeon after dining and dashing. But then my rage overcame me that I would have preferred to be the one to do the deed and wrangle your neck...But now everything is alright..."

Azrael sweatdropped and felt weird hearing her talk about that so nonchalantly. Good thing he remembered to pay. "Is that so? I am happy that at least someone was worried...Well, I keep my word even if it may not look like it."

Mia now genuinely laughed. "Relax. I am content with you having paid up. Hmm, from the feeling I can tell you also got stronger. Even got a few scars as trophies?"

Azrael went over his left cheek with his thumb. "Yeah, kinda was not avoidable with the way they healed up."

"So, what can I serve you this time? But please keep it in moderation.", asked Mia now.

"Just some noodles with some meat is fine, thanks. I also found another way to fulfill my nutrient intake. It is a good thing really since my expenses would otherwise explode and I would have to go to the dungeon again."

"So you are taking a vacation?", asked another female voice now and put the plate with his order on the table. The woman that asked that question was a blonde elf with beautiful crystalline blue eyes.

Just for a mere second Azrael seemed to have lost himself in them but realized his little staring and rasped his voice after embarrassedly looked sideways. 'Damn it. I actually got mesmerized. How the hell?'

Well, in his defense he was always a sucker for blonds. But he still didn't think he would get hit that hard by an elf after having seen some already.

"Yeah, I am taking a break since I need to get used to my new powers. I will probably take a mission outside Orario and then return on adventuring.", he answered Ryuu.

Mia noticed his behavior and smirked. "That ain't much of a vacation that you are doing. So how long do you think you will take for your level up?"

"Hmm? Oh, I already updated my level just recently. That is why I am even mentioning getting used to it. It feels a little bit weird feeling the increase in strength after a level up." Azrael was not even lying at that part. When his status was updated and he received his level up there was a clear qualitative change in his strength.

Ryuu that was still looking at him and following the conversation nodded. "That is normal. Everyone feels the change."

Mia on the other side raised a brow. "That was rather quick. I found out you came to Orario only recently. That makes you one of the fastest to go up a level. So what is your alias? Gotta address you properly after all."

"Please don't bother about that." Azrael didn't want that. "Just Azrael is fine. Besides, I don't have my alias yet. My goddess is getting one on that emergency denatus."

"Hmm go figure with the chaos in the dungeon recently.", sighed Mia. "Well, I will now concentrate on work. Eat up." With that said Mia walked off back into the kitchen."

"So, we haven't met each other last time, right?", asked Azrael now after the silence became a little bit awkward with Ryuu still looking at him intently and not saying anything. She probably was still vary about him dashing off again or something. "Can I maybe get your name so that I at least know who I talk to?" Azrael smiled friendly.

"Ryuu...", she answered back to him.

"Nice to meet you, Ryuu-san. I am Azrael Locke." His smile became a grin

Ryuu in response tilted her head slightly to the side. "Do we know each other? I get the feeling you know me?"

That got Azrael to sweatdrop again. How in the hell did she get to that conclusion? Sure, he knew a little bit about her but he couldn't just go and say that, right?

"I don't think so?", said Azrael back with tilting his head sideways as well. Then he quickly started eating his food.

While doing so he realized how good it was and how he actually missed real food. But he should not get gluttonous again. Gotta keep it in moderation...