64 FOLLOWER, OMG :O :O :O :O :O :O :O :O :O :O :O

Sry about the delay again.

Also, as mentioned in chapter 3, some characters will be different than in the original.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, not even the soundtracks. Danmachi belongs to Fujino Ōmori, Final Fantasy XV belongs to Square Enix.

Is it wrong to seek answers?

Chapter 8: Guild Consulting

PANTHEON – GUILD HQ – ORARIO – EARLY MORNING

After they both entered the building, they could see long waiting lines on the right side, even the benches were rather full.

(OPENING: HIROYUKI SAWANO feat: Eliana – S_TEAM)

One the left side, however, Noct and Bell could see 3 female adventurers:

the first one looked like a child, probably a pallum, with an orange jacket;

the second one had Bunny ears with a loose kimono with a leaf design that exposes her chest and

the last one had fox ears?, Noct wasn't sure of the latter, wears a shrine maiden outfit, a maple leaf-shaped hair accessory, and red leggings.

They were carrying each a big bag, probably full of Valis, as both concluded. They were about to leave the Building.

It was at this moment that the girl with the fox ears noticed Noct, she looked right into Noct's face with sharp eyes at first.

Then, out of nowhere, her eyes widened, which resulted in her bag full of Valis to fall, which made the trio to stop.

„Geez, Momiji, where are you looking, " the Bunny eared girl asked her fox ear fried. Thank Heaven that the contents of the bag didn't fall out of it.

After the fox ear girl lifted the bag again, the bunny-eared girl looked right in the same direction, there she could see a spikey black-haired man with blue eyes mostly black clothes on him, and a white-haired boy with red eyes, whom she immediately recognized as the 'little rookie'.

She looked at Bell with a curious smile on her face while coming towards him,

„well well, if it isn't the famous little rookie, right?" the bunny girl asked

„uh yes, and you are?" Bell asked while looking at her.

„how rude, my bad, I'm Tsukinokami Kaede, just call me Kaede, " Kaede said, she pointed with her hand at her fellow fox girl comrade on the left.

„the Renard here is Shinonome Momiji, " Kaede said.

„good morning, Momiji is enough, " said Momiji with a polite tone. Then Kaede put her right arm around her third comrade.

„and this little cutie here is Coco Collins, " she said while stroking her hair.

„h-hey, I'm older than you both, hmmmmm, " Coco said while pouting for Kaede touching her hair. Now it was obvious that this Coco was a Pallum.

„Nice to meet you, I'm Bell Cranel" Bell politely introduced. They then looked at Noct

„I'm Noct Gar" Noct introduced, but a little bit less polite than Bell. Noct noticed that Momiji was still looking at him.

„Something wrong, " Noct asked, he was feeling a little bit nervous the way that the Renard, her race's name as Noct guessed, was staring at him.

„did we met before?" Momiji asked. She was sure that Noct reminded her of someone she knew.

„Not that I'm aware of, it's my first day here in Orario" Noct answered, he wondered if she was confusing him with someone else.

„Really?, but you don't seem like a newbie to me on closer inspection, " Kaede said while looking at Noct's biceps.

„well, Noct came from a town in the northwest"

„and it's also my first time meeting other races, back home they were only Humans, " Noct said.

„so it's your …. " Kaede was about to ask more questions, but was interrupted by Coco, who pulled her Kimono. „what is it, Coco?" Kaede asked rather bothered.

„I know it's rude to interrupt, but I think we need to go, otherwise the Captain will get angry" Coco insisted.

„Oh right, I forgot how impatient he can be, " Kaede said while making an expression she remembered something really important

„especially if it's about money" Momiji added rather quietly.

„Anyway, It was nice to meet you, but we need to hurry since our Captain is not the patient one, goodbye Bell and Noct, " Kaede said while the trio walked outside fast.

„Goodbye, " both boys said while seeing them going.

„I see you're already getting acquainted with other adventurers, right?"

Noct and Bell turned to see Eina and Misha staying there.

„ „good morning you both" " Bell and Noct said in unison, unintentional, which made them look at each other before all four started laughing.

As they went to the consulting rooms, Misha told Noct that she was now his advisor and that she already registered him. Eina then told them both that since nearly all rooms are occupied, they will advise them both for today.

After they entered, an old, and quite a fat Elf, as Noct and Bell thought, and 2 tall men with coats, their' heads under a hood, already stayed in the room. Eina and Misha immediately bowed in front of them, indicating that they were high ranking guild members, which prompted Bell and Noct to do the same.

„Mr. Mardeel, sir, are you already using this room?" Eina asked nervously since she knew how he felt about her, „if yes, we'll leave immediately ", she was about to leave

„no stop, ms. Tulle" he said with a serious but confident expression, " I'm just here to see if ms Flott's reports were right because registering a Newbie with Level 6 and reporting about a large blue magic stone worth of around 100 Million Valis seems quite suspicious don't you think" the overweight Elf said while switching to Misha.

Eina and the two young men then looked at Misha dumbfounded, who just nervously smiled.

„Who are these men?" Noct asked Bell after staying straight again, Bell shook his head nervously, implying he also never saw this man inside a consulting room.

Mr. Mardeel turned his view to Noct, who noticed a letter on his left hand.

„Am I right to assume that you are 'Noct Gar' " the senior Elf asked while looking briefly at the letter. Noct realized he's also speaking in some 'old-fashioned high society style' like he's been taught back in his homeworld. Was it because he's an Elf?, this would mean that Ryuu isn't the only one behaving like this. But of course, it could be because he's in a leading position.

He remembered how he hated that kind of lessons, but nevertheless, he remembered one and other things, so he started 'playing' along

„and whom I have the pleasure if I may ask?" Noct asked, also trying speaking in 'high society' style, with a confident but polite expression. He looked straight at the old man.

Mr. Mardeel, as well as Bell, Eina, and Misha, were surprised how Noct asked the senior a question, which apparently was surprised the most. His serious expression softened a bit.

„oh, where are my manners, my name is Royman Mardeel, I am the head of the Guild under his greatness lord Ouranos" he introduced himself.

So this man is practically the 'Captain' of the Guild, that's why Eina and Misha got nervous, but Noct still didn't understand why someone like him is here visiting them, he surely has much more important duties.

Royman then looked at Noct's bag.

„So I assume the mentioned magic stone is inside, " Royman asked before going to the table, indicating Noct to bring it there.

After Eina closed the door, they gathered around the table, Noct took the stone out.

Royman, to Eina and Misha's surprise, made a fascinated expression while looking at the large magic item.

Royman indeed never saw a blue gem-like magic stone larger than a watermelon.

There was a big silence around the room. The advisors and adventurers looked nervously at Roymann, who apparently was analyzing the magic stone.

„I would have never thought that I would say this, but it seems this stone is really worth a fortune", Royman turned his view on Noct again. „100 million Valis was it?" he asked as if he remembered it correctly

Noct was about to agree, but then he remembered something what Ignis once taught him when they were buying supplies during their journey through Eos:

'if someone asks you about the price, it means you have always room for negotiating.'

'So I have to pretend to be Ignis I guess' Noct thought before starting the negotiation.

„Usually, but if we take into account that the monster was not in the Dungeon and that I was not even hunting it … " Noct explained.

Bell, Eina, and Misha looked speechless with gaped mouths towards Noct, how he started negotiating with the Guild's captain, who's nervously was written on his face. Not only Noct spoke like a businessman, but he also acted like one, who tried to convince the old Elf about the blue stones' true worth.

„and also not to mention the many civilians who were enjoying the nice weather only to run away from the large sea snake … "

Eina and Misha never saw their superior work up a sweat at someone young as them.

„therefore my offer is 190 Million and 700 Thousand Valis" Noct finished.

Again, there was a big silence, Bell and Misha couldn't believe how Noct was negotiating with the Guild leader. but Eina noticed how Royman stopped sweating. What's more, he seemed surprisingly facilitated by Noct's offer.

„that's agreeable, " Royman said.

Now they looked at Royman again. He then gave Noct his hand, who replied it by shaking it. They agreed.

Royman ordered his two hooded men to bring the agreed amount.

After 10 Minutes, they came with a large chest. They gave Royman a key, which he, in turn, gave to Noct.

„Unfortunately, according to the provisions of the Guild, it's prohibited for us to let you go with such an amount of Valis due to the large risk of being stolen, so I'll give you this key" Royman explained. It seemed to make sense since someone running with more than 100 million Valis was very lucrative but also a very easy target.

Noct nodded, then he requested Bell to open it since he wanted to be sure. He gave him the key for it to open.

Eina and Misha were also about to see the chest's content.

„Hmmm Hmmm" Royman murmured, signalizing his employee to stay still, who got slightly nervous.

Bell still couldn't believe it. 'that's more than 100 Million Valis ?'

Noct was also surprised, not only by the money itself but also that it was arranged, implying that it was fresh money.

Royman put then two identical pieces of paper on the table, probably the contract. Noct controlled the agreed amount and certain other things, then he also saw a certain paragraph.

But then Noct noticed something,

'they're using a different script',

he made a shocking expression, but he knew that he couldn't announce something like that during an important business. Then there was one thing that shocked him even more.

'I can still read it as if I've known it since school'

Noct already experienced many things since appearing in this world, but this one was right now the most unbelievable.

Royman, Eina, Bell, and Misha noticed Noct's concerned expression, wondering if he didn't agree with the contract.

While continuing reading, Noct also found a strange paragraph.

„so I'm only allowed to take out 1 Million at most?" Noct asked out of curiosity.

'is that what was bothering him ? ', everyone in the room wondered, even the hooded bodyguards.

„That's right, I remember some decades ago, everyone with such fortunate stones and items could leave with 10 Million Valis, but as Orario got more dangerous, we, of course, have to adjust" Royman professionally explained to Noct.

Then Noct took his now empty bag, giving it to Bell, who was still recovering from the sight of the amount of money he just saw.

„Bell, could you take out 1,000,000.00 Valis, and please count accurately, " Noct told him.

„yes, of course, " Bell said.

While Bell collected the ordered amount, Noct and Royman signed the contract. After taking the copy, Royman, along with his two hooded employees, were about to leave with the blue magic stone.

After Bell finished collecting, he closed the chest carefully, then he gave Noct the key.

„It was nice to do business with you, Mr. Gar" Royman said politely, feeling proud for some reason. He shook hands with Noct.

„Likewise, Mr. Mardeel, I hope we can do this again in the future" Noct politely said before both started to laugh, which was weird for Noct this time.

Before closing the door, Royman ordered Eina and Misha to bring the Chest at the strong room when they're finished with Noct and Bell.

Misha, after saying „yes sir" along with Eina, screamed inside her mind, worryingly wondering if she'll be capable of carrying such a heavy chest.

When Royman was out of the room, he looked at the blue stone, then at the door again.

'such a young fool, I would've demanded 300 Million at least', he smiled again.

'but still it was interesting, he seemed like he's a royal brat' Royman thought about his impression on Noct.

After Royman Left, there was again a big silence at the consulting room.

„that was … " Eina couldn't finish her sentence.

„AMAZIIIING" Misha finished it for Eina while looking at Noct.

„YOU JUST DEMANDED MORE MONEY IN FRONT OF OUR BOSS AND HE AGREED TO YOUR OFFER, THAT'S AMAZING, NOCT". Misha still couldn't believe it.

„YOU'RE REALLY AMAZING, NOCT" Bell said loudly. There was no mistake. For him, Noct is, how do Mikota and other people from 'the far east' say it, his 'sempai'.

„I – I AGREE TOO, " Eina told him.

„Please, no issues", he then looked to Misha, „if it wasn't because of you Misha telling the rated amount, this would be impossible, " Noct said to her.

Misha started immediately to get deeply red. She stood for a while until something happened Eina never expected from her best friend.

Misha fell unconscious on the floor on her right shoulder, happily smiling.
While Noct and Bell thought that it was because of the amount of money Noct just earned, Eina, on the other hand, had a clear thought of what might be the reason.

Eina looked dumbfounded at her friend, 'I cannot believe you, stupid Misha' she thought while feeling ashamed in front of the two adventurers.

Bell looked concerned, „will she be alright?"

„I think she will, I think it's just a little bit of stress !" Eina said while worryingly smiling.

While Misha was still unconscious, Eina and Bell together explained Noct about the details of the Dungeon.

The most important rule for adventurers, as Noct learned, was that no adventurer is allowed to go into the dungeon without weapons and equipment.

The reason why this was an important topic for Noct was that Eina couldn't approve of Noct magical appearing sword like a real weapon, worrying what would happen if he couldn't use it anymore.

That's why Eina offered Noct buying knives and armors provided by the Guild.

After around a 15-minute discussion talk, Noct agreed to buy 2 Guild-Knives, while he told Eina that he'll buy a new armor right after they're finished.

Eina seemed satisfied with Noct's decision, „and also there's one more thing", Eina face turned more serious than usual, „I know that you're Level 6, Noct, but Bell is on Level 2 right now, for that I theoretically may allow you to enter the middle Floors, but since it's you first time going into the dungeon, I recommend you to remain in the upper Floors at most".

Noct looked at Bell, „I think that's agreeable, right Bell? "

„yes of course" Bell answered after turning his head towards his new comrade.

Eina stood up, „well, I think we discussed everything if you have ..".

„there's one more question if possible." Noct asked.

Eina wondered what more information Noct needed.

„you saw us talking to those 3 adventurers right, what do you know about them," Noct asked out of curiosity.

„Ohh, those 3? " Eina was afraid he would ask something more complicated, thinking how he talked with Royman,

she was relieved, „their leader, Tsukinokami Kaede a.k.a 'moon hare', is a middle-class adventurer at Level 3."

Bell and Noct were a little bit surprised, to them both, the 3 girls seemed like low-class adventurers.

„I don't remember the other two's aliases, but while Shinonome Momiji is also at Level 3, Coco Collins is at Level 2, but they 3 have a respectful interaction with the Guild, something you couldn't say about the most of their Familia."

Eina saw that Bell and Noct got more curious.

Bell then started asking, „and which Familia do they belong to?"

„They belong to the Soma Familia" Eina answered with a rather worried expression.

Bell and Noct reacted immediately to this name.

„that's Lily's Familia." Bell said.

Noct remembered when he asked more about Lily's Familia, she got really uncomfortable and sad for some reason.

„so if I'm about to guess, they're on of those Familias without a positive reputation, right?" Noct asked after putting one and one together.

Eina then started explaining what she knew about Soma. The first thing the explained was that they're mostly a business-oriented Familia, selling alcoholic drinks, especially the famous 'Soma drink' named after their God.

Then Eina explained to them that, after a visit at the Loki Familia, she found out that those adventurers are joining this Familia not out of respect for Soma himself, but only so that they can drink the 'original Soma' drink since only a failed version is sold outside their familia.

Now Noct and Bell understood, why Lily didn't like to be asked about it. 'Those adventurers are practically junkies' Noct realized.

Then Bell asked who else is in charge of the Soma Familia.

Eina then said it was two men, first the Captain named Zanis Lustra a.k.a 'Gandharva' and the Vice-Captain Chandra Ihit a.k.a. 'Somayaga', both at Level 4. „ If you ask me, I think your friend Liliruca wants to stay away from the Soma familia as well as speaking about it, so you both should do the same."

It made sense to them both. But there was also something else that worried Noct more.

He now thought about the 3 girls again, 'if Eina is right, then that means those 3 may possibly confront us sooner or later because of Lily.'

Noct pressed his forehead.

He didn't understand why people Kaede, Momiji, and Coco were part of such Familia full of junkies. He thought to ask again, but then stopped it.

But then Noct realized that he forgot to ask another rather important question.

„Say Eina", she looked to Noct again, „which Familias are considered the strongest right now."

He knew that Astraea's Familia was considered one of the strongest, but since that was around 10 years ago, things might've changed for sure.

Eina somehow expected that Noct might ask such a question.

She then explained that the current strongest Familias are: the Ganesha-, Hephaestus-, Freya-, Ishtar-, Aeshma-, Dia- and Loki Familia.

Bell, for a certain reason, got beet red after Eina finished her answer, which was noticed by Noct.

Noct repeated those names.

„And who's the strongest of them? " Noct asked again out of curiosity.

„Well, officially, it's the Freya Familia, since they have the strongest adventurer of Orario with them, but there is some information of certain Familias, which are kept in strict confidence within the Guild, so I can't say for sure", Eina continued explaining while thinking of one of the mentioned familias.

Eina paused for a moment, „and besides those 7, there are also Familia's who are differently influential in Orario."

„which are...? "

„The Demeter Familia for instance, which is in charge of the city's food processing", Eina still explained to Noct, „then there's also the Hermes Familia, who's rumored to have the information monopoly all of Orario, and also the Soma Familia, which reasons we've already discussed a moment ago."

'So that makes 10 in total' Noct thought before he stood up, „I think that's it.", Bell and Eina agreed.

It was at this moment where Misha regained conscious again. „what ..." they heard Misha speaking again. „oh right, the advising … ".

Misha immediately stood up about to sit again, only to realize that they were staying, looking at her.

Misha's face saddened, „I overslept the conversation, right".

„no, no, you just got unconscious because of stress," Eina assured her.

Misha then looked at Noct again.

„It must be tough working at the Guild, right, " Noct said while looking in her eyes.

Misha got beet red again, „y-yes, sometimes", she couldn't see him into his eyes.

„Anyway, we're finished, now we both need to carry Noct's chest as Royman ordered, " Eina said.

It was at this moment that Misha suddenly went for the closed chest. Bell, Noct, and Eina wondered what she was about to do.

'Don't tell me …' Eina worryingly thought while running towards her best friend.

Misha lifted the heavy chest on her own.

Noct and Bell looked quite impressive since they didn't expect her to be able to do it.

„MISHA WAIT, you'll break your backbones", Eina immediately helped her friend and workmate.

Bell and Noct decided to wait for them at the reception. While doing so, many other adventurers from different races were staring at them, mainly the females. But also some males, who for some reason looked rather angry at them after they noticed how the females were staring at Noct.

After around 10 Minutes, Misha and Eina returned at the entrance area to give Noct the 2 Guild-Knives he ordered.

Eina looked to Bell at first, „I know I said it plenty times, but be careful Bell", she then looked at Noct with a more serious expression, „and you too Noct, you're older than Bell, which means you're now responsible for you both, no fooling around."

„ „Yes ma'am" " Both said in unison.

Misha, for some reason, couldn't look at Noct, who noticed her red face.

„Misha, you alright." Noct asked worryingly,

„y-yes I-I'm OK, don't worry about me" Misha happily answered while keeping her eyes closed for some reason, still remaining red on her face.

Bell also wondered if Misha was getting sick. It's possible since Eina herself had a fever until yesterday.

Eina, on the other side, felt dumbfounded again, but not because of her best friend, but because Noct is apparently more clueless than Bell if it's about women.

Noct still looked at her, „maybe you should take holidays, you seemed to have worked a lot within the last few days".

„m-maybe you're right." Misha apparently confirmed Noct's advice.

„Anyway, we need to go, have a nice day you two," Noct said while going outside with Bell, who was slower thanks to the bag of valis he had to carry.

(ENDING: KARMINA - WALK YOU HOME)