Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.
-Author note start-
Hey guys, quick question. Who is your favorite character in this fanfic? And who do you think I write well and who do you think I write badly? Answering this question would help me greatly! Thank you!
And Sorry for the late chapter! I had an extremely hectic week, busy and all. And you know being tired does not do any good to writing motivation! But I managed to push this chapter on schedule. Sort of. Anyways! Enjoy the chapter and as always I'd appreciate any and all constructive criticism, comments, reviews and feedback! Thank you for reading and have a fantastic rest of the week! (In case I don't manage to push another chapter in this one).
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-Author note end-
Hostess Of Fertility
3rd Person POV
Afternoon is one of the most important, if not the most important time for pubs and restaurants alike. This being the dungeon city of Orario after all, most of the recreational establishments are catered towards adventurers. As they return from their dive from the dungeon, exchange their spoils for valis and finish the rest of their daily activities. And of course in the evening and perhaps night, good food and drink can never go wrong can it?
From this it is apparent that the afternoon is the ideal time where the hospitality industry of Orario can take a breather and prepare. Since there are little to no customers, they can calmly prepare for the expected and sometimes overwhelming flow of customers.
The Hostess Of Fertility, is without a doubt Orario's most famous, if infamous pub. Why? Well, excellent location, attractive and rather strong waitresses emphasis on attractive of course, good grub and amazing wine. Where can you go wrong with a business like that? And that's not even mentioning the reputation and owner of said establishment.
Speaking of the aforementioned owner, in that very establishment we can see Mia Grand. Retired level 6 adventurer and now proud owner/creator of the famous pub, setting cups and bottles for the ever approaching rush hour, in her comfortable position of being behind the bar.
Usually such a task would prove meditative and relaxing for the veteran adventurer. However, it seems an irritated look is plastered rather obviously on the face of the female dwarf.
Why?
Well, it seems she is on the receiving end of a rather obnoxious and persistent beggar sitting in front of her on the bar stool. What is he begging for? Nothing nice I'd wager. Especially considering the identity of the beggar.
The beggar is non other than our 2nd favorite troublemaker... Hermes!
*Slam* A head (Who's head? Guess...) hit the bar's table
"Please Mia-chan! Send a message to Freya for me! It's very very important!" Hermes begged pathetically crying crocodile tears, with complete disregard to his pride and stature of a god with slamming his head hard at the bar table in a degrading manner.
Having been met with only silence and the continued sound of cups being wiped, just a little more aggressively. Hermes had enough clarity of mind to know he was being ignored.
"It's a life or death scenario, Mia-chan please! You don't understand how bad this is!" Hermes lifted his head to look at the aloof dwarf as he begged with flaming passion, emphasizing how bad the situation is.
" *Sigh*, Send the message yourself if it's that important!" Mia sighs, as she finally dignifies the annoyance with a half-baked answer, with irritation marked all over her tone and words.
"I can't! This is critical! Only you can send her my message and have her receive it as fast as possible! Please!" Hermes persisted
"Why? What's the problem? What the hell is this about?" Mia asked in curiosity and seriousness with a raised eyebrow. Feeling that this may be important, for the need of Freya receiving this message, whatever it may be, as fast as possible.
"Bell-kun is going to be in a lot of danger! Freya needs to hear of this!" Hermes answers vaguely, with panic and slight shame lacing his tone.
"Hah? The brat? What happened?" Mia asks once again, nay, demands his answer, dismissing his vagueness with a forceful tone as she meets his eyes with hers, causing him to flash a worried look.
"Ishtar has her eyes on him! You know how she is! Send my message please!" Hermes answers with panic lacing his face and tone. Eyes completely wide looking at Mia in a rather manic look.
"What the hell are you talking about that goddess of all?" Mia asks tiredly and with annoyance, hand holding her head against the Hermes induced migraine.
"Hah! I couldn't help it! It's not my fault! I Just! Gaaaaaaaaaaah!" Hermes responded with a scream of pure agony, tearing his hair. As he seemingly denied all connection and fault from himself. When as it seems, judging by his response, Mia concluded otherwise.
However, unbeknownst to them a rather mischievous and cheerful maid was eavesdropping on their conversation. Whether purposefully or accidentally remains to be seen.
Bluish gray hair, styled in a ponytail with a knot, eyes of the same color as her hair, slightly tanned white skin color and with a very appreciable figure. Mischievous, cheerful and kind, with her occupation being a waitress of this very establishment. She is known as Syr Flova, Bell simp Number 4.
"Hmm? Hermes-sama? What do you mean Bell-san is in danger?" Syr inquires with a jolly tone, as she gives Hermes a scare with her sudden appearance
"Hah! Syr-chan!" Hermes instinctually responds as he got spooked
"Did you perhaps send him to the pleasure quarter?" Syr continued her questioning mercilessly, with a threatening closed eye smile as she got closer to Hermes.
"I-I didn't! I swear by the gods!" Hermes responds defensively and fearfully, as he lifted his arms in surrender whilst backing off from Syr's threatening approach.
"Really? Can you promise me that you really had nothing to do with this at all?" Syr mercilessly finished him off with a very good question. Whilst getting ever closer, promising Hermes pain upon contact.
"Haha! Syr-chan! You shouldn't scare gods like that! Haha!" Hermes dodges the question as he backs off and teases Syr with a cracked smile.
This did not go unnoticed.
"So? Did you have nothing to do with this?" Syr got ever closer, as she questioned with an ever widening smile.
"Heh..." Hermes responded terrified.
Having heard his answer Syr was about to do unspeakable things to the god.
"*Sigh* Don't break anything..." Mia told Syr with a sigh, ignoring the imminent suffering of the god, in favor of keeping the establishment clean.
"No promises~!" Syr answered with a jolly tone keeping the disturbing smile on her face, as she grabbed Hermes by his shirt, dragging him... Somewhere.
"Help! Mia-chan!" Hermes screamed for Mia's help as he was being dragged by Syr in an impressive feat of strength for the unblessed human.
Only to be met by Mia's selective ignorance.
"Asfi-chan! Save me!" In a last ditch effort, Hermes screamed for the help of his familia captain. Who would in this situation not help him in any case.
-Scene Cut-
Bell POV
Streets Of Orario
After finishing Kami-sama's punishment we split off to our respective duties and or routines. I however decided to go and gather information about the Ishtar Familia. To find a way to save Haruhime-san. Be it by buying her, or by forcefully getting her out of there.
'In any case, It wont end well if I know nothing, as Sensei said, I have time to make a plan.' I thought to myself assured in the correct course of action. That being information gathering.
"You know, out of sheer politeness and graciousness, I decided, against my better judgement not to ask where we are going. You know for the sake of mystery and discovery and whatever. Now I'm asking. Where the fuck are we going?" Merlin-sensei asked vulgarly in sheer confusion and irritation, losing his patience as we are walking for an extended period of time.
"Sorry Merlin-sensei, I should of told you... Were going to the guild to learn about the Ishtar Familia." I answer Merlin-sensei's "polite" question apologetically, turning to meet his amethyst eyes with my ruby ones.
"Hmm, I see, so that's your first course of action... Gathering information is it? Well, I'll give credit where credit is due. Well done Bell! Considering there is no obvious time limit on saving the foxy prostitute. You may take your time on creating a meticulous plan, gathering information and so on, to execute the rescue with minimal costs. Very nice!" Merlin-sensei praised me genuinely, as he analyzed my seemingly correct course of action. Giving me a pawed thumbs-up and a toothy grin.
"Thank you Sensei!" I respond with a happy and satisfied smile, filled with joy at the acknowledgment and appreciation of Merlin-sensei. Of course I respond to that with a salute that would put Rakian soldiers to shame.
"Now, what kind of information are you hoping to gather at the guild exactly?" Merlin-sensei questioned neutrally as I continued to walk in the direction of the guild.
"How strong and how many members the Ishtar Familia has, How much would it cost to buy a prostitute and a map of the pleasure quarter, specifically with shortcuts maybe?" I answered without hesitation, giving Sensei my prepared list of questions and information I want to get at the guild.
"A good set of questions to be sure Bell. Very well done!" Merlin-sensei responded positively, satisfied with my questions. Making me flash a beaming smile.
Which cracks at his continuation.
"But, incredibly naïve... Bell, it is very safe to assume that the guild wont be handing out this information to you on a silver platter. And if they do, it will most likely be either inaccurate or outdated information. Judging by the nature of the Ishtar Familia, I'd wager they are hiding a lot of critical information for your mission. Know this Bell, being misinformed is just as dangerous if not more dangerous than being ignorant. Remember well." Merlin-sensei lectured patiently, explaining the holes in my plan, my naivety and how the information I hope to gather at the guild will be useless...
At that I frown and gain a depressive aura. Which Merlin-sensei quickly placates.
"Now, don't be getting all sad on me! You did incredibly well! The questions were right and the method isn't bad! It's just the naïve way of thinking that needs work! Nothing that can't be improved with experience! In any case the information you will gain at the guild will overall be beneficial. As long as you take it with a grain of salt and not trusting it blindly. Understood?" Merlin-sensei cheers me up patting my cheek with his hand paw thing, explaining that I did well.
"Yes Sensei." I respond with a small smile as we are about to arrive at the guild, entering the main street leading towards it.
"By the way, it'd probably be better you ask someone you know these types of questions. You do have someone you know there that could help you right? You know that could give you some juicy info yeah? Maybe a few scandalous secrets! Oh my~!" Merlin-sensei asked with an amused tone conveying little seriousness in regards to the rather important question, proceeding to giggle at... Something?
"Umm, yes? I do know someone, the one I was hoping to ask. My advisor Eina-san!" I responded confused at his question, unsure of whether he was serious or just joking around, as I nod at him.
However upon hearing the word "Advisor" Merlin-sensei's eyes widen in panic?
"Gah! Y-You had an advisor before me?! Blasphemy! Oh the horror! The betrayal! How could you summon me when you had an advisor?! This is worse than having an affair whilst being married! Scum! Gah!" Merlin-sensei said in a completely hurt and bewildered tone, having suffered critical damage. As golden? tears fell out his eyes and his hand paw thing holding his chest where his heart would be.
"S-Sensei! Your are my mentor! She is my guild advisor! They are two different things I'm sorry!" I cry out an apology in genuine panic at seeing Merlin-sensei being so downtrodden and hurt for the first time. Looking at him with wide and panic filled eyes.
"Fine... But you better buy me dinner." Merlin-sensei responded like a pissed off wife, trying to get dinner out of her husband because he made a mistake.
"A-Alright Sensei! I'm sorry! I'll buy you dinner!" I respond apologetically, like a good husband and promise to buy him dinner.
"Hmph! You better!" Merlin-sensei responded like a stereotypical tsundere, turning his head to the side not meeting my eyes with an 'Hmph'.
3rd Person POV
"Isn't that Little Rookie? Who is he screaming at? A sensei?" One bystander looked bewildered asking his friend a question at the ensuing phenomena, in an attempt to decipher the weird behavior of someone screaming at something that isn't there.
"Must be daylight drinking. Seems not even Little Rookie is immune to the beauty of drinking alcohol under the blazing sun! I'll cheers to that!" The friend responded convinced with his analysis nodding to himself, proud of Little Rookie's active drinking. As he opened a bottle and made a cheers and took a big gulp of it.
" *Sigh* You'll find any excuse to drink in the middle of the day." the other friend responded with a sigh at his friend's "responsible" drinking.
-Short Time Skip-
Bell POV
"So this is it? Rather lackluster considering the importance and role of the guild. I've seen Indian building videos with more impressive builds than this. Thinking back on it... When was the last time I was in a world with functional internet? Too long..." Merlin-sensei commented offhandedly, unimpressed with the guild building. Whilst spouting out his usual undecipherable nonsense.
"Now that you mention it, It is rather unimpressive in comparison to the homes of major Familias. Actually, even compared to our home." I respond to him with my own realization, having never thought of this major difference in the first place. Merlin-sensei merely nods in agreement.
'Alright focus Bell! Think about the important stuff!' I dismiss my unimportant thoughts about architecture and the guild's lack of finances, in favor of the task at hand with a shake of my head.
'I know what I need to ask, I just need to figure out the information I need so I can go and save Haruhime-san.' I think resolutely, reconfirming my course of action. Flashing a rather unfitting serious look on my face. As I am about to enter the building Merlin-sensei notices the look on my face, and provides his unwelcome opinion.
"Pfft, that serious look doesn't suit you one bit. Maybe grow a few hairs on your balls and then try again? HAHAHAHAHA! On another note you could probably use a full on costume or mask or whatever that could make you look menacing? Because frankly, you ain't intimidating anything with that face!" Merlin-sensei commented with his characteristic shit eating grin. Unwarrantedly making fun of my appearance. Causing me to get embarrassed and get a little red in the face as a result.
'If he were to enter a villain arc, his looks wont be doing any intimidation that is for sure. Got to invest in a back up badass suit... Something to work on whilst on down time I guess! And no pullsies from my inventory! Because that would be boring! ' Merlin-sensei thought to himself in complete seriousness. Resolving himself to get me a badass suit? In case I ever enter a villain arc? What?
In any case I enter the guild with an embarrassed look on my face, only to look around and meet the eyes of my advisor.
A brown haired, emerald eyed busty (Merlin Proclaimed) half elf. Wearing the iconic and formal guild uniform.
"Bell-kun? Are you ok? did someone make fun of you?" Eina-san ever observant noticed the look on my face and asked in worry from a decent distance away if I'm ok, whilst making her way towards me.
"A-Ah Eina-san! I'm alri-" I was about to respond and greet Eina-san only to stop my sentence as I got interrupted
"You're absurd luck is to be admired child. For were you to stutter in a more private setting... Let's just say they would have trouble recognizing who the body's original owner was... And what species it was a member of..." Merlin-sensei interrupted my sentence with an irritated and enraged growl and deep voice, sending shivers down my spine at the clear killing intent. Forcing me to pale in reaction and causing me to struggle in my breathing.
"Bell-kun!? Are you ok?! You're extremely pale!" Eina-san ran towards me in a worried shout, causing the other adventurers to pause in their conversations to throw a glance at the situation.
At that, the killing intent vanishes so suddenly. It's as if it was never there. Now I can breath, thankfully.
"Ah. *Breath in* *Breath out*, I'm alright Eina-san. I just, remembered something is all!" I respond to Eina-san's justified worry lying pathetically to her face.
Eina-san raises an eyebrow and doesn't buy it, according to the look on her face. She grabs me whilst holding my body closely?! in an attempt to comfort me? Whilst one of her hands grabs my right shoulder, her hand phasing through Merlin-sensei. As if he isn't there.
"Wha? Eina-san?!" I shout in bewilderment at Eina-san's action, as she begins to pull me away towards the private rooms. Whilst I feel pillows on the side of my arm... Comfy.
"Oh My~!" Merlin-sensei quickly comments with a teasing tone.
""Lucky bastard"" The male population of the present adventurers commented in unison at the current happenings.
"Shush, something happened and you need my help, I can tell. Whatever happened made you like this. I'll help you Bell-kun don't worry. I'm your advisor I'm here for you." Eina-san shushed me, as she spoke to me in the most soothing manner she ever uttered. Flashing me a warm smile to finish me off.
"Alright..." I can't help but respond with an agreement. That and my face completely red with her being this close to me and what she said to me...
'I see. The ever elusive Number 3 has made her appearance. Well met indeed. Number 3 seems to be a very solid pick. The classic adventurer's guild, busty receptionist. One who gets flirted with on the regular and ignores every attempt and man... Except of course, our chosen hero who captures her heart with his immaculate rizz developed by me! Outstanding! It seems clichés are strong with this world!' Merlin-sensei thought to himself analytically and happily. As he tactlessly and mercilessly ignores Eina-san as a person and just places a label/title on her. Whilst calling her Number 3. Of what? I will never know.
'I mean what's next? Number 4 is An inn's waitress or owners daughter?' Merlin-sensei continued his delusions of my nonexistent harem, approximating it's last member. (As of now boy!)
As Merlin-sensei's delusions take place, I am dragged into a private room and softly seated on a chair whilst Eina-san sits in front of me in another chair, a table sandwiched between us.
"Whatever you tell me, I'll be fine. What's important is you calm down and learn what you need ok? I'm here for you." Eina-san told me in a calm and comforting tone, seemingly still under the impression that my reaction to Merlin-sensei's death threat was the main concern, and not a sudden and random occurrence.
"Sensing Ara-Ara energy from this one. It's faint, untraceable to the inexperienced. But none can fool me!" Merlin-sensei told me vibrantly, something about Ara-Ara energy? I quickly flash a confused glare and promptly ignore him to focus on Eina-san
"Thank you Eina-san... I'll start from the beginning."
I then proceed to retell her the events of yesterday in detail... barring a FEW unnecessary details.
-Short Time Skip-
"You went to the Pleasure Quarter and didn't return until early THIS morning?!" Eina-san repeated my information in the format of a question. As she seemed to misunderstand me and proceeding to accuse me of a very scandalous act. One I have to rectify.
"Yes, he had a grand time! He was surrounded by multiple exotic and beautiful amazonesses! He got down on the floor with a Renard and one of the aforementioned amazonesses! What an experience he had! Bell is quite the beast!" Merlin-sensei responds to Eina-san's accusation with an amused confirmation, that as luck would have it, she can't hear. And were she to actually hear it would likely cause her to lose consciousness. And not because a talking Dragon uttered the sentence.
"I couldn't help it!" I respond with a lowered head and a slight blush of my face.
'Damn it body you're not helping! Don't fail me now!' I though in rage, at the actions of my body in contrast to my actual thoughts.
"W-Well, you are a boy... So it makes sense you'd be interested in those kinds of things... B-BUT DON'T GO THERE IT'S WRONG! YOU JUST CANT!" Eina-san responded to my answer with a blush and a whisper, which quickly turned into a commanding and exasperated shout.
"HAI!" I agree in fear, as to disagree with Eina-san is akin to a death sentence. Apparently.
"*Sigh* Alright I get it... You wanted to know about the Ishtar Familia right?" Eina-san calms down with a sigh, getting back to my actual purpose of coming here. Getting information.
I nod silently at her question as she makes her way to a bookshelf containing guild information about familias.
She sits back down and opens it looking carefully and attentively in order to find the Ishtar Familia.
As she seems to find it and begins to read out the information.
"The Ishtar Familia is a high ranking familia both in financial status and in their dungeon accomplishments. Many of the amazonesses that engage in combat are at least Level 3. Their captain Phyrne Jamil is Level 5, Rank 1 Adventurer." Eina-san reads out neutrally
'Phyrne-san? She's level 5?' I remember the big lady that I saw back in Ishtar's home.
"Ugly toad is level 5? Looks like she inherited some of daddy Shrek's ogre strength! HAHAHAHAHHA" Merlin-sensei commented in pure glee, mentioning a... Shrek?
"She almost beat Miss Wallenstein" Eina-san continued reading
"Wallen what?" Merlin-sensei asked casually
"Ais-san almost lost to her?!" I ask in shock that the beautiful and strong Ais-san, my goal almost lost to Phyrne-san, emphasizing how strong Phyrne-san really is.
"The fuck is an Ais? I do know of an Ainz, but he is a skeleton. I doubt he'd have a good reception here." Merlin-sensei asked in genuine confusion. Mentioning a skeleton? Whatever...
Ignoring the unheard Dragon, Eina-san continues
"Well, it was years ago. Miss Jamil was relatively stronger then." Eina-san responds to my confused shock, and answers how Ais-san was weaker back then.
"I see... Um, do you know anything about an amazoness named Aisha-san and a Renard named Haruhime-san?" I ask some of the main questions in my list.
"Aisha Belka is famous. She is Level 3 but close to ranking up And the renard... She's not on the list, she may be a low ranking non-combat member." Eina-san answers my questions quickly, but upon reaching the inquiry of Haruhime-san she looks closely at the book, only to shake her head as she fails to find information on Haruhime-san there.
"I see... Thank you Eina-san!" I let the information sink in before thanking Eina-san, flashing her a grateful smile.
"What's on your mind?" Eina-san asks empathetically with her own smile, sensing my imminent question.
As I was about to ask Eina-san for a detailed map of the pleasure quarter and information on how to buy prostitutes from the Ishtar Familia, I get interrupted by Merlin-sensei who noticed what I was about to ask.
"I wouldn't ask her that if I were you, according to how the information is recorded here from what I can see, in addition to the personality of your elf advisor. You would gain nothing by asking her for the information. She knows your interested in the pleasure quarter and Ishtar Familia for some kind of purpose and is trying to dissuade you from going there with raw information. However, if you are to ask for these things after she, quite clearly warned you of Ishtar Familia's power, she will piece together your intentions. Causing her to worry and nag your little head over it. Although I lectured you about it before, the chances of her having the CORRECT information you need is close to 0, I'd suggest another way of getting it. I'll throw you a suggestion later." Merlin-sensei explained quickly and in detail, why I should not continue bothering Eina-san with my need for information.
"Bell-kun? You ok? You're spacing out" Eina-san asks with a worried look, at me listening and absorbing Merlin-sensei's unheard sentence. Unheard to her of course.
"Hah! No! Nothing at all!" I deny there being anything on my mind with a smile on my face.
"Is that so... Anyways Bell-kun, listen, I'm not supposed to tell anyone this but my intuition tells me you'll need it." Eina-san doesn't buy my excuse and decides to tell me, as Merlin-sensei would call it: "Juicy info".
"5 years ago the Ishtar Familia was under suspicion of false ranking their members as claimed by rival and other lesser Familias. A serious crime in the eyes of the guild. As a result of the large amount of claims being made, the Guild had no choice but to run an investigation, one which delve deep into their private information. The investigation came up blank, allowing the Ishtar to ruin and destroy the Familia's that "falsely" accused them of false ranking. In addition to causing the Guild to pay Ishtar reparations for the trouble and released information. From then on, the Guild can no longer deal with nor have any say when it comes to the happenings in the Pleasure quarter." Eina-san went on a tangent as she explained what happened in the past with the Ishtar Familia.
" *Whistle*, that Ishtar chick sure is hardcore huh? Well, the prostitution business is a very cutthroat niche, so what can I say? Got to be hardcore to survive in that business!" Merlin-sensei whistled in appreciation to Ishtar-sama's hardcoreness? Nodding to himself as he deduced the reason behind her being hardcore.
'They falsely ranked themselves? And the guild paid reparations? W-Wow... They are dangerous aren't they?' I thought to myself impressed, shocked and scared of what could happen to me were I to mess with them.
Upon seeing the look on my face, Eina-san continues
"They are extremely dangerous, and Ishtar-sama more so. Don't mess with them Bell-kun." Eina-san finishes dead seriously locking her eyes with mine, searching for a confirmation.
'Seems I was correct, the guild wont have the information Bell needs... Hah! When was I ever wrong?!' Merlin-sensei thought proud of himself, metaphorically puffing out his chest in pride.
I nod wordlessly and get up to leave
"Thank you Eina-san! I'll be going home now, it's getting late so you should too!" I thank her sincerely, flashing a million valis smile, in a show of genuine gratitude.
"N-No problem Bell-kun, just be safe. And I've got a few more papers to submit before I'm off for the day. Good night Bell-kun!" Eina-san blushes at my smile, as she smiles back at me and bids me good night.
I open the door and go outside, wiping the smile for a contemplating and conflicted look.
"Getting second thoughts after that scare just now? Perhaps in addition to your earlier moral dilemma?" Merlin-sensei asked with a neutral tone, failing to convey any thoughts nor emotions in his question.
"No, I will save Haruhime-san... It did scare me I admit. But, I'll just need to save her in a way where I don't have to fight them. I will save her, even though she is a prostitute, I will create my own definition of a hero. That is all. Like you taught me, Against a Level 5, I can only survive and hope to escape. I'm... Not strong enough." I respond resolutely and with the most strength I have ever mustered, set in my choice and answer of saving Haruhime-san. And ever so conscious of my weakness.
'So that's his answer? Good! Any less would of meant disqualification! Literally!' Merlin-sensei thought to himself pleased with my answer and resolve. Whilst ominously threatening my... Disqualification?
"Good choice! Don't hate your weakness. As long as you try to do something about it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with weakness!" Merlin-sensei reassured me proudly, happy with me staying true to my values and choices. Encouraging me to not feel bad about my own weakness.
"Yeah... Thank you Merlin-sensei." I flash a resigned smile as I thank Merlin-sensei for his encouraging words.
While we make our way out of the building I contemplate on how to gain the information we need.
'Sensei did mention he would throw me a suggestion... I'll ask now.' I think on the way out to ask Merlin-sensei on what I should do next.
"Sensei, you mentioned you would throw me a suggestion on how to get the information we need. Could you please tell me?" I ask Merlin-sensei with puppy dog eyes as he locks his eyes with mine in amusement.
"Yeah sure, hmm... Use your already established connections. Do you know anyone who, even if they are "good" or "lawful" now, had some kind of relationship with the criminal underground of Orario? Or at the least has connections to said criminal underground? Anyone you may even suspect of having those connections." Merlin-sensei asks me halfheartedly.
'Someone with connections to the criminal underground of Orario?' I repeat his question in my head, faces popping in my imagination and one by one getting disqualified.
'Lili-san or... Ryu-san? Lili-san would never let me know... But Ryu-san? I don't know if she has a connection or not, however she is mysterious and experienced... And very very nice! So she might know something? If not it wont hurt anyone at the end of the day. Ryu-san will definitely help I'm sure!' I thought until 2 possible names and faces popped in my head, one got disqualified immediately and the other may or may not know something. That being Ryu-san. The mysterious, stoic and very nice waitress that works at the Hostess Of Fertility.
As I was contemplating on who to ask for the information we exited the guild building and went into the Main street of Orario. Merlin-sensei merely waited for me to come up with an answer in silence.
"I think there is someone who may have the information we need. But I'm not completely sure." I respond hesitantly, locking eyes with Merlin-sensei in wait for his response, uncertainty marring my face.
"Well it can't hurt to try can it?" Merlin-sensei responded in a casual tone asking me the question I already answered in my head.
"Yeah, I took that into consideration, she is very nice and even if she can't help us, we wont get into trouble with her." I respond with a nod of my head and agreeing with Merlin-sensei. Reassured that going to ask Ryu-san wouldn't be too bad of a choice. (Little did he know lmao)
"Lead the way then!" Merlin-sensei said as he pointed his claw forwards in a GO motion.
"Hai, Hai" I respond offhandedly at his antics.
'I see, it's a "She". Perhaps I meet Number 3 and Number 4 on the same day?! How incredibly productive!' Merlin-sensei thought to himself excited at the prospect of meeting my, as of now current harem.
Which I don't have. Truly.
To be Continued!
-Author Note Start-
Again, comments, reviews, ideas, suggestions etc... would provide me more motivation to write and would be a good way to show your appreciation! I'll be happy and thankful to receive them! Constructive criticism would be the most appreciated as I wont be able to improve without knowing what my mistakes are! Thanks for reading and have a great rest of the day! I'll see you guys in a few days! Probably no promises!
-Author Note End-