Danmachi Emerald Version

Prologue

A Day of Rest

A/N:

Narration

"Talk"

Monologue

*sfx*

Orario, Twilight Manor.

"Are you sure about this?"

The morning of that day was quite hectic for the household of the twilight manor. With D-day and sure victory at hand, Loki entered the High Elf's quarters early that morning to greet her ace in the hole only for her to be shocked over the scene that unfold before her very eyes. The fake elf Elly is placing a blanket over Riveria who is sleeping by the window. What is interesting here is that while she still kept her regal vibe in her sleep, the empty wine bottle, her hands resting on top of the small table, and the tip of her finger is tapped to the base of an empty wine glass did not diminish her form but instead ramp up her class and would make for a good portrait picture. Screw that! there's an EMPTY wine bottle there! An EMPTY WINE BOTTLE!

Just the mere image of the High Elf drinking alcohol is almost next to impossible for the rest of the twilight manor residents. Loki knows this as she tries and failed multiple times already to make the high elf drink.

And right now, the two incompatible existence are in one place.

And with Loki being Loki, she did what she usually does or any normal sane person would do in her shoes. And that is to yell at the top of her lungs and freeze on the spot.

This garner the attention of not only the executives but the rest o the resident as well as they all charge in fearing for the worst.

And just like Loki, it took quite some time for them to process the information before making the same reaction Loki did earlier except for Ais. And while Elly tried her best to call them out over the noise they are making, the high elf who just woke over their noise just look at them for a few seconds before returning back to her slumber.

She didn't come out of her room until noon. And the first thing she did was casually walk into Loki's room where she got her status updated as nothing happened.

"...yes. I want you to keep this a secret for the time being." the high elf replied as she focus her eyes on the skill section of her status. "Granted by now they heard you yelled jackpot. I don't mind them thinking it's because of the skill but the other thing is out of the question. At least for the time being." before turning back to Loki who is seated on her bed.

"Ya are making this hard on me," Loki grumble as she took back Riveria's status sheet and raise it above her head. "Yer the first of 'em to reach it. Ya know how much of a big deal this is?"

"I know that but you are also doing the same for me by making me do that tomorrow."

"Oi, ya did it to yerself," Loki replied with an annoyed tone. "Seriously! shippin' MY Ais to anyone especially to any of that shrimp's child is a capital sin."

"Ais shows signs of interest, all I did was give her an extra push."

"And that is the problem!" Loki exclaim. "If ya leave it all to Ais, it will take forever before something happen. By then, he should have hooked up with Astrea's kid already!"

The High Elf raises an eyebrow after hearing the name of the goddess that had been long gone in Orario and with Loki's tone, she seems to know something.

"Forget I mention that,"

"...In any case, right now, I don't think I am suited for a level up."

"Such a shame, this would put us on par with that nympho goddess. She may have King but ya'll redefine yer merit as the strongest mage of Orario" Loki sigh, crumpling the piece of paper with her left hand. "Especially with yer new skill that ya earned down there. Ya might even put Dian Cecht child to shame."

"Nightingale..." Riveria whispers as she recalls the information written on her status. "even with that, I still can't see myself as strong as her."

"Her?"

"Silence,"

"She died a long time ago ya know."

"I know, we were involved in that whole event after all."

"Besides ya can't compare yerself to that monster of talent. She's too unorthodox to be even labeled as a mage."

"I guess you're right," Riveria said as she turn her back to Loki. "Before I go, there's something I would like to ask."

"Go ahead," Loki replied as she casually rips the status sheet, crumpled it to a ball before throwing it to the bin close to her bed. "As long as it's not related to my Ais hooking up with that rabbit."

"I'm not certain if lineage can affect this but if you are asked about an adventurer with silver-white hair, short incantation, and a ringing sound. Who comes into your mind if you hear these descriptions?"

"Hmmm... eh... wait?" As Loki process the information, the High Elf exited the room believing she had already conveyed what she needs, leaving a stunned Goddess behind as she slowly process what the high elf wants to insinuate. "Oi... Ya gotta be kidding me..." she mumbles as she recalls their recent conversation and the report given by Alicia and Lily.

While this is all happening, at the manor's porch, a different kind of problem is brewing as a certain blonde pallum is having a discussion with a certain hooded elf. And from a distance, a certain amazon is being held back not only by her sister but with Raul and some of the familia 2nd rank adventurers as well.

"I... I'd like to keep the status quo for the time being!" Lily replied as she made a 90-degree bow towards Finn. "I can't accept your offer."

This in turn further infuriates the long-haired amazon.

"Can I hear your reason why?" Finn asks as he tries to ignore the obvious noise he is hearing right now. with the yell of 'Let go of me', 'no please say no', and 'she's beating me to the punch' being repeated multiple times.

"It's a bit complicated," Lily replied. "While I am grateful for Lady Riveria and the rest of the Loki Familia, I am also busy as Master Bell's supporter... and Uhm..." Lily hesitated for a bit as she turned her sight towards the direction of the noise. "I don't think I'd live long if I joined your familia."

Babel, executive suite.

As the sun shines high above orario, the Goddess Freya sat on her chair. Standing behind her are the king and Karen as the Goddess of Beauty looked down at two individuals who are kneeling on the floor. To say that she is pissed is an understatement.

While Asfi shivers in fear, the God beside her is currently applying Takemikazuchi's method of begging. Or to be exact Asfi forced him as she smash the head of her god to the floor.

"Lady Freya, please have mercy on us!"

"Do you know what I said to Appolo for him to stop what he is doing?" the Goddess asked coldly. This in turn made Asfi pale as she became more nervous than before. And for Hermes, while he maintained a calm face, he has this feeling that if he pushes his luck enough, this will be his last. The king might have saved them from the Jugernaugt but no one can save them from the king. "Tell me, Hermes, leaving what happen in the under resort, was the juggernaut part of your plan?"

I guess this is it for us.

Hermes laments.

Orario, Hostess of Fertility

A day had passed after our return from the dungeon. As the whole city is preparing for tomorrow's festivities, Goddess was called by the guild. Now that I am fully rested, I use the day to visit several people who helped us in our crisis and thank them.

Ms. Eina, Lord Miach and Nahza, Lady Hepaestos, Lord Takemikazuchi, and his familia. It is noon right now, I am in the kitchen of the Hostess of Fertility washing the dishes as my way of thanking Ms. Ryuu and the rest of them.

For your own good, Please give up on Lady Riveria.

"... haaaaaaaah..." After finishing the latest batch of dishes to clean, I was reminded once more by the conversation I had with Ms. Alicia when we were ascending the dungeon. It happened right outside the hidden hot spring we found it by accident.

Her tone does not carry any form of malice when she confronted me over my feelings for Ms. Riveria. On the contrary, I can feel her sincerity. She truly believes that nothing good will come out if I try pursuing my feelings.

While it is painful to hear it especially from someone close to Ms. Riveria, the fact that I can rationalize where she is coming from hurts the most.

Outside of our race, Ms. Riveria is still of noble heritage. While stories like Argonaut and Princess Ariadne exist to show how it is possible to bridge the gap. The lengths he went through are no laughing matter. Even if he is seen as the fool.

"Something wrong nya?"

As I brood over my internal turmoil, I heard Ms. Chloe's voice. Looking back, I saw her walk towards my station as she brought a new batch of dirty dishes.

"If you're tired washing the dishes, you can switch place with me back there."

"I can still continue," I replied as I took the dishes off her hands. "I was just brooding over something."

"Please tell me it has nothing to do with you getting sick of Syrchama's cooking!" Chloe replied with a panicked tone. "Anything but that!"

"Hm?" I tilt my head in confusion.

While Ms. Syr's cooking is unique, it's not that bad, right? Granted the half-empty lunch box she made killed a monster when Lily threw the box into its mouth out of desperation. I think it is more o the monster choking than the taste itself and I don't think that should warrant me from getting sick from it. She is after all giving them for free from the goodness of her heart.

"That's not what I have in mind," I replied much to her relief.

"Oh? In that case, I can lend you an ear, nya" Chloe breathe a sigh of relief as she stood next to me but not before slapping my butt for some reason. "Mama Mia will understand so don't worry about it, nya."

"I heard from Ms. Ryuu that most of the crew here were former adventurers," I began. I noticed Ms. Chloe twitch for a bit but she allowed me to continue. "Have you ever had a goal you wish to pursue but someone advising you not to do it not because of malice but because they believe it is the best for you?"

"Hmmmm... that's quite heavy nya," Chloe replied as she pauses and shut her eyes as if remembering something in her past. "I dunno if this will help you nya but I think you should not let that person's concern weigh you down nya."

"Really?"

"After all, it is still your goal. Not theirs. And if they believe it is for your own good, why not show them that you have what it takes and make them change their view, nya."

"I see..." I mumble before facing her with a smile. "Thank you, that really helps."

"Nyahahahaha no worries. So if you have any more problems," with a smile Ms. Chloe taps my shoulders. "As long as you keep eating Syr's lunch, I will lend you an ear and take good care of you and your butt, nya."

Wait what now?

While I don't get what she meant on the last part, the burden I had from my conversation with Ms. Alicia loosen up a bit and this made me more grateful for the Hostess of Fertility. Sad to say that while Ms. Chloe relive some of my anxiety, what she guaranteed when she help me with my choir did not happen. Mama Mia did not understand her. On the contrary, she accuse her of slacking off and she dragged her back right after we finish our talk.

Ms. Alicia is probably right, the me right now is unworthy of Ms. Riveria and I'll be crushed under pressure if I remain the same as I am now, I thought as I clench my fist in frustration.

That is why I must improve myself that I can be someone that can stand side by side with her

Ms. Lefiya pointed out my lapses as an adventurer that became over-reliant on Lily.

Ms. Ryuu showed me a different dimension in which I can fight if I honed my skill.

And the King's sheer power.

Intelligence, skill, and strength. I needed all three if I want to even dare try standing on the same plane as Ms. Riveria as an adventurer.

For the nobility issue, nothing I can do about that. But I have to prove that even if that is the case, I am still worthy of Ms. Riveria. I also need to steel myself for all the trials and tribulation it will bring.

With that in mind, I finish my shift and went to my next destination. Ms. Karen's Familia.

Aaaaaaaaannnnd Cut!

With this, the chapter came to a close and mark as the start the a new arc.

Update wise, still no fix date as the usual rotation of update for Ai and fate are now back.

for the reviews like and follow, thanks!

Made some minor changes. Corrected some grammar and spelling err. v1 11/13/21