[Author's Note]

I have returned with another chapter! First off, I already got up to at least 100 follows? Wow! I didn't know people were really invested and curious about this story! Not complaining though. Thank you all so much for your support and interest in the story, and I can't wait to show you more of what I have been cooking.

Last time. Regulus and Bell were just going through a day in the Dungeon! Now let's see where their story goes in this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Re:Zero or Danmachi.

Chapter 2: A Lion's Treasure

(At the Church's Hidden Room)

The day had certainly been busy, but Bell figured it was just another day of work at the Dungeon that made it feel so busy. After all, when he and Regulus arrived at the lower ends of Floor 2 to the entrance to Floor 3. However, Regulus insisted that they keep farming for monsters on the second floor, nearly doubling the amount of monsters they killed in the Dungeon.

That had left Bell with a few kicks to the ribs, and a few scratches on his cheek. Nothing too deep, but it did hurt and would need a bandage. However, that didn't mean Bell hated the idea of what happened, let alone was the only one who got hurt.

After all, Regulus got punched in the gut by a Goblin who got too greedy for his own good. That left Regulus gasping for air, so much so that Bell had to cut down that Goblin before anything else.

However, at the time, Regulus didn't really say 'thank you' to Bell, and simply told him to be quicker next time and not let it happen again. He seemed indignantly angry the entire time, almost as if exerting this much effort annoyed the lion-like Regulus, and didn't fill him with any sort of satisfaction. But once they had finished their Dungeon Run that day, and exchanged all the Magic Crystals they had collected over doubling their Monster Kill Count…that's when Regulus' mood shifted to that all too familiar smile of peacocked assurance and self-satisfaction.

Even Bell found himself flabbergasted and smiling the entire time when he realized just how much they earned. They had exchanged Magic Crystals and two handful of Drop Items from before, and with how much they had exchanged, along with doubling the monsters…the exchange rate had totaled up to 12,350 Vals.

After weapon and armor repairs, along with paying off both of their weapons since the Dagger and Whip were loaned by the Guild…both of them had about 3,700 Vals worth extra from the Dungeon Run.

While the initial penny-pinching was done by Regulus, and he tediously complained the entire time, Bell noticed that he was satisfied with having more than 3,000 vals worth of extra money for them to spend on whatever they wanted.

Bell had a feeling that Regulus was going to splurge most of that extra money on an expensive meal for himself. Not that the young adventurer minded. Bell may not be used to Regulus' behavior completely yet, but the young man was too patient for his own good, he figured.

After all, how many people could tolerate Regulus' admittedly high-handed speech and demanding standards? Bell figured he could at least do so, especially considering the state Regulus was in when they found him.

Even so, by the time they had counted the Vals left, Bell was happy to finally go back to the Church and get their Statuses updated by their Goddess.

They had been greeted by the usual hug, and the same cheerful smile. However, Bell had noticed that Regulus didn't hug her back despite her almost inclusive hug. He didn't look…uncomfortable, but Bell could only guess if Regulus was feeling awkward. Which is probable, but Bell didn't know why.

Either way, the time for updating their status came after all was done.

Bell was first to get his status updated, and he did the process without any complaint…but he felt a shift above him as Goddess just huffed from his back and onto the floor next to the bed.

"What's with the childish behavior?" Regulus asked while crossing his arms, but Bell grabbed the piece of paper that Hestia gave him, and his entire attention was fully put onto it.

"I'm not being childish. Hestia succinctly retorted, and Bell found himself confused.

Bell Cranel

Level One

Strength: I-82 H-135

Defense: I-13 I-62

Utility: I-96 - H-150

Agility: H-172 G-232

Magic: I-0

Magic ( )

Skill ( )

"…huh?"

This…didn't make much sense. Especially with the numbers being shown. After all, they had just…spiked in numbers.

"Goddess…are you sure these numbers are right?" Bell asked.

"What? Do you think I'm too stupid to copy down numbers?!"

"N-No! It's not that, it's just…" Bell stammered as he turned to Hestia concernedly, but then his attention shifted back to the paper he held in his hands…suddenly, he felt Regulus studying the paper along with him over his shoulder. He heard a small purr of a deep hum, although it wasn't particularly unimpressed or even displeased.

"…a 216 point increase. And coming from you no doubt." Regulus' voice sounded actually impressed, although Bell felt a twinge of pride and approval from the voice, as if a noble had been satisfied with these results from their squire.

At least, Bell figured, but he turned to Regulus only to see a smarmy smirk. "Now imagine what my status update must be like. It's only to be expected, and its only right that it should happen that way."

"Regulus, you're taking this surprisingly well." Bell had a nervous smirk, but he gave Regulus the paper for more examination. "If I grew this fast just today, then what was the last two weeks of my life in the dungeon?! What was the last week in the dungeon for you?"

"What's that supposed to mean? I don't like the implications." Regulus frowned, a bit displeased by Bell's lukewarm response. Bell backpedaled, and instead fumbled with his hands waving in front of him.

"I-I wasn't trying to imply anything! I'm just confused as to why I suddenly got a spike in my Status Update today, when the past two weeks I only ever got a handful of points once a day! There's no real reason for the same to be happening to you!" Bell explained to calm Regulus.

Regulus's frown deepened, but his lips were pressed together in thought. "Well, there is no reason not to believe it wouldn't happen. The Hostess only needs to update my status. After that, then we can start comparing notes. Do you understand Hostess?"

Bell and Regulus turned to Hestia, but the Rabbit cowed a bit at the Goddesses pout and almost indignant expression.

"…Goddess?" Bell stammered, but Hestia puffed her cheeks out and was grumbling. "Are…Are you going to update Regulus' Stats?"

"Why should I?" Hestia huffed, turning her back on the both of them and storming off to the closet to get an overcoat. "Besides, you already got your status update, right?!"

"Excuse me?" Bell could hear Regulus' incredulous tone, although he also sounded mildly peeved. "You're just going to leave me without any update? What are you upset about? Do you have a problem with me or something?"

"You are darn right, I have a problem! Not everything is about you, Regulus!" Hestia chuffs with a grumbling expression as she walks right past Bell and Regulus, bumping into both of them while leaving Bell confused and Regulus indignantly incredulous. "You two have fun spreading your wings and eating a gorgeous meal by yourselves! See if I care when you both end up lonely!"

"Huh?!" Regulus's face turned up, and Bell noticed how Regulus looked genuinely peeved this time compared to the Dungeon. However, before he could get a word in edgewise, Hestia walked out the door and already slammed it shut.

"…I-I've never seen the Goddess this mad before…was it something I said?" Bell wondered to himself, but he couldn't help but think she looked cute even when mad…what the hell is he thinking?

"She just up and—" Bell put on his shirt as he saw Regulus open his arms as if to gesture to her behavior, and he was grossly exaggerating it as if he was appalled. "Ugh, that Hostess didn't even do common courtesy to update my status! Who does she think she is?! It's not my fault she's upset for some incomprehensible reason, is it? Of course it's not! Why, I risked my life out there for her, and she has no other way to show her gratitude but to shout and complain like a child?! This is…a severe violation of my rights!"

"Regulus…" Bell widens his eyes, but he tries to assuage Regulus with some comforting words. "L-Look, I don't know why Goddess is in such a state either, but it's not worth getting mad about!"

"…" Regulus took a moment to breathe, but he turned wordlessly to Bell with an unreadable look. "Who are you to tell me how to feel in this situation, Bell?"

"…!" Bell flinched at that, but he understandably backed off a bit.

Whenever Regulus is like this, Bell figured it'd be a bad idea to push it any further. He…didn't really know how to react to that properly. Oftentimes Regulus is making sure he keeps up with him, and yet Bell knows that Regulus is newer to this than Bell is…by a week, at that.

It wouldn't really leave Bell in a bad mood, as he just didn't do that at all. It's not what a hero does, and even Regulus wasn't that bad of a person. So, why should he push back on this?

The Goddess will calm down eventually, and her and Regulus will make up eventually. Yeah, Bell liked to think that with a slow sigh.

An awkward silence hung thick over the hidden room, but Regulus broke it with a single hum and a question. "Bell. How many Valis do we have for that deal?"

"H-Huh?" Bell blinked, but then he remembered. Syr, and the promise to eat at her place of work! He had almost forgotten about that, but he went over to his Valis pouch to count the total…and he smiled a bit. "3,700 Valis."

"…hmmmm." Regulus's shoulders eased their tension, and his expression returned to being that same self-assured, lion-like smirk. "That will do. Guess our work today has paid off if we have a good meal to show for it. Let's go."

Regulus sighs, but takes off the brace on his forearm and puts it on a shelf. He dusts his white coat off. Bell blinks, but he nods with a hurried expression as he takes off the extra armor he had. Regulus was already walking up the stairs, when Bell heard him talk to himself.

"Finally, a proper meal. Roasted Catfish sounds tempting." Regulus gave a low but ominous chuckle, as if he was going to relish a dark activity that he rarely indulged in.

Bell withheld a soft chuckle, but he just had a nervous smirk all the same. If Regulus was anything, he was easy to please with luxury.

Regulus didn't consider himself to be an impatient, or even hungrily-obsessed man. He wasn't a glutton for food, he simply had an appreciation for finer tastes and much more expensive dishes than a fried potato snack.

Although that cursed snack has settled into Regulus' palate all the same.

But as Regulus and his responsibility, Bell, marched down the streets of Orario, the young noble-like adventurer began wondering about the really distasteful way that Hestia had just left him hanging for a status update back at the church. In fact, it did put him in a bad mood back then, and he had half a mind to find her and drag her back to the church for that rightfully deserved update.

However, Bell's rude, but somewhat useful, interference made Regulus remember that they had a meal that night that they could afford at a restaurant. No need for Potato Snacks or jerky meat. Not anymore anyway. The benefit of having extra Vals was that Regulus would be able to afford a hearty meal with actual sides and a decent amount of meat.

I must emphasize, I do not obsess over the quantity, but the quality. He remarks to himself, but he smirks to himself as he notices the lights and the rowdy cheers and chatter in the streets of Orario. Not that he cared for the joy and the outright rowdy nature of all the dwarves, Demi-Humans, and even a line of Amazons that had joined for singing in one of the bars.

The only thing that Regulus had any problem with this street, even if his smirk had been a bit strained, was that everybody was loud, pushing each other, and quite frankly most of the people here had a shameless sinful nature about them that felt indignantly repugnant to Regulus.

Is it the way they act so carefree and careless? Is it perhaps the Amazon's shameless disposition and showing of skin? Or is it the fact that the Main Street was just incessantly loud for Regulus' tastes that made him almost lose that smile of his.

Either way, he managed to keep it up long enough for it to ease up with a smug but self-assured feeling all the same. After all, they arrived at the biggest bar in the area, a terrace that is big and the building itself made of stone compared to wood.

"This must be the place, Regulus." Bell hummed to himself, but fidgeted as he leaned on one foot.

"Indeed…now where are our seats, that is the question." Regulus hums, as he takes his first steps into the bar known around these parts as the Hostess of Fertility. As he opens the door, he leads into it with Bell behind him as he scours the area. The name itself is bold and out there, quite eye-catching. However, the first thing that Regulus could tell was the same merriment from the outside.

Every patron here happened to be men, and most of them adventurers from the like, but the servers were all women. In fact, a good majority of them were demihumans, and yet all of them were women. Somehow, the thought was curious to Regulus, but it did feel really shallow. After all, these adventurers most likely came for some impure thoughts, as well as rather shallow desires to woo these women.

Regulus had better things to be doing than wooing women. He needed a meal worth more than a Potato Snack at the moment, and right now he was already hungry. His stomach felt empty, and he certainly didn't feel like waiting anymore.

"Ah, there you two are!"

Regulus half-lidded his eyes with a barely hidden dislike at the voice that he remembered from this morning. He turned to Bell, who looked at Syr as well, and so did Regulus. The woman was wearing the same apron and maid uniform from this morning…and she had that disgustingly shameless smile of a beauty about to squeeze the wallet dry. Well, jokes on her, but Regulus has come with enough money to afford two whole meals for him and Bell.

"Hehe…yes, here we are…" Bell sheepishly smiled with a bit of a nervous tension.

"Well, that's good! You, and Regulus are both here, I see." Syr smiled with closed eyes, but she pulled Bell by the hand while handedly or pointedly ignoring Regulus. "Now seating two!"

Ugh…same from this morning. Rude, and unappreciative… Regulus frowned his lion-like brows, but he didn't really care to ruin Bell's good mood at the moment. He was here for a meal, and nothing but the best.

After all, it didn't matter what she thought.

As he followed Syr and Bell, they arrived at their table…or rather the seat at a counter. A long L, placing them both at the two corner seats at the end. Right behind them both is the wall, and Regulus could have sworn he saw her smile a bit too widely at him when he frowned and adjusted himself with a small grumble.

If I weren't so patient, I swear… Regulus closed his eyes, but took a deep breath and reminded himself how he was close to finally having a good meal for once.

The meal should put him back in a good mood, but needless to say, Regulus looked up from his seat. As he saw the Dwarfess leaning halfway over the counter, Regulus got the most ominous feeling of some very deep scouting.

"Well, you two must be Syr's guests! This young one's got a charming face," The Dwarfess gestured her chin to Bell with a smirk, and then jerked a thumb over to Regulus with a slow but firm chuff of a grin. "But you, you seem to be grumpy! What's the matter?"

Grumpy? Regulus didn't exactly like the blunt wording, but he looks up at her with a slow but confused eyebrow raise while gesturing to himself and Bell. "It's been a long day in the Dungeon, and I haven't eaten all day. Except for my charge here."

Bell blinked, but shied away in his seat, leaving the Dwarfess to give a chuckle. "Then you're both in luck. Just be sure to give a holler if you need somethin'! An All-Out Buffet for your taste-buds, or a course meal, just keep on orderin'!"

"..." Regulus blinks a bit at that sudden but unwelcome implication…or at the very least, he thought that Bell choked on his own spit when he realized the same thing Regulus had been suspecting.

"W-Wait, who said we were going all out?!" Bell exclaimed a bit in surprise, but it seemed that he looked to Syr for confirmation…

"...hehehe." Syr giggled mischievously, and Regulus really didn't like that somehow witch-like behavior. Trying to trick them into buying more than what they can afford?

Sure, he can afford a big meal for him and Bell individually, but the issue was not about the food, it was about the payment of the money.

"You think this is funny?" Regulus asked with a pointed frown, but he spoke calmly.

"A little bit. I did tell Mama Mia about the two of you, but one thing led to another and now a few things went out of hand…"

"You just did that on purpose, didn't you?" Bell exclaimed, again, almost mortified by the fact that they were essentially going to have to spend more than planned for a meal.

"Bell, there is no need to worry about money for this one…" Regulus sighs, but his patience was already being tested thanks to Syr's unsolicited plot.

"But Regulus, you already know our Familia is dirt poor! Just having more Vals than usual for the two of us isn't going to change that!"

"Bell." Regulus pointedly raised his voice at Bell, but took a few deep breaths. "It's just two meals, right? I'm sure we can order two meals for both of us."

"But you're the one I gave my breakfast to when you needed it. Now you're just going to not help me with this one?" Syr made a mock gasp, tilting her head with a soft but convincingly sweet pout. "I'm so hungry…and you won't help me? My strength is leaving me, oh no~"

"No need for theatrics either, this isn't a charity." Regulus pointedly remarked with a soft frown towards Syr, who flashed him a mischievously…witch-like smile. It was only brief, and from where they sat, Bell couldn't see the same smile as Regulus. "Just get me the Roasted Catfish with Potatoes, and Bell will order his meal."

"Oh, you haven't even taken my recommendation that I promised?" Syr tilted her head with that same smile.

"I know what I want. Do you, Bell?" Regulus closed his eyes as he crossed his arms, but turned to Bell with an unreadable expression.

Bell looked conflicted and confused, but he also didn't really know whether or not he was going to get something big of a meal. Regulus figured that the young Rabbit is just being modest and very frugal with the money. However, Regulus tapped his foot as Bell began stammering in his thoughts and considering his option.

This was seemingly enough for Regulus to get an answer out of the modest but resigned Bell, who said, "...Fried Catfish…with vegetables, please…"

"Well, you two seem to have very similar taste in fish." Syr giggled, but she jotted it all down and passed the note onto the Dwarfess, who simply gave them both a smirk. "Your orders will be here shortly~"

With their orders placed, and their meals on their way, Regulus thought to himself about how people here looked satisfied and happy with themselves. Almost mockingly so. Why Regulus felt they were mocking him by being happy, he wasn't sure, other than an instinctive thought about why he felt so moody right now until his meal arrived.

Then again, there isn't much about him he can remember past the week he's been in the city of Orario, with the Hostess Hestia, and with that foolish young man Bell.

Bell.

A very common name. Regulus had the distinct impression it was one. However, he didn't particularly hate Bell the first time they met. Maybe a bit too insolent and way too willing to help and ask for Regulus if he needed something for the first few days. Anything Regulus felt was inconvenient, Bell would always ask and apologize for not being able to have it or get it due to their Familia's lack of wealth. Regulus' first thought about their situation? He didn't like being dirt poor, and it felt even more humiliating realizing that Hestia, a goddess, somehow still has to work a part-time job to pay for basic stuff like food.

Now, Hestia. Regulus had a weird, frustrating, but somewhat understandable relation with the short goddess. At first, Hestia looked ridiculous to him, and he even commented on it. However, when Hestia looked him up and down with a scolding eye, she had talked with Bell about deciding what to do with him. After all, he was a stranger to their home, and Regulus didn't really know what else to say at the time other than he didn't know anything about what city they were in.

Nothing about the people. Nothing about Familias, or even about the Guild, or at all about the Dungeon. Or the Gods.

But even less than all that, Regulus knew nothing about himself or who he was.

All he had were the clothes on his back, and the name in his mind.

Regulus.

The name of a star, as Hestia would mention.

Regulus didn't care about that trivial detail, other than the fact that with no memory, and nothing to his name at all…he posited the idea of joining the Hestia Familia.

To which Bell and Hestia, after some discussion, happily and too jovially accepted. Regulus still remembered their goofy faces as they jumped up and down and danced. Although, at the same time, Regulus could tell that Hestia held a lot of trepidation and clear bias towards the young Bell.

A young child, not even ready to be a leader at all. That's precisely why Regulus took up the mantle to be honest. Even if he isn't a captain, that doesn't mean that the golden-eyed member of the Hestia Familia couldn't at least try and be responsible and dignified.

All these issue's aside, his thoughts were cut off when he got the slight waft and sight of the roasted catfish dish placed right in front of him thanks to the Dwarfess in the counter. In fact, the Dwarfess also heaped a plate of Fried Catfish in front of Bell, the plate perfectly garnished with vegetables and the oily, but crackling sound of the meal's bread.

Regulus' meal came exactly as he ordered, roasted to a delightful crispy brown, and with soft, fluffy potatoes on the side as promised. For a moment, Regulus didn't even bother trying to find reasons to frown. He smiled sincerely, proudly, and was very satisfied.

"Finally, a perfect meal, and coming from such an establishment…perfection." Regulus sighs with relief and a satisfied smile on his face, taking his fork and knife as he was about to partake in the meal.

"Whoa…this is totally expensive, but…well, I guess we have enough to pay for this so…I'm digging in." Bell's ruby eyes did sparkle with some hunger, and admittedly took his own fork as well to dig in.

Regulus took his first bite of the roasted catfish, and he hums with a delighted, but ecstatic smile befitting that of a man of his caliber and tastes. Even so, he wasn't immune to Bell's somewhat uncouth method of eating the meal with mostly awkward but also eager mouths.

I shan't blame him for doing so. We finally have indulged in our right to a decent meal that is not a mere side dish! Regulus smirks to himself as he takes bigger, and bigger bites of his roasted catfish while taking care to make sure not to eat the bones. After all, the flesh and white meat is where the true delight comes in.

A Greedy Lion and a Hungry Rabbit walk into a bar, and both of them indulge in meals respectively befitting their age.

"Hahaha!" Regulus was about half-way to his meal, when the Dwarfess laughed with a smirk over the counter, dropping Regulus one cup of ale. "Seems you two have enjoyed yourselves, much? Haven't had a good meal?"
"Mmm…you wouldn't be incorrect." Regulus doesn't even frown, just smirking but raising a brow at the Dwarfess. "But I didn't order Ale."

"O-Oh, me neither–" Bell spoke before the Dwarfess was already putting another cup of ale in front of him. He sighed softly, before Regulus hummed to himself. He didn't seem annoyed by this, although he probably would have to confidently remain sober regardless. A drink of ale this late at night? From what Regulus remembered, it leads to something unpleasant in the morning.

Still, this Dwarfess is very pushy, isn't she? Regulus hid his frown, before taking another bite of his meal. His frown disappeared as he remembered the taste of his meal, and it was replaced with a smile on his face.

Ah, he couldn't be helped to focus on the bad thanks to this meal.

"Soooo, how's it going for the two of you?"

…

Unbelievable… Regulus finished his bite while he and Bell looked to their side to see Syr. The maid in particular had that bright smile that most men would fall for, as she untied her apron and pulled it over her head. She puts it on a hook on the wall and drags up a stool to sit with the two of them. Noticeably, though, she seems to have dragged herself in-between Regulus and Bell, sidling up to Bell unnoticeably. Has she no shame?

"Exquisitely perfect." Regulus' frown spoke for itself, but he didn't really let her get to him even as she was just politely trying to make conversation. However, he focused on his meal.

"Honestly, while I am happy we can afford a meal like this…it feels kinda overwhelming, honestly." Bell sighed softly, a hint of irony in his voice.

"To which I am sure she isn't, if she's allowed to take a blatant break from work right in front of her." Regulus jerked his chin towards the Dwarfess, however, that was only because he realized that the Dwarfess herself must've been in charge on some level of the whole place. What other individual here held such a strong presence?

"Well, the kitchen may be busy…but everybody has it all covered! Besides, it's getting late, so business should be calming down!" Syr spoke jovially, turning to give a pleading look at the owner of the place. The owner just gave a jerking nod, and allowed it.

"I guess so." Bell nodded slowly, but he didn't really seem opposed to the scenario. Regulus could tell that Bell is, at least to Syr, very non-confrontational. "First, I uh…have to say, thanks for the breakfast from this morning. I wish I had enough to share with Regulus, but I won't complain. The sandwiches were delicious."

"Oh, no worries! Honestly, I'm just happy that you came here. It makes an empty stomach worth it." Syr spoke with a commendation, smiling all the same.

"You sure? I feel like you mean it was worth it to get us to spend more money on food here…" Bell gave a sigh, but nevertheless he was unable to really say with any bark or bite.

"Hehehe…sorry." She bowed her head with a smile, although to Regulus she should be doing more than just bowing her head.

"..." Regulus was being ignored again, that's for sure. SHe didn't even refer to him at all, and acted as if he wasn't here. What is it with these people and constantly ignoring someone who's very clearly in front of them? Let alone on one side of the table for you to speak to?

He frowns a bit, but he nevertheless is eased by another bite of his meal.

Pettiness aside, he does ask out of plain curiosity. "So, the Hostess of Fertility…what's the story there?"

"Hmmmm?" Syr blinked at Regulus' question, and a slightly mischievous expression bore on her face.

"What? It's a genuine question, the least you could do is respect my right to an answer." Regulus' raised eyebrow belied a sense of propriety, but he could have sworn she had a half-lidded expression of amusement.

"You're pleasant." She points out with a tone to it, but goes on to explain. "But there isn't much to say other than what everybody already knows. The bar was founded by an ex-adventurer, Mama Mia."

"Wait, you mean–" Bell blinked.

"The Dwarfess over the counter?" Regulus hummed.

"Of course!" Syr nodded. "She's not actually a mama, but we mostly call her that at work. I heard that she had permission from her Goddess to retire from dungeon crawling and set up this little bar here."

"And…all the women waitresses here?" Regulus questioned, looking around and noticed that…there are absolutely no male waiters or presumably any male chefs in the kitchen. "Where's the story behind that?"

"Oh, because she only hires women."

"...only women?" Bell asks curiously.

"Yep." Syr nods.

"...that seems needlessly specific and complicated." Regulus hums, but doesn't seem to be happy about it regardless.

"Is that so? I never really noticed." Syr blinked, but she leaned on her hand to look at Regulus. "At least Mama Mia brings in every woman regardless of background or history."

"What about you?" Bell hums, but he does seem genuinely curious, although Regulus wishes he wouldn't indulge at Syr's background.

"Well, the pay is good, and the adventurers here like to crowd around this bar specifically." Syr cheerfully smiles the entire time.

"...shallow." Regulus snorts, as he doesn't entirely believe her words.

"Hehehe, maybe, but I do have actual reasons for being here." Syr smiles as she looks at the main floor of the bar, with every waitress making sure every customer is happy. And everybody looks red in their face as they swing and drink their glasses. "It's the people. The people here bring a lot of stories of their own, and many people here are new. Sometimes I think I like this job purely for the experience."

"So you just want to meet new people, don't you?" Bell asks, but he seems to lean in curiously.

"Hehehe, you understand me Bell. My heart yearns for it after all."

"...Hm…" Regulus hums, but he sensed that last sentence to be true. Or at the very least, her words were too honest and yet laced with other intentions. After all, with what little he knew about her, she seemed to be the type of woman to tease men like this. Maybe.

Either way, he didn't share the sentiment. The people in this city are varied, sure, not the issue. They were also all self-indulgent, and unsurprisingly shallow beyond belief. Always focused on nothing but working in the Dungeon, whether as Adventurers or whatever. They all were content to just slave away their lives down there.

That's how Regulus saw it, and he'd gladly admit it if he had the opportunity.

As Regulus had pleasant thoughts, the doors to the tavern opened, and he reared his head to the group that walked in. Immediately, he frowned in confusion at the noise and chatter.

He heard Bell gasp for a bit, noticing who had walked in, and the Rabbit's eyes transfixed on somebody.

For Regulus, he noticed an Elf, a Demi-Human, another Dwarf, a Pallum and Two Amazons…however, it was the last one, whose face had temporarily caught his interest…before he realized that he was staring at the same woman that had Bell stunned.

Her golden hair swayed in the vibrant air of the bar, and while she glided with elegance…her face was the most fixated part of her apparent beauty. Something that Regulus, upon first view, couldn't deny that she appealed to many men, and women. Her face looked doll-like, with parted lips, a bright vibrant gold in her eyes as opposed to his own polished dirty gold.

The important detail, however, that made Regulus even more tolerable and curious about her…was that mentioned expression. No expression, and seemingly no emotion other than a blank stare.

It wasn't quite enough to get him to consider her as anything other than Bell's own romantic pursuit, but he didn't quite want to know what thoughts were running down to Bell's mind.

Among the whispers, many of them seemed surprised and eager to gossip. However, it was…the emblems, when Regulus finally noticed the joker's tongue out in the emblem. They were part of the Loki Familia, and that blond woman was part of the Loki Familia…and Aiz is part of the Loki Familia.

And Bell is staring at the blond one.

…

Ah, she's the one he's so smitten by. Regulus finally turned to see Bell, who was staring at Ais' hair for a brief moment, stunned and clearly in love.

Suddenly, Regulus had lost any potential interest in Ais despite her doll-like expression, and he simply gave a smirk to Bell with an up-tilted chin.

If his own responsibility was already laying claim to his own affectionate crush, then who is Regulus to deny him that, and to betray the fidelity of a proper relationship between a man and a woman?

He's not a savage after all.

"Uhm, Bell?" He heard Syr blink as she muttered with a curious tilt.

Regulus didn't even want to ignore her, out of courtesy, but he did say, "Let him be. He's properly smitten by now."

"Smitten…?" Syr turned to Regulus with a childish frown.

"By that woman over there, her name is…Ais Wallenstein, if I recall." Regulus spoke as he twirled the catfish meat in his fork, and took a bite again.

"Finally! Great Day out there in the Dungeon today, people! Now cut loose! Drink up!"

Regulus winced with a frown at the sudden shout from across the bar, and while he and Bell were at the bar, only Bell couldn't get a good look at the entirety of the familia, other than Ais of course. Regulus knows this, because he can see the entirety of the party, including a red-head with an eerily clown-like expression. She herself looked more young than anybody there, and yet she exuded an irresponsible, obnoxious energy to Regulus that made him so unwilling to interact with her.

Not the type of woman many would find agreeable.

However, Regulus noticed that everybody in that table had raised their toast and began eating their respective meals and drinks. Almost as if on cue, the entire bar remembered they had their own jobs and business to mind.

"That familia, Syr," Regulus hummed to himself in a low voice. "Are they regulars here? They seem to be causing…a lot of noise."

"Huh? The Loki Familia? Yeah…the members like this place a lot, mostly because their Goddess has a tendency to come by here every time." Syr responded, but she whispered as well.

The news that the Loki Familia were regulars here meant that Bell had more opportunities to talk to Ais. Or at the very least, for Regulus to enjoy the food here and deal with noise at the same time at this hour.

Not that Regulus bothered to care. He already had finished his meal, so all he had to do was order the check and leave–

"Hey, Aiz! Tell us that one story!"

"Hm? What story?"

"You know the one! The one with those minotaurs that got away! You do remember finishing off the last one on the Lower fifth! Tomato boy!"

Tomato Boy? Lower…fifth? That's the floor Bell was, during the Minotaur incident Regulus froze, but his eyes glanced over to the one that was speaking to Aiz. He was a man, but this man had wolf-like ears, and a tattoo mark across his right cheek. He wore barely a vest over his topless torso, which already spoke a lot about this man's indecency. And he reeked of alcohol even from the bar where Regulus sat at. The stench was unbecoming, but Regulus fixated on the story.

"You mean the group of Minotaurs from the lower seventeenth floor? WHat about them?" Aiz spoke with a curious tone.

"C'mon, Aiz! Ya know what I mean! They all ran up the floors, and by some stroke of luck one of them ended up running tot the Lower 5th! Boy, we were already tired at the time!"

"...and?"

"And you know, that 'adventurer' we saw! The newbie kid with the white hair!"
Regulus stared at the demi-human, although he felt a sudden burn in his chest.

"Oh? And what happened?" One of the adventurers, a leaf-green haired elf, spoke up with clear interest in the story, but also confusion.

"Haha! Aiz over here carved up the Minotaur at the last second, and you would not believe what happened. Blood sprayed everywhere from that stinky cow, and the kid ended up taking the full brunt of it! Gyahahahaha!" The demi-human laughed a remarkably indecent and infuriating laugh. When was laughter supposed to be this juvenile? "That wasn't even on purpose was it?! The kid just got sprayed with tomato's blood by accident! No way, you did that on purpose!"

"...no, I didn't?" Aiz spoke, but her voice sounded distant amidst the ringing in Regulus' ears.

The Loki Familia in that table laughed, and even the customers tried to hold in their laughter.

It didn't make Regulus feel any better.

"The real kicker here?! He just leaves! The Sword Princess here saves the kid and he just runs off screaming like a little baby!"

"...hm."

"Gyahahahahaha! Honestly, you really gotta be cool on another level if you scare away a newbie like that!"

"..."

That newbie is Bell.

"Hey, Hey, don't be starin' at me like that, it ruins ya cute face!"

The entire table of that Familia erupts with laughter, and the Demi-human laughs with cocked eyebrows.

"B-Bell?" Regulus hears Syr whisper, but it doesn't even register as Regulus stares coldly at the Demi-human.

Why has he been staring at him, he wonders.

It didn't change the fact they continued to laugh and mock someone else. They were being obnoxiously loud, especially the damn mutt, but they weren't even talking or insulting Regulus at all directly. They barely knew him.

"Honestly, I have never seen something so pathetic and disgusting like that! Honestly, it's a damn shame!"

"...hmmm…"

"Like if the kid was gonna cry like a little bitch, then he shouldn't even be down there in the first place! Right, Aiz?"

Who are you to say that?

"Weak adventurers like that give us a bad name! That brat should just give up at this point!" The mutt went onto ramble, his face red with alcohol and his expression changing from mean-spirited jokes to something more mocking and belittling.

"That's enough, Bete." The green-haired elf chided the mutt from before, and Regulus thought she'd finally have the noise die down. "We were the ones who made the mistake of letting the Minotaurs escape in the first place, and that boy was a victim who had nothing to do with it. And for god's sake, quit drinking, have some self respect."

…what? Regulus' cold stare turned into a frown and a sudden furrowed glare. From what that elf said, it sounded as if it was an accident. Or rather a mistake. Which meant they were responsible for nearly putting Bell in harm's way. That it was their fault Bell almost died.

And Aiz was the one who saved him? The same woman from the familia that caused an error?

"Bah, you and your pride, honestly. What's in it for you to defend that piece of shit? Saying its our fault, when really you're just trying to protect your own pride! Trash is Trash after all! What is wrong with calling it what it is?"

"Heyyy, Bete, Riviera, Relax~! The two of you are killing the mood!"

Bell? Trash? Is that what the mutt is trying to say?

"Look, Aiz, what do you even think?! About that Rabbit! You don't actually think that kid is the same as us Adventurers?" The mutt known as Bete barked out with a seemingly annoyed frown…although it paled in comparison.

"...I don't think it's his fault he ran away, given the circumstances." Aiz spoke with a bit of understanding, but with no emotion behind it.

"The hells with that goody two-shoes answer?" Bete barked out, but then leaned over the table. "Alright, let me rephrase…me or him? Who'd you choose?"

"...Bete, are you drunk already?" One of the Amazons had spoken with a plainly confused expression.

"Shut it! Now, Aiz! As a woman, who would you really rather choose! Me? Or that Rabbit piece of shit!?"

…infuriating.

"...I won't answer that question. I don't have a reason to oblige you with an answer." Aiz

"Seriously…"

"What?! It's a genuine question! If that piece of trash would actually go to ask you out, there's now way you'd take that, right?"

Shut up.

"Of course, you wouldn't! A weak, feeble, nauseating kid like that doesn't even have the right to stand next to you!"

Shut up, insolent mutt.

"There is absolutely no way that that bratty little rabbit could ever land Aiz Wallenstein!"

I said, Shut Up you loud, obnoxiously barking mutt–!

Regulus' glares turned to pin-pricks as he grit his teeth, standing up from his seat, kicking the chair flying back. He almost made as much noise as the young boy.

Wait, Bell!? Regulus noticed Bell's shaking and running figure as he dashed out of the bar. Regulus caught Bell's downcast red eyes of frustration, hurt, and something he never thought he'd see from the boy.

Anger and hatred. But at whom?

It didn't make sense, but Regulus' eyes turned into an emotion that he didn't feel familiar with. His investment, his responsibility.

His Treasure.

His Treasure?

Regulus didn't understand why, but he hated this. He hated that his responsibility was being demeaned and belittled like that, but he didn't know why.

So, all he did was just charge after Bell, shouting his name.

He heard the shouts of Syr, and comments from the other customers with no real concern for them.

As they ran out into the main street, Regulus could somewhat keep up with Bell, even if the young kid was ahead of him. However, as his eyes were squared on Bell's back and shouting out his name to catch his attention, the Rabbit kept running without a care.

Regulus growled, but he was too caught up in his second instinct to notice.

A flame-like thread between his chest, to where Bell's body was. A flickering white flame. It confused him, but he didn't even bother questioning it out of stubbornness.

A lion needed to get back its treasure.

The Lion needed to make sure nothing stained or broke it.

There we go! Now, I am honestly excited and had a brief crossroads with the last scene of this chapter. I was wondering whether or not to just have Regulus run his mouth off to Bete, or to head over and run instinctively towards Bell for a reason.

What is the reason? Well, you have hints of it here, but there will be more realization later on.

For now, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Feel free to leave a review, follow and favorite!
This has been the Maelstrom, and I'll see you on the horizon!