DANMACHI: Sleeping Calamity

CHAPTER 3: MONSTERPHILIA

Bell sat at a table and let out a relaxed hum, around him were other customers enjoying another day of the city.

It had been a few days since they arrived in Orario and had successfully become an official resident as a member of a newly formed Familia. If he could see his younger self, he would be chuckling seeing the excited look of his younger version having the thoughts of living in the city known to be the center of the world, and the birthplace of heroes.

He was alone at the Hostess of Fertility as his goddess and new Familia member went to a festival called 'Monsterphilia'. He was offered to join but he simply declined it saying it would be great if both had some time alone to get to know each other.

'Hmm, the Soma Familia are not very good at hiding their secrets.' He thought as he currently held a list of records he had written down about the Soma Familia and their activities.

As of right now, he was finding difficulties as he analyzed the information about the Familia. It was not because it was hard to find anything illegal about them but because he had found so many illegal activities ranging from stealing to smuggling items from outside Orario that made it harder to connect them to Evilus if they were associated with them.

"Here is your order sir."

When a soft tone entered his ears, he slowly looked at the waitress who had delivered a cup of freshly made coffee to his table. His eyes widened in surprise seeing a blond-haired elf with blue eyes wearing the pub's uniform, the reason for his surprise was not because the elf was beautiful like a fairy but because Bell knew the identity of the girl...

However, the elf in front of him was very different from the illustration and the information he had read, such as her blond hair tied up in a bun and bangs covering her right eye. Nonetheless, he could still identify the girl's identity by the aura that she was giving off. It was like a fierce yet beautiful aura as if she was a fairy warrior who fought villains to uphold justice like the stories he had read.

"Excuse me miss...aren't you 'Gale Wind' of the Astraea Familia?" He asks earning a slightly surprised elf's attention.

"Ah yes, how you noticed?" asked the Elf waitress curious about how the boy noticed her disguise. Not even the veteran adventurers had ever noticed that it was her.

"Well..." Bell shied out for a moment realizing if it was okay to tell her. "It's the aura you are giving off, it is like a cold yet warm air as if you are a knight to protect those from evil itself." He explains with sincerity and gentleness in his tone. "Plus, there was a dagger hidden on your sleeve and I noticed that."

"Thank you for the compliment, sir." The Elf bowed. "You have a very good eye for you to notice it."

The boy just scratched his head and let out a smile. "Haha, I was trained at a young age but being complimented by a person such as yourself, shows the fruit of my labors."

Ryuu could see the honesty of what the boy was saying and let out a small smile. "If I may ask dear customer, may I know your name?"

"Ah, where are my manners, my name is Bell Cranel, and I'm a new adventurer here alongside my Familia." He stood up and bowed. "But you can call me Bell."

The Elf nodded. "Nice to meet you Bell, you may already know, but my name is Ryuu Lion, you can call me by my first name as well."

"If I may ask, Ryuu, why are you here working in the pub? I heard the Astraea Familia will be patrolling at the festival alongside the Ganesha Familia."

"I'm currently helping a friend who is on leave today." She explained her reason. "And it's true, me and my Familia would be patrolling the festival later. I'm just waiting for my captain to pick me up."