Danmachi SI-The Silence's Heir

Part 8

Chater 8

INUMAKI-The Silent

His return to Orario had gone as he had expected, the monsterphilia and the attack that had followed, it was a reminder to his own dream from years ago, though now with the years he had spent outside the city gave him the power to see beyond the shroud of memories he had been born with.

The city of Orario was far more complex and the clutches of evil that ruled over the city were far more sinister and deep rooted than he had imagined, and it had taken him about five years to understand that. The incident from five years ago, that had resulted in the decimation of Rudra familia and the events that had followed, including his exile were not as he had imagined.

For while Rudra familia was part of the Evilus indeed, the truth was that a major part of that organization still existed, hiding in the darkness, plotting and planning the destruction of Orario.

"So, you work here as a waitress then?" he asked as he settled down on one of the stools in the inn, Ryuu had led him to. The Hostess of Fertility, it was not quite as busy given that it was still the morning, but there were many adventurers sitting, eating and gossiping all around.

"Yes," Ryuu Leon answered, as she took the seat beside him, still dressed in her uniform as the throng of adventurers eyes him suspiciously, most of them eyeing him suspiciously.

"You still bear Astrea-sama's blessing," he asked, and she nodded, understanding the hidden question.

"Yes, I do," she replied as her eyes narrowed on the glass of water infront of her.

"There were many offers, of course," she began, and there should be. Ryuu Leon was a Level 4 adventurer, a highly skilled one at that. She was a high-class adventurer.

"But I couldn't get myself to accept them until I had the truth of that day. Of what happened to Astraea-sama?" she finished coarsely as she turned towards him, and he nodded.

And that was something he had expected. Ryuu Leon could be rather obsessive, and she did have a fixation on Astraea, her patron goddess. Though he did not think that was a bad choice, Astrea was a very good patron goddess, one who had sacrificed herself for her children.

"So, Inumaki-kun tell me," she said as she looked at him sharply.

"What truly happened that day?" she asked, and it was something that had taken him some time to figure out.

"Initially, Astraea-sama did indeed come to meet me that day," he replied and saw her nod. He believed she must have known that by now.

"But I did not attack her, nor did anyone else, including the Gods," and at that, her eyes widened, and yet she did not intervene.

"Then that means..."

"Yes, Astraea-sama left Genkai of her own volition. Why and under what circumstances? Well, that is something I can only speculate about," he said, making her frown.

"Why? You seem to have an idea at least," she asked, and indeed he did.

"To protect us," he answered truthfully, and she frowned.

"To protect you, me, and the rest of her children. After that incident, you and your whole familia was easily picking for the evil that lies deep in the city...."

"Impossible, we had Alise, Kagu..."

"Both of whom were injured," he cut in sharply as she reeled back.

"And so was your other friend, the prum. On that day, only you made it out without any lasting injury Ryuu, Kaguya had lost her arm, Alise's leg was affected and the prum had lost her eye." He finished, and she finally understood the point.