Luthar's boots echoed through the deeper halls of the Dungeon.
Fourth floor. Then fifth. No hesitation. He wasn't here to hunt monsters.
At least on first five floors Liliruca Arde was nowhere to be found.
The deeper he went, the more scarce the crowds became—most adventurers didn't press far alone. And those that did…
The cry echoed down the passage.
Around the bend, a small group of adventurers stumbled toward him—bleeding, limping, their armor torn and scorched by acid. Slime residue still clung to the younger one's leg.
"Please—monsters swarmed us, can you help us return to the surface"
"Move," Luthar said, stepping past them.
"You can't just—!" one of them began.
But he was already gone.
To him, they were irrelevant specially sense he wouldn't get any benefit from helping them.
He had scanned all active route and confirmed: Liliruca Arde was not present.
By the time he reached the exit the dungeon the sun had already begun to set.
Passing through the busy street with the same uncaring pace.
As he gets near the Hostess of Fertility, there was Bell Cranel standing outside trying to makeup his mind.
He was pacing nervously in front of the restaurant door, eyes flicking to the window, then away again, like a mouse staring into a lion's den.
Luthar stepped up beside him without a word.
Bell flinched. "Luthar? Are you going back."
Luthar gave a slight nod. "You're wasting time."
Bell scratched his head. "I know, I know... It's just… Syr invited me. Said she'd saved me a seat. But every time I go in there, the girls kind of... glare at me."
Luthar glanced through the window. Inside, Syr was behind the counter chatting with another waitress while casually glancing toward the door. Waiting.
"They're watching you," Luthar confirmed.
"Yeah, that's why it's scary!"
"did you not bring your money," Luthar said.
Bell gave a weak laugh. "of course how can I forget money"
"but you might forget to pay after eating if you stay in nervous ." Luthar's voice was flat.
"how can I forgot paying money."
The two stood there in silence for a moment.
Bell exhaled. "Alright. I'm going in."
Bell took a shaky step toward the door
—and then it opened on its own.
Syr stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, a teasing smile already on her lips.
"There you are," she said. "Took you long enough."
Bell flushed. "Ah—Syr! I was just about to—"
She glanced at Luthar. "Well, you're both here. That's enough. Come on in—Mama Mia said she made extra today."
Bell hesitated,Syr grabbed his wrist and gave it a little tug. "I saved you a seat, remember?"
Then her eyes flicked to Luthar.
"You too, You can stand near the wall if you want—but you're not escaping without at least one bite if you have a problem with the food talk to Mama Mia."
Luthar stared at her, started to feel if he doesn't go inside something bad going to happen.
As Bell walked through the door followed by Luthar Syr lit up and started to guide them to a table.
The interior of the Hostess of Fertility was as warm and rowdy as ever—filled with laughter, clinking mugs,Bell followed Syr like a nervous duckling, casting glances at the waitresses. Runoa and Anya caught his eye almost immediately—and grinned. Bell flinched.
Luthar moved behind them, silent as ever, his masked face drawing curious glances for a second or two.
Syr led them to a table near the back, tucked away from the main crowd. "Here. This one's yours," she said cheerily, nudging Bell into the seat.
Luthar stood behind, arms crossed. He wasn't planning to stay long—but Syr had other plans.
"Sit," she said to him.
He tilted his head. "I don't eat."
Syr smiled innocently. if you stand around like a statue, Mama Mia's going to assume you're casing the place."
As if on cue, a shadow loomed from the kitchen. Mama Mia, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "."
Luthar met her gaze for a long, silent second.
Then, with the faintest sigh, he slid into the seat opposite Bell.
Satisfied, Syr beamed and spun off to fetch drinks.
Bell sank into his seat with a relieved sigh. "Thanks for... coming in with me," he muttered.
Luthar said nothing, eyes scanning the room Looking for a elf.
Syr returned moments later, placing two cups down. One for Bell, and one—pointedly—for Luthar.
"On the house," she said with a wink.
Bell raised his cup nervously. "Cheers?"
Syr just laughed and ruffled Bell's hair. "You're hopeless."
As the night settled and chatter filled the air, Luthar sat in silence,taking out a straw after opening a small hole in his mask he started to drink.
As the food arrived Bell was confused trying to decide if he was more grateful or terrified.There was too much to a point think he might not able to finish.
At one point, Syr returned with a small plate and placed it gently in front of him. Just a slice of bread and some roasted vegetables.
"Doesn't count as a meal," she said before he could argue. "But I'll be offended if you don't at least try it."
Luthar's eyes met hers briefly, "just pack my portion " decided to eat in safety of his lab.
Syr little disappointed since she didn't get the chance to see his face.
The tavern door opened again— A few heads turned as a tall blonde woman in sleek armor stepped in, flanked by others in light gear. The Sword Princess, Aiz Wallenstein, glanced around, expression unreadable as always.
Riveria followed just behind her, speaking quietly with a short, grinning goddess in red—Loki.
"Table in the corner," Loki said, waving to Mama Mia without waiting for permission. "And don't give us that look, Mia! We'll pay!"
Mia grunted, already reaching for a fresh bottle of liquor.
As the Loki Familia passed by Luthar's table, Aiz's golden eyes swept briefly across him. Just a flicker—barely more than a glance.
Bell didn't notice any of it. He was too busy trying to survive Syr's attempt to spoon more stew into his bowl.
Luthar leaned back slightly in his seat, gaze flicking between the Sword Princess and her companions thinking about the plot which was changing as Bell longer saved by the princess would he he is still get his skill and then there was Lyra character which didn't exist.