Chương 21: A Head Pat from Him Would Feel Nice

"Everyone around us is talking about you. Cael is definitely today's main attraction. Let us toast the hero everyone is talking about. Cheers!" Hestia raised her mug, her encouragement carrying a trace of pride. Her first child had been remembered by so many people on his very first day. She was so proud. Her divine friends would definitely see her in a new light now.

"Cheers." Cael's smile held a little helplessness.

"Being known by more people is impressive, but the trouble that comes with it will increase too." This fame had come so suddenly that he had not been mentally prepared at all.

"Are you afraid of trouble, Cael?" Hestia gulped down a mug of ale and slammed it onto the table with a bang, her cheeks flushed.

"Not really. In Orario, hiding my growth and showing it off probably lead to the same place. I will become famous either way, so I might as well let things happen naturally." Cael copied the other adventurers and boldly emptied a mug of ale. Wow. This was basically beer. Though it tasted a little better. In Orario, every Level Up came with an alias assigned by the gods, then the Guild publicly announced it to the entire city on the notice board. How could anyone keep a low profile?

Besides, he had so many powerful Skills. He would definitely become the fastest-rising rookie. If he was destined to stand out, then he might as well stand out properly.

"Cael is so open-minded. Come on, another toast. We are not leaving until we are drunk today!" Hestia seemed drunk already. She burped and shouted....

"Oh..." Cael looked at the pile of mugs on the table, then at Hestia, who was sprawled over the table with a red face, and felt sweat gather. She had drunk so much. It had been genuinely fun, but she was definitely drunk now. Around them, many adventurers were also lying drunk on tables or on the floor, still shouting that they would not leave until they were drunk. Loki Familia had already left. Cael boldly slid one arm under Hestia's knees and the other around her shoulders, lifting her in a princess carry.

"Please come again, nya!" Anya, the cat-eared waitress, showed her little fangs and waved energetically. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Anya, you seem interested in that adventurer," said Lunoire, a short-haired girl in the same uniform and apron, with a teasing smile.

"You kept looking over there earlier."

"Yeah, yeah. That boy has a very special feeling. It is hard to explain, but I have never smelled it on any other adventurer, nya. And he smells really comfortable." Anya's nose and cat ears twitched as she spoke cheerfully, without hiding what she thought at all.

"I kind of want him to pat my head. It would definitely feel nice."

"Pfft. You shameless cat. That boy is handsome, but did you fall in love at first sight?"

"No, I did not. He just feels comfortable, different from other adventurers, nya." Cael, who had already walked away, naturally did not know about the amusing little story behind him.

"Cael! Do not leave me!" Cael had been thinking that a drunk goddess was cute too when Hestia suddenly hugged his head, startling him.

"I am not leaving. Hestia, let go of my head. I cannot see the road. We are going to fall. Ah!"... The next day. Golden morning sunlight rose from the horizon, painting Orario's high walls and the tip of Babel gold.

"Ahhh... My head hurts..."

"That is because Lady Hestia drank so much last night." Cael handed a cup of water to Hestia, who was kneeling on the mattress with her head buried in a pillow. Last night had been exhausting. A drunk goddess could cause quite a scene. Still, the memory of her drunken affection made the exhaustion feel worth it.

"Thank you, Cael. I was too happy yesterday and drank more than I realized." Hestia downed the water in one gulp and gave Cael a silly smile.

"Even if you are happy, you cannot drink that much. Lady Hestia, rest properly at home. I am going to earn money. Otherwise, we will go hungry." Cael scolded her lightly, then gently covered Hestia with the blanket. He walked to the rack in the corner and put on his new light armor and twin swords. This equipment was far better than what he had used before. It had been forged with monster drops mixed in, so its durability had risen by a large margin.

"Then, Lady Hestia, I am heading out." Cael called to Hestia, who was hiding under the blanket, and climbed the stone steps. Hestia watched him leave and murmured softly to herself.

"I cannot let Cael carry Hestia Familia alone. That feels awful. I have to do something for him too."...

"Somehow, it was already the third day. So many exciting things had happened." Cael walked along the street leading to the white tower. He wore proper light armor, carried two white longswords at his waist, slung a cloth bag over his shoulder, and fastened two small pouches to his belt, filled with water and food. With everything prepared, he finally looked like a proper adventurer. Last time in the Dungeon had taught him a painful lesson. The only things missing were healing potions and Mind recovery potions.

Then it would be perfect.

"Good. I am no longer the same as before." Cael straightened his chest with confidence and clenched his fist, his entire body filled with a sense of power. Morning Orario was already lively. Workers opened shops and called to customers. Groups of adventurers arrived beneath the white tower built by the ancient hero and craftsman Daedalus. Looking carefully now, Cael saw that the huge plaza and Babel were connected as one. After a thousand years, not even one floor tile had been damaged. It was astonishing.

"I do want to find a supporter, but I should go through two more adventures and get more familiar with the Dungeon and combat first." Cael looked toward the supporters near the fountain who were trying to find adventurer parties and earn money to live. He was not strong enough yet. Adventurers had to fight monsters while also paying attention to weak supporters. Unless the supporter was already strong, it could make everything messy.

Of course, garbage adventurers who only wanted to exploit supporters were another matter. Supporters were only trying to survive in Orario, yet they were bullied and exploited by adventurers with power. Those adventurers trampled their dignity and principles for a little money. No wonder they would remain Lv. 1 their entire lives.

"Heh. This time, I will open the World Gate again. Maybe I can find the pattern behind the Dungeon's rampage. Once I understand it, things will get interesting." Cael entered the enormous hollow beneath Babel and walked down the spiral stairway. Glancing at the many adventurers ahead, he smiled faintly.

"Sorry, everyone. I am about to shock you again. But I am sure you will be happy. This is adventure, after all. A chance to gain experience quickly and become upper-class adventurers."

"You should thank me."