"Alright!"
"You adventurers are quite generous. I'll earn a lot from this~"
Syr saw that the items Lin Feng's group of four had ordered added up to over 4,000 Valis, and her eyes crinkled into a smile.
"Please hurry. We're very hungry."
"Okay, I'll go cook myself. Please try my cooking."
Syr gave a playful, slight tilt of her head, seeming to want Lin Feng and the others to look forward to her culinary skills.
"Mhm... Cute Syr, please be quick."
Urged by Lin Feng, Syr took the menu and walked, giggling, toward the kitchen.
About fifteen or twenty minutes later, several dishes were brought out one after another. Suddenly, Syr appeared with two bottles of drinks from who-knows-where and placed them on the table.
"Miss Syr, I don't think we ordered drinks."
"This is on me. Please come back and eat at our tavern often."
It had to be said, this Freya, in her ordinary disguise, really had game. If Lin Feng hadn't known the plot of the original story, he really would have been fooled. He never would have guessed she was Freya's alt. He had originally thought she might be her daughter, but it turned out to be Freya herself. This was completely unexpected.
"Thank you, Syr. We'll be back here tonight, actually."
"Is that so? Then I'll be in your care!"
Hearing Lin Feng's words, Syr gave a small, happy jump, like a little girl who had just gotten her idol's autograph. Her performance was flawless.
"I won't disturb your meal. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be around."
Syr could tell Lin Feng and his group had things to discuss, so she immediately understood and found an excuse to leave.
.....
"Kanao, someone wants to treat you to dinner tonight. I've tentatively accepted, but if you feel uncomfortable about it, I can refuse for you."
Lin Feng said, looking at Tsuyuri Kanao, who was eating obediently beside him.
"Lord God, I don't... have a problem."
"Her main reason for treating you... is that she wants to learn your Breathing Technique. This part is up to you to decide."
Lin Feng continued, revealing Ais's true motive for the dinner. Breathing techniques did indeed strengthen the body considerably. But in terms of raw power, it wasn't that high of an enhancement. Still, the physical strengthening and the associated sword forms did offer some advantages.
"..."
Kanao was stumped by the question. For a moment, she didn't know how to answer. After all, a breathing technique wasn't something that could be taught casually, especially to a stranger from another world. If Sister Shinobu... encountered this... what would she do? At this moment, Kanao found it hard to choose.
"Kanao, it's okay if you want to refuse. After all, something that can enhance your own abilities shouldn't be taught to others so lightly."
Lin Feng didn't want Kanao to be troubled by this and spoke up.
"Mn..."
After this, Kanao's spirits seemed to dampen, and she was absent-minded as she ate.
"Alright, alright! Hurry up and eat. This afternoon, we'll go shopping and get familiar with the streets of Orario."
Hayasaka Ai chimed in with a laugh, smoothing things over and stating their goal for the afternoon.
Half an hour later, the four finished their meal. After saying goodbye to Syr and the other staff again, they left the tavern. The rest of the day was simple. Lin Feng, Hayasaka Ai, Tsuyuri Kanao, and Katou Megumi spent the entire afternoon wandering the streets and alleys, familiarizing themselves with the various places and shops. A few amusing things happened along the way. When it was almost 6:30 PM, Lin Feng and the girls finally headed back to the Hostess of Fertility.
....
"Ais-chan, are we going to keep waiting? I bet that bad Lord God is standing us up!"
After returning from the dungeon, Ais and Tiona had been waiting here for Lin Feng and his group to arrive. For this moment, Ais had come up from the dungeon as soon as 5:00 PM hit. She had been here ever since. Tiona was getting impatient. The most important thing was, if they were late getting back, they would definitely be questioned by the other members of the Familia. Loki would be no exception. When that happened... she didn't know what kind of 'punishment' she would receive.
"Ais-chan, why don't we go in and get a table first?"
Tiona saw that the adventurers coming and going were growing more numerous. The magic stone-powered lights around them were beginning to illuminate the dimming sky and streets.
"Mn."
Ais heard Tiona's suggestion, tilted her head cutely in thought for a moment, and immediately affirmed the idea, walking toward the tavern entrance.
"Welcome, meow! How many in your party, guests?"
The little catgirl maid Lin Feng had met during the day popped out from somewhere, smiling brightly at Ais and Tiona.
"Wow! It's the Sword Princess of the Loki Familia! This way, please, meow!"
Anya bounced over to the customers, and only when she looked up did she realize who it was—the Sword Princess from Orario's world-famous Familia, the one who had reached Lv.2 the fastest. She hurriedly began to usher them inside.