Danmachi - Infinite Mana System!

[Chapter Size: 2000 Words.]

Third Person POV

Orario.

...

...

"... You know, our reputation isn't exactly great in the city right now... so be prepared to have the whole town looking at us like we're potential enemies." Lucius commented as they made their way toward the floors near the dungeon's exit.

Everyone nodded silently as they followed, moving closer to the city with each step. After a quiet walk with little conversation, the group finally emerged from the dungeon's exit, the cool night air wrapping around them.

"Do you want me to use my spells to take us straight home?" Lucius asked as he looked ahead at the exit before them.

"No... I think Lucius faced the entire city alone. We should also bear some of that pressure." Bell said, the others nodding in agreement as they stepped out with their heads held high.

"..." Lucius nodded, saying nothing, as they proceeded toward the gate at the entrance hall.

"Hello, Edd." Lucius greeted the guard, his friend, who looked at him with surprise.

"Lucius and..." Edd's gaze shifted to the family behind Lucius—the group that had been the talk of the city for the past few days. "You were in there for more than two days... I'm glad you're alright," he added, his eyes lingering on Lucius.

"Thank you. Goodbye for now. We might not see each other for some time—I don't plan on entering the dungeon again before leaving the city." Lucius replied before continuing through the hall, passing other guards and adventurers either entering or leaving the dungeon.

Of course, their appearance set off murmurs throughout the hall. People pointed at them, whispering to one another, but Lucius and his family ignored the chatter, finally stepping out of the hall and into the city.

There was no moon in the sky, but the city was illuminated—though not as brightly as usual. Many places remained closed, likely because people were hesitant to open their bars and shops after the chaos of recent days.

Lucius continued to lead the group, followed by Riekling, Bell, Lily, Welf, Haruhime, Aisha, Cassandra, Daphne, and Ryuu. They bore some bandages from the intense battles they'd fought, their injuries not yet fully healed, and they moved toward home, trying not to draw too much attention.

Still, it was impossible to pass unnoticed through the city. This was the group everyone had been talking about for days. A few people still wandered the streets, and upon noticing the group, they whispered even more than they had in the hall.

"It's them..." murmured a man, narrowing his eyes as if trying to confirm their identities.

"After everything that happened over the past few days? They still have the nerve to walk through Orario as if nothing happened?" a woman whispered nearby, her eyes fixed on Lucius, the one they said was the leader, striding ahead.

"Lucius was right... they're watching us like criminals now," Lily remarked quietly within the group, feeling the same disdainful stares from adventurers she had once endured before joining the Hestia Familia.

Lucius heard the comments and shrugged. "Let them look," he replied calmly. "We have nothing to hide. Besides, no one has declared us criminals."

Welf snorted. "As if that'll stop the rumors. Orario loves making up stories."

Aisha chuckled softly beside Ryuu, though her tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "Well, after everything we've done, the whole city probably sees us as a ticking time bomb. Honestly, it's kind of funny." She seemed as unbothered as Lucius.

"Not to me," Bell muttered, his gaze lowered as he glanced at the others from the corner of his eye, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. "They're not just suspicious... They're scared."

"It's natural," Ryuu replied. "People will see us this way for a long time. But I believe everyone here understood the consequences when we decided to go after Evilus." Her tone was measured, calm.

"Come on, we might be the ones who brought chaos and destruction, but we're also the ones who defeated the terrorist group that plagued Orario for so long. And no innocent lives were lost. So, hold your heads high." Lucius grinned, his voice louder than before as the people around widened their eyes at his words.

He continued leading the group forward without hesitation, passing through the streets with no trace of regret. The crowd parted as they walked, making way for them while casting wary glances their way.

"Hee!" Riekling made a comment.

"I forgot you're still in that form," Lucius said before casting a spell directly on him, transforming him into his evolved form, a house elf.

"Thank you, Master Lucius... Riekling is very happy," Riekling said softly.

Many still judged them with their eyes, but no one raised their voice against them. Even those who felt anger knew of Lucius Drakenar's reputation for single-handedly destroying entire familias.

As they finally neared the base of the Hestia Familia, Lucius stopped. "It seems we're finally here. Let's go, everyone," he said as Riekling opened the gate with a snap of his fingers.

At that moment, a slender figure in white clothing approached them. Looking relieved, Hestia had come to greet them.

"You're back!" she exclaimed, running toward them. "I was so worried after everything that happened! Lucius really brought you all back. I'm so happy!" she said, brushing past Lucius and jumping into Bell and the others, who had been inside the dungeon.

"Goddess-sama." Lucius returned her embrace with words of emotion.

"I'm so glad to see you all again after all the chaos..." she said, tears welling in her eyes.

"In any case..." Lucius raised his voice at the front. "Let's talk inside." He then glanced at Riekling.

"Prepare dinner for us," he instructed.

"Of course, Master Lucius," Riekling said before vanishing.

Everyone moved inside immediately after, settling in. Lucius noticed Ryuu looking back before entering.

"If you want to leave, at least stay until dinner," he said, and she looked at him, hesitating for a moment before nodding and accepting.

"I know everyone's a bit tired, but let's talk for a while. I'm curious about what's been happening in the city these past few days," Lucius said directly to Hestia, who nodded. She pressed her lips together tightly before responding.

"The citizens weren't happy with the judgment decision. They've been petitioning the Guild and the gods, but an official statement was issued saying none of the complaints would be accepted," she explained.

"Does the whole city hate us now?" Lucius asked with an amused tone.

Hestia shook her head. "No, many people are defending us. Despite the chaos caused in the slums, we're still seen as the familia that defeated Evilus, thanks to the Guild's statement." She paused. "It also helped that they announced the Guild will be sending money to everyone who lost their homes because you, Lucius, bought the entire slum, according to Ouranos."

Everyone stared at Lucius, still stunned by this revelation, even though they had already heard it from him in the dungeon.

"That guy... he knows the kind of debt I'm in now..." Lucius murmured with some regret, not yet knowing the full amount, though it certainly wouldn't be cheap.

'This is complicated. I won't be able to use crystals to buy spells. Even so, I need to arrange the money without jeopardizing the construction of the magic tower. I must secure the materials before leaving Orario,' Lucius thought calmly.

"Goddess-sama... did you have visitors?" Bell asked, noticing some cutlery on the table in the room.

"Yes... I didn't even clean up. Hephaestus, Miach, Takemikazuchi, Demeter, Aphrodite, and Artemis were here today," she replied.

"Wait... Artemis?" Lucius could understand the others being concerned about their children and friends, but the goddess of the bow's visit was strange. Despite her defense of him during the trial, Lucius didn't know what to think about it.

"Yes... she wanted to talk to you. What happened between you two?" Hestia asked, narrowing her eyes with a suspicious look at Lucius.

"She already told you—stopping her from being absorbed by a monster," Lucius said with a shrug.

Silence fell over the room as everyone exchanged glances, seemingly unsure of what to say about everything happening... until the smith decided to break the tension.

"Anyway... it's good to be back," Welf said, stretching his arms. "But I need a bath and a bed. Right now, I don't want to think about anything else."

"Let's eat first... Riekling is already preparing dinner," Lucius said, and Welf nodded.

"That's true. Maybe it's better to set our problems aside for now," Haruhime murmured from a corner.

"She's right. We can think about this tomorrow," Lucius commented. "Let's just eat something before heading to rest."

At that moment, Riekling appeared through a teleportation spell. "Master Lucius, Riekling has already prepared the entire dinner. You may eat," he said.

"You heard him, let's have dinner," Lucius said, as everyone made their way to the dining room. They settled into their chairs, finding the table filled with all sorts of food: cereals, fruits, carbohydrates, and plenty of meat that Riekling had quickly prepared with his magic.

No one thought about anything else as they sat together, eating quietly, falling into a silent atmosphere once again.

"You know, I never expected those damned gods to meet their end by a monster created by the dungeon," Lucius suddenly broke the silence at the table. Everyone looked at him, listening as he cursed the gods of Evilus. "But now I think it was a fittingly ironic end for them. Either way, it's one less problem in the city, and..." He paused before continuing.

Raising his glass, he said, "I want to make a toast to everyone because, no matter what happens from now on, we'll face it together," Lucius remarked, as everyone nodded, looking at him with more confident expressions.

Quickly, Hestia began speaking, expressing her happiness at having everyone back, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Conversations and playful banter soon filled the room, and it didn't take long for laughter to echo throughout, lifting the spirits of the familia.

By the end of the meal, everyone was satisfied as Riekling began clearing the table. Lucius walked Ryuu to the door since she was leaving.

"I'm heading out," she said in a dry tone before looking at him. "And... thank you for everything," she added at last, her tone more timid.

"No need to thank me. We worked together and overcame a lot. Besides, Evilus had already kidnapped Bell, nearly killed him, and was a blight on the city," he responded, looking at her as she nodded.

"About those you mentioned who control Evilus from the shadows... what will you do about them? Aren't they still dangerous?" she murmured.

"They are a problem I also intend to deal with. If you want to help, that's fine, but you'd need to grow stronger," Lucius replied, as Ryuu hesitated.

"I don't know if I can get stronger," she murmured. Her falna was tied to her former goddess, Astraea, as only Astraea could update it.

"You could join our familia... A Level 4 would be very welcome, especially someone I trust," he suggested.

"I... I don't know... Actually, I can't do that. I'm sorry," she murmured, considering the idea but still bound by her loyalty to her former goddess.

"That's fine. We'll talk again when I return," Lucius said, smiling. He had plans outside of Orario, including a meeting with Astraea.

Ryuu nodded and disappeared moments later, running out and leaping over the gate. Lucius sighed and returned inside, heading to his room. Like everyone else, he planned to take a bath, finally relaxing after the chaos of the past few days and enjoying a much-needed moment of rest.

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