Inside the inn's lobby, Kokkoro was dutifully and sweetly brewing tea for everyone.
A faint aroma of tea permeated the room, slightly easing the somewhat hurried atmosphere.
Hermes picked up a teacup, took a sip, and then began: "Everyone, this is how it is…"
He explained in detail the reason for Artemis's visit to Orario.
It turned out that in the Great Tree Sea, a secret realm outside Orario, a large number of unusually powerful monsters suddenly appeared near Artemis and her Familia's encampment.
These monsters were not only astonishing in number, but they also seemed to be driven by some mysterious force, constantly destroying the forest.
Many adventurers were bravely fighting the monsters on the front lines to protect the villages.
"So…"
Ilena elegantly sipped her calming tea, a hint of understanding flashing in her violet eyes, "The so-called world tour was actually just a pretense."
"Lady Artemis's true purpose was to find the master capable of drawing that spear, and then return to the Great Tree Sea to deal with those monsters?"
"Bingo!"
Hermes snapped his fingers, his smile radiant, "This lovely magic-user lady is truly clever!"
He paused, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, "However… why do you refer to Ying Ping as 'Master'?"
Ilena didn't answer, simply turning her gaze to Ying Ping, her eyes filled with an inquiring look: "Master, am I correct in my analysis?"
"Yes, very correct. As expected of my Ilena."
Ying Ping reached out and ruffled Ilena's hair, but his gaze turned to Artemis, who had been watching him since earlier: "Lady Artemis, is this truly the case?"
Artemis slowly rose and walked directly in front of Ying Ping.
She extended a slender finger and, to the astonished gazes of Hestia and the others, gently caressed Ying Ping's cheek.
A complex expression appeared in her eyes, clear as moonlight: "Yes… Can you help me? My Orion…"
The entire hall instantly fell silent.
Ying Ping grasped Artemis's wrist, his gaze deepening: "You say I am your Orion… but Orion also has another meaning in divine language, 'The Piercer,' right?"
Artemis's body visibly stiffened for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.
She didn't answer Ying Ping's question, only asked softly again: "Will you help me?"
Hestia looked at Artemis, then at Ying Ping, her small face filled with confusion: "Wait… what are you two talking about? Orion isn't…"
Ying Ping was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Of course, I am willing to help you."
A hint of relief flashed in Artemis's eyes, and the corners of her lips curved slightly upward: "Thank you…"
Ying Ping looked around at everyone: "It seems we must depart immediately for the Great Tree Sea to support the front lines."
Hestia suddenly jumped up: "Wait! Did you two forget to ask for my opinion?!"
"Artemis! You've been so strange since earlier! Are you trying to abduct my Ying Ping?!"
Artemis showed an apologetic expression: "It's not like that, Hestia, the situation in the Great Tree Sea is truly urgent…"
"Hmph!"
Hestia puffed out her cheeks and hugged Ying Ping's arm, "Going there is fine! But we all have to go!"
Ying Ping chuckled, ruffling her hair: "Of course, how could I not bring everyone for something like this? We are a Familia, after all."
Ilena elegantly set down her teacup: "Sounds like it will be an interesting journey."
Kokkoro nodded gently: "I will definitely assist Master with all my strength."
Chisato and Takina exchanged smiles, saying in unison: "Us too!"
After deciding to depart that evening, everyone went together to the top of Orario's majestic city walls.
"These are all a few small gifts I specially prepared for everyone~"
Hermes smiled as he displayed the well-crafted equipment, "Considering the special environment of the Great Tree Sea, these equipments are all enchanted with waterproof and anti-corrosion magic effects."
Hestia delightedly held a lightweight blue travel outfit: "Even I get one?"
"Of course~"
Hermes bowed elegantly, "How could I forget my old friend, Lady Hestia?"
Chisato excitedly tried on her new bracers and gloves: "So light! It doesn't affect drawing the bow and shooting at all!"
Takina carefully inspected her new clothes and backpack, nodding in satisfaction.
Kokkoro and Ilena also each received equipment suitable for them as magic-users.
Ying Ping's new equipment was a set of dark silver light armor.
The surface was engraved with exquisite patterns, providing sufficient protection without hindering movement, much better than the beginner equipment rented from the Guild.
Just as everyone was organizing their equipment, a sudden commotion erupted on the city wall.
"Roar—!"
Accompanied by deafening dragon roars, several giant flying dragons descended from the sky, stirring up a gust of wind.
On the back of the leading dragon, a burly man wearing an elephant-head mask leaped down in an extremely exaggerated posture.
"That's right! I am—Ganesha! Hahahaha!"
Ganesha, the Elephant God, struck his iconic pose and introduced himself with a booming voice… Hestia was startled by this sudden entrance and hid behind Ying Ping: "W-what's going on… what's with these flying dragons…"
Hermes explained with a smile: "If we were to travel to the Great Tree Sea on foot, it would take at least a month, but by riding these flying dragons, we can arrive in ten days."
No sooner had he finished speaking than one of the flying dragons snorted, startling Kokkoro into shrinking behind Ying Ping.
"We can arrive in ten days?"
"That means a round trip would take at least 20 days. It's truly a long journey."
Ying Ping fell into thought.
Seeing that everyone seemed a bit uneasy about the flying dragons, Ganesha patted his chest and added: "Don't worry, everyone, these flying dragons have received the most professional training since hatching. They are as docile as kittens, absolutely safe and reliable!"
Hestia counted the number of flying dragons and frowned: "Only four? Not enough for all of us to share…"
Hermes revealed a mischievous smile: "Don't say that. To gather these in such a short time is already the entire wealth of Ganesha Familia~"
"Everyone, please bear with it. At least pair up in groups of two~"
His lewd gaze lingered on the cute girls, his thoughts obvious.
Ying Ping saw through his intentions at a glance and directly interrupted: "Lord Hermes, you and I will be a group, and the others can divide themselves freely."
"Eh?!"
Hermes's face comically fell, and he retorted in disbelief: "You can't do that, can you? I wanted to be with the lovely Lady Chisato…"
Before he could finish, under the cold stares of Ying Ping and Hestia, he awkwardly corrected himself: "Ahem… I mean, this division is very reasonable, haha…"
Hestia immediately stood beside Ying Ping, hands on her hips: "That's right! This division is very reasonable, it's decided!"
"I want to be with Artemis!"
Ultimately, the groups were as follows:
Ying Ping and Hermes shared one dragon.
Hestia and Artemis were a group.
Chisato and Takina were a group.
Ilena and Kokkoro also shared a group.
Under the night sky, the flying dragons spread their massive wings, carrying everyone into the air.
Ganesha waved goodbye from the city wall: "Have a safe journey! My Ganesha's blessing is with you!"
As the flying dragons ascended into the high sky, the night wind howled, and stars filled the heavens.
The lights of Orario gradually grew smaller.