For Want Of A Bow
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Sadguychet
Just a Sad Guy
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[For Want Of A Bow]
"CHEERS!"
Tanya withheld a wince as the cheer rang out from the occupants of the table around her and was echoed by practically everyone in the Hostess of Fertility which, unfortunately, was packed wall to wall with what felt like every person who lived in Orario.
And, of course, a significant percentage of them were there specifically to see Tanya and pat her on the back for her victory. Or otherwise accuse her of cheating her way to it.
The silver lining to the situation, aside from the business that Mama Mia was receiving from her stay, was that the Loki Familia was also in attendance. And it was them who Tanya was currently using as a buffer for the rancorous crowd around her.
"Oh, come on!" Tiona protested, leaning over to peer at Tanya's still-full mug. "You've barely touched that! It's a party, you know? You beat a Level Two in front of the whole city!"
"I'm aware," Tanya replied evenly, holding the mug slightly away from herself as if it might leap up and bite her. "I was there."
"Then drink already!" Tiona insisted, her amber eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Or I'm gonna down that thing and order you something stronger."
"By all means," Tanya slid her drink slightly closer to the Amazon, instead grabbing a cup of water sitting next to a steaming roast. Tiona threw a frown her way but didn't hesitate to grab the tankard and down it in just three gulps. She sighed happily, wiping froth from her lips, before letting out a small belch that drew a raised eyebrow from the Pallum sitting across from her.
"What's with the sour face? Cheer up kid, you did it!"
At the head of the table, Loki gave Tanya a grin so wide the former was worried her face might just split in two. Like everyone else present, the goddess was in high spirits, though if that was the alcohol or simply the party itself, Tanya had no clue.
The goddess slapped the table, pointing at Tanya. "I thought that show you put on at the banquet was gonna be the best thing I'd seen this week, but I gotta say, you really went above and beyond my expectations. Seeing you smack that smug look off of Apollo's face not once, but twice!? Priceless!"
Tanya inclined her head in acknowledgment, though she couldn't quite match the goddess's enthusiasm. "I appreciate the sentiment, but the terms of our agreement have not yet been ratified in any official capacity. Until they are, Apollo could still attempt to—"
"Oh, will you stop with the doom and gloom?" Loki interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "After that embarrassment? I'd be surprised if he even wants to look at you anymore, let alone claim you for his Familia."
She leaned forward, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You made him look like a fool in front of half the city, and the other half's hearing all about it as we speak. He won't want to touch the situation with a ten foot pole after the damage you've done to his reputation."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Tanya said slowly. "Apollo strikes me as the type to hold a grudge. A very long, very petty grudge."
"Let him hold it," Finn said from his place beside Loki. "He'd be a fool to try anything after today. The other gods saw his deception, and they won't soon forget it. Even if he wanted to come after you, he'll have a hard time finding allies willing to risk their own reputations."
"See?" Loki gestured toward her captain. "Even Finn agrees, and he's the cautious one. Now stop worrying and drink!"
She shoved a fresh tankard toward Tanya, the ale sloshing over the rim and pooling on the table. Tanya stared at it as if it were a live grenade, and slowly pushed away the spiced liquid.
"I don't really think—"
"That's the problem!" Loki declared. "You think too much! One drink won't kill you."
As if on cue, Syr appeared over Tanya's shoulder, placing a fresh tankard of spiced ale in front of her.
"On the house," she said with a knowing grin, before skipping off towards another patron before Tanya could get a word in.
Tanya stared at the tankard as if it had personally offended her. The ale sloshed gently against the sides, foam clinging to the rim in a way that reminded her of the dirty water they used to serve in the mess halls of the Rhine Front. The comparison did not fill her with confidence.
"I really don't think—" she began again, only to be cut off. Again.
"One drink!" Tiona insisted, slamming her hands on the table. "Just one! You just beat a Level Two in front
"She's right," Ais Wallenstein, the newest member of their group, spoke directly to Tanya for the first time tonight. "You fought well."
"She speaks! And she speaks truth!" Tiona threw her arm around Tanya who just barely tolerated the touch thanks to the knowledge that the woman was more than likely drunk at this point. "If Ais says you should drink, you drink!"
Tanya opened her mouth to offer another protest, but the words died on her lips as she took in the scene around her. The entire table was watching her, expressions ranging from encouraging to expectant. Even Finn had an interested smile on his face.
Tanya sighed, grabbing the drink.
One drink, she thought. It's not as if a single tankard will impair my thinking. And refusing at this point would be more trouble than it's worth.
Tanya lifted the tankard to her lips and took a sip, only to blink in surprise at the taste. She expected a bitter bite akin to whiskey or the acrid taste of beer, but instead she was pleasantly surprised at the flavor that slid across her tongue. The ale was smooth, with hints of honey and spice that mixed rather well with the warmth of the alcohol backing it all. It was almost like a cider, though not quite as sweet.
Tanya took two more sips before she remembered herself and put the drink down, but that little taste left her wanting more. She could see why people went broke filling their bellies with the beverage.
"She likes it!" Tiona cheered as she saw the expression on Tanya's face. Her words were accompanied by a raucous cheer, and Tanya started as she realized that even the nearby tables had been watching the scene intently, and were now cheering.
Loki raised her own tankard high, ale sloshing over the rim and onto the table below. She paid it no mind, her grin widening as she clambered onto her seat.
"A toast!" she bellowed, her voice carrying across the tavern with surprising ease. "To the girl who showed the whole city what happens when you cross someone who doesn't know how to lose!"
The cheer that erupted from the Loki Familia table was loud enough to rattle the glasses sitting on nearby surfaces. Tiona and Tione slammed their tankards together with enough force to send foam spraying across the table, earning an annoyed look from Bete who was sitting at one corner.
The cheer didn't stop at their table, quickly spreading like wildfire through the tavern, patrons rising from their seats and raising their own glasses in a wave of sound that crashed against the walls and echoed through the rafters. Tanya watched in bemusement as strangers called out, their faces flushed with alcohol and excitement.
"To Apollo who got his ass kicked by a little girl!"
"To the girl who fought like a demon!"
"Hah! More like a devil!"
"To the Little Devil!"
The last cry drew a particularly raucous response, and soon enough, the phrase was being chanted as if it was Tanya's name in and of itself.
Mama Mia came out from behind the bar, her expression caught somewhere between exasperation and amusement as she watched her establishment practically burst at the seams. She caught Tanya's eye across the room and raised an eyebrow, as if asking whether the girl was responsible for this chaos. Tanya could only offer a small shrug in response, though she'd admit to being dragged in by the mood.
"I suppose it won't hurt to participate," Tanya murmured to herself, lifting her tankard and taking another sip. "Just for tonight."
The night wore on, and Tanya found herself drawn into the festivities despite her best intentions. The Loki Familia were a boisterous bunch, but they were far from the most rancorous here. Tiona regaled her with tales of the Familia's adventures in the Dungeon, while Tione offered unsolicited advice on how to handle "creepy gods with grabby hands." Bete remained surly, but even he seemed to warm slightly as the evening progressed, if only because the alcohol had loosened his tongue.
Even Ais, who had been quiet for most of the evening, approached her once, her golden eyes fixed on Tanya's face. "You fight unconventionally."
Tanya raised an eyebrow. "I've had unconventional training."
Ais nodded slowly, as if this answer satisfied her completely. "I would like to see it again sometime."
Before Tanya could respond, the swordswoman had already turned and walked away, leaving her blinking in confusion. A strange girl, that one.
As the evening progressed, Tanya found her tankard refilled more times than she could count. The ale continued to surprise her with its pleasant flavor, and the warmth it brought was a welcome respite from the aches and pains still lingering from the duel. Her bruised cheek throbbed beneath the unflattering bruise, and the cut across her side had been bandaged, but both seemed distant concerns in the face of the merriment surrounding her.
And yet even as she laughed along with the others and raised her tankard in response to yet another toast, a small notion of sourness sat in the back of Tanya's mind. A note of regret, not for her victory, but for how she had achieved it.
She wondered after Licia and Dorian, the latter whose fate was all but unknown to her until yesterday, and the former who had been the one to reveal it. Both had been instrumental in her victory, but by letting loose as she had, she may have endangered them.
Tanya took another sip of her ale, the warmth doing little to dispel the cold knot forming in her stomach. She had revealed Dorian's survival in the heat of the moment, using it as a weapon to destabilize Asterin and expose Apollo's deception. It had been the right decision from a tactical point of view; the information had shifted the crowd's opinion and cast doubt on the entire narrative Apollo had constructed.
But in the aftermath, she couldn't help but wonder if the tactically sound move was the right one.
Licia had come to her in confidence, trembling and guilty, to share information that could easily be considered treason against her own god. And Tanya had weaponized it without a second thought, broadcasting it to half the city in the middle of a duel. Apollo would not forget that.
He'll be looking for scapegoats, Tanya thought. And Licia is the most obvious target.
She should have been more careful and found a way to use the information without revealing its source. But in the heat of battle, with Asterin's rapier flashing before her eyes and the crowd roaring in her ears, careful had taken a back seat to victory.
Another issue to add to the pile, Tanya thought bitterly. Though this one might cost more than my own hide.
"Hey!" Tiona's voice cut through her reverie, and Tanya looked up to find the Amazon leaning across the table with a concerned expression. "You okay? You look like someone just told you your puppy died."
"I don't own a puppy," Tanya replied automatically.
"Then what's with the long face?" Tiona asked.
"Another time," Tanya said in lieu of an actual response. Tiona pouted but didn't press, grabbing another drink and turning to talk to someone off to the side.
Tanya watched her for a moment before turning away, sitting back on her chair to watch the festivities.
She'd deal with it tomorrow. Tonight marked the first night of her debt-free life in this world. She may as well enjoy it instead of worrying.
The morning light was not kind to Tanya's head.
She strode down the main street with purpose, her boots clicking against the cobblestones in a rhythm that did wonders for her composure and absolutely nothing for the throbbing behind her eyes. The sun had barely crested the horizon and most of Orario's residents were still sleeping, blissfully unaware of the world outside their blankets.
Tanya envied them.
Note to self, she thought, pressing two fingers to her temple in a futile attempt to massage away the ache. Never again accept a drinking challenge from an Amazon. Their constitutions are frankly inhuman.
The festivities had continued well into the early hours of the morning, and Tanya had found herself swept along in the current of celebration whether she liked it or not. The Loki Familia knew how to party, and they were not the type to take no for an answer.
Still, she had no one to blame but herself. She had chosen to let loose, and now she was suffering the consequences.
"Hey! You're that girl, aren't you?" a voice called out from somewhere to her left.
Tanya turned to find a middle-aged man leaning out of a storefront, a broad grin splitting his weathered face. "The one who beat Apollo's adventurer! My wife and I were at the duel yesterday. That was quite something!"
"Thank you," Tanya replied politely, offering a small nod.
"You made that fool eat dirt!" another voice chimed in, this time from a woman sweeping her front steps. "Served him right, the way he tried to manipulate you!"
Tanya offered another polite nod, quickening her pace slightly.
She had hoped that the excitement from yesterday's duel would have died down overnight, but it seemed the citizens of Orario were not so easily distracted. It felt as if every other person she passed felt the need to offer their congratulations or commentary.
This had better not last long, she thought sourly. I can't go about my business with people stopping me at every turn.
It was with this pleasant thought that her eyes caught on a familiar sight parked along the side of the street. A small potato puff stand, with an even smaller woman standing behind the counter, humming to herself as she worked.
Tanya's stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten anything of substance since the previous evening. And salt, if memory served, was supposed to be good for hangovers.
She adjusted her course, making her way toward the cart. The woman looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps, her eyes widening in recognition before a broad smile spread across her face.
"Hello! It's been quite a while, hasn't it!" the woman exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron. "It's good to see you up and about! I wasn't sure you would be, after yesterday's show."
Tanya blinked, momentarily stunned by her words. She knew the news was widespread, but she didn't expect to be recognized by a simple potato stand worker. Then again, she was pretty much the only person Tanya had interacted with outside the Hostess or the Guild, so it wasn't that farfetched.
"Thank you," Tanya said, offering a small nod. "I'm here to make good on my promise and actually buy a potato, this time. Extra salt, please."
The woman beamed, already reaching for her supplies. "Of course! Coming right up!"
Tanya watched as the woman expertly prepared the potato, the same deft movements she remembered from her first visit to this cart. The smell of fried oil and salt wafted through the air, making her stomach growl even louder. When the woman handed her the steaming potato on a small paper tray, Tanya had to resist the urge to stuff the entire thing in her mouth.
"Thank you," Tanya said, lifting the tray and taking a cautious bite, careful not to burn herself. The potato was hot and salty, the flavor blooming across her tongue in a way that made the throbbing in her head seem just a little more manageable. She chewed slowly, savoring the taste, before reaching into her pouch and placing a small stack of coins on the counter.
The woman glanced at the money, then did a double take. "Uh, isn't this too much? The price is right there on the sign."
"The extra is for the first one I took," Tanya said between bites.
The woman's expression shifted from surprise to something softer, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that! That potato was on the house, I told you—"
"Goddess!"
The exclamation cut through the morning air, bright and eager and entirely too loud for Tanya's current state. She paused mid-chew, turning alongside the woman to find a vaguely familiar boy approaching with quick strides. White hair caught the early morning light, framing a youthful face that was currently split into a wide, earnest smile. His red eyes were fixed not on Tanya, but on the woman behind the cart, sparkling with an almost painful amount of enthusiasm for so early in the morning.
"Goddess!" he called again, coming to a stop in front of the cart. "I've got good news!"
Tanya stared at him, before slowly turning to look at the woman who was beaming back at the boy.
"Bell!" the woman said, her smile practically splitting her face in half. "What is it?"
Bell vibrated with excitement as he launched into an explanation about something or other, but Tanya found her attention drifting, the words washing over her without sticking as she rolled that single word over in her mind again and again.
Goddess. He called her goddess. This woman, this lonely woman who stood on the side of the road selling fried potatoes for pocket change, was a god.
The very idea was absurd, and Tanya almost dismissed it out of hand, but she knew that there was no deceit here, because there was nothing to gain from deception in the first place.
Tanya was vaguely aware of the hierarchy of divine beings in this world, but she didn't realize their lows were this... Low.
Was she simply playing a role? Pretending to be one of the "common folk" for idle amusement?
Tanya discarded the idea the moment it crossed her mind. The woman seemed truly happy doing this, or at least content. There was only so much happiness one could fake, even in the customer service industry. Her smile came easily, and the way she spoke to Tanya—a girl she had met only once before—was as if greeting an old friend.
How could someone calling themselves a god really stoop so low as to be satisfied by a life like this?
Tanya tried to imagine Being X in the same position, and the image that surfaced was so ridiculous that she couldn't help herself. She laughed. It started as an amused snort but quickly escalated into something fuller. The idea of the self-satisfied, sanctimonious bastard standing behind a wooden cart, sleeves rolled up, frying potatoes for a pittance was simply too much.
Both Bell and the woman turned to stare at her, their conversation dying mid-sentence as they looked at her in concert.
Tanya coughed, bringing a hand to her mouth in a vain attempt to smother the laughter that continued to bubble up from her chest. The image of Being X wiping grease from his brow while hawking fried potatoes to passersby was simply too delightful to contain.
"I'm sorry," she managed, her voice strained with suppressed mirth. "I just remembered something amusing."
The goddess apparent tilted her head, her expression caught somewhere between confusion and concern. "Are you alright? You seem a bit..."
"I'm fine," Tanya said, waving a hand dismissively. "But I think it's time I get on my way again. Thank you for the potato. It was delicious, miss..."
"Hestia!" The woman chirped, and Tanya dug deep into her repository of mythological figures to come up with the name. Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth and Family in Greek mythology. How appropriate.
"Miss Hestia," Tanya repeated, inclining her head politely. "Thank you for the food. I'll be sure to visit again."
"You're welcome here any time!"
Tanya left the potato cart behind, her steps carrying her away from the bemused goddess and her enthusiastic follower before they could ask any more questions about her sudden outburst. The potato was as delicious as last time.
The streets grew quieter as she moved away from the main thoroughfare, the early hour keeping most of the city's residents indoors. Tanya's headache had subsided somewhat, the combination of salt and fresh air doing wonders for her constitution. She still felt slightly off-kilter, but it was nothing that simply being awake and aware couldn't overcome.
The Apollo Estate loomed ahead of her, its grand facade casting a long shadow across the street. Tanya slowed her pace as she approached, eyeing the open gates. The atmosphere was distinctly different to the last time she had visited the grand manor, subdued and almost somber compared to the feverish activity of the banquet or even the quiet bustle that she remembered during her first meeting with the god.
It was as if the estate itself was feeling the results of their god's humiliating defeat.
Tanya's lip curled despite herself as she strode through the open gates, her cloak swishing behind her like a grand cape. There were a pair of servants at the doors ahead, and they seemed to tense as they spied her but neither actually moved to stop her. Likely Apollo or someone else had told them to expect her.
Tanya approached the entrance, but was perhaps halfway to it when her journey was interrupted by a familiar voice calling out to her from nearby.
"Miss Degurechaff!"
Tanya slowed as a figure stepped forward, meeting her halfway to the steps to the estate. Adris Garsana stood with a clipboard clutched to her chest with one hand and a large smile on her face. The stocky woman was dressed the same as Tanya had last seen her, guild uniform worn proudly in the morning light.
Tanya's brow furrowed at the sight of the woman. "Good morning, Adris. I can't say I expected to see you here. What business could you possibly have with Apollo?"
Adris smiled, adjusting her grip on the clipboard. "I'm here on official business, actually. For the Guild. See, it's our duties to ensure that all contractual obligations between Familias and unaffiliated parties are upheld in accordance with city law. The terms of your duel were filed with the Guild by the required parties the evening before the event, and now that you've won, I'm here to make sure that Apollo is held to his end of the bargain."
"I don't recall filing any paperwork."
"Well someone did for you," Adris shrugged. "Several someones, actually. I'd know since I spent almost five hours going over the same contract written six different ways. Would you like a copy?"
"Yes, please."
Adris produced a folded sheaf of papers from her clipboard and handed them over. Tanya took them with interest, her eyes scanning the contents even as she continued walking toward the estate.
The document was surprisingly thorough, outlining the terms of the duel in exacting detail. The stakes were clearly defined: victory for Tanya meant the absolution of all debts and obligations owed to the Apollo Familia, while defeat would have resulted in her binding to said Familia. There were clauses covering disqualification, interference by third parties, and even a section dedicated to what constituted a lethal blow versus an incapacitating one.
Tanya's eyebrows rose as she read through the document. "This is remarkably comprehensive," she murmured, flipping to the final page where two signatures sat side by side. One was clearly Apollo's, rendered in an elegant script that seemed designed to show off. The other was unfamiliar, but she recognized the Guild seal beneath it.
"Like I said, several someones," Adris said with a hint of amusement. "The Guild takes these matters seriously. Contracts between gods have a tendency to escalate if not properly documented."
"I can imagine," Tanya replied dryly, leafing through the papers a second time. "Though I'll admit, I'm a bit frustrated that someone had to do this on my behalf."
If it wasn't for these good samaritans, there's a possibility that Apollo could have turned that entire event into even more of a circus than it already was, she mused, frustration painting her thoughts. The idea that her whole plan could have been undone by a spot of improperly filed paperwork irked her to no end, and made her wonder if she was truly losing her instincts when it came to navigating the trenches of bureaucracy.
"Do you mind if I keep this copy?" Tanya asked and Adris shrugged.
"I've got more. Do what you want with them."
Nodding, Tanya tucked the papers into her cloak with a mental note to review them more thoroughly later. Whatever her feelings about the situation, the documentation was sound, and that meant Apollo would have a much harder time wriggling out of his obligations.
"Shall we?" Adris gestured toward the estate doors, her expression shifting to something surprisingly businesslike. "I believe they're expecting us."
The servants parted as they approached, pulling the heavy doors open to reveal the grand foyer beyond. Tanya strode inside with Adris at her heels.
The interior of the Apollo Estate was just as opulent as she remembered from the banquet, all soaring columns and gilded fixtures and artwork that probably cost more than most adventurers made in a lifetime. But there was a certain heaviness to the air now, a stillness that hadn't been present during the festivities. The servants moved about their duties with hushed steps and downcast eyes, and none of the easy laughter that had filled these halls just days ago could be heard.
Even the help knows their master has been humiliated, Tanya thought, fighting a smirk.
Adris led the way through the estate and soon enough, they were stood in front of the ornate doors of Apollo's solarium. Hyakinthos was waiting for them, his arms pulled tightly behind his back and tension in every line of his posture. He stared daggers at Tanya as she approached, as if he wished to unsheathe his sword and strike her down on that very spot. But then his gaze slid to Adris, and his expression wilted.
He stepped to the side, opening the door and gesturing us inside. "He's waiting for you."
The room was just as Tanya remembered it, an overly-ostentatious monument to its creator. Soft light streamed in from the glass windows and the morning mist just outside had yet to fully evaporate yet, leaving the picture feeling almost somber compared to the last time Tanya had been present.
Apollo lounged across the same seat as before, though his entire bearing was much different. The god seemed... diminished. That was the only word Tanya could think of to describe him. His entire demeanor appeared as if someone had come and drained him of all the unbearable pride and enthusiasm that had made him so detestable to Tanya in the first place.
"A pleasure to see you again, Miss Degurechaff," Apollo said, his voice seeming almost flat. "And you as well, my dear attendant. I assume you are here as an officiator?"
"That's correct, Lord Apollo," Adris replied. "I'm here as an official representative of the Guild to witness the ratification of the terms agreed upon prior to the duel. All parties involved have signed the appropriate documentation, and it falls to me to ensure that those terms are upheld in full."
Apollo's lips twitched, the closest thing to a smile Tanya had seen from him since entering the room. "How thorough."
"Thank you, Lord Apollo."
Tanya stepped forward, making no move to sit in the chair that had been placed before her, preferring to stand and look down at Apollo from her full height. Which, admittedly, wasn't much, but the principle of the thing mattered.
"Let's dispense with the pleasantries," she said flatly. "We both know why I'm here. The terms of the duel were clear. I won. You lost. That means my debt to your Familia is absolved, and I am free of any further obligations to you or yours."
Apollo's fingers stopped their drumming. He leaned back, regarding her with dull eyes of burnished gold.
"Indeed," he said slowly. "The terms were clear. Your debt is absolved, and you are free to go about your business without interference from me or my Familia."
"Good." Tanya crossed her arms over her chest. "Then I trust there won't be any further attempts to manipulate me into joining your little cult?"
"You've been absolved of your debt, as we agreed upon," he said, and Tanya's brow furrowed at the non-answer. Most would see it as acceptance, but Tanya immediately saw through his words for the truth of the statement. Though the current business between them had been concluded, there was nothing stopping Apollo from pursuing her through other means.
"That wasn't what I asked," Tanya said, her voice hard. "I asked for assurances that you won't be seeking reprisal for my victory."
Apollo's expression didn't shift, but something flickered behind his eyes. "I have already agreed to the terms of the duel. Your debt is absolved. What more do you want?"
"I want a guarantee that you won't simply manufacture another excuse to hound me," Tanya replied flatly. "I would be a fool to walk out of here without some assurance that you won't be sending your people after me the moment my back is turned."
Apollo sneered. "You ask for quite a lot, little adventurer. First you humiliate me before the entire city, and now you demand promises s well?"
"You are remarkably stubborn," Tanya marveled. "You lost. Accept it gracefully and move on."
"And you are remarkably impudent," Apollo replied sharply. "You have already received what was agreed upon. Your debt is absolved, and you are free of any further obligation to me or my Familia. That should be enough."
Tanya's eyes narrowed, noting that Adris was being remarkably silent beside her. The man was technically speaking the truth in that he had no obligation to acquiesce to her demand, but he had to know that word of this would reach the proper ears and do him no favors in the public eye. Was he so incensed at her victory that all sense had been driven from between his ears?
Typical, she thought with a flash of irritation. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile, but god forbid you ask them to put anything in writing that might actually constrain them.
"Very well," Tanya said, shifting tactics. If Apollo refused to be pinned down on the matter of her own freedom, then perhaps she could approach this from a different angle. "Then let us discuss another matter."
Apollo raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the sudden shift in topic. "Oh? And what matter would that be?"
"Licia Dore and Dorian Vellius."
Apollo's expression flickered at the names.
"What about them?" He asked in a neutral tone.
"Licia Dore is a member of your Familia," Tanya said. "And Dorian Vellius was until very recently presumed dead, a fact that you conveniently used to manufacture a scenario that you then attempted to leverage into indentured servitude. We both know that Dorian is alive and being held somewhere in this estate."
The silence that followed was deafening. Adris shifted beside her, the half-dwarf's eyes darting between Tanya and Apollo with an expression of keen interest.
"That is a serious accusation," Apollo said slowly. "One that I would expect you to back up with evidence."
"I'd say the words of Licia herself are sufficient, and I revealed as much during the duel," Tanya replied evenly. "In front of half the city. I hardly think I need to provide additional evidence when the whispers are already circulating."
"Ah, but they are just that," Apollo said, his tone light. "Whispers and rumors. Nobody would dare put any stock into something said in the heat of the battle."
"I'm not one to let adrenaline override my common sense," Tanya said. "I said what I said with a clear head and whole heart. Even if my original desire was to throw Asterin off balance, that doesn't mean I was lying."
Apollo's gaze slid to Adris, and the half-dwarf met his look without flinching.
"The Guild takes a dim view of gods who falsify the deaths of their children for personal gain," Adris said mildly. "A very dim view."
Apollo's jaw tightened. For a moment, his composed mask slipped, and Tanya caught a glimpse of the cold fury beneath. He didn't expect this, and it was clear that he didn't know how to play the hand that he had suddenly been dealt.
Apollo didn't speak for a long moment, the only sound in the room was the distant chirping of birds outside the solarium windows. His golden eyes bore into Tanya with an intensity that would have made a lesser person flinch, but she met his gaze without wavering.
"You are playing a dangerous game," Apollo said at last. "I have already conceded the terms of our duel. My honor has been dragged through the mud for all of Orario to see. And now you come into my home, and make demands of me, before a Guild officiator no less?"
"I'm simply negotiating," Tanya replied in a mild tone that did well to hide her internal smugness. "No demands are being made here, only simple requests."
"Pretty words, but faced with your impudence, I fail to see the difference."
"The difference comes in that when both parties stand to benefit," Tanya said. "You want this matter to go away. The rumors are already circulating, and the longer Dorian remains hidden, the worse they'll get. And I very much doubt the Guild's interest in this matter will simply disappear because you wish it to."
She glanced at Adris, who gave a slight nod of confirmation.
"Accusations of falsifying a Familia member's death would warrant an investigation," Adris said. "The Guild takes any abuse of the Falna system seriously. If such an investigation were to uncover evidence of wrongdoing, the consequences could be severe, even for a Familia as prominent as yours, Lord Apollo."
Apollo's expression darkened further. "Are you threatening me?"
"I'm a neutral party in these negotiations," Adris denied smoothly. "I'm simply advising you in this instance that you, like every other Familia in the city, must abide by Guild law."
Tanya momentarily marveled at the woman's ability to keep a straight face in this situation. In their previous meeting, Adris had struck her as the type to speak her mind regardless of the situation, yet here she was playing the part of a neutral officiator despite everything that she had heard thusfar.
I suppose the Guild didn't choose her at random, Tanya reasoned, before setting her mind back onto the topic at hand.
"The situation as it stands is untenable for you," Tanya spoke, drawing Apollo's eyes back to her. "Your reputation has already suffered a significant blow, and continued obfuscation will only make things worse. I'm not asking for much, simply an assurance that Licia and Dorian will not face reprisal for their roles in this affair. Licia told me the truth about Dorian's survival, and Dorian... well, I can't imagine he's particularly pleased with his current arrangement."
Apollo's lip curled. "And you know what my children want?"
"I assume that a man who was secreted away in his own home while his god told the city he was dead probably has some opinions on the matter," Tanya replied dryly. "But that's not my concern. My concern is ensuring that the people who helped me aren't punished for it, and to avoid being dragged into the debacle the situation will surely become should the Guild decide to pursue an actual investigation into the matter."
Apollo leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes studying her with an intensity that bordered on unsettling. Tanya held his gaze, refusing to look away even as the silence dragged on. She could practically see the calculations running behind his eyes, the weighing of costs and benefits, the slow grudging acceptance of a position that had become untenable.
"You ask for a great deal," Apollo said finally. "Assurances for members of my own Familia, promises that I will not seek retribution for the humiliation you have caused me. All of this, from a girl has nothing to offer in return."
"I have my silence," Tanya said. "And the silence of the Guild officiator standing beside me. Whatever agreement we reach here today stays between us and in whatever private records the Guild itself keeps."
Apollo's eyes narrowed. "You would have me believe that you would simply drop this matter? After everything I've done?"
"I'm pragmatic enough to take my victory and run with it," Tanya replied. "I may detest you in practically every way it is possible to detest another being, but I've no intent to go on a one-woman crusade against you and everything you stand for. I simply want to walk out of this estate with the assurance that this matter is concluded and that no one who helped me will suffer for it."
Apollo stared at her, taking a moment to weigh his options. His gaze passed between her and Adris, and his shoulders tightened almost imperceptibly.
"Very well," he finally said, his voice tight. "Licia and Dorian will face no reprisal for their roles in this affair. You have my word."
"I'd like that in writing," Tanya replied without missing a beat.
Apollo's eye twitched. "You'll get it," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "I'll have it drawn up and sent to the Guild by the end of the day. Now get out of my home before I do something I regret."
Tanya inclined her head, satisfied with the concession. "A pleasure doing business with you, Lord Apollo."
The god didn't respond, his gaze fixed on some point beyond the window as if Tanya had already ceased to exist in his mind. She turned on her heel and strode toward the door, her cloak swishing behind her. Adris fell into step beside her, the half-dwarf's clipboard tucked under her arm and a distinctly amused expression on her face.
Hyakinthos was waiting at the entrance, his expression sour enough to curdle milk. He pulled the door open without a word, his gaze fixed firmly ahead as Tanya and Adris stepped past him and departed the estate.
The cool air was a welcome relief after the stifling atmosphere of the solarium. Tanya took a deep breath, letting it fill her lungs before exhaling slowly.
"Well, that was fun," Adris said, stretching her arms above her head with a satisfied groan. "I don't get to corner gods in their own homes very often. Kind of a thrill, honestly."
Her expression soured almost immediately, however, as she glanced down at her clipboard. "Ugh. The paperwork, on the other hand... You're a heap of trouble, you know that?"
Tanya raised an eyebrow at the shift in the woman's demeanor. "I fail to see how my actions have generated paperwork for you specifically. Isn't this a Guild matter?"
"It is," Adris agreed, flipping open her clipboard and eyeing the stack of papers within with undisguised dread. "But I'm your attendant which means any and all paperwork related to your various entanglements falls squarely on my desk."
She shot Tanya a look. "So do me a favor and stay out of trouble from now on, would you? An earful is going to be the least of your worries if you continue making my life harder."
"I… make no promises," Tanya replied, "but I'll endeavor to avoid unnecessary complications."
"That's about as much as I can hope for, I suppose." Adris sighed, tucking her clipboard under her arm. "Right then. I've got to head back to the Guild and start on this mountain of paperwork. Do me a favor and spend the next week or two not getting on a god's bad side, alright?"
"Given my track record, I feel like guaranteeing anything would be pointless," Tanya said, and Adris snorted before turning and heading in the direction of the Pantheon. Tanya watched her go for a moment before turning in the opposite direction.
She found herself smiling on her way back to the Hostess of Fertility, unable to contain her satisfaction at how the situation had played out. Her headache was gone, and the weight that had been sitting on her shoulders since she arrived in Orario had finally been lifted.
She was free. Truly free, for the first time since arriving in this world. No debt hanging over her head, no predatory god seeking to claim her, no obligations tying her to anyone or anything. The path ahead was hers to walk as she chose.
Though I'd be a fool to think this is truly the end of it, she mused, her steps slowing as she passed through a particularly picturesque stretch of street. Apollo may have conceded, but he hasn't forgiven. A god's pride is a fragile thing, and I've done more damage to his than most would dare attempt.
The thought should have worried her, but Tanya found she couldn't quite muster the concern. She was more than used to dealing with spurned "gods" and though Apollo was certainly more incessant when it came to achieving his desires than Being X, the power he could leverage in that regard had been rendered impotent.
He'd doubtlessly try again, but there wasn't much he could do unless he wished to smear his image even more in the public eye.
As it stood, she had other matters to consider now. Her debt was absolved, but her financial situation was still precarious at best. The money she had spent on equipment for the duel was gone, and she was practically at square one again. And then there was the matter of her long-term prospects in this city...
One step at a time, Tanya told herself, pushing open the door to the Hostess of Fertility. First, breakfast. The future can wait until I've had a proper meal and a cup of coffee.
The very fact that she could even think that only improved her mood. Though the business with Apollo was certainly not over, for now, she had won a long overdue victory.
"CHEERS!"
Tanya withheld a wince as the cheer rang out from the occupants of the table around her and was echoed by practically everyone in the Hostess of Fertility which, unfortunately, was packed wall to wall with what felt like every person who lived in Orario.
And, of course, a significant percentage of them were there specifically to see Tanya and pat her on the back for her victory. Or otherwise accuse her of cheating her way to it.
The silver lining to the situation, aside from the business that Mama Mia was receiving from her stay, was that the Loki Familia was also in attendance. And it was them who Tanya was currently using as a buffer for the rancorous crowd around her.
"Oh, come on!" Tiona protested, leaning over to peer at Tanya's still-full mug. "You've barely touched that! It's a party, you know? You beat a Level Two in front of the whole city!"
"I'm aware," Tanya replied evenly, holding the mug slightly away from herself as if it might leap up and bite her. "I was there."
"Then drink already!" Tiona insisted, her amber eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Or I'm gonna down that thing and order you something stronger."
"By all means," Tanya slid her drink slightly closer to the Amazon, instead grabbing a cup of water sitting next to a steaming roast. Tiona threw a frown her way but didn't hesitate to grab the tankard and down it in just three gulps. She sighed happily, wiping froth from her lips, before letting out a small belch that drew a raised eyebrow from the Pallum sitting across from her.
"What's with the sour face? Cheer up kid, you did it!"
At the head of the table, Loki gave Tanya a grin so wide the former was worried her face might just split in two. Like everyone else present, the goddess was in high spirits, though if that was the alcohol or simply the party itself, Tanya had no clue.
The goddess slapped the table, pointing at Tanya. "I thought that show you put on at the banquet was gonna be the best thing I'd seen this week, but I gotta say, you really went above and beyond my expectations. Seeing you smack that smug look off of Apollo's face not once, but twice!? Priceless!"
Tanya inclined her head in acknowledgment, though she couldn't quite match the goddess's enthusiasm. "I appreciate the sentiment, but the terms of our agreement have not yet been ratified in any official capacity. Until they are, Apollo could still attempt to—"
"Oh, will you stop with the doom and gloom?" Loki interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "After that embarrassment? I'd be surprised if he even wants to look at you anymore, let alone claim you for his Familia."
She leaned forward, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You made him look like a fool in front of half the city, and the other half's hearing all about it as we speak. He won't want to touch the situation with a ten foot pole after the damage you've done to his reputation."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Tanya said slowly. "Apollo strikes me as the type to hold a grudge. A very long, very petty grudge."
"Let him hold it," Finn said from his place beside Loki. "He'd be a fool to try anything after today. The other gods saw his deception, and they won't soon forget it. Even if he wanted to come after you, he'll have a hard time finding allies willing to risk their own reputations."
"See?" Loki gestured toward her captain. "Even Finn agrees, and he's the cautious one. Now stop worrying and drink!"
She shoved a fresh tankard toward Tanya, the ale sloshing over the rim and pooling on the table. Tanya stared at it as if it were a live grenade, and slowly pushed away the spiced liquid.
"I don't really think—"
"That's the problem!" Loki declared. "You think too much! One drink won't kill you."
As if on cue, Syr appeared over Tanya's shoulder, placing a fresh tankard of spiced ale in front of her.
"On the house," she said with a knowing grin, before skipping off towards another patron before Tanya could get a word in.
Tanya stared at the tankard as if it had personally offended her. The ale sloshed gently against the sides, foam clinging to the rim in a way that reminded her of the dirty water they used to serve in the mess halls of the Rhine Front. The comparison did not fill her with confidence.
"I really don't think—" she began again, only to be cut off. Again.
"One drink!" Tiona insisted, slamming her hands on the table. "Just one! You just beat a Level Two in front
"She's right," Ais Wallenstein, the newest member of their group, spoke directly to Tanya for the first time tonight. "You fought well."
"She speaks! And she speaks truth!" Tiona threw her arm around Tanya who just barely tolerated the touch thanks to the knowledge that the woman was more than likely drunk at this point. "If Ais says you should drink, you drink!"
Tanya opened her mouth to offer another protest, but the words died on her lips as she took in the scene around her. The entire table was watching her, expressions ranging from encouraging to expectant. Even Finn had an interested smile on his face.
Tanya sighed, grabbing the drink.
One drink, she thought. It's not as if a single tankard will impair my thinking. And refusing at this point would be more trouble than it's worth.
Tanya lifted the tankard to her lips and took a sip, only to blink in surprise at the taste. She expected a bitter bite akin to whiskey or the acrid taste of beer, but instead she was pleasantly surprised at the flavor that slid across her tongue. The ale was smooth, with hints of honey and spice that mixed rather well with the warmth of the alcohol backing it all. It was almost like a cider, though not quite as sweet.
Tanya took two more sips before she remembered herself and put the drink down, but that little taste left her wanting more. She could see why people went broke filling their bellies with the beverage.
"She likes it!" Tiona cheered as she saw the expression on Tanya's face. Her words were accompanied by a raucous cheer, and Tanya started as she realized that even the nearby tables had been watching the scene intently, and were now cheering.
Loki raised her own tankard high, ale sloshing over the rim and onto the table below. She paid it no mind, her grin widening as she clambered onto her seat.
"A toast!" she bellowed, her voice carrying across the tavern with surprising ease. "To the girl who showed the whole city what happens when you cross someone who doesn't know how to lose!"
The cheer that erupted from the Loki Familia table was loud enough to rattle the glasses sitting on nearby surfaces. Tiona and Tione slammed their tankards together with enough force to send foam spraying across the table, earning an annoyed look from Bete who was sitting at one corner.
The cheer didn't stop at their table, quickly spreading like wildfire through the tavern, patrons rising from their seats and raising their own glasses in a wave of sound that crashed against the walls and echoed through the rafters. Tanya watched in bemusement as strangers called out, their faces flushed with alcohol and excitement.
"To Apollo who got his ass kicked by a little girl!"
"To the girl who fought like a demon!"
"Hah! More like a devil!"
"To the Little Devil!"
The last cry drew a particularly raucous response, and soon enough, the phrase was being chanted as if it was Tanya's name in and of itself.
Mama Mia came out from behind the bar, her expression caught somewhere between exasperation and amusement as she watched her establishment practically burst at the seams. She caught Tanya's eye across the room and raised an eyebrow, as if asking whether the girl was responsible for this chaos. Tanya could only offer a small shrug in response, though she'd admit to being dragged in by the mood.
"I suppose it won't hurt to participate," Tanya murmured to herself, lifting her tankard and taking another sip. "Just for tonight."
The night wore on, and Tanya found herself drawn into the festivities despite her best intentions. The Loki Familia were a boisterous bunch, but they were far from the most rancorous here. Tiona regaled her with tales of the Familia's adventures in the Dungeon, while Tione offered unsolicited advice on how to handle "creepy gods with grabby hands." Bete remained surly, but even he seemed to warm slightly as the evening progressed, if only because the alcohol had loosened his tongue.
Even Ais, who had been quiet for most of the evening, approached her once, her golden eyes fixed on Tanya's face. "You fight unconventionally."
Tanya raised an eyebrow. "I've had unconventional training."
Ais nodded slowly, as if this answer satisfied her completely. "I would like to see it again sometime."
Before Tanya could respond, the swordswoman had already turned and walked away, leaving her blinking in confusion. A strange girl, that one.
As the evening progressed, Tanya found her tankard refilled more times than she could count. The ale continued to surprise her with its pleasant flavor, and the warmth it brought was a welcome respite from the aches and pains still lingering from the duel. Her bruised cheek throbbed beneath the unflattering bruise, and the cut across her side had been bandaged, but both seemed distant concerns in the face of the merriment surrounding her.
And yet even as she laughed along with the others and raised her tankard in response to yet another toast, a small notion of sourness sat in the back of Tanya's mind. A note of regret, not for her victory, but for how she had achieved it.
She wondered after Licia and Dorian, the latter whose fate was all but unknown to her until yesterday, and the former who had been the one to reveal it. Both had been instrumental in her victory, but by letting loose as she had, she may have endangered them.
Tanya took another sip of her ale, the warmth doing little to dispel the cold knot forming in her stomach. She had revealed Dorian's survival in the heat of the moment, using it as a weapon to destabilize Asterin and expose Apollo's deception. It had been the right decision from a tactical point of view; the information had shifted the crowd's opinion and cast doubt on the entire narrative Apollo had constructed.
But in the aftermath, she couldn't help but wonder if the tactically sound move was the right one.
Licia had come to her in confidence, trembling and guilty, to share information that could easily be considered treason against her own god. And Tanya had weaponized it without a second thought, broadcasting it to half the city in the middle of a duel. Apollo would not forget that.
He'll be looking for scapegoats, Tanya thought. And Licia is the most obvious target.
She should have been more careful and found a way to use the information without revealing its source. But in the heat of battle, with Asterin's rapier flashing before her eyes and the crowd roaring in her ears, careful had taken a back seat to victory.
Another issue to add to the pile, Tanya thought bitterly. Though this one might cost more than my own hide.
"Hey!" Tiona's voice cut through her reverie, and Tanya looked up to find the Amazon leaning across the table with a concerned expression. "You okay? You look like someone just told you your puppy died."
"I don't own a puppy," Tanya replied automatically.
"Then what's with the long face?" Tiona asked.
"Another time," Tanya said in lieu of an actual response. Tiona pouted but didn't press, grabbing another drink and turning to talk to someone off to the side.
Tanya watched her for a moment before turning away, sitting back on her chair to watch the festivities.
She'd deal with it tomorrow. Tonight marked the first night of her debt-free life in this world. She may as well enjoy it instead of worrying.
The morning light was not kind to Tanya's head.
She strode down the main street with purpose, her boots clicking against the cobblestones in a rhythm that did wonders for her composure and absolutely nothing for the throbbing behind her eyes. The sun had barely crested the horizon and most of Orario's residents were still sleeping, blissfully unaware of the world outside their blankets.
Tanya envied them.
Note to self, she thought, pressing two fingers to her temple in a futile attempt to massage away the ache. Never again accept a drinking challenge from an Amazon. Their constitutions are frankly inhuman.
The festivities had continued well into the early hours of the morning, and Tanya had found herself swept along in the current of celebration whether she liked it or not. The Loki Familia knew how to party, and they were not the type to take no for an answer.
Still, she had no one to blame but herself. She had chosen to let loose, and now she was suffering the consequences.
"Hey! You're that girl, aren't you?" a voice called out from somewhere to her left.
Tanya turned to find a middle-aged man leaning out of a storefront, a broad grin splitting his weathered face. "The one who beat Apollo's adventurer! My wife and I were at the duel yesterday. That was quite something!"
"Thank you," Tanya replied politely, offering a small nod.
"You made that fool eat dirt!" another voice chimed in, this time from a woman sweeping her front steps. "Served him right, the way he tried to manipulate you!"
Tanya offered another polite nod, quickening her pace slightly.
She had hoped that the excitement from yesterday's duel would have died down overnight, but it seemed the citizens of Orario were not so easily distracted. It felt as if every other person she passed felt the need to offer their congratulations or commentary.
This had better not last long, she thought sourly. I can't go about my business with people stopping me at every turn.
It was with this pleasant thought that her eyes caught on a familiar sight parked along the side of the street. A small potato puff stand, with an even smaller woman standing behind the counter, humming to herself as she worked.
Tanya's stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten anything of substance since the previous evening. And salt, if memory served, was supposed to be good for hangovers.
She adjusted her course, making her way toward the cart. The woman looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps, her eyes widening in recognition before a broad smile spread across her face.
"Hello! It's been quite a while, hasn't it!" the woman exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron. "It's good to see you up and about! I wasn't sure you would be, after yesterday's show."
Tanya blinked, momentarily stunned by her words. She knew the news was widespread, but she didn't expect to be recognized by a simple potato stand worker. Then again, she was pretty much the only person Tanya had interacted with outside the Hostess or the Guild, so it wasn't that farfetched.
"Thank you," Tanya said, offering a small nod. "I'm here to make good on my promise and actually buy a potato, this time. Extra salt, please."
The woman beamed, already reaching for her supplies. "Of course! Coming right up!"
Tanya watched as the woman expertly prepared the potato, the same deft movements she remembered from her first visit to this cart. The smell of fried oil and salt wafted through the air, making her stomach growl even louder. When the woman handed her the steaming potato on a small paper tray, Tanya had to resist the urge to stuff the entire thing in her mouth.
"Thank you," Tanya said, lifting the tray and taking a cautious bite, careful not to burn herself. The potato was hot and salty, the flavor blooming across her tongue in a way that made the throbbing in her head seem just a little more manageable. She chewed slowly, savoring the taste, before reaching into her pouch and placing a small stack of coins on the counter.
The woman glanced at the money, then did a double take. "Uh, isn't this too much? The price is right there on the sign."
"The extra is for the first one I took," Tanya said between bites.
The woman's expression shifted from surprise to something softer, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that! That potato was on the house, I told you—"
"Goddess!"
The exclamation cut through the morning air, bright and eager and entirely too loud for Tanya's current state. She paused mid-chew, turning alongside the woman to find a vaguely familiar boy approaching with quick strides. White hair caught the early morning light, framing a youthful face that was currently split into a wide, earnest smile. His red eyes were fixed not on Tanya, but on the woman behind the cart, sparkling with an almost painful amount of enthusiasm for so early in the morning.
"Goddess!" he called again, coming to a stop in front of the cart. "I've got good news!"
Tanya stared at him, before slowly turning to look at the woman who was beaming back at the boy.
"Bell!" the woman said, her smile practically splitting her face in half. "What is it?"
Bell vibrated with excitement as he launched into an explanation about something or other, but Tanya found her attention drifting, the words washing over her without sticking as she rolled that single word over in her mind again and again.
Goddess. He called her goddess. This woman, this lonely woman who stood on the side of the road selling fried potatoes for pocket change, was a god.
The very idea was absurd, and Tanya almost dismissed it out of hand, but she knew that there was no deceit here, because there was nothing to gain from deception in the first place.
Tanya was vaguely aware of the hierarchy of divine beings in this world, but she didn't realize their lows were this... Low.
Was she simply playing a role? Pretending to be one of the "common folk" for idle amusement?
Tanya discarded the idea the moment it crossed her mind. The woman seemed truly happy doing this, or at least content. There was only so much happiness one could fake, even in the customer service industry. Her smile came easily, and the way she spoke to Tanya—a girl she had met only once before—was as if greeting an old friend.
How could someone calling themselves a god really stoop so low as to be satisfied by a life like this?
Tanya tried to imagine Being X in the same position, and the image that surfaced was so ridiculous that she couldn't help herself. She laughed. It started as an amused snort but quickly escalated into something fuller. The idea of the self-satisfied, sanctimonious bastard standing behind a wooden cart, sleeves rolled up, frying potatoes for a pittance was simply too much.
Both Bell and the woman turned to stare at her, their conversation dying mid-sentence as they looked at her in concert.
Tanya coughed, bringing a hand to her mouth in a vain attempt to smother the laughter that continued to bubble up from her chest. The image of Being X wiping grease from his brow while hawking fried potatoes to passersby was simply too delightful to contain.
"I'm sorry," she managed, her voice strained with suppressed mirth. "I just remembered something amusing."
The goddess apparent tilted her head, her expression caught somewhere between confusion and concern. "Are you alright? You seem a bit..."
"I'm fine," Tanya said, waving a hand dismissively. "But I think it's time I get on my way again. Thank you for the potato. It was delicious, miss..."
"Hestia!" The woman chirped, and Tanya dug deep into her repository of mythological figures to come up with the name. Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth and Family in Greek mythology. How appropriate.
"Miss Hestia," Tanya repeated, inclining her head politely. "Thank you for the food. I'll be sure to visit again."
"You're welcome here any time!"
Tanya left the potato cart behind, her steps carrying her away from the bemused goddess and her enthusiastic follower before they could ask any more questions about her sudden outburst. The potato was as delicious as last time.
The streets grew quieter as she moved away from the main thoroughfare, the early hour keeping most of the city's residents indoors. Tanya's headache had subsided somewhat, the combination of salt and fresh air doing wonders for her constitution. She still felt slightly off-kilter, but it was nothing that simply being awake and aware couldn't overcome.
The Apollo Estate loomed ahead of her, its grand facade casting a long shadow across the street. Tanya slowed her pace as she approached, eyeing the open gates. The atmosphere was distinctly different to the last time she had visited the grand manor, subdued and almost somber compared to the feverish activity of the banquet or even the quiet bustle that she remembered during her first meeting with the god.
It was as if the estate itself was feeling the results of their god's humiliating defeat.
Tanya's lip curled despite herself as she strode through the open gates, her cloak swishing behind her like a grand cape. There were a pair of servants at the doors ahead, and they seemed to tense as they spied her but neither actually moved to stop her. Likely Apollo or someone else had told them to expect her.
Tanya approached the entrance, but was perhaps halfway to it when her journey was interrupted by a familiar voice calling out to her from nearby.
"Miss Degurechaff!"
Tanya slowed as a figure stepped forward, meeting her halfway to the steps to the estate. Adris Garsana stood with a clipboard clutched to her chest with one hand and a large smile on her face. The stocky woman was dressed the same as Tanya had last seen her, guild uniform worn proudly in the morning light.
Tanya's brow furrowed at the sight of the woman. "Good morning, Adris. I can't say I expected to see you here. What business could you possibly have with Apollo?"
Adris smiled, adjusting her grip on the clipboard. "I'm here on official business, actually. For the Guild. See, it's our duties to ensure that all contractual obligations between Familias and unaffiliated parties are upheld in accordance with city law. The terms of your duel were filed with the Guild by the required parties the evening before the event, and now that you've won, I'm here to make sure that Apollo is held to his end of the bargain."
"I don't recall filing any paperwork."
"Well someone did for you," Adris shrugged. "Several someones, actually. I'd know since I spent almost five hours going over the same contract written six different ways. Would you like a copy?"
"Yes, please."
Adris produced a folded sheaf of papers from her clipboard and handed them over. Tanya took them with interest, her eyes scanning the contents even as she continued walking toward the estate.
The document was surprisingly thorough, outlining the terms of the duel in exacting detail. The stakes were clearly defined: victory for Tanya meant the absolution of all debts and obligations owed to the Apollo Familia, while defeat would have resulted in her binding to said Familia. There were clauses covering disqualification, interference by third parties, and even a section dedicated to what constituted a lethal blow versus an incapacitating one.
Tanya's eyebrows rose as she read through the document. "This is remarkably comprehensive," she murmured, flipping to the final page where two signatures sat side by side. One was clearly Apollo's, rendered in an elegant script that seemed designed to show off. The other was unfamiliar, but she recognized the Guild seal beneath it.
"Like I said, several someones," Adris said with a hint of amusement. "The Guild takes these matters seriously. Contracts between gods have a tendency to escalate if not properly documented."
"I can imagine," Tanya replied dryly, leafing through the papers a second time. "Though I'll admit, I'm a bit frustrated that someone had to do this on my behalf."
If it wasn't for these good samaritans, there's a possibility that Apollo could have turned that entire event into even more of a circus than it already was, she mused, frustration painting her thoughts. The idea that her whole plan could have been undone by a spot of improperly filed paperwork irked her to no end, and made her wonder if she was truly losing her instincts when it came to navigating the trenches of bureaucracy.
"Do you mind if I keep this copy?" Tanya asked and Adris shrugged.
"I've got more. Do what you want with them."
Nodding, Tanya tucked the papers into her cloak with a mental note to review them more thoroughly later. Whatever her feelings about the situation, the documentation was sound, and that meant Apollo would have a much harder time wriggling out of his obligations.
"Shall we?" Adris gestured toward the estate doors, her expression shifting to something surprisingly businesslike. "I believe they're expecting us."
The servants parted as they approached, pulling the heavy doors open to reveal the grand foyer beyond. Tanya strode inside with Adris at her heels.
The interior of the Apollo Estate was just as opulent as she remembered from the banquet, all soaring columns and gilded fixtures and artwork that probably cost more than most adventurers made in a lifetime. But there was a certain heaviness to the air now, a stillness that hadn't been present during the festivities. The servants moved about their duties with hushed steps and downcast eyes, and none of the easy laughter that had filled these halls just days ago could be heard.
Even the help knows their master has been humiliated, Tanya thought, fighting a smirk.
Adris led the way through the estate and soon enough, they were stood in front of the ornate doors of Apollo's solarium. Hyakinthos was waiting for them, his arms pulled tightly behind his back and tension in every line of his posture. He stared daggers at Tanya as she approached, as if he wished to unsheathe his sword and strike her down on that very spot. But then his gaze slid to Adris, and his expression wilted.
He stepped to the side, opening the door and gesturing us inside. "He's waiting for you."
The room was just as Tanya remembered it, an overly-ostentatious monument to its creator. Soft light streamed in from the glass windows and the morning mist just outside had yet to fully evaporate yet, leaving the picture feeling almost somber compared to the last time Tanya had been present.
Apollo lounged across the same seat as before, though his entire bearing was much different. The god seemed... diminished. That was the only word Tanya could think of to describe him. His entire demeanor appeared as if someone had come and drained him of all the unbearable pride and enthusiasm that had made him so detestable to Tanya in the first place.
"A pleasure to see you again, Miss Degurechaff," Apollo said, his voice seeming almost flat. "And you as well, my dear attendant. I assume you are here as an officiator?"
"That's correct, Lord Apollo," Adris replied. "I'm here as an official representative of the Guild to witness the ratification of the terms agreed upon prior to the duel. All parties involved have signed the appropriate documentation, and it falls to me to ensure that those terms are upheld in full."
Apollo's lips twitched, the closest thing to a smile Tanya had seen from him since entering the room. "How thorough."
"Thank you, Lord Apollo."
Tanya stepped forward, making no move to sit in the chair that had been placed before her, preferring to stand and look down at Apollo from her full height. Which, admittedly, wasn't much, but the principle of the thing mattered.
"Let's dispense with the pleasantries," she said flatly. "We both know why I'm here. The terms of the duel were clear. I won. You lost. That means my debt to your Familia is absolved, and I am free of any further obligations to you or yours."
Apollo's fingers stopped their drumming. He leaned back, regarding her with dull eyes of burnished gold.
"Indeed," he said slowly. "The terms were clear. Your debt is absolved, and you are free to go about your business without interference from me or my Familia."
"Good." Tanya crossed her arms over her chest. "Then I trust there won't be any further attempts to manipulate me into joining your little cult?"
"You've been absolved of your debt, as we agreed upon," he said, and Tanya's brow furrowed at the non-answer. Most would see it as acceptance, but Tanya immediately saw through his words for the truth of the statement. Though the current business between them had been concluded, there was nothing stopping Apollo from pursuing her through other means.
"That wasn't what I asked," Tanya said, her voice hard. "I asked for assurances that you won't be seeking reprisal for my victory."
Apollo's expression didn't shift, but something flickered behind his eyes. "I have already agreed to the terms of the duel. Your debt is absolved. What more do you want?"
"I want a guarantee that you won't simply manufacture another excuse to hound me," Tanya replied flatly. "I would be a fool to walk out of here without some assurance that you won't be sending your people after me the moment my back is turned."
Apollo sneered. "You ask for quite a lot, little adventurer. First you humiliate me before the entire city, and now you demand promises s well?"
"You are remarkably stubborn," Tanya marveled. "You lost. Accept it gracefully and move on."
"And you are remarkably impudent," Apollo replied sharply. "You have already received what was agreed upon. Your debt is absolved, and you are free of any further obligation to me or my Familia. That should be enough."
Tanya's eyes narrowed, noting that Adris was being remarkably silent beside her. The man was technically speaking the truth in that he had no obligation to acquiesce to her demand, but he had to know that word of this would reach the proper ears and do him no favors in the public eye. Was he so incensed at her victory that all sense had been driven from between his ears?
Typical, she thought with a flash of irritation. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile, but god forbid you ask them to put anything in writing that might actually constrain them.
"Very well," Tanya said, shifting tactics. If Apollo refused to be pinned down on the matter of her own freedom, then perhaps she could approach this from a different angle. "Then let us discuss another matter."
Apollo raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the sudden shift in topic. "Oh? And what matter would that be?"
"Licia Dore and Dorian Vellius."
Apollo's expression flickered at the names.
"What about them?" He asked in a neutral tone.
"Licia Dore is a member of your Familia," Tanya said. "And Dorian Vellius was until very recently presumed dead, a fact that you conveniently used to manufacture a scenario that you then attempted to leverage into indentured servitude. We both know that Dorian is alive and being held somewhere in this estate."
The silence that followed was deafening. Adris shifted beside her, the half-dwarf's eyes darting between Tanya and Apollo with an expression of keen interest.
"That is a serious accusation," Apollo said slowly. "One that I would expect you to back up with evidence."
"I'd say the words of Licia herself are sufficient, and I revealed as much during the duel," Tanya replied evenly. "In front of half the city. I hardly think I need to provide additional evidence when the whispers are already circulating."
"Ah, but they are just that," Apollo said, his tone light. "Whispers and rumors. Nobody would dare put any stock into something said in the heat of the battle."
"I'm not one to let adrenaline override my common sense," Tanya said. "I said what I said with a clear head and whole heart. Even if my original desire was to throw Asterin off balance, that doesn't mean I was lying."
Apollo's gaze slid to Adris, and the half-dwarf met his look without flinching.
"The Guild takes a dim view of gods who falsify the deaths of their children for personal gain," Adris said mildly. "A very dim view."
Apollo's jaw tightened. For a moment, his composed mask slipped, and Tanya caught a glimpse of the cold fury beneath. He didn't expect this, and it was clear that he didn't know how to play the hand that he had suddenly been dealt.
Apollo didn't speak for a long moment, the only sound in the room was the distant chirping of birds outside the solarium windows. His golden eyes bore into Tanya with an intensity that would have made a lesser person flinch, but she met his gaze without wavering.
"You are playing a dangerous game," Apollo said at last. "I have already conceded the terms of our duel. My honor has been dragged through the mud for all of Orario to see. And now you come into my home, and make demands of me, before a Guild officiator no less?"
"I'm simply negotiating," Tanya replied in a mild tone that did well to hide her internal smugness. "No demands are being made here, only simple requests."
"Pretty words, but faced with your impudence, I fail to see the difference."
"The difference comes in that when both parties stand to benefit," Tanya said. "You want this matter to go away. The rumors are already circulating, and the longer Dorian remains hidden, the worse they'll get. And I very much doubt the Guild's interest in this matter will simply disappear because you wish it to."
She glanced at Adris, who gave a slight nod of confirmation.
"Accusations of falsifying a Familia member's death would warrant an investigation," Adris said. "The Guild takes any abuse of the Falna system seriously. If such an investigation were to uncover evidence of wrongdoing, the consequences could be severe, even for a Familia as prominent as yours, Lord Apollo."
Apollo's expression darkened further. "Are you threatening me?"
"I'm a neutral party in these negotiations," Adris denied smoothly. "I'm simply advising you in this instance that you, like every other Familia in the city, must abide by Guild law."
Tanya momentarily marveled at the woman's ability to keep a straight face in this situation. In their previous meeting, Adris had struck her as the type to speak her mind regardless of the situation, yet here she was playing the part of a neutral officiator despite everything that she had heard thusfar.
I suppose the Guild didn't choose her at random, Tanya reasoned, before setting her mind back onto the topic at hand.
"The situation as it stands is untenable for you," Tanya spoke, drawing Apollo's eyes back to her. "Your reputation has already suffered a significant blow, and continued obfuscation will only make things worse. I'm not asking for much, simply an assurance that Licia and Dorian will not face reprisal for their roles in this affair. Licia told me the truth about Dorian's survival, and Dorian... well, I can't imagine he's particularly pleased with his current arrangement."
Apollo's lip curled. "And you know what my children want?"
"I assume that a man who was secreted away in his own home while his god told the city he was dead probably has some opinions on the matter," Tanya replied dryly. "But that's not my concern. My concern is ensuring that the people who helped me aren't punished for it, and to avoid being dragged into the debacle the situation will surely become should the Guild decide to pursue an actual investigation into the matter."
Apollo leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes studying her with an intensity that bordered on unsettling. Tanya held his gaze, refusing to look away even as the silence dragged on. She could practically see the calculations running behind his eyes, the weighing of costs and benefits, the slow grudging acceptance of a position that had become untenable.
"You ask for a great deal," Apollo said finally. "Assurances for members of my own Familia, promises that I will not seek retribution for the humiliation you have caused me. All of this, from a girl has nothing to offer in return."
"I have my silence," Tanya said. "And the silence of the Guild officiator standing beside me. Whatever agreement we reach here today stays between us and in whatever private records the Guild itself keeps."
Apollo's eyes narrowed. "You would have me believe that you would simply drop this matter? After everything I've done?"
"I'm pragmatic enough to take my victory and run with it," Tanya replied. "I may detest you in practically every way it is possible to detest another being, but I've no intent to go on a one-woman crusade against you and everything you stand for. I simply want to walk out of this estate with the assurance that this matter is concluded and that no one who helped me will suffer for it."
Apollo stared at her, taking a moment to weigh his options. His gaze passed between her and Adris, and his shoulders tightened almost imperceptibly.
"Very well," he finally said, his voice tight. "Licia and Dorian will face no reprisal for their roles in this affair. You have my word."
"I'd like that in writing," Tanya replied without missing a beat.
Apollo's eye twitched. "You'll get it," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "I'll have it drawn up and sent to the Guild by the end of the day. Now get out of my home before I do something I regret."
Tanya inclined her head, satisfied with the concession. "A pleasure doing business with you, Lord Apollo."
The god didn't respond, his gaze fixed on some point beyond the window as if Tanya had already ceased to exist in his mind. She turned on her heel and strode toward the door, her cloak swishing behind her. Adris fell into step beside her, the half-dwarf's clipboard tucked under her arm and a distinctly amused expression on her face.
Hyakinthos was waiting at the entrance, his expression sour enough to curdle milk. He pulled the door open without a word, his gaze fixed firmly ahead as Tanya and Adris stepped past him and departed the estate.
The cool air was a welcome relief after the stifling atmosphere of the solarium. Tanya took a deep breath, letting it fill her lungs before exhaling slowly.
"Well, that was fun," Adris said, stretching her arms above her head with a satisfied groan. "I don't get to corner gods in their own homes very often. Kind of a thrill, honestly."
Her expression soured almost immediately, however, as she glanced down at her clipboard. "Ugh. The paperwork, on the other hand... You're a heap of trouble, you know that?"
Tanya raised an eyebrow at the shift in the woman's demeanor. "I fail to see how my actions have generated paperwork for you specifically. Isn't this a Guild matter?"
"It is," Adris agreed, flipping open her clipboard and eyeing the stack of papers within with undisguised dread. "But I'm your attendant which means any and all paperwork related to your various entanglements falls squarely on my desk."
She shot Tanya a look. "So do me a favor and stay out of trouble from now on, would you? An earful is going to be the least of your worries if you continue making my life harder."
"I… make no promises," Tanya replied, "but I'll endeavor to avoid unnecessary complications."
"That's about as much as I can hope for, I suppose." Adris sighed, tucking her clipboard under her arm. "Right then. I've got to head back to the Guild and start on this mountain of paperwork. Do me a favor and spend the next week or two not getting on a god's bad side, alright?"
"Given my track record, I feel like guaranteeing anything would be pointless," Tanya said, and Adris snorted before turning and heading in the direction of the Pantheon. Tanya watched her go for a moment before turning in the opposite direction.
She found herself smiling on her way back to the Hostess of Fertility, unable to contain her satisfaction at how the situation had played out. Her headache was gone, and the weight that had been sitting on her shoulders since she arrived in Orario had finally been lifted.
She was free. Truly free, for the first time since arriving in this world. No debt hanging over her head, no predatory god seeking to claim her, no obligations tying her to anyone or anything. The path ahead was hers to walk as she chose.
Though I'd be a fool to think this is truly the end of it, she mused, her steps slowing as she passed through a particularly picturesque stretch of street. Apollo may have conceded, but he hasn't forgiven. A god's pride is a fragile thing, and I've done more damage to his than most would dare attempt.
The thought should have worried her, but Tanya found she couldn't quite muster the concern. She was more than used to dealing with spurned "gods" and though Apollo was certainly more incessant when it came to achieving his desires than Being X, the power he could leverage in that regard had been rendered impotent.
He'd doubtlessly try again, but there wasn't much he could do unless he wished to smear his image even more in the public eye.
As it stood, she had other matters to consider now. Her debt was absolved, but her financial situation was still precarious at best. The money she had spent on equipment for the duel was gone, and she was practically at square one again. And then there was the matter of her long-term prospects in this city...
One step at a time, Tanya told herself, pushing open the door to the Hostess of Fertility. First, breakfast. The future can wait until I've had a proper meal and a cup of coffee.
The very fact that she could even think that only improved her mood. Though the business with Apollo was certainly not over, for now, she had won a long overdue victory.
