Danmachi: A Despicable Stranger

Chapter 72: Izzy? The one who had an affair with Lady Artemis?

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"Lady Artemis, the nearby monsters have been cleared. For now, they should pose no further threat to the surrounding villages," Rethusa reported calmly.

"Understood. Thank you for your hard work, Rethusa," Artemis replied with a gentle nod.

"This level of work can hardly be considered hard, Lady Artemis," Rethusa said with a faint smile.

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As Artemis stood, momentarily rejected in her attempt to assist, a human figure emerged from the woods.

It was Rethusa, one of Artemis' most trusted family members and the leader of the [Artemis Familia].

"Gather everyone and have them return. After a short rest in Carne Village, we'll prepare to head back to Orario," Artemis instructed.

Chirping birds scattered in the air, and a small blue-feathered bird alighted on Artemis's finger. She watched it with a slight smile, enjoying its affection before looking out over the forested surroundings.

A month ago, the [Artemis Familia] had accepted a commission from the Adventurer's Guild Headquarters and departed on their usual mission.

Now, after a month, the commission was complete, and the group was making their way back to Orario.

The place they currently stood was not far from Orario, and the bright daylight promised a safe journey.

If they traveled at full pace, they could reach Orario by dusk.

Following Artemis's orders, Rethusa rallied the members of their familia. Once the battlefield had been cleaned and the spoils gathered, they began making their way to the nearby Carne Village.

This village, nestled on the edge of a lush green forest and alongside a flowing river, had requested the Artemis Familia's aid to eliminate the monsters.

Although referred to as a village, Carne was large enough to rival a small town due to its proximity to Orario and the resulting influx of people and goods.

Stone-paved roads—worn smooth by passing carriages—crisscrossed the village, which boasted sturdy stone buildings, several inns, and even windmills spinning leisurely in the gentle breeze.

"Ah, look over there!"

"That's…!"

"It's the goddess and her followers!"

As Artemis and her companions descended from the mountains and entered the village, the atmosphere turned festive.

Led by Artemis and Rethusa, they strode down the well-maintained stone road as villagers gathered on both sides, forming a human corridor to welcome their return. It was akin to a small festival celebrating the heroes' triumphant homecoming.

To the villagers, Artemis and her followers were nothing short of saviors. Driving away the monsters that had threatened their safety made them heroes in the eyes of the locals.

However, the members of the familia were used to such receptions.

Like the [Artemis Familia], there were many other groups whose primary mission was to exterminate the monsters terrorizing the land.

For these familias, helping towns and villages clear monsters disrupting their daily lives was routine.

"Oh, Lady Artemis!" the village chief called out, rushing over from the depths of the village. "Is there anything you need? Please don't hesitate to ask—I will do everything I can to assist!"

"We've gathered a significant amount of goods and would like to exchange them for money. But we don't require much since we won't be staying here for long," Artemis explained briefly.

The "dropped items" harvested from the monsters were not without value to the villagers.

With so many merchants passing through Carne Village, the locals could easily trade these precious materials with traders for much-needed money.

The village chief could not refuse this generous opportunity, but he still displayed the proper attitude of respect and gratitude.

Though he wished to repay Artemis in some way for her aid in eliminating the threat, the goddess politely declined, explaining that they would soon be leaving.

While the chief prepared the requested exchange, Artemis's followers took the chance to rest in the village. The chief bowed deeply to the goddess, promised swift preparations, and ordered those around him to begin arranging everything. He also dispersed the crowd, urging the onlookers to return home to their families.

"Go on now, you can do anything else, but stop crowding around the goddess and her followers. What are you staring at?"

The chief wasn't sure how Artemis felt about being surrounded by so many villagers, given her calm and indifferent demeanor, but he personally thought lingering like this bordered on disrespect.

Amid the busy hum of merchants calling out their wares, Artemis gave her group members permission to relax and enjoy their brief break.

It was during this time that the incident occurred.

"Wait, what?! Someone leveled up in just one month???"

"How is that possible? Who spread this nonsense?"

"Exactly! That has to be a lie!"

The girls of Artemis's familia had overheard a passing bard recounting recent major events in Orario, and the normally composed and disciplined adventurers suddenly erupted into chatter. Their cool demeanor from fighting monsters was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, my! Even if you're followers of the goddess, you can't slander my news like this," the bard said, feigning indignation. "I am Wendys, the finest bard in Orario! How could I possibly spread falsehoods?"

Wendys, a man with a gentle face, dressed in light traveler's clothing and sporting a feathered beret, was engaging in an animated conversation with the girls.

Unwilling to let his reputation be questioned, Wendys pulled out a document from his travel bag.

"Take a look at this notice! I purchased this firsthand intelligence from the Adventurer's Guild headquarters for 10,000 Vali's. It even bears the Guild's official seal. It's authentic!"

Bards, in their flamboyance, are known for such eccentricities. Wendys was no exception, even spending a small fortune to validate his stories.

"The finest bard in Orario? Funny, I've never heard of you," Lante remarked flatly, standing amidst her fellow girls.

"Well, that's because..."

"Because what?"

"I gave myself the title! Hehehehe~"

"..."

Lante was momentarily struck speechless, unsure where to even begin criticizing the bard.

Then one of the girls spoke up hesitantly.

"Um... I think the person mentioned in the notice looks kind of familiar..."

"Now that you mention it..." a companion chimed in, nodding in agreement.

"It's Izzy!!!"

"Which Izzy?"

"Who else? The one rumored to have had an affair with Lady Artemis!!!"

A collective gasp erupted.

For a moment, the group stood frozen in shock. Among them, Lante's reaction was the most dramatic—it was as if her entire worldview had been upended.

The insignificant Izzy she had been able to boss around just a month ago...

Had now risen to her level?

This can't be happening!

Lante refused to believe it.

"What's causing all this commotion?"

The outburst drew Artemis's attention. Walking over, she glanced at her followers, her expression calm yet curious.

At that moment, Lante bolted forward, wildly gesticulating and speaking in a jumbled rush.

"Lady Artemis, I-Izzy, he... he!!!"

"Hmm? What about Izzy?"

Artemis's brow furrowed slightly. Though Lante's frantic behavior bordered on disrespect, Artemis chose not to scold her. Instead, her mind immediately turned to the figure who had been troubling her thoughts lately.

Why would there be news about Izzy here?

Had he caused some kind of trouble?

"No, it's not that! Izzy—he's leveled up to Lv.2! In just one month!!!"

"…What???"

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