Danmachi: In Orario with Great Sage

(Riven POV – Church Basement Room)

'This feels familiar...' I think as my consciousness begins to stir.

I blink myself awake, greeted not by sunlight, but by the soft rise and fall of breath against my chest.

I glance down.

There, I see Hestia sprawled across me like I'm her personal mattress, her limbs clinging to me like a sleepy koala.

'Even blackout drunk, she still managed to find her way back here...' I sigh internally. 'At this point, why do we even sleep in different places?.'

Still, I made her a promise. I won't leave without saying goodbye. So I do what must be done. I place my hands on her shoulders and gently shake her.

Which is weird, because she's on me, but I try to ignore that weirdness.

"Hestia," I say firmly. "Time to wake up."

She groans into my chest. "Mmm... five more minutes..."

She turns her head away, which accomplishes absolutely nothing.

'Lies.' I narrow my eyes. 'No one who says that ever means it.'

I let out a theatrical sigh. "Loki just showed up at the door. She's here to poach me."

The reaction is immediate.

Hestia bolts upright. Her eyes shoot open, her hair's a mess, and her voice echoes through the room.

"WHERE IS THAT FLAT-CHESTED HAG?!" She yells, scanning the room already prepared for battle. "How dare she poach my Familia!"

Her eyes dart around, searching, until her expression slowly shifts from fury to confusion.

"...Wait. Huh? Where is she?" She mumbles, finally noticing that the only one here is me, and that she's straddling my stomach.

I meet her gaze with an all-too-innocent smile. "I just discovered your new alarm ringtone. Effective, don't you think?"

Her eyes go wide with betrayal. "You wouldn't."

I shrug. "You told me to wake you, but you refused to awaken. I have to get creative."

She pouts, planting her hands on my chest. "Still, you didn't have to mention Loki!"

'I could've said Freya. That'd have scared you straight.' I think happily.

Hestia's eyes narrow. "You're thinking about something bad."

"I wouldn't dare." I say seriously.

"That's a lie." She deadpans, and we just stare at each other for a few seconds.

There's no way I'll admit anything, so I gesture to her current position. "So, are you going to stay on top of me all morning, or...?"

Rather than flustered embarrassment, Hestia just tilts her head curiously and peers down. "How'd I end up like this?"

"Every night, you sneak over here while I'm asleep and wrap around me." I say plainly.

She hums thoughtfully. "Well... you do make a good pillow." She even strokes her chin for effect.

I blink slowly. 'Is she serious right now?'

"I'm glad I meet your bedding standards, but I've got things to do today." I tap her lightly.

"Fine, fine." She hops off with a reluctant huff, stretching her arms above her head with a yawn. "So, what's the plan for today?"

"I'm planning to hit the tenth floor." I say while stretching. "But before that, I'll need to stock up on potions. Do you know any decent places? Otherwise I'll just head to Dian Cecht's place."

Hestia's eyes light up instantly. "Wait, I know a better one! My friend Miach runs a pharmacy. He's got good stuff and fair prices." She runs over, grabs some paper, and scribbles crooked lines into a rudimentary map.

"This is the place." She says proudly, holding up the mess. "Just tell them you're from my Familia, and you'll be fine."

I take the map with some skepticism. 'Ah yes... the same place that sold Bell watered-down potions at full price. Wonderful.'

Still, they're good quality, and much cheaper than normal.

"Alright. I'll stop there before heading into the dungeon." I sling my bag over my shoulder and turn to go. "I left five thousand Valis on the table for you. Use it for Familia stuff."

"Wait!" She calls out, just as I reach the door. "What about weapons? Your current knife won't cut anything on the deeper floors."

I glance over my shoulder. "Good weapons cost good money. I'm not rich enough to buy one."

Hestia bites her lip, looking hesitant.

"Just... don't do anything dumb like going into debt to get one, okay?" I narrow my eyes slightly. "You were already thinking about it, weren't you?"

She flinches.

'That's a yes.'

Makes sense. My growth rate even surpassed Bell, so she probably wants to get me gear that can match me.

I sigh. "If you're thinking of bugging Hephaestus for a weapon... don't."

She averts her eyes.

"...Instead, ask her if I can watch one of her smiths work. Or maybe even her, if she's willing."

Her gaze flicks back, confused. "What for?"

"To steal their techniques." I say with a cheeky grin. "But don't tell them that. Just say I wanted to broaden my horizons and learn."

Hestia watches me for a moment, then slowly nods.

"Okay. I'll ask her. Just... be careful."

I offer her a faint smile. "Always."

And with that, I open the door, stepping out into the cool Orario morning.

Next stop: the Blue Pharmacy.

(Riven POV – Blue Pharmacy)

'This should be the place.'

The building is modest. A sign with the Miach Familia crest and the name of the store hangs above the door. I push open the wooden door, and a soft chime rings out as I step inside.

The room is small, and devoid of decorations like most stores. Shelves line the walls, displaying a few rows of potions in differently colored vials. Behind the counter sits a girl slumped like she's about to drift off to sleep.

Long, light-brown hair drapes lazily over her shoulders. Her droopy purple eyes glance up at me under heavy lids, and her floppy dog ears twitch once.

"Welcome...?" She says in a deadpan voice that still seems to question why I'd appear here. "We've got potions, and they're very affordable."

'Not very welcoming.' I muse.

I smile anyway. "Thanks. I'm looking to buy some. Hestia recommended this place. You're from the Miach Familia, right?"

Her expression doesn't change, but her head tilts. "Hestia...?" She echoes slowly, like she's digging through mental cobwebs. "Can't say I know her."

She clearly doesn't care, but I press on anyway.

"She's my Goddess. Said Miach was an old friend of hers, so I figured I'd stop by. How much for ordinary and magic potions?"

At the mention of money, she perks up slightly.

"Ordinary potions go for 500 Valis. Magic potions are 10,000." She recites mechanically. "If you're buying in bulk, I can offer a discount."

'Ordinary potions are essentially glorified band-aids, and magic potions are good, but I've got no magic yet.' I silently check the coin pouch strapped to my side.

Only 2,750 Valis left after giving Hestia her share.

'Being broke is wonderful...' I think sarcastically.

"I'll take one ordinary potion for now." I sigh.

Her shoulders visibly deflate with disappointment. Still, she turns to grab a vial—a thin glass tube filled with pale green liquid—and sets it down on the counter.

'Great Sage?'

[Answer: The potion is diluted. The concentration is lower than the other ordinary potions in display. Estimated healing effect reduced by 37%.]

I squint at the vial. "This one's been watered down."

The girl doesn't blink. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." I say plainly, "this potion's concentration is lower than it should be. It's been diluted."

We stare at each other for a moment, then she sighs, dropping the facade entirely.

"...Tch. I hoped you wouldn't notice. Alright, alright... how'd you figure it out?" Her tone remains flat, but her curiosity is piqued.

"I have my methods." I shrug with a lazy smile. "So. How about the real thing?"

She gives me a long stare, then slowly bends down and pulls a different potion from under the counter. Pretty much indistinguishable from the last one, but Great Sage confirms it's quality.

I place 500 Valis on the table, but just as she's about to hand it over, she pauses. Her hand disappears below the counter again, and she brings up a second vial—this one a bright citrus hue.

"A mind potion?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I'll give this one to you... on credit." She says in the same bored voice, but it's slightly more tense than before. It almost looks like offering it physically pained her.

"Isn't this the one that costs 10,000?" I say, already reaching for it.

She nods. "I don't want Valis." She says. "I want help. I've hit a wall on a project I'm working on. Thought you might be useful."

There it is. The bait.

"I'm a new adventurer." I reply mildly, watching her eyes. "I doubt I'm much use to you."

"Keep the potion anyway." She says quickly. "If you can't help, there's no need to pay it back. If you can, it'll be worth it."

'Now that's interesting.' I study her face, but she's entirely calm and unreadable.

'Great Sage, anything suspicious about my behavior that would make her assume I could help her?'

[Answer: Correct identification of potion concentration by sight is extremely difficult without further testing. She likely believes you have advanced alchemical knowledge.]

'Yep, she's smart. At worst she loses 10k, and at best she'll make much more.'

"Let me guess," I say, "You're working on a potion?"

She nods once. "But I haven't managed to get it to stabilize, and I want you to take a look."

I stare at her for a moment, and smile cheerfully.

"Alright." I say finally. "I'll take the mind potion as advance payment for consultation. But if we actually make it work—" I narrow my eyes, "—I expect a cut of whatever profit it brings."

She hesitates. Her ears droop a bit—almost apologetically, like a kicked puppy. It's kind of cute. But not enough that I'll let myself be taken advantage of cute.

"...Fair." She mutters. "We'll talk more when you come back. I need time to set things up."

"Looking forward to it." I smile. "By the way, I never got your name. I'm Riven."

I extend a hand.

'Great Sage, can I analyze her prosthetic?'

[Answer: The prosthetic limb is highly complex. Analysis possible but it will take a long time.]

'I expected it, but it's still a shame.'

She looks at my hand with a neutral expression.

"...Naaza." She says, not shaking it.

"Nice meeting you, Naaza." I retract the hand without offense and slide both potions into my pouch, and consume them with Predator for analysis. "I'll swing by again soon."

With a parting nod, I step out of the Blue Pharmacy and into the morning light.

'If I'm right... she's working on the Dual Potion, which restores both health and mind.'

I can probably figure out how to stabilize it with Great Sage's help. And if I can't... I lose nothing.

'Even Dian Cecht envied the potion in the anime. It'd make lots of Valis.'

I hum, pleased, and begin walking toward Babel.

(Riven POV – Tower of Babel)

As I approach the tower's grand entrance, the sound of roaring cheers and excitable shouting hits me.

'Why is it so noisy today?' I wonder, slowing my pace.

Then I step into the main hall of Babel—and immediately understand.

My eyes widen slightly as I catch sight of the source of the chaos.

Freya.

And she's walking straight toward me.

Not directly, but close enough to set off alarm bells in my head. Her path is a gentle curve toward the entrance I just came through, her gaze sweeping across the crowd.

'Of all times... she shows up now?'

The crowd parts, making way for her to move unimpeded, as her Familia keep people at bay. Adventurers, merchants, everyone either gawks or tries to get a better look at her.

'It's like a bunch of schoolkids seeing a celebrity in person.'

Some men fumble over themselves to bow or wave like idiots. Others just freeze in stunned shock.

Even some of the women look starstruck, and a few even look jealous.

And then there's me. Just trying not to look suspicious.

My eyes scan her carefully. Silver hair cascading gracefully down her back, purple eyes with an unsettling depth, and skin as pale as fresh snow. She wears a black and crimson dress that flirts with modesty by leaving little to the imagination. Her smooth stomach and the curve of her chest practically on display. Every movement she makes is elegant, and charms all who see her.

'Yeah... she's gorgeous, but it's not as overwhelming as they make it sound.'

If Ais is a ten, then Freya's a solid twelve. Is she beautiful? Absolutely. But it shouldn't be enough to send everyone into a frenzy.

Or so I think—until the answer hits me.

[Notice: The skill IronHeart renders you immune to external mental effects. Freya's beauty does not influence the mind—it alters reality itself. Her divinity subtly shifts the definition of beauty within perception. This effect does not override free will, but creates an environment where her presence becomes the objective standard. This extends beyond physical appearance, and influences how her actions and words are perceived to a minor extent.]

'So her charm isn't mind control exactly... it's reality distortion. It doesn't alter a person's mind, but makes it so that to everyone in existence, she's objectively the most beautiful.'

Objectively beautiful. To everyone. Without exception...

'That's arguably worse.'

It explains why so many people adore her, and loyally follow her.

And yet... I'm immune to all of it. Everyone has their free will, but there's no changing the reality that they still have fallen victim to her charm.

I quickly adjust course, slipping around the crowd, careful not to draw her attention.

But then, I feel something that makes me glance back.

And that's when it happens.

Our eyes meet.

It's just a moment, barely even a second.

But I know she was looking at me.

She sees me.

No... she's been watching.

Then—she smiles.

It's a faint smile... a knowing smile.

Immediately, several adventurers in the vicinity erupt in excitement, convinced the smile is meant for them. I even spot one guy crying.

But I know better.

That smile was meant for me.

And it wasn't just curiosity. It was the smile of someone who's just uncovered a hidden conspiracy... and liked it.

I look away instantly, slipping deeper into the crowd like a shadow.

'Great Sage... was that what I think it was?'

[Answer: Confirmed. Subject Freya activated her charm and focused it on you.]

'So... she did try to charm me... Or test me? And she knows it didn't work.'

I inhale slowly, just so that I can sigh more deeply.

'I'm fucked...'

I just didn't know it yet.

'I used myself as bait... hoping to attract fish I could eat... but I brought a shark. And worse... she's seems hungry.'

************

A/N: Hello Everyone. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. And if you did, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones. It really helps the book out.

How was the chapter? Ngl, there were a lot of things that couldn't be found out, especially regarding Freya's charm. So, I out my own spin on it. It's been bothering me so much. Freya never charmed her Familia, and everyone loves and adores her, just because she's beautiful? Then why would she feel like she needs someone immune to charm to truly be loved if she isn't charming anyone actively. Even gods don't qualify.

I think this is it. I out my spin on it being warping reality to make Freya the epitome of beauty in everyone's mind, mortal and God, including any actions and words that can be counted as appealing or beautiful. Hence why it's so easy for her to be loved and adored by the public. Bell's case would also be explained as his love for Ais, through the skill, resisting Freya's charm, since the skill ensures it can't shake his own thoughts, kinda like Riven here.

Another thing. The reason it bothers Riven so much is because the situations are very different. Meeting Syr is Freya saying that I'm okay playing this game with you, and watching you grow from afar. Meeting Freya directly, in his head is her saying she's ready, and willing, to use direct means to get what she wants.

Of course, these are just his thoughts, not necessarily Freya's, but it's a good spook.

Also, he's exploiting Naaza. Is anyone mad? While she's cute, he can't just throw away the potential to earn passive income, can he? I mean, you can do good deeds, but don't be taken advantage. It's funny that he does imply that he'd let someone take advantage of him if they were cute enough. But we'll never know.

I've also uploaded all 10 advanced chapters to Patreon, so updates should be more stable at around once every 2nd day. Feel free to support me if you want at:

[email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY

As for the discord server, the link is discord.gg/dyJDk5knXT

Which should be permanent, unless I'm messing something up.

Anyway, that's all from me. Hope you all have a great day!