Danmachi: A Despicable Stranger

Chapter 63: What is Mama-san?

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The city was shrouded in darkness, its streets illuminated by the soft glow of magic stones, their light scattering like a sea of stars.

Back at the Twilight Manor, the adventurers returned to their rooms, leaving Izzy and Riveria to escort Loki to her shrine.

At the door to her room, Ais stood still, watching Izzy disappear down the stairwell with Loki slung over his back. She appeared hesitant, as though wanting to say something but unable to form the words.

"...Ms. Ais?"

"Ais~ go rest for tonight. If you're curious about how Izzy grew stronger so quickly, you can always ask him tomorrow. We're all part of the same Familia, after all. He's not going anywhere."

The voices of Lefiya and Tiona, whose rooms were nearby, broke Ais from her thoughts. Unlike the unsure elf, Tiona offered direct advice with a cheerful tone.

"...Um."

Ais mulled it over for a moment before giving a small nod of agreement.

"Well, good night, Miss Ais."

"Good night, Lefiya."

"See you tomorrow~"

Meanwhile, in the Shrine

Izzy, who had carried Loki all the way back, unceremoniously tossed her onto the bed, his expression a mix of exhaustion and annoyance.

"Ugh, this guy reeks of alcohol," he muttered with disgust.

"Thank you for your hard work, Izzy," Riveria said from behind him.

"It's fine; it's not like this is the first time," he replied with a resigned sigh.

"Our goddess has... her quirks."

Riveria shook her head as she stepped forward. Without a word, she deftly removed Loki's shoes, straightened her body, and pulled the quilt over Loki's prone figure with practiced ease.

The fluidity of her movements was so seamless that Izzy couldn't help but be impressed.

Such skillful actions, combined with her exasperated but dutiful attitude, left him thinking, Are you secretly running a daycare or something? What is this, Mama-san mode?

At that moment, Loki stirred, her previously shut eyes opening just a crack.

"Puh-oh…I…"

She groaned before letting out an alcohol-laden breath and raising a trembling hand, as if she wanted to say something.

Riveria, ever cautious, instinctively stepped back, putting some distance between herself and the intoxicated goddess.

"Wait, what do you think you're doing? Don't throw up! And don't come near me—stay over there!"

"I just want some water…" Loki groaned, her voice hoarse. "Ugh, my head hurts… don't talk so loud..."

Forcing herself to sit up, Loki looked worse for wear. The alcohol's aftereffects had fully hit her, and her pounding head screamed for rest.

Yet her parched throat refused to let her sleep, demanding water with an almost rebellious persistence. Grimacing, Loki turned her gaze toward Riveria, her face slack with a drunken smile.

"Mom... I want some water..."

"..."

Riveria, caught between exasperation and embarrassment, shot Loki a glare. She hadn't forgotten that Izzy was still in the room and now genuinely wanted to knock Loki unconscious to spare herself the indignity.

But after a brief hesitation, she relented with a sigh.

"Fine. Wait here; I'll get it for you."

"Okay~~~"

As Riveria turned to fetch the water, she froze in surprise. Izzy stood nearby, already holding a cup of clean water, which he had prepared beforehand.

"Here. Freshly poured," he said casually, extending the cup toward her with a slight nod.

There was always clean water in Loki's shrine, kept in a teapot on the desk. As one of Loki's personal items, it wasn't treated with much distinction—water was water, after all.

"Thanks," Riveria said, taking the water from Izzy.

"You're welcome," he replied simply.

With the water in hand, Riveria walked back and handed it to Loki. They stood silently as their god gulped down half the teapot in a single go. When she finally let out a long, satisfied sigh, she promptly collapsed back onto the bed.

After bidding farewell to their god—who seemed to have lost all dignity for the night—Izzy and Riveria quietly left the shrine together.

---

Outside, Izzy assumed they'd exchange quick goodbyes and head their separate ways, as usual. But just as he was about to speak, Riveria suddenly brought up a different topic.

"Izzy... I heard from Loki that you've been trying to create your own magic?"

Izzy turned to meet her emerald eyes, slightly taken aback. "Ah, yeah. After all, it'd be a waste to not use those two skills of mine, right?" he replied with a small smile.

"In that case, how about joining me with Lefiya to learn some magic fundamentals? It might help you in creating your own magic," Riveria suggested, her tone calm but thoughtful.

Izzy blinked in surprise. Was this real?

As Orario's most powerful mage, Riveria's guidance was a treasure sought by countless wizards. And with her status as both a royal elf and the deputy leader of Loki's Familia, her knowledge and experience were unmatched. Learning from her would surely speed up his progress compared to fumbling through it alone.

"Wait… does this mean I can call you Teacher Riveria?" Izzy asked, half-jokingly.

"Huh?" Riveria froze for a moment, a curious look flashing across her face.

No one had ever addressed her like that before.

In the past, those she mentored—Lefiya, Alicia, and other Familia mages—always referred to her with formal honorifics. She'd grown used to it, never bothering to correct them. To be called "Teacher Riveria" now felt oddly novel.

"...Isn't that a bit too formal?"

Seeing her hesitate, Izzy rested his chin on his hand in thought. "Hmm... should I change it, then?"

"No, it's fine~" she said with a faint smile.

"Really?"

"Mm."

With their agreement settled, they didn't exchange many more words and soon parted ways. It was already late, and they both needed rest.

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The Next Morning

The sky outside was clear and blue, and the cheerful songs of birds filled the air. It was the kind of morning that seemed to invite everyone to start the day on a bright note.

But not Izzy.

Still wrapped in his quilt, he lay on his bed, sealed away from the world.

It was a rare day off for everyone. Loki had declared it a free day, leaving Familia members to their own devices. Naturally, Izzy decided to make the most of it by sleeping in.

Unfortunately...

Bang, bang, bang—

"Izzy! Are you there? It's Tiona. Can you open the door? I need your help!"

"...???"

The knocking jolted Izzy from his half-asleep state, confusion flooding his thoughts. Why was Tiona looking for him so early in the morning?

Suppressing a groan, he called out, "Wait a minute! I'll be right there..."

Dragging himself out of bed, Izzy took his time washing up and dressing before finally opening the door.

However, he didn't expect to find Tiona standing there with three others.

Tione, Ais, and Lefiya stood alongside her, forming a group that immediately caused Izzy's grogginess to fade.

All four of them—together, at this hour, outside his door?

It felt oddly inappropriate for them to gather like this, knocking on a boy's room so early in the morning.

Loki would definitely cry if she knew…

And if she was in the mood, Izzy wouldn't be surprised to end up caught in a punishing cross armbar later.

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