I love time travel the most!

Xiaolin scratched his head.

Despite his good relationship with the big shots, he didn't actually have any commendable heroic deeds in the Labyrinth City, and he almost always went on solo adventures in the dungeons.

Hearing rumors about myself suddenly feels quite novel.

"For example, you can see things that others can't, your fists can unleash incredible power, and you can move so fast that even your eyes can't see you. When they said that, I thought you were some kind of strange creature, so I rushed over to take a look out of curiosity."

"Wait, am I Cthulhu?!"

Xiaolin couldn't help but complain.

Although what I'm saying is true, it just sounds so awkward.

It seems the rumors aren't all good.

"Haha, that's exactly what I meant."

The deity showed no embarrassment whatsoever for his own clan members who were slandering others behind their backs; it was clear he had a very thick skin.

This is also due to his personality.

Hermes was lazy by nature and a hedonist who believed in entertainment to the death, yet he would pay attention to and interfere with whatever he found interesting.

He was originally traveling outside, but by chance, a member of his clan (Lulune) accepted a request and returned to the labyrinth city. While Asphie was busy with the request, he was invited by the sky god Uranus.

Due to the guild's unique nature, the Sky God, who must remain neutral, cannot recruit followers.

Kobayashi is currently only nominally affiliated with the guild, and so far, no problems have arisen. However, if other members of the clan protest because of this, the guild will face a very difficult situation.

Therefore, Uranus proposed that Hermes take over Kobayashi.

—He's a wonderful kid, and you two should get along very well.

So, besides cleaning up Lulune's mess during this dungeon mission, Asphie also had to conduct a certain degree of investigation into Kobayashi.

Even Hermes was surprised that his own family members would praise him so highly.

It seems that Uranus didn't say that on purpose to get rid of trouble.

Hermes was even more pleased with Kobayashi.

"I always felt that we got along very well."

"...I've only ever seen that sentence in a notebook."

Kobayashi muttered another complaint in a low voice.

Compatibility is just one parameter representing whether two people can easily get along.

Good compatibility means getting along well.

However, Kobayashi had only seen this word in a notebook, so it was quite ambiguous when it came from Hermes' mouth.

Especially after what had just happened, Xiaolin felt a chill creep over her.

Fortunately, Hermes didn't dwell on it too much, otherwise the carefree god would definitely have grabbed his arm and made Kobayashi give him a proper explanation.

"Alright, in that case, let's go for a drink!"

Why did the topic jump to this point?

"Thank you so much! To thank you for taking care of my child, Kobayashi, I'd like to invite you for drinks. Don't worry, it's on me."

Hermes gave a thumbs-up and smiled brightly again. It wasn't the kind of invitation that couldn't be refused, but rather one that was hard to refuse.

Because he knew that this deity's target was him.

Xiaolin agreed.

"Alright. But there's no need for a treat; let me invite you, Hermes, instead."

"Really?! That's great! Actually, I was in such a rush that I forgot to bring any money, and when I casually offered to treat you earlier, I really didn't know what to do. Great, I don't have to stay there washing dishes and paying back the money."

"........."

Do you want to listen to what you are saying.

What does it mean to invite someone to dinner without bringing money?

Hermes's relaxed smile suggests he's been kept on to do the dishes quite a bit.

I finally understand why we're compatible; it's because this deity is really similar to Aqua in some ways!

Miss Asphie, it seems things aren't going well for either of us.

Hermes misunderstood the situation due to the sudden silence.

"Could it be that you regret treating us?"

"No, I'm just thinking about where to go for a drink."

He shook his head and changed the subject.

Since we're going to treat the deity to a drink, we absolutely cannot be stingy.

Even if it's just a stupid Aqua who turns any liquid into pure water when she touches it, it's still good wine. And Hermes, who loves drinking and enjoying refined pleasures, can't be treated casually either.

"Go to the bountiful mistress."

Kobayashi suggested, "That's a lively tavern, trusted by the Loki Familia. Not only is the wine delicious, but the maids are also very beautiful. It's a great place for a good drink. What do you say, Hermes?"

"No, no, no need for that. Any tavern will do."

"But……"

"That tavern is on South Street, right? It's too far. Besides, I'm not someone who needs a show; I'm already satisfied as long as I can have a drink."

Hermes refused outright.

But this only made Xiaolin suspicious.

On the surface, Hermes doesn't seem like a formalist, but those who know him are aware of his true nature, and the god who likes pretty maids resolutely refuses.

It's one thing if he didn't know the tavern, but he could also pinpoint its exact location.

Do you not want to see Freya?

Or is it that we can't meet?

It seems that this elegant deity is hiding quite a few secrets.

Kobayashi remained outwardly calm, shrugging with a hint of provocation as he said, "In that case, let God Hermes decide. No matter which tavern it is, God Hermes will surely fall there today."

"Ha, you've got some nerve! Come on, I know a tavern around here, let's go there for a drink."

Hermes pounced and led Kobayashi straight into the depths of the street.

Unlike South Street, which is lined with shops on both sides, North Street is clearly a residential area where many adventurers and small clans live.

I saw familiar scenes on the street.

Kobayashi suddenly remembered that this was the very place where Bell had successfully defeated a silverback monster before.

With their thoughts wandering, the two soon arrived at a secluded tavern.

【Red Maple Pavilion】

Despite its ordinary appearance on the outside, the interior is surprisingly spacious, like a cave with its belly hollowed out. There are many adventurers inside, arguing loudly, boasting, and laughing heartily.

Hermes took a deep breath, enjoying it.

"It's been a long time since I've been here. It's as lively as ever."

"Yeah."

Xiaolin, on the contrary, remained quite calm.

It's lively here, but he's already quite used to it, having frequented the Abundant Mistress's place. And it's nowhere near as lively as the Adventurers' Guild in Konosuba.

Hermes easily found his way to the corner and sat down.

Soon, a waitress came over and gracefully left after Hermes said "the usual." She quickly served the two some snacks and drinks.

The deity greeted, "Alright, no need to be so polite."

"...If I remember correctly, it was my treat."

Despite saying that, Kobayashi still raised his glass and clinked it with Hermes'.

Take a sip.

“Delicious!”

Xiaolin's eyes lit up.

Unlike sparkling wine and other wines, this drink tastes really good.

Hermes chimed in enthusiastically, "Right? That's why I brought you here, Kobayashi. See? Didn't make the right choice?"

indeed.

If the bountiful hostess sells service, then this tavern sells wine, and naturally, it tastes even better.

If you're unaware of the situation, you might actually be misled by him.

However, once he realized that the man was not simple, any reason he gave was just an excuse in Xiaolin's eyes, and naturally he would not gain the man's trust.

But the wine is definitely delicious.

"I just don't know if it tastes as good as the sake that's sold in the market by the Soma clan."

"...It's obvious without even thinking that it's not, because that's divine wine. Even if it's a defective product made from scraps, it's still wine brewed by the gods."

Hermes' expression turned slightly serious.

It seems he also knew about the Soma clan.

That's to be expected. Even if Hermes is a wanderer who never stays in one place for more than half a month, the distortion of the Soma Familia has been going on for more than a decade. Even if you don't pay attention, you should know about it by now.

As if offering a warning, Hermes said in a flippant tone, "Kobin, you absolutely must not drink the wine brewed by Soma. It would be bad if you accidentally got hooked."

"Why? Isn't the sake of the Soma Familia something that can be resisted by anyone at level 2?"

"That's not absolute. Soma's brewed wine is also graded. Unlike the defective products, even gods would be tempted by the finished product, so you absolutely cannot drink it."

"I see, I'll be careful."

Despite saying that, he was actually more interested in the divine wine.