Surprise! I've Transmigrated Again

After Hestia left, Bell and Adam weren't going to sit around like abandoned children waiting for their divine mother to return. Since they had nothing to do at home, they decided to explore the Dungeon and contribute to the Familia's development.

The poor Hestia Familia desperately needed money to improve their living conditions!

On this point, both were in complete agreement.

"Adam, are you sure you'll be okay without equipment?" Bell looked at him, who carried only a long sword, and said with self-reproach, "I'm sorry — even though you joined our Familia, I couldn't provide you with standard beginner equipment, and we even used your money to rent this house."

"What are you saying, Captain!" Adam gave him a firm pat on the shoulder, "We're Familia, we're family! Stop worrying about these little things. Besides, I'm very strong, you don't need to worry."

"Is that so? Hehe." Bell laughed awkwardly, automatically dismissing his claim about being strong.

It was clear he didn't believe Adam's words, probably thinking he was just trying to offer comfort.

"Well then, it's getting late, shouldn't we get going?" Adam put his arm around the kid's thin shoulders and led him out of the room, "Today is our Familia's first full member expedition, so rather than focusing on profits, we should prioritize safety. As long as we return safely, that's good enough, right?"

"When you say full member expedition, our Familia only has you and me as members, doesn't it?" Pressed down by Adam's tall frame, Bell slightly hunched his shoulders, then sighed before agreeing. "Indeed, today our first goal is to return safely. Let's just explore the upper five floors for now."

Though he could now venture down to the 5th Floor alone, it was safer not to explore the deeper levels yet.

With that, the two headed toward the Dungeon.

✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧

As they were walking along the busy street, Bell suddenly stopped and pulled Adam in a different direction.

"Hm? What's wrong, Bell?" Caught off guard by the sudden pull, and seeing Bell walking ahead with his head down, Adam sensed the kid had made up his mind about something.

"Sorry, Wu, I'd like you to come with me somewhere else first."

"Somewhere else?" Though puzzled by his behavior, Adam followed behind him.

Until they arrived at a tavern — the Hostess of Fertility.

"Oh, I see, so it's this place." Adam knew the kid had come to pay for his previous dine and dash.

Earlier, when eating here, Bell had been heavily mocked by Bete, a werewolf from the Loki Familia, causing him to flee in panic without paying.

"Eh, Adam, you know this tavern too?" Bell turned back to ask, then scratched his forehead, "Oh right, this tavern is very famous among Adventurers, of course you would know about it."

"No, I know about it for reasons other than its reputation." Adam shook his head, "Actually, I know you came here to pay for your previous meal."

"Eh?" Bell was stunned.

Even Hestia didn't know about him dining and dashing here, yet Adam had casually stated his reason for coming.

"Three days ago, I saw Bell here at this tavern."

"Which means..."

"Ah, naturally I know about that incident." Adam nodded to indicate he knew everything that happened that night. But he also assured him, "Please don't worry, I won't tell Goddess Hestia about this. You don't want her to worry either, right? Well, let's just keep this a secret between us men, how about that?"

"That's really helpful, Adam." Bell nodded gratefully, "But I'm sorry you had to see me in such a pathetic state. As expected, I'm not qualified to be Captain."

Having witnessed such an embarrassing incident, Bell felt unworthy of being Captain.

How can someone as weak and incompetent as me be a Familia Captain?

Just as he was wallowing in self-pity, Adam spoke up, "Stupid Bell, you don't need to say that!"

"Eh?"

"Being a Captain isn't just about who's strongest — there are other qualities that matter."

Hearing this, Bell perked up, "Then what are the standards for becoming a Captain? Please tell me!"

"I don't know."

"Eh?!!"

"No, really, I don't know." Facing the kid's utterly disbelieving expression, Adam explained, "I'm not a Captain either, so asking me won't help. You'll need to figure it out yourself."

Bell wailed, "How can this be?!"

But his spirits had already lifted from his earlier self-deprecation.

That was typical of him — quick to get discouraged, but just as quick to bounce back. A little playful encouragement was all he needed to grow.

"Hey, you two!" Mama Mia's booming voice suddenly came from inside, "If you're not coming in, then move along! You're blocking business!"

She fixed them with a death glare fierce enough to terrify children, as they stood hesitating in the doorway.

Though intimidating, this was her way of showing kindness. She'd noticed their conversation earlier but waited until they finished before speaking up.

"Well, looks like the proprietress is angry. We'd better head inside." With that, Adam gently pushed the reluctant Bell through the door.

"Oh, it's you, kid." Mama Mia eyed the frail rabbit-like boy, her heart concerned despite her stern words, "What's the deal, dawdling at my entrance—"

"I'm so sorry about running away without paying last time!" Bell cut in with a deep bow, thrusting forward a small bag of Valis, "Here's payment for my meal!"

His swift response and sincere manner made Mama Mia hold back the scolding she'd prepared.

After a pause, she couldn't help saying, "Well, well — coming back to pay of your own accord. How admirable! Though if you hadn't, I would've had to track you down myself."

"Eek! I-I'm really sorry!" Bell jumped back in shock, then quickly bowed again in apology.

No one dares to dine and dash here!

He vividly remembered those words from when he'd fled before. There was no doubt that if he hadn't returned to pay, the sturdy proprietress would have broken him into pieces.

"Really now, stop apologizing so much, Bell." Syr stepped forward, unable to contain herself any longer, "I'm so happy you came back."

Her face showed a complex mix of joy, worry, and fear, but upon seeing Bell, it all transformed into excitement. Though subtle, Adam noticed her unusual behavior.

"By the way, who is this?" Syr asked, looking at the stranger who had arrived with Bell.

"This isn't our first meeting — it should be our second, Miss Syr." Adam lifted his hood and lowered it again to help her remember him as the customer who had previously asked for the bill, "I'm Adam Carter, a new member of Bell's Familia. I hope you and Mama Mia will take good care of me."

"Ah, it's you!" Syr brightened with recognition, "A new member? So that means you're a novice adventurer, Adam?"

"Yes, that's right." He was surprised by how naturally she used his first name.

He didn't mind such small things though. After all, she was a Goddess of Beauty, and she wasn't interested in him anyway. As long as he didn't act strange, there shouldn't be any trouble.

"I see..." Syr's expression turned thoughtful.

This is bad — danger!

An indescribable sense of crisis welled up in Adam's heart. Perhaps she remembered his earlier mention of knowing Bell — was she angry about that?

But the sense of crisis vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

No, surely not... right? Well, he hadn't lied to her anyway, so she probably wouldn't make much of it.

"By the way, Bell, are you going to the Dungeon today too?" Syr asked hopefully.

She had been hiding her hands behind her back, concealing something she clearly wanted to give to the rabbit-like boy.

"Yes." Bell nodded, "We're definitely going to the Dungeon today."

"Then take this — it's a bento."

"Eh, no, I couldn't possibly..."

"Please accept it, won't you?"

Bell shook his head and waved his hands in refusal, but faced with Syr's shy expression and gentle yet firm persuasion, his defenses crumbled. He could only accept with an embarrassed look.

He simply couldn't refuse the young woman's kindness.

"Oh right, we didn't prepare lunch!" Seeing the bento in Bell's hands, Adam suddenly remembered they had left in a hurry without eating breakfast or packing provisions.

The kid had his meal now, but Adam was still going hungry.

He quickly turned to Mama Mia, "Excuse me, could you prepare a hot lunch box for me too? I'll pay!"

Worried she might refuse, he made sure to mention payment.

Unfortunately, he was still denied.

"Can't do it. Sorry young man, you'll have to try somewhere else." Mama Mia shook her head, "The tavern just opened and the kitchen isn't ready yet — we can't make anything—"

"We can!" Syr cut in decisively, her tone brooking no argument.

She seemed eager not to let this business opportunity slip away.

"I'll go make it now, please wait!" With that, she rushed into the kitchen.

For a tavern waitress, she showed remarkable dedication!

Bell found it strange that Mama Mia, as the owner, didn't scold Syr. Only Adam knew why — after all, how could a subordinate scold their own deity?

Still... Was Syr trying to win Bell's favor, or did she want to learn more about him from Adam?

Hmph, you think you can buy me off with these small favors? Don't you know that Bell is the Captain of the Hestia Familia — my family, my brother in arms!

Gonna need more money!

"Phew, you better thank Syr properly!" Mama Mia leaned in with a threatening whisper, "Everyone here has a fierce temper. The fact that we forgave you and are preparing lunch boxes is all thanks to Syr speaking up for you."

"Yes, I'm deeply grateful for Miss Syr's kindness!" Bell straightened his back, though his expression remained dejected.

It was always like this — receiving kindness but unable to repay it. Being so weak, did he deserve such goodwill?

Seeing this rabbit-like boy who so easily aroused protective instincts, Mama Mia spoke with the wisdom of experience, "Kid, having too much pride does you no good in the adventuring business."

"Eh?"

"For Adventurers, your first priority is staying alive, no matter what. Whether you look pathetic or get laughed at, survival is your greatest victory." She offered this basic but essential advice plainly.

Adam nodded in agreement from the side, "You mean 'running away may be shameful, but it's useful'?"

"Yes, exactly!" Hearing his quiet comment, Mama Mia's voice boomed, "So eat well, sleep well, train well — that's what you should be focusing on right now!"

Eat well, sleep well, train well.

The former Adventurer Mia Grand had used exactly these fundamental teachings to nurture an invincible warrior named Ottar.

Speaking of Ottar, Adam wondered if he could beat him now, and just how wide the gap between Level 6 and Level 7 would be. It was truly something to anticipate.

As his thoughts wandered, Syr emerged from the kitchen.

"Here's your lunch box." She handed it over with both hands, her face bright with smiles.

"Oh, thanks." Adam accepted it while placing V$500 in her hands as payment.

"Yes, thank you for your patronage." After accepting the money, Syr's smile grew even more radiant and lovely.

I knew it! Only Bell gets free lunch boxes from the goddess!

As expected of a man who can charm deities in reverse!

"Well then, we'll be going now."

"I'm heading out!"

Adam and Bell waved goodbye in unison.

"Have a safe trip." Syr called after them.

Hearing her response, Bell excitedly ran out and quickly vanished into the crowd, while Adam — used to such exchanges — remained calm.

'What's gotten into him?' He wondered, hurrying after his companion.

Peering from behind the tavern door at the retreating figure, Syr's eyes held a gleam of divine radiance.

"What is it, Syr?"

"Mama Mia, that person is rather intriguing."

"Oh? Well, mind your limits — don't scare him off, okay?" Mia responded, not quite understanding.

"Yes, I promise." Syr agreed without hesitation.

✧✧✧

T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!

For just $1.50 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!

That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

https://www.patreon.com/collection/770985