Danmachi, Ch 206-210

Chapter 206 – Riveria: You’re Using It Too Wholesomely

"Achoo!"

Wrapped tightly in a thick blanket, Tiona kept shivering uncontrollably.

"So cold… so cold… even the Dying Will Flame can’t warm me up fast enough."

"What did you expect? Don’t forget we just climbed out of a block of ice."

Tione shot her foolish little sister a glare while rubbing her arms briskly. She didn’t look much better herself.

"You two should be grateful you’re wearing clothes made from the Shroud of Turin. That material has strong resistance against both physical and magical damage. Otherwise, your frostbite would be far worse right now."

"Here, drink this. It’ll warm you up."

Tsuna handed each of them a steaming cup of milk.

The sisters took a sip, and as the warmth flowed through them, the lingering chill inside their bodies eased a little.

"You’re the ones who wouldn’t let go of me," Tsuna said, exasperated.

"I had armor protecting me. You two only had clothes made from small pieces of the Shroud of Turin. Did you really think you could endure more than I could?"

He looked at the two of them helplessly. He’d wanted to shake them off near the end, but they’d clung to him like their lives depended on it. Anyone watching might have thought they bore some deep grudge against him.

"A fight is a fight. We agreed not to hold back from the start—there’s no such thing as letting go at the crucial moment."

"Exactly! We said we’d go all out, no mercy. Of course there’s no reason to stop halfway."

The Amazon sisters’ resolve was perfectly aligned.

Once they’d decided to fight, there was no room for hesitation.

"They’re right, Tsuna," Riveria spoke up from the side. She approved of the sisters’ attitude—and of Tsuna’s seriousness during the match.

"You approached this test with focus and did quite well. Targeting me first was the smartest move. Compared to Tiona and Tione, my mobility is far weaker, so I’m easier to pin down."

Mages were always the easiest to exploit.

They specialized in magic, and their destructive power was unmatched—but because of that specialization, they were fragile.

Low strength, poor endurance, limited stamina. Only agility and reaction speed made up for it, fitting their magical nature.

Riveria recalled Tsuna’s relentless attacks just moments ago. She’d nearly lost her chance to cast even a single illusion spell.

Fortunately, she’d anticipated that possibility and used an illusion to retreat right from the start, avoiding being cornered at the opening of the battle.

"Your movements were incredibly fast, and the way you found my position was just as impressive," she admitted.

"If you’d used more of your other powers this time, neither I nor the sisters would’ve had any chance to catch you."

Riveria couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

She knew exactly what tool Tsuna had used—a Sacred Gear, said to grant power on par with the Gods themselves.

Whether it truly reached that level remained uncertain.

But this battle had already shown her enough to understand its terrifying potential.

"That Sacred Gear boosted you to the level of a Level 6 Adventurer in an instant," she said.

"If your control over that power weren’t so shaky, Tiona and Tione’s arms would have snapped from your first strike. I wouldn’t have had the chance to turn things around with magic."

"And even then, despite losing control, you instinctively held back your strength."

Resisting that overwhelming surge and keeping it within limits he could manage—it was the right decision. But that instinctive restraint had also kept him from unleashing its full potential.

Tsuna nodded slightly.

"Yeah. My control over that sudden power spike is poor. Even though I made the artifact myself, this was my first time using its strength to this extent."

"Then that explains it," Riveria said, satisfied.

He’d created it, but hadn’t familiarized himself with it. That was why, when the power spiked, he couldn’t maintain fine control.

"Tsuna, you’re planning to walk the path of an all-rounder, aren’t you?"

Tsuna nodded again.

"Your abilities are remarkable. You can craft all kinds of tools that summon or mimic monsters, letting you handle almost any situation. But your actual combat experience is still lacking. Most of your battles rely on prearranged strategies."

"In other words, you guide monsters from behind rather than fighting directly yourself."

"You’ve already developed and explored your powers to a decent extent, and your control is good. From here on, you need to focus on applying that strength in real combat."

Riveria paused for a moment, then continued.

"Your ability is highly versatile, which means you can adapt to any opponent. But fights move fast. When you’re alone, you have to control the flow yourself. You need to fight in your own way—using your monsters and creations cleverly, not just brute force like earlier."

"If your power is diverse, then your fighting style must be just as diverse."

"You need to strike where it hurts most. Forget about morals—aim directly for your opponent’s weakest point."

Tsuna blinked, startled.

A pure, noble elf telling him to fight more deviously?

He couldn’t deny that she was right—but hearing that kind of advice from Riveria was… unexpected.

He muttered quietly, "Riveria, this was just a combat test."

"I know," she replied calmly. "That’s why I’m suggesting that when you go into the Dungeon or spar with other Adventurers, you should use the most underhanded methods possible."

Chapter 207 – Subjugation Complete

"Mm. With this test, I’ve got a rough idea of the extent of your full power."

Riveria had found the answer she’d been looking for.

Tsuna hadn’t drawn out his strength perfectly, but even a temporary boost that reached this level was already impressive enough.

"For this Joint Expedition, your goal is to raise your Level," she said.

"As long as you can properly control your current power and accomplish feats beyond your current tier, there’s no reason for anyone to worry too much."

Still, Riveria couldn’t help but feel uneasy about Tsuna venturing off on his own during the expedition to accomplish those Excellia-worthy feats.

"When a puppet kills a monster, the credit doesn’t go to you. The puppet’s combat only contributes to your Status, not your Excellia."

"Which means you’ll have to take the field yourself. That’s the one inconvenience in your otherwise convenient ability, Zero-Three."

A pity, really. If the Excellia gained from a Floor Boss slain by a puppet could be counted as Tsuna’s, the Loki Familia could practically relax from here on out.

They could simply let Tsuna continue improving his Status, have him use Magic Creation to slay Floor Bosses, gain Excellia, Level Up, and repeat the cycle.

After just a few rounds of that, Tsuna could probably reach Level 9 with ease.

But since the Excellia from a puppet’s kill was credited to the puppet itself, that convenient dream was out of reach.

Riveria sighed inwardly at the waste.

"In all our past expeditions, the Dungeon always did its best to resist our advance. It constantly threw obstacles in our way."

"Once we enter the Deep Floors, every layer greets us with a grand banquet—unfortunately, the kind that serves monsters as the main course."

She gave a small, dry smile at her own joke.

"For someone at Level 2, all you need to do is handle those ‘banquets.’ With your strength, earning Excellia there shouldn’t be difficult."

"Of course, when I say ‘easy,’ I mean only for you."

The Deep Floors' monster parties were never something a low-Level Adventurer could handle lightly.

But the boy before her was an exception.

"I used to worry whether you could deal with situations like that," she admitted.

"But now, I'm not so concerned. The power you command is enough to handle a monster party in the Deep Floors."

Riveria disliked reckless risk-taking.

That was why she’d wanted to confirm just how far Tsuna’s own strength could go—to make sure he wouldn’t face unnecessary danger while earning Excellia.

Now that she understood the extent of his power, her unease faded.

Only a trace of habitual concern remained.

Still, the mention of surpassing one’s Level reminded Riveria of another matter—the one who was about to take that same step today.

"Today’s the day Bete challenges the Floor Boss, isn’t it? Did you know?"

"I did," Tsuna nodded.

He’d long known that today was the day Amphisbaena would respawn—and that it was Bete’s chosen target for advancement.

"Did he tell you himself?"

"No. I think Bete intends to speak to me only after he surpasses Level 5."

"And you’re not worried?"

"Worried? No. I don’t believe Bete will fail against Amphisbaena. He must have his own reason he has to win."

He’d been anxious when Tiona and Tione fought their Floor Bosses—perhaps too much so, without realizing it.

But when it came to Bete, that worry was absent.

Not because he didn’t care, but because he knew Bete had his own conviction to cross that line. He trusted that the man wouldn’t go down easily, even alone against a Floor Boss.

"Die!!"

Bete’s bloodstained body twisted midair, his heel crashing down onto the remaining head of Amphisbaena.

Boom!

A shockwave blasted outward, sending waves surging across the flooded cavern.

The twin-headed serpent didn’t even have time to scream—its massive head slammed into the water with a deafening crash.

A crimson flame ignited beneath Bete’s feet, lifting him above the water’s surface.

He looked down at the lifeless creature, a feral grin curling across his blood-smeared face.

"It’s done..."

Lowering himself slowly through the heat of the fire, Bete landed on the serpent’s body.

His flaming claws pierced through the monster’s neck, driving into the soft flesh beneath the scales.

"Hah!"

Scarlet flames flared from within the wound, glowing brighter and brighter until the veins beneath the skin shone red-hot—then burst apart.

Bang!

Blood erupted in a half-meter-wide jet, splattering across Bete’s entire body, making him look even more dangerous—almost demonic.

At last, both of Amphisbaena’s heads were destroyed.

One severed completely, the other hanging by shreds of torn flesh.

The subjugation was complete.

Clap, clap, clap!

Finn Deimne and Gareth Landrock applauded from nearby.

"Well done, Bete."

"Hmph. After all that preparation, this outcome was only natural."

Despite his cocky words, Bete couldn’t hide the thrill burning in his eyes.

Finn and Gareth chose to ignore the proud wolf’s act and focus on what mattered.

"Facing Amphisbaena alone in its home territory—and not just surviving, but winning cleanly. Even Tiona and Tione barely scraped by last time. You did well, Bete."

Finn’s praise was genuine. Bete had earned it.

In the water-dominated terrain, Amphisbaena’s power was formidable.

That Bete had used its own patterns against it to win proved his skill and nerve.

Without a bold heart and iron will, no matter how flawless the plan, no one could have executed it.

What’s more, Finn had to admit—Bete’s control over the Dying Will Flame now far surpassed his own.

Even against Amphisbaena, with its environmental advantage, as long as the fight stayed out of the water, that edge meant little.

After all, this was the Dungeon. Amphisbaena was a Floor Boss—its very purpose was to kill Adventurers. It wasn’t a creature that could just hide underwater forever.

Bete had exploited that fact perfectly.

"A clever strategy," Finn said. "But it’ll only work here—in the Dungeon, against a Floor Boss."

"Hmph. Of course. This plan was designed specifically for Amphisbaena, and only for it."

Bete didn’t bother to argue. He’d said all that needed saying.

Chapter 208 – Bete: I’m Not Helping Him

Inside Loki’s room, she pricked her fingertip with a needle and began inscribing on Bete’s back.

“Mm-hmm. Looks like you’ve earned your chance to Level Up. Counting you, that makes four Level 5s in our Familia.”

Loki smiled happily as she looked over Bete’s updated Status.

“Next should be Raul, right?”

She mused aloud, guessing who might be the next to reach Level 5.

At the moment, the Adventurer closest to that milestone was Raul Nord, the vice-captain of the second squad.

“That guy? Not likely anytime soon.”

Bete didn’t think Raul would be the next to advance.

“Then who do you think it’ll be?”

“The next ones… are probably Alicia and Aki.”

“Eh~?”

Loki tilted her head, clearly surprised. She hadn’t expected Bete to favor Alicia and Aki over Raul.

Curiosity and gossip lighting her face, she asked, “And why do you think it’s them? Is there a story behind this?”

Bete’s mouth twitched. Against this gossip-loving goddess, he really had no defense.

“I think those two are the next to reach Level 5 simply because they’ve been putting in the effort.”

“Raul’s mind’s been somewhere else lately—on some woman outside the Familia. He hardly ever goes to the Training Space or Challenge Space anymore.”

“With that attitude, unless he sorts himself out, he’ll never even think about advancing.”

Having spent nearly all his time this past month in the Training and Challenge Spaces, Bete often saw Alicia and Aki there.

Those two had been pushing themselves hard—relentlessly so. Clearly, it was all for the sake of preparing to Level Up.

They were working so hard that even Bete had considered talking to Tsuna, to at least give them a real chance to move forward.

As for Raul… forget it.

In the past month, Bete had practically lived in those spaces, yet he’d only seen Raul come in three times.

And not even to the Challenge Space—just the Training Space, and only three visits at that.

The Training Space was effective for honing one’s Status, sure, but three sessions of less than half a day each? Even the best facility couldn’t work miracles with that kind of dedication.

“Ah, that really is…”

Loki scratched her head, a little troubled.

“At first, I just wanted Raul to help spread word about Tsuna. Who’d have thought he’d get so carried away?”

“I bet that elf wife of his is thrilled—she’s got herself a real family man now.”

Bete let out a few cold laughs.

“That idiot’s obsession isn’t doing her any favors. He’s just wasting his own chance.”

“Our Familia has such an opportunity right now, and instead of grabbing it, that fool’s drowning himself in women. Even Tsuna—who’s surrounded by two Amazon women—hasn’t lost himself. He’s still training hard. And Raul dares to act like this?”

To Bete, it was just a matter of which head was doing the thinking.

Tsuna had gotten involved with two Amazons too, both of them Level 5 members of their Familia.

And yet—

Had Tsuna lost himself in pleasure?

Not at all.

He kept training day after day, even helping Bete with his own.

But Raul? He was wallowing in women like a complete fool.

Loki sighed. She’d always known Raul wasn’t exactly steadfast.

“Whether he keeps wallowing or not, that’s his choice. But since I was the one who first told him to make contact, I can’t deny I share some responsibility.”

“You don’t need to cover for him. Even if you hadn’t asked, Raul would still be running off to the Pleasure Quarter every day—hell, he even embezzled funds to pay for his women. His downfall was obvious from the start. It’s got nothing to do with you.”

Bete knew full well that Loki had asked Raul to act as a messenger.

But that was only because Raul already had experience doing that sort of thing—he was the most suitable choice.

Sure, Loki bore some responsibility, but she hadn’t told Raul to spend every day rolling in bedsheets. Being a messenger didn’t require constant trips.

If he kept running off like that, it was only because he’d let himself get addicted to it.

“If that guy wants to ruin himself, let him. When Alicia and Aki seize their chances and climb higher, maybe he’ll finally feel a bit of panic.”

Loki thought it over and decided not to interfere in Raul’s mess for now.

Just as Bete said, there were some lessons a man had to learn on his own. Otherwise, no amount of outside help would make a difference.

“Then tonight, we’ll celebrate your achievement—your Level 5.”

Bete didn’t refuse.

He knew the news of his promotion would spread regardless. It would help divert attention toward Tsuna, which was exactly what they needed.

He was fine with that.

“By the way, where’s Tsuna?”

“He’s in his room, I think. Why? You need something from him?”

“Yeah. I want to talk to him about Alicia and Aki. They’ve been working hard lately—really hard. I think they deserve a shot more than Raul does.”

Loki’s lips curved into a sly smile.

“Is that really all? You’re sure this isn’t about giving Raul a little kick in the ass?”

“Shut up! It’s just about those two women! I’ve got nothing but contempt for anyone who throws themselves away like Raul.”

Bete snapped back sharply, snatched up his clothes, and stormed out of Loki’s room—punctuating his words with a loud slam of the door.

“That guy… never honest, is he?”

Loki chuckled and shook her head. That wolf’s personality could really rub people the wrong way sometimes.

Chapter 209 – I’ll Recommend Two People to You

Knock, knock, knock!

Just as Tsuna finished training and was resting in his room, he heard a knock at the door.

When he opened it, he was greeted by Bete’s grin.

“You did it?”

Tsuna already knew the answer, but he couldn’t help asking anyway.

“Of course. The Dungeon instills into every monster it spawns the concept of ‘kill every Adventurer.’ Even in a favorable environment, that instinct never fades. Just like you said—it only tries to flee when it’s in danger.”

Bete couldn’t help but laugh, a sharp, mocking laugh. The idea that a Floor Boss would try to run away was almost ridiculous.

“That tells us something,” Tsuna said. “The Dungeon doesn’t just create them or give them strength—it also grants them an instinct to sense danger. That instinct might someday evolve into intelligence, though right now it’s probably still just raw instinct.”

Normally, Bete would have laughed out loud at the notion.

Monsters developing intelligence? The biggest joke in the world.

But when that Floor Boss had turned to flee right before his eyes, Bete realized it wasn’t impossible after all.

A true monster wouldn’t feel fear—unless it had awareness. Unless it had cognition. Unless it could think.

Only then could fear and the will to escape even exist.

And what caught Bete’s attention even more was the deeper meaning behind Tsuna’s words.

“You think the Dungeon really has intelligent monsters?”

“I can’t say for sure,” Tsuna admitted. “But I know they exist. I haven’t seen one myself, but I’ve learned of them… from elsewhere.”

Bete nodded slightly. He knew this must be the same secret Finn and the others had been keeping about Tsuna.

Where Tsuna had learned such things from was another matter entirely.

He was curious—but not enough to ask.

“Forget it,” Tsuna said, shaking his head lightly. “That’s not something we can clear up in a few words.”

“Bete, keep what I said to yourself for now. Once I’ve learned more—tested more—I’ll explain everything.”

“Want me to keep an eye out in the Dungeon?”

“Eh?”

Tsuna blinked, surprised by Bete’s sudden seriousness. He hadn’t expected his casual comment to get that kind of response.

After a moment, he nodded.

“Yeah. If you don’t mind, keep an eye out while you’re exploring. I’m looking for people wearing cloaks who smell like monsters. With your senses, you should be able to spot them easily.”

Bete agreed. If something reeked of a monster but tried to disguise itself under a cloak, that was all the clue he’d need.

“As for contact… don’t. Not yet. It could startle them—and draw attention.”

“From who?”

Tsuna’s lips curved slightly. Though no sound came out, the shape of the word “Guild” was unmistakable.

Bete’s pupils contracted.

The Guild? Intelligent monsters born in the Dungeon—connected to the Guild? That would mean…

He stopped himself. Thinking along those lines was dangerous. If any other God caught wind of this, it would bring serious trouble.

“We’ll discuss that part once we have more information.”

“Got it.”

Bete took a deep breath and steadied himself. That topic was off-limits for now.

I’ll just keep my eyes open when I’m in the Dungeon from now on, he thought.

“Since you managed to defeat Amphisbaena, I’d say that means my creation worked pretty well, huh?”

“It did,” Bete admitted.

When the talk turned to the Amphisbaena battle, his interest sparked again. Tsuna had told him in advance that the monster might try to flee, and had given him a charm engraved with a monster’s mask.

“What was that charm, anyway? Why did it affect that thing so much?”

He had done exactly as Tsuna instructed—thrown the charm the moment Amphisbaena tried to escape—and the creature had immediately gone berserk, charging straight toward it like it had been provoked.

“That reaction was expected,” Tsuna explained. “The charm was made using Miss Loki’s divine blood.”

“To the Dungeon, a God is far more detestable than any Adventurer. Monsters born of the Dungeon carry a deep hatred for the divine—especially the Floor Bosses.”

“So tossing that charm would naturally draw them in.”

“But for now, it only works well against Amphisbaena,” Tsuna continued. “Other Floor Bosses can’t run far enough for it to matter. Amphisbaena’s the exception—it can move freely thanks to the terrain in the Great Falls.”

Tsuna let out a quiet sigh.

Most Floor Bosses didn’t even think of running during battle; their territories kept them in place. Only Amphisbaena, dwelling within the vast expanse of the Great Falls, could flee so easily.

That charm had been designed specifically for it.

Bete couldn’t help but chuckle at that, though when he recalled how the creature’s head had burst under his kick, how it had been driven into a corner—and still tried to run—his laughter faded.

If not for Tsuna’s charm, he might not have won today.

“So you just came here to share the good news?”

“Not exactly. The good news is just a bonus.”

He crossed his arms. “I wanted to recommend two people. They’ve both been training hard lately—I think they deserve a chance to gain that power.”

“Two people?”

“Alicia and Aki. The first’s a blonde elf, the second’s a black-haired catgirl.”

“Ah, the two female Adventurers I often see in the Training and Challenge Spaces,” Tsuna recalled. “Their Levels aren’t low either. I saw them once challenging the Black Goliath.”

Thanks to Bete’s reminder, Tsuna immediately remembered who they were.

Anyone brave enough to team up and face the Black Goliath in the Challenge Space clearly had the ambition to climb higher.

And for people like that, Tsuna never hesitated to create the tools that could help them move forward.

“In that case,” he said, “after tonight’s celebration, I’ll speak with them myself.”

Chapter 210 – Two More by His Side

The evening celebration was as grand as ever—just as lively as the ones held for Tiona and Tione before.

Tsuna, as usual, sat quietly in a corner. He was never one for noise or crowds, least of all this kind of feast.

After living here for half a year, his skills with knife and fork had improved noticeably. At least now he no longer fumbled awkwardly like in the beginning.

He cut a piece of steak from his plate and took a bite. The meat was juicy and tender, cooked perfectly to his liking—right in his sweet spot of flavor.

Of course, his steak was cooked well-done. Tsuna had always been cautious about parasites, and when it came to food, he insisted on eating it thoroughly cooked.

People in this world seemed to prefer a more western taste—half-cooked meat, pink in the center.

But since his arrival, the Loki Familia’s chefs had begun to adjust to his preferences. At least, the dishes set before him now suited his taste quite well.

“Tsuna~”

A drawn-out voice came from behind him, followed by the sudden feeling of someone throwing themselves onto his back. Tsuna sighed softly.

He speared a piece of beef with his fork and passed it backward.

“Ah~”

Tiona didn’t hesitate, taking a big bite before chewing happily and swallowing.

“Mmm delicious”

Juicy, tender beef was always good, no matter how you ate it.

Still clinging to his back, Tiona gazed at the meat on his plate with sparkling eyes.

“Why does your steak always taste completely different from everyone else’s?”

“It’s just a difference in how it’s cooked.”

Tsuna chuckled, spearing another piece and passing it behind him. Tiona took it again, this time savoring it carefully.

“I prefer fully cooked food. The steaks you all eat are still a bit raw in the center—I’m not used to that. So I told the chef. Now, he always prepares my food this way during banquets.”

“I see.”

Tiona nodded slightly, thinking she should probably talk to the Familia’s chefs too. Maybe it was time to change her tastes a little—at least when eating with Tsuna.

“You’re not joining the main party?”

Tsuna gestured toward the other tables, where the rest of the Familia were laughing, drinking, and eating. The air was full of lively cheer.

“Mmm~ going to too many banquets like this gets boring after a while.”

“Liar. You, of all people, getting tired of parties?”

For someone as cheerful and lively as Tiona to dislike parties—what a lie.

Even without a God’s power to discern truth, Tsuna could see through that easily.

“Heehee~ yeah, I guess that was a lie. But Tiona likes Tsuna more, so I’d rather be here with you.”

Indeed, it was a lie—but not entirely. Tiona did enjoy lively gatherings, yet she enjoyed being with Tsuna even more.

Still hugging him from behind, she wrapped her arms around his neck, rubbing her soft cheek against his face like a kitten.

Suddenly, she froze and glanced around. She noticed that no one nearby seemed to be looking in their direction.

“Tsuna, did you use a barrier?”

“No, just a limited presence suppression.”

To avoid people coming to bother him, Tsuna hadn’t isolated himself completely with a space barrier.

Instead, he had simply activated Limited Presence Reduction.

That way, no one would fail to find him if needed—but neither would he stand out too much.

“So, you really don’t like parties?”

“Not exactly dislike. It’s just... old habits. And since I have to keep a low profile here, I’ve gotten used to staying out of sight.”

Tiona’s question made Tsuna realize that his life here wasn’t so different from before.

In his previous world, he’d been practically invisible at school—a quiet, average student. Even with his past life’s memories, it hadn’t made him any more exceptional.

Just an ordinary person.

In this life, his body was stronger, that was all.

He used to prefer staying home; now, with his improved health, he’d taken to outdoor hobbies—fishing, climbing, camping.

Looking back, he realized he enjoyed solitude far more than he’d thought.

When he was alone, he actually felt most at ease.

Over time, being part of a group had started to feel more troublesome than comforting.

And then, his thoughts drifted to Ais.

“Maybe… that’s how Ais feels in the Dungeon.”

A lone wolf, used to moving alone, would naturally struggle to blend into a crowd.

“Tiona!”

A sharp, slightly resentful voice suddenly cut in behind them. Both Tiona and Tsuna froze. Turning, they saw Tione standing there, dark aura radiating from her.

Tione immediately grabbed her sister off Tsuna’s back.

“Didn’t you tell me you wanted juice? I went to get it for you, and when I came back—you’re already here with Tsuna!?”

“Heehee~”

Tiona only giggled mischievously, skipping right past her sister’s complaint.

“Well, you’re here now, aren’t you? Where’s the juice?”

“Here!”

Tione shot her a glare and tossed the glass of juice into Tiona’s hands.

No matter how many times she tried, she could never really handle her sister—Tiona always smiled and danced right out of any scolding.

After glaring at her twin, Tione turned those same eyes toward Tsuna, her tone soft and tinged with a jealousy she didn’t bother to hide.

“Tsuna… I want to try some too.”

“Eh? Ah.”

Tsuna blinked, then quickly speared another piece of beef and held it up to her.

“Ah~”

Tione took it happily, savoring the flavor as a blissful expression spread across her face.

Seeing her like that, Tsuna couldn’t help but smile.

“Well, since you’re both here, why not sit and eat together?”

“Then we won’t be polite!” they chimed in unison.

Without hesitation, the Hiryute twins claimed the seats to his left and right, one on each side.

That evening, the quiet corner of the banquet hall grew just a little more crowded—and a lot warmer.