Just moments earlier.
From Ryu Lion's perspective.
It had happened when that God pushed the door open and entered with those newcomers, just as the bell hanging on the door gave a crisp "ding."
Syr, who had been busy in the dining hall, smiling and greeting regulars, immediately reacted as though she had seen some terrifying beast. Claiming she felt unwell, she slipped into the staff break room in the back without even saying a word to Mama Mia or looking back.
She had even locked the door behind her.
This reaction.
It was not something Ryu Lion had never seen before.
After all.
When that God had first visited, Syr had reacted much the same way.
Although.
Syr had explained afterward.
Still.
Reacting like that a second time was far too unusual.
Even somewhat bizarre.
After all, Syr was the Hostess of Fertility's star waitress, the best at handling all sorts of unexpected situations.
No matter how rude and overbearing an Adventurer was.
Or how troublesome a drunk was.
Or even how eccentric a God was.
Syr could easily smooth things over with that innocent, harmless smile, leaving them unable to lose their temper, and could even sweet-talk them into doing exactly as she pleased.
As far as Ryu Lion remembered.
Syr had never been afraid of anyone.
Yet twice in a row.
Simply because that God had appeared.
Without even coming face-to-face with him.
She had chosen to flee.
Why on earth was that?
At that thought, deep creases formed between Ryu Lion's previously smooth brows.
Last time, when she had confronted him because she suspected he harbored improper intentions toward Syr.
The answer the God had given was-he did not know her.
His manner had been frank, without any sign of a guilty conscience.
It had not