"So I kept worrying that Ryu would receive a very harsh punishment for offending you."
"But after meeting you in person today, I realized how different the rumors in the tavern were from reality."
"You're actually a very gentle god."
With that said.
Helen hurriedly stood and bowed slightly to Haimo.
"Yes."
Haimo paused briefly as well, shifting his gaze to Ryu, who looked visibly nervous beside her, before returning it to Helen.
"Rumors tend to get blown out of proportion as people pass them around, with all sorts of personal speculation mixed in."
"As for Miss Syr."
"For an elf to protect her with such disregard for her own safety, I believe Miss Syr must possess some very distinctive qualities that deserve to be cherished."
At Haimo's words.
Helen's eyelashes fluttered twice. This god had smoothly turned the conversation back toward her and Ryu.
His ability to maintain complete control over the conversation raised Helen's assessment of Haimo even further.
"You flatter me. I'm just an ordinary waitress carrying plates. I don't have any distinctive qualities."
With that thought, Helen answered softly, making no further unnecessary attempts to probe him. Beside her, Ryu also felt much of her tension ease upon hearing Haimo praise Syr.
After all, she had remained on edge, afraid that Haimo might think poorly of Syr. But now, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
And so, the time it took to drink a few cups of coffee quickly passed.
Anya and Chloe had polished off both plates of pancakes on the table, even scraping away the cream at the bottom.
Ryu stood, took several silver Valis coins from her pocket, walked to the counter, and placed the money on it to settle the bill.
They pushed open the café door and returned to the street,