Danmachi: A Despicable Stranger

Chapter 53: Almost Discovered by an Acquaintance~

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Deep in the forest, a ten-meter-high waterfall poured down with pure white water, its tiny droplets dancing like mist and creating a blend of coolness and warmth. The surrounding area was filled with water vapor, giving the place an ethereal ambiance.

At the base of the waterfall was a large spring, encircled by lush trees and crystals, hidden beneath the canopy of enormous branches overhead. The blue-tinged landscape enhanced the serene beauty of the location, evoking the term "forest sanctuary."

From Izzy's vantage point, he could see this idyllic spot clearly. The massive tree branches and leaves left just enough of an opening to reveal the scene below.

The reason the place caught Izzy's attention was simple—there was a group of girls beneath the waterfall, seemingly preparing to leave after bathing.

"Do girls always like bathing during the day? And why so close in timing to each other??"

Spotting the group gathered under the waterfall, Izzy frowned in confusion.

Moreover, why did these girls look so familiar?

"You're amazing, Tiona! You found such a relaxing spot. Too bad we have to leave tomorrow. We'll only have time for one more visit at most," said one of the girls excitedly.

"Hehe, actually Lefiya and I found this place together," replied Tiona. "But it's fine. I've memorized this location. Next time we explore the dungeon, we can come here again when we get the chance~."

"That's true," came the cheerful reply.

Two brown-skinned girls stood at the spring's edge, chatting. Judging by their attire and features, it was clear they were Amazons. Their resemblance suggested they were twins—one had long hair, while the other sported shoulder-length locks.

Nearby, others admired the waterfall while joining in the conversation.

"You're amazing, Lefiya~," said a tall elf with long golden hair, her voice gentle as she smiled warmly at the bashful elf beside her. Reaching out, she gave Lefiya an affectionate pat on the head.

"No… no, I just found it by accident…" Lefiya stammered, lowering her head shyly, clearly unaccustomed to such close gestures.

"Oh, you're so shy. How cute."

"Sister Alicia…"

"Alicia, stop teasing her! You're going to make her cry," interjected a black-haired cat girl who stepped in to rescue Lefiya.

" That's nonsense. I wasn't going to make her cry," Alicia pouted, looking genuinely upset at the accusation.

The three continued chatting, and soon two human girls, Line and Elfy, joined them. The five of them stood together, laughing and talking animatedly.

Under the shade of a nearby tree, a blonde girl was quietly slipping her arms into her sleeves when she paused, her attention caught by something.

Her companions' laughter faded into the background as she suddenly raised her head and stared through a gap in the dense foliage.

Far in the distance, she spotted a tall and conspicuous tree.

For a moment, it seemed like a shadow had shrunk back among the treetops, disappearing just as her gaze landed there.

"What's wrong, Ais?" asked a green-haired elf nearby, noticing her companion's unusual behavior.

Ais hesitated, her golden eyes narrowing as she continued to study the towering tree. After a few seconds, she finally shook her head.

"It's nothing, Riveria. Just an illusion…"

"An illusion?"

Riveria raised an eyebrow and turned to look in the same direction Ais had been observing. It didn't take long for her to spot the same towering tree.

"Do you think someone is spying on you from up there?"

"How could that be possible…"

Although it is a good place to peek, no one except the girls here knows we came to bathe. So, how could someone intentionally come here to spy on us?

It's not a coincidence either.

After all, what kind of person—or how idle would someone have to be—to climb up and sit on the crown of such a large tree?

Unless it's a flying or ape-like monster. That's possible.

Maybe there are peaches or some other fruit on that tree that they like to eat?

This possibility seems much higher.

Riveria quickly made her judgment in her heart, and after thinking it over, she smiled slightly.

This must just be Ais's illusion.

---

"Hiss… hiss…"

Sitting on the top of a tall pine tree, Izzy leaned one hand against the massive trunk—so thick it would take two or three people to encircle it—and pressed his other hand tightly against his chest, trying to regulate his breathing.

"Oh my god, she's actually one of our own Familia?!"

"Of course! I should've realized when I saw so many girls…"

"After all, where else in this generation could there be another group like this apart from Loki's Familia?"

Izzy pressed his chest harder, trying to calm his fluctuating conscience.

Ais's senses were too sharp!

All I did was stare at her for a few seconds, and she noticed… I almost got exposed.

In reality, when Izzy discovered the group of Loki's followers, they had already finished bathing and were nearly dressed. He hadn't seen anything inappropriate, let alone something he wanted to see but shouldn't.

Logically speaking, a man of integrity has nothing to fear. By that reasoning, Izzy didn't need to hide.

But would people believe it?

If he were discovered in this situation, it would be an instant social death. No explanation would suffice. Even with eight mouths, he couldn't possibly talk his way out of it.

"They were bathing, and you were watching." Such a simple logic would be impossible to dispute, no matter the truth. His reputation—carefully maintained as an honorable man—would be utterly destroyed.

"Hah… luckily, I dodged quickly enough. I don't think I was discovered… right?"

Letting out a long sigh, Izzy thought with some uncertainty.

---

"Mr. Izzy, what are you doing? Not only are you climbing trees, but you look like a thief with a guilty conscience!"

The crisp voice came from below. Ryuu, who had finished her bath at record speed, had returned.

"Ah, this…"

"Are you spying?!"

Before Izzy could answer, Ryuu spoke again, her tone dripping with confidence. She even took two steps back while muttering to herself, "I was careless… I didn't expect Mr. Izzy to be peeping from the tree."

"Ms. Ryuu, this is a serious misunderstanding," Izzy protested, spreading his hands innocently. "Look around. There are so many trees here. It's ridiculous to think I'd peek through all of this."

"Then why are there so many fallen branches on the ground?"

Though Ryuu considered his point—indeed, the dense forest and abundance of trees made spying unrealistic—her gaze lingered on the freshly broken branches littering the ground, the leaves stuck to Izzy's clothes, and the snapped branches overhead.

"Well, I did take a nap on a tree," Izzy admitted, feigning nonchalance. "But I didn't expect the branches to be so fragile. They broke, and I fell. I was just feeling relieved—and maybe a bit shaken by it. That's all. It's not guilt~"

"Really?"

"Really."

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