Traveling as zamasu

The sun had barely started creeping over Orario's rooftops when the Hermes Familia compound was already coming alive. 

The Meren District was always busy, but within the slightly cluttered walls of Hermes's territory, the early morning was its own kind of routine chaos.

The compound wasn't flashy like Twilight Manor or as fortified as some of the larger Familia estates, but it was functional — a maze of storage sheds, stables, and a main hall that doubled as dining area, meeting room, and sometimes impromptu warehouse.

Elilly, one of the Familia's senior logisticians, was already in the courtyard barking orders, her sharp voice cutting through the sleepy chatter of adventurers and support members alike.

"Double-check those crates before they go on the wagon!" she snapped, motioning toward two younger members who were lazily loading supplies. 

"If anything gets damaged during transport, I'm not explaining it to Asfi!"

At the mention of the captain's name, both adventurers picked up the pace. 

Nobody wanted to face Asfi Al Andromeda's quiet disappointment or her dangerously calm reprimands.

Inside the main hall, seated at the large center table, was a woman whose sharp presence commanded attention despite the early hour. Asfi Al Andromeda, Captain of the Hermes Familia, cut a striking figure.

Her shoulder-length, Aqua blue hair was pulled back in a neat, practical style, keeping it clear of her angular, focused face. 

Cyan eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the stack of parchment reports in front of her with unwavering precision.

Inventory manifests, route updates, minor complaints from trade partners — all part of her morning routine.

Elilly entered, tucking a ledger under her arm. 

"Caravan to Melen leaves in an hour. Pack lizards prepped, cargo secured. Nothing exotic today — standard goods, novelty items, low-tier magic stones."

"Good," Asfi replied without looking up, marking a note beside one of the reports. "Keep them away from the lower Daedalus alleys. Ganesha's patrols increased again last night."

Elilly sighed, adjusting her braid. "That street's practically a maze with how many areas they've closed off. Getting harder to run quiet deliveries through that sector."

Asfi's eyes narrowed slightly as she set the report down. "We'll adapt. We always do."

Before Elilly could respond, the creak of a door caught their attention as the private quarters upstairs swung open.

The doors to the private quarters creaked open, and from within stepped a man impossible to overlook.

Hermes, the self-proclaimed God of Travelers, emerged with a theatrical stretch, his arms reaching high overhead as an exaggerated yawn escaped him. 

His appearance was as flamboyant as his reputation promised — a vibrant orange tunic tucked neatly beneath an emerald green vest, both cut from fine fabrics that somehow still looked road-worn, as if he'd strolled across half the continent just to make an entrance. 

His most distinctive feature, however, was the wide-brimmed, feathered hat perched jauntily atop his tousled light brown hair, the long, colorful plume swaying with every movement.

His expression was one of barely restrained amusement — typical for him.

"Ah, the sweet sounds of productivity in the morning!" Hermes declared, descending the stairs with a lazy stride.

"Elilly, Asfi, what would I do without such diligent, capable subordinates keeping everything afloat while I—"

"Sleep in?" Asfi interrupted, her tone flat, not even glancing up from her papers.

Hermes gasped dramatically, clutching at his chest. "Asfi! Such cruelty this early in the day? I was merely… reflecting. One must rest to plot effectively, after all."

Elilly smirked but wisely kept quiet.

"Asfi, my dear, tell me," Hermes continued, ignoring the unimpressed look from his captain, "how fares our noble enterprise? Any scandalous rumors? Forgotten parcels? Markets ripe for mischief?"

"Standard operations," Asfi replied, finishing her notes. 

"Caravan leaves soon. Ganesha's patrols are still clogging Daedalus Street. Loki Familia's deep-dive preparations continue, stripping the Bazaar bare. And Ishtar's been quiet—likely spending her time "luxuriously", as usual."

Hermes hummed, tapping his chin. "Mmm. The calm before the storm, I wager. Which means… opportunity."

Asfi set her pen down. "You're going 'strolling' again."

"Observing, dear Asfi. Blending in with the common folk. Feeling the pulse of the city." He straightened his hat. 

"And of course, I'll need my brilliant, ever-patient captain by my side. Your presence deters reckless spending and ensures I survive the more questionable neighborhoods."

Without waiting for approval, Hermes gestured for her to follow, already halfway to the door.

Asfi exhaled slowly, setting aside her reports. "Elilly, final checks are yours."

Elilly saluted playfully. "Enjoy your morning chaos, Captain."

Outside, Orario's streets were already filling with life. 

Merchants opened stalls, adventurers in mismatched gear passed by in groups, and the towering spire of Babel dominated the skyline in the distance.

Hermes walked with ease, weaving through the crowd, always smiling, eyes sharp behind his laid-back expression.

"First stop, the West Market," Hermes announced. 

"There's a new baker peddling honey buns — supposedly divine. But more importantly, it's a good place to catch gossip. Loki's recent bulk orders have merchants in a frenzy."

Asfi kept pace, eyes scanning their surroundings with practiced precision. "And you're after more than breakfast."

"Of course," Hermes admitted without shame. "Trade disruptions, shifting alliances, under-the-table deals… It's all happening beneath the surface, my dear Asfi. We just need to listen."

At the market, the scent of fresh bread and spices filled the air. 

Hermes casually bought two honey-glazed buns, handing one to Asfi. She took it with minimal expression, nibbling as they walked.

While enjoying the snack, Hermes subtly eavesdropped on conversations — merchants grumbling about stock shortages, adventurers debating Dungeon routes, whispers about Dian cecht latest recruits.

"See that?" Hermes nodded toward a tall woman near the square, silver hair marking her as Freya Familia. 

"She's been here three times this week. Watching, listening. Freya's expanding influence beyond the Pleasure Quarter."

"Recruitment?" Asfi guessed.

"Or intimidation," Hermes replied. "Either way, Freya doesn't waste effort. Every move has a purpose."(she tryna rule up Ishtar lol)

They continued through side streets, eventually pausing outside a familiar alley near the Daedalus slums. 

Crates of poorly crafted 'ancient' Dungeon artifacts cluttered a merchant's stall.

Hermes approached with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Ah, relics from the depths! Tell me, good sir, which of these priceless heirlooms holds the key to forgotten heroism?"

The merchant, wiry and shifty-eyed, launched into a rehearsed sales pitch. 

Hermes played along, overpaying attention to a chipped dagger supposedly from the 30th floor.

Asfi stood nearby, expression unreadable.

Within minutes, Hermes had extracted more than just inflated prices — the merchant unwittingly revealed connections to low-level smugglers operating through Daedalus, exploiting gaps in Ganesha's patrols.

As they walked away, Hermes grinned. "Another useful thread to pull."

Asfi shook her head. "We're not turning into a black market operation."

"Perish the thought," Hermes teased. "But knowing who moves what — and where — keeps us a step ahead."

By midday, they circled toward the Guild Plaza, watching couriers rush by, officials arguing with traders, and adventurers queuing for Dungeon clearance.

Near the plaza's edge, an Altena merchant argued with tax inspectors, papers fluttering, face red with frustration.

Hermes's smile widened. "Looks like someone misplaced their import documents. Fortunate that we specialize in… facilitation."

Asfi's eyes narrowed. "Discreet solution package?"

"Efficient as ever," Hermes confirmed, smoothly approaching the scene.

A few quiet words, a flash of adjusted paperwork, and a modest bribe later, the situation was resolved — another indebted merchant in Hermes Familia's informal network.

"Happy clients, loyal clients," Hermes remarked as they moved on.

The afternoon unfolded similarly — casual observation, subtle interventions, no grand schemes, just a steady accumulation of information and small advantages.

They returned to the Familia compound by late afternoon. The Melen caravan had returned, cargo intact. The Dungeon team prepared for their resource run.

Elilly greeted them, clipboard in hand. "Smooth day?"

"Productive," Hermes replied, stretching contentedly.

Asfi returned to her ledgers without complaint, scribbling notes. "You're going out again tomorrow?"

"Opportunity never sleeps," Hermes quipped. "And neither do I, when there's profit — or chaos — to be had."

The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across Orario, but within the Hermes Familia, the wheels kept turning, quiet and constant, just as Hermes liked it.

Chapter 24 end

What do y'all think of Hermes?