Leaving the modest but cozy residence of the Takemikazuchi Familia, Rain felt a pleasant, long-forgotten tranquility in his thoughts. This visit left an exclusively bright aftertaste. The atmosphere within this small clan differed drastically from the seething, mercenary chaos of most Familias in Orario—here, absolute loyalty, a common goal, and deep mutual respect ruled. Watching them, the young warrior involuntarily caught himself having phantom memories of his past life, of his own dojo.
The hosts themselves saw them off on the wooden porch. The God of War, Takemikazuchi—broad-shouldered, towering over his children like a rock—now stood relaxed, his hands resting on his hips. His stern face was illuminated by the sincere, open smile of a man who was "sated" and had found an interesting conversationalist.
The black-haired youth stopped at the edge of the inner courtyard. He smoothly turned around and bowed respectfully to the deity, observing all the unwritten canons of true martial arts masters. This gesture was not a tribute to empty, rehearsed politeness. It was an expression of deep respect of an equal to an equal, even if one of them was a mortal and the other a celestial.
"We were genuinely happy to host you, Hestia, Rain," Takemikazuchi rumbled loudly, his deep voice echoing off the wooden walls of the estate. "Remember: our doors are always open to your Familia. Any time of day or night."
The God of War shifted his piercing, perceptive gaze to Rain, and his smile took on a slightly more cunning, anticipating shade.
"And I'll say this to you specifically, lad. I would be extremely glad to see you at our morning practices. It's not every day you meet a youth with technique so pure, honed to animal instincts. My kids definitely have something to learn from you, and it was a joy for me to stretch my bones as well."
Mikoto, standing a little further away, straightened up in proud agreement at her god's words. Her slender hand rested habitually on the hilt of her katana, and that familiar fire ignited in her dark brown eyes—the flame of a driven person seeking self-improvement. She took a measured step forward and spoke in a strict tone filled with the deepest respect:
"I will also look forward to our next meeting, Rain-dono. I hope not only for a swift rematch, but also that in the future, you will not refuse me your mentorship and valuable advice."
Rain chuckled softly, looking at her perfectly straight, overly formal stance. He took a step forward, holding her gaze with his eyes, calm as hardened amber.
"There's no need to be so ceremonious, Yamato-san," he replied in an even, velvety voice, softening his intonation. "I was genuinely interested in crossing training blades with you myself. Your resolve in battle deserves sincere admiration. Your blade knows no hesitation."
Mikoto froze for a moment. Meeting that direct, mature, and absolutely confident gaze of the black-haired swordsman, she suddenly felt a traitorous warmth rush to her cheeks, defying all her samurai self-restraint. In her mind, usually occupied exclusively by rigorous training and serving her god, flashed a completely uncharacteristic, embarrassing thought of just how deep and piercing this guy's look was. She felt slightly awkward, but it was the pure, noble excitement of someone who realized they had found a truly rare and valuable comrade.
Quickly overcoming her momentary confusion and forcing the blush down, the girl smiled openly. She resolutely extended her hand forward, casting aside formalities.
"In that case... just Mikoto! I'm genuinely glad to have met such a good friend and worthy rival."
Without a second of hesitation, Rain reached out in return, sealing their unspoken agreement with a firm, confident handshake.
"Indeed, Mikoto," he replied with a light smile.
Hestia, watching this scene, hummed in satisfaction. Deciding that the official diplomatic part had dragged on long enough, she cheerfully waved to her divine brethren.
"Alright, Take, see you later! Don't miss us too much! And thanks for everything!"
With those words, the Goddess of the Hearth unceremoniously skipped over to Rain, hooked her arm through his elbow in a possessive yet incredibly cozy gesture, and pulled him along toward the exit of the estate. Lili, who had been standing in the shadows the whole time, gave the hosts one more low bow with sincere gratitude and hurriedly, scurrying on her short legs, fell in step on the left side of her new leader.
***
They walked unhurriedly along the wide central street of the city. Orario was gradually plunging into its pre-evening bustle. The sun had already disappeared behind the monumental city wall, and twilight was taking its place. Artisan shops lowered their iron shutters with a clang, the first magic-stone lanterns clicked on along the roads, flooding the cobblestones with warm amber light, and noisy streams of adventurers returning from the Dungeon flowed like a river toward the taverns.
"You know, Rain," Hestia began thoughtfully, pressing closer to his arm as they deftly navigated between tipsy passersby. "Take really has a wonderful, very warm Familia. They're so close-knit, they understand each other without words... it makes you quite jealous."
"I completely agree with you, Goddess," the youth replied calmly, slowing his pace slightly to make it easier for the miniature Lili to keep up. "The bonds connecting his children are forged neither on fear nor the thirst for profit. They are held together by sincere devotion to one another."
Hestia's eyes instantly flared with a bright, dreamy fire at these words. She stopped abruptly, forcing Rain to freeze in the middle of the cobblestones as well, and threw her free hand up in delight:
"Just you wait! Someday we'll have a huge, strong, and equally unbreakable Familia! All of Orario will be talking about us!" She victoriously tossed her chin up, anticipating future greatness. But a second later, her turbulent fervor died down a bit. The girl's face softened, and she added a little quieter, with a deep, tender note in her voice, peering into Rain's face: "Although... honestly, I also insanely love how things are set up right now. When it's just us... like this, together."
Rain laughed quietly, without malice, shaking his head. Her divine spontaneity and eternal emotional swings always amused him, serving as an excellent anchor, diluting the sense of reality in the middle of this crazy world.
Without breaking contact with Hestia, he smoothly turned his head to the Pallum girl, who had been following them silently, like a shadow.
"Lili," the youth addressed her, and his tone instantly lost its domestic softness, becoming collected and businesslike. "Starting tomorrow, we officially resume our descents. We need to make up for the time lost these past few days and replenish the budget. There's plenty of strength in our bodies, so this time we'll try to go significantly deeper than our usual routes. How about you?"
Lili instantly straightened up. The mask of absolute professional focus inherent in the best supporters returned to her pretty face.
"Lili completely agrees with Lord Rain's decision! If that's the case, Lili will head to the merchant quarter right now and handle all the necessary preparations."
Rain opened his mouth, preparing to voice a perfectly logical concern regarding her moving alone through the dark streets, but he didn't get to utter a sound. Like a human shield, Hestia instantly materialized in front of the Pallum. The goddess's face expressed an extreme degree of anxiety.
"Wait, Lili!" she exclaimed nervously, grabbing the girl by the shoulders. "Is that even safe? You're essentially a fugitive right now! What if their hounds or those crazy fanatics spot you alone in the market? They'll drag you right back!"
Rain nodded in agreement, fully supporting his goddess's logical arguments.
"Hestia is absolutely right, Lili. It's an unjustified risk. Showing up in crowded places without my escort could provoke a conflict prematurely. We will buy everything we need together."
Instead of being frightened or embarrassed by the displayed care, Lili suddenly narrowed her eyes slightly. An utterly smug, even slightly cunning expression appeared on her face, completely at odds with her image as a downtrodden victim. She giggled softly, like a cat, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Hehe... Lord Rain, Goddess Hestia... You underestimate Lili's talents far too much. I have not the slightest desire to catch the eye of that trash. Come with me for a second."
She made an inviting gesture and nimbly slipped into a narrow, completely deserted alley half-hidden in the gloom, sandwiched between the two high stone walls of the merchant warehouses. Rain and Hestia exchanged surprised glances but obediently followed her, delving into the damp shadows.
Stopping in the middle of the dead end, Lili turned to face them. She placed her backpack on the ground, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began to rapidly whisper the words of an incantation:
"Cinderella... Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Hide me from prying eyes with the illusion of another's fate. Cinder Ella!"
Right before the eyes of her astonished companions, a soft, space-distorting haze of magic enveloped her small silhouette. The light flared and faded. And when the illusion stabilized, Rain nearly choked on his own breath.
Two soft, fluffy dog ears broke through the chestnut hair on the crown of Lili's head, immediately twitching sensitively, reflexively at the sound of street noise. Simultaneously, a small dog tail covered in thick brown fur appeared from under the hem of her travel tunic, making a couple of awkward, wagging swishes. The girl's facial features elongated slightly, completely erasing any traits of the Pallum race.
Lili opened her eyes, in which mischievous sparks danced, and comically spread her arms wide.
"Ta-da! Well, what do you think? This is my personal illusion magic. Now it's absolutely impossible to tell me apart from a regular beastman child! Not a single one of Soma's hounds will even glance in Lili's direction!"
Rain and Hestia stood rooted to the spot. They stared spellbound, without blinking, at this fluffy miracle.
The sight was so sudden and, let's be honest, so devastatingly cute, that the vaunted mental age and icy composure of the old master faltered for a second. Only one primal thought flashed through his brain: Pet.
Without a word, and with absolute synchronicity, he and Hestia reached their hands out like zombies.
"Hey! Wait... Lord Rain?! Goddess?! What are you doing?!" the newly-minted beastman girl squeaked in panic, noticing their blank, predatory gazes.
But it was already too late.
Four palms descended on the crown of her head simultaneously. Rain and Hestia, with genuine, almost fanatical delight, began to pet and gently scratch the soft, incredibly pleasant-to-the-touch fluffy ears. Lili's dog tail, submitting to the animal instincts embedded in the illusion, took on a life of its own, beginning to wag furiously and joyfully from side to side, completely ignoring its owner's embarrassed and furious protests.
"L-Lili is not a toy! Stop this instantly! Ahhh, the ears are a sensitive zone! Save meee!" blushing to the very roots of her hair, Lili shrieked desperately, unsuccessfully trying to dodge the four-armed fluffy terror.
Finally, having thoroughly enjoyed the fluffiness of their supporter and reducing her to the state of a red tomato, they left the heavily panting Lili alone. The girl, grumbling indignantly and meticulously smoothing down her disheveled hair, pulled the massive hood of her cloak over her head.
Stepping back out onto the busy street, they stopped at an intersection. Lili firmly stated that for tonight she would return to her inconspicuous inn in the commercial district so as not to draw attention to the church.
"Lili would not dare inconvenience her benefactors any longer or take up space in your residence. Especially while Lili has her own honestly earned funds," she said with a touch of her former Pallum pride and sincere, deep gratitude, bowing politely. "Tomorrow at dawn, Lili will be waiting for you at the entrance to the Tower of Babel with all the supplies. Good evening, Lord Rain, Goddess Hestia."
Saying her goodbyes, the small figure with the tail swaying under her cloak quickly dissolved into the evening crowd.
Rain and Hestia continued their journey homeward, where their dilapidated church sat among the ruins. The noise of the main avenues gradually faded behind them, replaced by the long, cold shadows and the chill of empty, impoverished alleys.
The Goddess walked slightly slower than usual. Her face lost its former cheerfulness once again, taking on a serious, deeply troubled expression. She threw several fleeting, tense glances at the youth walking beside her, as if hesitating to bring up a heavy topic. Finally, unable to bear the oppressive silence, she squeezed her fingers a bit tighter around his forearm and asked quietly:
"Rain... but seriously. What exactly are you planning to do about the Soma Familia? They're... truly dangerous. Their fanaticism over that divine wine crosses all conceivable boundaries. There's no way they'll just leave Lili alone just like that."
The black-haired guy came to a smooth halt. He turned to Hestia, and his face adopted that same expression of absolute, crushing, and terrifying seriousness that so frightened his enemies. His amber eyes glinted in the twilight of the alley with cold, calculating ice. The youth held a long, oppressive dramatic pause, making the goddess's heart clench with a bad premonition...
And then he simply and casually spread his arms, shrugged, and said in a mundane tone:
"That's fine."
At such a colossal tonal shift, Hestia literally tripped over flat ground, nearly face-planting into the cobblestones. Her jaw dropped, her eyes went round.
"H-huh?! What do you mean—Rain, are you mocking me?!" she shrieked indignantly, waving her little fists. "The girl is in danger, and you say 'that's fine'?!"
The youth merely turned around calmly and continued his measured stride forward, looking at the darkening silhouettes of the abandoned houses in their district.
"And what exactly should I do right now, Goddess? Go and slit their throats in their sleep?" His voice sounded frighteningly even and logical. "Factually, if you look at the situation from the perspective of the Guild's and Orario's laws, the Soma Familia hasn't committed a single hostile action against us. They haven't invaded our territory, they haven't threatened us directly. Furthermore, if you evaluate the facts cynically and impartially: I am the one who came and poached their official, revenue-generating member. From the perspective of any outside observer, we are the ones who look like the aggressors in this situation."
Hestia hurriedly caught up with him, listening intently to the cold, ironclad logic of his words. Her initial panic slowly began giving way to an understanding of how adults think.
"So... you mean..." she timidly peeked at his profile. "Is that normal? We're just... going to leave everything as it is and wait for the strike?"
"We are going to wait for their move," Rain cut in calmly. "To act out of paranoia and launch a preemptive strike against an official Faction means exposing ourselves to the Guild's wrath and becoming criminals. We aren't going to waste energy on empty waiting. If they decide to show aggression, we will get our chance. And then we will answer. But until then, we have too much work in the Dungeon to be chasing ghosts."
Hestia looked closely at his face. There wasn't a drop of fear in those amber eyes. All her internal tension, which had been building up since leaving the Takemikazuchi residence, finally melted away. Next to this young man, it felt to her that even if the sky fell to the earth, he would simply, in cold blood, shoulder the weight and find a way to turn it to their advantage.
The Goddess exhaled deeply in relief. She affectionately wrapped both her hands around his palm and pulled him forward, quickening the pace.
"Alright, alright, you've convinced me! I... I'll just trust you, Rain."
The youth smiled softly, feeling the warmth of her hands.
"I wouldn't dare ask for more, Goddess."
And so, in a cozy silence full of trust, they finally approached the lopsided iron gate that served as the entrance to the overgrown grounds of their abandoned church.
However, they were not destined to go inside.
Right in front of the gates, blending in with the thick pre-evening twilight, two figures stood motionless. Hearing the approaching footsteps and the crunch of gravel, the figures turned toward them synchronously, as if on command.
Rain narrowed his eyes slightly. His hand instinctively, almost imperceptibly, slid closer to the hilt of his blade, but immediately relaxed. His amber eyes picked out two painfully familiar figures from the gloom.
By the old gate, shifting nervously from foot to foot and clearly feeling out of his element, stood his loyal best friend—Bell Cranel.
And right beside him, maintaining her eternal, perfect, and frighteningly calm posture of a beautiful marble statue, towered the Sword Princess—Aiz Wallenstein.