"Hey, hey! Haimer!"
"What are we eating for dinner? What are we eating?"
"I'm starving! I wanted to say this back at the Guild, but that Royman was too long-winded, making me miss my afternoon tea time!"
Hestia was practically hanging her entire body onto Haimer's arm.
Those signature blue twin-tails swung back and forth with her movements, the tips of her hair occasionally whipping against Haimer's arm.
The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the streets of Orario in a warm orange hue, stretching their two shadows very long.
"I want to eat Jagamarukun! And hamburger steak! The kind that sizzles with oil!"
Hestia tilted her small face up, her large eyes sparkling with a light called 'appetite,' and there was even some suspicious crystal-like moisture shimmering at the corner of her mouth.
"And also! I want to drink that sparkling wine! We're rich now anyway, aren't we?"
"That big guy Ganesha paid so much compensation, it wouldn't be too much for us to be a little extravagant, right?"
Haimer glanced at her somewhat helplessly.
This Goddess-sama had adapted to freeloading off food and drinks a bit too quickly.
She had absolutely no self-awareness of living under someone else's roof; instead, she acted more like the master of the house than he did.
And so.
After having a simple meal outside.
The two of them bickered all the way back to their mansion located on North Main Street.
The three-story stone mansion was already lit up with warm lights at this moment.
Pushing open that heavy, carved door.
"I'm back~!"
Hestia did not stand on ceremony at all. The moment she entered the foyer, she kicked off her shoes and dashed inside barefoot, heading straight for that large living room sofa she had been dreaming of.
"Ahhh! I'm revived!"
Sinking her entire body into the soft sofa, she let out a satisfied sigh and even rolled around twice, messing up the originally neat cushions.
Haimer shook his head, closing the door behind him to keep the outdoor chill at bay, then slowly changed his shoes and walked into the hall.
He saw the spacious first-floor living room was brightly lit.
That Magic Stone heater, installed at a great cost, was radiating a comfortable heat, filling the entire room with a warm atmosphere.
Apart from that Hestia who was rolling around on the sofa.
The others had also basically all gathered.
Amou Kirukiru was sitting on a single sofa.
Nomura Satori was lying on a soft cushion on the floor like a cat, with a cup of hot tea placed on the low table beside her.
She was staring blankly at the night sky above the central courtyard.
Kikakujou Mary and Hanasaka Warabi were gathered around that massive obsidian round table.
As for those two bears—Kyoubou and the little bear, they were sprawled on the carpet, fast asleep, with a few empty honey jars scattered beside them.
It was a picture of peace and harmony.
However.
Amidst this peaceful atmosphere, there was one spot that seemed out of place.
Right in the very center of the hall.
Onigawara Rin was sitting in a perfectly straight seiza posture on the carpet.
Her hands were placed properly on her knees, her back was ramrod straight, and that Hannya mask had been taken off and placed neatly to the side.
Revealing that delicate and cute baby face.
Only, at this moment.
That small face was filled with inner conflict, her gaze darting around, not daring to look up at all.
Beside Onigawara Rin.
Inaba Tsukuyo was also sitting quietly in seiza, her eyes closed. Although her expression was much calmer than Onigawara Rin's, the slight pursing of her lips also revealed a trace of nervousness.
This posture.
"Kami-sama..."
Seeing Haimer walk in.
Onigawara Rin's body visibly trembled, her voice carrying a distinct quiver.
The surrounding girls, who had originally been busy with their own things, also unanimously stopped what they were doing.
After all.
Seeing Onigawara Rin put on this 'I am guilty, please grant me death' appearance the moment she returned, everyone had already guessed about seventy or eighty percent of the situation—this girl had probably caused trouble outside.
Haimer also raised his eyebrows. Without speaking, he walked straight up to the two of them and stopped.
This silence caused the pressure in the air to sharply increase.
Onigawara Rin lowered her head even further, and that pair of ahoge that was usually so lively was now drooping listlessly.
"Um... Kami-sama..."
"I... We..."
Onigawara Rin took a deep breath, as if trying to hype herself up.
Then.
She finally raised her head, but keeping her eyes tightly shut, she shouted loudly:
"We got into a fight with people outside!"
"It was people from the Soma Familia!"
"And... and we were almost taken away by the military police of the Ganesha Familia!"
"Although the military police captain let us go on account of your face later, but... but..."
"This brought shame to you! And caused trouble for you! I'm very sorry!"
Having said that.
Onigawara Rin fiercely performed a dogeza, her forehead knocking heavily against the carpet.
"I am truly sorry!"
The sound was loud and crisp.
Even Hestia, who had been rolling around on the sofa over there, was so startled she stopped, poking her head out to look over here curiously.
"A fight?"
Haimer wasn't angry; instead, he repeated these words with great interest.
"Yes..."
Onigawara Rin remained prostrated on the floor, her voice muffled and carrying a thick nasal tone.
"Although they were the ones bullying someone first... that little Supporter girl was very pitiful and got beaten up terribly..."
"But I was too impulsive and couldn't hold back from attacking..."
"Tsubaki-san said that in Orario, members of different Familias cannot casually fight each other, otherwise it will cause a Familia war..."
"I'm an idiot! I didn't control my temper! Please punish me!"
Like pouring beans from a bamboo tube, Onigawara Rin spilled out everything that happened in the afternoon in full detail.
Without any concealment, nor any excuses to absolve herself.
She was even prepared to be kicked out of the Familia.
After all.
Getting into a street fight and provoking another Familia on the very second day after the Familia was established was a massive taboo in any organization.
After she finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.
Onigawara Rin kept her eyes closed, her body trembling slightly, waiting for the impending punishment.
However.
The expected punishment never came.
On the contrary.
A warm, large hand gently landed on her head, rubbing that soft black hair.
It even casually pinched that drooping ahoge.
"And here I thought it was some massive issue like the sky falling down."
"So that's how it is."
Haimer's voice carried a hint of helplessness.
"Eh?"
Onigawara Rin slightly raised her head, disregarding the red mark knocked onto her forehead, and looked at Haimer with a blank expression.
"Um... Kami-sama... are you not angry?"
"Angry? Why should I be angry?"
Haimer crouched down, bringing his line of sight level with Onigawara Rin. Those black pupils held not the slightest bit of blame, only gentleness.
"Since you got into a fight, then..."
"Did you win?"
"Eh?!"
This question was completely beyond Onigawara Rin's expectations.
Her large eyes blinked twice, her brain freezing for half a second.
Normally, shouldn't he ask 'why did you fight' or 'did you have to pay compensation'?
"W-Win?"
Onigawara Rin subconsciously repeated the word, then nodded blankly.
"I... I won."
"I sent that guy flying with one kick."
"Even their boss was knocked unconscious by my kick."
"Then that's fine."
Haimer nodded in satisfaction, the smile on his face growing wider. He casually patted the head of Inaba Tsukuyo, who had remained silent at the side, as well.
"As long as you won, it's nothing."
"As for causing trouble..."
"Remember, you are my Familia."
Haimer stood up, his gaze sweeping over the girls in the hall.
"No matter what happens, you don't need to be afraid."
"If you want to fight, fight. If you want to help, help."
"If you don't even have this bit of hot blood, then did I go through all this effort to bring you to this world and give you all this power just to use you as decorations?"
"As for causing trouble..."
"I know about the Soma Familia, they're just a bunch of alcoholics who value booze as much as their lives..."
"If they dare to come looking for trouble, then let them come by all means."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Onigawara Rin stared blankly at Haimer.
Looking at that God standing under the lights, his figure appearing incomparably tall and grand.
Her eye sockets suddenly grew a little red.
She originally thought she would be scolded, or even handed over to appease the situation.
As a result...
Was this the feeling of being protected by Kami-sama?
"Kami-sama..."
Onigawara Rin sniffled, a crying tone creeping into her voice.
"Alright, stop being so sentimental over there."
Haimer interrupted Onigawara Rin's soon-to-erupt girlish emotions, waving his hand and pulling her up from the floor.
"Hurry up and get up, the floor is cold."
"Also."
Haimer clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention over.
"Since everyone is here."
"It just so happens I have something to announce."
Hearing this.
Everyone gathered around.
Even Hestia abandoned the sofa, running over barefoot with a 'pitter-patter' sound, curiously leaning close to Haimer.
"What is it, what is it? Are you handing out pocket money?"
Hearing that Hestia's focus was on this, Haimer ultimately suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at this girl.
"There is no pocket money."
"However..."
"Hestia."
"What?"
Haimer took out a heavy bag of gold coins from his pocket and shook it in his hand, emitting the crisp sound of clashing metal.
Seeing the money, Hestia's eyes immediately went straight, turning into two giant gold coin symbols, her gaze moving along with Haimer's hand.
"Do you want to eat roast meat from that Hostess of Fertility?"
"I do! Of course I do!"
Hestia nodded desperately.
"Then I'll have to trouble you to make a trip."
Haimer stuffed the coin pouch into Hestia's hand.
"I need to hold an internal meeting with my Familia, and incidentally prepare a little surprise for their special training."
"Since you're hungry, go buy some food and bring it back first."
"Remember, I want the kind that's fresh out of the pot and piping hot."
"Bring back two bottles of good wine while you're at it."
"Eh? Are you sending me away?"
Although Hestia was a glutton, she wasn't an idiot, and cast a suspicious glance at Haimer.
"Do you guys have some secret I can't listen to?"
"Or are you planning to secretly eat something delicious behind my back?"
"If I were eating secretly, I would definitely call you."
Haimer pushed Hestia's shoulders, ushering her toward the door.
"This bag of money... whatever is left is your errand fee."
Hearing 'whatever is left is yours', that little bit of suspicion in Hestia instantly vanished into thin air.
"Deal."
Hestia tightly hugged the coin pouch, deeply afraid Haimer would go back on his word.
"Then I'm off! Hurry up and finish your meeting!"
After saying that.
Hestia immediately dashed out like a gust of wind, pushing open the oak doors.
"Remember to make it quick!"
Haimer shouted at Hestia's back.
"I know~!"
From a distance, Hestia's energetic response echoed back.
Subsequently.
As the mansion doors closed once again.
Only Haimer and the members of his Familia were left in the hall.
Seeing that Haimer had intentionally sent Hestia away, the girls' expressions all became serious.
"Kami-sama."
Inaba Tsukuyo opened her eyes, turning those red pupils, which although vacant appeared exceptionally profound, toward Haimer.
"Sending Hestia-sama away, is there something important you need to tell us?"
"You could say that."
Haimer nodded, not denying it.
"Alright."
Leaning against the recently closed door, he looked at these familiar faces one by one.
Onigawara Rin.
Inaba Tsukuyo.
Amou Kirukiru.
Nomura Satori.
Hanasaka Warabi.
And Kikakujou Mary.
These girls, who just a few days ago were fighting and feeling lost in another world for their own reasons, had now followed him without hesitation to this unfamiliar world.
Looking at them.
Haimer put away that joking, bantering expression he had just shown toward Hestia.
A touch of seriousness emerged in those black eyes.
"Hestia has left."
"Which makes it convenient for me to tell you what that surprise is."
Haimer paused, then said softly:
"Although..."
"You've only left your world for a few days."
"At the absolute most, it's been less than a week."
"However..."
"Do you want to go back and take a look?"
"At your original world."
"Aichi Symbiosis Academy."
As Haimer's words fell.
The entire hall plunged into a deathly silence for a second.
Immediately following.
"Eh?!"
A synchronized cry of astonishment almost blew the roof off.
"R-Really?!"
"We can go back? Right now?"
"But... but didn't we already transmigrate?"
"Doesn't that kind of gate to cross worlds... require consuming an immense amount of energy?"
"We can still go back anytime?"
"Moreover..."
Nomura Satori also revealed deep confusion.
"Aren't Gods forbidden from using Divine Power in the Lower World?"
"Such a massive commotion... if it's discovered by that Guild, or other Gods..."
"..."
"Wouldn't that mean..."
Although the girls were pleasantly surprised, they were more worried.
After all, they had just arrived in this world, and they had heard the ironclad rule of 'Gods cannot use Divine Power' countless times.
If, just to let them go back for a look, it resulted in Haimer being deported or punished...
Then they would rather not go back.
Looking at these pairs of eyes filled with concern.
Haimer felt a warmth in his heart.
These children, although they all had different personalities—some were tsundere, some were two-faced, and some were battle maniacs.
But in their hearts, they ultimately still cared about him.
"Rest assured."
"Since I dare to bring it up, I naturally have confidence in it."
"Using Divine Power will indeed incur warnings, which is quite troublesome."
"But what I'm using isn't Divine Power."
"Furthermore..."
Haimer looked at them, his voice gentle.
"That is the place where you grew up, after all."
"Although you decided to follow me here, and I'm very happy you can treat this place as your new home."
"This doesn't mean you have to completely sever ties with the past and become rootless duckweed."
"Missing home, missing friends, or missing the grass and trees over there—these are all very normal things."
"Since your performance over these past few days has been so outstanding."
"Not only have you adapted to the cruel life of Orario, but you've also slaughtered your way through the Dungeon, and even broke common sense so quickly by having all members promote to Lv.2."
"Making me, a Main God with no reputation in the Lower World, gain a lot of face in Orario."
"Then consider this a reward for you all."
"Is it really okay?"
Hanasaka Warabi was somewhat excited.
Although she brought her two bears here and seemed to have adapted very well.
But as for those subordinates still over there, who were always clumsy but very obedient...
To say she didn't miss them would be a lie.
Especially when things quieted down at night.
"Of course."
Haimer nodded, giving an affirmative answer.
"Go on."
"While Hestia hasn't returned yet."
Haimer glanced at the wall clock.
"From here to the Hostess of Fertility, that gluttonous girl will definitely dilly-dally there for a while, ordering food, waiting for the meal, and maybe even gossiping with the staff."
"Plus the return trip."
"You have about an hour."
"An hour is enough for you to go back and take a look, grab some things, or..."
Haimer smiled.
"Or even if it's just standing on familiar soil and breathing in the air over there."
"Go see what you can do."
Receiving definitive permission.
Everyone fell into a momentary daze.
"I want to... go back and get my spare comb."
"And... and I want to hear the sound of the wind over there."
"I want to go back and see if my manga are still there!"
Onigawara Rin had already jumped up in excitement.
"We left so hastily last time, I didn't bring over a lot of limited editions!"
"And my snacks!"
"My stockpile has been almost eaten clean these past few days."
The girls' faces were all brimming with excitement.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
Looking at their appearances.
Haimer couldn't help but chuckle.
He didn't speak any more nonsense, directly reaching out his hand and lightly swiping at the empty area in the center of the hall.
Hum—
Following a wave of spatial fluctuation.
An oval-shaped portal of light, about two meters tall and emitting a soft white glow, appeared out of thin air in the center of the hall.
Through that portal of light.
A wooden school building beneath the starry sky could faintly be seen.
"This... this is..."
"So amazing..."
Although this wasn't the first time they had seen it.
The girls still let out a burst of heartfelt marvel.
This mighty power to casually tear open space and cross worlds.
No matter how many times they saw it, it left people feeling awestruck.
This was their Kami-sama.
"Hurry and go."
Haimer urged, pointing at the portal of light.
"Stop spacing out."
"Remember, you only have one hour."
"After one hour, no matter what you are doing, you must return."
"This door cannot be maintained for too long, and if Hestia suddenly returns early, explaining it will be very troublesome."
"Yes!"
The girls replied in unison.
Their voices were full of drive.
In the blink of an eye.
The originally lively and bustling hall became empty once again.
That portal of light remained quietly suspended there, emitting a faint glow.
Only.
In the hall, Haimer was not actually the only person left.
There was another figure.
—Amou Kirukiru.
She was still sitting on that single sofa.
Those long, slender legs covered in a layer of black pantyhose were crossed, her hand propping up her chin, her expression languid.
She didn't even cast a single glance at that portal of light.
As if all of that had nothing to do with her.
"Aren't you going back to take a look?"
Haimer walked over to the long sofa that Hestia had rolled around on earlier and sat down, casually picking up the teapot on the table that hadn't completely cooled yet, and poured himself a cup.
The tea flowed into the cup.
"To me, those are all nothing but things of the past."
Hearing this, Amou Kirukiru stood up from that single sofa.
In that instant.
The originally languid aura instantly dissipated, replaced by an edge like an unsheathed sharp blade.
Step by step, she walked toward Haimer.
Her feet stepping on the floorboards.
She walked step by step until she was right in front of Haimer.
"I have already received God's Grace, and have also witnessed the vastness of this world."
"What meaning is there in returning to that narrow world that couldn't even let me enjoy myself to the fullest?"
Speaking up to here.
Amou Kirukiru leaned down.
She propped her hands on the sofa backrest on either side of Haimer's body, enclosing his entire person within her shadow.
Her breathtakingly beautiful, Japanese-style face continuously drew nearer, until the tips of their noses were almost touching.
He could even clearly feel the hot breath she exhaled, carrying a trace of a unique, faint fragrance.
"So compared to that..."
Amou Kirukiru's gaze slowly shifted downwards.
In those black pupils, Haimer's image was reflected.
There was also a flame called 'desire' burning fiercely.
"God."
"Since they've all left."
"Isn't it my turn?"
"Your turn?"
Haimer didn't dodge, nor did he push her away. He just calmly raised his teacup and took a shallow sip.
"What is it that you want?"
"Stop playing dumb, God. This doesn't suit you at all."
Amou Kirukiru gave a light chuckle, extending a finger to gently hook a strand of Haimer's black hair, twirling it around her fingertip.
"You know that what I want isn't those things used to coax children."
"Last night..."
Mentioning this word, Amou Kirukiru's breathing became slightly more rapid.
"Last night's level up, although it made me stronger."
"But it's still not enough."
"That feeling of the blood in my entire body being ignited, every cell cheering, and my soul on the verge of melting..."
"I still want more."
As a monster who had reached the SSS stage in [Strength], [Endurance], [Agility], and [Dexterity]...
Conventional battles, conventional training, and even slaughtering in the Dungeon.
Were already very hard-pressed to make her feel that extreme sense of excitement.
Only this man could.
"Moreover..."
Amou Kirukiru leaned close to Haimer's ear, her voice lowered very deep, carrying a trace of dangerous temptation.
"Didn't you just say?"
"This is a reward for them."
"Since I didn't go back, and didn't waste this opportunity."
"Then shouldn't I receive a... more special reward?"
Haimer put down his teacup.
He slightly raised his head, looking at this face that was so close at hand.
"A special reward?"
"This appetite of yours is certainly getting bigger and bigger."
"However..."
"Since you've put it that way."
"If I don't satisfy you, it would inevitably make me, the Main God, seem too stingy."
"Tonight... there's still plenty of time."
Haimer glanced at the sky outside the window that was gradually turning dark.
"Since you don't want to return to your old world to catch up."
"Then properly enjoy this one hour."
"After all..."
"The night tonight is still very long."
Amou Kirukiru's eyes lit up.
"Alright, God."
Meanwhile.
Just as the atmosphere within the mansion was gradually heating up.
"Hehehe~"
Hestia remained completely oblivious, taking light steps, skipping a couple of times, her twin-tails bouncing merrily.
Turning the street corner.
Just as the tavern sign of the Hostess of Fertility appeared in Hestia's line of sight.
As a result.
"That is... "
Before Hestia could get closer, her footsteps suddenly halted.
Because on either side of that signature double wooden door of the Hostess of Fertility.
Standing on the left and right were two figures.
The one on the left was a Cat Person girl, and the one on the right was a Human girl.
They were precisely the ones she had seen at the mansion this morning.
—「Black Fist」 Lunor.
—「Black Cat」 Chloe.
Only.
They were not busy in the shop like usual.
Instead, they were standing rigidly at the doorway.
What was even more eye-catching was...
Hanging around both of their necks was a large wooden sign.
Hestia curiously leaned in for a closer look.
Written on it in bold black ink were two shocking, large characters.
[I AM GUILTY]
The handwriting was rugged and forceful enough to pierce through the back of the paper; one glance was enough to tell it came from the hands of that 「Little Giant」, Manager Mia.
"Wuwuwu..."
Hearing footsteps, Chloe, who had been hanging her head, looked up.
When she saw the person arriving was Hestia, a strong desire to live instantly erupted in those originally lifeless eyes.
"Hestia-sama!"
"Could you please find Lord Haimer to beg for mercy for us, nya!"
Chloe held up the sign, practically pressing her entire body onto Hestia. That cat tail hung limply behind her, giving off an appearance of having nothing left to live for.
"It's too miserable, nya..."
"We've been standing here since noon, nya..."
"My legs are going to break, nya..."
Being hung with a sign and put on public display like a mascot was simply worse than killing them.
Whenever a customer passed by, they had to bury their heads a little lower, wishing they could stuff their faces into their chests.
However.
Before Hestia could even figure out the situation.
Smack!
A crisp sound.
A feather duster accurately knocked against Chloe's bottom.
"Ouch!"
Chloe let out a miserable cry and withdrew her hand.
Only to see that beside them.
A chair had been brought out, and a Cat Person girl was sitting on it.
—Anya.
She was holding that feather duster that had just finished committing its crime, sitting with her legs crossed and her brows furrowed. That 'I'm very pissed off' expression on her face was practically overflowing.
"Both of you stand properly for me, nya!"
"No harassing the customers, nya!"
Anya pointed the feather duster at these two unlucky fools, her tone filled with resentment.
"Two idiots, nya!"
"To actually skip work for a whole day, nya! And the morning shift at that, nya!"
"That was the morning shift!!"
The more Anya spoke, the more agitated she became, even unable to resist jumping up from her chair.
"It resulted in me having to peel all the potatoes this morning by myself, nya!"
"A full three baskets!!"
"Do you know how many potatoes that is?!"
"The skin on my hands was almost peeled off too, nya!"
Speaking of this, Anya felt so aggrieved she wanted to cry.
That morning was simply hell.
The potatoes were piled up like a mountain, taking forever to peel.
Mama Mia was still standing beside her with a face full of anger, scaring her into a state of trembling fear the entire morning.
And yet these two chief culprits actually went and acted as maids for someone else for the whole morning?!
When they returned.
They even burped right in front of her!
You must know!
She hadn't even had breakfast just to peel that pile of potato skins!
Unforgivable!
"If Syr hadn't come back to help."
"I truly would have died from exhaustion!!"
Anya sniffled, sitting back down on her chair and glaring fiercely at the two.
"Therefore."
"Mama Mia said that until closing time, no one is allowed to move!"
"Whoever moves, I will hit them, nya!"
Watching this highly comical scene.
Hestia blinked, and then.
"Hehehe—"
She let out a very unkind laugh.
Although as a kind Goddess, mocking the misfortune of others was wrong.
But...
"Hehehe..."
She couldn't help but laugh anyway.
"Anyway... regardless of what happens, you guys keep at it."
"Haimer is currently busy right now, so he probably doesn't have time to come save you."
"Besides..."
Hestia glanced at those two large 'guilty' signs.
"I think Manager Mia did the right thing."
"Skipping work is wrong!"
With that said.
Hestia then patted Chloe's shoulder, mercilessly abandoning these two poor folks who were begging her for help, and took cheerful strides to push open that double wooden door.
Leaving behind only two desperate wails of misery.
Inside the tavern.
Unlike the quiet outside.
It was currently mealtime, and the hall was already boiling with voices.
The loud voices of adventurers, the crisp clinking of tankards, and the shouts of the waitresses shuttling through the crowd wove together into a symphony brimming with the breath of life.
But in one corner of the tavern.
The atmosphere appeared exceptionally bizarre.
"...I am truly very sorry."
Ryu.
This Elf girl who normally always kept a cold face and was as serious as a moral crusader.
Was currently lowering her head.
Her hands tightly wringing the edges of the green apron she wore.
Those pointy Elf ears poking out from beneath her hood were already completely red, like cooked shrimp.
Because standing across from her.
Was a girl with light gray hair, looking gentle and lovely.
—Syr Flova.
Also known as the poster girl of the Hostess of Fertility.
"Ryu?"
"What's wrong? Why are you apologizing?"
Syr blinked those light gray eyes, still holding a tray in her hand.
She looked somewhat blankly at Ryu, who had suddenly pulled her to this corner and become deeply flustered.
Ryu had forcefully pulled her into this unoccupied corner.
And then, without saying a word, performed a deep ninety-degree bow.
Syr was truly a bit bewildered.
Taking advantage of the tavern not being busy right now, Syr had finally returned today.
Ryu had hesitated for a long time, finally mustering her courage to ask this question that had been weighing on her heart and leaving her unable to eat or sleep in peace.
"Syr..."
"Do you know... that God named Haimer?"
Ryu raised her head, those sky-blue eyes filled with apprehension.
Hearing these words.
Facing Ryu's expression that looked as if the sky had fallen.
Syr froze.
As Freya.
Of course she knew Haimer.
It could even be said they were very familiar.
However.
She absolutely never expected.
That her slight abnormal reaction.
Would actually be discovered by Ryu.
And then in order to protect her?
She went to attack Haimer?
Crazy?
Upon realizing that the target Ryu had attacked was actually Haimer.
Syr almost lost her grip on her facial expression management.
Fortunately.
At this moment, Ryu was keeping her head lowered in remorse, not daring to look at her face.
Giving her time to recover.
And so.
After Syr slightly adjusted her state.
Gradually realizing what might have happened over these past few days.
Syr forcibly suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, tilting her head slightly, seamlessly transitioning the expression on her face from blankness to confusion in a display that could be called perfect.
"Haimer?"
"Is that the God who's been rumored so fiercely lately?"
"I don't know him."
"That day was also my first time seeing that Kami-sama."
"I didn't expect that Kami-sama to actually have such a formidable Familia by his side."
"As for the reason I left early that day... it's actually because something happened over at the orphanage. A child fell ill, and Aunt Maria needed me to head back to help."
Boom—
As soon as these words came out.
Ryu's entire body petrified on the spot.
It was as if a bolt from the blue had struck dead center right on her forehead without the slightest deviation.
One could even hear the sound of something shattering.
That was the sound of the pride known as 'Ryu Lion' shattering into powder.
She didn't know him?
She really didn't know him?
Syr said she didn't know Haimer.
The orphanage...
So that day was because of the orphanage?!
Then that whole stunt she pulled that night...
Her self-righteous sense of justice, that behavior like a perverted stalker, and finally that challenge like an idiot...
In the end, she even sacrificed herself for it, having to wake up at four o'clock every morning to go act as a maid at his house...
...
Doesn't this mean...
It was entirely her being presumptuous and one-sided?!
Furthermore.
She had actually... truly attacked an innocent God solely based on her own conjectures!
She even treated him like a pervert!
And in the end.
That pervert... was herself?!
"I..."
Gradually realizing this point, Ryu opened her mouth wide.
Her face instantly went from shyly red to flushed crimson, and then from flushed crimson to deadly pale.
Those originally resolute eyes lost their focus at this moment, turning into swirling spirals.
That immense sense of guilt, mixed with a sense of shame sufficient to cause her social death on the spot, instantly submerged her.
Seeing this scene, Syr formulated a thought of teasing her. She couldn't resist leaning in a bit closer, looking into Ryu's eyes, and asking with a face full of concern:
"Ryu... you didn't happen to make any unauthorized decisions while I was away, did you?"
"I'm sorry... I'm..."
"I actually... did that kind of..."
Having said that.
Ryu instantly covered her face, crouching down, her shoulders trembling slightly.
If there were a crack in the ground right now, she would absolutely drill into it without hesitation, bury herself, and never come out for the rest of her life.
Ruined.
Completely ruined.
Her lifetime's reputation, completely ruined.
Looking at her close friend's heavily devastated appearance, looking as if she were about to shatter in the next second.
Syr just wanted to pat Ryu's shoulder and offer some comfort.
However.
Before Syr could strike while the iron was hot, offer a couple of consoling words, and take the opportunity to casually probe into what exactly had happened over these past few days.
"Madam Manager—!!!"
Suddenly, an energetically loud shout rang out from the doorway.
This voice was incredibly piercing.
It directly drowned out all the chaotic noise within the tavern.
Causing the entire hall to fall silent for a moment.
"!!!"
Immediately after.
When Syr heard this familiar voice, her eyes instantly widened, and she immediately turned her head!
She saw that Hestia had already appeared, standing at the tavern's doorway.
That nouveau riche expression on her face.
Made Syr, who was originally preparing to comfort Ryu.
In the instant she realized Hestia's appearance!
Act like a cat that had its tail stepped on, or a mouse that had met its natural predator!
Her entire body instantly jolted.
"H-Hestia?!"
If one had to say.
Syr—or rather, the Goddess Freya disguised as a mortal.
As the Goddess of Beauty, the God she least wanted to encounter in the Lower World.
Was a Virgin Goddess!
Gods could see through the disguise of a mortal.
By the same token, as the natural enemy of the Goddess of Beauty.
The Goddess of Beauty's charm was something few even in the Heavens could resist, not even Great Gods.
Only a Virgin Goddess could remain completely unaffected by the Goddess of Beauty's influence!
Especially the Goddess of Beauty's proud transformation magic; in front of a Virgin Goddess, it was like a layer of sheer gauze—there were absolutely no secrets to speak of.
Therefore.
If she was seen by Hestia right now for even a single glance!
Even if it was just one glance!
Her disguise would be seen through by Hestia!
When that time came...
If she let Ryu know that she had been deceiving her all along...
"No way!"
In order to avoid social death on the spot in addition to exposing her identity.
Syr couldn't care less about the still-ashamed Ryu.
"Um... Ryu! I left something in the back kitchen!"
"Something very important! I don't think I turned off the stove!"
"I'll go check on it first!"
Having said that.
Before Ryu could react.
Syr hurriedly ducked into the back kitchen.
Leaving only Ryu squatting on the ground, still maintaining her face-covering posture, watching her friend's hastily fleeing back through the gaps in her fingers.
In that instant.
A large question mark popped up above Ryu's head.
"What's... wrong with Syr?"
As for the other side.
Hestia, having entered the tavern, had her attention completely diverted elsewhere. Her thoughts were entirely captivated by the clamor of the adventurers, the clinking of tankards, and that rich aroma of roasted meat.
She was wholeheartedly busy staring at the pictures on the menu while drooling, ordering dishes from Manager Mia.
"This! This! And this one too!"
"I want all of them!"
____
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