The Hestia Familia entered the mansion together. As they stepped inside, they were immediately greeted by the sight of numerous gods and goddesses gathered throughout the grand space, each accompanied by their familia children. The atmosphere was lively, filled with quiet chatter, movement, and the subtle tension that came with so many divine presences in one place.
Some of the gods and goddesses proudly showed off their familia children to others, presenting their strengths and achievements with visible pride. Nearby, several groups were engaged in friendly conversation, encouraging their brought familia children to mingle and become acquainted with one another. Laughter and polite exchanges flowed naturally as introductions were made.
At the same time, there were those who preferred to remain to themselves. A number of gods and goddesses stood or sat comfortably with their familia children, minding their own business as they enjoyed the food being served. They ate and talked quietly, content to observe the gathering rather than actively participate in the social exchanges. The mansion felt alive with overlapping interactions, each group contributing to the bustling yet organized atmosphere of the event.
Hestia, alongside her children, walked through the main hall of the grand building where the banquet was being held, joining the many attendees already present. The spacious room was filled with elegant decorations, long banquet tables, and the constant murmur of conversation between gods, goddesses, and their respective Familia members.
As they made their way forward, they were immediately met with glances as some were curious, some surprised, and others openly intrigued from deities and adventurers alike. The attention followed them with little subtlety.
"Oh, look!" a goddess within a small group whispered in a hushed yet startled tone as her eyes landed on the Hestians. "It's them!"
"Yeah!" another voice added, this time a god within a different circle, speaking in the same quiet but excited manner. "It's Hestia's Familia!"
The murmurs spread quickly. One whisper turned into several, and soon the surrounding chatter subtly shifted in their direction. Groups began gossiping among themselves, some leaning closer to their Familia children as they quietly discussed what they were witnessing. Seeing the one and only Hestia Familia in the flesh had clearly stirred excitement.
After all, despite consisting of only three members, they had shattered records. One, especially, their captain. The reputation they had built in such a short time made their presence impossible to ignore. Naturally, the attention directed at the Hestians, and at Hestia herself, was immediate and undeniable.
"What a crowd, huh?" Bell said, clearly impressed by the volume of chatter surrounding them. The sheer amount of attention he and his comrades were receiving made him slightly flustered. "I'm not used to this kind of treatment from people."
"Mhmm," Lili replied, agreeing with Bell's words. Unlike the white-haired rabbit, however, the attention did not affect her nearly as much. "Honestly, it's quite nice. I could get used to this."
Hestia, overhearing two of her children reacting to the attention, decided to put on a smug expression. "Hehe," she laughed proudly, puffing out her chest as she basked in the recognition. Her pride in her Familia children, and in herself, was written clearly across her face. "Of course. They are the children of THE Hestia Familia, after all. MY Familia."
For the moment, Hestia allowed herself to happily boast. It was not something she did often. With how busy she and her Familia members were simply trying to make a living, opportunities like this were rare. So, when one presented itself, she seized it without hesitation.
Continuing through the hall, they made their way among the attendees and headed straight toward the food section. Hestia had insisted on going there first, refusing to pass up an opportunity for free food.
Though, whether gods and goddesses actually felt hunger while in the lower world, or simply ate for leisure, remained something of a mystery.
Upon arriving at the food section, Hestia immediately grabbed a plate and disappeared into the spread, determined, inevitably, to stack it as high as possible with food.
The three Hestians watched their goddess stubbornly and somewhat clumsily attack the buffet, and all of them let out nervous laughs. All that attention from before, only for the onlookers to now witness what was essentially their goddess scrambling for food like a rat at a feast.
"And there she goes…" Aurelius said, a comical deadpan expression plastered across his face. Before coming here, he had fully believed that the first thing the goddess of hearth would focus on would be the food. He had been entirely correct. "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's eat, you two."
Aurelius gestured for his comrades to begin. Both Bell and Lili nodded at their captain's words.
The three Hestians then began diligently selecting food from the trays laid out before them. There were, in fact, plenty of options as it ranges from heavy dishes to desserts of various kinds.
Essentially, they were enjoying what could only be described as a free buffet.
As they selected food suited to their appetites, Aurelius couldn't help but notice that several otherwise prominent familias were absent from the banquet. The hall was lively, yet there were clear gaps among the attendees that stood out to him.
'It seems like we came early,' he thought, scanning the room once more. He didn't see the likes of Takemikazuchi's, Miach's, or Hermes's Familias anywhere in sight. The realization settled easily in his mind. 'They'll arrive eventually. What matters now is eating, because man, I'm hungry.'
With that conclusion, his attention returned to the feast before him. The group continued eating their fill, taking full advantage of the banquet's generosity. Considering the food was free, they indulged without hesitation, savouring each bite and returning for seconds when their plates were emptied. Laughter and casual conversation mixed with the clatter of utensils as they enjoyed the moment. By the time they had eaten for a while, enough to feel comfortably satisfied, all four of them were approached by a small group.
"Yo, Hestia!" a male voice called out, its cheerful tone cutting cleanly through the surrounding chatter. "Seems like you're earlier than us."
Hestia and the Hestians turned toward the source of the voice. Their gazes quickly settled on the caller, revealing none other than Hermes himself. Standing beside him was Asfi. Hermes wore a white tuxedo paired with a red shirt underneath, complemented by matching white pants that gave him a polished, theatrical appearance. Asfi, in contrast, carried an elegant air in her peach-colored dress, long white gloves stretching nearly to her shoulders and completing her refined look.
"As loud as ever, Hermes," Hestia remarked, her tone critical yet welcoming all the same. Her attention soon shifted past him. "Oh, Miach, you too!" she called upon spotting Miach and his familia child, Naaza.
Miach wore a black tuxedo layered over a white shirt, accented by a blue bow tie that echoed the colour of his long blue hair, which was neatly tied into a low ponytail. Naaza stood beside him in a dark red dress that exposed her right arm. The garment hugged her figure closely, enhancing her already striking appearance and drawing attention to her composed, attractive features.
"Hello, Hestia," Miach greeted warmly, addressing a friendship that stretched back to their time in heaven. "It seems like you and your familia members are well dressed and happy with each other. That's something nice to see."
Hestia felt a playful flush rise to her cheeks at the compliment. She shyly thanked him, her pride unmistakable. "Hehe, thanks, Miach. My familia are proud children of mine, after all. I consider them family, always."
Miach responded with a reassuring smile. "That's good to hear," he said, his calm tone smoothing the conversation between them. His gaze then shifted to the three Hestians, his expression carrying quiet encouragement. "Keep up the hard work, you three. Your achievements will one day be adorned in the history of Orario, just like many others."
The Hestians bowed slightly in gratitude, acknowledging the praise with respectful humility. From there, the groups fell naturally into friendly conversation, exchanging stories of their daily lives and recent experiences. The atmosphere grew warmer as laughter and shared memories flowed easily, strengthening the bonds between them.
A bit of time passed before four individuals approached the group, announcing their arrival as they drew near. "It seems like we are a bit late on our arrival," one of them said, their voice carrying clearly toward the gathering.
The group turned toward the direction of the voice. As their eyes settled on the newcomers, they quickly recognized them to be none other than Takemikazuchi and three members of his Familia. Their presence immediately drew attention, their coordinated appearance making them stand out among the crowd.
Hestia, upon seeing the Japanese Familia appear before her group, brightened instantly and greeted them with visible excitement. "Take! You've finally made it!" she exclaimed happily toward Takemikazuchi, her tone full of relief and warmth.
Takemikazuchi nodded in response to Hestia's greeting. "Indeed. I apologize if we've arrived late," he replied calmly. "I had to make sure my children here were properly dressed for a banquet. Considering this is their first time attending such an event, they needed to ensure they were in splendid outfits." As he spoke, he gestured toward the three Familia members accompanying him, presenting them with quiet pride.
Everyone in the group took a moment to observe Takemikazuchi's Familia children. The trio consisted of Kashima Ouka, Hitachi Chigusa, and, last but not least, Yamato Mikoto. Each of them carried themselves with a composed demeanour, their attire reflecting the care taken in preparation for the occasion.
Mikoto and Chigusa wore dresses that shared a unified theme. Their design resembled the elegant look of traditional Japanese kimono attire, yet it had been stylized into dresses rather than remaining true kimonos. The garments featured rich purple colour palettes that tied their appearances together. Mikoto wore an off-the-shoulder dress, while Chigusa's design took the form of a tank-style dress. Both outfits fit closely, accentuating their figures while maintaining a refined and graceful presentation.
Kashima Ouka, on the other hand, wore a white tuxedo paired with a purple shirt underneath, maintaining the shared purple theme. The tuxedo was neatly buttoned, complemented by a red tie that added contrast to the ensemble. He completed the look with matching white pants and shoes, creating a balanced and polished appearance that aligned perfectly with the formal setting.
"Oh, my~" Hermes exclaimed as he caught sight of both Chigusa and Mikoto. "How splendidly beautiful, you two. Truly immaculate! The way you carry yourselves is simply stunning!"
Mikoto and Chigusa immediately blushed, clearly embarrassed by the loud proclamation directed at them. The sudden praise drew attention, and both girls shifted awkwardly under Hermes' gaze, unsure how to respond to such theatrical admiration.
Hermes then turned his attention toward Naaza and Lili. His eyes lit up again as he selected his next targets of praise. "Now that I'm really looking," Hermes said with a pleased grin, "you two look splendid as well! Such a wonderfully youthful appearance!"
Naaza reacted calmly, offering a small, polite bow in acknowledgment of the compliment. Her expression remained composed, as though such remarks barely stirred her. Lili, on the other hand, visibly bristled at the Greek messenger's enthusiasm. Her face tightened with irritation, and her left eyebrow twitched, a clear sign of her growing annoyance.
Hermes quickly noticed the shift in her demeanour. Intrigued, he strolled closer to Lili, undeterred by the warning written plainly across her face. "What's the matter, dear Little Juggernaut?" he said playfully, leaning in as if to lighten her mood. "Are you refusing to accept how absolutely splendorous you look in that attire? Any male of your race would be drooling at the sheer magnificence of your beaut—"
Hermes never finished his sentence.
Lili's foot shot forward without hesitation, striking the messenger god squarely in the groin. It was a perfect hit! Precise, swift, and utterly decisive. Hermes' words died instantly, replaced by stunned silence as the impact registered. Lili calmly lowered her leg afterward, her expression unchanged, as if the action required no further explanation.
'Atta girl, Lili,' Aurelius thought, silently cheering her on from where he stood. A small spark of satisfaction flickered in his mind. 'That's exactly how you deal with flirting perverts like Lord Hermes.'
Hermes clutched his crotch in pain as he slowly collapsed to the ground. The entire moment played out as if a cartoon had suddenly been brought to life, exaggerated yet painfully real.
Asfi, Hermes' beloved captain and the pillar of his Familia, simply watched as her patron lay there after being kicked in such a vulnerable spot. Her expression subtly hinted at satisfaction rather than concern.
"That is what you get, Lord Hermes, for being such a playboy," Asfi remarked coolly, her tone making it clear she believed the punishment was well deserved.
Yet Hermes rose back to his feet almost immediately, as if the damage he had taken moments ago had never existed.
"How could you say that, Asfi?" Hermes said, playfully exaggerating a wounded expression. He placed a hand over his chest in mock betrayal. "Oh wait, I forgot to compliment you too!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Asfi's cheeks turned red. Heat rushed to her face as embarrassment replaced her earlier composure.'I should've just kept quiet,' she thought, already regretting ever saying anything in the first place.
Hermes then dramatically presented the blue coral-haired girl as though unveiling the greatest treasure in the world. He extended an arm toward her with theatrical flair.
"Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on this!" Hermes announced loudly, pointing toward his Familia captain.
Asfi froze the instant she realized what he was doing. A furious blush spread across her face. Mortified by her patron's loud presentation, she instinctively tried to shield herself with her hands, as if she could somehow hide from the attention now directed at her.
"Very nice, eh?" Hermes continued proudly, his voice filled with shameless enthusiasm. "Pretty, beautiful, elegant! Oh, my Asfi is the greatest!"
By this point, Asfi's face had become a deep shade of red that stretched across her cheeks."L-Lord Hermes, s-stop it!" she stammered, completely flustered by her patron's foolish behavior. "I-I'll hit you… I-I really m-mean it…"
Seeing his captain so flustered only seemed to encourage Hermes. With a mischievous grin, he stepped closer and leaned toward her ear, clearly intent on teasing her further. "You're so cute when you blush, Asfi," he whispered.
That was the final straw.
Agitated beyond her limit, Asfi drove her elbow sharply into the side of the messenger god's stomach. The result was immediate and dramatic. Hermes was sent flying across the room, crashing into the wall with a heavy thud.
The group could only watch with nervous laughter, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads at the sheer absurdity of the exchange. One, however, openly approved of the captain's reaction.
Lili being that one to cheer for it.
'What a classic,' Aurelius thought, recalling a similar scene from the memories of his past life. 'I know I said I only vaguely remembered the earlier seasons, but this moment is etched permanently into my mind. I wish I had popcorn to go with this.'
As he drifted into his thoughts, replaying the humour of the scene, a sudden male voice rang out through the tavern. It carried enough authority to draw the attention of everyone present, including Hestia's group, cutting cleanly through the lingering laughter.
"Everyone!" a male voice rang out, immediately drawing the attention of those present. Every attendee turned toward the source of the voice. "Thank you for coming to this humble little banquet."
All eyes shifted toward the grand staircase, where Apollo, the host of the banquet himself, stood proudly. The majority gazed at him with clear respect, impressed by the splendor of the event he had arranged for their enjoyment.
The decorations, the atmosphere, and the scale of the gathering spoke of wealth and careful preparation. However, not all expressions reflected admiration. Among the crowd were a few who wore subtle looks of skepticism, their eyes sharper, more cautious.
Among those who were wary were the Hestians, including Hestia herself. The members of Hestia Familia, along with Miach and Takemikazuchi and their respective familia children, felt an uneasy tension rise within them at the sight of the sun god's appearance.
There was something about the way he stood there, confident, composed, that stirred discomfort rather than reassurance.
After Apollo made his appearance upon the stairs of his mansion, three members of his familia stepped forward behind him.
Cassandra, Daphne, and Hyakinthos approached their deity and came to a halt just behind him, positioning themselves as a protective presence at his back.
They stood firmly, their posture disciplined, clearly guarding the sun god's rear without needing to exchange a single word.
The three Hestians directed their gaze toward their location, a trace of malice evident in their expressions. This was especially true for Bell and Lili, who felt a lingering sense of grudge toward the captain of the Apollo Familia.
The memory of recent events had not faded, and the sight of him standing so close to Apollo did nothing to ease their thoughts.
Apollo, standing with unwavering confidence and poise, surveyed the gathered attendees. His gaze swept across the hall, calmly taking in the sight of gods, goddesses, and their children. However, his eyes lingered for a brief moment on the three Hestians in particular, observing them with deliberate interest.
Composing himself, he prepared to address the crowd. "Today, I decided to hold a slightly different banquet than usual," he announced. As he spoke, he placed his left hand upon his chest in a gesture that suggested admiration for those gathered before him.
"Dressing up the children you love so much with the dresses I gave and bringing them to a banquet like this," he continued in a proud tone directed toward the gods and goddesses alike, his voice carrying through the hall as though he were genuinely astonished by the many beautiful, refined, and wealthy appearances before his eyes.
"Is quite the change of pace, isn't it?" Apollo concluded, his words drawing approval from the majority of the gods, goddesses, and familia children present.
"Great job, Apollo!"
"A great change of pace indeed, Apollo!"
"Truly a great banquet for this night!"
"Brilliant!"
"You truly have taste for fashion, Apollo!"
"My children looked stunning because of you!"
Voices echoed throughout the hall as many cheered for the sun god, clearly satisfied with the event he had arranged for the evening. Laughter and applause filled the air, blending with the music and chatter already present.
Apollo nodded in satisfaction. Hearing the cheers and seeing the enjoyment of the attendees pleased him greatly. "Well, I'm happy to see so many of my fellow gods and goddesses here with their children. Tonight will be a night for new meetings."
As he said this, his gaze slowly shifted toward the Hestians, particularly Bell and Lili. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a faint frown forming as a glint of desire flickered within them. "I just had a feeling, of course," he added, his tone carrying an underlying implication that did not go unnoticed.
Bell and Lili both felt the sudden sharpness of his gaze as it settled upon them. The intensity behind it was unmistakable.
Aurelius, noticing the tense atmosphere that now surrounded his two comrades, decided to ease their stress. The air around them had grown stiff, their expressions tight with vigilance, and he could tell their minds were already preparing for what might come next. Calmly, he reassured them that there was no need to worry too much, his voice steady and composed despite the unease lingering beneath the surface.
Though even he could not completely ignore the look on the sun god's face.
The way Apollo's gaze lingered, the subtle curve of his smile. It really did not sit well with him. There was something unsettling behind that expression, something far too pleased.
'What a creep,' Aurelius thought, inwardly directing ill words toward the sun god, Apollo.
From that moment onward, the three of them silently reached the same conclusion without needing to speak it aloud. They would remain on guard until the banquet came to an end—however long that might take. Whatever Apollo was planning, they were certain of one thing: it would not be simple.
Apollo then turned his attention back toward the gathered crowd. Spreading his arms wide with unmistakable pride, he basked in the attention of the masses. His presence demanded admiration, and he carried himself as though the entire hall existed for his display.
"Now, the night is long! Everyone, have a good time and indulge in the delicacies and entertainment that I have provided!" he declared loudly, his voice echoing across the banquet hall as he finalized his speech to the masses.
The majority cheered in reverence toward the sun god, their voices rising in unison as they applauded his generosity. Laughter and conversation soon followed, and the guests happily immersed themselves in the pleasures of the night, enjoying the feast and festivities laid before them.