Hestia's tone might have sounded casual, but Liang Yue could hear the hidden edge in her words—the way she addressed Ais was far too familiar.
"Wallen‑something‑kun."
Of course, she knew the Sword Princess Ais Wallenstein's name; she just deliberately avoided saying it, and Liang Yue quickly picked up on that little detail.
It wasn't necessarily an act of self‑preservation.
After all, his encounters with Ais had been solely about the Minotaur and swordsmanship. Speaking honestly, Liang Yue replied,
"I ran into her while exploring the Dungeon today. She was curious about my sword style, so we talked a little and got to know each other."
"Oh."
"Well, Wallen‑something‑kun is a high‑ranking member of the Loki Familia. If you get too close to her, I'm worried it might cause you trouble."
She didn't doubt his explanation. Yes, she had her own personal reasons, but her words were also grounded in objective analysis.
Getting too close to the upper echelon of another Familia could make one a target for hostility from its members.
"Of course."
Liang Yue nodded slightly, then shifted his attention to the dinner menu. The run‑in with the Loki Familia had only been a small interruption.
They had come to the Hostess of Fertility for one reason—to enjoy a better meal.
For an average person, the prices here were a bit steep—just a noodle main dish with a drink cost 500 valis.
The day's recommended grilled fish set was 850 valis.
If today's Dungeon haul hadn't been so good, he wouldn't have been able to order so freely.
Glancing at the eager girl beside him, he smiled and asked, "So, Hestia‑sama, what would you like to eat tonight?"
"I'll have the main dish set."
"And… a drink."
Hestia's eyes swept over the menu. Everything was rather pricey, and with her usual part‑time income, she could only afford to eat here on rare occasions.
Considering Liang Yue was stubborn about repaying the debt for his weapon…
As his goddess, she had to think about his well‑being. So she ordered one of the cheaper set meals. Even so, it was already an improvement over yesterday's dinner.
"Alright."
If he remembered correctly, the noodle main dish came in generous portions. In addition, he ordered two of the day's recommended grilled fish sets.
It made for a fairly hearty dinner, all for under 3,000 valis.
With that decided, he looked around the restaurant at the girls in green maid dresses, white aprons tied neatly in front, bustling about.
He raised a hand to signal for service.
Noticing the wave from the corner table, a girl wearing a white maid headband approached after delivering food to another customer.
Her light‑green hair was tied into a ponytail—Ryuu Lion.
After placing the dish in front of the other guest, she made her way toward Liang Yue and Hestia at an unhurried pace.
Her turquoise eyes gave a cool once‑over to the unfamiliar face. He seemed a few years younger than her—likely a rookie adventurer.
His delicate features were hard to ignore, but what drew her attention most were his strangely bewitching eyes.
Ryuu soon averted her gaze. Her air was unmistakably cold, yet her voice was unexpectedly gentle. "What would you like to order?"
Standing before them, hands resting lightly on a wooden tray, dressed in her leaf‑green maid uniform paired with black stockings and brown boots—
Her long, pointed elven ears marked her race, and her fair skin seemed to catch a faint, cold light.
The natural chill she exuded practically wrote Keep Out across her face.
Ryuu Lion.
Liang Yue, of course, knew who she was. On the surface, she worked at the Hostess of Fertility, but in truth, she was a former member of the Astraea Familia—
A Level 4 adventurer, more famously known as the "Gale Wind."
"Noodle main dish, one drink, and two of the grilled fish specials."
"Alright."
She noted down the order without suggesting any other dishes. From her perspective, the portions were more than enough for two people.
"For two, that's plenty."
"Got it."
Watching her turn and leave, Liang Yue quickly withdrew his gaze—only to find himself under the weight of a slightly resentful stare from the goddess beside him.
Hestia's tone carried a distinct emotional undercurrent—whether it was because of Ryuu's cool beauty or the high price of the meal was hard to tell.
"Liang Yue‑kun, I think it's better if we only eat here occasionally. It's too expensive to spend this much on just one meal!"
…
Was she worried about the cost, or something else?
Liang Yue honestly couldn't say, but he chose to go along with her concerns. At their current stage, if they ate like this every day, all their earnings would be gone.
They still had to improve their living conditions, repay debts, and—when funds allowed—invest in more weapons.
"Today is special—it's to celebrate with you, Hestia‑sama, so I ordered more than usual.
"After this, I'll definitely control expenses. There are a lot of places the money needs to go—whether for living better or for the Familia's growth.
"Everything needs funds."
He spoke with a hint of reflection, but without any trace of burden. After all, you can't achieve everything overnight—everything had to be done step by step.
Hearing that, Hestia slumped forward on the table, tracing circles on the surface with a finger. "It's just… because I have no fame,
"No children want to join my Familia."
As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly toward him. If she didn't know how heavy his burdens already were, she might have said—
It's fine if it's just the two of us.
But she didn't. Instead, she spoke as a goddess caring for her child. "I'll keep working hard in the meantime.
"I don't want to see you shouldering everything alone, Liang Yue‑kun."
"Aren't you working hard as well, Hestia‑sama?"
He smiled in return. Whether she recruited members or not was none of his business—he had no intention of interfering.
It was best to let things happen naturally.
Forming a party with the Familia to explore the Dungeon would be more convenient, but even without one, his exploration would go on as usual.
"As long as we get through this period, everything will get better."
"Liang Yue‑kun…"
In Hestia's eyes, as he said those words, not only did his soul seem to shine—he himself seemed to glow.
"Thank you.
"To meet a child like you… I'm truly a blessed goddess."
Clack!
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of plates hitting the table, accompanied by the sight of the feast they'd ordered.
Liang Yue and Hestia exchanged a glance, then both laughed.
"Let's dig in!"
—
That night, under the silver moonlight spilling onto Orario's streets, Liang Yue and Hestia walked side by side, sharing tales from the Dungeon.
Naturally, he left out the part about the Minotaur.
From her perspective as a listener, Hestia felt relieved—Liang Yue's Dungeon run had gone smoothly, without danger.
To have gained a skill immediately after receiving the Falna meant his talent was exceptional. After a full day's adventure, she was eager to see how his stats had changed.
Before they even reached the basement of the abandoned church—
Hestia, already unable to contain her excitement, clenched her fists and said with a bright smile, "Liang Yue‑kun, once we get home, let me update your status!"
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