Dragon Ball: Saiyan's Gourmet Journey

Chapter 650 Hestia: Is this a confession of my unwavering devotion to you?
"Here are your fries, welcome back next time!"

When Broly found Hestia, the goddess was wearing a scarf and apron, standing on the other side of the counter in the potato ball shop, handing freshly fried potato balls to customers.

The idea of ​​a god working for a mortal and becoming a shop assistant is quite rare, even for some gods who are considered useless.

Therefore, the potato ball shop, which had the gimmick of the goddess working there, became increasingly prosperous after Hestia's arrival.

After all, for just a small price to buy potato balls, one can have a goddess serve them, offering them the potato balls they bought and saying a word of welcome. For a mortal, this is indeed a worthwhile and emotionally rewarding experience.

"Lady Hestia, I'm back."

Broly lined up and arrived at the fries shop. When it was his turn, he spoke to the little goddess who was so busy behind the counter that she didn't even look up.

Upon hearing this, Hestia raised her head, her expression first showing surprise, then joy at seeing the boy, and then worry about whether the boy was injured.

"Why are you back so early? Are you alright?"

"I wanted to see Lady Hestia as soon as possible. After I had made some progress in the dungeon, I was also hungry, so I came back early without getting hurt."

Broly answered.

Once she confirmed that the boy was indeed alright, Hestia's face showed a genuine smile that was different from her usual business smile.

"I need a little longer before I can leave work. Please wait for me here."

"Lord Hestia, since your kin have come to see you, why don't you take the early shift?"

After she finished speaking, the shop owner, who looked like a bear-woman, took the initiative to speak.

"Hey, is this okay?"

"It's alright, it's alright. Thanks to Lady Hestia's presence, our shop's business is so good. It's no problem if we have to work an early shift occasionally."

The bear-woman shopkeeper waved her hand dismissively. When she first met Hestia earlier that day, the goddess had shared with her the story of recruiting a male member of her kin.

Then, every ten minutes or so, they would bring up the boy's story, like how he was welcomed by a goddess, how he saw a group of goddesses surrounding him when he first met him, but ultimately chose him, how he could eat so much that he could consume 100,000 falies of food in one meal, and how he was so powerful that he could defeat a monster like a dragon before receiving the blessing, things like that.

As for a goddess like her who is completely devoted to boys, she would naturally be willing to let the boy, who has just obtained his first familia child and is in a period of excitement, reunite with this child named Broly as soon as possible and deepen their relationship.

"Also, you should take these potato balls and let your family's children try them."

Aunt Bear then handed over a bag containing several fried potato balls.

"Thank you!"

After accepting the potato balls, Hestia sincerely thanked the bear-man shopkeeper.

"I will repay you as soon as possible regarding the debt."

The loli goddess puffed out her chest and made a promise.

"Lord Hestia, do you still owe anyone money?"

Broly looked over in surprise and said, "I made a lot of money today. Do you think it's enough to pay off your debts?"

He pulled out a money bag.

"Ah, that was just a loss I made when I first started working at this shop. I didn't know how to operate the magic stone furnace and made some mistakes. As for the debts I incurred, I'll pay them off myself. You don't need to worry about it."

Hestia quickly refused. She took off her headscarf and apron, took the bag of potato balls the shopkeeper had given her in one hand, and pushed the boy's little shoulder with the other to walk out.

The expressions of the customers queuing behind him changed, as if they had missed something.

He came specifically for the service of having the goddess personally serve him the potato balls.

However, just as it was about to be his turn, the goddess who worked at the potato ball shop went home.

How many potato balls do you want?

When the bear-woman who came to greet him asked what he wanted, the skinny human youth was too embarrassed to say no, so he ended up ordering a plain fried potato ball.

Fortunately, the fried potato balls at this shop were made with high-quality ingredients and tasted pretty good, so it wasn't a complete waste of time waiting in such a long line.

. . . .

"What?! Over 460 million Faris?!"

Upon hearing how much money Broly had earned in the dungeon that day, Hestia's eyes widened in surprise, and a gasp escaped her lips.

Is this a lot?

Broly looked over in confusion, and passersby, after hearing Hestia's exclamation, also began to stare at the human and the god.

"Of course it's more. You know, my daily wage is only 10,000 falies, and that's with the salary bonus from being a goddess."

Hestia answered in a low voice.

"For an ordinary person doing my job, the daily wage might only be around a thousand falies. The money you earn from going down into the dungeon is equivalent to more than four hundred of what I earn in a day selling potato balls."

Of course, adventurers are a profession that involves risking danger to make a living in dungeons, so their income is generally higher than that of ordinary professions in Orario. But even for a level 1 adventurer, earning more than 2 Fali a day is considered a high income.

That's equivalent to taking on a hundred other Lv.1 adventurers single-handedly, and not just a hundred, but over two hundred!

As the loli goddess spoke, her eyes sparkled, and the way she looked at Broly seemed to say: Truly worthy of being my familia's child!

The proud expressions of those parents are visibly joyful, a fact evident in their rising happiness levels.

"It's not just that. When I first entered the dungeon labyrinth, I spent part of my time searching for monsters in the dungeon."

It wasn't until I entered the fifth level of the dungeon and encountered an information broker who almost died that I started to make real money. After saving him and asking him where the most monsters were, I learned about the killer ants and other monsters that would actively gather together.

If I had entered the seventh floor and found the killer ants from the beginning, I would definitely have earned more money. Even without the killer ants, as long as I bring the [Monster Lure] item that can attract monsters, I can achieve a similar monster-attracting effect.

Therefore, Lady Hestia, I am capable of doing better and earning more—more than any number of adventurers combined. So, you can be even happier and more proud!

In the afternoon sunlight, the boy who spoke with self-satisfaction exuded an air of unparalleled confidence, making even his soul seem to sparkle and shine, quite beautiful.

“Well, confidence is a good thing, but it’s not good if it turns into arrogance.” The little goddess led the boy to a nearby square, where he sat down on a bench shaded by trees and warmed up. She then began to lecture him: “Broly, safety should always come first.”

After finishing her lecture, Hestia pulled out the potato balls from her bag, still looking pleased with what she had just said. Smiling, she said to Broly, "Of course, as the biggest contributor to the Hestia Familia's earnings today, I'll reward you with a potato ball personally fed by the goddess herself. Broly, open your mouth, ah~"

"Ah woo~"

Broly didn't refuse Hestia's offer of food. After taking a bite of the potato ball that was handed to him, he said to the loli goddess, "Lady Hestia, what you said is quite similar to what the dungeon advisor in the guild said."

"Miss Dungeon Consultant?"

Hestia was initially puzzled, then it dawned on her.

"Oh, it's that half-elf girl from last night~"

Although Eina was already nineteen years old and a competent adult working woman, it didn't seem to be a problem for Hestia, who was hundreds of millions of years old, to address her as a girl.

"Hmm, Broly, what did she say to you?"

"It's nothing. It's just a safety issue. She thinks I shouldn't have gone to the labyrinth below the fifth level of the dungeon on my first adventure."

In addition, she demanded that I attend her dungeon-crawling knowledge lectures, as if she would never trust me if I didn't agree.

"So, Broly, you agreed?"

"Okay, I agree. The class will be in the morning three days from now, at the guild headquarters."

"So, what kind of person do you think that half-elf girl is?"

Hestia gently swung her legs on the bench.

Her petite stature allows her to make such childlike movements.

"What kind of person? Hmm, probably someone who is serious and has a high sense of responsibility."

Broly, drawing on his own understanding, found the right words to answer the goddess's question.

"What do you think of someone like that, Broly?"

Hestia stopped swinging her leg and asked another question.

"Very good, not bad, just my type."

Broly answered honestly.

Eina's serious and responsible attitude is somewhat similar to that of Fujimura Taiga and Isayama Yomi.

As a result, Broly has a fondness for this type of woman, regardless of the Crystal Palace incident; it's simply his personal preference.

"Hmm~~~"

Hestia let out a long, drawn-out sound from her nose and then asked, "Between her and me, Broly, who do you prefer?"

"Is that even a question? Of course, it's Lord Hestia."

Broly answered without hesitation.

Although he has a good impression of someone like Eina, it doesn't mean that he can develop feelings of love after only a short period of contact and two separate encounters.

At least, when Hestia asked Broly who he preferred, Broly was able to give a definite answer without hesitation that he preferred Hestia.

“Broly, you’re such a blunt kid!” Hestia took a bite of the potato ball the boy had bitten, and her legs started swinging again, crossing even faster than before.

Her other hand, which wasn't holding anything, cupped her cheek, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons, revealing a blissful expression that was hard to tell whether from the boy's words, the satisfaction of the fried potato ball in her mouth, or both.

The two, one human and one god, sat on a bench under the shade of a tree, sharing the free potato balls they had received. Broly ate the potato balls while recounting his experiences of the day.

When he mentioned that the guild receptionist foreman, the dog-man Remel, had promised to keep his exchange gains a secret and expedite the process, Hestia smiled with satisfaction and said, "The Uranusian Familia certainly has the professionalism expected of members of a neutral organization!"

"So, opening up a fast-track money exchange channel for me is actually something they were supposed to do all along?"

Broly was a little curious.

"Ah, that's not what I meant. I meant their promise to keep your earnings confidential."

"What's wrong with this?"

"Broly, not all the gods in this world are good. If other guys find out how great you are, there might be some bad guys who want to take you away from me."

Although the gods have an agreement that members who have been with a clan for less than a year cannot change clans, it's not the theft itself that's worrisome, but the fact that someone might be eyeing a clan that's been stolen from. Besides, there must be a way to circumvent this agreement.

"Yes, Broly, you must take good care of yourself out there. Don't let yourself be kidnapped by a god with ill intentions..."

Hestia spoke to the boy as if she were wary of human traffickers.

"I will not go with anyone else. Besides, no one can make me leave your side unless I want to, not even the gods of this world."

"Ugh, Broly, can I take your words as a confession of your unwavering devotion to me?"

Hestia clutched her chest, as if struck by Cupid's arrow, and looked over with a slightly flushed face.

"If I am unable to encounter a goddess or woman like you, Lady Hestia, in this world, you may think so, but only in this world."

Broly gave a serious reply.

“Broly…”

Hestia leaned over, resting her head on the Saiyan boy's lap, who looked smaller than herself, and asked, "How many times do you intend to move this god like me with your words?"

"If it can make you happy, I think it can be countless times."

Hestia buried her face in the boy's lap, feeling ashamed at Broly's words.

"Lord Hestia..."

"what happened?"

Hestia didn't dare to look up and asked in a muffled voice.

Just when she thought the boy was about to say something sweet to make her even more shy, she heard him say, "I don't mind if you want to act cute, but could you please not smear the oil residue from the fried potato balls on your mouth on the leather leg guards you bought me?"
Remember, this leather armor was completely clean back in the dungeon.

"It's okay, take it off tonight and I'll wash it for you."

Hestia turned her head, looked at the boy, and said.

"Hey~"

Broly was somewhat helpless.

"Never mind, I'll wash it."

He used water-generating magic, creating a film of water on his hands.

"But before that, I need to wipe your mouth clean."

Although Hestia and Aqua are different goddesses, the way she takes care of them is surprisingly similar to how she takes care of Aqua.

Bro touched Hestia's mouth with his hand, the water on his palm washing away the grease from her lips. Then he quickly took Hestia's hand and washed her hand, which was still a little soft from holding the potato balls.

After rinsing off the oil stains on his leg warmers, Broly flicked the water off his hands onto the ground in front of the bench, outside the shade of the trees.

"Zi~"

The ground, baked by the sun all afternoon, made this sound.

The evenly spread liquid evaporates quickly, dries on the ground, and eventually disappears without a trace.

"You said it's okay to act cute, right?"

Hestia was taken aback at first, then asked, and before Broly could answer, she buried her face in Broly's lower abdomen.

Although she was covered in leather armor and couldn't actually smell anything, Hestia still took a deep breath, almost like she was petting a cat.

"Broly, it's so wonderful to have met you in this world!"

After taking a deep breath, Hestia’s muffled voice finally came from Broly’s lower abdomen.

"Me too, Lady Hestia."

Broly stroked the goddess's soft hair on her head, and also made his own response.

As the sun began to set, Hestia suddenly stood up: "We should go home too!"

"Ah."

Broly nodded and stood up.

But after walking with the goddess for a while, he suddenly stopped at an alleyway.

"If you want to join our clan, that depends on your sincerity."

"Excuse me, sir, what is sincerity?"

"That's money, of course, kid."

"Oh, how much do you need?"

"Heh, all I can say is that the more sincere you are, the greater your chances of joining our clan."

……

"What's wrong, Broly?"

Hestia noticed that the boy hadn't followed, so she turned around and looked at the boy who was standing at the alley entrance and asked him.

"I ran into someone I knew."

Broly answered.

"Is he an acquaintance?"

"Yes, he was a boy I met before I came to Orario, and I rescued him from the mouth of a dragon."

"Is he in trouble now?"

"I'm not sure. Is it considered troublesome that the other party is planning to spend money to join a certain clan?"

"I don't think so. Some gods in Orario also sell their blessings as a commodity to ordinary people."

Hestia thought for a moment and then gave her answer: such a divine retinue is practically nonexistent; to put it bluntly, it's a one-time transaction. Ordinary people pay money to buy the most basic divine grace without having to fulfill the obligation of supporting the gods.

Of course, those who receive such divine favor will likely have to continue paying to upgrade their abilities.

"So that's it."

Broly nodded, then followed Hestia towards the abandoned church.

. . . .

"I only have a little over 10,000 falies on me right now."

"Bring it to you."

"Ah, but I still need to eat..."

"Hehe, young man, you are very sincere. I will recommend you to my lord god. Once you join our Soma Familia and become an adventurer, you will be able to earn back this money with your own hands very quickly."

"Is that what it looks like?"

"of course."

"How long do I need to wait?"

"Tomorrow, I'll tell you the results tomorrow."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Bell was very excited. He stood at the alley entrance and watched the big man who took his money bag leave.

The white-haired boy was filled with excitement at the thought of joining a clan tomorrow, becoming an adventurer, and then a hero.

He didn't notice that the Saiyan who had saved his life had stopped to check on him before leaving.

(End of this chapter)