Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

After hearing what had happened, the goddess Demeter seemed to understand something.

She stared at me, her face beaming as if she found it amusing.

"Oh, oh dear. I see. I understand. Here, take the herbs you just picked. Persephone! Bring Linnaeus here!"

"OK--!"

The goddess Demeter spoke to one of the members, instructing them to prepare herbs.

The god Mihe smiled at me, and I smiled back, but I couldn't hide my joy.

The first material has arrived.

□

"W-Where is this...?"

Looking up at the building in front of me, I couldn't help but shrink back in fear.

Northwest Street. In one corner of this street, which the locals call "Adventurer's Street," stands a large store painted bright red.

The signboard hanging on the door displays the trademark of 【ΗOαιτοS】.

"Excuse me."

"Welcome."

In stark contrast to my timid and hesitant demeanor, Mihe walked confidently into the store. I followed closely behind. Passing through the heavy doors, a shop assistant in a crisp red uniform immediately came to greet us. Although she looked at our shabby appearance, hardly the type to buy high-end weaponry, and gave us a surprised glance, Mihe smiled, raised his hand, and said, "No need for formalities." That smile, like that of a nobleman, instantly made the female shop assistant blush.

Wow, that's amazing!

"This, this guest, no, this esteemed gentleman, you can't do this! That's not a shopping area...!"

"It's nothing. I just need to speak with your chief god. Don't worry, I won't do anything strange."

Mih walked directly into the depths of the store, as if to say that it would be faster for God (himself) to go there in person.

Like a little duck, I silently followed behind Mihe, not paying much attention to the shop's magnificent decor and dazzling array of weapons, and went straight in.

"What's going on? Why is it so noisy?"

Just as we were about to cross the counter, there was a sound of footsteps going down the stairs, followed by the door leading into the store opening, and a red-haired goddess with an eyepatch over her right eye appeared.

(Hephaestus, the goddess...)

Facing the world-renowned Hephaestus Familia, the chief deity who leads a large group of highly skilled blacksmiths, I couldn't help but gurgle.

"Oh, Mih. Long time no see. Who's that child over there...?"

"Oh, is this your first time meeting? Let me introduce you. This is Hestia's familiar (child), named Bell."

"Hello, nice to meet you!"

I bowed deeply, and Hephaestus stared intently at me with her left eye, which was not covered by a blindfold. For some reason, I held my breath and stood frozen in place, unable to move. Hephaestus narrowed her red eyes.

"I see. So you're that guy's proudest 'familiar'."

“Eh…?”

"Hehe, don't take it to heart. I am Hephaestus, nice to meet you, Bell Crane."

"Uh, yes!"

The goddess reached out her hand to me, and I nervously complied. She squeezed my hand tightly.

Although she wasn't as tall as Hephaestus, she was a bit taller than me. I felt that the word "beautiful woman" seemed to exist solely for the goddess Hephaestus. How should I put it? Perhaps I could say she was very handsome.

"I'd love to ask you how the dagger I forged is, but... you guys need something from me, right, Mih?"

"Yes, that's right, Hestia, she..."

The goddess Hephaestus first dismissed the confused female shop assistant, and after listening to Mihel explain the whole situation, she frowned blatantly.

"Hestia caught a cold—? Is she faking it again?"

"No, no, the goddess Hestia is real...!"

"I understand how you feel, but please don't doubt her. If something really serious hadn't happened, why would Belle come looking for you like this?"

"...I understand. Let's trust her this once for the sake of the child. So, what do you want me to do?"

"Hmm, I want a pot."

Huh? The goddess Hephaestus opened her eyes wide, and I froze too.

"It's for mixing medicinal herbs. Unfortunately, my [Family] tools also need to be replaced, and there's no suitable pot."

"...What, you want me to make you a pot?"

While forging, strictly speaking, isn't just about producing weapons, but rather manufacturing all kinds of metal products, it seems a bit like overkill to commission the world-renowned Hephaestus Familia to make a pot...

"My friend is suffering from illness, what harm is there in helping a little? Most importantly... I hope you will lend a helping hand for Bell's sake, who is working so hard for God (Mother)."

Mih placed his hand on my head. "Huh?" I froze on the spot and immediately looked up at him.

Mihesh smiled as he looked at Hephaestus, who in turn glanced at me, who was still trying to understand what was happening, and smiled back.

"—Okay, I promise. I'll make one for you."

"Do I need to pay?"

"No need. It was just a spur-of-the-moment idea. If you think it's not worth it, I'll deduct it from Hestia's salary."

The goddess Hephaestus agreed and seemed quite happy; she told us to come back in a while to collect it. It seems she intends to personally craft the pots in the workshop set up in this shop.

As I walked out of the shop, I could hardly believe that I had actually managed to get the Hephaestus Familia to make pots. Mih said, "Let's go to the next place," and led me around the entire city.

●

"Okay, everything is almost ready."

Having gathered most of the necessary materials, I finally received the pot from the goddess Hephaestus, and then returned with Mih to the headquarters of the Mih Familia, where Miss Naza was waiting. They led me into the kitchen, where a large table was covered with test tubes, mortars, and a multitude of other tools.

"Um, God Mihe, so what exactly is this miracle drug you mentioned...?"

I voiced the question that had been lingering in my mind. Since it was said to be a medicine that was especially effective against higher beings (gods), I couldn't help but let my imagination run wild, thinking that it must be a miraculous elixir that was very difficult to prepare.

"Well, in conclusion... the medicine we're making now is a common potion that can be obtained anywhere. Because even gods who descend to the mortal realm find medicine useful."

"...Huh!"

Upon hearing this frank truth, I was speechless, my mouth agape. Mih laughed.

"However, the medicine you are about to make will be more effective for Hestia than any other medicine, that much is certain. The family (children) have been running around for God (parents), praying for a speedy recovery, and personally preparing it... This is the irreplaceable and effective medicine for God."

When I saw Mihe's gentle blue eyes, I was speechless and even forgot how to speak.

I vaguely understood what the phrase "special method of preparation" meant.

"...If Goddess Hestia personally prepares the medicine for Bell, he'll surely regain his strength, right? That's how it is... I'll help too, let's complete the final step together?"

Miss Nazha patted my shoulder and spoke to me in her usual flat tone.

I stared at her for a while, then looked again at Mih, who was smiling at us from the side, and nodded vigorously.

Under Ms. Nazha's guidance, I was clumsy and made several mistakes, but I still tried my best to prepare the potion for the immortal.

□

"Bell—, come back quickly—! Miss Supporter can't take it anymore—"

"Would anyone say that to their own face...?"

Hestia coughed softly and kept complaining. Lily changed the water in the tub and walked slowly to the bedside. She soaked a cloth in the water and looked down coldly at the goddess rolling around on the bed.

"Come, Goddess Hestia. Please sit up. Change your clothes again before Lord Bell returns. You must be sweating a lot again."

"Long live--"

"...You really become the embodiment of laziness whenever Lord Bell isn't around."

Hestia sat up, closed her eyes, and raised her hands. It was clear she wanted someone to undress her.

Although she was currently delirious due to a cold, this was still too exaggerated. Lily was both amused and exasperated, but she still diligently changed Hestia's clothes.

Wiping away sweat, while staring at the enormous breasts that swayed with each wipe, the young girl selflessly cared for the other young girl.

"—I'm back with the medicine, God!"

"—!"

Bang! The headquarters door was pushed open forcefully, and Hestia and Lily, who had been moving slowly, suddenly sped up, tumbling and scrambling around in a flurry of activity.

Bell was still puzzled when Hestia, having had Lily shield her, finally finished changing her clothes.

"Ah, ah—, Belle, you're back so fast! Did you manage to get the medicine?"

"No, well, actually..."

Bell didn't notice the twisted smile on Hestia's face—or Lily's heaving shoulders—as he looked down at the pots he was holding. Mih, who had followed him into headquarters, explained on his behalf, as Mih struggled to find the words to begin:

"Bell made this medicine himself. Hestia, he did it all for you."

"Huh... Is this real, Bell?"

"Most of it was done with the help of Mihe God and Miss Nazha, but... well, I did it."

Hestia was stunned, and Bell, his face flushed, walked to her bedside.

Lily quickly made room for him, and Bell poured the pale blue liquid from the pot into a glass and handed it to Hestia.

"Please, please use it."

"Uh, um..."

Hestia stared intently at the potent medicine made from a variety of herbs, then drank it all in one gulp.

In an instant, her twin ponytails bounced up and rippled. Belle and Lily were startled, while Mih gave a wry smile.

Hestia lowered her head, her shoulders trembling as if she were enduring something. Then she raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, but a smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you, Bell. I feel so much better. All my cold symptoms are gone."

Bell knew Hestia was putting on a brave face for his sake, but even so, seeing her cheerful and joyful expression—the effects of the special medicine—made Bell beam with joy as well.

"Goddess Hestia is so kind. Lily is one thing, but even Lord Bell is so good to you."

"Heh heh, that just shows how deep my feelings for Belle are. Ah, I don't have the energy to say more, just consider it an extra perk of being a goddess, Miss Supporter."

"Yes, yes, yes. Ah, Lord Bell, you promised to make it up to me. Where are you taking me this time? Just the two of us."

"What!"

Hestia had taken a nap and her medicine, and she felt much better than in the morning. Bell breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her like this. Lily and the others started arguing again, but Mih ignored them and smiled at Bell. Bell smiled wryly and bowed his head to thank him. Just then... someone else pushed open the headquarters door.

"Hestia—, are you alright? I brought a gift to visit you in the hospital."

"What's wrong with you? You're perfectly fine all of a sudden."

"Bell, I'm here..."

Naza walked ahead, followed by Hephaestus carrying a bottle and Demeter carrying a basket of fruit, all stepping into the hidden room of the church. Hestia's eyes widened.

"Demeter, Hephaestus! Why...why did you think of coming to see me?"

"It was just a whim, a whim... Oh, you should thank your family (children)."

"Hehe, we're just a bonus with the Bell's Special Medicine. But then again, it's rare to have everyone gathered together like this... how about we have a small party?"

"Oh, not bad!"

"You have a cold right now, so just lie down and go to sleep."

"How could this happen, Hephaestus!"

"Haha, this is getting more and more lively."

Mihe smiled and joined the circle of goddesses.

The two companions, abandoned by the gods, looked at each other in bewilderment, then smiled at one another. They were the first to prepare food, pouring the wine Hephaestus had brought into glasses and cutting up fruit from Demeter's own garden for everyone to eat.

The table was laden with a sumptuous feast, and Bell and the others each picked up their drinks and held them up to their faces.

"So, to our protagonist today, Bell, and to our future—cheers!"

Clang! With a sound, the gods and children laughed and clinked glasses.

The pot was placed in the center of the table, and the blue water inside rippled and danced.