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

It felt like I was completely isolated from the world, along with the seat I was sitting in. All the footsteps and street noise were far away from me. Everyone seemed to have forgotten I existed as they came and went.

It was like a lost child, wandering aimlessly and helplessly in the vast city.

Even the feelings I had before coming here are about to be lost.

Anxiety and loneliness are about to overwhelm me.

"……I……"

I came to Orario in search of an encounter.

Unable to relinquish my yearning for heroes, I came to this labyrinthine city.

In order not to let the memories and ties left to me by my grandfather be severed.

But actually...

What I really want is—

"..."

With my bangs covering my eyes and my head bowed low, I stood up unsteadily.

I had no idea where to go, so I decided to flee the bustling streets and head into the dark back alley.

I was all alone, and no one noticed me.

"Hey there, young man, the back alley is dangerous. I advise you not to go there."

and so.

At first, I couldn't tell who that sentence was being said to.

“Eh…?”

I will definitely, absolutely, without a doubt...

I will never forget the scene at that time, and what happened then.

"Th-thank you... Uh, who are you? Why are you here all alone? Little sister, are you lost?"

"...Your eyes look like those of a lost child, don't they?"

I will never forget her face, and her voice.

"Ah—umm—...Actually, I'm currently recruiting for my [Familia]. It's quite a coincidence, I just happen to want an adventurer to be a member of my [Familia]...Um, I mean..."

I will never forget the hand she reached out to me.

"I want to join! Please let me join!"

"...Is it...is it really okay? You'd really like to join my [Familia]?"

"I'm willing, no problem at all! On the contrary, you're asking if it's okay for someone like me to join!?"

I will never forget the genuine joy on her face when I shook her hand in return.

"My name is Hestia! What's your name?"

I will never forget the kindness of the deity who asked me my name.

"Bell... My name is Bell Craney."

With that overwhelming joy that almost brought me to tears, I will never forget it all.

I met a deity.

In this city where many encounters took place, in this labyrinthine metropolis where many adventure tales were written, in this place where many heroes were born.

I was fortunate enough to encounter a goddess.

This is your story (path).

My story must have started on this day.

Our "family"—on this day, began.

Volume 15 Interlude: My Home, My Familiar

Perhaps it was because it was the transition between summer and autumn, but the sun seemed impatient, hiding behind the city walls early on. A vast, dark curtain of starlight covered the sky.

It was already nightfall.

Orario was still bustling with activity today. There were laborers finishing their day's work manufacturing materia, merchants busy preparing feasts to acquire precious resources, and powerful [Familia] gods being entertained by them; or blacksmiths and herbalists, bards and prostitutes. The diverse professions associated with the dungeon created a certain uninhibited enthusiasm. This was perhaps the unique atmosphere of the labyrinth city, praised as the "center of the world."

The adventurers returning from the dungeon all headed to the tavern in search of a drink.

There are a total of eight main streets in the city, and every one of them is teeming with people.

Among them, there are also some people who do not wander the streets.

To save money and be frugal, or because of poverty, or even because of extreme poverty.

They each had their own reasons, but in short, they all wanted to escape the hustle and bustle and spend time with their families (family members) at home (headquarters).

"Oh, so did you see Winnie?"

"Yes! Even though it was at that time and in that place, we still held hands and shared our joy!"

Haruhime, wearing an apron, said happily to Hestia.

This is the spacious living room of the "Kitchen Fire House".

After dinner, the family members were all relaxing and resting.

Hestia and Haruhime, who had just finished their maid duties, chatted and laughed on the sofa.

"It might not be appropriate to say that about the lovely Lady Winnie... but she has become much more resolute, really, she has changed a lot."

"I see, so that child isn't a crybaby anymore... That's great! I miss her so much too! We gods just can't go to the dungeon!"

"First, there will definitely be a chance to meet! Um, Goddess Hestia, you could also sneak into the dungeon with Lord Bell and the others...!"

"Heh, I've done it before, and I got a real scolding from the guild along with Hermes... If I get punished that badly again, I don't know what kind of tricks Miss Supporter will use against me, Haruhime..."

Hestia was sometimes envious of her, sometimes encouraged, and sometimes her gaze drifted away as she talked at length about another "family member" who had lived with her in this base camp.

As an apprentice maid, Haruhime often stayed at the base with Hestia, giving her many opportunities to chat happily with her like this. Although it was related to the personality of the little sister goddess (Hestia)... Correction, her divine status also played a role, in any case, she quickly became close with the goddess after joining the guild.

Haruhime is well-mannered, gentle, and virtuous. Although she may appear timid and fearful like a timid little fox at first glance, once she lets her guard down, her smile is more tender than anyone else's—that must be Haruhime's charm. Furthermore, her will is stronger than Hestia had imagined.

No wonder the dragon girl (Vinnie) approached her first, rather than Hestia.

"Haruhime...you work very hard, and I will cheer you on in every way, but...you must never do anything strange to Bell, okay? Although I have reminded you countless times. Especially at night."

"Oh!?"

Aside from using her unorthodox knowledge to do unexpected things to the boy (Bell), Hestia is very fond of Haruhime.

Of course, she also likes Lily, Welf, and Fate.

Perhaps it could be described as a deep love for them.

As an object of love or affection. As an irreplaceable family member.

When they went on an "expedition" and were not at home, Hestia, even though she stayed with Mih or Takemikazuchi who were responsible for staying behind, still felt that the base camp was empty, and that was the reason.

Hestia had to admit that was the case.

"Excuse me, where are the tea leaves kept?"

"Ah, I'm so sorry. Goddess Hestia, I'm just a little..."

"Okay, it's alright, you can go ahead."

When Welf peeked out from behind the cupboard, Haruhime stood up and asked a question.

After watching the swaying blonde hair and fox tail disappear, Hestia shifted her gaze to the side.

In the center of the room, Belle, Ming, and Lily were sitting around a round table with cat feet.

"Ah, Lily's 'step' has entered Miss Life's territory... so it seems like this 'works out'?"

"Indeed, Lord Bell. Given this situation, my position is precarious…!"

"Hehe, Lily has already mastered the trick, my lord. Let Lily press her advantage!"

They were playing an antique wooden game of chess, their close-quarters combat quite intense.

This appears to be a board game called "Shogi" from the Far East.

It seems that when Ming and the others went to the exchange to buy dinner today, they saw the shopkeeper selling this exotic item. Lily was very interested—that miserly Lily—so she paid for it out of her own pocket.

Even with his cast still on, Bell was captivated by the island nation's exotic games, just like a child.

"My [Family] can finally afford luxury goods... That's wonderful!"

Not just board games, but also black tea.

Hestia leaned back in her chair, her body limp and relaxed, feeling quite emotional.

It's a world of difference compared to when the [Family] was first established.

(After all, it was already difficult enough to make a living for even one day back then, and we lived a very frugal life every day...)

Of course, don't even think about buying any luxury goods.

Although Bell was still a novice at the time, he was working hard, but his priority was still food, food, food, food, and only magic stone lamps and other miscellaneous items in fifth place.

As for the mansion that was confiscated from the sun god (Apollo) because of the war game incident, she felt that the [Family] had really added quite a few items that could be called "assets".

"And then...it gets lively."

Haruhime was amazed to see how the blacksmith nobleman (Crozo) had learned a good way to brew black tea from his past experiences. Welf, on the other hand, seemed to have mixed feelings despite being praised, and put his hands around his neck and smiled bitterly.

Lily excels at the board game, relying on her slightly superior knowledge to persevere to the end, while Bell cheers for both of them.

This was exactly the scene of the [Family] that Hestia had vaguely imagined when she first descended to the mortal realm.

The "lonely nights" I experienced just six months ago are now distant memories.

Hestia is no longer alone.

"..."

She held up her upper body.

Hestia, who was sitting on the sofa, silently stood up.

Then he walked straight to the fireplace set up on the wall of the living room.

It's still autumn.

Although it was still a long time before it was to be used, she thought it wouldn't hurt to use it briefly, so she started fiddling with it.

She bent her thin legs and squatted down, piling the wood in the fireplace like a small house.

"Immortal, what's wrong?"

Just then, someone called her from behind.

Looking back, Bell stood right in front of him, looking completely bewildered.

"Bell? How's the shogi game going?"

"Miss Destiny has won the final victory. Lily is very unwilling to accept defeat and says she wants to play another round..."

Upon closer inspection, it appeared that Lily, who seemed to have lost by a narrow margin, was frustratingly arranging the chess pieces.

Fate also smiled and generously accepted the challenge.

Hestia thought to herself, "This time, Miss Supporter might win," as she turned her gaze back to Bell.

"No, I just suddenly wanted to try out the fireplace."

"After all, the gods said they hoped to one day have a home with a fireplace."

"Huh? Did I say that?"

"Yes, I've heard you mention it. You said that what you govern is the sacred fire, the protective fire... the flames that illuminate homes."

These were indeed words she would say. In other words, Hestia simply didn't remember telling the boy in front of her those words.

Seeing Bell smile slightly, Hestia returned the smile.

"Bell... Actually, my initial goal was to create a [Familia] that was even larger than Loki's."

"That's really... should we say this goal is ambitious and amazing, or just reckless and impulsive..."