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

At that time, Ming didn't fully understand the meaning of those words, and the goddess grinned when she saw them.

"What I mean is—you can play with her until she's dizzy and forget about feeling guilty."

Her expression at that time was very similar to that of Takemikazuchi.

It's like the expression on Takemikazuchi's face when he was about to take Haruhime away from the mansion with a sinister smile, saying, "—Go and bring that girl out."

Ming's expression immediately brightened.

"First of all, your current responsibility is to protect her from being bullied by boys who seem to have ulterior motives."

"I understand—!"

Whoosh! With ninja-like speed, he vanished on the spot, rushing towards the group of children.

She uses her still somewhat clumsy martial arts skills to fight against the boys who are overly excited and want to get close to Haruhime.

Screams of agony, such as "Waaah! What are you doing? Stop! My life is in danger again!", echoed everywhere.

Sakura and Chigusa missed their chance to dissuade her, revealing expressions of defeat or bitter smiles.

Chunji, who had been terrified until just moments before, blinked blankly as she saw the children being tossed around as if it were a game.

"Please don't worry, Lady Haruhime! This shrine is not the kind of place you imagine!"

He turned to face Chunji, whom he had stood up to protect, and took her small hand in his.

"Although this is indeed a humble home, it has many things that Lady Haruhime's residence lacks! Please make yourselves at home, Lady Haruhime!"

Upon hearing this, Takemikazuchi and the other gods widened their eyes.

Then they all burst out laughing.

They laughed because they suddenly realized what she meant and felt that she made sense.

Just as Ming was wondering how her thoughtless, offhand remark had made everyone so happy, and was turning her face left and right looking around—she heard a soft laugh.

The girl before me smiled, her beauty as lovely as a flower.

"Thank you, little life."

Faced with her smiling face, Ming couldn't help but smile as well.

The most joyful moment for him was when Chun Ji smiled.

Because fate is meant to bring joy to the face of a lonely girl gazing at the sky alone in her mansion, she receives "divine grace" from Takemikazuchi.

From that day on, Haruhime, who was taken out of the mansion by Mikoto and the others, began to visit the shrine frequently.

She would fall down while playing with the children, and she would always fail when she tried to help the shrine, often almost bursting into tears.

Naïve and innocent, unaware of the ways of the world. But he is a kind-hearted benefactor.

This is the impression that fate holds for the young girl.

Lady Haruhime must be protected by me!

It was a feeling of respect and care for a childhood friend.

The fate of two conflicting and increasingly intertwined thoughts, the mindset one holds when making a decision, must be like that of a samurai or ninja serving their lord.

Fate has decided to walk alongside her and protect her forever.

*

"Haru, Haruhime—I wish to be your maid!"

This statement made fate open its eyes wide.

Because of the noble person she had resolved to protect ten years ago, she put on a maid outfit to show her determination.

At that time, the struggle with the Ishtar Familia had ended, and Haruhime had only recently joined the Hestia Familia.

Ming was still happy that he could make up for the lost time with Chun Ji, but unexpectedly this happened.

"Lady Haru, you don't need to push yourself like this... The maid's duties can be shared among everyone..."

"No, my lord. Whether I am in the manor or by the side of the goddess Ishtar, I am always taken care of by others..."

No, it seems the latter just ordered her around... Although Chunji broke out in a cold sweat, her emerald green eyes still revealed a strong will.

After the war game, the Hestia Familia's headquarters expanded, and Lily and the others were discussing whether to hire maids to take care of the mansion and other tasks. Upon hearing this, Haruhime immediately volunteered to help.

"I must take this opportunity to learn 'independence.' I want to help Lord Bell, Lord Fate, and everyone else who saved me!"

She's already said so much, it's not good to stop her now.

However, Ming did feel deeply moved. Chun Ji, the daughter of an official, who had been pampered and raised since childhood and never allowed to make any decisions, now wanted to dedicate herself to something based on her own will.

She arrived in Orario even before the Takemikazuchi Familia, and was forced into prostitution, undoubtedly enduring unimaginable suffering. But she overcame those hardships and is about to leave behind her youthful ignorance.

No—it's about being determined to undergo a complete transformation.

After being saved by a boy.

"...I understand. Then I'll also cheer for Lady Haruhime!"

Hearing this from the Emperor's command, Chunji smiled with delight.

After all, Chun Ji had studied dance and flower arranging in the Far East, so her hands were quite dexterous. Perhaps she would be able to adapt to the work of a maid very quickly.

That was what Fate initially thought.

"—Empty!?"

"Ah—!? Lady Haruhime has broken another plate—!"

Unexpectedly...

This optimistic prediction was immediately and completely shattered.

There wasn't a single day in the headquarters without the sound of Chun Ji playing her failed melody.

"Ahhh...!" She sighed deeply, even she could tell that Chun Ji was making things worse.

Chunji is so easily flustered. Whether she's carrying plates, pouring tea, or cleaning, she always breaks plates, spills tea, or overturns wooden buckets because she's so eager to help everyone.

She was kicked out of the kitchen by Lily, and the pitiful sight of her rubbing her fluffy tail and round, pert buttocks with tears in her eyes made Ming look away so many times that she couldn't count on two hands.

You could say she's completely transformed from a "refined young lady" into a "clumsy maid." Honestly, she's evolving in the wrong direction, but what's done is done.

Haruhime's other unfortunate episodes are too numerous to mention...

"You're incredibly clumsy..."

"I'm very sorry, Lord Crozo..."

"Don't call me by my surname. I've already told you to just call me Welf. ...Don't you have any special skills?"

"You...you mean something you're good at...? Well, there is one thing, and that is the art of the bedroom, which I've practiced many times in that brothel... If, if Lord Welf is interested, I am willing to serve you in bed...!"

""puff!?""

Even Welf, the top advisor of the [Kamikaku], suffered for no reason.

Just as her face turned completely red and she spat out a mouthful of saliva, Chun Ji continued to speak out of control:

"No, however, if you are willing to grant Haruhime's willful request, could you please allow Haruhime to spend a 'night of passion' with Lord Bell first!? I beg you, I beg you...!"

"Stop talking!? Don't portray me as a damned, lecherous, corrupt official!!"

"Lord Welf is so lewd!! He actually tried to force Lady Haruhime to do something shameless! Lily heard everything—!!"

"Are you kidding me?! My heart belongs only to the goddess Hephaestus, okay?!"

"What kind of topic are you guys discussing in my [Family]?!"

And so, Lily and Hestia, with their super hearing, heard this and joined the battle, triggering a second disaster.

It seemed like the first time Ming had ever heard Welf yell so urgently.

The main reason was that Haruhime firmly believed she was "no longer a virgin," but she was too ashamed to tell him the truth. In fact, she really wished Bell could tell Haruhime, but the boy was also a coward.

Because of these issues, Haruhime, who frequently acts out in a daze, has become the subject of "obscene topics."

"Forbidden!!! Haruhime is forbidden from approaching Bell!!"

"Oh dear!? What, why is this happening!?"

"Ask yourself, ahh ...

Hestia and Lily were furious. Where the boy was not.

It was during this period that Hestia became increasingly worried and began to keep a close eye on Haruhime.

Mikoto, on the other hand, earnestly begged Lily not to give her nicknames like "Far East Color Maid," while secretly working hard to get used to playing the role of Mikoto. At the same time, Welf, whose role in the Familia was similar to hers, had more opportunities to comfort her. Among the Hestia Familia, the one who might have formed the deepest friendship with Mikoto was Sakura's mischievous friend.

(If this continues, I'm afraid even Lady Haruhime will suffer a setback...)

Life was originally burdened with this worry, however—

Surprisingly, Haruhime persevered despite all setbacks.

Although she often felt frustrated and sighed, she continued to busy herself with various tasks, clumsily overcoming the handmaid's duties one by one.

Fate had never witnessed Chunji's "strength".

Did she develop this "strength" during her time as a prostitute—or did the boy who saved her become the "trigger"?

That's what they say, but it still makes me uneasy.

Several times, Ming wanted to help Chun Ji, who was making everyone hold their breath in fear.

However, I dismissed the idea each time.

This might sound like self-promotion, but Mikoto's housekeeping skills are truly exceptional. No wonder she once managed the household with Chigusa at the shrine; she's adept at everything from cooking to laundry and cleaning. Whenever it's Mikoto's turn to cook, Hestia and the others cheer with their hands raised in delight.

With her serious personality, she worried that if she were to lecture Chun-hee from a superior position, or take away her job, she might end up harming Chun-hee instead.

(How can I help Lady Haruhime...? I've got it!)

Just then, a brilliant idea struck her.

Ming came up with a brilliant plan and decided to "call for reinforcements".

"Lord Bell, could you please teach Lady Haruhime how to be a maid?!"

"Oh!?"

"Uh, no, Miss Mei... I don't know much about maids..."

The desperate plea made Chun Ji pale, and Bell broke out in a cold sweat.

In any case, Bell readily agreed to his life's request.

No—even if fate had no requirements, the boy would still help Haruhime.

On one hand, it was certainly out of duty as the leader of the [Family], but for the boy, the biggest reason was that he was a kind-hearted person. Based on his experience living in the countryside with his grandfather, the boy taught her as much as he could and kindly helped Haruhime.

Although Haruhime appeared shy, she still happily worked with Bell to get things done—even though Lily or Hestia would occasionally try to get involved—

Even someone who considers himself inexperienced in matters of the heart can see that Chun Ji's beloved is Bell.

Working with someone you admire can be surprisingly effective.

The person in question doesn't want the other party to see them make a fool of themselves, and tries especially hard to appear dashing or elegant. This is based on the experience of someone who once worked alongside Takemikazuchi.

Although sometimes one can fall into the trap of being too nervous and failing.

"...Besides, I am no longer Lady Haruhime's 'hero'."

During the rescue operation against the Ishtar Familia, Bell fought valiantly to save Haruhime, proving himself to be a true man.

He is Chunji's "hero".

Only he can support her.

Having lived with the Hestia Familia for a while, this idea grew stronger and stronger.

Of course, she also felt lonely.

Haruhime's childhood "heroes" were Sakura and her friends, as well as her destiny.

She would never have felt that Bell had stolen Haruhime from her. But she had to admit that she had wondered if she would have been qualified to be her "hero" if she were more powerful.

A year later, when the time comes to return to the Takemikazuchi Familia, Haruhime will definitely stay by Bell's side.

She had a premonition.