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

Page 295

Under the moonlit night's gaze, the two embraced each other's warmth.

Volume 7 Finale: If I Were Embraced Gently

Two days have passed since the battle between the Freya Familia and the Ishtar Familia ended.

The city has not yet fully recovered from the shock. The once powerful faction that controlled the pleasure quarters (Ishtar Familia) has been completely wiped out, which has had a great impact on people from all walks of life.

Adventurers, [families], merchants, guilds, gods, and many more.

"How could you do this?! ...

Among them, the male gods who were often taken care of by the pleasure quarters suffered particularly horrific soul-wrenching cries.

The image of them crawling on all fours and pounding the ground with their fists in front of the Third District, where all the shops were either completely or partially destroyed, will forever remain in the memories of the citizens. These gods were taken away by their retinues, their faces flushed with anger and shame. It is said that this was the first time the gods had harbored resentment towards the silver-haired goddess.

Although no one lost their lives, the claw marks of the struggle in the red-light district remain deep. After the disappearance of the Lord of the City of Lust, whether merchants take over the business or prostitutes without any kinship run it, the Third District will need time to recover.

Even the strongest faction in the city must take responsibility for this. Fines are a given, but the Freya Familia must also face severe penalties. However, it's said that the guild's chief deity, summoned to the guild, only replied with:

"yes."

I didn't say anything else.

For Freya, the goddess who had banished the goddess (Ishtar) from the lower realms, and her retinue, both humans and gods now hold them in greater awe and fear than ever before. The goddess of beauty seems unperturbed, having returned to the highest level of the white-walled tower, still reigning supreme over the labyrinthine city.

And the members of the [Ishtar clan] who lost their main god.

Many people have already started on a new path.

"Haruhime, are you really willing to do this?"

Bathed in the warm, dazzling sunlight that even brings tears to one's eyes.

Haruhime is facing Takemikazuchi, listening to his advice.

"If you wish, I can send you back to the Far East. Although you probably won't be able to return to the mansion... you can go to our shrine. The goddesses will surely be overjoyed and welcome you back."

With her arms crossed and head bowed, Chun Ji looked down at her war god, her gaze unchanged over the years, always filled with concern for her child and divine love. Coupled with her perpetually identical double-bun hairstyle and the somewhat shabby atmosphere, Chun Ji felt a surge of joy at reuniting with her war god, almost wanting to laugh.

"Thank you, Takemikazuchi. But I'm fine."

Seeing her hands pressed against her chest, smiling like a flower, Kenji scratched his head and nodded with a smile, "Hmm."

"I understand. From now on, we'll be good neighbors again. You can come over to play anytime!"

"Yes!" Haruhime nodded, and Chigusa, Sakura, and the others who were waiting behind her came closer.

"I have something to tell you, Haruhime. So, so..."

"Yes, Lady Chigusa, I will definitely come to find you."

"...I'm so sorry, Haruhime, we had no idea you were suffering..."

"No, Lady Sakura. I... I am truly happy to be reunited with everyone."

She smiled back at Chigusa, who was smiling through her tears, and shook her head at Sakura, who was rigid and inflexible.

Haruhime and the others expressed their joy to each other, promising to come and see everyone, and then ran away from Takemikazuchi and the others.

She ran from the front gate into the depths of the front yard, where she saw the young goddess and her retinue talking with Aisha in front of the newly renovated mansion.

"Well then, Bell, Craney, you better do a good job. You've already made those boasts, so if anything happens to that little idiot, you'll be sorry."

"Okay, okay...!?"

"Ah, because of you... I actually wanted to join your [Family] too."

"Only you are absolutely not enough—Yang."

Aisha pretended to touch the white-haired boy's chin, but the young goddess opened her arms to stop her from getting closer.

Bell is going to be eaten!! Seeing the goddess's teary eyes, Aisha couldn't help but laugh, "So cold." At that moment, she noticed Chun Ji running over.

"Have you finished speaking?"

"Ah, Miss Haruhime!"

Aisha smiled at Haruhime, while the boy's face lit up with joy. Haruhime returned the smiles to Aisha and Bell.

"Yes, it's all settled with Takemikazuchi and the others... Um, Miss Aisha, thank you so much for everything you've done..."

"Forget about the annoying stuff, I don't like that kind of thing. Besides, I'm just doing what I love, you don't need to thank me."

Chunji was about to express her gratitude for everything that had happened, but Aisha interrupted her, snorting and laughing it off.

Seeing Chunji's bewildered expression, her expression turned serious.

"I've kept those officers and combat prostitutes quiet. Only we know about your magic; it shouldn't be easily exposed. Even if there's a chance to use it... be extremely careful not to let anyone see it."

"Miss Aisha..."

"Excuse me—? I just remembered, what happened to Miss Frini after that...?"

"Oh, that toad got a beating in the front yard, and its face looks even uglier now."

Upon hearing Aisha's explanation, Bell nervously inquired about Freya. Aisha laughed heartily, saying that Freya had apparently been thoroughly beaten by Freya's gang. It was said that she was so badly beaten that she couldn't show her face in public and spent her days trembling in her hotel room.

"Alright, I should go find a [Family] willing to let me join. With my abilities still sealed, who knows who might attack me?"

Ishtar was sent back to heaven, and the spell of "charm" disappeared. Aisha showed a somewhat refreshed expression and looked up at the cloudless blue sky.

Chunji didn't understand how she felt.

To him, the goddess was a terrifying presence, but if she hadn't taken him in, he didn't know what he would be like now. The prison she built was extremely sturdy, making escape impossible, but it also protected Chunji.

Peace, sadness, emptiness—Haruhime harbored emotions that didn't belong to any of these categories as she gazed up at the sky.

"...Anyway, come to me if you have any problems. I can at least give you some advice."

"...Thank you so much, Miss Aisha! I'm truly grateful for your continued care!"

Aisha turned and left. When she heard Chun Ji say this, she didn't look back. She just waved and left the courtyard of the mansion.

Even after that figure disappeared, Haruhime continued to gaze in that direction for a long time before slowly turning her head to look at Bell and the others.

"Well... my name is Sanjou Haruhime. I... I am honored to join the Familia of the goddess Hestia...!"

"Ah—let's skip the formalities. I've only been in the group for a short time, so please take care of me. My name is Welf Crozzo, please don't call me by my last name."

"Lily would like to ask for your guidance, Lady Haruhime. Lily's name is Lily Luca Erd."

The red-haired human and the chestnut-haired dwarf both introduced themselves to her.

It was just a small act of introducing one's name to two strangers, but it made Haruhime very happy. She smiled and said "Yes!" and nodded.

"Hmm... Well, it's my turn now. A lot happened yesterday, as you probably know. I am Hestia. Welcome to my familiar. Nice to meet you."

The goddess, even smaller than Haruhime, raised her large breasts, welcoming Haruhime to become a member of the [Family], just as she had said.

As Chunji bowed and scraped repeatedly, begging the goddess for guidance, Yiran leaned closer.

"Speaking of Haruhime, you seem to harbor dangerous feelings for Bell... But let me tell you, Bell was raised by me, so you absolutely mustn't do anything that lacks self-control!"

"Uh, what?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Who raised Lord Bell?! Goddess Hestia is clearly in deep debt, so why is Lord Bell supporting you?!"

"How could you do this—!? You're not allowed to say anything that damages the dignity of the gods in front of the new members—!"

"Oh, it's okay if you don't listen carefully."

The Supreme God and Lily were arguing incessantly, while Welf waved with a smile, and Bell was so frightened by their conversation that he broke out in a cold sweat.

Ah, it seems I can get along well with everyone.

Seeing their warm and harmonious relationship, Chunji couldn't help but think this.

Just then, the door clicked open.

"Miss Fate!?"

"Hey, are you able to get out of bed and walk around now?"

"No, it's alright, it's just mental exhaustion... I, I also want to congratulate Lady Haruhime on her new life...!"

The newcomer was destined to be unsteady on her feet, and both Bell and Welf were worried about her.

During the battle at the palace, she seemed to have received some healing from someone, suffering only from the weariness characteristic of mental exhaustion—which had kept her asleep all day yesterday—and her health gradually improved.

Just as Haruhime was stunned, her life was cut short when, "Whoa!?" she tripped on the steps of the gate and fell towards her.

She quickly used her own body to save her life.

"I'm so sorry, Lady Haruhime!"

"No, it won't happen..."

Bell and the others were startled and watched as Haruhime and Mikoto embraced.

The two locked eyes and remained silent for a while before Chunji finally broke the silence.

"I'm so sorry, my lord... I've caused you so much trouble and made you suffer so many injuries..."

"Haru, Haruhime-sama..."

When Ming released Chunji, he was flustered and at a loss for what to do after hearing her apologize.

Chunji lowered her eyes and remained so for a long while.

She mustered her courage, tensed her tail nervously, and stared intently at her life's face.

"Thank you for saving my life..."

Seeing Chunji's red eyes and her soft voice as she thanked him.

Ming opened her eyes wide, a smile blooming on her cherry lips, and slowly said to her:

"Lady Haruhime, laugh."

“Eh…?”

"I... want to laugh with you from the bottom of my heart, just like before."

Chunji was only surprised for a moment.

Seeing Ming's purplish-blue eyes, which were almost brimming with tears, Chun Ji finally shed tears from her emerald eyes and smiled. Ming, too, had tears streaming down her face, but her face was beaming with a smile.

Just like the time when they shared many memories in their hometown, the two girls smiled at each other like children.

"...Lord Bell, thank you so much."

Finally, Chun Ji faced the white-haired boy and thanked him.

Bell seemed a little embarrassed, scratching his cheek shyly and revealing his innocent smile.

"From today onwards, we are one family (family). Please take good care of us."

Chunji closed her eyes and wept again.

Feeling the "blessing" of the goddess etched on her back, and nestled in the gentle embrace of the world, Haruhime tightly concealed all her myriad emotions within her heart.

"It is I who should ask for your guidance... Lord Bell, I entrust my life to you."

Haruhime raised her deeply bowed head and smiled like cherry blossoms.

"Wait a minute, Haruhime! Wasn't that a weird way of saying that?!"

"Yeah, it sounds a bit weird!!"

"Will... will it?"

"Okay, okay, Goddess Hestia, Lady Lily."

"Let's not talk about that... We have a new member joining the group, so can we let loose a bit today?"

"Oh! Welf is so sensible! Alright! Let's throw a welcome party for Haruhime today!"

"Please, tone it down! If you don't change your wasteful spending habits, your faction (clan)...!"

"Hey, don't be so stubborn! Belle thinks this party should go on, right!"

"Uh, yes. We should celebrate for Miss Haruhime."

"Lord Bell—!?"