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

As they walked down the corridor, Lily and Belle nodded in agreement.

Lily continued, saying that the avant-garde personnel were impeccable.

"The weakness of this team lies in our lack of defensive strength. To put it bluntly, our strength is completely inadequate for the midfield. Furthermore, if we could hope for something better, we would like to have a decent healer as well."

"And mages."

Welf, who was reluctant to use the "magic sword," spoke from the side, as if giving Lily a pep talk.

"Lily knows," Lily pouted.

"Lily remembers that Miss Ryu from the tavern can also use healing magic, right? The attack magic we saw on the 18th floor was also very powerful... Ah, I wonder if she would like to join our team?"

"Uh, that might be a little difficult... and Aunt Mia will get angry."

Lily's wish made Bell's smile stiffen. He seemed to recall the former adventurer Ryu, the "Abundant Mistress" of the tavern, and the terrifying face of the innkeeper Mia when she got angry. He replied to Lily, "I can't do it."

The midfield consists of Welf and Bell, the defense is comprised of Lily and Haruhime, and then there's the center-back, Mikoto, who is more of a support player. The five-man squad forms a formation and advances cautiously through the dark cavern.

Not only Lily, but even Chunxi, with only a LV. Beginner stat, wouldn't be able to withstand a monster attack. She frequently activates the [Yata no Kuro-ga], which senses approaching monsters, to prevent them from launching a surprise attack.

"After exploring for a while, let's go back to the 14th floor. We need to do as we agreed beforehand and try out Lady Haruhime's 'magic' on each member of the team in a safe area where no one else is around."

"You're right, suddenly using it will definitely be difficult to adapt to... Lady Haruhime, is that alright?"

"Yes, I have no problem with that."

"Bell, you've used it once, right? What was it like?"

"Uh...it suddenly became very bright, and then my strength increased, and my movements became faster..."

With his life constantly supporting Chunji and the others, the group continued exploring the dungeon.

*

When Ming and the others returned from their exploration, the ground was already bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.

After exchanging their loot for gold coins at the money exchange in the Tower of Babel skyscraper, the group swayed with the bustling crowd of adventurers and left Central Park. While many of their comrades headed towards the guild headquarters or taverns, the Hestia Familia returned to their headquarters.

"Oh! You're back."

"Takemikazuchi!"

As Ming and his companions walked through the iron gate and then through the main entrance into the mansion, the male god with his hair tied in a bun came to greet them.

Seeing Takemikazuchi smile at him, he smiled back and stepped forward.

"I'm so sorry, Takemikazuchi... I'll have to trouble you to stay at headquarters."

"Don't worry about it, Bell Craney. Anyway, Sakura and the others are off today and didn't go to the labyrinth dungeon."

Today, Bell and the others asked Hestia to entrust the Takemikazuchi Familia with guarding the main headquarters.

Unlike the hidden room in the church where Bell and Hestia lived, or the dilapidated apartment building where Mikoto and Takemikazuchi lived, the Hestia Familia now has a magnificent new home and is a legitimate, core Familia in Orario. If the main deity and members are all away, leaving the headquarters empty, it might attract thieves or other forces to break in and steal assets and information; the situation is no longer what it was when they were a junior faction.

That's why the Takemikazuchi Familia is acting as a close faction, helping them guard and protect their residence. Bell and the others are truly humbled by the thought of having to rely on Takemikazuchi and the Mih Familia for help in the future, and are deeply grateful for their selfless and enthusiastic assistance.

"I told you not to worry about it. It's a form of mutual help. Besides, as a way of giving back, I got to use the bathroom for a nice shower."

"I washed it thoroughly after using it, didn't I?" the male god added with a smile, and Bell and the others laughed too.

"Thank you, Takemikazuchi." Everyone thanked him again.

They had booked dinner for the entire faction later, so Bell and the others went back to their rooms to take off their protective gear.

"Um, Takemikazuchi... this is for you."

He told Haruhime, who shared a room with him, before leaving alone at the front door and handing the small bag full of gold coins to Takemikazuchi.

This is the reward for exploring the maze, after deducting the faction's savings, distributed to the members. It is the portion that I received.

"Please accept this and send it to the shrine."

The reason they were sent from the Far East across the ocean to Orario was ultimately to send money to aid impoverished shrines.

He hoped that Takemikazuchi would send the money to the homeland where he was born and raised, but he shook his head.

"This is the money you earned in the dungeon with Bell Craney and the others, right? Don't use it on us; use it for your companions."

Exploring the maze requires items and equipment, and there are many things to buy.

Takemikazuchi was trying to persuade Mikoto to use the money to help the squad.

"But...but, it's only because I haven't done anything for the shrine that...!"

Seeing that Takemikazuchi refused to accept the aid money, he still wanted to persevere.

"Fate, you are now a member of Hestia's kin."

"...!"

But that statement silenced her rebuttal.

Takemikazuchi was absolutely right, no further explanation needed. It's illogical to put aside your current faction and allies and only think about your former comrades.

He joined Bell's "familia" because he was there to repay a debt of gratitude.

(But, I am—)

This morning, childhood memories from a dream came back to mind.

Takemikazuchi said he wanted to be his daughter. Father and daughter, family, relatives and clansmen who share the same divine blood.

Mikoto never regretted becoming Hestia's familiar; she was happy and proud to belong to the same faction as Bell and the others. It was also because of their help that she was able to rescue Haruhime.

Despite her fate, she still didn't want to forget that she had once been a member of Takemikazuchi's household.

"...Fate, do you remember when I said I wanted you to be my daughter?"

"!"

At that moment, Takemikazuchi said the same words as he remembered, and Mikoto was startled and looked up.

Before him stood Takemikazuchi, his eyebrows lowered, a smile on his face—a smile full of fatherly love.

"Even if you convert, the ichor of divine blood that you originally gave to your children will not disappear. Just as Hestia can sense the existence of life through 'grace,' I can also feel your breath."

"..."

"You'll always be my daughter, my family. I've never forgotten that, so don't make that face."

Not only were his thoughts completely seen through, but Kenji Rai also reached out and touched his head, causing Kenji's face to turn bright red in the blink of an eye.

Now that I'm older, I feel that Takemikazuchi's hands seem to have gotten a little smaller, but they're still just as warm.

Her beautiful black hair was being stroked, and her whole face turned red, but the male god didn't notice at all and laughed happily.

"I'm glad you're thinking of the shrine. Anyway, Chigusa and Asuka both leveled up to LV.2 amidst the commotion in Ishtar. Everything's going well on our side too, so don't worry."

Takemiya said he had spoken with Hestia and that they could form a joint team when exploring the dungeon, provided the schedules worked out. He added that that would be enough.

"Trust us."

The male god stared intently at Ming, and she looked up at Jian Yu Lei and nodded.

"Very good." Takemikazuchi smiled broadly, removed his hand from her head, and turned to leave. He said he would invite Sakura and the others over for dinner, and walked further and further away; Mikoto kept watching his back until he disappeared from sight.

(...temporarily leaving that person's [familia], instead...)

Their feelings grew even stronger. Her cheeks flushed red as she thought to herself.

She clutched her chest with one hand through her combat suit, but the sound of her heartbeat still made her feel uneasy.

"...That...fate..."

"—Wow!?"

The voice from behind made Ming jump.

She hurriedly turned around and saw Qiancao standing there.

"Lady Chigusa!? When did you arrive!?"

"Uh, sorry... I've been here a long time."

Seeing the girl from his hometown peek out from under her bangs that covered her eyebrows, her cheeks slightly flushed, Ming knew that she had seen the whole thing.

The fact that he became listless after the relief money was returned, blushed like a boiled octopus when Takemikazuchi patted his head, and showed his lonely expression when Takemikazuchi left were all seen.

Although Chigusa knew about her feelings for him, Mei still wanted to dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it.

"I'm so sorry, I think I bothered you..."

"Lady Chigusa, please, stop talking!?"

When people mentioned her behavior as that of an "innocent young girl," she shouted loudly, almost crying out.

"Goooo~!" Ming blushed and covered her head with her hands. Although she had known Chigusa for several years and they were childhood playmates of the same age, as well as best friends who knew each other everything, she was still very shy when she was shy.

Chigusa stood there apologetically, and after feeling ashamed for a long time, she timidly revealed her purpose:

"Hey, I have something to tell you? It's a bit late, but I talked to Sakura and the others, and we're going to celebrate Takemikazuchi's birthday this year too..."

Chigusa only speaks fluently when talking to Mei, revealing the plans her companions are working on.

"We're thinking of inviting Haruhime along this year, and preparing gifts as usual... What about you?"

Hearing what she described.

Having finally recovered from her shame, Ming opened her eyes wide in surprise.

*

Two days have passed since I had dinner with the Takemikazuchi Clan.

After much pleading, I was granted leave from the faction's labyrinth exploration day and, under a clear blue sky, ventured into the city of Orario.

Furthermore, Bell and Welf accompanied him.

"How did we end up here...?"

"I'm so sorry, you two... but I really need your help with my shopping!"

Turning a corner from North Street, at a street corner lined with bustling shops, Welf, whom I had brought along, muttered something.

Having to abandon his exploration of the maze, Bell saw his fate clasped together in desperate pleading, and asked with a wry smile:

"Uh, you said you want to go shopping, so you mean you have things to buy, right?"

"Yes, that's actually the case... In a few days, I, Sakura-sama, and the others will be 'celebrating' for Takemikazuchi..."

Megumi tells Bell and Welf a summary of the "celebration" that Chigusa had told him.

Before crossing the sea to Orario, they instructed the children of their shrine to designate the day the gods descended to the human world as the Advent Festival—that is, to hold celebratory events as if it were the gods' birthday. Because of the recent commotion involving the War Games and Haruhime, everyone was so busy that they forgot that two days ago was actually Takemikazuchi's birthday.

So, like Qiancao and the others, Ming also wanted to prepare a gift for her crush.

"So far, all the gifts I've given have been heartfelt, but due to limited funds, I haven't been able to give anything really nice. Now that I'm in Orario for the second year, thanks to everyone's help, I have some extra money, and this year I'd like to give a more presentable gift."

"I understand, but... why did you bring us here?"

"Yes! Since Lord Bell and Lord Welf are both men, I would like to ask for your opinions on what Takemikazuchi would like...!"

He straightened his upper body to answer Welf's question.

By the way, Takemikazuchi's celebration party is tomorrow.

"Please give me some advice...!"

"Even though you say that..."

"Um... I really want to help..."

Seeing Ming bow his head and beg for help, Welf scratched his head, while Bell scratched his cheek, both sounding very troubled.

The two shared the same sentiment; in other words, they lacked confidence in their ability to offer any good advice.

Aside from dungeon-related items and forging supplies, Bell and Welf had little material desire. Frankly, they couldn't answer questions about their shared interests and preferences.

"You've probably spent more time with Takemikazuchi, right? Wouldn't it be better to choose according to your opinion?"

"W-How could this be!?"

"Haha... Well, since we're here anyway, why don't we take a look around?"

When Welf's insightful observation dealt a heavy blow to his life, Bell suggested with a wry smile that the three of them decide to browse the shops along the way.

In the first district adjacent to North Street, various Ajin clothing stores are particularly eye-catching, but there are also shops and stalls selling small items everywhere. With her serious personality, she stares at each item in the store for a long time before moving on to the next. Like Bell, who used to be from a poor [Family], she had lived a frugal life for a while, and now, like a country bumpkin unaccustomed to shopping, she was overwhelmed by the surrounding shops and displayed goods, wandering around aimlessly.