piratefiction Chapter 321 An Encounter with Hestia
Chapter 321 An Encounter with Hestia
Chapter 321 An Encounter with Hestia
The residence of the Hephaestus Familia.
As the world's largest forging clan, the Hephaestus Familia's residential area is larger than that of the Loki Familia and the Freya Familia.
Looking around, a large area has been taken over.
Neat and orderly residences, dormitories, and forging workshops; the crisp sound of hammering echoes through the sky; a strong sense of activity fills the air; and work is in full swing.
In terms of commerce and the number of Spring Clan members, the Hephaestus Spring Clan is one of the top in the world.
The simple yet practical mansion in the middle is the residence of Hephaestus, the goddess of forging. It is undoubtedly the most central place in this area, guarding countless clan secrets. Outsiders cannot enter, but a god has lived here for several months.
Because that was a true lone commander.
With no conflict of interest, Hephaestus has no need to worry about the clan's secrets being stolen.
She was a goddess with black twin ponytails, clear blue eyes, a delicate and cute appearance, a petite and tender figure like a loli, yet she had a full bust. She walked barefoot, with a blue ribbon passing under her chest and tied to her arm.
However, her appearance can hardly be described as elegant.
The room was a mess, with books, bedding, and everyday trash scattered around like a garbage dump, faintly emitting a putrid smell. Hestia lay on the bed, face up, holding a book in her hands, reading in a posture that showed a great disregard for her eyes.
She would occasionally let out a "humming" laugh, slap her two snow-white bare feet on the quilt, and then pick up a small snack from the bedside and put it in her mouth.
Everything in the mortal realm deeply captivated the goddess who had just descended there. Whether it was the knowledge that people had created through their wisdom and hands over thousands of years, or the endless and diverse entertainment, food, decorations, and so on, everything made her feel utterly enchanted.
That's something the gods wouldn't do.
For example, growing vegetables and fruits involves knowledge of soil, fertilization, grafting, and varieties in the lower realm.
In the heavens, if a seed is buried in the earth, the goddess of agriculture, Demeter, will use her divine power to make it sprout, grow rapidly, and bear fruit within seconds—an efficiency that would leave mortals in despair.
This has been the case for hundreds of millions of years since the birth of the gods, and they have long been tired of it.
In contrast, the infinite possibilities of the lower realm attracted them like the purest form of drug, causing countless gods to rush down there.
Hestia was quite content with her life during this time. When she was hungry, the children of Hephaestus would bring her fried potato balls, which was her favorite food in the lower realm. When she was sleepy, she would sleep, and when she was awake, she would read.
Hestia couldn't help but fantasize that she wanted to enjoy this happy and wonderful life forever—
Swish-!
Just then, a sound shattered Hestia's beautiful dream. The curtains in the room were drawn back, and after two months, the warm sunlight from outside once again illuminated the dim, decaying room.
"Hephaestus, knock before you come in!" Hestia complained as her eyes were suddenly blinded by the bright light.
"I've knocked several times, but you haven't responded!" Hephaestus said with a dark expression.
"Really? Hehe, you're so engrossed in your book," Hestia laughed, without the slightest embarrassment.
Hephaestus asked, "Hestia, I'm going to a celebration party for the large elevator that the school district and the city are jointly developing. Are you coming?"
"Hephaestus, go ahead, don't worry about me—haha, how interesting!" Hestia didn't even look at her divine friend, her attention returning to the book in her hands, her laughter continuing.
Hephaestus raised an eyebrow. "Hestia, aren't you going out to find a family or a job? Building a family is very important."
"Let's talk about it tomorrow, I'm very tired today."
Hestia answered casually, turned over with difficulty, and continued reading, completely unaware that the expression on the face of her fellow god next to her was growing increasingly gloomy.
These words sound so familiar!
Hephaestus continued, "Hestia, didn't you follow the conflict between the school district and the city a few days ago? The Divine Mirror should have seen it too."
"Are the children from the lower realm fighting?"
Hestia said, "After watching the first two matches, I found them quite boring, so I stopped paying attention."
Compared to the devastating power of gods, who can destroy the world with a mere gesture, the power of adventurers in the lower realms is truly insignificant.
To Hestia, who had just descended to the mortal realm, the adventurers' battles were no different from playing house.
She only had a vague understanding of terms like guilds, school districts, favors, adventurers, and skills—these were all things she had heard about from Hades, Rudra, Ishtar, and other gods who had been sent back to the guild.
Seeing their bewildered expressions, they naturally wouldn't find it interesting, and then they would return to their favorite books.
Listening to Hestia's listless, languid voice, Hephaestus recalled the events of the past two months and could no longer suppress her anger.
Hestia had just descended to the mortal realm, and out of goodwill, I helped her adapt to life there before she could establish a familia and find work.
Hestia was completely unaware of this.
They are lazy and take it for granted that others provide them with food and books every day!
"I can't take it anymore!"
Hephaestus roared, "You're incredibly lazy! From today onwards, get out of here! I won't pay you a single penny more!"
Hestia's clear eyes held a hint of naivety and confusion before she was blasted out.
"oops--!"
Hestia plopped down on the ground, staring at the tightly closed door, and muttered, "Seriously, it's just a few days of lying down, is it really necessary to get this angry?"
If Hephaestus heard these words, he would surely give her two more slaps on the head.
Hestia's mindset hadn't changed. The lower realm wasn't the heavenly realm. If she stayed at home for hundreds of thousands of years as before, and didn't go out, when she came out again, everything would have changed beyond recognition!
In fact, Hestia was no different from those gods who had just descended to the mortal realm, but she was even lazier. At least the other gods knew that if they wanted to live comfortably in the mortal realm, they had to establish a kinship and find a few tools to make money.
With a slight push from Hephaestus, Hestia had no choice but to embark on her Orario adventure, the first step of which was to establish her own Familia.
"Would you like to join my Spring Clan?" Hestia approached a blond-haired elf boy who was holding a resume, clearly a newcomer.
"My Lord, may I ask the name of your clan? How many high-ranking adventurers do you have? Do you have short-term and long-term plans?"
Do you have any debts?
Upon seeing that a deity had taken the initiative to invite him, the elven youth's eyes lit up, and he uttered a string of sharp questions in a very short time.
Hestia's heart trembled.
I can't answer that, I absolutely can't answer it!
Hestia quickly realized the harsh reality: the information she received was outdated.
It's not like a thousand years ago, when the gods had just descended to earth and people desperately wanted to receive their blessings and power, vying to become their followers.
Deities are everywhere now; they're everywhere you go.
To put it simply, supply exceeds demand.
Since the blessings bestowed by each deity are the same, other factors, such as a strong clan resource, are needed to attract people to join.
Hestia, on the other hand, was penniless.
She searched for nearly thirty new people, and unsurprisingly, they were all rejected. She even encountered a grumpy dwarf whose thunderous roar terrified Hestia, causing her to tremble, her eyes to roll back, and she almost fainted.
"How terrifying is the underworld!"
At dusk, Hestia knelt on the ground.
She finally understood how happy she had been before, being raised by the Hephaestus children and having everything done for her.
"Gurgle gurgle~"
Hestia’s stomach churned loudly, as if her internal organs were complaining. After her divine power was sealed, she was no longer a high and mighty god. Like a mortal, she could get hurt, starve, and even die.
Hestia was overwhelmed by an intense fatigue and hunger she had never experienced before, causing her to wail in agony.
"Hephaestus, I was wrong!"
"Help me!"
On the other side, after driving Hestia out, Hephaestus arrived at a celebratory banquet held by the school district and the guild. The venue was the former Apollo Familia's residence, where all of their assets had been transferred to the Astrea Familia after Roy and Ryu were defeated.
The area is filled with Apollo's morbid fascination, such as the numerous statues depicting Apollo's narcissism.
Roy decided to leave the bad luck to the guild and received a decent compensation.
It was later converted into a dedicated banquet hall.
Because of Hestia's matter, Hephaestus was a little late.
The main characters of the banquet were undoubtedly the Astrea Familia from the final battle and Leon Wadenberg, the latter of whom was too busy teaching to attend the banquet.
Tiony and Tiona are assisting with the construction of the large elevator, Lily is busy with the development of the entertainment district, and Anya and Haruhime are staying behind at the Star Garden to look after the place.
Ryu took Daphne, Cassandra, and Lefia to run dungeons, helping the three accumulate achievements and level up as quickly as possible. They weren't particularly interested in the banquet.
Being pestered by the gods like a leech is incredibly annoying, and only their leader can handle it.
Roy accompanied Astraea to the banquet.
Under Astraea's careful selection, Roy wore a well-tailored black tuxedo that was slimming and flattering. The velvet fabric shimmered subtly under the lights, adding a touch of refined elegance.
A faint smile always graced his lips; his handsome appearance attracted the attention of countless goddesses, who flocked to him like bees and butterflies.
Astraea wore a flowing blue and white gown, shimmering like clouds and mist. Her walnut-colored hair cascaded down like a waterfall. She had flawless features, snow-white skin, a cherry-like, delicate mouth, and eyes as blue as the sea. A gentle smile graced her lips.
Roy extended his hand like a gentleman.
The goddess placed her fair hand on Roy's hot hand and gently took the boy's arm.
The two walked leisurely and gracefully.
She seemed to be surrounded by a noble halo like the flowing moonlight, which complemented Roy's composed demeanor perfectly, like a divine couple stepping out of a painting.
Even the gods were amazed by this sight; she truly was the perfect couple they had chosen.
Compared to Astraea, the goddess of justice, Roy seemed to be more popular with the gods. As soon as he appeared, the enthusiastic gods immediately surrounded him.
Both the Orario and the school district gods are present.
Roy handled these gods with their varied personalities perfectly, speaking human language to humans and ghost language to ghosts.
Badr said gratefully, "Madman, thanks to you, otherwise I don't know how this would have ended."
"I don't deserve such praise. I only did my bit of help," Roy said humbly, like a student.
Seeing that Roy showed none of the impatience, arrogance, or pride typical of adventurers, Baldr was very satisfied. "Haha, you're too modest."
Although everyone knows that cooperation and mutual benefit are the best options, sometimes we are not in control of our own destiny.
After all, the gods' words are law, and the war game they set cannot be ignored, otherwise their prestige would plummet. Therefore, even if the final result is wrong, it must still be carried out.
By then, it was too late to say anything; it was Roy who turned the tide and brought everyone back to their senses.
Looking at the exceptionally talented young man before him, Baldr felt a pang of regret. It was such a shame that they hadn't encountered such a promising talent first.
However, his mood changed quickly.
Badr laughed, "After this battle, Leon's strength and endurance have successfully broken through to S level. He's looking forward to fighting you again."
Upon hearing this, Roy's eyelids twitched. As expected of a genius standing at the top, their progress did not mean that the other party would stagnate.
The ability rating going from A to S is also a significant improvement.
But in terms of growth rate, the other party is the challenger, Roy said confidently, "I'm also looking forward to it."
Then it won't be a gang beating anymore, but him and Leon one-on-one, defeating each other head-on!
Suddenly, a "pig's head" appeared in front of Roy, startling him. Looking closer, the outline seemed familiar, and he asked uncertainly, "Hermes?"
Hermes, beaten black and blue by the gods, was no longer the handsome man he once was. His voice was muffled as he said, "Brother Roy, seeing me in this sorry state, don't you have anything to say?"
"I feel—very regretful."
Roy suppressed a laugh. "Isn't this what you deserve? Always trying to cultivate some so-called savior hero."
Hermes gave a smile that was more like a grimace; he was just a scapegoat who had been pushed onto the sidelines.
Astraea was also dealing with many goddesses when she noticed the worried look on the face of a certain blacksmith goddess. "Hephaestus, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
Hephaestus snapped out of her reverie and gently shook her head. She was naturally thinking about Hestia; she wasn't the type to speak ill of her friends behind their backs.
Even at this moment, she was still worried about the other person, and even felt guilty and remorseful. Was she too heartless? Hestia had just descended to the mortal realm, had no resources or connections, how could she possibly recruit anyone?
It's not easy to fool children in the lower realms these days.
Roy returned to the goddess's side, "Lady Hephaestus, you are beautiful and charming today as well."
Hephaestus was dressed in a black satin gown, its flowing lines outlining her elegant figure. A deep blue rose ornament, as dark as the night sky, was delicately pinned to her chest, adding a touch of mystery and cold beauty to the gorgeous dress. It washed away the smoke and heat that usually clung to her during her forging days. She wore an eye patch, yet there was not a trace of ferocity in her eyes, revealing a calm and breathtaking beauty.
"It's not a good habit to praise another woman in front of your own female companion," Hephaestus said with a smile, staring at Roy.
"I don't mind."
Astraea's smile remained unchanged, still as gentle as water.
The "Intuition" skill will be automatically triggered!
A faint sense of crisis rose within Roy. Without hesitation, he turned his head and said earnestly, "Asteria, I like you!"
The surroundings fell into a deathly silence.
The goddesses erupted in excited screams, while the gods pointed trembling fingers at Roy.
Hephaestus, standing nearby, smirked; the way she changed the subject was too abrupt.
Only Roy knew that the goddess fell for this!
Being confessed to in public, under the mocking gazes of the gods, Astraea's slight dissatisfaction vanished instantly. She subconsciously pursed her cherry lips, and two faint blushes quietly rose on her beautiful cheeks, like newly blooming roses.
The sense of crisis that Roy had sensed had disappeared.
"Give me a kiss! Give me a kiss!"
"Give me a kiss! Give me a kiss!"
The gods rose up in a clamor, their voices echoing throughout the hall.
Since Roy's confession that night, their relationship has been common knowledge.
Roy showed no fear and opened his arms, but Astraea dared not do the same. The shame in her heart was about to turn into flames, burning her reason to ashes.
Astraea was furious and stomped hard on Roy's foot. Her angry eyes seemed to say, "It's all your fault." She fled the place as if her life depended on it and was taken next door by a group of goddesses to talk about their love story.
In particular, when the two encountered an accident and fell into the deep lower labyrinth, they faced life and death together in the perilous underground city, joining hands to fight against the terrifying, twisted, and incredibly powerful mutated floor master. That thrilling and adversity made the eyes of many goddesses in Orario sparkle and their hearts yearn for it countless times.
Roy stood tall and proud, like a victorious triumph. The gods couldn't help but sigh, thinking that if they were as shameless as Roy, they might even have won over Freya, let alone the other goddesses. Their running in the sunset was a reminder of their lost youth.
Dealing with the gods is no easy task; even Roy gets tired. They're a bunch of human lie detectors, and every word has to be carefully chosen.
He gave the gods two bottles of divine wine brewed by Soma, which was part of his stock, successfully diverting their attention. Roy then went to the balcony to rest for a while.
"call!"
Roy exhaled a breath of stale air, the cool night wind brushing against his face, slightly easing his tense nerves.
Just then, Roy noticed out of the corner of his eye a petite figure acting furtively on the dimly lit street across the street.
It was moving.
"Hephaestus said she was going to a banquet, is this the place? I'm so hungry, waaaah~ There's no one here, how am I going to get back?" Hestia was utterly desperate as she wandered around the area.
He failed to establish a clan and was left penniless.
She had no choice but to run back to Hephaestus for help, but she was unfamiliar with the place. If she were in the heavens, she could have created a "shameless map" for navigation.
"Gurgle gurgle~"
Hestia clutched her stomach. Was she about to become the first god in the world to have her divine powers triggered by extreme hunger and be sent back to the heavens?
You'll be laughed at by the gods for the rest of your life!
"Hephaestus, where are you?! Ouch!" Lost Hestia ran around like a headless fly, bumping into a tall figure at a corner. The force of the impact made her fall to the ground with a thud.
Hestia rubbed her sore bottom, opened her eyes, and was about to get angry when her clear blue pupils reflected the handsome young man in front of her. He was tall and slender, with a charming smile that could seduce countless girls. In the moonlight, he looked like a prince welcoming a princess.
Even Hestia, who had just descended to the mortal realm, could tell that the young man before her was not on the same level as the newcomers she had previously invited.
The two are fundamentally different!
"Who are you?"
Roy was also very surprised. This petite and delicate girl was Hestia, but what surprised him was not her identity.
It's just that the timing was wrong!
Why would we see Hestia at this time? He must have descended to the mortal realm six months before Bell Crane came to Orario, staying at his friend Hephaestus's house. However, he was lazy and didn't seek out any fellow members or work. Eventually, Hephaestus, unable to bear it any longer, kicked him out of the house, leaving him to wander the streets.
Roy suppressed his doubts, his face remaining impassive as he smiled warmly. "Kamui? So it's you, Lord God. Did you get lost?"
"Uh-huh!"
Hestia's little head was almost out of focus when an inappropriate sound came from her flat belly: "Gurgle gurgle~".
Feeling so embarrassed in front of this young man, even Hestia felt a pang of shame, and her pretty face flushed red.
Roy's smile remained unchanged. As if by magic, a table appeared on the open space with a flick of his wrist, set with bread, cake, and hot soup. "Please accept this food if you don't mind."
Hestia's pupils widened.
Hestia, who was so hungry she was dizzy, had no time to investigate where these things came from. The rich aroma of the food filled her small nostrils, took over her mind, made her eyes light up, and made her drool.
"Delicious! Delicious!"
Hestia wolfed down her food, stuffing it into her mouth with muffled sounds, and as she ate, tears welled up in her eyes.
Hestia, who had been driven out and suffered all day, felt as if she had been redeemed at this moment, and she would remember this kindness for the rest of her life.
After eating and drinking her fill, Hestia's belly was round and full, and she was filled with a sense of satisfaction.
"I am Hestia!"
"You are such a kind child, come and be my familiar, waaaah!" Hestia looked at Roy again, tears welling up in her eyes, her excited and thrilled voice carrying a hint of pleading.
Upon hearing this, Roy's expression turned strange. In Orario, there were actually people who didn't recognize him. "Lady Hestia, I'm sorry, I already have a chief god."
Upon hearing this, Hestia felt as if a giant rock had fallen from the sky and crushed her into a paper-like shape.
"Waaaaaahhhhhh!"