( Yuuki's POV )
Breaking through another Hydra barrier and entering the old church, I found another room in complete disarray; on the floor were two bodies, one was a boy with silver hair and the other was a short girl with brown hair.
There was a hooded figure who hadn't noticed my presence; he was carrying a short girl with long black hair tied in pigtails, It seemed as if she were about to be kidnapped, but she was more worried about those on the ground than about herself.
???: ...bell-kun.
Before the Hydra agent could escape, I kicked him in the back; the girl flew up and the Hydra agent crashed into the wall, then I caught the girl and threw her over my shoulder.
???: Huh? Huh? What? Who are you?
Ignoring the girl's confusion, I threw a barrier BIM to trap the Hydra agent, I knew he wouldn't talk, so I let him activate his self-destruct, not that the explosion would have left this place in even more ruin.
???: Hey! Are you listening to me? Put me down!
I was about to put the girl down as she asked, but when I touched the girl's back I felt a strange energy signature, something reminded me of the special weapons Hydra used; I couldn't ignore that.
Yuuki: I'm sorry, but you'll have to come with me for a moment.
I helped the other two who were on the ground up and then went back to the mansion, the girls were curious about the people I was carrying, but before I could say anything to them, I put our guests in an empty room.
After explaining the situation to the girls, I returned to our guest room along with Lilith and Rei, when I opened the door, the girl with pigtails was very energetic for someone who had been attacked.
???: Hey, why did you bring me here without my permission? This is no way to treat a beautiful goddess like me!
Yuuki: This is for your protection. I am Yuuki. Do you have a name?
???: oh I am Hestia, pleased to meet-NO! Forget the introductions and start explaining, what are you talking about regarding my protection?
' Hestia, that's a name I recognize from the target list. '
To answer the goddess Hestia's question, I took out the weapon of the Hydra agent I had captured; it was a pair of black gloves with retractable blades, The gloves and the goddess's back began to glow, and her energy and vitality were absorbed.
Hestia lost strength in her legs and began to fall forward, she was going to fall on my chest, but I stepped to the side and she fell to the ground face first, I could feel Rei's gaze piercing my back, so I decided to avoid doing anything that might make her jealous.
I put away the black gloves and the energy returned to Hestia quickly; she jumped off the ground screaming.
Hestia: Why did you dodge?! When a beautiful woman is falling, you should catch her.
Yuuki: You're very confident in yourself, aren't you? since you're so impatient, I'll get straight to the point, you are being targeted by dangerous people; it is best if you stay in this mansion under our protection.
Hestia: Do you think I'm going to trust you when you're giving me so little information?
Yuuki: That's your decision. You're free to leave, but I'm sure those who attacked you will make a second attempt, or as many as necessary, to capture you, those two, who I assume are members of your family, did not receive serious injuries this time, but you think they will be luckier next time.
Hestia looked at the two she I rescued along with her and began to ponder my words, A sad expression appeared on her face and she clenched her fists, frustrated at being unable to protect her family, after thinking for a moment, she spoke again, now in a somewhat quiet voice.
Hestia: You... Why are you doing this? I have nothing to give you in return.
Yuuki: It's simple, those who are after you are my enemies and I won't let them do whatever they want, If their plan is to capture you, then I won't let them touch a hair on your head again.
My statement was strong and direct, which left the goddess somewhat surprised; there was no trace of doubt in what I had said but before she could give me her answer, a voice distracted her.
???: Kami-sama...
Hestia: Bell-kun!
One of my family members was waking up, and as they seemed to need a moment, I left the room along with my Sekireis And as we were going downstairs to the living room, Lilith questioned me.
Lilith: Do you think that goddess will accept the offer?
Yuuki: I think she will.
Rei: You don't have any hidden reason for helping that goddess, do you? Does she has things that influenced your decision?
Yuuki: I don't know what you're implying, my dear, but I have a feeling something big is coming.
Lilith: Something big? In this city?
Yuuki: No, I feel something bigger than just this city.
We went downstairs to the living room and there I saw that we had a couple of extra guests, those were Mikoto and Ryuu.