(Riven POV – Church Basement Room)
I open my eyes, a familiar weight pressing against my chest. Looking down, I find Hestia once again sprawled on top of me, fast asleep.
'So we're not even pretending anymore?' I sigh inwardly.
Last night, after we returned, she had woken up just long enough to lock my Falna. With that, no one else will be able to read it, even if they can read the language. Then, instead of letting me sleep on the couch, she grabbed my sleeve, pulled me into her bed, and declared that if we were just going to end up waking up in the same bed anyway, we might as well go to sleep together too.
'And she was blushing like a ripe tomato the whole time, despite being bold enough to say it. I've got to give her credit for that.'
The upside is obvious. Tge bed is much more comfortable than the couch, so I'll sleep more peacefully. The downside, depending on how you look at it, constantly having a hot goddess pressed up against you all night is a huge test of willpower and self-control.
'Without IronHeart, she wouldn't have had such a peaceful night.' I sigh internally.
So, like most mornings lately, I lie still to not wake her, and let my thoughts drift on to what I should do today.
'I'd like to hit the dungeon, but if I want to go deeper, I'll need my greatsword back from Hephaestus. Orcs, Minotaurs, Silverbacks… I'm not quite ready to crack their skulls barehanded… yet.'
Even if I don't feel pain, I don't want to break my hands if it doesn't cause them much damage.
'As for Ais… I'll have to wait on Loki Familia's decision. I doubt they'd agree so quickly, or at all, especially with Loki protesting so much.'
Not just because I'm untrustworthy, but also due to my Goddess being Hestia. Loki's too prideful to accept it so easily.
Which means, realistically, today's agenda is simple.
'Step one: have Hestia quit her job at the Jagamarukun stand. Step two: set up the clothing shop.'
I run the numbers again. After the date, I've got about 330k valis left. The date alone ate 40k, excluding the Adamantite I bought, but that's fine. Two hundred thousand should cover enough materials for renovations, as well as making adventurer clothing, civilian wear, and even some clothes targetted towards gods. I'll use the rest to start fixing up the church.
'Even if the Apollo Familia still targets us and lose their manor in a few months, we'll still be living here until then. It also holds sentimental value, so it'd be good to fix it up.'
There's also no guarentee Apollo would still targets us since the future might change
Then, Great Sage and I begin sketching mental outlines of sturdy, breathable clothing for adventurers using monster materials, affordable everyday wear for civilians, and higher-end designs for gods that are based on different cultural pantheons. And of course, an option to custom order clothing, provided the client supplies rare materials or covers the cost.
I nod to myself, satisfied, while GS makes sure I haven't overlooked anything, filling in details and making improvements.
Then, a soft groan interrupts our planning.
"Good morning, Goddess." I say quietly as Hestia stirs.
"Mm… morning…" She mumbles, her voice full of lingering drowsiness. She pushes herself up, stretching her arms high and yawning.
Since she'd been lying across me, I'm immediately rewarded with the sight of her breasts bouncing with the motion as they strain against her normal dress.
I don't bother to look away. Why should I? She's my Goddess, and I'll graciously accept the grace she's bestowed upon me.
Unfortunately for me, she lowers her arms at the exact moment I'm appreciating the view, and her face instantly turns red.
"Wh-what are you staring at?!" She squeals, flailing forward and slapping both hands over my face and inaccurately covering my eyes. The move is clumsy, awkward, and far too rough for the job, but it does the trick.
"It's fine to sleep in the same bed, but I can't look?" I ask, amused, prying her hands off gently so I can see her embarrassed face.
Her blush deepens. "It's not the same…" She mutters, her voice small, before she quickly slips out of my grip and hops away like a startled cat. She points a finger at me accusingly. "Y-you can't just stare so blatantly!"
"Oh?" I tilt my head. "So is the problem that I stared… or that I stared too obviously?"
Her teeth grind audibly. "You're impossible!" She yells, stomping her foot, before quickly turning and dashing out of the room. Even as she flees, I make out the her cherry red face between her bouncing twin tails.
I chuckle to myself.
'She didn't actually say I couldn't stare, though… just that I can't be blatant about it.'
Shaking my head, I swing my legs off the bed and stretch.
"Time to get moving. I've got a lot to do today."
The hours blur together, though not without effort.
Convincing Hestia to quit her job was easier than expected. Once I told her she'd be more help running the shop, her resistance crumbled. She pouted a little, of course, but the thought of "working together" lit her up enough that I knew she'd never look back.
From there, it was all errands. I had to purchase the materials first. Wood, iron, and material for fabric. Carrying it all was way with Predator, and why hire a Familia to renovate when I've got Stomach and Great Sage? In short order, racks, shelves, counters, stools, mannequins… a full store interior took shape, in an efficient and precise manner.
Then came research. I visited neighboring clothing stores, asking where they got their materials. A few smiles, some small talk, and offering them some samples of high-quality fabric GS and I made as gifts, made us quick friends. The material was smooth, strong, breathable, and of a quality they've likely never seen before. Their eyes practically sparkled, asking where I got it, until I told them it's self-made. If clothing failed, selling fabric alone would be enough to get rich.
At the Guild, I picked up monster leathers—Minotaur hide, Almiraj fur, Orc skin. Nothing extravagant, but perfect for adventurer gear. Better materials were far out of budget for now, and I'd sooner or later be able to procure them myself.
By the time I'd spent the allotted 200k on supplies, I was satisfied. Another 50k went into stone and wood to eventually repair the church. With Predator, I could recycle most of the ruined beams and tiles, but fresh material was still needed for the parts that can't be salvaged.
Fixing the church wasn't urgent—I'd get to it when I could. For now, the shop was stocked, the renovations complete, and the day nearly gone. Late afternoon sunlight painted the street gold as I headed north to collect Hestia.
(Hestia POV – Street Near Familia Church)
"~Lalalala~" I hum happily, skipping down the street and pulling Riven along by the hand.
"You seem awfully cheerful for someone who was sulking at the thought of quitting her job this morning." Riven observes dryly, keeping pace beside me.
Normally I'd shoot him a glare, but I'm too happy to waste energy.
"Of course I'm cheerful! The shop looks amazing!" I beam at him, practically bouncing with excitement. "The shelves, the mannequins, the fabrics—everything looks so lively now! Nothing like that dusty, desolate place yesterday." My chest swells with pride. "We're definitely going to make a fortune!"
Riven sighs, ever the realist. "It'll take a while before we reach that stage. Building a reputation and brand takes time."
I wave him off, refusing to let him dampen my mood. "Nonsense! The clothes you made are gorgeous, and once people see them, everyone will want them. I believe it!"
He exhales again, defeated. "Alright, Goddess. Everything you say is right." But the tiny smile on his lips betrays him.
I grin, ready to tease him—
"Huh?!"
The shrill, obnoxious voice crashes into my ears.
"You came personally to deliver it? No way that shrimp could afford anything from you!"
I freeze, twitch, then bristle. The hand in mine slips free as I stomp ahead, fists clenched.
"Who are you calling a shrimp, you flat-chested hag?!" I shout, my voice echoing down the street.
The offender, Loki, recoils. Of course it's Loki. She bares her teeth, recovering quickly. "Who said that?" She sneers, shielding her eyes as if searching for something. Then, with exaggerated slowness, her gaze dips. "Oh, there you are. Didn't see you down there." Her grin widens wickedly.
Steam all but bursts from my ears. I lunge, ready to throttle her… but arms hook around me from behind, locking me in place. A hand clamps gently but firmly over my mouth.
"Lady Loki. Lady Hephaestus." Riven's calm voice rumbles behind me. "A pleasure to meet you both again." His tone doesn't waver as he inclines his head slightly. "And nice to see the rest of you too."
'Wait. The rest of them?'
I blink, suddenly aware of the crowd I'd been too focused to notice.
On one side, Hephaestus and Tsubaki, watching with clear amusement. On the other—Loki's Familia. Riveria, Ais, and two others I don't recognize. All of them staring and seemingly exhausted by their Goddess's behaviour.
And me, caught mid-outburst, dangling like an angry kitten in Riven's arms… turns beet red. Not because of my outburst. But because…
'Riven's holding me so tightly!' I squeal internally, struggling slightly in embarrassment, rather than anger.
(Riven POV – Hestia Familia, Church)
Hestia wriggles furiously in my grip, muffled threats spilling against my palm.
'Why is she fighting so hard? Does she really enjoy trading insults with Loki this much?' I wonder, tightening my hold before she wriggles free.
With Hestia secured, I turn my focus to the crowd in front of our church. Most I recognize, but a few new faces stand out.
The first is a barefoot Amazoness, black hair cut to her shoulders, green eyes lively with curiosity. A tube top and pareo leave little to the imagination, and her grin is wide as she waves. Tiona, characterized by her small chest.
I return the gesture with a smile, my hands too with my squirming goddess to wave back.
Next, an elf stands further back, golden hair tied into a neat ponytail, and dark blue eyes. She wears a pink cape above a white shirt, and pink corset dress. She's one of the core members of the Familia, Lefiya. Unlike Tiona's friendliness, she stares with bristling caution, as though my existence alone is offensive.
'It's probably because of Ais.' I sigh.
Speaking of… Ais watches me intently, her face just as blank as always. There's no judgment or hostility… more something akin to a desire to fight me burning in her eyes. I nod at her, and she simply tilts her head, but at least she received the message.
Riveria, dignified as ever, inclines her head slightly. I return the gesture in kind. Loki, meanwhile, is glaring daggers at me, her smile twisting like she's caught between annoyance and disbelief. I give her a pleasant smile in return.
On the opposite side stand Hephaestus and Tsubaki. Hephaestus offers me a warm smile, but her tired eyes betray her lack of rest. Before I can ask, Tsubaki cuts in, full of energy.
"Riven! Where've you been hiding?" She calls, hands on her hips, grin wide. "We've been waiting out here for ages."
"I was busy with some things.," I answer simply, shifting Hestia in my arms. "Didn't think you'd finish with it so quickly. …Did you even sleep last night?"
Tsubaki arches an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sharp eye. How'd you tell?"
I glance at Hephaestus. "She looks tired."
Tsubaki bursts into loud, booming laughter, clapping her thigh. "Hah! He's got you pegged, Lady Hephaestus."
Hephaestus sighs but steps forward, cradling something in her hands. The greatsword, secured in a sheath of Minotaur hide. She holds it out towards me.
"Thank you for letting us examine it." She says, her voice calm but tinged with exhaustion. "We learned a great deal. I'd like to discuss it with you in detail later, but—" Her gaze slides toward Loki "—it seems you're already occupied."
Loki's squinty eyes snap open at that, her smugness faltering. The disbelief on her face is enough to stop Hestia from struggling, as she smugly gloats in silence.
I accept the greatsword with a nod. "I'm glad it was useful. And I've got plenty I'd like to learn in return." Finally, I release Hestia's mouth. She immediately glares at me, cheeks puffed, but—for once—holds her tongue. She stays close, though, hugging my arm, pressing it between her chest possessively, as though afraid someone might steal me.
Hephaestus gives me one last small smile. "I'll be waiting."
Tsubaki follows, pausing long enough to punch me lightly in the arm. "Don't keep us waiting too long." She grins.
The blow lands like a hammer, though I keep my expression smooth. A Level 5's 'gentle tap' Is anything but gentle.
'Good thing I don't feel pain.'
As they depart, I turn back to the Loki Familia.
Every eye is on me now—curious, suspicious, and filled with disbelief.
'Now, dealing with them will be an actual pain.'
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A/N: Hello Everyone. How are you? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
To be honest, I don't like timeskips (even if it's a really short one), but it's quite necessary 🫠. Riven has set up the shop, and Hestia will start working there.
Then, I decided to have the Loki Familia aware of Hephy and Riven's collaboration, which'll make them agreeing to work with him more likely. Overall, I'm trying to have things mesh together. Also, which is the main motivation... It'd have taken quite a bit of everything happened one after the other, so I merged them.
I'm considering having a few spars next with the Loki familia, since it'd make sense for them to want to test Riven. Does that seem unnecessary? Then, after all this is done, I want him going into the dungeon, and some... Unexpected flags will pop up (I'm sure we'd realise the danger when we see it 😂). Also, I'm thinking of deciding the love interests soon. Makes it easier to determine who gets screen time. So please nominate some people!
You can also read 10 chapters ahead, and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
Anyway, that's all from me. I hope you all have a pleasant day/night😁