Hestia and Artemis had known each other for tens of millions of years. Regarding what her close friend was planning, while Hestia couldn't say she knew every detail, she was certainly well aware of the gist.
Hephaestus also nodded along: "Indeed, the way you look right now is truly a bit scary."
Being gazed at with complicated looks by the two of them, the Moon Goddess with long blue hair couldn't help but scratch her cheek awkwardly.
After sorting out her thoughts, she spoke slowly: "Hestia, Hephaestus, you know me."
"I have always been impulsive in my actions, and sometimes I develop some inexplicable self-esteem. Because of this personality, I offended quite a few people and did many wrong things back in Tenkai."
"Originally, I felt this was nothing. After all, as a god who holds Divine Power and controls Arcanum, one is naturally omniscient and omnipotent."
"Even after coming to the Lower World, I never thought of changing this point."
"But..." Speaking up to here, Artemis paused. A trace of fear flashed across her face, along with a hint of relief.
"The experience in the Elsoth Ruins that day made me completely realize that, stripped of Divine Power, I am no different from the children of the Lower World. In some aspects, I am even inferior to them."
"At least Rethusa and the others, knowing their lack of strength, knew which events they could participate in and which they could not."
"Whereas I..."
Artemis did not continue with the rest of her words, but her two close friends understood clearly.
"It seems you have truly repented this time," Hephaestus said with a smile.
Hestia, however, crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows slightly: "Let's put the matter of becoming a subordinate god aside for later discussion. What are your plans next?"
The blue-haired goddess obviously had a plan long ago. Hearing this, she didn't hesitate at all: "After returning, I have already submitted an application to The Guild. From now on, the Artemis Familia's operating policy will shift from outdoor exploration to Dungeon capturing. That way, even if I suddenly revert to my old ways one day in the future due to my personality, I can ensure the safety of my children to the greatest extent possible."
"In addition to that..." Artemis paused, revealing an expression that was embarrassed but showed no intention of changing, "I just want to form a more intimate alliance relationship with the Hestia Familia. With the 'Hero King' as a backing, my children should be able to get through the initial adaptation period of Labyrinth capturing."
"You really aren't holding back at all, huh," Hestia said, crossing her arms, a hint of teasing in her words. "Clearly, you're secretly planning to enjoy the benefits of being in a favorable position first."
"Hehehe~" Artemis didn't deny it. She simply walked up, shaking her friend's arm while smiling ingratiatingly. "Isn't it because I know Hestia is the gentlest and easiest to talk to~ So, sister, please, please, just let me become your subordinate god."
The twin-tailed goddess didn't make a decision immediately. Instead, she turned her head and looked towards the staircase.
"Levi, what do you say?"
In the next second, a young man with short pale-gold hair appeared on the first floor.
Hearing his lover's question, he shrugged his shoulders: "Do as you wish."
Regarding whether or not to accept Artemis as a subordinate god, Levi had previously expressed an attitude of indifference.
At this moment, it was merely a reconfirmation.
Hestia was also clear about her own child's thoughts. After hearing this, she paused for two seconds. Then, under Artemis's slightly expectant gaze, she said: "Let's forget about the subordinate god matter. After all, you are still my friend from Tenkai. If we really established a hierarchy, our relationship would definitely change in the future."
"However..."
Hearing this, the blue-haired Moon Goddess, who had already revealed a disappointed expression, suddenly heard the transition. How could she hold back? "However what?"
The Blue Ribbon curled the corners of her lips, her attitude refreshing: "The Hestia Familia can form an offensive and defensive strategic alliance with the Artemis Familia. Hmm, essentially similar to the 'Alliance of Goddesses' in Orario, only cooperating more closely than they do."
"Can you explain the specific items?" Artemis asked curiously.
Then she was lightly tapped on the head by Hephaestus at the side. "You idiot, haven't you understood yet? Aside from not having the status of a subordinate god, the existence of the alliance is to let you enjoy the treatment that only a subordinate god can have!"
Moon Goddess: "!!!"
"I agree! I agree right now!"
While speaking, she directly hugged her close friend.
"Hestia, wuwuwu~ I knew back in Tenkai that you, this child, are indeed the gentlest among us~"
Hestia didn't deny it upon hearing this. She just turned her head and looked at Hephaestus: "And you? Taking this opportunity, do you want to form an alliance with me too, my 'good sister'?"
The red-haired goddess smiled faintly: "With our relationship, do we still need to draw such clear lines?"
"That is indeed true for us, but the children in your family don't know anything yet."
"...True."
Although Hephaestus had previously exposed her relationship with Levi, she hadn't yet thought of how to explain it to the children in her family.
She had been avoiding it all this time.
But if she used the alliance with Hestia as an entry point, perhaps everything could happen naturally.
Thoughts flashed quickly through her mind, and the red-haired goddess nodded: "Alright, then I'll join in as well!"
Hestia looked at Levi again.
The latter understood the implication immediately. After nodding slightly, he walked forward, took out paper and a pen from his Inventory, and began to write down the alliance details.
This type of contract was generally much the same, and it wasn't as if no one in Orario had signed one before.
Therefore, Levi wrote very quickly. However, just as he reached the end, the voice of his own goddess suddenly rang in his ears:
"Add one more clause. The gods who sign the contract, along with their Familia members, will enjoy your 'Constellation Awakening'."
Levi's pen paused on the parchment for an instant, but he did not choose to refuse.
He knew Hestia was accumulating power for him.
Artemis, on the other hand, revealed a puzzled expression upon seeing this: "'Constellation Awakening'? What is that thing?"
Hestia and Hephaestus exchanged a smile upon hearing this.
Then...
Only two "hum" sounds were heard.
Behind the two women, phantoms of the 'Hearthfire Goddess Constellation' and the 'Forging Goddess Constellation', composed of six Constellation stars, emerged one after another.
Artemis: "???"
Artemis: "!!!"
Although she wanted to make changes due to the encounter at the Elsoth Ruins, she was, in essence, still a god with cognition far exceeding that of humans in the Lower World.
After Hestia and Hephaestus successively displayed that familiar power, she sensed something was wrong almost immediately.
"You guys, you can lift the seal on Divine Power in the Lower World?!"
____
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