"Hey! Haimo!"
"What are we eating tonight? What are we eating?"
"I'm starving! I wanted to say it at the Guild just now, that Royman was too long-winded, causing me to miss afternoon tea time!"
Hestia was almost hanging on Haimo's arm.
Her signature blue twin-tails swung with her movements, and the tips of her hair occasionally whipped against Haimo's arm.
The sunset glow dyed the streets of Orario a warm orange, and also stretched their shadows very long.
"I want to eat croquettes! And hamburger meat! The kind that sizzles with oil!"
Hestia tilted her little face, that pair of big eyes flashing with a light called "appetite," and there was even some suspicious glimmer at the corners of her mouth.
"And also! I want to drink that sparkling wine! Anyway, we have money now, don't we?"
"That big guy Ganesha paid so much money, it wouldn't be excessive for us to be a little extravagant, right?"
Haimo glanced at her helplessly.
This goddess, when it came to sponging off food and drink, had adapted a bit too quickly.
She had absolutely no self-awareness of being a freeloader, and instead acted more like the master than he, the master, did.
...
And so.
After a simple meal outside.
The two of them chattered all the way back to the mansion on North Street.
The three-story stone mansion was already lit with warm lights at this moment.
Pushing open that heavy carved main door.
"I'm home—!"
Hestia was not polite at all; as soon as she entered the foyer, she kicked off her shoes, ran in barefoot, and headed straight for that large living room sofa that haunted her dreams.
"Ah—! Resurrected!"
She sank into the soft sofa, let out a satisfied sigh, and even rolled twice on it, messing up the originally flat cushions.
Haimo shook his head, closed the door behind him, isolating the chill outside, then leisurely changed his shoes and walked into the hall.
He saw the spacious first-floor living room was brightly lit.
The magic stone fireplace, which had cost a lot of money to install, was emitting a suitable heat, filling the whole room with a warm atmosphere.
Except for Hestia who was rolling on the sofa.
The others were basically all gathered as well.
Kirukiru Amou was sitting on a single-seat sofa.
Tamaba Satori was lying on a soft mat on the floor like a cat, with a cup of hot tea on the low table beside her.
She was staring blankly at the night sky above the central courtyard.
Kikakujuo Mary and Hanasaka Warabi were surrounding that huge obsidian round table.
As for those two bears—Kyoujin and Little Bear, they were lying on the carpet sound asleep, with several empty honey jars scattered beside them.
It was a peaceful scene.
However.
In this peaceful atmosphere, there was one place that seemed out of place.
In the very center of the hall.
Rin was kneeling straight on the carpet.
Her hands were placed properly on her knees, her back was straight, and that Hannya mask had been taken off by her and placed properly aside.
Revealing that exquisite and cute doll-like face.
But at this moment.
That little face was full of entanglement, her eyes were drifting, and she didn't dare to look up at all.
Next to Rin.
Inaba Tsukuyo was also kneeling quietly, her eyes closed, and although her expression was much calmer than Rin's, the slightly pursed corners of her mouth also revealed a trace of nervousness.
This posture.
"Lord Deity..."
Seeing Haimo walk in.
Rin's body trembled obviously, and her voice carried a clear tremor.
The girls who were busy with their own things around also stopped their movements in unison.
After all.
Rin coming back and putting on this "I am guilty, please grant me death" look, everyone could guess seven or eight points—this guy probably caused trouble outside.
Haimo also raised his eyebrows, didn't speak, just walked straight to the two and stood still.
This silence made the pressure in the air suddenly increase.
Rin lowered her head even lower, and that ahoge that was always spirited usually was now drooping listlessly.
"Um... Lord God..."
"I... Tsukuyo and I..."
Rin took a deep breath, as if steeling herself.
Then.
She finally raised her head, though her eyes remained tightly shut, and shouted loudly:
"We got into a fight outside!"
"With people from the Soma Familia!"
"And... and we almost got arrested by the military police from the Ganesha Familia!"
"Even though that Captain of the Military Police let us go later because of you, but... but this has brought shame upon you! And caused you trouble! I am deeply sorry!"
Having said that.
Rin immediately performed a deep dogeza, her forehead thumping heavily onto the carpet.
"I am truly sorry!"
The sound was loud and crisp.
Even Hestia, who had been rolling around on the sofa over there, was startled into stopping, poking her head out to curiously look in this direction.
"A fight?"
Heimer wasn't angry; instead, he repeated the word with interest.
"Yes..."
Rin lay prostrate on the floor, her voice muffled and thick with a nasal tone.
"Even though they were the ones bullying others first... that little Supporter girl was pitiful, beaten up badly..."
"But I was too impulsive, couldn't hold back and started the fight..."
"Miss Tsubaki said that in Orario, Familias can't just casually fight each other, otherwise it could lead to a Familia War..."
"I'm an idiot! I couldn't control my temper! Please punish me!"
Rin spilled everything that happened that afternoon like pouring beans from a sack.
Without any concealment, and without any excuses to justify herself.
She had even prepared herself to be expelled from the Familia.
After all.
Getting into a street brawl on the second day after establishing the Familia, and offending another Familia, is a major taboo in any organization.
After she finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a dead silence.
Rin closed her eyes, her body trembling slightly, awaiting the impending punishment.
However.
The expected punishment did not arrive.
On contrast.
A warm, large hand gently landed on her head, ruffling her soft black hair.
He even casually pinched the single drooping ahoge.
"I thought it was something as serious as the sky falling."
"So it was just this."
Heimer's voice carried a trace of helplessness.
"Huh?"
Rin raised her head slightly, not even minding the red mark from her forehead hitting the floor, looking at Heimer with a bewildered expression.
"Um... Lord God... you're not angry?"
"Angry? Why should I be angry?"
Heimer crouched down, bringing his gaze level with Rin's. His black eyes held no trace of blame, only gentleness.
"Since you got into a fight, then..."
"Did you win?"
"Huh?!"
This question completely caught Rin off guard.
Her big eyes blinked twice, her brain short-circuiting for half a second.
Normally, shouldn't he ask 'why did you fight' or 'did you have to pay compensation'?
"Win... win?"
Then Rin subconsciously repeated it, and nodded blankly.
"Win... won."
"I kicked that guy flying with one kick."
"Even their leader got kicked unconscious by me."
"Then it's fine."
Heimer nodded in satisfaction, the smile on his face growing wider. He casually patted the head of Inaba Tsukuyo, who had remained silent all along.
"As long as you won, it's nothing."
"As for causing trouble..."
"Remember, you are my Familia."
Heimer stood up, sweeping his gaze around the hall at the gathered women.
"No matter what you encounter, there's no need to be afraid."
"If you want to fight, then fight. If you want to help, then help."
"If you lose even that bit of fighting spirit, then what was the point of me going through so much trouble to bring you to this world and giving you this power? Just to be decorations?"
"As for the Soma Familia, I know them, just a bunch of alcoholics obsessed with wine..."
"If they dare to cause trouble, then let them come."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Rin stared blankly at Heimer.
Looking at the god standing under the light, his figure appearing incredibly tall.
Her eyes suddenly turned a bit red.
She had thought she would be scolded, or even handed over to appease the situation.
But in the end...
Is this what it feels like to be protected by a god?
"Lord God..."
Rin sniffled, her voice taking on a sob.
"Alright, enough of the sentimental stuff."
Heimer interrupted Rin's imminent emotional outburst, waved his hand, and pulled her up from the floor.
"Get up quickly, the floor is cold."
"And."
Heimer clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"Now that everyone is gathered."
"Perfect timing, I also have something to announce."
Hearing this.
Everyone gathered around.
Even Hestia forgot about the sofa, running over barefoot with a 'pata-pata' sound, curiously crowding next to Heimer.
"What is it? Is it about giving out allowance?"
Hearing Hestia's focus was on this, Heimer ultimately resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her.
"No allowance."
"But..."
"Hestia."
"What?"
Heimer pulled out a heavy pouch of gold coins from his chest, shaking it in his hand, producing a crisp clinking sound of metal.
Seeing the money, Hestia's eyes immediately fixated, turning into two large gold coin symbols, her gaze following the movement of Heimer's hand.
"Want to eat that grilled meat from The Hostess of Fertility?"
"Want! Of course I want!"
Hestia nodded vigorously.
"Then please make a trip."
Heimer stuffed the money pouch into Hestia's hand.
"I'm going to have an internal meeting with my Familia, and incidentally prepare a little surprise for their special training."
"Since you're hungry, go buy some food first."
"Remember, get the kind that's just out of the pot, piping hot."
"And bring back two bottles of good wine while you're at it."
"Huh? Sending me away?"
Although Hestia was gluttonous, she wasn't a fool. She looked at Heimer suspiciously.
"Do you have some secret I can't hear?"
"Or are you going to sneakily eat something delicious behind my back?"
"If it were sneaking food, I'd definitely call you."
Heimer pushed Hestia by the shoulders, ushering her towards the door.
"This pouch of money... whatever's left is your delivery fee."
Hearing 'whatever's left is yours', Hestia's slight suspicion instantly vanished.
"Deal!"
Hestia hugged the money pouch tightly, afraid Heimer would change his mind.
"I'm going then! You guys finish your meeting quickly!"
Having said that.
Hestia immediately dashed out like a gust of wind, pushing open the oak door and running out.
"Remember to go and come back quickly!"
Heimer shouted towards Hestia's retreating figure.
"Got it——!"
Hestia's energetic reply came from far away.
...
Afterwards.
As the mansion's gate closed once more,
Only Heimer and his Familia members remained in the hall.
Seeing that Heimer had deliberately sent Hestia away, the expressions of the women became serious.
"My Lord God."
Inaba Tsukuyo opened her eyes, turning her unusually deep, yet vacant, red pupils toward Heimer.
"Sending Lady Hestia away, is there something important you need to tell us?"
"You could say that."
Heimer nodded, not denying it.
"Alright."
Leaning against the large door that had just closed, he looked at these familiar faces.
Rin.
Inaba Tsukuyo.
Kirukiru Amou.
Tamaba Satori.
Hanasaka Warabi.
And Kikakujuo Mary.
These girls who, just a few days ago, were fighting for their own reasons in another world, lost and confused, but who now followed him without hesitation to this strange world.
Looking at them,
Heimer dropped the playful, joking manner he had adopted when speaking to Hestia.
A seriousness emerged in his black eyes.
"Hestia is gone."
"This makes it convenient for me to tell you what surprise I have for you."
Heimer paused, speaking softly:
"Although..."
"It has only been a few days since you left your world."
"At most, it hasn't even been a full week."
"However..."
"Do you want to go back and see?"
"Your original world."
"Aichi Coexistence Private Academy."
As Heimer finished speaking,
The entire hall fell into a second of dead silence.
Immediately following that,
"Eh?!"
A unified shout of surprise nearly blew the roof off.
"Is... Is that true?!"
"We can go back? Right now?"
"But... But didn't we already transmigrate?"
"Doesn't a gate that crosses worlds require an immense amount of energy?"
"We can go back anytime?"
"Moreover..."
Tamaba Satori also showed deep doubt.
"Doesn't the God forbid the use of divine power in the Lower World?"
"Such a huge disturbance... If that Guild, or any other God, discovered it..."
"Wouldn't that mean..."
Although the women were surprised, they were more worried.
After all, they had only just arrived in this world, and they had heard the iron rule of 'Gods cannot use divine power' countless times.
If the act of letting them go back for a look resulted in Heimer being repatriated or punished...
Then they would rather not go back.
Looking at those eyes filled with concern,
Heimer felt a warmth in his heart.
These children, despite their varied personalities—some tsundere, some cunning, some even battle maniacs—their hearts were ultimately oriented toward him.
"Don't worry."
"Since I dared to propose it, I naturally have confidence."
"It's true that using divine power results in a warning, which is very troublesome."
"But what I am using is not divine power."
"And besides..."
Heimer looked at them, his voice gentle.
"That place is, after all, where you grew up."
"Although you decided to follow me here, and I am very happy that you can consider this place a new home."
"But that doesn't mean you have to completely sever ties with the past and become rootless duckweed."
"Missing home, missing friends, or missing the scenery there—these are all very normal things."
"Since your performance these past few days has been so outstanding..."
"Not only adapting to the harsh life in Orario, but also slaughtering your way through the Dungeon, and even breaking common sense so quickly to all advance to Lv.2."
"You've made me, a main God with little fame in the Lower World, gain face in Orario."
"So, consider this a reward for you."
"Is it really okay?"
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