The God’s Banquet
The trio reached the church without problems and Hestia told them all to sit down so she could update all their Status.
However, Caster objected to this as she hardly doubt she gained any points to her status. Hestia couldn’t really argue with that so she agreed with Alfia’s statement and chose to only update Bell’s and Archer’s.
"Hmm…didn’t you head into dungeon with Caster and Bell?" Hestia asked as she looked at Archer's Status from behind the couch they were sitting on. "You managed to gain only a single point. Wait…you just let Bell do everything himself?" Hestia asked, now believing with Caster’s earlier statement. However, it was also equally surprising to see that Archer only gained a point in Defense.
She wondered what occured to allow that point to be gained. But right now, her focus was trying to find out what her resident spirit children did to give Bell this boost in points.
"It is for his own good.” Caster explained. "The excellia gain doesn't happen if the creatures we face are weak as shit. Take me for example, I can destroy every single monster from Floor 1 to Floor 10 alone, with my eyes closed, in a single instant. However, I would gain nothing in that attempt as I am much stronger than when I was human.”
"I know…I know you’re strong. You’re stronger than the only Level 7 Orario has. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t worry for you, even if you are Heroic Spirit.” Hestia said puffing her cheeks out angrily as she glared at Caster.
"…Apologies Goddess Hestia." Caster said, having at least the decency to understand that she was upset. It was strange, her time with Hera was not even close to the level of care that Hestia showed.
Caster wasn’t dumb, she knew that Hera preferred Meteria over her in a lot of things. The only reason why she even joined the Hera Familia was because Meteria asked for it. One of the rare instances that Meteria was able to force the goddess into submission. She saw her sister as the incarnation of kindness, always tired, but never showed anything but a smile.
However, that kindness also drew some minor annoyances. Men, those brave enough to try, tried going after with some twisted plan in mind. Only for their plan to crumble the moment she caught wind of it and sent it ablaze.
She had to kill quite a few ‘persistent’ ones as well, but she never regretted any of that. So long as her sister was safe, then that is all that ever mattered. However, that became difficult when Meteria drew the attention of two Goddess of Beauty. Freya was easy to handle, and by that Meteria managed to befriend her and actually became quite good friends. Ishtar, on the other hand, wanted her purely to break her innocence.
Which when Hestia told Caster that she was now running the Pleasure District, she grew angry. If she sets her eyes on Bell, she won’t hesitate to burn everything down. But that will occur when the time is right, but for right now she will deal with one of Virgin Goddess. So in Caster’s mind, Hestia is already better than her time with Hera.
"I do believe it will be for the best in the end. Caster and I are both there with Bell, he will not be in any danger. And…if he does die, then the two of us will fade away as well after all. We both have a vested interest in keeping him safe." Archer said, looking out of the corner of her eye at Hestia.
"Fine!" Hestia said as she slapped Archer's back, causing the woman to let out a wry smile. She then walked over to where Bell was sitting on the bed and sat down behind him. "All right, let's see what their spartan training did for you."
"Spartan?" Bell repeated the unfamiliar word. "What does that mean."
"It means exactly what they put you through!" Hestia said as she dropped her blood on Bell's back. "Now let's see what we have…!?"
Hestia let out an incomprehensible noise as she grabbed Bell's back, causing the boy to yelp, and brought her face close to it as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Is something the matter?" Archer asked while Caster raised an eyebrow.
Hestia let out a low growl as she smacked some parchment on Bell's back to pull out the status and ran her finger down it to check that it was done right while looking rather intently near the bottom before handing the parchment to Bell.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bell Cranel
Level 1
Strength: G-212-E-404
Defense: F-389-D-523
Dexterity: H-157-E-478
Agility: G-335-C-636
Magic: E-405-B-701
Magic:
Boost: The ability to ignite, control, and utilize flames from his feet
Boost
Crimson Semblance: Summon a keen-edged weapon, luster dazzling as the crimson moon made from the blood of the user.
Weapon Summoning: Summons forth the Lance That Shines to the End of the World.
O Light of the Eternal Horizon, Bearer of the Spear. By the stars' decree and the earth's whisper, I call upon thy radiant power. Manifest thy brilliance, Lance of the End, And guide my hand to victory!
Fusion: Bring two bodies together for ten minutes and forge a completely new being that retains aspect from both people.
Join these bodies and souls Bend their powers and talents, May they be united evermore, Unleash thy power of harmony!
Servant Summoning: Summon a Heroic Spirit. Requires upkeep once servant is summoned. Chances of summoning the same class twice is likely to occur
Let silver and steel be the essence.
Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation.
Let red be the color I pay tribute to.
Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall.
Let the four cardinal gates close.
Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate."
"Let it be filled. Again. Again. Again. Again.
Let it be filled fivefold for every turn, simply breaking asunder with every filling.
My dreams form the body
Your Spirit shall show me the path as I walk it by my own power
And so I hereby swear,
That I shall be all the good in the world
That I shall defeat all the evil in the world.
You seven souls who reside at the fate I wish to reach
Come forth from the binding circle
Oh Keeper of the Balance!
Skills:
Desire to be the King:
Description: As long as user desires to become a hero and Artoria’s Successor, growth of stats will increase exponentially. Increases by intensity of determination and desire to become the King’s successor. Makes the user immune to all charms and seductions.
Spirit Surge: Temporarily boosts users parameters when in close contact with spirit's.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bell could only stare with his mouth wide open at the massive increase as he held the status sheet in his shaking hands.
"What the…" Caster muttered as she looked at the sheet from the side. "I…this is definitely not normal?" Alfia couldn't believe what she was seeing. This jump in points was unlike anything she has ever seen before. Granted she is use to seeing high boosts in status as part of the Zeus and Hera Familia training regiment, but never on the level she was seeing Bell experience. 'Still…it would appear that we need you to gain more in your Strength and Dexterity or less your status could fall stagnant." Caster mumble, already thinking of a few plans to have Bell reached S in all his Stats.
"Supporting two Servants at once is doing wonders for the Magic gain." Archer pointed out, looking at the sheet from the opposite side. "I wonder if he will hit some limit before we are done? And if we are force to fight seriously, it is highly plausible that the Magic stat will increase even further."
"And who knows when a situation like that will occur." Caster huffed as she put the top of her dress back on.
"You two are way too relaxed about this! Caster, I at least expected a bigger reaction from you!" Hestia yelled as she slapped Bell's back causing him to snap out of his stupor.
"If every Level 1 could grew this quickly, Orario would mostly be filled with Level 2’s and a small number of Level 3’s."
Hestia mumbled something after that before glancing at Archer's direction although the Servant could only return the gaze in confusion.
"In any case…" Hestia sighed as she moved to the edge of the bed beside Bell. "Bell is growing abnormally fast, which is because of his desire to be the King. No doubt a desire that surrounds his very soul.”
"Yes…" Bell nodded to show he was listening as both he and Archer put their clothes back on.
"Bell, you have amazing talent." Hestia said. "It is quite remarkable that you fight alone despite having two allies with you." She threw a glare at the other two and Archer turned her head to the side while Caster returned the gaze with a small smile.
This in turn made Hestia raised an eyebrow, but she will deal with that at a later time. She then turned back to Bell with tears forming in her eyes.
"Your will to get stronger is amazing, and I respect you for it. I will encourage you, support you, help you in any way I can, so…even if some other gods might try and recruit you for your fast growth and connection to the Servants, all I ask is that you don't leave me alone."
"Don't worry." Bell replied to her earnest words with a smile. "I won't ever leave you Goddess. Not even if you try to kick me out."
"Thank you, child." Hestia said as she stood up and hugged Bell. "That means a lot to me. Well then!" She then spun on her feet and pointed to the stairs. "Let's go celebrate our new Familia members and Bell's amazing growth!"
"Crying one moment then cheering the next." Archer muttered with a smile. "What a whimsical goddess…"
"What a strange goddess indeed…" Caster said with a tired face.
(XXX)
Hestia Familia made their way to the Hostess of Fertility and entered to the sound of merriness and smell of various kinds of food. A tall stout woman, that may have been the owner, stood behind a bar serving the customers in front of it.
A pair of cat people waitresses were running around serving customers at tables alongside a stoic looking green-haired elf. Then, a person they recognized came running up to them.
"Bell, you came!" Syr said as she looked at them with a bright smile on her face.
"Yeah, I promise, didn’t I?” Bell replied with a smile, feeling Hestia's stare dig into his back.
"Bell, who is this?" Hestia asked.
"The reason for our 'reservation', Goddess Hestia.” Archer explained as Hestia raised an eyebrow while Syr thanked Bell for coming and turned to the crowd.
"Now seating four!" She called out gesturing for them to follow her. "We have an open table but would you like to sit at the bar?"
"Sure, why not." The four of them sat at the bar with Caster sitting at an end seat near the wall with Archer next to her, then Hestia and then Bell. The white hair boy was placed in a spot to closest to the owner.
Caster had managed to dye pieces of her hair black streaks that swept to the right side of her head. She did it to paint the illusion that she was Bell’s mother, even though that honor belongs to Meteria. No ones know where she managed to get some hair dye, but the group of three weren't complaining. She still had on her black cloak, but that was just a added precaution in case someone where to recognized her. It was a good thing that Alfia changed out of her goth-like clothes as they were quite unique and anyone who lived through the Dark Ages would be able to recognize her if she wore clothes like that out in public.
"So you're Syr's guest, eh?" The woman asked with a laugh. "Ha-ha, you got a charming face for an adventurer. Just give us a holler if you need somethin'! I hear you're going all out tonight! I'll keep the food comin', all you gotta do is keep on orderin'!"
"T-thank you…" Bell replied with a stiff smile.
’It’s one of those situations…well played Syr. Well played indeed.’ Bell thought, glancing in the grey hair girl’s general direction.
"This place feels friendly.” Archer noted as she turned around in her seat to take a look at the crowd. "A lot of Adventurer types too. All sorts of people eating in a place with a lot of things on the menu."
"Well, let's join them then." Caster quietly noted as she glanced at a menu on the wall beside her. "Owner, an ale to start, some meat fritters if you have them." It wasn’t particularly hard for Bell to hear Caster change the tone of her voice. The woman grew quiet for a second, staring intently at the cloaked woman, swearing she heard that voice somewhere before shaking her head.
"Got it!" Came the reply. "Any particular kind?"
"I shall leave it to you."
"No problem!" Caster and Bell sighed in relief, with the latter hoping she could keep her voice from reaching its usual tone and keep her identity a secret.
Spurred on by Caster, the rest of the group ordered their own food as well. All of them ordered an ale, except for the still underaged Bell who ordered some juice. For the food, Archer ordered a large plate of meat with a side of rice, Hestia ordered some meat skewers, and Bell ordered a heaping plate of pasta.
Hestia happily ate and drank her fill while Archer quietly ate her meal, basking in the aroma that the dish provided her with.
Meanwhile Caster ate her meal as well although she was eating much more slower than Hestia, leaving Bell to quietly eat his pasta in peace. In his mind, it was quite delicious.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Syr asked as she came back when Bell was halfway done with his food.
"I am, but I'm a bit overwhelmed, to be frank.” Bell replied honestly.
"This is my first time in a place like this but..." He glanced at the rest of his Familia, who were eating in satisfaction with his goddess ordering another ale and more skewers. "Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."
"I see, that's good to hear." Syr said as she untied her apron and hanged it up on a hook on the wall before sitting down beside Bell.
"What about your job?" Bell asked, eyeing Hestia with a bit of worry but his goddess was too preoccupied with the food in front of her and talking to Archer.
"Lady Hestia please do not hit me while I am eating…" Archer muttered, trying to enjoy her food, but couldn’t due to her Goddess antics. 'Don't tell me she's drunk.'
"Come on Archer! You need eat faster than that!" Hestia cheered as she pounded her back.
"It won't be every day we get to eat like this!"
"If you give me a bit of time, we might."
"Think you can take our recipe just from one meal?" The owner asked with a large smile.
"Is that a challenge?" Archer asked with a smile of her own as the woman laughed. ‘Perhaps that counter guardian is rubbing off me more than I liked to admit.’ Archer worryingly thought. She hoped to Artemis no, the mere thought of seeing that infuriating smirk made her want to growl but she pushed that desire down.
"I like ya, young'un!" She said as she reached over and thumped Archer on the shoulder.
"Tell ya what, if you figure it out, I'll give ya a discount! Heck, maybe I'll invite ya to come help out in the kitchen! Poor May could use a helping hand."
She indicated to a third cat person in the kitchen who waved at being mentioned before she quickly turned around to attend to a pot behind her.
Bell turned back to Syr who smiled back.
"The kitchen is a little busy.” Syr admitted. "But the others have everything else covered. Things are slowing down a bit, too."
She then shot a pleading look toward the owner, asking for permission. The woman raised her chin in a jerking nod, giving her the okay.
"Well, first let me say thank you for this morning. The bread was delicious."
"No, no. You coming here tonight made my empty stomach worth it."
"Don't you mean it was worth it to have us spend a lot on dinner?" Bell asked with a smile just as Caster received a large fried fish dish that appeared to be the special of the day.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Syr answered with a giggle. "So, what Familia are you all from?"
"The Hestia Familia.” Bell said with a smile before wilting slightly as said goddess clung onto Caster from the side. "And that is our goddess."
"Caster~" Hestia said in drunken stupor. "Why are you so quiet? Does it have to do with your rather barren existence~” That response earn the drunken Goddess a harsh glare, but it had no effect on the drunk out Goddess.
Bell gave Syr an apologetic look as she giggled into her hand before he turned toward Archer only to see that she was refusing to look at him now that she was no longer the target of their goddess's moans. ‘Really? Well, I for sure am not going to be dealing with a cranky Caster once I get home.’ Bell thought before Syr’s voice drew his attention.
"Well, you certainly are a mixed group like most Familias are." She admitted.
"Are you the newest of your Familia?"
"Actually, I'm the oldest member.” Bell said much to Syr’s surprise.
"Although, since I'm the ‘youngest’ and most inexperienced, our captain is Caster over there."
"Caster?" Syr repeated, glancing at the white hair female, who was taking a sip of her drink in between bites of fish. "As in 'Mage?'"
"Yes." Bell nodded. "It's kind of like a second name she uses."
"Hmm…" Syr nodded thoughtfully.
"Well, there are all types of Adventurers after all. To be honest, she looks a lot like you."
"Yeah, well she is my mom." Bell said without even thinking causing Syr to stare intently at him, while noticing the slight flinch Caster made.
However, before Syr could ask for more, a certain drunk Goddess interrupted their talk.
"Bell~" Hestia called out his name again. "Feed me~" Bell sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Goddess are you drunk already?" Bell asked, turning away from Syr just as the front doors opened again.
In walked a rather large group of people. At the front head of the group is a Goddess with light red hair and red eyes. Closed by entered a medium length scruffy blonde hair and blue eyes with a fair skin tone. He wears a yellow vest over a purple long-sleeved shirt and trousers.
A werewolf with gray hair, orange eyes, grey wolf ears, and a grey wolf tail. He also has a blue tattoo on the left side of his face and a muscular physique.
The two people that came in were two amazons with dark green eyes and long black hair with an attractive and well-endowed physique. She wore revealing clothing and has sky blue earrings on her ears. The amazon next to her had medium length black hair and dark green eyes. Like all Amazonesses, she wears revealing clothing, wearing only a tube top that only covers around her chest and a pareo around her waist.
Next was a tall elf with jade-colored hair tied in a ponytail that reaches to her waist, same color eyes. She wore a green outfit with yellow borders, a white cloak over it, a black belt, a yellow sash, black leggings, and long brown boots. She walked in with a very beautiful woman with long golden-blonde hair, gold eyes, and a slender body. She wore a white one-piece dress with gold lining.
The last person to enter was a pretty young teenage girl with golden yellow hair, and pointy ears. ‘She’s beautiful.’ Bell thought, not being able to pull his eyes off the beautiful elf. She worn a rosette pink cape on top of a white shirt and pink corset dress, with a purple bow hanging at the collar. All in all, Bell was slack jawed at the beauty the elf seemed to radiate out. However, what really drew him in was her eyes.
The soft, baby blue of her eyes held a gentle, calming quality that drew him in, and when the elf girl meet his gaze both Bell and the girl felt something snap into place. It was like they couldn’t tore their gazes away from each other and neither one wanted to. But eventually they had to as the elf girl sat with her Familia but sat in a position where she could look at the white hair boy that has caught her attention.
Even if Bell was a newbie in the city, he recognized the emblem on their clothes at a glance. While he would been ecstatic at meeting them, now that he knew of what the Familia did after the Zeus and Hera Familia failed in their quest to take down the One Eye Black Dragon, he was filled with a sense of bitterness. Not only that, but especially what their patron goddess did to Hestia back during their time in the world above.
"Loki Familia…" Bell said a slight disdain, noting his Goddess had stiffened up slightly.
"Yes.” Syr nodded, picking up the look that was in Bell’s eyes but chose not to say anything about it. "Lady Loki enjoys eating here."
Bell looked down at his goddess and noted that she looked a lot more lucid than before and seemed to have sobered up. Caster and Archer had also stopped eating and were looking over at the newcomers. However, like Bell, Caster had a dark look in her eyes as well, but hid it better than her nephew.
"So that's what one of Top Familia looks like." Archer asked, wiping her mouth.
"Apart from the young elf, the dwarf, the blonde girl and the pallum, they don't amount to much." Caster muttered returning to her drink.
Syr looked rather surprised at Caster's comment before looking thoughtful again.
"Hey Miss Waitress." Hestia said, peering around Bell to Syr. "Can we have the bill and some carryout? I seem to have lost my appetite." Syr looked confused for a moment before nodding and stands up to go fetch the bill.
"What's wrong?" Archer asked, looking up from writing something down on some parchment as Caster stopped eating to listen as well. "We are going to leave?"
"I can't deal with Loki. Not after what happened back up there." Hestia admitted as she tried to hide behind Bell. "Sorry, I know this is suppose to be your celebration but…I…I just want to get away for now.” Hestia mumbled that last part, but it was picked up by the four people that stood around her.
Bell and Syr looked at each other, with Bell gaining a sad look in his eyes. He knew what happened, but out of respect for her, he wouldn’t say anything unless Goddess Hestia wanted to.
Archer glanced at Caster who shrugged. She didn't know what had occurred but based on Hestia's body language she was suspicious, her gaze briefly lingering on the red headed goddess.
"Nothing good will come out if these goddesses met.” Caster said wisely. "I suppose it will be in everyone's best interest if they do not meet." Bell didn’t show it, but he was secretly glad that Caster made the decision. Bell and Archer both nodded their heads as they all stood up with Archer walking around them so that she was between Hestia and Loki's line of sight.
"Leavin' already?" The owner asked as she held out a bill and a basket of food to Archer.
"Apologies but…" Archer began as she gestured toward Hestia and then towards Loki with the owner nodded in understanding.
"Right, sorry to see ya have to leave like this.” She said as Archer filled a bag with the required amount and handed it back to her along with the parchment he was writing on. "The name's Mia Grand. Ya'll come back when ya have the chance to spend more money ya here?"
"Of course Miss Grand.” Archer said as Caster led the way out the door.
"Take care!" As the Hestia Familia quickly left, Bell turn his head and his eyes meet the elf’s blue eyes. There was a hint of concern in them, but Bell merely smiled as he waved his hand.
Before the elf could respond, the white hair boy had already left. Once they were out the door Hestia let out a huge sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry…" she apologized again.
"Better to leave early then cause a commotion and get removed." Caster said, waving her apology off.
"The Trickster Goddess would be nothing more than an annoying interruption to our meal in any case."
"He's right," Bell nodded. "We can continue our celebration at home and then you can go to the banquet tomorrow night.”
"And probably meet Loki there as well…" Hestia grumbled before letting out a sigh in annoyance. "Nothing ever goes right when she shows up… Forget it! Let's go home, eat, then go to bed and forget all about that idiot!"
And with that said, Hestia stomped down the road into the night. Her three Familia members shared a glance before following after her.
(XXX)
The next morning, Bell woke up feeling very refreshed and well fed thanks to the meal they had last night. Hestia was still asleep on the bed and the two Servants were nowhere to be seen even though they were still here when Bell fell sleep on the couch last night.
"Perhaps they went to explore the city?" Bell wondered as he sat up and stretched his arms over his head before starting his new day.
As he walked upstairs and outside, he saw Archer coming back with several bags in her arms.
"Good morning, Bell" the huntress said with a smile. "I picked up some groceries to make breakfast if you want it."
"Breakfast?" Bell repeated and no sooner than he did did his stomach start growling. "Ahaha…I guess I do."
"Good. It won't be anything special but it's important to have breakfast in the morning."
Bell followed Archer back down to the kitchen just in time to see Hestia waking up.
"Mo…morning…" came the sleepy greeting of their goddess. "You boys are always up so early…"
"It's actually later than usual," Bell pointed out. "It's almost eight."
"It's still way too early!" Hestia shouted before looking around. "Where's Caster?"
"Haven't seen her." Archer admitted before walking over to the kitchen and laying things out on the counter before turning on the stove to start cooking. "She left after the two of you fell asleep."
"Hmm…she should at least leave a note." Hestia mumbled as she glanced over at the dresser at the foot of the bed where Holy Grail was sitting peacefully.
Caster didn't return until Hestia and Bell were halfway done with their breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, sausages, fresh bread and a small salad.
"I have returned everyone!" Caster yelled, a grin on her face as she open the door.
"Caster!" Hestia shouted as she stood up, a slice of bread still in her mouth. "At least leave a note when you leave in the middle of the night!"
"Apologies Goddess Hestia, but I have a good reason for my absence." Caster said with a smile as she tossed something toward Archer who caught it.
"This is…" Archer muttered as Bell realized that it was a rather large bag. Archer then placed it on the table where several gold coins spilled out.
"Where did you get this!?" Bell asked, staring at the bag of valis. "I thought Archer was the one holding onto our funds?" Said servant held up a much smaller bag in response.
"I spent my time at the Business District and pursued the Casinos," Caster said as she walked over to the couch and sat herself down on it.
"Several of them are open all night, so I partook in their services."
"Gambling!?" Hestia shouted. "You went gambling last night? With what money?"
"I took a bit out of our funds" Caster replied. "In the bag is but a portion of my winnings that I will offer to you, Goddess Hestia."
"Eh? Me? Why?" Hestia asked.
"You are attending a banquet tonight, are you not?" Caster asked. "Therefore you must be presentable. A goddess is a representative of their Familia. It is time to rid yourself of being known as a destitute Goddess living in a rundown church!"
"But…she is a destitute goddess living in a rundown church." Bell pointed out before glancing back at the bag of money. "Well…not the first part anymore I suppose."
"The last thing you need is to let those rumors continue so long as you are in my presence." Caster continued.
"We will prepare you a dress befitting of a goddess that claims to have mature since her descent into the lower world." Hestia stared at Caster for a long while, frozen in shock and seemingly at a loss for words, causing the woman to laugh.
"It is but a thank you for allowing Bell into your Familia. There is no need for praises." She said with a smile, only for it to disappear when tears started falling out of Hestia's eyes.
"YOU ALL ARE SO GOOD TO ME!" She shouted as she dived over the table into Caster's chest. "I DON'T DESERVE ANY OF YOU!"
The sudden act of intimacy threw off Caster's rhythm and all she could do was hold her hands up above the tiny goddess as she sobbed into her chest.
"Get. Her. Off. Of. Me." She ordered Bell, who quickly pulled the clingy goddess off of Caster.
"Come now Goddess, you'll make Caster angry," Bell said as he sat her back down on her bed only for her to cling onto him instead. "Dowah!?"
"You are being rather generous lately." Archer noted.
"Everything I do, I do to secure for the future in this world.” Caster said, brushing herself off.
“Nothing more." The green huntress did not believe Caster.
"If you say so," Archer shrugged before walking over to rescue Bell, pulling Hestia off of Bell by lifting her up from underneath her arms like a child.
"Come now, Lady Hestia. Once you and Bell finish breakfast, let's go pick out a dress…or at least some cloth. I don't have much experience but I will try my best for your sake.."
At this, Hestia sobbed even louder.
"Archer!" Hestia cried as she sniffed up the snot running down her nose. "Put me down so I can hug you too!"
"No thanks."
(XXX)
Once the dishes were cleaned and put away, the four of them headed out to a fabric store to pick out some for Hestia's new dress.
Hestia, not really sure of what to do, decided to let Bell pick the colors for her to which he picked red and black pieces of cloth.
Once they paid for the material’s by Caster, the group returned to the church where Archer began her work with the needle and thread after quickly taking Hestia's measurements.
The end result was a elegant and highly detailed gown design in black and red. The dress is a fitted bodice with a high lace neckline. The fabric is primarily black with intricate red patterns woven throughout. The skirt is layered with cascading ruffles, alternating between sheer black and vibrant red lace with floral and swirling designs. A large red ribbon with floral embellishments decorates the waist, adding to the grandeur of the outfit. The back of the dress includes a long, flowing train with sheer black and red accents. Additional elements include black gloves, delicate arm jewelry, and an overall intricate lace.
"H-how is it?" She asked, spinning around once. "Does it suit me?"
"Wow…" Bell said once he got to see Hestia in the finish product. "You really look amazing Goddess!"
"T-thank you…" she said shyly as she fidgeted in her gown. "Like I thought, I really am not used to wearing such things." Hestia said, taking in the appearance of what she is wearing.
"No, it's not quite finished.” Caster said as she walked up to Hestia with a hand on her chin and one behind her back. She held her hand and Hestia was met with a pair of black/red bracelets and arm sleeves.
She carefully snapped them on Hestia's arms and took a step back to examine her again before pulling out a jeweled broach which she pinned just above Hestia's breast and just underneath her neck.
"Now you are worthy of being called a Goddess."
"Black and red do work well on you.” Archer commented. "You got a good eye Bell."
"No, I think your handiwork is amazing on such short notice, Archer.” Bell turned the compliment back to Archer.
Hestia's hands clung to the front of her gown as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Do not hug me again," Caster said quickly. "You will wrinkle your gown."
"But I'm so happy!" Hestia cried, luging toward Caster who held her back with a single hand, keeping her legs at arms length from her.
"Caster…!"
"Come on.” Archer said, placing a hand on the Goddess's shoulder. "The sewing took a lot of time. It's almost time for the party. You don't want to be late, right?"
"Yeah, we'll escort you there," Bell said as Archer took Hestia by the hand and Caster led the way to the stairs with Bell taking up the rear.
When they arrived at the Ganesha Familia Home, they all stood and gaped at the sight of the building in front of them. Standing out amongst the lights of Orario was a massive, thirty-meter, human-shaped statue with an elephant's head sitting cross-legged in the middle of the city block…with the entrance to it being a pair of double doors located directly at the statue's crotch.
"I still at a lost of words…" Caster admitted as she pinched the bridge of her nose while the other three nodded their heads.
He wasn't the only one either. All around them several people that could only be gods were muttering similar things with a few wondering if this was even the right place.
"W-well…I suppose I should be going," Hestia said, lifting her bag over her shoulders. "I'll see if I can't sneak some food out as well for you Bell."
"No, you don't have to do that!" Bell said quickly. "Just enjoy yourself Goddess. You really deserve it."
"Bell is right, just go out there and enjoy your night." Caster said as she put her arms behind her back.
"Well, if two of my children are encouraging me to have fun, who am I to say no to that. " Hestia said with a smile.
"Then, good luck Goddess.” Archer said as Hestia nodded and made her way to the Ganesha Familia home.
"So…what should we do now?" Bell asked as they saw her disappear behind the doors.
"Dinner?" Archer suggested.
"TSure." Caster nodded.
"Yeah, I'm feeling kinda hungry myself." Bell admitted. "But…you know…"
As the three of them spoke, their gazes were still locked on the massive statue in front of them.
"That thing is really weird huh?" Bell said and his Servants nodded their heads in unison.
A few feet away from them, a passing guard wearing the Ganesha Familia emblem across his chest let out a tired and depressed sigh.
Meanwhile, in the inside, Hestia wandered around the banquet hall, not paying attention to Ganesha's welcoming speech while also making sure she didn't trip over her dress.
"Good thing Archer chose to not let it drag on the ground." She muttered as she looked around trying to spot her friend amongst the countless gods and goddesses in attendance.
However, her objective was slightly forgotten when she came across one of the massive buffet tables. Her body froze on the spot as the smell wafted over her nose and, as if hypnotized, she floated on over to it.
"Kuh…when our Familia gets bigger I want Caster to host a party and Archer to make a spread like this too!" She said as she turned away from the food and tried finding the one person she came here to see.
"My…Hestia is that you?"
Hearing a familiar voice, Hestia turned around and saw a goddess with flaming red hair wearing a dark crimson dress standing behind her. On her thin face was a black eye patch covering her right eye, one of the marks that made her recognizable on sight.
"Hephaestus!" Hestia said happily as she hugged her friend’s waist. "I've been hoping to meet with you here!"
"So I've heard." Her friend replied with a smile. "I'm sorry that I've been a bit busy fulfilling an order but…" Hephaestus looked Hestia up and down. "You seem to be doing rather well."
"I am.” Hestia nodded, showing a smile that burn like the surface of the sun.
"This dress was handmade by all three members of my Familia! Bell chose the fabric, Caster paid for it, and Archer sewed it together!"
"I see." Hephaistos replied, looking happy for her friend. "It looks very well done. I wouldn't have expected that you didn't get it done at a shop. And three Familia members in a little over two weeks…you're doing rather well indeed."
"Honestly…I think they are too good for me…" Hestia admitted. "Caster stayed up all night to get the money for it and Archer spent all day making it with Bell's help. They're all such good children…"
"You are very lucky to have such upstanding Familia members then." Hephaistos said, letting Hestia brag about her children as not so long ago Hestia was crying to Hephaistos that she couldn't get anyone into her familia and couldn't even find a job or a home for herself. "Oh, and I think you left a message with one of my children asking about asking for a talk?"
"Yeah." Hestia nodded. "Actually, it’s something I know you are capable of making. You don’t have to worry if I cant afford it."
Hestia reached into her bag and took out multiple valis coins as Hephaestus froze on the spot.
"Hephaestus?"
"Oh? That looks like a 100,000 vails coin." The red-haired blacksmith said as she set her drink down and took the coin into her own hands.
"My, my, you are doing much better than I could ever imagine."
"Uh…Hephaestus? Are you okay?" Hestia asked, looking rather concerned…even as she snuck the coin back into the bag.
"Hestia…" Hephaistos began rather seriously as she crouched down in front of her.
"Where exactly did your child get that much money?"
"I don't know." Hestia replied honestly. "She just said spent an entire night prowling through most of Orario’s wealthy casinos"
"I see, well that’s one way to get rich. Did she tell you how much she ended up earning?" Hephaestus question casue Hestia to freeze.
"She managed to sag I think 50 Million before she had to be kicked out." Now it was the red head blacksmith’s turn to freeze on the spot.
"I…I…" Hestia began, mind still reeling from the thought of having so much money.
"I feel like I shouldn't ask you to make me something. Especially since you took care of me for so long. Even if you did just boot me out like that. But if you hadn't, then I wouldn't have met Bell and the others…"
"Well, I'll make some time tomorrow."
Hephaistos said with a soft smile at the end. "I'd like to meet this child, you have me intrigued now."
"Really? That's great!" Hestia cheered. "I am looking to have a weapon built for my first child."
"My, are you finished talking business?"
Another voice cut in and the two friends turned to see another goddess walk out from the crowd toward them. Her silver hair matched her gold-trimmed dress that was open in the front which drew the gaze of all the men in the area.
"Hello, Freya." Hestia said in a soft voice. It was like a wave of calmness had wash over her, making her sigh in relief.
"Oh dear, am I bothering you, Hestia?" Freya asked, looking slightly troubled.
"Not really." Hestia admitted. "I am just amazed to find myself calm whenever I am in your presence."
"Ah I see…that's interesting to know." Freya said with a giggle. "You are perhaps the only one who would speak to me so honestly."
"Well, if you want me to continue being honest," Hestia continued, eyes narrowing as she peered around Freya. "I prefer you over some others…"
"FREYA! HEY FREI-FREI!" A voice all too familiar to Hestia could be heard. This loud cry came from up a white staircase located in the middle of the room as a familiar red haired goddess came running down.
"Freya!" Loki called out, wearing a long low-cut black dress that exposed her shoulders. She stopped right behind Freya. Her attention was mostly directed at Hestia.
"Yo chibi!"
"What do you want, Loki?" Hestia asked.
"Wassamatta? Can't I just drop by to say hi?"
"You never just drop by to just say hi.” Hestia pointed out, already feeling annoyed by her presence.
"Besides, I don't want to talk to you when your Familia scared up a bunch of Minotaurs to the Upper Floors and nearly got my first child killed."
"Hey, that’s what happened when one traverse into the dungeon.” Loki shrugged.
"Shit happens." Loki then moves her head up and down to take in Hestia's dress.
"Well, I suppose I did come here after hearing from a little birdie that a certain bum goddess was coming and get a laugh at that but…"
Hestia turned toward Hephaestus and Freya with raised brows as if to say "See?" to which the Smith Goddess shrugged and the Goddess of Beauty giggled again.
"So how big of a loan did'ja have to take out for that?" Loki asked. Hestia nearly growled at that but manage to keep it down.
"For your information this was a gift from my children." Hestia huffed. "From picking out the material, to sewing it and even the accessories! Everything was handpicked and given to me by my precious children.” She would have yelled, but remember to keep her dignity and showed that the Goddess of the Hearth has matured a bit. Hestia then looked at Loki's dress.
"Besides, the only thing that's going to be laughed at is your dress.” She said with a smirk as she threw out her own ample chest. "That poor tailor of yours must have been so confused about that order."
Loki's face lit up as brightly as her hair before lunging at Hestia with tears in her eyes, she Hestia by her soft and squishy cheeks while Hestia, for one thing, did nothing an allowed Loki to do as she pleased. She already knew she wasn’t going to be able to stop it.
"Here we go again…" Hephaestus sighed while Freya simply stepped back and watched the proceedings with a smile. Although, she was curious why Hestia wasn’t responding in her usual manner.
After shaking Hestia up, down, left, right, back and forth…Loki skulked off with tears streaming from her eyes, having done more damage to herself than to Hestia, even if the latter's cheeks appeared rather swollen from the attack.
"I'll get you next time!" Loki shouted over her shoulder. "Remember this!"
Hestia didn’t bother saying anything back to busy rubbing her stinging cheeks.
"You okay?" Hephaestus asked. "Do you need some ice?"
"No thanks, I'm fine."
"I must say Loki's really calmed down since coming here.” Freya pointed out. "Before it was always death challenge after the other but now…it's really cute."
"Maybe if you're on the sidelines…" Hestia muttered.
"It's probably because she's taken a liking to the children.” Hephaestus pointed out.
"In fact, I think she's similar to you in that regard, Hestia."
"I know, but I don't like to admit that though…it will be a long time for me to ever be forgive her for what she did after all." The two Goddesses didn’t hear that part as Hestia mumbled it.
"You were going on about how your Bell and the other two were wasted on you right?"
"Yea, I still feel like that. There really something else though.”
Freya's ears twitched for a moment before she looked to the side with a smile. Hestia noticed this and couldn’t help but inwardly smile. ‘I know that look.’
"I'm sorry Hephaestus," Freya said suddenly. "But I just remembered something that needs my direct attention so I will be leaving first."
"But weren't you going to ask around for information about something?" Hephaistos asked.
"I already got it," Freya replied with another smile before nodding her head in farewell before disappearing into the crowd.
"Well she hasn't changed one bit.” Hestia smiled at that remark, memories of their time spent together in Tenkai appearing in her head.
"She has her eyes on someone again. Despite possessing all those other children."
"I suppose so. Didn’t you had something for her?” Hephaestus asked. “Yeah, still do actually. I never got rid of that.” Hestia said with a small smile. The image of Freya’s smile she used to see back then is something she would never forget.
Hephaestus sighed before turning back to Hestia. "So, did you come here in hopes of setting up the meeting with me? If that's all why not stay a bit longer and have drink or two?"
"Sure, I wouldn’t mind another drink right now." Hestia began.
As the two Goddesses drink the rest of the night away, Hephaestus asked Hestia why she wanted her to make a weapon for Bell.
"Bell needs a weapon that will grow along side, despite already having such a weapon. I don’t want him to become stagnant."
"I see…"Hephaestus nodded. "If a Level 1 just used a powerful weapon then their Status wouldn't really change at all. And you think one from my Familia would better fit him?"
"Yes…" Hestia nodded.
"Will the rest of your Familia go for that?" Hephaestus asked.
"I'll tell them that it's an investment. One for his Familia's future." Hestia said, her determination could be easily seen burning in her eyes.
Hephaestus scratched her eyepatch in thought. She wasn't particularly keen on doing so but an idea for a weapon that would be helpful to a newbie Adventurer popped into her mind.
"Well, there is no point talking about it without the man in question around." Hephaestus said. "Bring yourself to my office at around three in the afternoon and we'll talk shop. I'll get most of my work out of the way in the meantime."
"All right.” Hestia cheered as she hugged Blacksmith. “Hephaestus, I love you!"
"Yes, yes…" Hephaistos sighed as she patted Hestia on the back. "Then let's have a drink and catch up."
"Okay!"