Chapter 208 - Is what Leah said true?!"
"Lord Orsted, Lord Orsted!"
It had been a while since Lili last saw Orsted.
The moment she returned, she dropped her oversized backpack and threw herself into his arms, nuzzling him much like Hestia had before.
The others gathered around, chattering. Most shared tales of their recent adventures, while some asked about Orsted's expedition.
Hestia stood behind, watching with a smile, not interrupting.
An hour passed before Lili and the others settled down.
Once they did, Hestia whisked them away to update their status.
Knowing her Familia members gained a fivefold boost in status growth, Hestia was more eager than they were to update it after every adventure.
This time, Orsted didn't retreat to his workshop during the status updates.
With the Magic Elf handling the crafting of magic items and grimoires, he was free from those time consuming tasks.
While Lili and the others updated their status, Orsted sat on the steps outside the Hearth Manor's door, munching on cakes.
He'd bought them on North Street earlier that day from a foreign merchant who'd recently set up shop.
Sweet but not cloying, with a balanced flavor, Orsted enjoyed them enough to buy extra and store them in Hestia ring for dungeon snacks.
He hadn't been sitting long when Tifa and Aerith emerged.
They sat on either side of him, resting their heads on his shoulders.
"I haven't seen you for over half a month. I missed you, Orsted," Tifa murmured softly.
It was her first time being apart from Orsted for so long since arriving in this world.
She'd felt uneasy, but his return brought her peace.
"Brother Orsted, you won't go on another expedition without us, right?" Aerith asked.
"I won't be away from you all for too long," Orsted replied.
"Even for expeditions, I'll bring you along. I've decided we'll start one in a few days."
"With your levels, the deep floors are too much, so we'll stick to the lower floors, from the 25th to the 36th, taking commissions to pass the time."
Sharing his persimmon cakes with them, Orsted smiled.
"Really, Lord Orsted?!"
It wasn't Tifa or Aerith who responded but Lili, who'd just finished updating her status and rushed out.
Overhearing Orsted, she buzzed with excitement.
For the past month, Lili had missed the early days of the Hestia Familia, when it was just her, Orsted, Tifa, and later Naaza.
Back then, they always ventured into the dungeon together.
Those were her happiest times.
After the Familia expanded, Orsted's duties, crafting magic items or handling Familia matters kept him from joining them.
She loved adventuring with him, but his absences were always for important reasons, like improving himself or aiding the familia, such as the recent Loki familia expedition.
She'd just heard Orsted had ranked up again, which thrilled her.
But his promise to adventure together was even better.
"That's great! I haven't adventured with you since joining the Familia," Eina said, as she approached.
She'd left the Guild to join the Hestia Familia for Orsted, yet hadn't adventured with him since.
She didn't blame him, knowing his time was occupied, but she'd felt a pang of regret.
She hadn't expected this chance so soon.
"Yeah, I've got plenty of time now. No special tasks, and the magic items and grimoires are planned out, so I can join you all," Orsted said, smiling and nodding.
"Sorry for the hard work you've put in lately."
"Really?!"
This time, it was Leah, just reaching the door, who exclaimed.
Overhearing Orsted, she ran back inside, shouting, "Everyone, Lord Orsted's going to adventure with us!"
Hestia's door wasn't fully closed, and Leah's loud voice carried to Elenior and the others updating their status in Hestia's room.
Instantly, they erupted into chaos, rushing out of the room and charging toward the door.
Elenior, mid status update, didn't bother covering up, her back engraved with status exposed, and slid to a stop in front of Orsted, "Lord Orsted, is it true?!"
"Uh, Elenior, your clothes!" Orsted stammered, stunned, as were Tifa and Aerith, seeing her flushed and half dressed.
"Forget that! Is what Leah said true?!" Elenior pressed, gripping Orsted's shoulders, panting, and leaning closer.
Her clothes slipped further, freezing the air around them.
Orsted, reacting quickly, pulled Elenior into a hug to cover her.
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