The exploration of the Dungeon went smoothly without any surprises, thanks to Liliruca's clear understanding of the upper levels of the Dungeon, with Keare handling most of the combat.
However, compared to the previous days' explorations, Liliruca's speaking frequency had noticeably increased; when he was fighting, she provided monster locations and assisted with her hand crossbow.
This was the situation Keare wanted to see.
A Supporter wasn't just someone who helped organize and collect drops and materials, but someone who could provide assistance during combat.
There was no accurate concept of time.
He killed all the monsters he saw, not caring about the quantity, until he felt a strong sense of hunger.
He looked at the girl behind him, who had collected all the magic stones, and suggested, "I think it's about time."
"We'll explore the remaining 12th floor tomorrow."
The Dungeon at night would become exponentially more dangerous, and especially with a Supporter like Liliruca, Keare wasn't prepared to continue taking risks there.
He estimated that Hestia had already returned to the Familia's base.
Now that the deed was done, he had to clearly explain to her about Liliruca's joining his Familia.
"First, come with me to the Familia's base to sort out the transfer."
"Okay."
The girl nodded decisively, but her eyes held undeniable worry: "Keare, will your... Goddess, agree to me joining the Familia?"
"Probably no problem."
Knowing Hestia's personality, and given that Liliruca's addition would benefit his future Dungeon explorations, she would most likely not refuse the request.
But facing Liliruca's worries, Keare didn't give a perfectly confident answer.
"After all, our Familia hasn't been established for very long, and the conditions are... a bit tight, but it will definitely get better in the future."
"I think no matter what, it's better than the Soma Familia of the past."
The girl's answer was quite firm; whether from a rational or emotional perspective, this was her best choice now.
Possessing 'Recovery,' 'Memory Alteration,' 'Disguise'...
And even able to defeat Chanis and Bellwere as a Lv1, setting aside the methods, Keare could achieve such a feat.
In Orario, this was an achievement!
What's more...
His relationship with this guy could no longer be described as just ordinary Adventurers, unless Keare found someone better and decided to turn his back on her!
"I'm just telling you in advance, to prepare you mentally."
Keare had no objections; after evacuating the Dungeon, it was approaching dusk, just as the Adventurer's Guild was closing, so he exchanged his gains.
He didn't go directly to a restaurant to fill his stomach but returned to the Familia's base.
However.
When Liliruca followed Keare to the abandoned street in South Street, and... that abandoned church with an incomplete roof.
The scene that met her eyes...
Left her speechless.
"No wonder..."
"You told me to find a place to stay!"
"It's not bad."
Keare, of course, had other considerations in this regard; after all, something like grasping the future, experimenting with abilities at the Familia's base, would be a bit too brazen.
The Familia's base was indeed very rundown.
But looking at Orario, the kind of treatment where one could spend every day with a beautiful young goddess was simply nowhere to be found!
He said casually, "When the Familia's financial situation improves a bit later, we can probably move to a... slightly more respectable base."
"You can move in then."
She really wanted to say that trying to earn money to change the Familia's base just by exploring the Dungeon was a pipe dream, but when she truly learned about Keare's future Familia plans, even including herself...
Liliruca only felt a flutter in her heart, a feeling of being taken seriously.
She murmured softly, "Actually... this is pretty good too. At least, as a new member, I can participate in the Familia's construction."
It's just that the pie he drew was a bit too perfect!
Arriving at the basement of the abandoned church, although the furniture was somewhat dilapidated, one could still tell from the details that it had been carefully tidied up.
It was very cozy, like a small home.
Liliruca looked up, her eyes curious: "Did... you tidy all this up, Keare?"
"No."
"Where would I find the time? I spend every day exploring the Dungeon, and I still have to train at night. Hestia did all this."
Keare didn't hide this.
And upon receiving the accurate answer, Liliruca wasn't surprised at all; she just felt that... this way of interacting between a god and their Familia member was somewhat rare.
Soma's care for her when she was young.
Was more out of expectation for a Familia member. Although she had no impression of Hestia, she could tell from the name that she was definitely a female god!
Liliruca never tried to fathom gods, but with her understanding of Keare's personality, she always felt that this matter might not be as simple as she thought!
But the good news was:
At least the Familia's environment was better than she had expected.
"Then it seems... Hestia is indeed a very gentle goddess..."
Hephaestus Weapon Shop.
Wearing a staff uniform, arranging weapons that customers had tried and cleaning, this was Hestia's daily routine at work.
Even without comparing it to life in the Celestial Realm.
Compared to the carefree life when she stayed at her best friend's house, this was definitely a hellish test.
She had to leave in the morning and didn't return home until evening; for her, whose divine power was sealed and whose body was equivalent to an ordinary person's, fatigue was unavoidable.
But even so.
Hestia remained tirelessly enthusiastic. After being kicked out of her home, the idea of developing a Familia enveloped her heart. It certainly didn't go smoothly at first, until she met Keare.
Perhaps, he wasn't as perfect as she imagined, but his talent was undeniably powerful, as was his sincere affection for her.
Thinking that she could, through effort,
Be a qualified goddess and help him to the best of her ability, all this physical fatigue was nothing compared to the solace Hestia felt in her heart.
"Very good."
"Today's work ends here. Keare should have finished exploring the Dungeon and be waiting for me at home, right?"
It was approaching evening.
After finishing all her work, Hestia didn't linger at the shop but took the salary Hephaestus had given her.
She found a restaurant, packed two dinner bento boxes, and promptly returned to the abandoned church.
Thinking she would soon see Keare.
Filled with anticipation, but when Hestia, carrying dinner, returned home with light steps, she saw the uninvited guest sitting on the sofa.
A strong sense of crisis immediately enveloped her.
"Who... is this guy, and why is he here?"
These questions, which a goddess should not even consider, completely overwhelmed Hestia's mind, especially when she saw Keare's gentle smile.
The complex emotions grew even stronger!
How did it feel like the sky was falling after she just went out to work?