Don't confess when we're talking serious business!
Damn it.
Besides, even if you're doing something like this, shouldn't it be holding hands? Playing with one's… foot, the image alone feels incredibly strange.
But a direct approach, it certainly works.
In a moment, Hestia's face was already red as she responded to Keare's proposal: "Even in the next life, you still want to be with me."
She hesitated for a moment:
"Then… it's a promise, okay?"
Time has no concept for gods.
But for humans, it is very cruel. If that time truly came, Hestia felt that she would continue to stay in Orario and wait for Keare's reincarnation.
No matter how long she had to wait!
She didn't continue on that topic. After handing over the parchment, she changed the subject: "Quick, look at your ability value increases during this period."
"It's…"
"An expected increase."
Keare's gaze swept over the parchment. In fact, he wasn't particularly surprised. Two days of high-intensity Dungeon exploration, plus additional gains.
Plundering the ability values of two Lv2 Adventurers.
The current comprehensive data, among the many Lv1 Adventurers in Orario, is undoubtedly considered upper-middle strength, but it's still not enough!
Whether it's the numbers or the speed of improvement, it's far from enough.
Since the opportunity is right in front of him, he must pursue the limits of all ability values, which means reaching the standard for an all-SS rating.
Just by exploring the Dungeon.
It would take at least several more months, but does he really have that much time?
"Without Plunder…"
"I really can't annihilate the Black Dragon!"
He must use the Plunder ability, but Keare's understanding of Hestia's personality meant simply using this skill definitely wouldn't work.
What if he approached it from a different angle?
Helping Adventurers heal physical disabilities and informing them in advance that the cost would be a reduction in ability values, to some extent, wouldn't this also benefit Orario?
Everything must have a proper beginning.
Dian Cecht Familia's Battlefield Saintess Amid also healed patients and sold expensive panaceas, and no one would say it was unreasonable. Clearly priced, fair to all.
As he thought of this, Keare stopped playing with Hestia's jade feet. Facing the young goddess who turned her head with a questioning look, his attitude gradually became serious:
"And then…"
"Lady Hestia, there's something I'd like to hear your opinion on."
"Tell me."
"Although I'm not good at… guiding development paths, I still hope I can help you!" The young goddess's face flushed after she pulled her feet back.
Through his attitude, Hestia could sense the seriousness of the matter.
She really wanted to be a qualified goddess, but all she could do now was listen: "If I'm not sure, I'll go ask Hephaestus!"
"It's just that I've found that relying solely on Dungeon exploration…"
"I feel like I'm already hitting a bottleneck. Even with skill effects that can break through to SS rating, I don't know how long it would take to achieve it."
Keare answered truthfully.
When Hestia heard this, she had already guessed what he was going to say next, and her mood was more or less complicated.
Plunder.
It was definitely a faster way to improve.
If it were other Familias, they would definitely find ways to pile resources and cultivate Keare into a backbone, or even the future pillar of the Familia.
But she couldn't do that.
Hestia also believed that Keare was considering her feelings, which was why he decided not to use the Plunder magic on unrelated Adventurers.
"This matter…"
"I don't know how to answer." The young goddess lowered her head.
But what Keare said next made her dim eyes light up again:
"The vast majority of ordinary Adventurers in Orario, who explore the Dungeon year-round, can easily suffer disabilities if they're not careful when facing monsters."
"I'm thinking of using Recovery magic to help them heal."
"And proactively informing them that healing their injuries will reduce some of their ability values, giving them the right to decide, which also happens to cover up…"
"The outrageous healing effect of this skill."
"Injured and disabled Adventurers can recover their health and pursue their own lives, and I can earn money while improving myself."
"Wouldn't that be a kind of… mutual benefit?"
Keare laid out his complete thoughts. After all, it was a willing transaction, and there was nothing wrong with it from any angle.
Helping other Adventurers return to normal life.
Even if the cost was a reduction in some ability values, many Adventurers would definitely be willing to do it. Hestia was not a rigid goddess.
Even,
To some extent, Keare could even be considered to be doing a good deed?
Ordinary Adventurers had no chance to access Recovery magic with such exaggerated effects as his, let alone heal physical injuries.
"Then… what about your safety?"
"There will be a solution."
With Hestia's permission.
A victorious smile appeared on Keare's delicate and handsome face. It was nothing more than letting Miss Amid of the Dian Cecht Familia bear the burden for him.
It was also a promise he made to her.
"I will absolutely not use the Plunder skill on those unrelated Adventurers. This is my bottom line as an ordinary Adventurer."
A bright smile blossomed once again on the young goddess's perfectly indescribable face, and in her clear, cerulean eyes was her unconditional trust in Keare.
"I trust you!"
After updating his ability values and briefly informing her of his thoughts, Keare, of course, didn't forget Lili, who was patiently waiting outside.
Dinner hadn't been resolved yet.
Today, however, was another day worth celebrating for the Hestia Familia.
"New member joining."
He looked at the young goddess beside him and proactively suggested: "Um… Lady Hestia, how about I go back to the restaurant and pack some food?"
"Just as… a welcome for the new member?"
Hestia, of course, had no objection.
New members gradually joining the Familia, and her most cherished Keare also finding his future development path—this blueprint for the future was already taking shape.
The rest was to be left to time to settle.
She harbored a faint anticipation in her heart, not only because this was the Familia she created, but more so because of the promise Keare and she had made that day.
"Keare, your money is useful for saving up. How can you welcome a new member…"
"And still make you pay? Then wouldn't I, this goddess, just be a tool for updating ability values!" The young goddess's attitude brooked no refusal, and the task of buying dinner bento boxes.
Naturally fell to Keare and Lili. Feeling the infinitely beautiful sunset spilling over the abandoned street, they walked side by side.
Occasionally, a gentle breeze, dispelling the heat, brushed past.
It lifted the strands of hair at the young goddess's temples. Out of curiosity, Lili looked up at Keare beside her and, as if by a ghost's prompting, asked:
"Um…"
"Are you staying in Lady Hestia's Familia because of her?"