Chapter 56: Bell-kun, Will You Fall in Love with a God?

What happened in the Dungeon quickly spread to the ears of every Familia in Orario. And yet, the one responsible for all this walked hand in hand with his own goddess, returning quietly to their home.

The streets of Orario were still bustling with people. Humans weren't the only ones—dwarves, beast humans, and elves were a common sight as well. The various auras radiating from each individual revealed their level of strength and status.

Bell didn't enjoy such crowded streets. Or rather, he simply disliked noisy places. He preferred peace and quiet. Holding tightly to Goddess-sama's hand, he made sure they wouldn't get separated in the crowd.

They turned into a small alley off the main street, winding through several bends until the noise gradually faded away. This was a dead-end corner of Orario, a place few ever visited. It was also the base of Hestia Familia.

Familiar with the route, the two entered a rundown church.

The building was worn down, with a gaping hole in the roof that let in wind and rain. Much inside had already been damaged by water, making it hardly a place fit for rest.

Deeper inside was a staircase leading underground. After opening the door, Bell and Hestia descended one after the other.

The basement wasn't dark, thanks to a few magic stones lighting the space. In addition to illumination, magic stone devices purified the air and kept the temperature steady.

The first time Bell saw such things—civilized tools replaced by magical substitutes—he had thought, 'This stuff doesn't use electricity, and it's cheap and practical. It'd be a bestseller in the modern world.' In this magical world, he could still feel the traces of civilization.

But that made sense. While the science of this world couldn't match that of the modern one, its unscientific phenomena far surpassed it. Building a civilization with magic was only natural—and in terms of clean energy, this world might even be far ahead.

"Ah~"

The moment she reached the basement, Hestia leapt forward and flopped onto the bed with a thud. The mattress was no longer as stiff as it had been in the beginning—it had long since been replaced with a much softer one. Otherwise, with that dive, she probably would've left dents in the bed frame.

"Mmm, nothing beats relaxing in my own doghouse."

"Goddess-sama, calling our home a doghouse is a bit much."

Bell glanced around the basement—it was a lot cleaner than it used to be.

"I just meant it's easier to relax at home. The children in Genkai often say that having your own place makes a world of difference, and I think I finally get what they mean."

Hestia shifted from lying on her stomach to resting on her side, her tone much more lazy and relaxed than when they were outside.

Bell knew that Goddess-sama was fully under the effect of the "home" buff now—utterly relaxed in both speech and behavior.

Sitting on his own bed, Bell relaxed too. He could understand how she felt. The world was vast, but this was the one place he could feel truly at ease. Here, he didn't have to watch his words, or worry about being targeted.

"Home is a magical place. Outside, you have to be careful—put on an act in front of others. But only at home can you truly relax in ways you never could out there. You can say things to your family at home that you'd never dare say to outsiders."

"When you're wronged outside, you have to endure it. But at home, you can let it all out."

That was Bell's definition of "home."

Home wasn't just a place to shield from wind and rain—it had to be a refuge for the soul, too.

Hearing those words, Hestia immediately sat up in bed, eyes burning as she stared intently at her child.

"Bell-kun, do you see me as family?"

"Of course I do."

Bell replied without a moment's hesitation. Ever since joining Hestia Familia, he had always seen Goddess-sama as family—his most important family.

"Goddess-sama has always been the most important family member to me."

"Mmm, Bell-kun, I really do love you the most!"

Hearing that, Hestia's eyes grew misty. She looked at Bell sitting on the bed and sprang up at once, stepping to the edge of the mattress and leaping toward him.

Bell hurried to his feet to catch the flying Goddess-sama.

Held in Bell's arms, Hestia felt her heart melt. She never worried about being let down by her child—she knew he would always be there for her.

Once he was sure he hadn't dropped her, Bell sighed in relief. Then, seizing the moment, he took the chance to scold her.

"Goddess-sama, that was really dangerous! What if you had fallen?"

"Hehe~"

Despite having just done something reckless, Hestia didn't seem concerned in the slightest.

Wasn't that perfectly natural?

If she truly thought about the risk, what Familia God would deliberately act like that?

Spreading her arms, Hestia leaned into her child, wrapping her arms around Bell's neck. Kneeling in his arms, her height disadvantage disappeared entirely.

In the quiet stillness, a Familia God and her child held each other close.

"Bell-kun, you said you'd treat me like family?"

"Yes. Goddess-sama has always been the most important family to me."

Hestia silently savored the words "most important" in her heart, her young face glowing with happiness.

That joy, and the little daydreams dancing in her mind, pushed her to ask one more question.

"Bell-kun, did you know that some gods who came down from Tenkai have even formed families with children of the lower world?"

Realizing where this was going, Bell's expression instantly turned serious.

"I know. But most gods from Tenkai live forever, while the people of Genkai only have a limited lifespan. I think that kind of love is beautiful—but the difference in lifespans will always bring sorrow in the end."

Hestia understood that, too. She didn't shy away from the truth.

"Everyone knows that. But even so, many gods still choose to do it. If, someday, you met a goddess who truly loved you... would you accept them?"

Straightforward.

Bell took a deep breath. He knew this might be the most important encounter of his life.

"I would."

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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