Bell brought Goddess-sama back to their base in Hestia Familia.
In just one day, the place had changed drastically.
Hestia's eyes widened at the transformation, and she quickly turned around to look at Bell with a hint of distress.
"Bell-kun, did you really turn this pile of ruins into this all by yourself?"
Bell scratched his face awkwardly. Seeing the concern in Goddess-sama's eyes, he could guess what she was about to say.
"I might've gone a little overboard."
"But I didn't do it just to tidy things up. I used magical script to handle most of the cleaning."
"So, in a way, it was also part of my training."
"Bell-kun..."
Hestia's eyes grew even wider. The resolve in her glistening gaze made Bell's forced smile freeze on his face.
"I get it, I get it, Goddess-sama."
"But really, I'm just a little tired. My body can still handle it. And it's not like I'm not getting any sleep—I'm still sleeping normally."
"And then you're using magic to force yourself to sleep?"
That one sentence pierced straight through Bell's defenses.
"Goddess-sama, using magic to sleep is just to improve the quality of my rest."
But even he knew that excuse sounded flimsy.
Hestia puffed out her chest, clearly unimpressed.
"I know that kind of magic can make your sleep better. I know Bell can use it."
"But I'd rather you didn't rely on magic to sleep."
"Sleep isn't about efficiency. It's about letting yourself relax completely."
She didn't outright reject Bell's method, but she made her stance clear.
It was obvious Bell used sleep magic to recover more quickly.
But did he really need more efficient rest right now? No. What he needed was rest without worrying about efficiency.
As she spoke, Hestia grabbed Bell by the hand and led him toward the ruined church still standing nearby.
They walked through the crumbling building and down the hidden passage at the back. Once they reached the room below, Hestia pulled Bell straight onto the bed.
She sat down first and patted her lap.
"Bell, come on. Rest your head on my legs."
"Eh?!"
The sudden request caught Bell completely off guard.
"What do you mean 'eh'?"
Hestia rolled her eyes at him.
"You're a grown man and still can't manage a proper night's sleep?"
"You're not allowed to use magic to sleep today, got it?"
"This is an order from your Familia God."
To make sure Bell could truly rest, Hestia invoked her role as the Familia God and issued a direct command.
Sleeping like this really isn't efficient...
Bell let out a small sigh, but didn't say the words out loud.
He knew arguing with someone as headstrong as Goddess-sama wouldn't get him anywhere.
Glancing at her serious expression, he had no choice but to give in.
He kicked off his dusty shoes and took off his windbreaker, leaving only a light set of indoor clothes.
Bell instinctively thought about casting his sleep spell—but caught himself. Goddess-sama had forbidden it, and if she found out he woke up too early tomorrow, she'd definitely tear into him.
With that in mind, Bell gave up on using magic.
Seeing Bell obediently comply, Hestia smiled with satisfaction and gently urged him to rest.
"Bell-kun, lie down already."
...
There was nothing Bell could do—he couldn't resist. Reluctantly, he rested his head on Goddess-sama's lap, still not quite used to the feeling.
The softness against his head spread a comforting warmth.
But before he could enjoy it for long, slightly cool fingertips brushed his cheek.
"Bell-kun, you're pushing yourself again."
"I'm just doing what I'm supposed to."
Bell didn't think he was overexerting himself. He was simply doing what he could.
Unlike before, when he had the will but lacked the ability—now that he had the ability, he was doing everything within his power.
Hestia puffed her cheeks in frustration.
"That's still forcing yourself!"
"Bell-kun, even if it's your duty, you need to pace yourself."
She was momentarily at a loss for words. To be fair, this probably was part of a Familia member's responsibility.
But that didn't mean she wanted Bell to be completely consumed by those duties...
"Bell-kun, your body is important. You're my one and only child."
"And you're the most important person to me."
Her voice turned soft. Ever since she had confessed her feelings that day, she hadn't bothered hiding her affection anymore.
Just like how Bell wanted to become a demi-god with a lifespan nearly equal to the gods—for her sake.
She also wanted to be with him for as long as possible.
Hearing her words and noticing her eyes redden slightly, Bell sighed quietly to himself.
He hated seeing Goddess-sama, always so cheerful, burdened with this kind of sadness.
"I understand, Goddess-sama."
Yes, her feelings were obvious, and Bell wasn't oblivious. He could feel them clearly.
But he also knew he had so many obstacles ahead. That's why he kept pushing himself harder.
And that very effort had turned into a source of worry for Goddess-sama—how ironic.
"I'll be more careful with how much I push myself from now on."
What he lacked was time, and that's why he couldn't afford to waste any of it.
Strength was just a tool to achieve his goals.
But if he couldn't even protect the people he wanted to, then what was the point of that strength?
It frustrated him—but he knew this was the path he had to take.
Because, just like Goddess-sama had said...
To him, she was the most important person too.
Hestia didn't say anything more. She just placed her hand gently on his face.
"To reach your goal, you need to start by cherishing yourself more."
'I should cherish Goddess-sama instead.'
That was what he meant to say—but before he could, a wave of sleepiness hit him out of nowhere. Already feeling drowsy, Bell's eyes slowly shut.
He was truly exhausted today. Before long, he drifted into sleep.
Hestia looked at his peaceful sleeping face and smiled radiantly.
"Looking at you like this, Bell-kun... you really are just like a little kid."
...
(90 Chapters Ahead)
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