At the home of the Hermes Familia, Hermes, the chief deity of the Familia, was reading documents about Bell Cranel, created by his own subordinate, Toki.
Earlier, Hermes had gone to the 'The Hostess of Fertility' to ask Syr about Bell Cranel, but was promptly turned away. The rumors among adventurers that Asfi had relayed also lacked credibility.
Well, I didn't expect much anyway.
Still, Toki, aside from the chief goddess Hestia, was the closest to Bell Cranel. Although he wasn't currently visible, surely he was exploring the dungeon with Bell. Asfi's information mentioned that Toki had purchased the 'Salamander Wool,' so they were likely in the mid-levels.
Bell's guardian, the elder Zeus, had said Bell was no hero material. But Hermes didn't believe that. Bell was a child born from Zeus's Familia and accompanied by his own subordinate. Even if not a hero, he had potential worth noting.
"This Toki's documents are really easy to read. Oh, this is what Asfi was talking about. It's a skill… yeah, this is interesting."
"Hermes-sama!"
At that moment, the door burst open, and Asfi rushed in, her breath ragged as if she had been hurrying.
"What's wrong, Asfi?"
"Look at this!"
She held up a piece of parchment, a quest request issued by the guild for adventurers.
"What's this about…?!"
Reading it, Hermes gasped. It was a search request for Bell Cranel's party.
Which meant… there was a possibility that Toki was with them.
"Asfi, what about Toki?"
Rarely raising his voice, Hermes spoke urgently. Asfi took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
"He hasn't returned home since yesterday."
Hermes quickly checked the number of blessings he had bestowed, the count hadn't decreased. So Toki was still alive.
"How many can move now?"
"Most members are out on missions. We can't organize a rescue party with just us."
"Damn it."
Hermes cursed under his breath at Asfi's report.
After a moment's thought, he stood up sharply.
"I'm meeting with Hestia. Come with me."
"Yes."
Both tried to keep calm, but worry flickered across their faces.
The gathering point listed in the adventurer quest was the home of the Miach Familia, the 'Blue Apothecary.' The day was waning, dusk creeping across the eastern sky.
Hermes had cooled his head by the time he arrived, but the anxiety deep in his chest remained.
Taking a deep breath, he listened at the door to hear what was happening inside.
Apparently, the trouble had started with someone from Takemikazuchi's group. That wasn't important. What mattered was that Hestia's group had managed to organize a search party, but they still lacked enough people.
Timing it perfectly, Hermes burst through the door.
"I'll help too, Hestia!"
Everyone inside turned, eyes wide at Hermes's sudden appearance.
"Hermes!? What are you doing here?"
Takemikazuchi shouted.
"Just saying hello, Takemikazuchi. Of course, I came rushing to help a friend in trouble."
Acting perfectly casual, Hermes approached Hestia, with Asfi following behind.
"Hey, Hestia. Long time no see."
"Hermes… why are you here?"
Hermes pulled the adventurer quest request from Asfi out of his pocket and waved it teasingly in front of Hestia.
"You're in trouble, aren't you?"
Takemikazuchi noticed something strange in Hermes's behavior.
"…Hermes, why do you look so desperate?"
Hermes flinched at the question and turned to face him.
"Hahaha, that's a strange question, Takemikazuchi. Bell-kun went into the dungeon yesterday, right? Of course I need to hurry."
"Still, you're overdoing it. What exactly is your goal?"
All eyes in the 'Blue Apothecary' turned to Hermes.
He exhaled once, tightening his expression.
"Well, wanting to save Bell-kun is just a bonus."
"What?"
"My real goal is to find Toki."
"Oh… right, Toki's your subordinate."
The mood shifted sharply. Surprised, Hestia nevertheless nodded, understanding.
"That kid's my favorite, the one I raised. I absolutely want to save him."
Hermes turned back to Hestia.
"So, Hestia, please let me help."
"…Alright. I'm counting on you, Hermes."
Hearing that, a smile returned to Hermes's face.
"You got it!"
No one objected. Hermes's divine resolve was genuine.
"But Hermes, isn't your faction mostly level 2 members?"
"That's what Hephaestus said. Unfortunately, most of my team is out on missions, but I'm bringing Asfi with me this time! She's our ace, so don't worry."
Though it was a presumptuous statement from the chief deity, Asfi didn't sigh this time.
As Hestia's group began deciding on their plan, Asfi suddenly questioned Hermes's earlier words.
"Hermes-sama… you said you'd bring me along, but surely you don't mean…"
"Yeah, I'm going with you too."
"What!? Isn't it forbidden for gods to enter the dungeon?"
"It's only dangerous if you act carelessly. I'll just slip in and out before the guild notices. Like I said, I want to save Toki."
"As expected… but still…"
Asfi couldn't argue against her shared resolve.
"Count on me to protect you, Asfi."
After some back and forth, Hestia also decided to come along. Hermes left the 'Blue Apothecary' to seek help from someone else.
==========
You can find much more on my Patreon: Patreon.com/Veltoria
There are currently 5 active fanfictions on Patreon, with over 294+ advanced chapters available across them!
From Naruto Onwards, I Control Time — Up to Chapter 238
Haikyuu!!: Rise of Sengoku — Up to Chapter 159
Danmachi: Is It Wrong To Aspire to Be An Adventurer? — Up to Chapter 86
Legend of Hogwarts (Harry Potter x League of Legends) — Up to Chapter 84
I Am Luffy: Partner System Online (One Piece) — Up to Chapter 67