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The celebration banquet was held at the Hostess of Fertility restaurant. Overall, the setting was fairly decent.
Hestia.
Together with her children, Liang Yue and Liliruca, the banquet's atmosphere wasn't exactly lively—it felt somewhat heavy.
The main reason—
—was undoubtedly Liliruca's presence, which gave Hestia a strong sense of insecurity. She had tried to mentally prepare herself, telling herself this was just a normal step in Familia development.
After all, she couldn't expect Liang Yue to fight and struggle for everything on his own. If she did, it wouldn't just slow down their Familia's growth, it would hold back his own progress!
To continue exploring deeper floors, a proper party was necessary for safety.
And Liliruca had already proven herself during the expedition. Her contributions couldn't be denied, nor could they be erased.
And so—
Hestia's mood really wasn't all that good… until her best friend Hephaestus arrived at the restaurant entrance.
She forced out a smile and greeted earnestly:
"You're here?"
"Mhm."
Dressed in a tailored suit, her strikingly beautiful face partly hidden by a black eyepatch—yet on Hephaestus, none of it looked out of place. On the contrary, it only enhanced her dignified air.
Her gaze swept the room, eventually settling on the banquet's protagonist—the boy who even she found unexpectedly impressive: Liang Yue.
Taking out a prepared gift, Hephaestus spoke casually:
"This is a little something I made for you. Just a weapon I forged to pass the time."
She sat down beside Hestia, her eyes still studying the boy. His character was remarkably mature and steady.
From the first time they met at her branch shop, Hephaestus had already noticed it.
As for potential? There was nothing left to discuss. He had shattered records at an unprecedented pace, and the sword aura he carried—restrained yet heavy—spoke for itself.
The weapon was neatly wrapped, and when set down on the table, it gave a deep, heavy thud.
Liang Yue didn't accept it immediately. Instead, he looked toward Hestia. Only when she gave a small nod did he finally take the weapon and, with utmost sincerity, thank her:
"Thank you, Lady Hephaestus."
"..."
Hephaestus only waved it off lightly, her expression calm as she waited for the banquet to properly begin.
Soon after, the god Takemikazuchi and his Familia children—those who had joined the expedition—arrived. In total, there were four of them. This was the first formal meeting since Liang Yue had crossed paths with Sakura Kaijima.
Known as the God of War, Takemikazuchi, by skill alone, was capable of dueling even Level 5 adventurers.
Noticing Liang Yue's gaze, and after hearing his children recount their expedition, the god already had a good impression of this "Sword Soul."
Smiling warmly, Takemikazuchi took the initiative:
"Liang Yue, I've heard of you. Thank you for looking after my children during the expedition. If you ever want to polish your swordsmanship, you're welcome to train with me."
"No problem."
Since gods in the lower world couldn't use their divine power—otherwise, they'd be forced back to Heaven—Takemikazuchi's offer wasn't divine intervention, but genuine martial training.
Liang Yue had no reason to refuse. Someone capable of contending with a Level 5 would undoubtedly help him improve.
Meanwhile, Kaijima's emotions were far more complex. Looking at Liang Yue, his smile carried a trace of bitterness:
"Liang Yue… If Lord Takemikazuchi hadn't explained it to me, I don't know how much longer you would've kept it hidden."
Evening at the Hostess of Fertility was always busy.
Kaijima was careful not to shout out Liang Yue's true title of "Sword Soul" in public, to avoid bringing him trouble. But even speaking the name drew attention.
Many adventurers glanced over, their interest piqued.
Not just because of his talent and strength, but also his temperament—qualities they could never hope to match. If it had been them who shattered records, they knew they'd never have been able to stay as grounded.
Among those present, Liang Yue naturally became the center of attention, even more than Yamato Mikoto and Chigusa.
Even the catgirl waitresses, balancing trays in hand, peeked over curiously.
But Liang Yue himself wasn't unsettled. He didn't believe this achievement was his end point anyway, so he might as well treat it as practice for the future.
Smiling lightly, he spoke calmly:
"I think putting more effort into dungeon training speaks louder than any words."
"..."
Mikoto found that response to perfectly match her impression of him—utterly absorbed in the way of the sword, with no interest in fame.
But as their eyes met, memories of their shared struggles during the expedition resurfaced.
She realized, deep inside, that she had begun to develop feelings she could no longer ignore. Heart racing, she quickly averted her gaze, flustered.
Liang Yue's composed answer only made Takemikazuchi's impression of him rise higher.
Only constant discipline could refine one's art.
And so—
The war god turned to his beloved child with a soft smile, then looked toward Hestia, a bit hesitant for once.
"Um… Hestia, my child here has something she wishes to tell you."
"Hm?"
Hestia paused, putting down her drink. Following his gaze, she turned toward the black-haired girl in kimono—Yamato Mikoto.
Both were Level 2 adventurers. Other than the expedition, Hestia couldn't recall much direct interaction between them. Still, she greeted her warmly:
"Mikoto, is there something you'd like to say?"
"Lady Hestia."
"During the expedition, thanks to Liang Yue-senpai's guidance, I was able to see the flaws in my swordsmanship more clearly."
"Mutual help, that's all."
Hestia waved it off casually. For her, the fact they all returned safely was reason enough to be happy. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to face her friend Takemikazuchi.
But then—something unexpected happened.
Mikoto suddenly stood up from her seat, bowed deeply toward Hestia, and, in the most earnest tone, declared her request:
"I wish to further refine my swordsmanship. Please allow me to transfer into your Familia! I beg of you!"
"??"
Hestia froze, her smile stiffening. Her gaze flicked rapidly between Liliruca and Mikoto, utterly confused.
Was this girl here to express gratitude… or to cause trouble?!
But under Takemikazuchi's expectant look, and being terrible at turning down her friends, Hestia could only smile helplessly and nod.
"No problem… though our Familia's conditions aren't exactly great…"
"That doesn't matter! I'm grateful for the opportunity, Lady Hestia!" Mikoto bowed again in thanks.
Facing both Liliruca's and Hestia's complicated stares, Liang Yue sat quietly, unbothered. He picked up his drink, his expression unreadable.
Everyone knew Mikoto had always admired Takemikazuchi, who had raised her since childhood.
And now—
She was transferring to Hestia Familia, purely for the sake of pursuing the way of the sword.
In a sense… wasn't this a kind of NTR?
"So… the Minotaur was me all along?"
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