Three ten-pulls.
One Noble Phantasm.
And it was even a Reality-Marble–like Noble Phantasm.
There was still one final ten-pull left.
With an excited heart, Cao Ye began the last draw, wondering what the result would be.
Cards flipped open one after another.
White stockings
Black stockings
White stockings
…
Still a pile of stockings.
At this point Cao Ye felt nothing anymore.
He had already grown numb to it.
Then—
[Unique Skill: Battle Continuation]
A rather rare survival-type skill.
As long as the user does not suffer an instant fatal wound, they can continue fighting even while mortally injured.
Even when on the verge of death, they can still act and battle.
The gacha session ended.
Forty pulls.
Two successes:
One Noble PhantasmOne unique skill
Overall, it was a decent outcome.
Cao Ye was satisfied.
However, since Chun Ji had been taken away by Freya, suddenly being alone felt a bit strange.
He had grown used to someone being beside him.
Now that everything was quiet, he actually felt a little lonely.
"Traveler, you're finally back~~~"
Just as Cao Ye was feeling a bit lonely, a familiar voice came from inside.
Looking up—
A floating mascot flew toward him.
"Paimon?"
"Traveler, I'm hungry!"
"…Alright."
"Let's go eat a big meal."
"Really?!"
"Really. Get ready, we're going out."
"Yay!"
Soon after, the duo left the house.
After walking through several streets, Cao Ye brought Paimon to the famous tavern:
The Hostess of Fertility.
"Hephaestus… when will I ever find a child…? I've been trying so hard!"
Just as they arrived at the entrance, they heard someone complaining loudly.
Cao Ye glanced over instinctively.
There he saw two beauties.
One was a tall, mature woman.
The other looked like a petite girl with a childish face but an extremely impressive figure.
The combination was practically perfect.
However—
They were not mortals.
They were goddesses.
Hephaestus, Goddess of Forging.
Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth.
Both were high-ranking deities in heaven.
But in the lower world, their situations were very different.
Hephaestus had spent years building her familia.
Now the Hephaestus Familia was the greatest smithing and commercial familia in Orario.
In contrast—
Hestia had only recently descended to the lower world.
With no money, no familia members, and no reputation, establishing a familia was extremely difficult.
Because of her personality, she had even lived as a freeloader in Hephaestus's home for a while.
Eventually, Hephaestus could no longer tolerate it and kicked her out.
Only then did Hestia realize—
She was completely broke.
In the harsh reality of Orario, finding someone willing to join a poor, unknown goddess was nearly impossible.
Adventurers risked their lives every day.
No one would gamble their future recklessly.
"You've had too much to drink, Hestia…"
Looking at the table filled with empty plates and glasses, Hephaestus felt a headache coming.
She had only come to check on her troublesome friend.
Instead, she had been tricked into paying for an entire feast.
Judging from the mess on the table—
Hestia must have been starving for days.
"Hephaestus, I've tried so hard!"
"Why won't anyone become my child?"
"I'll love them with all my heart!"
Hestia raised her hands dramatically like she was praying to heaven.
Hephaestus had long grown used to this kind of drunken nonsense.
Around them, many people secretly glanced at the goddess.
Not for religious reasons—
But because of her incredibly explosive figure.
If she weren't a goddess…
Things might have gotten dangerous.
"Hephaestus-sama."
At that moment, a voice called out.
Hephaestus looked up.
A man stood nearby.
Loose casual clothes.
A calm, handsome appearance.
And a certain natural charm.
"...You are?"
She frowned slightly.
She didn't remember meeting him before.
"Hephaestus-sama."
"My name is Cao Ye."
That should be enough explanation.
"Oh—so you're Cao Ye."
"I'm surprised."
"I thought someone who could hang around with Tsubaki would be a huge burly man."
"A burly man…?"
Cold sweat appeared on Cao Ye's forehead.
That description caught him completely off guard.
Nearby—
Paimon snickered.
Burly man…
Traveler actually has that nickname?
I'm definitely using that to tease him later.
Then suddenly—
"Child!"
"You must be the child sent to me by the heavens!"
BAM!
Something suddenly threw itself at Cao Ye.
The powerful impact nearly knocked him off balance.
He staggered back several steps.
Looking down—
A petite goddess was now clinging to him.
"Child! My lovely child~~~!"
Hestia wrapped both arms around Cao Ye's neck, drunkenly repeating the same words.
She was clearly very drunk.
And unfortunately—
Cao Ye had become the target of her drunken affection.
The surrounding men were instantly filled with jealousy.
A goddess throwing herself into someone's arms—
And one with that kind of figure.
It was enough to make people grind their teeth in envy.
"Hestia!"
"He's not your child!"
"If you want one, go find one yourself!"
Hephaestus rubbed her forehead in frustration.
"No!"
"This is my child!"
Mine!!!
Hestia hugged Cao Ye even tighter.
The smell of alcohol hit him immediately.
She was definitely completely drunk.
But—
Cao Ye had to admit something.
The current situation was… quite pleasant.
Hestia's soft curves were pressing firmly against him.
The sensation was extremely… memorable.
Then—
A gentle voice suddenly rang out.
But strangely, the temperature of the surroundings dropped instantly.
"Hestia-sama."
"Please do not cause trouble in front of our establishment."
Cao Ye turned his head.
And instantly broke out in cold sweat.
A beautiful girl named Syr had appeared silently behind them.
And for some reason—
A faint aura of cold hostility radiated from her.
Cao Ye looked at Syr, and cold sweat immediately ran down his back.