Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

"Judging by your country bumpkin appearance, you've probably just descended to the mortal realm, haven't you? You're not telling me you're planning to settle down in Orario, are you?"

"So what if it is!?"

"Hehehe, then I'll laugh at your overestimation of yourself! Orario isn't a place for a lazy, shut-in goddess like you!"

"What did you say?! What's with the swagger?!"

Hearing her opponent arrogantly lecture her that this place was different from the heavens, Hestia was so angry that she almost pounced on him—but suddenly stopped.

Because one of the demi-humans waiting beside Loki timidly spoke up:

"Um, Loki? And this goddess is...?"

"Oh, Lefia, it's okay not to greet this useless goddess—just call her 'little dwarf' is enough."

Loki's tone infuriated her, but there was one thing that couldn't be ignored.

She was accompanied not only by a beautiful elf girl, but also by other human and beast girl beauties.

Could it be...? Hestia looked completely shaken.

"Loki! These children are...!?"

"You finally figured it out, you little dwarf! You guessed right, they're all members of my adorable [Familia]!"

[Family/Relatives]

In other words, children who receive the "favor" of the gods—the retinue of the gods, or a general term for the factions of the gods.

Whether they were shopping or preparing to go home, Loki's retinue were all carrying bags full of things.

As the main god smugly approached to introduce them, Hestia, despite the girls' annoyed expressions, was deeply shocked to witness the state of the "Familia," which could be described as a large family.

Because of that Loki!

That unprecedented and annoying persona!

It's amazing that he's admired by children in the lower realms (it seems)!

"...Hmph, yeah. But anyway, with Loki like you, the Familia is definitely nothing special..."

Hestia nearly fainted from the sway, but managed to stay calm and retort, only to be surprised...

"Ignorance is a sin~ Our family is the highest-level adventurer faction in the (dungeon) exploration category... the largest faction in Orario, you know?"

“Wha-what!?”

Hestia stared wide-eyed at Loki, who was grinning smugly and looking down on her.

"You're lying, don't give me that! How could a lowly goddess like you possibly be stronger than anyone else's [familia]!?"

"Hey! What do you mean by 'a goddess with no taste'?!"

"The faction founded by that incompetent goddess who always throws up after drinking is actually the largest faction! The depravity of the lower realms is beyond description!"

"If I don't show my power, you little loli with big breasts will think I'm a pushover!!"

"Wait... Loki—!? Stop it—!?"

The two immediately erupted into a brawl, a common occurrence in the celestial realm.

The people walking on the main road were startled as the war gong rang out before the panicked elven girl and the others. The two gods, cursing and swearing, pulled each other's cheeks and hair, fighting a very ugly fight.

"Haaaaah... Damn it! My body isn't as agile as it was in the heavens!"

"Waaaaah... You were a complete klutz when you were in Heaven, okay?!"

By the time their families finally managed to dissuade them, both were panting heavily, their shoulders heaving and their hair a mess.

Loki wiped the sweat from his chin, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

With her back to her stunned retinue, she looked down at Hestia and said:

"Fine, then try your best to survive. With your skills, you'll definitely escape Orario without catching a single child! Hahahaha!"

Faced with Loki showing off his actual achievements (his family), Hestia, who had no family members, could only grit her teeth and make a gurgling sound.

*

"—You be the judge for me, Hephaestus!"

"Hahaha! You've only just arrived in the mortal realm and you've already been treated so badly."

Hestia blushed and told her best friend, the goddess, what had happened.

The location is a room inside a massive building in the northeast of the city, resembling a volcano.

After Loki left, Hestia finally found the headquarters of Hephaestus, the god of blacksmithing, and was welcomed.

Hestia, who had been invited into the main god's chamber (bedroom), poured out her grievances with Loki, and her confidante, the god with the large eyepatch over her right eye, laughed heartily.

"Since that's the case, I'm determined to create an incredibly powerful Familia that will absolutely blow Loki's mind! I'll make her regret it so much she'll be crying her eyes out!!"

"Oh my, you've got quite the nerve, haven't you? Is Loki's family really the biggest faction in Orario?"

Hearing Hephaestus, who was sitting on a chair across the coffee table, say this, Hestia replied, "I don't care!"

Hephaestus called it a pipe dream, but his eyes narrowed, as if he admired Hestia's enthusiasm and drive.

"You've just descended to the mortal realm, you must be unfamiliar with everything. We've known each other for a long time in the celestial realm, I'll take care of you until you can develop independently. Just let me know if you need anything."

"Yes, thank you, Hephaestus!"

Hestia thanked her divine friend (closest friend) for offering support, while cursing at the image of her mortal enemy (Loki) flashing through her mind, "Just you wait." Her competitive spirit ignited, and she vowed to quickly expand her [Familia], which held a status equivalent to a god in the mortal realm, and show that guy what true power was.

Just then, the door opened.

"My Lord, I accidentally bought too much from the vendor. How about I have one? -- Oh, you're busy."

"No, it's okay, Tsubaki."

Hephaestus’s retinue—a half-dwarf woman—entered the room.

She was carrying a large paper bag.

The enticing aroma of oil and salt made Hestia sniffle and stare at the contents of the bag.

"Hey, Hephaestus, what's that?"

"This is a street food sold all over Orario, it's called—"

"Fried potato balls, little goddess. Want to try some?"

Following Hephaestus's reply, the half-dwarf, who wore an eyepatch just like the chief god, smiled at her.

Hephaestus smiled wryly as he watched his retinue offer food to others without introducing themselves, and saw his friend reach out with great interest to take the freshly fried potato dish; Hestia ate the "fried potato balls" with an expression of challenging the "unknown".

“──!”

After taking a bite, Hestia's petite body trembled.

"So, so delicious...!?"

"Hahaha! Right?"

The half-dwarves burst into laughter, while Hestia stared wide-eyed at the "fried potato balls," trembling with overwhelming emotion.

This was the moment she experienced one of the many moving sensations of the lower realm—delicious food.

And this was the beginning of her "fall".

*

"Pfft! Hehehe... Ahahahaha!"

Three months later.

In the guest room of the Hephaestus Familia, which was used until the establishment of the Familia, you can see Hestia lying on the sofa with a book open, laughing so hard she's bent over.

Next to it was a whole plate piled high with fried potato balls.

She spends all her time eating, reading, and laughing.

The goddess's petite figure showed no sign of leaving the room.

"...Hey Hestia, it's about time you started persuading the kids. Let me make this clear, the [Familia] isn't as easy to establish as you think—"

"Okay, I'll start tomorrow—"

Hestia answered Hephaestus, who had come to the guest room, without even taking her eyes off the book.

For the past three months, the little goddess, a new immigrant from the lower realm, has been like this.

Hestia sampled all sorts of Netherworld cuisine, starting with potato balls, and read every book published in the Netherworld, each time her eyes lit up. She became completely engrossed in the "Netherworld entertainment" that had long captivated the hearts of many gods, and began to put her skills to use.

That is, self-degradation.

Even Hestia, who often spent her days holed up in the temple in the heavens, found the perfect way to kill time in the mortal realm, which took her slacking-off skills to a whole new level. She asked the members of the God of Forging to bring her potato balls and a new book, and spent the entire day in her room.

Hephaestus visited her several times and offered advice, but Hestia always replied, "I'll get serious tomorrow," and then the next day, the day after that, and the day after that, she continued to put the matter of founding the Familia behind her and stayed in her room.

And then—Hestia, indulging in unrestrained debauchery and pleasure…

Finally, Hephaestus could no longer tolerate it.

"Get out!!"

"Whoa!?"

Hestia was dragged all the way to the headquarters gate, and was even kicked out of the door, falling to the ground in an unsightly manner.

"W-What are you doing, Hephaestus!?"

Hestia looked up sharply to protest—but standing right in front of her was a red-haired, red-eyed, furious god with his arms crossed and legs spread.

"I only let you stay because I was kind enough to do so, but you do nothing all day long, just loafing around...!"

"H-Hephaestus...?"

"It was my fault, I shouldn't have spoiled you like that...! Go and experience the harshness of the lower realm for yourself! I will never let you set foot in my house again!!"

Enraged, Hephaestus kept Hestia speechless from beginning to end before slamming the door shut.

Having been kicked out of the grand headquarters, the pathetic little goddess staggered to her feet.

"What's wrong with Hephaestus? I was just enjoying life in the lower realms for a little while! It's only three months, what's the big deal!"

Hestia couldn't help but complain about the scale of the immortal gods, but she didn't understand.

More accurately, it's a lack of "actual experience".

She hadn't yet realized that this place wasn't "heaven," but rather "the lower realm."

"Alright, it doesn't matter. I'll just form a [Family] and find a place to live right away. I still need to get revenge on Loki!"

She finally remembered the goal she had shouted out, and stepped out of the headquarters of the Hephaestus Familia, preparing to head to the city avenue where humans and demi-humans mingled.

"Since we're looking for people to join the [Family]... it would be better if they volunteered to become the children of adventurers—after all, this is a labyrinth city!"

She spoke as she waited by the roadside.

Hestia learned only one thing in her self-destructive life: that you can't do anything in the underworld without money; she observed the passersby to see if there were any free children.

(That kid and I probably won't get along; that kid has a bad character... that kid is a bit too young.)

His mysterious blue eyes saw through the true nature of many children, including Amazons, orcs, and dwarves.

Hestia, being a goddess, could discern the nature of each child without needing a reason. A few more words with her, and she could almost grasp the person's character traits. "The mortals cannot lie to the gods" was a famous saying in the mortal realm as well.

Hestia kept searching for a child who could be a perfect match for her, or in other words, a child who met her requirements. Later, she found an elven girl and thought, "I want that child!" So she went to her side.

Seeing this person clearly carrying a bow and arrows and a quiver, dressed lightly, and eager to become an adventurer and make money, Hestia happily stepped forward to chat:

"Hi, Elf! You don't seem to have formed a contract with any gods yet. Would you like to join my [Family]?"

Hestia, full of energy and smiling, stood tall and straight to avoid diminishing her divine majesty as she began to persuade them—the other elf stared intently at the small Hestia from head to toe, as if assessing her worth.

"Excuse my rudeness, but what is your name, goddess?"

"My name is Hestia!"

"【Hestia Familia】...I haven't heard of it. If it's a new faction, where is their headquarters? How many members do they currently have? Approximately how much funding do they have?"

"Huh? Huh?"

The elf's series of questions stumped Hestia.

Perhaps seeing that Hestia couldn't answer at all, they guessed a bit of the answer. Her beauty, which was praised as that of a forest fairy, turned into a cold expression, and she narrowed her eyes.