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

"In the end, we still have to rely on A-Jian's people."

"That doesn't matter, but... Sakura and Mikoto are definitely going, and then... Chigusa, can you still be a supporter?"

"Okay, okay."

Upon hearing the instructions from the main god, the girl whose bangs partially covered her eyes nodded.

Of the high-ranking adventurers of the Takemikazuchi Familia—those who reached Lv.2—only the burly man who was the guild leader, Sakura, survived. The girl named Chigusa, still at Lv.1, was promoted to support, carrying spare weapons and elixirs.

The search team was formed after this selection process, with three members possessing the strength of the top three.

"Among our [Familia], only Sakura and her group are capable of holding their own against mid-level monsters in battle. The others always fall behind."

"I think what the search team needs most is speed..."

"Nazha is right. Adding insufficient personnel and slowing down the operation would be putting the cart before the horse."

"That's true, but sending just these few children is a bit much..."

Hearing Nazha and Mihe, who had also teetered on the brink of death in the middle ranks, say this, Hephaestus looked troubled.

There were still too few people, that much was undeniable. If she could, Hestia herself would love to rescue Bell, her arms crossed over her ample chest as she moaned softly.

Just at this time.

"—Let me help too, Hestia!"

The headquarters door was flung open, revealing a handsome, celestial being.

"Hermes! What are you doing here?!"

"What are you talking about, Takemikazuchi? Of course, I've come to rescue my friend from danger."

When Mihe and Nazha opened their eyes wide, Hermes gave Takemikazuchi a perfunctory smile and then casually walked across the center of the store.

Behind him, fellow member Asif quietly followed.

"Hi, Hestia. Long time no see."

"Hermes... what are you doing here?"

Seeing Hestia with the same expression as everyone else, Hermes walked up to her and grinned.

He took out a piece of parchment from his pocket—a letter of commission from an adventurer.

"Aren't you having some difficulties?"

"..."

Hermes waved the search warrant for Bell in front of her.

Hestia was speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond.

"Hermes, why did you decide to save Bell Crane? Tell me."

"Hey, Takemikazuchi, it's me, Hermes! My best friend Hestia is in trouble, so of course I'd go to any lengths to help her!"

"You've barely contacted Hestia since you came to the lower realm, haven't you?"

"He really is a very easygoing friend."

"Haha, how strict! Hephaestus, Mich!"

After Takemikazuchi, who remained wary of Hermes, finished speaking, Hephaestus and Mih also chimed in, expressing their helplessness. Seeing Hermes's pretentious conversation with the gods, Naza and the others were left aside, unable to join the discussion.

"However, I really want to help Hestia—I also want to rescue Bell."

Hermes abandoned his earlier foolish behavior and his tone suddenly became serious.

A smile appeared on his face, and he slightly opened his arms, looking around at the faces of everyone present in turn.

"How are you, Hestia?"

"..."

The male god finally fixed his gaze on Hestia's face, opened his crescent-shaped eyes and smiled at her.

After staring into his orange-yellow eyes for a few seconds, Hestia exhaled.

"I understand... I'll leave it to you, Hermes."

"Well, leave it to me!"

Seeing Hestia agree, Hermes once again revealed his handsome smile.

He reverted to his carefree attitude and patted Mihe on the shoulder several times, even though Mihe had one eye closed.

"Is this alright, Hestia?"

"Relieving Bell and the others is the priority right now. In fact, I really need more manpower."

"...Alright, since you've put it that way..."

Ignoring Hermes, Takemikazuchi whispered to Hestia, who responded in a low voice.

Hearing her say that, Kenji seemed to decide not to say anything more.

"So, Hermes's members will join too... Does that put my mind at ease?"

"I remember Hermes' faction is almost entirely composed of Lv.2 members, isn't it?"

"Hey, what's going on, Hermes?"

"Yes, Hephaestus is right. It's a pity the other members are all out on business, but I'll be taking her with me this time, that is, Asphie! She's our ace, don't worry!"

The Hermes Familia claims to belong to the exploration (dungeon) category, but in reality, they'll handle anything as long as it's profitable, whether it's commerce or anything else. They're a notoriously unscrupulous Familia. According to guild rankings, their rank is F.

Because they had arrived at the 19th floor, Mih and the others decided to send a search team, including themselves, to the rescue.

As for Asphi, who was forced to join the search simply because of the God's personal opinion, she sighed heavily.

"Let's get ready and set off. Probably tonight."

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Sakura, Mikoto, Chigusa. Go and prepare."

"yes!"

While Hephaestus and the others were discussing what to do next.

Asphie walked toward Hermes and asked in a low voice:

"Hermes...you just said you would 'take' me there, could it be...?"

"Yes, I want to go too."

Asifi barely managed to keep her glasses from slipping off with her fingers.

"Didn't the gods forbid entering the dungeon?!"

"That's just because we're afraid we'll do something careless. Don't worry, as long as the guild doesn't catch us, just go and come back quickly. Didn't I say I also want to rescue Little Bell?"

"Hermes, you wouldn't have planned this all along, would you...!"

"Haha, I'd appreciate it if you could protect (take care of) me, Asphie?"

As Hermes spoke softly and with a grin to Asphie, whose brows were furrowed and cheeks were twitching, then...

Hestia, who had developed super hearing, overheard the two's private conversation and turned her head towards Asphie and the others.

One of the twin ponytails stirred and "whoosh" wrapped around Hermes' neck.

"Goo-hoo!"

"Take me with you too, Hermes."

Hermes was wrapped around the neck from behind, and he was thrown backward. Asphie was startled.

Hestia silently approached him, demanding with unwavering force that he speak:

"I have to go rescue Bell too. I can't just stand by and leave him to be rescued by others."

"Wait, wait, Hestia! Calm down!"

Hermes panicked. After finally managing to untangle his jet-black hair, he turned to face her.

He locked eyes with Hestia and tried to persuade her.

"Dungeons are dangerous. If we can't use 'power,' we'd be completely vulnerable to monster attacks. More importantly—if we're discovered, we'd be in big trouble."

Hestia replied to this advice, "I know."

"Even so, since Hermes is going, adding one or two more gods shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Well……"

"I want to go too. Got it?"

Finally, Hestia almost forcefully silenced his objections.

Now, no matter what he did, he probably couldn't change her mind, Hermes looked troubled.

"You..."

"Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

Like Hermes, Hephaestus and Takemikazuchi, realizing Hestia's mind was made up, also wore expressions of helplessness and wry smiles. Ignoring her friends' worries, Hestia said, "It's alright!" and her fighting spirit to save Bell was rekindled.

"Hestia," Mihe called out to her, and then Nazha stepped forward.

"What's wrong, Nazha?"

"Goddess Hestia, this..."

She handed Hestia a pouch filled with test tubes—a large quantity of elixirs.

Hestia's eyes widened when she saw the oral liquid that came in various colors, including red, blue, and green.

"That's all I can do... I'm sorry, I can't go with you..."

"No, this is enough. Thank you, Nazha."

She accepted the elixir, and in doing so, she accepted the heartfelt sentiments of the chienthorope girl, who bore the scars of monster trauma. Seeing her melancholy expression as she apologized, Hestia smiled at her.

"I also have something to give you."

"Oh, oh oh!"

Hephaestus handed her a long, rod-shaped object wrapped in a white cloth. Its heavy weight nearly caused the defenseless Hestia to drop it.

She used all her strength to finally lift it up, and the white cloth loosened slightly, revealing the bright red blade without a scabbard. The blade was thick and didn't look very sharp.

"Hephaestus, what is this...?"

"That child, Welf's work. He's been entrusted to me for safekeeping until now."

Hestia looked at the object called "the work" under the white cloth, then at Hephaestus's face, and the red-haired blacksmith god told her:

"You can use it if you encounter danger, but... if you find Welf, give it to him. Also, tell him, 'Don't weigh your own stubbornness against your companions.'"

Hestia nodded, seemingly understanding Hephaestus's meaningful words.

In conclusion, Hestia once again thanked her companions for their hospitality. Mich and the others surrounding her also smiled.

"This is terrible..."

As for the other person...

Hermes, standing outside the circle, murmured to himself.

He gazed at Hestia and the others, who had created a harmonious atmosphere, and asked the familiar beside him:

"Asphi, do you have a way to protect both me and Hestia at the same time?"

"That depends on the strength of the Takemikazuchi faction that is acting together with me... If they sabotage me, I can't guarantee anything."

It would be fine if it were just Hermes alone, but if Hestia were to come along as well, Asphie admitted she couldn't be irresponsible. Judging from their current fighting strength, they might easily be overwhelmed should any situation arise.

After listening to her words, Hermes pondered for a while, then exhaled.

"Let's bring another helper."

□

As the sun began to set in the west, the sky started to turn a faint red.

During this time, some quick-moving individuals finished their underground exploration and emerged from the skyscraper facility (Tower of Babel). Every hotel in the city began preparing food and drinks to welcome these VIPs, with "The Abundant Hostess" busy preparing for her nighttime opening.