"Come on, let's hurry to the Guild and spread the news of your Rank Up throughout all of Orario!"
Hestia tugged impatiently at Adam's sleeve, urging him to get dressed quickly so they could head to the Guild.
She had spent so long in the Lower World, where neither Gods nor mortals respected her — seeing her as nothing but a freeloader without a Familia.
This was finally her chance to hold her head high. How could she pass up this opportunity to properly promote her Familia?
However, before she could move, Adam grabbed her arm.
"Wait a moment, Lady Hestia, we can't go for certification right now."
"Because it's dangerous! Our Familia is too weak — if I draw attention, we'll become targets for other Familias. After all, no one wants to see another Familia rise to power."
This was inevitable. The Familias of Orario had never engaged in fair competition!
Bloody War Games, underhanded schemes, Dungeon sabotage, and mutual slaughter — all manner of plots and conspiracies revealed Orario's dark side.
It was this toxic environment that had prevented Orario from producing new Level 8 or Level 9 Adventurers like those of the Zeus and Hera Familias.
Ais could boldly promote herself only because she had the powerful Loki Familia backing her. Who in Orario would dare harm her?
Even the Freya Familia had reached a secret agreement with the Loki Familia not to interfere with each other's members. If they went to war, it would only result in mutual destruction, benefiting others.
But Hestia's situation was different. What would happen when her weak Familia suddenly had such an outstanding child like Bell?
It would shake all of Orario!
While the benevolent gods might not mind, the malicious ones would certainly scheme in the shadows.
First Freya, then Apollo, and finally Ishtar — during Bell's growth period, these undercurrents led to several gods being exiled.
If word spread about Adam reaching Level 2 in just half a month, there's no telling what "special attention" they might receive.
"Do you understand now, Lady Hestia?" Adam explained gravely, "I know you want to show off, but if this becomes public, we'll become targets of other Familias and won't be able to move freely."
[Develop secretly, keep the predators away.]
This principle applies to every weak Familia in Orario, as the larger Familias constantly watch for rising competitors.
It's like nobility — the circle can only be so large. If anyone could become noble, how would the elite maintain their superiority?
"But the divine rules state that when a Familia member reaches Level 2, they must be certified at the Guild. No one can secretly hide their Familia's strength."
"This isn't hiding, it's postponing, my Lady." Adam crossed his arms, maintaining a calm smile.
He appeared quite confident.
"As long as others don't know about my reaching Level 2, there won't be a problem. We're not hiding it, we're just choosing a more appropriate time for certification."
"Mmm... alright, if that's what you want." In the end, Hestia agreed.
But she felt very guilty, as if she had let him down.
"I'm sorry. Your reaching Level 2 should be something worth celebrating, but instead we have to hide it because of me. Your fame can't spread throughout Orario."
"Why would you say that? This has nothing to do with you at all."
Indeed, it had nothing to do with her. He chose to hide this because of his promise to Ouranos.
Otherwise, he would certainly claim the title of "Fastest Dungeon Record".
"So, when would be a good time to announce your Level 2?"
"Let me think... how about when Bell also reaches Level 2?" Adam rubbed his chin thoughtfully before suggesting to Hestia, "By then, both Bell and I will be Level 2 High Class Adventurers, and the Familia should have enough strength to protect itself."
Level 2 Bell would catch Apollo's attention. Once targeted by that perverted god, he would surely be recruited or seized, making a War Game inevitable.
By then, even if Adam wanted to hide, he couldn't. So before that happens, it would be fine to let news of his Level 2 spread. As long as others don't know now, it wouldn't violate Orario's rules.
"...Alright." Hestia sighed.
Though she knew Bell was advancing quickly now, he still needed more training, and who knew how long that would take. She felt very apologetic about holding Adam back.
Just as the two were deep in thought, Bell's shout echoed through the dilapidated church hall.
The two left the basement together.
But to their surprise, Bell wasn't alone — there were unexpected guests: Loki and Ais.
Hestia's archenemy had arrived!
"Why are you here, Flatty Loki?"
Hestia's first words were pure mockery, and that single line was enough to break Loki's composure.
She angrily rushed forward, grabbed Hestia's chubby cheeks, and roughly pinched and slapped them in fury.
"W-what's wrong, you're angry even though it's the truth?"
"Shut up, you stupid shorty!" Loki's usually narrowed eyes widened with anger. Through gritted teeth, she spat, "They're just two useless lumps of fat — what are you so proud of, you poor little idiot!"
"Too bad you don't even have these useless lumps of fat."
"What did you say—?!"
The two fought like children, completely lacking the dignity and authority of Gods. They were even more undignified than quarreling market vendors.
"Sigh, what's going on here." Adam sighed.
Then he spotted Bell, whom he hadn't seen in a while.
The young man was looking down at the ground, though his eyes kept stealing glances at Ais.
Surprisingly, she was also looking at Bell — not sneaking peeks, but gazing directly at him.
When their eyes met, his face instantly turned red. That pure, innocent expression was just like a youth experiencing first love.
How embarrassing, Bell!
But it was this unique interaction that made Hestia and Loki stop quarreling, as they turned to watch their respective Familia members with shared indignation.
Unable to hold back another sigh.
"That's enough, both goddesses. Don't let the Familia children see you make fools of yourselves."
Under Adam's mediation, the two deities stopped fighting. Though they had already made fools of themselves, they still wanted to save face.
"Lady Loki, may I ask why you're visiting?"
"Yes, Loki. You're not welcome in our Familia."
In contrast to Adam's politeness, Hestia was blunt and hostile, her words immediately confrontational.
As expected, Loki bristled at this.
She angrily said, "Hmph, as if I'd come to this dump if Ais hadn't insisted!"
"Then you can leave."
"You think I'll leave just because you say so?"
"This is my Familia's headquarters — I have the final say!"
"So what if it's your headquarters? I won't leave just because you tell me to!"
And just like that, they were quarreling again.
Seeing no point in trying to stop them, Adam turned to address Ais instead.
"Miss Sword Princess, may I ask what brings you here?"
"To thank you. For your guidance last time, I wanted to express my gratitude."
"Ah... you mean our conversation on the 18th Floor?"
"Yes, that's right." Hearing her words, Adam was only half convinced.
Perhaps she truly had come to thank him, but Loki's presence made him suspicious.
After all, Ouranos had just mentioned their upcoming expedition with the Loki Familia, and now, barely half a day later, the Goddess appears.
He couldn't believe this was mere coincidence.
Yet to his surprise, Loki did nothing but argue with Hestia until Ais finally dragged her away. She hadn't spoken a single word to Adam. It really seemed as though she had simply come along to accompany her child.
Hmm — this must be some kind of scheme!
What could that cunning Trickster Goddess be plotting?
He found himself lost in thought.
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