Another Familia has been crushed by the Hero!
Though it was actually the Freya Familia and other powerful warriors who took action, other Adventurers only saw Adam charging angrily into the Entertainment District to confront Ishtar. In the blink of an eye, they were destroyed.
No matter how you looked at it, the Hero had to be responsible!
The entire incident was pinned on Adam — he was caught in the crossfire!
He desperately wanted to explain himself, but all the men in Orario, including the male deities, were furious at him for destroying their place of entertainment. They believed he had committed an unforgivable sin and refused to hear his side of the story.
The female members, however, were quite Find your next favorite novel on NovelHub today! Some were relieved their deities would no longer visit the Entertainment District, while others were glad their children would be saved from depravity.
Adam’s reputation had become sharply divided.
But none of this concerned him. His thoughts were focused on the fate of the remaining members of the Ishtar Familia.
Though they worked as prostitutes, many hadn’t chosen this life. Some, like Haruhime, had been forced into submission. They simply hadn’t been as fortunate as her to be discovered by Bell and Mikoto and rescued from that dark world.
After Ishtar was sent back to heaven, her followers lost their Falna, becoming free Adventurers without a Familia. Though the Hestia Familia sympathized with their plight, they couldn’t take in all these former members.
With no other option, Adam had to play the villain.
He said to Aisha: "I’m sorry, but according to our Familia’s development criteria, you don’t meet our standards."
"...I know, we’re just prostitutes."
"You misunderstand..."
"It doesn’t matter, we were prepared for this." Aisha wasn’t bothered by the rejection, instead asking with concern, "What about that silly girl? She’s someone even Ishtar desired — with her special talents, it shouldn’t be hard for her to join your Familia, right?"
In her eyes, Haruhime was like a little sister who needed protection.
She had protected her selflessly from beginning to end. Even when it meant defying Ishtar’s orders to destroy the Killing Stone, even when she was forcibly charmed by Ishtar and couldn’t resist, she was always thinking of ways to save this poor little girl.
"Yes, Haruhime is very talented." Adam expressed satisfaction with the new member, "Her Uchide no Kozuchi is very powerful — she’s the best Find your next favorite novel on NovelHub today!.. ah, please don’t misunderstand, we won’t treat her like a tool."
Realizing his words could be misinterpreted, he quickly clarified.
"I know." Aisha shook her head, signaling there was no need to worry.
She knew this Familia had her childhood friend and had gone to great lengths to save her.
Most importantly, Haruhime wanted to stay here. As long as the girl was happy with these people, Aisha was content to let her remain. This was exactly what she had hoped for.
Aisha knew that with just a word, Haruhime would follow her anywhere. But like any protective older sister, she couldn’t let Haruhime continue a life of wandering and hardship.
The Hestia Familia was where her little sister truly belonged.
"In that case, I’ll be going." Aisha was always one to make swift decisions.
Having settled Haruhime’s future — the matter closest to her heart — she prepared to leave. Though she couldn’t bring herself to say goodbye to Haruhime, and despite the loneliness, she knew this was for the best.
"Where... where do you plan to go next?" Adam asked, "If you need somewhere to go, I could introduce you to a Familia. I’m sure that deity would accept you."
"No need, we already have plans."
"Ah, that’s good then."
"Goodbye." Aisha declined his offer.
With a gentle wave, she departed without looking back.
"Is that so, Sister Aisha left?" Haruhime’s voice dropped with disappointment.
She had wanted to leave with Aisha, but had agreed to stay after hearing her sister’s wishes.
Aisha’s sudden departure, without a chance to say goodbye, left her heart heavy with regret.
Hestia patted her back reassuringly, "Now, now, don’t be sad — you still have us, right?"
Seeing Haruhime’s dejected expression, the goddess immediately wrapped her in divine warmth and comfort.
The deity’s affection soothed Haruhime’s loneliness. With new companions and her childhood friend in the Familia, she found herself ready to embrace her new life.
"Yes! My name is Haruhime Sanjou. Please take care of me from now on."
Despite her past, Haruhime carried herself with the grace of her noble upbringing. Her elegant bow spoke of years of refined etiquette.
Next to her polished manners, Bell and the others appeared rather unrefined — though as Adventurers, such formality wasn’t their way.
"I’m Bell, Bell Cranel! Please take care of me too, Lady Haruhime."
"I’m Mikoto, says..."
"Um... I’m Cassandra, pleased to meet you."
One by one, they welcomed her warmly. There was no tension, no distance — just genuine acceptance as Haruhime joined their ranks.
Such was the charm of a small Familia: no power struggles, no scheming, no competition for the deity’s favor.
The process was seamless. With Hestia reactivating her Falna, Haruhime officially became a member of the Hestia Familia.
To celebrate Haruhime, Mikoto, and Cassandra joining, they threw a welcoming party.
In the days that followed, everyone settled back into their daily routines.
For Hestia, this was the pinnacle of her existence since descending to the mortal world!
Though Orario still viewed her Familia unfavorably, she remained optimistic. She had exceptional children and a warm, close-knit family. While their numbers were still modest, she knew that growth and strength would come naturally with time.
She would protect this precious life she had built with everything she had. Nothing could tear it away!
Just as this thought crossed her mind, fate threw her an unexpected twist.
"Give that child to me!"
The Goddess of Beauty stood before her, eyes ablaze like molten volcanoes, filling Hestia with an inexplicable dread.
"Give that child to me!"
The Goddess of Beauty’s words rang out again — a command that left no room for negotiation.
It was nothing short of an ultimatum.
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