“You bastard!”

Bete was left speechless, glaring at Lefiya with such fury that it seemed he might lash out.

“You got nothing to say now?” Tiona crowed victoriously, with Lefiya and Ais backing her up—Bete had no grounds to argue.

“Whatever—I won’t admit it!” Bete fumed, storming off in frustration.

“Lefiya, thanks!” Tiona turned to her gratefully.

“N-No problem. I was just stating what I saw,” Lefiya replied, her expression odd.

She wasn’t sure why Bete’s mockery of Roy bothered her so much that she’d impulsively refuted him.

As an honest elf, she disliked slander and felt compelled to share the truth.

Lefiya consoled herself inwardly like that.

Finn glanced at Bete’s retreating figure, shook his head, and said, “Ais, tell us about your experiences these days in detail.”

Ais nodded and recounted some events slowly.

“I heard Roy’s swordsmanship is excellent, so I wanted to learn from him.”

She’d accepted his commission, teamed up to reach the 37th floor, and challenged Udaeus.

Finn nodded along with Ais’s narration—seeking guidance to grow stronger fit her perfectly.

But Riveria noticed Ais’s expression; she was lying again.

Though unsure what Ais hid, it felt significant.

And per Riveria’s intuition, it tied to Roy.

“Never mind,” Riveria sighed inwardly. No pursuit—the child was grown, with secrets now.

But Ais was unharmed and stronger, so let the secret stay.

“Ais, I feel like I lost a billion valis!” Tiona wailed dramatically, wishing she could fly to Roy’s side. “Your days sound so fun. ‘Adventurers must take risks’—such wisdom!”

Finn chuckled. “Only the strong say that confidently.”

“So, Roy’s amazing,” Tiona agreed.

“Finn, why praise that brat?” Loki griped.

“After all, Roy did our Loki Familia a huge favor,” Finn said appreciatively.

Ais had been at Lv.5’s cusp; without Roy’s guidance, who knows how long until Lv.6.

Under his tutelage, she’d broken through swiftly, joining the executive.

The Loki Familia owed Roy—twice, counting Lefiya’s.

“Lefiya, he taught you concurrent chanting too, right?” Riveria glanced at her, exasperated. “Come on, show me your progress.”

Lefiya’s face soured.

She sensed Riveria’s test would be harsher than usual.

The day after surfacing, Roy headed out early, claiming to test his new weapon.

But he didn’t dungeon-dive immediately—instead, visiting Hephaestus’s shop.

There, he learned Hephaestus was resting at her Familia’s headquarters.

Roy went there next.

“Unfamiliar face?” A woman approached curiously upon his arrival.

Eyepatched on the left, about 1.7 meters tall, in a black tube top baring her impressive bust and much skin.

“Are you joining our Hephaestus Familia?”

Adventurers often joined by visiting headquarters directly.

She hoped Roy was one—his looks caught her eye instantly.

“No, I’m with the Hestia Familia. Here to see lady Hephaestus with some questions,” Roy shook his head.

“Hestia Familia? That goddess? She’s our Hephaestus’s good friend!” she exclaimed.

“You know her?” Roy asked, surprised.

“I brought her fries before,” she smiled. “I’m Tsubaki Colbrand, Hephaestus Familia’s captain. Currently single.”

No need to mention that.

Roy extended his hand. “Roy Flott, human.”

Tsubaki shook it, grinning. “Marriage status?”

[Congratulations, host—30,000 dimensional points gained.]

Huh? A supporting character?

Pleasant surprise.

Roy replied, “Single.”

Tsubaki’s smile widened boldly as she released his hand. “Our gods are longtime friends—our Familias should connect more.

“Need anything? Come to me.”

“Thanks,” Roy nodded.

“Follow me—I’ll take you to Hephaestus.”

Tsubaki led him inside.

Warmer than elsewhere, with flames and forges essential—clanging echoed along the path.

“Hephaestus just woke; perfect timing,” Tsubaki noted.

“Just woke?” Roy raised an eyebrow.

Hephaestus seemed dignified and dedicated—bed-lingering fit Hestia more.

“She sleeps in when free,” Tsubaki shared eagerly about her goddess.

Members had rooms; Hephaestus, as it’s goddess, an entire floor.

Arriving, they saw the goddess in pajamas, sleepily seeking water in the living room.

Noticing entrants, Hephaestus turned, freezing.

“Tsubaki, why no heads-up?” she chided mildly, covering her right cheek hastily.

Tsubaki looked awkward—usually no notice needed, but she’d been distracted by Roy.

“Wait a moment,” Hephaestus rushed to her bedroom, emerging shortly.

Unchanged clothes, but now with her black eyepatch over the right eye.

“Sit,” she invited Roy, unsurprised by his visit but noting his gaze on her eye.

She sighed, “Sorry if my appearance startled you.”

—

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