"Could you... lower it just a bit?"
Hestia's teeth chattered as she murmured her complaint to the person beside her.
"Hestia-sama, please remain still... This height is to avoid being struck by the light arrows."
Asfi endured the fierce wind as she offered her warning.
The two were currently high above the ground. The forest below them stretched out like a meticulously laid green carpet.
"Oh, oh, the view here is quite nice. Who are those people in the distance?"
At the far edge of Hestia's gaze, flashes of lightning flickered along the forest's edge.
"They're the assistants handling the remaining monsters for us. While they can't defeat Antares, they can prevent creatures from the Great Tree Sea from causing trouble."
Asfi patiently explained.
After discussion, the group had unanimously agreed that the number of surprise attackers entering the ruins should not be too large. Having captured divine power, Antares had become an [unknown] entity. If too many powerful assistants charged into the ruins, it could easily trigger new anomalies.
"Look over there—Artemis' children are working hard."
Hestia looked down with childlike excitement, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
The girls were running back and forth, carrying bundles of wood. Some of them placed the wood in designated spots, while others fended off scorpion-like monsters. Thanks to their efforts, the magic circle was gradually being completed.
"Hestia-sama, I didn't expect you'd have time for sightseeing..."
Asfi muttered softly.
"Those children really adore Artemis..."
Hestia murmured, lost in thought.
She blinked, then turned her gaze toward the entrance to the ruins. "Bell and the others are battling the monsters. Oh! He took down so many with a single strike! That's my Bell!"
Hestia leaned forward, excited. "They're about to enter. If we fly any lower, I won't be able to see clearly."
"..."
Asfi sighed softly, her gaze fixed on the goddess's childlike enthusiasm.
"I explained earlier that we'll maintain this altitude until we reach our destination."
After acquiring Artemis' Arcanum, Antares was able to shoot arrows of light from the sky. Though Artemis was accompanying Bell, her very presence would attract Antares' attention. To be safe, Asfi had decided to fly at a higher altitude.
"Your magical device is truly remarkable—flying this high is astonishing."
Hestia marveled, her voice full of admiration.
Winged Sandals (Talaria) – the secret weapon of [Perseus] Asfi.
As a princess of a maritime nation, she once yearned for the skies more than anyone. These winged sandals are the crystallization of Asfi's [Mystery] brewing. During the battle against the Minotaur, Bell had glimpsed Asfi's fight with the Floor Boss, thus committing this information to memory. To evade the arrows of light and reach the ruins' summit, she was the crucial trump card.
"Hestia-sama, we're nearly at the end. I'll descend swiftly—hold on tight." Asfi warned.
"Finally... it's freezing up here..." Hestia couldn't help but shiver.
"That's why I warned you to wear extra warm clothes. You insisted it was unnecessary..."
Amid Asfi's gentle scolding, the two swiftly descended toward the protruding ruins.
The Elsos Ruins. As a site sealing ancient monsters, it was an extraordinarily grand structure. Though weathered on the exterior, its former splendor was no longer visible. Yet its footprint was vast, its peak towering far above the ancient giant trees.
Hestia swayed as she released her grip, landing at the ruins' center. Surveying her surroundings, she found no traces of monster activity.
"Please begin. I'll stand guard here and alert you immediately if any monsters approach."
Though there was no real need for concern, Asfi remained cautiously by the goddess's side.
"Mhm."
Hestia's response was extremely brief.
The curious child from moments ago seemed to vanish. Standing here now was only a god radiating profound authority.
Hestia raised her right arm. The moment her slender arm reached chest height, several crimson beams of light shot upward. It was a radiance akin to Falna, yet far surpassing it. This was not [Arcanum], but rather [Divine Authority] unique to Hestia, similar to Freya's Charm.
The beams pierced the sky, crimson light dancing across the horizon. The fire kindled by Artemis's familia was fueled by the goddess's own blood. Though a simple [magic circle], the [medium] was sufficient.
Hestia opened her eyes and spoke softly:
"This body is the virgin goddess. I fear not the power of enchantment; I repel it from afar. Lust is evil; chastity is righteous. At this very moment, I purge this place of its enchanting curse. This is the sacrificial flame that breaks evil and purifies."
Divine might rippled through the air, crimson light echoing Hestia's words. This was the maiden goddess's invocation. It was also a means to oppose the Goddess of Beauty.
Yet Hestia's purpose lay elsewhere. The current magic circle remained incomplete, merely a fragment. She could not perform any substantive action. Whether defeating the monster or stripping Artemis, Hestia was powerless.
Except for one thing. Crimson light blazed. The ruins now functioned as a [Hearth].
"Bell..."
Hestia called out the boy's name.
When all had despaired, when all believed there was only one answer, Bell discovered a new possibility. It was a path even the gods had never imagined. It was both the [unknown] leading to happiness and the abyss closest to death.
Hestia understood that no matter what she said, Bell would not change his mind. Only after learning of the boy's experiences did she realize she had always been sheltered by him. Though a goddess, she was like a child—both willful and powerless.
"I'm still far from ready..."
Hestia murmured softly.
The boy had chosen the most perilous path. If she couldn't become his pillar of support, how could she call herself a goddess? How could she face her own inner yearning?
Enveloped in crimson light, Hestia sent her blessings to Bell.
"Augment Module: Dios Aedes Vesta."
The words fell. In an instant, divine might erupted at the ruins' center. Though incomplete, the virgin goddess's temple had descended. Its imperfect form prevented the [Authority] that breaks enchantments from manifesting. Yet the goddess's purpose was fulfilled.
Go, Bell. Save Artemis. Grasp the happiness of the [Unknown] within your hands. Surpass death. Surpass the gods. Reach the far side of your dreams.
"Go for it, Bell!"
Hestia cheered loudly.
Within the ruins, the temple manifested. The youth gripped his spear, preparing to face [Death].