"Bell? And Haruhime..."
Takatsuki sensed that the two were moving away from this place and couldn't help but recall the scene in the original story where Haruhime rescued Bell.
"Poor Little Rookie, you've really had it tough."
Shaking his head, Takatsuki walked towards a room upstairs.
"Who are you!"
Thud! Thud!
The guards at the door had just seen Takatsuki question them when they collapsed one after another. After inserting the Discs back into their brains, Heaven's Stairway conveniently put in two Discs with instructions to leave here, and Takatsuki pushed open the door.
The room beyond the door was a magnificent living room. The furnishings in the room were extremely luxurious, truly befitting one of the wealthiest Familias. Because they managed the Entertainment District, the Ishtar Familia was very rich.
At this moment, a black-haired Goddess in a white one-piece dress was sitting on the sofa with a dejected expression. She turned her head upon hearing the door open, only to see a stranger wearing a black helmet.
"Are you sent by Ishtar? I've already said, I won't betray my children."
Hestia looked at the stranger in front of her, judging him to be a persuader sent by Ishtar. Her usually vibrant voice became low.
"It's me, Hestia."
As he took off his helmet, Takatsuki dispelled his Transformation Technique. His familiar appearance and voice seemed to bring Hestia back to life.
"Takatsuki-kun!"
Hestia immediately pounced on Takatsuki.
She wrapped her arms around Takatsuki's neck, hanging entirely on him.
"I knew you'd come."
Takatsuki chuckled twice, hugged Hestia, and gently put her down: "It's great to see you're alright."
"But... Jerry, he died protecting me."
Hestia's mood became low again.
From Hestia's words, Takatsuki learned what had happened that afternoon.
That afternoon, a large group from the Ishtar Familia, led by their LV5, raided the Hearth Manor. At the time, only Hestia and Jerry, who was responsible for daily maintenance, were in the Hearth Manor.
When Hestia sensed something was wrong, the front door was already blocked. She and Jerry tried to escape through the backyard garden, but they were blocked by the men of the Ishtar Familia.
Jerry, to allow Hestia to escape, single-handedly confronted Phryne, who was twice his size. The result was that he was slapped to death by her.
Perhaps Phryne had not intended to kill him, but puppets were more fragile than ordinary humans. An injury that would severely wound a human could kill a puppet directly.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't run away, Jerry wouldn't have died."
Tears soaked Takatsuki's clothes. He didn't know how to respond, so he just gently patted Hestia, offering a little comfort.
Fortunately, Hestia quickly controlled her emotions: "I'm sorry, Takatsuki-kun."
"It's alright, Hestia. I will avenge Jerry. Do you know why the Ishtar Familia attacked us?"
Hestia merely shook her head in response to Takatsuki's question. She also didn't know why Ishtar would do such a thing: "She just said she wanted to use me as a bargaining chip to control you all."
"In that case, it seems she won't let it go. Constantly taking hits isn't my style. Since she initiated the attack, I can only return the favor."
Hestia's expression changed when she heard Takatsuki's murderous words: "Takatsuki-kun, what are you going to do! Don't be impulsive!"
"Hestia, I'm not being impulsive. I just want to send Ishtar back."
The return of a deity. Hestia's face changed: "This is against the rules in Orario. If you do this, Takatsuki-kun, you'll be wanted by the Guild."
"Hestia, Bell was also captured, and he fell into the hands of Phryne."
Takatsuki's simple statement made Hestia's face change drastically. Although she didn't originally know Phryne's conduct, after seeing her appearance and some disgusting behaviors that afternoon, she knew that if Bell fell into this person's hands, he wouldn't have a good outcome, and might even be completely finished.
"Then let's go save Bell quickly!"
"No need to rush, Hestia. When I arrived, he had already been rescued by Haruhime. He's temporarily out of danger, but everyone in the Ishtar Familia is looking for them."
Bell and Haruhime had not yet escaped Takatsuki's Perception range, so he was constantly monitoring their status.
However, the escape of the Little Rookie had been discovered, and he noticed that the Ishtar Familia had also begun to mobilize.
"Ishtar won't let us go. If we just run, we'll face their endless attacks. Of course, if Hestia thinks that's acceptable, I can take you and Bell and escape at any time."
Hestia was not foolish. As a Goddess who had lived for hundreds of millions of years, she wasn't truly naive; she simply didn't want to think about those things.
"But the Guild..."
"This helmet, as long as I wear it, no one will recognize me."
Takatsuki said, putting the pitch-black helmet back on. Hestia, after confirming that this unremarkable helmet indeed had the ability to hide one's identity, hesitated for a moment, then spoke to Takatsuki.
"Takatsuki-kun, squat down for a moment."
"Hmm?"
Although a bit strange, Takatsuki still half-squatted in front of Hestia. Hestia was indeed too short; Takatsuki's half-squatting height was almost the same as hers.
Hestia didn't speak. She raised her hand and took off Takatsuki's helmet, then gently stood on her tiptoes.
Kiss~
A soft touch was imprinted on Takatsuki's forehead.
"Hestia, you're..."
Takatsuki's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Hestia to suddenly do something like this. He knew that in the original work, Hestia loved Bell.
Although this feeling seemed to have disappeared due to their appearance, she hadn't shown any particular affection for anyone.
"Takatsuki-kun, you are a lovable child. It's a pity that you and Mei-kun already have feelings for each other. As your main deity, I should not break you apart. A deity's love is very heavy, but I also want to bestow my blessing upon you."
"Although not as powerful as Freya, Ishtar also has the ability to charm. After receiving my blessing, it will grant you the ability to resist. Turn your back, I'll help you update your Falna."
Can it be like this? Does that mean deities can just bestow blessings casually?
"This kind of blessing cannot be given casually, you know, after all, deities cannot use divine power now."
Taking a dagger from Takatsuki's hand, Hestia gently pricked her fingertip, and bright red blood fell onto Takatsuki's back. While updating the Falna, Hestia said.
"If you want to do it, then do it. As your family, I will always support you, Takatsuki."