The words reached Tsukiyo's lips, but then she got stuck.
What did she want to say?
Did she want to apologize for her loss of composure this morning?
Did she want to express her determination to work hard?
Or did she want to say something else?
Countless words surged to her throat and then all jammed together.
Seeing Tsukiyo's adorable appearance—having plucked up the courage to rush over, only to stall at the last moment due to shyness, so anxious she was almost in tears—
how could Heimer not understand her thoughts?
And so,
Heimer didn't speak.
He just smiled slightly.
He reached out.
He naturally reached out, his broad and warm palm gently landing on Inaba Tsukuyo's smooth silver hair.
He gave it a gentle ruffle.
"I know."
Heimer's voice drifted down from above.
"Tsukuyo has always worked very hard."
"And besides."
"What happened this morning wasn't Tsukuyo's fault."
"Being able to sense those things immediately while maintaining that purity..."
"...that's the most adorable thing about Tsukuyo."
His palm gently stroked her hair, and Heimer's voice was very soft.
"In my heart, Tsukuyo has always been a good girl."
"So, Tsukuyo just needs to grow at her own pace."
"No matter what kind of Tsukuyo you are."
"You are my most precious Familia member."
"Mm..."
Feeling the warmth from the top of her head, it seeped through her hair and warmed the depths of her heart.
Inaba Tsukuyo's originally tense body gradually softened.
A mist formed in her red eyes, and she gently rubbed against Heimer's palm, like a little rabbit being comforted by its owner.
"Mmm..."
"Then... Lord God... Tsukuyo is heading out..."
With that said.
Blushing and wearing a satisfied smile, Inaba Tsukuyo turned around and quickly ran toward the door.
This scene.
was naturally witnessed by Rin and the others who had just reached the entrance.
!!!
Rin's eyes widened in utter disbelief, and even her hand gripping the hilt of her sword tightened suddenly.
"Tsu-Tsukuyo, she..."
"She usually looks so pure and honest..."
"To think... to think she'd use this move?!"
"What is this? Running back on her own to ask for a headpat?!"
This is just too unfair!
And look at Lord God's eyes; that gesture was just incredibly doting!
Kirukiru Amou was already enough of a challenge.
Now even Tsukuyo, who usually seems the most honest and shy, has learned this trick?!
This is unacceptable!
"Damn it..."
"Even Tsukuyo is starting to steal a lead..."
"It seems..."
"It's not just that Amou girl."
"Even Tsukuyo's intentions aren't simple!"
"No way!"
"I absolutely cannot lose!"
In an instant.
An unprecedented sense of urgency immediately enveloped the hearts of the remaining three.
Their determination to catch up to Kirukiru Amou in strength now clearly had another layer of meaning.
If they didn't start taking the initiative...
in this house, they might not even get a sip of leftover soup in the end!
"Let's go!"
"To the Dungeon!"
"We have to clear it today!"
Rin gritted her teeth and shouted, not daring to look at Heimer again, for fear that she wouldn't be able to stop herself from running back too.
...
As the Five Swords left with an inexplicable murderous aura.
Chloe, Lunoire, and Ryu also tucked away their thoughts. After tidying up the hall, they sensibly retreated to the kitchen to continue working, not daring to gossip.
The first-floor hall soon became quiet.
Heimer glanced at the empty entrance, shook his head, and a helpless smile played on his lips.
These kids are really full of energy.
"Alright."
"The little ones are all out."
"Time to check on the two upstairs."
Thinking of this, Heimer turned and walked toward the stairs to the second floor.
Arriving on the second floor.
The second-floor corridor was covered with a thick carpet, making his steps silent. Heimer first passed by Hestia's guest room.
The door wasn't fully closed, leaving a gap that wasn't too wide or too narrow, through which movement could be faintly heard.
"Snore... snore..."
A rhythmic snoring sound, devoid of any goddess-like image, drifted openly from the crack in the door.
Heimer pushed the door open, somewhat speechless.
He saw.
On the large, soft bed.
The Goddess of the Hearth, who should have been dignified and holy, was currently sprawled out in a starfish position, lacking any semblance of a goddess.
The blanket had long since been kicked onto the floor, leaving most of her body exposed and defenseless.
Her signature Blue Ribbon hung loosely on her body due to her uninhibited sleeping posture, carving out breathtaking curves.
That signature Blue Ribbon had become loose because of her wild sleeping posture, yet it still stubbornly clung beneath her overly full chest, outlining breathtaking curves that rose and fell with her breath.
She was sleeping so soundly that a drop of crystal-clear liquid even hung from the corner of her mouth, dangling precariously along her cheek.
And...
"Hehe..."
"Fried Potato Balls..."
"Delicious..."
"I want them all..."
Hestia was muttering in her sleep, smacking her lips occasionally, and wearing a carefree, happy, silly smile.
Watching this, Heimer helplessly pressed a hand to his forehead.
However.
Just as Heimer was about to pick up the blanket for her.
"Mmm..."
Hestia seemed to sense a heat source nearby. She suddenly rolled over and grabbed Heimer's outstretched arm, wrapping herself around it like an octopus with both arms and legs. A soft, warm sensation instantly enveloped his entire forearm.
"Heimer..."
She called out dizzily, her voice soft and sweet, filled with dependence.
Heimer's movement paused.
"?"
Could it be...
This girl is dreaming about me?
If that's the case, it seems my pampering of her over the last few days hasn't been in vain.
Just as this thought arose in Heimer's mind.
Hestia rubbed her face against his arm, smacked her lips twice, and then added:
"Heimer..."
"Lend me some money... I want to have a feast..."
"..."
The touched feeling in Heimer's heart instantly froze.
Then it shattered into pieces.
"I shouldn't have bothered being moved."
Heimer gave the unconscious Hestia a frustrated look and tried to pull his arm away.
But seeing Hestia holding onto him tightly, not letting go, with that satisfied, somewhat silly smile still on her face.
In the end, Heimer only sighed helplessly and didn't force his arm free.
"Forget it."
"Considering you're one of the few in the heavens who isn't afraid of me."
"I won't hold it against you this time."
Heimer reached out with his other hand and unceremoniously pinched Hestia's chubby cheek; the feel was as good as ever.
"But..."
"The agreement we made back in the heavens is coming up soon. I've noted this debt."
"Sooner or later, I'll make you pay it back with interest."
After confirming that Hestia wouldn't wake up anytime soon, Heimer carefully extracted his arm, picked up the blanket from the floor to cover her, then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.
...
Leaving Hestia's room, Heimer went to the master bedroom at the end of the corridor.
He pushed open the heavy solid wood door.
The heavy curtains in the room were drawn, and only the light peeking through the door crack cast a long shadow on the floor.
A faint, lingering romantic atmosphere still permeated the air.
On the messy large bed.
Kirukiru Amou lay there quietly.
Her brow was slightly relaxed, her breathing steady and long, and her chest rose and fell gently with each breath.
Last night's frantic deathmatch.
The double exhaustion of body and spirit was not something even she, with her [Sturdy Body] skill, could recover from in a short time.
Heimer did not disturb her.
He just stood quietly by the bed for a while.
Regarding this young girl who dared to swing a blade at a god and even attempted to conquer one...
To be honest, Heimer liked her immensely, one could even say he admired her.
After all...
That kind of pure obsession was precisely the quality this world lacked.
And so,
Heimer watched for a while before placing the bottle of potion he had left for her gently on the most prominent spot on the nightstand.
Beneath the potion bottle, he pinned a small note.
On it were written just a few simple words in sharp, bold strokes:
[Drink the medicine when you wake up.]
Having done all this,
Heimer did not linger. He turned and left, gently closing the door behind him, sealing the room's silence once more.
"Time to get to business."
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"