Hestia Familia.
Finishing a day's work, the Palum Girl who had been out conducting research returned to the residence.
As soon as she walked into the courtyard, she saw a certain Loli Goddess walking towards her, carrying bags.
"Oh~ You're back! Lili!"
Hestia waved and greeted her.
"How was your day?"
"Everything went smoothly. Lili has investigated all the popular eateries in the West Quarter."
"Huh? That fast!"
"Lili has transformation magic, so I can repeatedly change my appearance to ask people for information."
As Lili explained, she looked suspiciously at Hestia, sizing her up. "Goddess Hestia, where are you going?"
"To the Hephaestus Familia."
Hestia replied, "Lynn customized a weapon over there."
"I won't explain the specific principles, but when Hephaestus forges the weapon, she needs me to help inscribe the Sacred Script nearby."
"A weapon inscribed with Sacred Script?"
Lili showed a look of surprise on her face.
In all her years in Orario, this was the first time she had heard of a weapon needing Sacred Script inscribed on it.
"As expected of Lord Lynn; even his custom weapons are different from ordinary ones."
"In short, that's the situation. I'll be staying with the Hephaestus Familia for a few days."
Hestia waved goodbye to Lili. "I'm leaving the Familia's affairs to you and Lynn."
"If you need to update your blessing, you can find me at the Hephaestus Familia."
"Understood."
Lili nodded. As she watched the loli goddess walk away, she paused for a moment before a smile suddenly spread across her lips.
If Hestia was out, it meant only she and Lynn were left in the Familia.
"Go for it, Lili!"
The Palum Girl clapped her own cheeks to psych herself up.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Hestia, who usually clung to Lynn, was gone! No one would stop her now!
After watching Hestia disappear from sight, Lili turned and walked toward the nearby mansion, her steps even quicker than usual.
Arriving on the second floor of the mansion, Lili impatiently knocked on the room door.
"Lord Lynn! Lili is back!"
"Welcome back, Lili." Lynn put down the recipe book in his hand. "How was the investigation into the popular dining establishments in the West District?"
"All done!"
Lili put down the backpack on her back and pulled out a thick stack of documents, placing them on the table.
"Good job." Lynn picked up the documents to examine them.
There were many things required to open a restaurant.
The restaurant layout and ingredient sourcing were just one part; the menu was also a key focus.
While innovating, he needed to maintain balance by adding some well-known dishes to the menu.
This way, no matter what kind of customer came, there would be something they could order.
"Lord Lynn, let Lili prepare dinner tonight."
Just as Lynn was concentrating on reviewing the documents, Lili's voice sounded again.
"Lord Lynn has been working so hard these past few days. Lili wants to help share some of your burden."
"Hmm? Sure."
Lynn casually nodded. Usually, he was the one responsible for cooking.
Since Lili rarely offered to help, he might as well let her show off once.
...
Two and a half hours later.
Sitting at the dining table in the mess hall, Lynn was deep in thought.
"Lili, did you make all of this?"
"Yes, I did."
Lili enthusiastically pushed the three dishes and one soup on the table in front of Lynn.
"Lord Lynn, please eat."
"I think it would be more appropriate if you said, 'Da Lang, it's time to take your medicine' right now."
"Eh?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it."
Lynn looked at the three dishes and one soup before him: Goji Berry Stewed Mutton, Stir-fried Shrimp with Chives, Yam Stewed Oxtail, and Eucommia Kidney Flower Soup.
On the surface, the appearance of these dishes was perfect, and the smell was also quite good.
To achieve this level, Lili had clearly put in a lot of hard work.
But the problem was... what sensible person would put all these aphrodisiac dishes together for someone to eat!
He glanced subtly at Lili and picked up his chopsticks, taking a bite.
"Lord Lynn, how is the taste?"
"Not bad. You eat too."
"Yes!"
Lili sat down next to Lynn and pretended to pick up her chopsticks for a bite.
But in reality, her gaze was fixed on Lynn beside her.
Seeing Lynn finish all the food on the table, a look of anticipation appeared on her face.
Operation: Conquer Lord Lynn, Phase One, complete success!
"Lord Lynn, Lili is going to wash the dishes!"
"Go ahead."
Lynn glanced at the Palum Girl who was subconsciously heading toward the dormitory while carrying the plates.
Lynn stood up and walked toward the first floor.
Due to limited funds and a small number of personnel,
currently, the Hestia Familia and the Soma Familia were all living in the same courtyard.
Arriving on the first floor, he quickly found Soma, who was brewing alcohol.
"Nighttime activities?"
Soma showed a confused expression.
"The Hestia Restaurant is about to open, and everyone will be busy then."
"Consider it a relaxation before the busy period. Take the people from the Soma Familia out for a meal."
Lynn took out a money pouch. "This is the activity fund. If it's not enough, come find me."
"Aren't you coming?"
"I haven't finished my work yet, and if I go, the people from the Soma Familia won't be able to celebrate properly either."
This was a lie.
With his noble divine power, Soma could see that Lynn was lying with one glance.
The real reason Lynn wasn't participating in the gathering was different.
After silently meeting the black-haired youth's gaze for a few seconds, Soma took the money pouch from his hand.
"How long will the gathering last?"
"Until tomorrow morning," Lynn replied.
After sending Soma and the Soma Familia members away, Lynn locked the courtyard gate.
After hanging up a sign that read [Those returning, please attend the gathering at 'The Hostess of Fertility'], Lynn then turned back to his room to continue designing the menu.
...
Time passed, and night fell in the blink of an eye.
In the second-floor hallway, a small figure sneakily approached Lynn's room.
However, just as she was about to raise her hand to knock, Lynn's voice sounded first.
"Come in, the door isn't locked."
"Pardon the intrusion."
Lili pushed the room door open.
Compared to her usual attire at dinner, she was now wearing a loose nightgown and holding a pillow.
Seeing that Lynn was still working, Lili hesitated before walking over: "Lord Lynn, Lili's room downstairs seems to have a small problem. Tonight, could I..."
"Lili, do you like me?"
"Eh?" Lili froze.
"I'm not someone who likes to play games of ambiguity, so I always ask things clearly."
Looking at the girl frozen in place before him, Lynn put down the recipe book and asked again.
"Lili, do you like me?"
"...Yes, Lili likes Lord Lynn."
Lili hesitated before gathering her courage to give her answer.
A month ago, Lili never thought she could live a normal life.
Her Familia companions looked down on her, and the adventurers she encountered also looked down on her.
She was like a rat in a sewer, despised and rejected by everyone.
And in this cold world, Lynn appeared.
He pretended to be a bad guy, saying he needed money as he pulled her out of the mire and gave her warmth.
"Although doing this might make Goddess Hestia dislike me, Lili doesn't want to give up."
"Lord Lynn, Lili... Whoa!"
Lili suddenly let out a startled cry.
Looking at the black-haired youth who suddenly walked over and picked her up, Lili, who had been gathering the courage to confess, instantly became flustered.
"L-Lord Lynn, what are you doing?"
"You've said as much as that; of course, I have to respond."
Throwing Lili onto the bed, Lynn reached for his collar, making a rustling sound.
...
"Achoo!"
Inside the Hephaestus Familia, a loud sneeze rang out.
"Hestia, did you catch a cold?"
Hephaestus looked toward her friend.
Normally, gods with endless lifespans wouldn't catch a cold.
But to integrate into life in the lower world, gods made adjustments when they descended.
After adding the setting where they could get sick, if a god didn't rest well, they could indeed catch a cold.
"I have special medicine prepared by the Dian Cecht Familia here. Do you want some?"
"No need, I'm not sick."
Hestia rubbed the tip of her nose. "It must be that Loki fellow badmouthing me again."
"You're totally shifting the blame, aren't you?"
Hephaestus grumbled, then reached out and pushed open the door to the room before her.
"We're here. This is the forging room."
"You sit over there for now. I'll call you when I need you."
"Okay."
Hestia found a stool nearby.
Watching Hephaestus begin to busy herself; her thoughts began to drift.
At this time, Lynn and Lili should still be working hard.
...