"My condolences, Takemikazuchi."

At the Takemikazuchi Familia, Hestia consoled Takemikazuchi.

"Thank you, Hestia, Orsted," Takemikazuchi said, his face pale as he looked at the remains on the ground, speaking with difficulty.

These children, brought from the Far East, were deeply cherished by him.

Now, they were dead, their bodies incomplete. Even as a god, he struggled to accept it.

Beside Hestia, Orsted gazed at the remains, lost in thought.

"I hadn't seen it before, but now I have," he mused.

'This can't happen to the Hestia Familia. When we return, I'll have the Magic Elf turn all materials into magic items and grimoires to equip Lili and the others.'

'Everyone needs a Hestia Ring and plenty of potions. We should also prepare magic items using the current materials. And teleportation focused magic items, so Lili and the others can flee if they're outmatched. Oh, and…'

Orsted mentally cataloged every magic item he could think of, planning to have the Magic Elf craft them to fully equip Lili and the others.

After staying with the Takemikazuchi Familia and comforting Takemikazuchi, Hestia and Orsted left.

"I didn't expect this," Hestia said, her voice heavy.

The Hestia Familia's smooth progress had made her forget the dungeon's cruelty.

Adventurers died daily, and seeing the Takemikazuchi Familia's tragic state reminded her of that reality.

"Orsted, will you adventure with Lili and the others going forward?" Hestia asked, turning to him.

"Yeah, that's the plan," Orsted replied with a nod.

He had intended to do so before, but Finn's invitation to join the Loki Familia expedition changed things temporarily.

Now, back from the expedition, he would adventure with Lili and the others.

Since the Familia's growth, he hadn't truly adventured with them.

"I'll feel better if you're with them, Orsted," Hestia said, a faint smile crossing her face.

While Orsted was her favorite, Hestia cared deeply for all her Familia members and wanted none to face harm.

The Takemikazuchi Familia's plight had shaken her.

Even with Senie, she felt uneasy, so she hoped Orsted would join their adventures.

They talked as they walked, soon returning to the Hearth Manor.

But upon entering, they found Hephaestus, Demeter, and Miach sitting in the living room, sipping black tea and chatting cheerfully.

"Why are you here?" Hestia asked, unsurprised they'd gotten in, as Hephaestus had a key to the Hearth Manor. She was curious about their visit.

"I heard Orsted returned from the Loki Familia expedition, so I came to see him," Miach replied with a smile.

"Yeah, just checking on Orsted," Hephaestus added, nodding slightly.

Her eyes narrowed, darting between Orsted and Hestia with a knowing look.

"Hey, speaking of the expedition, didn't your Tsubaki just return? Why aren't you with your Familia?" Hestia asked, sitting beside Demeter.

"That one? She got some good materials from the deep floors and headed straight to the forge. She's hammering away now," Hephaestus said with a smile, her tone a mix of exasperation and pride.

"Demeter, what brings you here?" Orsted asked, focusing on her.

Demeter's Familia was currently targeted, and she rarely left wheat manor, even with Orsted's magic items.

As a goddess, the spatial transfer items he'd provided didn't work for her. Aside from the last Denatus, where she came to Orario to help grant Orsted his alias ," she stayed secluded.

Her presence now suggested something significant.

"Orsted, I need your help," Demeter said, getting straight to the point.

Orsted's expression said, "As expected."

"Hestia, Hephaestus, Miach, I'm stepping out with Demeter. You three chat," Orsted said.

Demeter nodded to the others, and they left the living room.

Hestia, Hephaestus, and Miach didn't pry further.

"When did Demeter and Orsted get so close?" Hephaestus asked Hestia curiously after they left.

She'd come specifically to see Orsted, only for him to leave, leaving her both speechless and intrigued.

There seemed to be a tacit understanding between Demeter and Orsted, something secret, perhaps?

"Last time, Demeter ordered some magic items from Orsted. It's probably about that," Hestia said with a shrug, unconcerned.

Meanwhile, Orsted and Demeter walked outside the Hearth Manor.

"Did that guy I mentioned attack Wheat Manor?" Orsted asked.

"Yeah, the defensive barrier stopped the attacks," Demeter replied. "But I'm worried, so I'd like you to check it out."

"When?"

"Two days ago. There were several attempts."

"Got it," Orsted said.

---

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