Chapter 693

"Eh? Why isn't there one?"

Loki's squinted eyes widened, yet she still couldn't find the Skill she wanted on the Pallum Captain's back, and she fell into confusion.

And after checking the Status Boards of Gareth, Riveria, Tione, Tiona, the Werewolf Bert, and the others, and still not discovering the Temporary Skill 【Invisible Wings】, she suddenly realized that this Skill might not be something easily obtained just by partying up with Hestia's boy once.

"Maybe some conditions need to be met, or maybe they don't intend to grant us the Skill at all."

Although Finn found it somewhat a pity, he could still accept it.

"Meet some conditions, huh..."

Loki pondered the Skill Description of 【Invisible Wings】, feeling that should indeed be the case.

Just, what exactly allowed Lefiya and Ais to obtain this Skill? The Goddess Loki was somewhat at a loss.

And after helping update Ais and Lefiya's Status, she discovered that while everyone else's Status didn't budge, Ais had a boost of nearly sixty-plus points in her Status, and Lefiya also had a boost of nearly fifteen points.

This extremely absurd Skill Effect, however, made her somewhat unwilling to give up.

"Ais, Lefiya, did you really not notice how you obtained this Skill?"

Loki asked the two of them.

"Don't know."

The Sword Princess girl decisively shook her head.

"Before Loki-sama told me, I didn't even know I had been granted such a Skill."

Lefiya also answered honestly.

【Is there something different about the mode of getting along with the boy? Or does one have to be treated as a training target by him?】

As Loki thought this, she heard Lefiya ask: "Loki-sama, Ais-san and I agreed to go out to eat together tonight, it's getting late, can we go now?"

"Eh? You're going out to eat together again?"

Loki was surprised.

"Yeah, last night it was Mr. Broly treating us, tonight Ais-san and I are planning to return the treat."

After the two girls left, Loki then discussed with the Pallum Captain.

"Finn, tomorrow try to have that kid Broly train you guys a bit, I suspect it's related to accepting his training."

"Alright, I'll try my best to give it a shot."

Finn nodded.

Over at the Hostess of Fertility, Freya, who learned Hestia was coming over again, immediately swapped identities with Helen, who had hurried over once more.

When the same five people from yesterday gathered to eat, Helen gave Hestia a reply regarding the cook issue.

"Hestia-sama, I can serve as the Hestia Familia's cook, but only on a part-time basis. I don't want to leave everyone at the pub to go work somewhere else.

If you can accept this, then you can have Mr. Broly come here every day to pick up the bento I make.

As for salary, you can calculate it a bit lower for me."

Helen spoke out the plan to have the boy come see her every day, following the instructions Freya-sama gave last night.

"Eh, if that's the case, then Xier-san making breakfast and lunch bentos is fine. As for dinner, we plan to eat here at the Hostess of Fertility."

Besides Xier, there's also Ryuu here, but she also needs a chance to meet and interact.

"Huh?"

Helen Xier widened her eyes; this was somewhat different from the envisioned situation.

"This means, Hestia-sama, you'll also be coming here to eat often?"

"Yes, what of it? Does your shop not welcome God customers?"

The Loli Goddess looked at her strangely.

"Uh, that's not it, it's just... our shop's prices aren't cheap."

Helen Xier gave a reminder, hoping to use this to make Hestia change her mind about coming here for dinner long-term.

"Rest assured, my Broly's money-making capability is powerful. It's still enough to support this level of spending."

Broly plus Bell's Luck — just the money from selling loot obtained from monster farming in the Upper Floors is stronger than the earnings of many high-level Adventurers fighting monsters in the Middle Lower Floors. So, even eating here every day poses absolutely no economic pressure.

"Of course, if Xier-san can discuss with your Boss Lady and give us customers who plan to eat dinner here long-term a proper discount, that would be even better."

However, save where you can, you still have to save.

"Alright, I'll discuss it with Miya-mama on Hestia-sama's behalf."

Helen Hill stiffly smiled, striving to maintain her image as the Hostess of Fertility's Top Sales waitress.

"Also, coming by every day to pick up the morning and noon bentos might sometimes be a bit inconvenient. I wonder if Xier-san can provide a delivery service?"

"Ah, this... I might be a bit busy sometimes, unable to leave the pub."

Helen Xier became somewhat troubled. The reason she didn't go to the Hestia Familia to be a cook was precisely to avoid Freya-sama's avatar Xier clashing head-on with the Goddess Hestia, which might lead to her Real Identity being discovered.

"Hmm, if Xier-san you're too busy, actually you could also have your colleague help out."

Hestia spoke with a smile, looking toward the Elf waitress over there.

"Ah, Hestia-sama, you mean have Ryuu help with delivery?"

Following the Goddess's gaze, Helen Hill saw Ryuu and asked.

"That's right, that's what I mean."

Hestia nodded.

"This might be a bit inconvenient."

Helen Hill said with difficulty.

"What's inconvenient?"

Ryuu had been paying attention this way the whole time. Seeing her friend show a troubled expression, she immediately walked over to inquire about the situation.

Upon learning Hestia wanted her to occasionally deliver a meal, the female elf immediately replied: "No problem, as long as the Goddess is willing to pay my delivery fee."

Contact at the tavern alone could not fully reveal what kind of fellow the boy Syr liked was; Liu Li Ang decided to make private contact and investigate him.

【As expected, this child is interested in my Broly!】

Seeing the female elf agree so decisively, her gaze subconsciously darted toward Broly, and Hestia couldn't help but form this judgment in her heart.

【Miss Liu, are you actually interested in this child too?!】

Helen Hill's eyes held complex colors as she looked at her friend, the elf Syr, who had agreed beside her.

"How did things turn out like this?!"

In the evening, after receiving Helen's report, Freya let out the same sigh as Lefiya had in the morning.

Her plan to create multiple contacts with the boy directly turned into a situation where she might often need Liu to deliver meals to Hestia Familia, and also needed Helen to disguise herself as Syr to receive the boy who would come to dine with Hestia at the Hostess of Fertility in the evening.

Between laying her cards on the table and accepting this result, Freya chose to temporarily accept this outcome.

"At least, before establishing an intimate relationship with that child Broly, prematurely revealing my Goddess identity would be somewhat disadvantageous to my actions to win him over!"

Freya did not want to use violent snatching to abduct the boy to her side; right now she was still pursuing the love her heart desired.

As for her own Goddess's thoughts, Helen didn't know how to evaluate them, and likewise could not oppose; this Goddess's maid silently adjusted her daily work schedule.

During the day she still handled daily affairs on behalf of the Goddess, while at night she had to go to the Hostess of Fertility to exchange the 【Syr】 identity and receive the Hestia Familia people coming to eat.

Time flew, and three days quickly passed again.

During these three days, Loki Familia members kept going into the Dungeon together with Broly.

And Finn, on the pretext of seeking advice, requested the Saiyan boy to instruct them on battle rhythm.

Broly didn't refuse this either, and instructed them along with the others.

But every day after returning, the status of Finn and the others' ability panels still left Loki feeling disappointed.

Because that temporary skill she had been longing for still hadn't appeared on anyone else.

"Broly, thanks for the guidance these days; wonder if you're free tonight?"

Once again finishing a day's training, as they were leaving the Dungeon, Finn actively struck up a conversation with the boy.

"I've got nothing tonight, what's up?"

Broly looked at the Pallum regiment commander.

"Our Main God wants to invite you and your companions to our Familia residence tonight for a meal; wonder what you think?"

Finn asked bluntly.

"Broli's Brother, our Main God went to Port Melen today and ordered a large batch of top-quality premium seafood from God Njord, so you should agree to come."

Tiona said laughing; during this time together she had learned the boy was a glutton who liked delicacies.

"Lefiya and Ais are also looking forward to your arrival."

Tione added; she had also realized the boy's attitude toward Lefiya and Ais was more intimate and enthusiastic than toward them.

"Yeah, you've treated Broly-san every time, so please by all means come to Twilight Manor tonight and accept our Familia's hospitality."

Lefiya also persuaded; for four straight days her and Miss Ais's dinners had been treated by the other party at the Hostess of Fertility, so she kept remembering this matter.

"This matter, I need to go ask Hestia-sama first."

However, Broly did not agree directly.

"Fine, then we'll wait until after you've asked Hestia-sama to say more."

Finn stopped the others who still wanted to persuade, and led the group with Broly all the way to the fried potato ball shop on North Main Street where Hestia worked part-time.

"Eh, that guy Loki wants to treat you to a meal?"

Hestia was somewhat surprised upon hearing the news.

"Yes, Hestia-sama, I don't know if I should go."

Broly asked the Loli Goddess's opinion, because he knew his own Goddess and the other Main God were on somewhat bad terms.

"Goddess Hestia, if you are willing, please also grace our Twilight Manor tonight and let us do the honors of a host."

Finn actively stepped forward, bowed, and issued the invitation to the Hearth Goddess wearing the fried potato ball shop apron before him; this was also their Main God Loki's intention.

From Loki's angle, she took Hestia not prohibiting the boy from teaching her Familia children as a reconciliation signal from the short-statured Goddess; now Loki's impression of Hestia was fairly good — hmm, at least she didn't mind treating them to a meal.

"I'm not going."

Hestia pursed her lips; secretly scheming against that guy Loki's Familia girls made her feel somewhat guilty.

"Hestia-sama, do you have other business?"

Liliruca asked curiously; that guy Bell had learned Broly-san's socializing ways, and ever since successfully inviting that flower shop clerk named Anna, he now went to find her and treat her to dinner every night.

If even Hestia-sama wasn't going, then tonight only she and Broly-san would go to another Familia's residence for the banquet.

And Twilight Manor was the residence of Orario's top faction Loki Familia; with fewer people going, Liliruca felt she would lack confidence.

"Mm, there are some matters to handle."

Hestia nodded.

"What matter?"

Lefiya asked; her impression of this Goddess who would serve her food was much better than of her own Main God.

At least, this Loli Goddess before her wouldn't suddenly attack her chest and commit such a hoodlum act as groping her own chest.

"We ordered a batch of special medicine from Blue Pharmacy; they said it's finished, I need to go pick it up."

Hestia didn't hide it either, and told of the dog-girl Naza contacting her in the afternoon.

"Eh, the medicine is already finished?"

Hearing this, Liliruca was stunned; the training this past week had been a bit too fulfilling, to the point she had nearly forgotten about matters back at her original Familia.

But then again, always staying together with a group of High-Level Adventurers, the trouble that a production-type Familia like Soma Familia — whose strongest member was only Level 2 — could bring now seemed like no big deal.

"Right, I'm going to head over and pick it up. As for Lili, you go with Broly. Remember to eat your fill, and don't stand on ceremony with that guy Loki."

Hestia did not intend to accept tonight's invitation.

"What a pity."

Finn said a sentence.

"Broly, you'll go, right?"

Then, he looked at Broly to ask the boy's thoughts.

"If Hestia-sama doesn't object, then I'll go. However, I need to go back to the Familia residence first and wash up."

Guiding the combat rhythm of Loki Familia and the others was something that required him to personally make a move; today he had also sweated quite a bit.

"No problem, Twilight Manor also has dedicated bathing rooms that can be lent to you to wash up. As for clothes, I can have someone prepare new ones."

Finn was very enthusiastic; this enthusiasm was both because recently receiving the boy's guidance had improved his own Combat Skill, and because the temporary Skills the boy granted Lefiya and Ais helped raise the strength of his Familia's two very promising Juniors.

According to Loki, that Invisible Wings Skill could increase the granted person's parameter proficiency by a certain amount every day, and its function still completely ignored the individual's parameter Limit.

This point was something Loki had a sudden whim about the day before yesterday; early yesterday morning, she updated Lefiya and Ais's parameters — the two who hadn't gone to the Dungeon yet — and discovered their parameters had risen again, from which she deduced the situation of the somewhat unclearly described Invisible Wings Skill.

If one could obtain this Skill, that would really be able to take flight.

So, even Finn, this Pallum Hero, had changed from the "gain is my fortune, loss is my fate" attitude of the previous two days to having a somewhat burning heart.

Under the Loki Familia Captain's warm invitation, Broly and Liliruca didn't even return to the Hestia Familia Headquarters, and went straight to Twilight Manor together with Loki Familia's group.

Hestia, after finishing a day's part-time work, went to Blue Pharmacy; after obtaining the Divine Wine Addiction Cure, she invited God Miach and his Familia child, the catgirl Naza, to go eat together.

And on the road she also ran into her friend and coworker at the Fried Potato Ball Shop, God Takemikazuchi and his Familia children; Hestia just invited them along as well.

"Eh, Hestia, you're planning to treat us at the Mistress of Plenty Tavern here? Won't the expenses be too high?"

Takemikazuchi agreed, but upon arriving at the eating place, he halted his steps; for a poor Familia that had to spend money on the blade's edge (buying equipment and potions to Adventure), the Mistress of Plenty Tavern was a luxury restaurant with relatively high consumption.

"No problem, I'm a regular at this shop; Proprietress Miya here will give me a discount. Besides, my child has made something of himself; the pocket money he spends on this Goddess, just using it for meals, is more than enough."

Hestia waved her hand grandly and said magnanimously.

"Xier Jiejie, Miss Liu, I'm here to patronize your business again!"

The Loli Goddess shouted this like a regular customer, pushed open the half-hanging tavern door, and walked in.

Helen was also used to serving Hestia Familia members; upon hearing the Loli Goddess's voice, she knew her evening business hours work was starting again.

However, discovering that only Hestia had walked into the tavern, Helen Xier asked with some surprise: "Where is Broly-san?"

"That kid, tonight he and Lili were invited by others to go eat, and I didn't go. So, the only one coming here to eat tonight is me, this Goddess. What, Xier Jiejie, are you feeling disappointed because Broly isn't here?"

The Loli Goddess asked with a grin.

"Uh, I'm not."

The Quest Board girl reddened her face, denying this point.

【I'm just worried that without experience tonight, I'll have nothing to share with Goddess Freya.】

Helen thought to herself.

Due to Hestia being present, Freya couldn't use Xier's identity to personally host the boy herself, so she came up with the method of having Helen host the boy in her place, then after returning, relying on the close contact with her own Squire girl to obtain that portion of hosting experience memory.

(Chapter End)