The sun had barely risen over Orario when Harry and Hestia stirred from their slumber. The warmth of sleep clung to them for a brief moment before the responsibilities of the day urged them forward. Stretching with a yawn, Harry glanced around the small home, his gaze settling on Lili, who was already awake, sitting on the edge of her makeshift bed with an anxious expression.
"Morning," Harry greeted, his voice still laced with sleep.
Lili snapped her head up and nodded quickly. "Good morning…" she murmured, rubbing her eyes.
Hestia, full of energy despite just waking, clapped her hands together. "Alright! First thing's first—breakfast! We have a big day ahead!"
Harry and Hestia took to the small kitchen space, seamlessly working together to prepare a warm meal. The aroma of freshly made rice, eggs, and miso soup filled the air, a touch of Harry's past experiences in another world influencing his cooking choices. Lili, though uncertain at first, quietly enjoyed the meal, savoring the home-cooked taste she had rarely experienced in her life.
As they ate, Harry placed a small note on the table for Bell, ensuring he would find it when he woke up.
"Bell, don't go diving today. We've got something important to take care of. Rest up, and we'll be back soon. – Harry & Hestia"
With that settled, the trio left their home and began their trek towards the Soma Familia estate.
The towering, gloomy structure of the Soma Familia estate loomed before them. Unlike other Familia compounds, it lacked the grandeur and warmth often associated with a god's domain. Instead, it bore the air of a place of addiction, where broken individuals desperately chased after the divine wine crafted by its patron deity.
As they approached the entrance, a group of thug-like adventurers blocked their way.
"What's your business here?" one sneered, eyeing Hestia and Lili with a mix of suspicion and amusement.
"We're here to see Soma," Hestia declared firmly.
The mention of the god's name seemed to spark something in the thug's eyes—anger. "You dare—"
He didn't get to finish.
Harry's fist struck like lightning, a precise blow to the side of the man's head. The adventurer crumpled, unconscious before he hit the ground. The others took a step back, wary of the Level 2 adventurer who had just effortlessly taken down their companion.
"Anyone else want to waste our time?" Harry asked, cracking his knuckles.
Silence.
"Didn't think so," Hestia said, smiling sweetly before walking past them.
Navigating the maze-like halls of the estate, they eventually found Soma, his focus entirely on his latest batch of divine wine. The god barely acknowledged them until Hestia called his name sharply.
"Soma!"
The god blinked, seemingly pulled from his trance. His distant, detached gaze slowly shifted to Hestia, Lili, and Harry.
Hestia wasted no time. "We're here for Lili. We want her to be released from your Familia and transferred to mine."
Soma's expression barely changed, but his response was chillingly simple. "She may leave… if she proves herself worthy."
Lili swallowed hard as Soma poured a chalice of divine wine and placed it in front of her.
"If she can drink this and not fall to its temptation, she is free to go," he stated.
Hestia's face twisted in anger, but before she could object, Lili stepped forward. She knew this was her only chance. The aroma alone was intoxicating, luring her in like a siren's song.
She lifted the chalice to her lips and drank.
A rush of pleasure and euphoria surged through her body, threatening to overwhelm her senses. Her vision blurred, and for a brief moment, she felt as though she was drowning in bliss.
Then—
"You're stronger than this."
Bell's voice echoed in her mind.
With all the willpower she could muster, she forced herself to finish the drink without succumbing to its control.
When she set the chalice down, Soma nodded slightly, acknowledging her resolve. "You are free."
As per the process, Soma dropped his divine blood onto Lili's back, officially severing her connection to his Familia. But before he did, he updated her status for the first time in ages.
Liliruca Arde – Level 2
A sense of shock and pride filled Lili. She had grown stronger.
Now, Hestia stepped forward and repeated the process, pressing a drop of her own divine blood onto Lili's back.
Lili was now a member of the Hestia Familia.
Their relief was short-lived as they were stopped at the exit by Zanis Lustra, the corrupt captain of the Soma Familia.
"You really think you can just walk away after everything, Lili?" His eyes were filled with greed and malice.
He lunged at Hestia—
And Harry kicked him straight into a wall.
Lili, for once, didn't feel fear. Instead, she grabbed a marker and started drawing childish doodles on Zanis' unconscious face. A mustache, cat whiskers, and "I'm an idiot" written across his forehead.
Then, she tied him up and handed him over to the Guild, listing every crime he had committed.
Revenge was sweet.
With Lili officially part of the family, they returned home, where Bell celebrated her transfer with genuine joy.
To further prepare for their adventures, they decided to visit Hephaistos' shop to purchase new gear.
The shop was filled with weapons and armor of various qualities, from standard adventurer gear to master-crafted works of art. Bell, wanting light armor, and Lili, needing something practical, browsed the lower floors.
That's when they noticed an argument between a red-haired man and a dwarf smith.
The man held a beautiful set of armor—one that caught Bell's eye.
Curious, they approached.
The red-haired man introduced himself. Welf Crozzo.
"You two are Bell Cranel and Harry, right? The ones making waves?" he asked.
They nodded.
Welf smirked. "I'm a smith under Hephaistos. I want to make weapons that aren't cursed by my bloodline. If I make you guys armor, you help me level up in the dungeon. Deal?"
After a short discussion, they agreed.
Welf Crozzo had joined their party.
That night, back home, Hestia demanded payment for her efforts.
"A kiss from Harry," she declared smugly.
Without hesitation, Harry leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead.
The goddess went completely red, frozen in shock.
Bell and Lili, watching, couldn't stop giggling at her flustered state.
As night fell, they all settled in to sleep.
This time, however, Bell was still forced to share his bed with Lili, as Hestia and Harry conspired for revenge.
Lili curled up beside Bell, feeling warmth and safety she had never known before.
As the moonlight bathed their small home, the Hestia Familia felt more and more like a family to all members there.