Gudako woke up to the familiar scene of a vixen sleeping beside her, long slender arms wrapped around her chest. The orange ears atop the woman's head twitched cutely as her servant dreamt of the past.

Gudako didn't wake up before Tamamo often, but whenever she did, she always found the vixen plagued by nightmares. Tamamo always wrote them off as minor, but looking at the expression on the woman's face, Gudako knew that the self-proclaimed world's-best-wife had nightmares life in the past.

"Yo… Tamamo," she said gently, patting the woman's head. "C'mon, please wake up."

The vixen crumpled her nose, a single eye opening up to look at her. Then Tamamo jumped up, instantly pulling her Master into her chest.

"Oh~, I missed you, Master. I was so worried. So worried. I'm so glad you're safe," the woman nearly wailed, soft tears falling onto Gudako's hair as she returned the hug.

"I'm sorry for making you worry Tamamo. I am glad to see you as well," she said, patting the vixen's head.

"Mmm," she agreed, "this calls for a special meal. Please my dearest, order that impudent Archer to let me into the kitchen for once. I wish to make give you a Tamamo-special."

She's already manipulating me. Gudako could see a single eye peeking through Tamamo's arms, which were supposed to be hiding her teary face. Gudako gave her a bright radiant smile. "Fine, I suppose I can do that."

"Contractor," came a soft voice from beside her bedside. Serenity stood there awkwardly, her feet together and a light blush on her cheeks. "Ma- may I also receive a hug?"

Immediately the girl was pulled into Gudako's grasp, the redhead's face nuzzling Serenity's. "Aah, you're so cute Serenity. I missed you dammit. I missed you so much."

Tamamo on the other hand was biting her bedsheet in frustration. A fresh set of tears spilling out of her eyes. "I missed all of you guys," Gudako said, turning back to the vixen. "Don't be mad Tamamo. I'll give you as many hugs as you want."

She then pulled the fox into the hug, careful to make sure Tamamo avoided Serenity's touch.

"Welcome back Master." Archer's voice came from the door. "It seems you have returned to the land of the living."

"As expected of Archer," Gudako grinned as she saw the cup of tea sitting in his arms. "Are you sure you aren't a heroic butler?"

Archer grimaced. "Well, if you can run your mouth like that then it seems you recovered quite quickly. Please avoid doing such reckless things- or so I would like to say but you won't ever listen to me will you?"

Gudako gave him a toothy smile. Then her expression softened a bit, her features becoming melancholic. "I didn't want to lose any of you. You all are precious friends of mine after all."

"Master~" Tamamo cried out happily.

"Contractor," said Serenity with a sad expression.

"Right… " Archer said, a bit embarrassed at the statement. He coughed lightly. "Anyway, we are the only ones here.D'Eon, Astolfo and Nobunaga, Mash and Enkidu went along with Goddess Hestia to her familia's home. Tamamo should have gone as well-"

"But it would be improper for a wife to be away when her husband awakens, no?" Tamamo's smile had a threatening glint, causing Archer to shut up despite being the one who was interrupted.

"Wait a second. All that wasn't a dream?" Gudako gave a long sigh. "We really are in a parallel world with gods and demi-humans and dungeons?"

Archer's lips twisted into a grimace."The parallel world part isn't confirmed but-"

"That means that this is a true isekai fantasy right," Gudako asked, her eyes shining as she grabbed his copper hands. " Ah but I'm already the main character so this world must have another one right?"

"How the hell did you come to the conclusion that you're the main character? Besides, we were in a huge pinch yesterday. Please take this situation a bit more seriously."

"Da Vinci told me," Gudako replied with a smile. "After Fuyuki, she woke me up and said, "You must be the main character… Or something like that."

"You don't even remember the lines do you?"

Gudako shrugged. "It was a long time ago. I bet you can't remember the last time you heard someone tell you that you were the main character."

"No one told me that I was the main character because life isn't a game or anime and there are no main characters." Archer sighed. "Is this what I get for worrying? Did I forget about your insanity in a mere two days?"

"Well, what did ya expect from a gal who calls Deadpool a role model," Gudako replied with a smirk. She came up to his ears. "And, just so you know, you better play along with my gag or I'll tell everyone that you're an Iron-man fanboy, Mr. I'm-not-a-hero Heroes-are-stupid."

Archer hitched, before sighing. "Anyway, I think we should go now. You clearly seem to have recovered, Master."

"I must admit, I feel a bit left out of this conversation, my dearest. I am very capable in the art of 'Tsukkomi' as well." Tamamo stood up, helping Gudako on her feet.

Serenity just looked at the whole group and rolled her eyes. "Oh mighty Allah, where did you go wrong with the Japanese?"

Bell was an idiot.

No really… He was a fool, an idiot, a numbskull, an absolute fool. Did he mention how big a fool he was? He didn't? Well, he was the dumbest of dumb, a king of fools.

It all began with a single magic stone. It wasn't even his, yet a waitress, Syr Flova she called herself, had stopped him in the morning to return it. She then offered him her lunch, and Bell the respectable gentleman who was unable to say no to creatures of the fairer sex, realized too late that he had been suckered into making a promise that would empty his wallet.

He had almost forgotten about his promise with the whole situation with Ms. Jeanne, especially since he was doing his level best to not seem stupid in front of her.

Her behavior didn't help with his beating heart, her soft smiles, and gentle eyes causing him to fall in love with her all over again. His mind would constantly remember Eina's words, the ones about how girls liked strong men.

Then he learned of how Ms. Jeanne was an actual hero. The one that his grandfather would tell him about. The same he aspired to be.

Bell thought that his heart was about to burst out of his chest at that moment, his thoughts completely in shambles and his mouth began to run without any control.

When he ended up reaching the tavern, Bell felt like he was on cloud nine. He had met heroes, the same kind that his grandfather would read to him every night. The kind that slew dragons and saved princesses.

Dreams of him standing among them, especially now that they had joined his familia made him giggle, despite the questioning stares being given to him by the other customers.

He could see him standing in front of Ms. Jeanne, his dagger in his hand, protecting her from hordes of minotaurs. Then the blonde would get up and thank him and…

"Heh!" Bell snickered to himself, ordering another plate of food despite the fact that his wallet was beginning to feel empty.

He was broken out of his stupor when the Loki familia arrived, arranging themselves into a seat as they began ordering large amounts of alcohol and food.

They laughed and joked, projecting such warmth that Bell wondered if he could do the same with his familia. He imagined Ms. Jeanne and praising him while he held a bag with millions of valis.

His ears twitched when he heard the silver-haired werewolf speak, the story being shared sounded familiar.

Suddenly, he realized that the 'white rabbit' who was the butt of the tale wasn't some Hume Bunny but rather Bell himself. His cheeks flushed in embarrassment as he tried to ignore the man's drunk ramblings.

Bell had bumped into the werewolf when he had been running around aimlessly in the dungeon after Ms, Jeanne had saved him, and he had quickly apologized to the wolf before scampering away.

He hadn't expected to see the adventurer again. The werewolf's face was completely flushed and a stupid expression had begun to form on his face. He was on his twelfth mug of beer, perhaps his thirteenth, judging by the sheer number of empty mugs next to him. Bell just kept his head down, minding his own business.

Suddenly, the werewolf began to give 'the rabbit' scathing remarks, calling him a spineless coward and a fool. Bell didn't know how the werewolf had come to know that he had been saved from the minotaur, nor did he know why the guy found it so funny.

All he knew was that he was about to cry listening to the insults. Bell was being mocked, and he wasn't in the mood to listen. He was angry, he was frustrated and he was upset.

Angry for being weak enough that he couldn't tell the drunk adventurer to shut up. Frustrated for having to admit that the adventurer was honestly right. Upset because he had said that Bell would never become a good adventure.

It was the last statement that hurt him the most

So he did what his instincts told him to. He ran away, sprinting right out of the bar and onto the streets. Bell still didn't know why he ran to the dungeon. Even as he climbed down the staits, something told him that he was being an utter idiot and that he should turn around.

Yet, there was a voice telling him that he had to get stronger. Why? Why do I need to get stronger? His grandfather's voice answered him. Because you need to go on an adventurer to get the girls.

He continued forward, his dagger cutting through monsters floor after floor. His anger cut through hordes of monsters, each wave coming after him only to be decimated to dust.

He felt powerful, he felt satisfied, he felt like he was finally worth something. He poured all his frustration- an entire three weeks of them into his strikes.

He was rejected from countless familias. He was kicked out of them for being too weak. Look at me now. Am I weak? His Gramps left him alone, fate not even allowing him to recover the old man's corpse.

He didn't know which floor he was on until the War Shadows appeared. For a second Eina's voice resonated in him, only to be replaced by Jeanne's encouraging him to get stronger.

He charged at them, avoiding strike after strike as he aimed for their weak spot. It was the longest battle he had ever participated in, slowly whittling the monsters out while avoiding all damage.

Six War Shadows became four, and then four became two. He slew them one after the other, his blade bathed in their blood.

With another quick stab, Bell dispatched another, leaving only one. It charged at him mindlessly, and he responded by sidestepping, before shoving his dagger through the back of the monster's head and into its eyes.

He took a deep breath as he waited for another horde, but none came. Exhaling, he let himself wobble, before his legs gave out under him, causing him to fall onto the floor.

"I am not weak," he declared to himself. His words were filled with energy, despite his haggard state. He wasn't a spineless coward, nor was he weak.

He was an adventurer and he would become a hero. Watch me from heaven Grandpa.

He sat on the floor for a minute, maybe more. He couldn't really grasp the amount of time that had passed. Perhaps I killed so many monsters that the Dungeon can't make anymore.

He giggled as his fantasies began to overtake him again, his mind being pulled into the world of dreams.

Then came the growl and everything went wrong. It was cold as ice causing Bell to break into goosebumps. He turned to see nearly thirty war shadows behind him, their red eyes staring right into his with predatory pleasure.

He grabbed his dagger, but his feet wouldn't move. He tried again, barely getting off the floor before his legs gave away, causing his chin to hit a hard rock.

"Aah!" He felt tears come to his eyes, and for the first time since he set foot in the dungeon, he was truly afraid.

Monsters weren't supposed to have any intelligence, yet here they were looking at him with cruel eyes, each standing tall and straight, yet not moving a single step.

Once again, Bell tried to get up, stumbling to the wall of the dungeon and using it as balance. His feet were trembling, his bones ached, his vision was blurry and all he wanted to do was sleep.

Why did I come here? I promised myself that I wouldn't enter the dungeon unprepared just yesterday and here I am again. Cold reality was like a brick, slamming past all the delusions he had wrapped around himself. Bell pulled out his dagger, his fingers weakly gripping them as he tried to fall into his usual stance.

The only place he could run was further down the Dungeon and the War Shadows knew that. He might have been able to break through past four or five, but thirty was a wall too thick to cross.

He had a single potion with him. But a single potion wouldn't change his odds by much. Still, it would be better than nothing. If it gave him an edge, even a small one, then it would be better if he used it.

His hands reached for the pouch fastened to his belt, pulling out a small blue vial. He uncorked it, and raised to his mouth, his eyes still stuck at the enemy.

Suddenly, the front line charged, three War Shadows running at him with such speed that Bell could barely react by dodging backward. He barely managed to put a finger on the mouth of the potion, but a good bit of it had spilled out with the surprise attack.

They are way faster than the last ones. Bell cursed as he avoided another strike, barely keeping himself from being surrounded. I can't keep this up anymore.

He dodged another strike, before counter-attacking by trying to stab it in the eye. The monster dodged it, using its leg to spin out of the way of the attack, only to stop and use its sharp fingers to stab into Bell's legs.

Monsters aren't supposed to do that. Even the ones on the lower floors can't move like that.

"Aaah!" Bell cried in pain as he rolled away out of instinct, only to find himself surrounded. "This is really bad," he muttered. "Why am I such an idiot? I shouldn't have come here."

Bell could feel the blood flowing down his calf, yet he couldn't even take an eye off the monsters in fear of an attack. Those red eyes continued to stare at him, glee visible in its crimson glow.

Monsters aren't supposed to be sentient, yet these ones are enjoying it. They are torturing me. They are laughing at me. They could kill me and yet they want to play around with me.

He shivered in fright. If monsters were behaving like this then did it mean that the Grail was truly in the dungeon? Was it empowering these monsters?

Or did I underestimate Eina's warnings so much that I thought I could really take these monsters on after only two weeks?

Either way, he was dead already wasn't he? Thirty War Shadows with abilities such as the three in front of him displayed was too much. There was no way he could beat them.

For a second, Bell's thoughts drifted to the surface and he wondered how his Goddess would take the news of his death.

Bell felt ice flood his heart as the image of her crying hit him harder than the War Shadow ever could. She would be devastated.

Bell knew he was naive but he wasn't completely unaware of how affectionate his goddess was with him. He chalked it up to the Goddess being an incredibly kind-hearted person and him being her first familia member.

There was no way in hell she wouldn't feel bad. Grandpa told me that the worst thing an adventurer could do was make a girl cry and here I am doing just that. Why did I think that I could become a hero? I'm just a normal country bumpkin. My only reason for becoming an adventurer was to pick up girls in the Dungeon.

He was an idiot. An absolute dunderhead and if he survived this ordeal, then Bell would turn over a new leaf. So with the last breath in his exhausted lungs, he gave out a cry. "Please, someone, anyone, save me."

No one would come of course. No one would dare enter the dungeon at this time at night.

"Goddammit,"

"Kekekekeke… "

The War Shadows began to create some sort of rhythmic screeching sound, repeating it over and over. It took Bell a few moments to realize that it sounded like they were laughing.

Even the monsters are laughing at me. They shouldn't be able to laugh yet, they are laughing at how I am about to die.

His tears burnt the bruises on his face, the taste of salt entered his mouth. And now I am crying huh? How pathetic.

Finally, a single War Shadow stepped forward, its eyes gleaming in delight. It raised an arm, sharp fingers pointed downwards, and swung.

Bell closed his eyes, accepting that he was about to die. The last embers of hope died within him, leaving behind regrets.

All he heard of a growl of pain that wasn't his own.

"Wha-"

The War Shadow screamed as it burned, red flames eating through the monster's shadowy body.

"Servant Avenger, Oda Nobunaga. Though you would be better off knowing me as the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven."

In front of him stood the brunette in the foreign outfit from Ms. Jeanne's party, her crimson eyes staring deep into his soul. She wore an unhinged grin, sharp canines promising suffering to the entire world.

Bell was ashamed to admit, but he felt fear at the girl's appearance. Hot red flames growing from the bottom of her soles. Her long katana stood ready in her arms, a cloak of fire shrouding the weapon.

"You really are an idiot aren't you ya brat," Nobunaga said with amusement. "If you are so happy to go kill yourself, then I'll do it for you. I haven't seen someone fail suicide so bad since Emiya."

"N-no, I"

Nobunaga's smile was dangerous, and Bell felt like the rabbit he was often compared to. She wasn't a hero. She couldn't be. There was no way someone like the woman in front of him could be compared to someone like Ms. Jeanne.

Astolfo's words came rushing into his mind, and Bell finally realized what the pinkette had been trying to tell him.

"If you want to live, then fight. You want to be a hero right? Then survive."

She shrugged." Though I guess you are unwilling to die fighting since you were ready to die."

Bell felt hot liquid in his pants. He had pissed himself.

This woman was a demon.

"You're a demon."

She just laughed. "Astolfo interrupted my introduction because he wanted you to keep your innocence for a bit longer but I am not the kind of gal who keeps around cute pets for shits and giggles."

Nobunaga pointed to herself. "I am a Demon King. I am a murderer and I am not a Hero. But I am also the only person here who can rescue you from your idiocy."

Bell felt his arms begin to shake helplessly as he struggled to move away from the woman.

"So tell me. Why should I waste my time, saving someone who doesn't want to live?"

"Wha- no I want to live. I-"

"You gave up," she accused with narrow eyes. "I already told you didn't? The moment you were stabbed in the foot, you gave up. You let the enemy pity you? That simply means that you accepted death."

Nobunaga thought aloud. "If you were trying to get those monsters to let their guard down, then it would be a different thing, but you stopped thinking and instead began to pity yourself."

She turned her back to the monsters who were slowly backing away from the Avenger. "You came in here, knowing that it is a battleground and used the power up your goddess gave you so arrogantly. Now here you are, exhausted to the point that you are about as competent as a normal human without a falna."

She gave a cruel laugh. "You are in an unwinnable situation, but instead of fighting till your last breath, here you are, sitting on the ground. Ha… you aren't even fit to be a jester."

Bell trembled at the warrior's words, his mind unable to comprehend what was being thrown at him.

"I would have left you here if it were up to me, but the thing is I owe you, goddess, a debt for saving my retainer you see. So, I'll give you a chance. A single chance to prove that you wish to live. If you succeed then there you can smile with pride. If you fail… " Nobunaga gave a cruel smile. "I'll make sure Hestia receives your body."

"I-" Bell for a single second hated the woman standing in front of him. She was being cruel to him, and she was enjoying it. How can she be a partner of someone like Ms. Jeanne?

Yet, a part of him agreed with her words.

He made the stupid mistake of coming to the dungeon. He was the one who ignored Eina's advice time after time. He was the one who begged someone to risk themselves to save him.

"I'll take it," he said with a voice he never knew he could project. He had to survive. For the goddess who had blessed him. For the advisor who had helped him and for the grandfather, who had raised him for thirteen years.

He couldn't simply give up his life because his life was not just his own were others who relied on him. He remembered seeing Gudako, a girl who had willingly almost died for her servants. Did she feel the same way as well?

"Oh," Nobunaga seemed pleased. "So you do have some bite, after all. Very well" The woman slammed her katana on the ground, her flames spreading as they created a wall of fire around him. It eviscerated one of the War Shadows from earlier, leaving him stuck inside with only one.

He had to kill the monster. But how? It was faster than him, probably stronger as well. Not to mention, it was resistant to physical attacks.

Its eye was a weak spot, but with the monsters newly gained sentience, there was no way it wouldn't guard its eye.

Even the stance the monster took was similar to that of an adventurer.

What if I am looking at this the wrong way. Instead of treating it like a normal monster, what if I treat it like I am fighting an adventurer instead?

It was a risky idea. Perhaps foolish even, but it was the best plan he had.

Monsters normally had great instincts, so often the simplest way to dispatch them was by dodging their attacks. They would often overextend, and always repeated the same moves.

But this wasn't a normal monster.

With his last burst of energy, he rushed at the creature, his dagger pointed at its eye. Immediately, the War Shadow jumped away, dodging his short reach, before counter-attacking. It took a single step, right past his guard, sharp fingernails aiming for his chest.

He used his free arm to grab the monster's arm to redirect the strike, twisting his body so that it only grazed his chest.

He nearly screamed as a chunk of flesh was ripped off his sides, using the pain to focus.

His head flew straight ahead, slamming into the eye of the monster causing it to shriek in pain.

It tried to retreat, but Bell held the monster's hand. The War Shadow pulled, and Bell allowed himself to go flying at the monster, dagger ready as he stabbed deep, his entire arm cutting through the monster's head.

A second passed, and Bell realized that the War Shadow was dead.

"Oh, I didn't expect you to take my advice so literally but- whatever works I guess. You kept your end, so I'll keep mine."

Flames spread across the room like a whirlpool, burning every War Shadow into crisp. Not even the magic stone was left to collect.

"You surpassed my expectations, didn't ya," said Nobunaga, lifting the boy who could barely stand on his own. " You proved that you truly do have the spirit of mankind." She blinked. "I suppose here it would be mortal kind. This world is so confusing."

She awkwardly held him in her arms. "This is a bit of a pain. Hold on a second." She put him down before she was covered in her own flames.

"Aah, this is better." The flames faded to reveal a much taller woman with hair as red as lava. Her outfit had a few changes, but it resembled the one Nobunaga had been wearing earlier.

She lifted Bell into her arms, carrying him bridal style. "You are still young, brat. You shouldn't be wasting your life on things that don't matter."

"... "

"You've passed out huh?" She looked at his sleeping face and for a second her features softened. "Well, let's go then."

Hestia looked at her unconscious child and wondered how she ended up coming into these strange predicaments.

First, Bell had decided to go to the dungeon in the middle of the night. That wasn't the worst part, however. No, the worst part was that he had decided that it would have been a good idea to go down to the 6th floor.

The fact that he decided to go down there without having her update his falna made Hestia wonder if her adorable child had hit his head and lost all common sense.

The whole thing made so little sense that Hestia had to force herself to keep herself still as she sipped Archer's excellent tea and resist her temptation to forcefully wake Bell up and interrogate him, all the while bonking his head.

Nobunaga, on the other hand, yawned loudly, bringing Hestia's attention to the other person she was frustrated with.

Since Hestia couldn't get to interrogate her primary target, she decided to ruthlessly question the one who had let her child fall unconscious in the first place.

"So you're telling me that you didn't step in when he decided to run into the Dungeon in the middle of the night?"

"Nope, I saw him running in that direction and decided to follow him," said the devilish woman with a smile.

"And you let him enter the 6th floor without even bothering to stop him."

"Yup. Besides, how was I supposed to know that the brat was too weak for the 6th floor?" she replied, her grin growing wider.

"And you forced him to fight a War Shadow on his own after he had exhausted himself and been stabbed in the leg?"

"Indeed."

Hestia clenched her fists. "Why the hell did you not intervene? I told Jeanne that a part of being a member of my familia meant that you all had to act like it. That means protecting Bell and anyone else who joins."

Nobunaga gave a dry laugh. "And I did didn't I?"

"What if he hadn't won against that War Shadow? What if Bell was too weak to kill it?." Hestia's voice was raw with anger. "Would you have just let Bell die?"

"No," the Demon King relented. "Even if he failed, I wouldn't have let him die."

"Then why? Why did you feel the need to be so needlessly cruel? Is this what I should expect from Chaldea? Are you telling me I made a mistake bringing you lot into my familia?" Hestia's frowned. "Though I suppose I can't blame your Master for you behaving in this manner can I?"

The brunette put her hat on her lap. "On the contrary, my Master is the one responsible, though knowing her, I doubt she will view my actions the same way you do?"

Hestia frowned. "Really? With the way the rest of your companions treat her, there is no way she can be a bad person. Jeanne wasn't lying when she said that Gudako was a kind and cheerful girl. Or at least she thinks that your Master is kind."

"Indeed. You aren't wrong about that," Nobunaga agreed. "My retainer is an absolute blast to be with, batshit crazy, and has a heart that just doesn't stop beating for others. But if there is one thing she is not, that is naive."

Hestia gave the woman in front of her a scathing glare. "Are you insinuating that I am naive?"

Nobunaga shrugged. "Who knows? I do not know how the gods and goddesses think and live. But I am human and I know that the way you are dealing with Bell is naive."

She put her arms behind her head, slouching further into her chair."As an adventurer, he willingly dives into the dungeon knowing that he could die at any moment. If he is willing to do so in the middle of the night then so be it. It is not my right to interfere. However, if he has accepted the possibility of death then he should accept death when it comes for him as well"

The Demon King scoffed. "Instead he only realized the trap once he had happily settled in it. If your child was stupid enough to do something he would regret, then he deserved to die with regrets as well."

"Is that really how you are?" Hestia's voice quivered as she felt her grip tighten around her empty glass. "That is just cruel."

"No, Goddess. It is reality. Those War Shadows are mindless beasts. Even if the ones were intelligent enough to know that they should guard their weak spot, only a fool would charge and attack a monster without thinking. If anything, he is mentally unprepared to become an adventurer"

Nobunaga sat up straight. "He isn't even alone. In the two days I have been here, all I see are fools who rely too much on their falna and not enough on the brain that they possess. Most adventurers aren't even skilled in combat. They all just swing their swords around hoping that they kill their opponent. It's no wonder more than half the city is still Level 1."

Hestia remained silent, her mind picking Nobunaga's words.

"So then why did you save him? You aren't lying and whatever you say is what you believe. So tell me? Did you save him just because you feel you owed me?"

"Uhahaha," Nobunaga's amused laughter caused Hestia to shiver. This girl is unhinged. "Yes, but that is only a single reason. I don't know how much you gods are aware of the fact, but human beings are incredible creatures, not because of their - what is it called again? Shounen levels of bullshit willpower, but rather their incredible ability to learn and adapt."

The Demon King gave her a dangerous grin. "The truth is that the best lessons are the hardest to swallow, a bit like medicine now that I think about it. There was a quote I had heard… 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' It's something like that."

Hestia sighed. "So you're saying that what you did to Bell will make him stronger?"

"Yes," Nobunaga assented.

"And what about his mental health?"

Nobunaga tilted her head."What about his mental health?"

"Bell might be naive and a bit stupid, but he is still a child. You can't expect him to grow up without any serious consequences."

"I was one as well," Nobunaga whispered. "Unlike your child, I didn't choose that path I ended up with. If anything, it was forced upon me."

"Nobunaga stood up. "He on the other hand chose this path. He wants to be an adventurer, doesn't he? Then he needs to realize that he won't get everything he wants. And if he wants to remain a child... Well, children don't survive on the battlefield now do they?"

She gave a bitter grin. "But I can't really expect the gods to understand the dirt we humans grovel in can I?

The conversation stopped for a few minutes. Then Hestia spoke. "I don't know how the gods in your world were and I do not know what sort of experiences you have had with them." Her tone was cautious, but underneath her words stood willpower.

"You don't hate me, but there is something you have against my are right that I really do not get mortals. Perhaps there are things I never will understand."

Hestia thumped her chest. "But at the very least I will make sure I understand what you are talking about and I will prove you wrong. At the very least, then there will be one goddess you can't hate."

Nobunaga gave her a strange smile before she began to laugh. It was rhythmic and melodious, yet there was a strange lightness to it. "Perhaps you will surprise me after all, Goddess of the Hearth."

She turned to walk out of the room. "And I never hated you in the first place, Goddess Hestia."