It had been hours since Hestia dunked herself into a river and decided to travel alongside Eggie.

Gekai was not disappointing. Far from it. It was fascinating to discover sceneries that didn't strike her as familiar, along with seeing animals and plants that didn't exist in Tenkai.

The walking, though, she could definitely live without. Her feet were red after so much walking, and her calves were itchy after passing tons of rowdy grasses.

"Mou, Eggie," she panted as she silently massaged her throbbing thighs, "Are… are we there yet…?"

"Not quite," he said, "Townes is still half an hour away."

"Only… half an hour…."

It was like an eternity for Hestia. She might have survived the river, but she wouldn't survive the journey at the rate they were going.

She was a Goddess, and it went without saying that Gods and Goddesses were physically superior to mortals. But, well… Hestia wasn't the most athletic person in the Greek neighborhood, or the whole Tenkai really. She barely walked a hundred meters daily, and having to walk for literal hours was a big shock to her pampered legs.

Still, despite her suffering, they reached their destination in due time.

The forests around her became noticeably thinner, and beyond the last line of oaks and birches, was a grassland with a sea of gold.

"Wow…"

Hestia stood still before the scenery, her weariness forgotten. No matter where she saw, there were always crops with golden grains in her view.

"You've never seen a rice field before?"

"Mm," she nodded, eyes full of wonder. The vast field was simple compared to Demeter's garden, but it didn't make it any less beautiful, "Rice, is that what these crops are called?"

"Yes," Eggie looked around, leading her to circle around the field towards a dedicated road which led to the village, "They serve as staple food for the populace. Planted in spring and harvested in autumn."

"And autumn is about to begin," Hestia hummed, "so these crops will be harvested soon?"

"They should be," said the Elf, noticing a farmer afar who hurriedly went towards the village after noticing their presence, "It will be a busy season, as everything must be done before winter comes."

Soon enough, a pair of Humans approached them from the opposite end of the road, wielding simple spears and make-do armors.

Hestia gulped. Their cautious gazes weren't very welcoming, and their weapons didn't ease her nerves at all, "... Eggie?"

The Elf let out a soft grunt, "Let me speak with them."

Two pairs walked towards each other, their meeting inevitable.

"Hail, travelers," spoke the older Human, "What business have you with Townes Village?""

"We seek to restock our supplies, and hopefully rent a room to rest for the night."

The locals shared a brief look with each other before returning their gazes to the Elf and his Human companion. No, not Human; this holy aura she exuded….

"I'm sorry to ask, but are you a Goddess by chance?"

"Yup," the Goddess straightened her back, beaming at the recognition she received, "I am Hestia and this is Aegon. Nice to meet you."

Her hearty words eased the militia's suspicion. It was hard to see Hestia as the malicious sort, and so was the poise Elf beside her.

"I am Rundi and this is my son, Howard. We bid you welcome, Goddess Hestia, Sir Aegon," the man nodded to his son, sending him ahead into the village before escorting the pair at slower pace. "Forgive our skepticism. The village is having trouble as of late. We worry for everyone's safety."

"What trouble if I may ask?" asked Aegon.

"Bandits," Rundi grimaced, "Spotted them scurrying the outskirts at night. They are yet to do anything harmful, but it's only a matter of time until they do."

An elderly couple greeted the guardsman from their terrace, and the latter briefly returned the given greeting.

"Are you sure they are bandits?" Hestia couldn't help but ask, "Maybe they are just travelers? Like us?"

Rundi was about to scoff, but held his tongue out of respect, "Oh, how much I wish to be proven wrong, Goddess. I might not look much, but I've seen all sorts of types out here. The way these armed vagrants peeked around and fled after being spotted was a dead giveaway. Even more obvious, this happened after our noble allocated most of his men to the west."

The Goddess knew what 'noble' means in terms of someone's character, but not quite as a subject. Perhaps 'noble' meant a ruler of some sort? "That doesn't sound right. Wouldn't that endanger everyone?"

"Yes, and we have Rakia to thank for that. They seek to wage war against some Elves in their forests, forcing Meilstora to reinforce her western border as a show of power," the senior Human growled, eyes front to the road they would walk, "Conscription hasn't happened yet, but it sure will if Rakia declares war on Meilstora. To make it worse, this whole thing happens so close to harvest. Damn that warmonger King, Ares!"

Hestia felt her stomach drop after hearing the God of War's action. She then hesitantly glanced at Eggie, expecting a reaction when a war to his people was mentioned, but surprisingly enough, her friend seemed nonchalant about the matter.

"I see. About these bandits, what else could you tell us?" Aegon questioned instead.

Rundi turned to the Elf, studying him, "We do not know where they reside, Sir Aegon, but for them to stay around even after seeing our patrols, they must be feeling confident to take us on. Those honorless beasts are not to be underestimated."

"Your worry is appreciated, Sir Rundi, but I have taken work involving much worse."

Eyes of gold gazed at the escort. Rundi could see what lies beneath wasn't shallow bravery often seen from overeager young, but confidence built on hard cold experience.

The Familia of Goddess Hestia might appear unarmed, but he had heard many tales throughout his life. From Elves wielding the power of nature, to holy boons of unmatched prowess granted by the Gods.

Rundi could feel it in his bones. It wouldn't be wise for anyone to make an enemy out Sir Aegon and his Goddess. Nevertheless, "We haven't put on any bounty if that's what you're expecting. Old man Rob is planning to hire a Familia from Karuna to get rid of them."

"A sound decision if only a few days slower. May I speak with him?"

The Human inhaled, knowing the Elf was right. This bandit issue must be dealt as soon as possible, but traveling to Karuna would take days even with the swiftest horse, and waiting for a Familia to answer, even longer.

Either way, it's not for Rundi to decide the best course of action, and so the pair was redirected towards the village hall where they met with Townes's head to discuss a possible job.

Hestia didn't speak much as Eggie took the lead, but her presence did help in persuading the village leader to hire his service. Approximately 4,000 valis were promised before they were led towards the village's inn where they could rest for the night.

"Eggie, are you sure about this?" Hestia whispered after they regained a bit of privacy at one of the inn's tables, her worry clear as day.

The Goddess had learnt a thing or two about her companion in the short time they were together. He didn't strike her as reckless, but this development spoke anything but.

"Absolutely. I wouldn't have bothered if I did not."

"But there's like, a lot of them!"

"Yes. Sir Rundi and Elder Rob have spoken as much."

… Is he serious?

There was only one of him against so many dangerous people! It's not the same as random monster wolves she had witnessed him dispatched off the road, and with her Arcanum sealed, Hestia couldn't do anything to help him.

…

Wait a second.

How could she forget?!

Well, no, Hestia had considered it briefly, but after what had happened hours ago, she couldn't muster the courage to bring it up. That would be painfully awkward. Best not to rush; wait for embarrassing memories to settle down a bit. Maybe for a couple of days, or weeks, or… she honestly didn't know.

But this wasn't the time to let awkwardness cloud her actions. Lives were at stake and she wouldn't just do nothing.

"E–Eggie," Hestia began, trying her best to leash her bubbling nervousness, "I know this is a bit too sudden, but… w–what do you think about joining my Familia?"

His gaze deepened, "Familia, you say?"

The question didn't surprise Hestia. From the 'all you need to know' pamphlet published by Gekai Committees, White Elves generally live in seclusion inside their forests, uninvolved with ongoing events of the world outside their domains.

So Hestia gave him the rundown about Familia and Falna, her every word taken with great attentiveness by her companion.

"I don't see how it will help me," Eggie confessed, "According to your explanation, Falna seems to be a progressive boon that doesn't give benefit at the beginning."

"It actually does," Hestia corrected, inwardly chidding herself for missing that detail, "It gives an initial power-up that would make a difference against people without Falna."

He took a moment to consider, "That may be so, Goddess Hestia, but please understand. Putting its benefits aside, joining a Familia is a commitment not to be taken lightly."

Her shoulders slackened, her disappointment palpable. Then… then what can I do? How can I help?

The Elf chuckled before her downcast expression, "Don't be afraid, Goddess. This job is well within my capability," he stood up from his chair, "If you'll excuse me. I'll be back before dusk."

Hestia was speechless for a moment, her worry soothed by the Elf's honesty if only a little.

"Alright," she ended up saying amidst her hesitation, afraid that her approval would erase whatever doubt he had and condemn him to his demise, "... Be careful, okay?"

He gazed at her, a small smile settling on his face before he left to do his work.

The Elf returned hours later, his payment given and his body unharmed

Both travelers departed in the next morning after breakfast.

Hestia had changed her attire, storing away her short dress and sandals for the sake of a more convenient outfit Eggie had bought for her: a humble brown tunic and raven pants, along with a pair of boots made of leather.

Unfortunately for the both of them, Townes didn't provide long-distance transportation service for travelers, hence they had to walk again until they reached the next settlement. A bit disappointing, but at least they had proper roads this time around — as proper the roads could be in the middle of nowhere.

"A vali for your thoughts, Goddess Hestia?"

The Goddess was quieter than she had been the day before. She no longer complained about the long period of walking, and while it's not necessarily bad, silence could be overwhelming when they only had one another in their travels.

Hestia watched the mountain range spanning across the horizon, and the trees filling the forest below the cliff road where they walked.

"It's a beautiful view."

Aegon nodded, "It is."

They traveled down the hill and past the forest, before resting near a river where they caught their lunch. They had bought long lasting supplies from Townes, but with sustenance being available in their immediate surroundings, it's best to keep their reserve for when it's truly needed.

Hestia didn't feel well about herself. The Elf had this nifty Telekinesis magic that allowed him to capture fish without much effort — the very same magic he had used to save her the day before — and once again the Goddess was left at the backseat.

She wasn't Artemis who was good at hunting, nor was she Demeter who was knowledgeable with the edibles in the forests. She was a keeper of the Eternal Torch that didn't exist in the Lower World, a Goddess of Hearth without home, and a Goddess of Family without Familia.

Hestia had never felt so out of her depths.

"Do you like soup, Goddess Hestia?"

The Goddess was brought out of her thoughts, and before her was a small cooking pot among other things fetched from Eggie's backpack.

She knew what they were. Cooking wares along with some spices.

"I don't know. I've never had them before."

Gods had no need for sustenance back in the Heavens. If they yearn for delicacies, beverages like ambrosia and heavenly wines were the ways to go, second to indulgence of one's own spheres and… stuff she refrained herself from partaking.

"I like it, with seafood especially," the Elf remarked as he placed down a mixing bowl filled with fresh fish, "though I have to admit this isn't the most appropriate time for complicated meals — being a bit tricky to prepare and all," a light-hearted chuckle escaped him, "I hope you don't mind the hassle. Would you like to help me?"

Hestia deflated, her mood plummeted below the ground, "I… I can't cook…"

No necessities to eat meant no necessities to cook. It wouldn't be the case from this point on however, as it had been well in design for descended Gods and Goddesses to require sustenance for better mortal experience and yet…

… She was really unprepared, wasn't she?

Hestia could have tried to learn a few things in all those years waiting for her time to descend but she decided to be happy-go-lucky.

It was miserable where she got herself now, wallowing in regret.

"That's not a problem," said Eggie, plain and simple, "Everyone has to start somewhere. I myself didn't know how to until a few years ago."

Hestia lifted her gaze and met golden orbs free of scrutiny.

"I can teach you if you want."

Something seeped inside Hestia. Of what, she didn't know, but it was nice and warm, reminding her of the hearth back at her temple.

"R–really?"

She felt a bit silly for getting all worked up over the simple gesture, but when was the last time she felt worked up over anything? The kind of feeling that hastened her heartbeat, and rammed its way onto her face and made her goofy?

"Really. Would you like to learn, Goddess Hestia?"

Towards that heartfelt smile, Hestia eagerly answered.