Hearth Mansion.
As a newly rising power in Orario, this Familia was still developing and had few members. Each person held clear responsibilities.
Even Haruhime, the newest member of the Familia, was no exception. Unable to enter the Dungeon due to her lack of combat ability, she naturally took charge of logistics. Together with Cassandra, she managed all the support duties for the Familia residence.
The mansion's size meant that having only the two of them handle all the chores made everyone else feel guilty. So whenever others had free time, they would pitch in to help.
Like now, for instance. Bell was helping Haruhime collect laundry.
The weather was poor today. Dark clouds cast a gloomy, gray pall over the sky. The young man and woman had shared a brief moment over something trivial, but it was quickly interrupted by scattered raindrops beginning to fall.
They hurriedly gathered the clothes and ran back to the residence. Upon entering, they found the others sitting and chatting in the main hall.
"Everyone, it's about to rain outside." Bell called out to the group, "Did you close your bedroom windows? Be careful not to let the wind blow rain in and wet your bedding."
"My window is already closed."
"Mine too."
After Daphne and Cassandra spoke, they looked at the others and noticed only Welf and Lili's expressions change.
"Oh no! I forgot to close my window!"
"Not good, me too!"
The two rushed back to their rooms.
"Those two are really careless."
"Lord Bell is right." Haruhime agreed.
She seemed very close to him. Perhaps it was because their fateful meeting had rekindled her will to live, making him her hero?
After all, his rescue of her had been driven by ulterior motives.
Recalling his reason for saving Haruhime, Adam asked, "Haruhime, I have a request."
"Yes! Whatever Lord Adam asks, I will certainly agree." Unlike her familiar manner with Bell, her attitude toward Adam was more deferential — like a subordinate addressing their superior.
Huh?
Even though Bell was the Familia captain, somehow Adam had become the group's de facto decision-maker.
"Well, relax. I don't mean to trouble you."
"Yes, I understand." Haruhime nodded obediently and asked softly, "What is it you need, Lord Adam?"
"I'd like to experience your Magic." Adam gestured first to her, then to Bell, "The Ishtar Familia targeted you for your unique Uchide no Kozuchi — the same Magic you cast on Bell that enabled his escape, correct?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"In that case..."
"No problem, I can cast the Magic on you." Haruhime replied readily.
This Magic was her sole notable talent and the reason she had joined the Hestia Familia. Having discussed this before joining, she was already prepared.
Of course, Hestia had promised they wouldn't misuse it. Even if Haruhime didn't want to, they wouldn't force her to use this Magic.
"Lord Adam, I'll cast the Magic on you now." Haruhime closed her eyes and pressed her palms together.
︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿
Grow.
That power and that vessel.
Breadth of wealth and breadth of wishes. Until the bell tolls, bring forth glory and illusion.
Grow.
Confine divine offerings within this body.
This golden light bestowed from above. Into the hammer and into the ground, may it bestow good fortune upon you.
Grow.
﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀
◈ Uchide no Kozuchi ◈
After three breaths, Adam's body began emanating a soft glow, particularly visible in the dim room.
"Oh, so this is Uchide no Kozuchi!" Moving his body and feeling its strength, he found himself filled with unimaginable power.
This ability truly amazed Adam. The unconditional level increase was even more powerful than he had anticipated!
The level increase was calculated based on one's vessel — their potential. The greater the potential, the more powerful the boost. The effect varied from person to person.
'What an incredible ability! However, it's mine now.' After experiencing it firsthand, Adam learned the Magic.
At the same time, he discovered its limitations. Though the Magic was indeed powerful, it had clear drawbacks: it could only target one person at a time and required an interval between castings.
These limitations were within his expectations. However, most critically, it couldn't be used on oneself!
Adam's goal was to strengthen himself, but the Magic he'd learned could only strengthen others. For him, it seemed rather pointless.
"Um, Lord Adam?" Seeing him fall silent in thought, Haruhime worried that he found her Magic impractical and grew anxious.
Unconsciously, she hugged Bell beside her. Her voluptuous body pressed against him, her alluring scent teasing the innocent young man.
"Eh?! Miss Haruhime?!" Bell cried out, trying to escape.
Haruhime quickly let go, her face reddening, "Ah! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!"
The two immediately put distance between themselves.
When their eyes met the next moment, they both lowered their heads with blushing cheeks.
Daphne, sitting across from them, was forced to watch their lovey-dovey display. Cassandra pouted slightly with jealousy.
"Ahem, Miss Haruhime."
"Yes, yes!"
"Please don't be nervous." Adam consoled the anxious fox girl, "Your Magic is excellent and very practical. I was just lost in thought earlier. I'm sorry for making you misunderstand."
He spoke softly, attempting to soothe her startled feelings, though he wondered whether she truly needed his consolation.
"Yes, yes." Haruhime let out a soft breath.
For the first time, she felt glad that this Magic — which had always put her in danger — could be acknowledged by others.
As they spoke, it began raining outside.
"It's raining."
"Yes, it is."
Bell looked at the rain outside with concern, while Haruhime simply agreed with him.
The air grew still for a moment.
"Lord Bell, what's wrong?" Haruhime asked.
"He's worried about Goddess Hestia." Adam answered, "She hasn't returned yet, and it's quite late. It's natural for him to be concerned."
Bell nodded, "Yes, that's right. I can't help but worry about our Goddess being out so late."
"She rarely stays out this late." Daphne and Cassandra agreed.
"In that case, let's go look for her."
"Yes, let's do that."
Welf and Lili's voices drifted down from the second-floor stairway.
Having overheard Bell's concerns as they descended, the two immediately offered to join the search. Everyone quickly agreed to the plan.
But just as they prepared to leave, a knock at the door made them all fall silent.
"Goddess Hestia?" Bell hurried to open the door, "Where have you been? We've all been so worried — huh?"
His words trailed off as he opened the door. Instead of their petite Goddess, they found themselves face-to-face with an unexpected visitor.
Ottar, the King — the warrior known as Orario's ultimate weapon.
Why had he come here?
✧✧✧
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