With only one day remaining until the Holy Moon Festival, a specially sealed object was delivered into the Hermes Familia.
However, since it was the Hermes Familia, even if some Adventurers happened to see it, they didn't pay much attention. After all, Hermes was one of the few gods permitted to leave Orario, and it wasn't unusual for him to occasionally bring back rare or curious items.
At first, many people were curious about what exactly Hermes Familia was bringing in from the outside world. But after seeing it happen so many times, their curiosity faded. They had learned that most of the things Hermes brought back were simply items that had caught his interest, or materials imported from elsewhere.
From then on, even when Adventurers saw Hermes Familia transporting large crates or sealed containers, they no longer thought much of it.
This time, however, was a little different.
The item brought in wasn't something Hermes himself was interested in—it was a final request from a friend outside Orario.
"Ah…"
"Artemis, I'm in deep trouble this time. I just hope you don't end up dragging me into it."
Staring at the weapon placed before him, Hermes couldn't help but think of the events that were bound to unfold during the Holy Moon Festival. Even he found himself silently praying that things wouldn't spiral out of control.
"Hermes-sama, if this troubles you so much, why did you accept the request?"
Asfi knew all too well that Hermes wouldn't normally agree to such a thing. She understood his belief in neutrality better than anyone.
"Well, this time… I chose to lend a hand because the circumstances simply didn't allow me to refuse."
A faint, bitter smile appeared on Hermes's face.
Just as Asfi had said, under normal conditions he would never have accepted such a troublesome favor. But this situation was far from normal.
"Artemis is a strong-willed goddess in Tenkai. Yet when she came to me for help, she had completely abandoned her pride. All she asked was that I return her arrow to Orario and help her find a suitable candidate."
"A suitable candidate…"
Asfi deliberately drew out her words, fixing him with a sharp, unwavering gaze.
"Hmm…"
Perhaps it was her piercing eyes—or the subtle tone in her voice—that made Hermes break out into a cold sweat.
Seeing his unease, Asfi immediately realized that the god was still trying to keep something from her.
"Didn't you already decide to entrust this matter to the Hestia Familia?"
"Asfi, how could you think that of me?"
"So, you're not denying it."
Sweat continued to bead on Hermes's forehead, his voice growing increasingly uncertain. His obvious nervousness only confirmed Asfi's suspicions.
She knew perfectly well that Hermes-sama had brought this weapon back precisely because he intended to involve the Hestia Familia.
Still, Asfi felt it was her duty to remind him of the risks.
"Hermes-sama, I don't object to your decision. But are you sure the Hestia Familia will agree? Or more accurately… will Bell Cranel himself agree?"
"He… should… agree?"
Hermes faltered, his earlier confidence quickly crumbling.
If Bell were still the inexperienced rookie who had just arrived in Orario, perhaps a convincing offer or a clear explanation of the stakes might persuade him.
But the problem was… Bell was no rookie anymore.
The moment he joined the Familia, Bell's actions were nothing like what a rookie would do. His rapid growth had even pushed Hephaestus and Loki into the background. Now, all of Orario remained unaware that Hestia possessed such an exceptional child.
More than anything, Bell's way of doing things was even more cautious than Hermes himself.
'I still can't believe that's the child raised by Zeus.'
Hermes had thought that to himself more than once, and now, Bell's overly cautious and guarded nature was giving him a serious headache.
With that kind of extreme prudence, expecting Bell to accept any sort of commission was completely unrealistic.
That meant the only possible approach was through Hestia.
"Hestia probably would."
Asfi shook her head at that, instantly pouring cold water on his optimism.
"Hermes-sama, Hestia only acts based on Bell Cranel's opinion. You don't actually think that if Bell Cranel refuses, your words alone could convince Hestia to agree, do you?"
"..."
That one line was enough to silence Hermes completely.
He didn't doubt Asfi's words at all. He knew Hestia would never accept a request without Bell's approval. If Bell refused, then no matter how much anyone tried to persuade her, she would undoubtedly stand by Bell's side and reject it.
Asfi, watching Hermes's silence, threw another difficult question his way.
"Also, Hestia's Familia exists within an alternate space. Do you even have a way to enter it?"
"..."
Damn. Hermes realized he had been taking too much for granted.
The Hestia Familia existed "beyond the world"—a realm even gods couldn't freely enter. Without passing through a proper channel, even deities could be destroyed within it.
"Then... what about using Loki's route again, like last time?"
"It's been two months since Loki-sama last appeared outside her Familia. Other than the Denatus meetings you're aware of, Loki-sama hasn't been seen at all. Where do you think she is now?"
"..."
Hermes was left completely speechless. Every possible route had been cut off—he didn't even have the chance to make contact.
"Forcing your way through the passage in Loki-sama's chamber could be one option, but… do you really think what she said last time was false?"
"...Absolutely true."
That terrifying spatial tunnel could tear even gods apart. Just remembering it made Hermes's scalp tingle.
Without Loki's guidance, entering on his own, Hermes wasn't sure he'd even survive long enough to reach the interior of Hestia's domain.
"So… do you still think there's a way?"