The gods atop the Tower of Orario stared in a daze at Bell's series of actions.
'…So dirty!'
One after another, the gods felt the same thing: this child's methods were downright filthy.
From the Spirit Guardian's earlier reaction alone, it was clear Bell's strength was definitely not inferior to hers. Yet even with such power, he still used deadly poison in battle. There was nothing remotely heroic about that fighting style.
"Come to think of it, wasn't that poison he mentioned created by Hestia's child?"
At that reminder, every god turned their gaze toward Hestia.
But instead of looking guilty, Hestia stood firm and refuted them indignantly.
"My child is simply good at crafting Rune Stone and doing research. What's wrong with that?"
"Well, that's true—nothing wrong with that."
The Hestia Familia was a production-type familia, and one that produced Rune Stone—hard-to-come-by goods that always sold out immediately.
Her child clearly possessed a Development Ability similar to the Captain of the Hermes Familia; otherwise, creating so many miraculous items would've been impossible.
None of the gods actually doubted Hestia's child. The abilities of the Rune Stones alone were proof of how exceptional he was.
"But your child should have leveled up by now, shouldn't he? Why haven't you said anything?"
Sure enough, a god pressed her.
Hestia snorted and crossed her arms.
"Who said my child has reached Lv.2? He makes items simply because he enjoys it. It has absolutely nothing to do with any 'Development Ability'."
Of course it's related!
Every god present knew Hestia was talking nonsense. There was no way Rune Stones that impressive weren't influenced by a Development Ability.
But with Hestia refusing to budge and showing no intention of explaining anything, it was clear she wouldn't say a word.
Miach, who knew Hestia well, fully understood what the other gods wanted to hear—yet Hestia's attitude made her stance perfectly obvious.
Miach stepped in to support Hestia:
"Everyone, Hestia's child is the core of her production-type familia. I'm certain Hestia wouldn't lie. It's more accurate to say that child is simply special—able to create miraculous items even without leveling up."
"And besides, Hestia and Hephaestus get along quite well. When you all go to buy Rune Stone, you're buying them from Hephaestus's shop."
After speaking, Miach glanced toward Hephaestus beside Hestia.
Even if they ignored Hestia, would they really dare ignore Hephaestus too?
The gods all turned toward Hephaestus, only to find her wearing a teasing smile—a look that made it perfectly clear she was taking Hestia's side.
A faint chill swept through the assembly of gods.
They had nearly forgotten how deeply Hestia and Hephaestus were connected. The fact that Rune Stones were entrusted to Hephaestus's shop for sale was already an unmistakable signal.
With that in mind, their petty calculations quickly vanished.
Honestly, this was obviously a direct transaction between Hestia and Hephaestus. What other god would dare meddle? Anyone who tried would just be asking to have their legs broken.
Of course, that didn't mean there were no bold gods present.
For example: the ever-flirtatious Apollo.
At this moment he rose, as though he were some kind of brave warrior.
"Miach, we're not trying to make things difficult for Hestia. We simply want her to follow the agreed-upon rules. The outstanding child of her familia should naturally be presented."
As the collective mouthpiece for the gods, Apollo voiced what many of them were thinking.
Unfortunately, the next second, an oppressive pressure washed over them.
It felt as if it came from the moon itself.
"Apollo."
The voice was light, almost gentle—but its owner's authority was unmistakable.
"!?"
Apollo froze. He recognized that voice all too well.
"Bullying Hestia? Do you want to die?"
The speaker didn't hold back at all. With one sentence, she simply declared his life forfeit.
"Uh…"
Apollo's voice cracked as he turned around—and saw Artemis staring at him with an icy gaze.
But what truly suffocated him was the arrow resting on Artemis's table.
"No… surely not, Artemis…"
He remembered perfectly well: that arrow was her innate divine artifact, capable of piercing even a god.
Wasn't that thing supposed to belong in Tenkai? How had Artemis managed to bring it down?
Artemis continued to stare coldly at him.
"Where's your honorific?"
"S-Sis… Sis…"
Apollo squeezed out the word "sister," feeling certain that if he didn't, today would be the day he returned to Tenkai.
"Apollo. I'm living with Hestia now. If you have the guts—I'll blow your head off."
"!?"
Good gods.
Not a single deity present thought Artemis was joking.
…
No one jokes while brandishing a divine weapon.
The other gods understood instantly, and Apollo understood even more.
Artemis was the kind of warrior who could charge head-on against monsters even with her divine power sealed. Even without her artifact, she could still beat a god half to death if she wanted to. And now she was holding a weapon that no mortal in Genkai could possibly resist.
All Apollo felt now was horror.
If his head got blown off in Genkai, he wouldn't die—but he'd need thousands of years to be reborn in Tenkai.
"No, no, I wouldn't dare!"
Apollo hurried to beg for mercy, dropping back into his seat without daring to glance behind him.
No one knew better than he how terrifying Artemis could be.
Back in Tenkai, Artemis had literally taken aim at his forehead with that arrow on multiple occasions. A few times he'd nearly been sent straight to the afterlife.
If he ever touched Hestia's child, Apollo was certain his fate would be ten thousand times worse than the last time Loki targeted him.
"Artemis, watch your conduct."
Once the commotion settled, Ouranos's voice echoed across the hall.
Artemis knew exactly what he meant, so she stopped there.
"I understand."
But even with that, her actions made it clear to all the gods present—Ouranos was siding with Hestia and Artemis.
...