A few days later.
When the last out-of-control Antares larva was eliminated, the Great Tree Sea finally returned to its former tranquility.
Ying Ping and his party stood before the graves of the Artemis Familia members and other fallen adventurers, solemnly completing the final memorial ceremony.
"So... it's all over."
Artemis said softly, her fingers gently tracing each name carved on the gravestones.
She personally buried all the members of her Familia.
Then she placed a white flower, symbolizing purity, before each gravestone.
"The gods will remember your sacrifices. May your souls find peace in the heavens."
Artemis prayed softly, her short blue hair gently fluttering in the breeze.
Hestia held her hand: "Don't blame yourself too much. They fought for you until their last breath. They will surely be happy that you can live on."
"Yes..."
Artemis nodded gently, a determined light flickering in her eyes: "I will carry their will and continue forward."
On the journey back to Orario, the group soared through the sky on a dragon.
After several days of continuous flight, the familiar white giant tower finally appeared on the horizon.
"We're finally back..."
Chisato stretched: "Although camping and traveling have been fun, these past few days have been exhausting."
Ying Ping smiled and suggested: "How about we all go to the Hostess of Fertility for a big meal first?"
"Agreed!"
Ilena and Takina said in unison.
Kanna nodded happily: "I also miss Syr's cooking."
Artemis looked at them gently, then turned to Hestia and said: "Then let's do that. My matters can wait for now, no need to rush to see Ouranos. Let everyone relax first."
"That's true."
Hestia, though somewhat worried, still nodded in agreement.
After returning the dragon, when Ying Ping and his party appeared outside the gates of Orario.
The entire city suddenly erupted as if hot water had been poured on oil.
"Hey, look! It's the Hestia Familia! The heroes of the expedition have returned!"
Someone shouted this first, and like a lit fuse, the entire street instantly exploded into chaos.
"It's really them!"
"The saviors are back!"
"It's the heroes who saved the world!"
"Move aside! Let me see!"
"Kanna-san is so cute!"
"Ilena-san, please marry me!"
The crowd surged like a tide, windows on both sides of the street flew open, and countless heads peered out.
Vendors abandoned their stalls, children broke free from their parents' hands, everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the heroes.
The news spread like wildfire, from the city gates to the central plaza, from the commercial street to Babel, the entire Orario was shaken.
Citizens on both sides of the street rushed forward, yet spontaneously cleared a path.
Some cried tears of joy, extending their hands, applauding and cheering.
O/ O/ O/ O/ O/ ... "This... this is too exaggerated..."
Chisato was stunned by the sight, instinctively hiding behind Ying Ping.
Ilena clutched Ying Ping's sleeve tightly, muttering softly: "Master, shouldn't we do something..."
Ying Ping smiled slightly and raised his hand in greeting to the surroundings.
This simple gesture sparked a deafening cheer.
"Look! The Savior is waving at me!"
"No, he's waving at me!"
"Lord Ying Ping! Please look over here!"
"He really is as dazzling as the sun!"
"How can we ever repay the saviors' kindness!"
[Ding! Detecting public sentiment and keywords 'sun' and 'kindness,' the system will now automatically play 'If You Come in Winter DJ Version' across the area.]
"What? There's even this function?"
Ying Ping was completely stunned, his expression becoming strange.
Before he could react, a powerful, tear-jerking divine melody had already begun to play.
"Hmm? Where's that music coming from?"
"I don't know, but this tune is quite nice."
The citizens began to discuss amongst themselves.
[If you come in winter, I'll exchange it for a city of white snow~]
[Countless lovesickness blossoms in the wind~]
[Gently swaying, the splendor that crosses the sky~]
[Turns into tears, crying upon waking~]
[In the distance, who gazes endlessly through autumn for whom~]
[Who drinks under the moon for whom~]
[Who can see through the mortal world, how many return when looking ahead~]
[Ending with lingering thoughts~]
O/ O/ O/ O/ O/ ... After the welcome ceremony finally ended, Ying Ping and his party entered the Hostess of Fertility pub, and the familiar clamor immediately surrounded them.
Mama Mia saw everyone and immediately laughed heartily: "Yo! Long time no see, aren't these the heroes of the Hestia Familia?"
"Congratulations on your triumphant return! Tonight's bill is on me!"
Syr's eyes widened in surprise when she saw them: "Welcome back, everyone from the Hestia Familia!"
"I heard you resolved a major crisis that concerned the fate of the entire world. Is that true?"
"Of course it's true!"
Chisato proudly puffed out her chest: "This whole thing was thanks to our Captain, after all, he's an invincible existence!"
"Invincible?"
Syr tilted her head and glanced at Ying Ping.
"Ahem."
Ying Ping lightly coughed twice, interrupting her: "Uh, let's get some food first, Miss Syr. We're all hungry."
Syr showed an expression of admiration, blinked and smiled: "Alright, coming right up~"
Then, the entire pub erupted into a wild celebration.
All the waitresses sat at Ying Ping's table and started drinking, except for Ryu.
Because she didn't return with everyone on the dragon, her journey on foot was much slower, and she was still on her way.
After the celebration of food and drink, everyone went to the Gods' Bathhouse for a soak.
In the misty steam, the girls relaxed in the hot spring, their exhaustion from the past few days completely gone.
"Ah~ I'm alive again…"
Chisato, with a headband on her forehead, sighed contentedly in the bath.
Takina leaned against the edge of the pool, closing her eyes to rest: "It's such a blessing to be able to take a bath. We really needed to relax."
Ilena and Kokkoro, meanwhile, happily gathered together to discuss their gains from this trip.
At the same time, Hestia gathered a few of her divine friends in the room next to the bathhouse.
Hephaestus, Miach, Take Mikazuchi, and Demeter were all there, and even Hermes was leaning by the window.
"The specific situation is as such…"
Hestia explained the entire sequence of events regarding Artemis in detail.
"To split one's soul before being devoured by such a monster… that's a crazy move."
Hephaestus took a sip of hot tea, "But it's very much in Artemis's style—preferring death over surrender, never giving up."
Artemis scratched her head sheepishly: "At that time… I just thought I had to survive and then go find everyone for help."
Miach pondered: "Fortunately, everything has been resolved. On another note, how do you think Lord Ouranos will view this matter?"
"The key lies with Ying Ping-kun."
Take Mikazuchi folded his arms, analyzing incisively: "The entire incident was resolved thanks to him."
"Instantly killing Antares, this immense feat of saving a goddess and the Lower World, I believe will surely move Lord Ouranos."
Demeter nodded: "That's right, and Artemis's situation is very special. She didn't intentionally use her divine power back then, and fortunately, no serious consequences occurred, so this shouldn't be considered a violation, right?"
Hestia's small face wrinkled up: "While that's true, this incident caused too much commotion."
"What if Ouranos, that old stubborn man… what if he insists on sending Artemis back to the Heavenly Realm?"
At these words, everyone showed thoughtful expressions.
There was no way around it; Ouranos, as a great god of the Heavenly Realm, also had the responsibility of overseeing them, ordinary gods.
Both his status and power far surpassed theirs, so naturally, they all held him in awe.
Hermes suddenly spoke: "Everyone, don't panic. We can just do as we initially planned."
Everyone immediately looked at him.
"We will jointly petition Lord Ouranos, and with Ying Ping-kun's great achievements, we'll collectively request that Artemis be allowed to remain in the Lower World."
"If Lord Ouranos is still unwilling to relent, then we can agree to some additional conditions from Lord Ouranos."
"For example, revealing Ying Ping-kun's true level, allowing the Hestia Familia to continue exploring the Dungeon, things like that, and he might agree."
Hestia's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea!"
"Let's do that."
"When Hestia asked me to forge a weapon for that child, she requested a Level 1 armament. I knew then that the child was certainly not simple."
Hephaestus also showed a relaxed expression: "Tomorrow morning, we'll take Ying Ping-kun to meet Lord Ouranos."