Chapter 372: The Goddesses' Private Topics

Watching Hyacine's unnatural behavior, Aiden remembered the small damp patch outside the hot spring doors last night. A knowing smile flashed across his lips.

The Artemis Familia's base was usually tranquil, but the morning sun had barely bathed the courtyard when a frantic, heavy knocking shattered the peace.

"Coming, coming!" One of the girls training in the courtyard hurried over, but a cool voice stopped her.

"I'll get it." Artemis personally walked over and opened the gate.

Outside stood a short figure boasting a "super-sized cup of justice." The moment she saw Artemis, her blue eyes lit up.

"Artemis!" she cheered, launching herself forward like a little cannonball without a second thought.

Recognizing the visitor, Artemis's usually aloof face broke into a rare mix of surprise and fond exasperation. She instinctively opened her arms, firmly catching the petite body.

"Hestia!"

The girls training in the courtyard stopped, standing on their tiptoes and craning their necks toward the gate. They had never seen their dignified goddess act so intimately with anyone.

"It's been so long! When did you descend to the lower world?" Artemis asked joyfully, holding her best friend and feeling the girl's soft face bury into her own.

"I just came down recently! I'm living at Hephaestus's place right now," Hestia rubbed against her affectionately, looking up with excitement. "When Hephaestus told me you were back, I ran straight over!"

Looking over Hestia's head, Artemis noticed the goddess standing behind her—dressed in men's clothing, sporting short fiery-red hair and an eyepatch. She offered Artemis a helpless shrug.

"Hephaestus, thank you for the trouble," Artemis greeted with a warm smile.

"Don't mention it. This idiot's been giving me a massive headache," Hephaestus sighed.

"Let's go inside first," Artemis chuckled, releasing Hestia and inviting her two dear friends into the Familia's base.

A curious half-elf girl observed the visitors before obediently heading off to prepare tea and snacks at Artemis's gesture.

Soon, the three goddesses were alone in a tasteful reception room. Without the Familia members around, they could speak freely.

"Wow, Artemis, your place is still so plain, but the air is fantastic," Hestia sighed contentedly, cradling her hot tea and looking around at the simple wooden furnishings.

"It hardly compares to Hephaestus's grand estate," Artemis replied softly, her gaze gentle.

"Don't remind me. My good friend strikes it rich and runs the biggest blacksmith Familia in the lower world or whatever," Hestia puffed out her cheeks, then slumped her shoulders, deflating entirely. "Meanwhile, I'm dirt poor. I don't even have a single Familia member, and I'm living off charity..." She cast a pitiful glance at Hephaestus.

"If you stopped buying useless junk and racking up debt, your life would be much easier," Hephaestus ruthlessly pointed out.

"I can't do that! That's a deity's pastime!" Hestia immediately retorted before shifting the topic back, scooting closer to Artemis with a sly grin. "Enough about me, what about you, Artemis? It's been years, but you haven't changed a bit. So, have you found a soul in the lower world that makes your heart flutter? Have you broken your vow as a Virgin Goddess?"

"Hestia!" Artemis gave her an exasperated glare. "You know I despise the messy relationships of Heaven. The pure nature of the lower world and the simple souls of its people are what I seek."

"Tch, boring," Hestia pouted. "Among the Three Great Virgin Goddesses, Athena is a warmonger obsessed with strategy, and you're the most inflexible one. Look at me! I'm really looking forward to a fateful encounter." She clasped her hands together, stars practically shining in her eyes.

"Oh, please. You just want to find a capable member to help you pay off your debts," Hephaestus took a slow sip of her tea, hitting the nail on the head.

"Hephaestus!!" Hestia jumped off the sofa in anger.

Watching her two best friends bicker just like old times, Artemis kept a faint smile on her face, her green eyes brimming with the warmth and joy of their reunion.

"So, how long do you plan to stay in Orario this time?" Hephaestus broke through the lighthearted banter, looking seriously at Artemis.

After all, the Artemis Familia's primary work lay in hunting outside the city, not exploring the Dungeon. They also occasionally took on special Guild requests to inspect sealed ancient monsters and ensure the seals held.

Hearing this, Hestia immediately turned to Artemis with hopeful eyes, practically plastering herself to her friend's arm. "Stay a bit longer, Artemis! There are so many fun things in the lower world—novels, manga, and all sorts of amazing food! I can hardly tear myself away. But it would be even better if you were here with me."

Looking into her friend's sparkling eyes, Artemis's heart softened. She nodded. "Alright. I'll stay a bit longer this time."

"Yes!" Hestia cheered, jumping for joy.

The goddesses resumed their chatting, steering toward more private topics. Before long, the subject turned to romance.

"Plenty of kids have confessed to me," Hephaestus said nonchalantly, pointing to her eyepatch. "But none of them could handle it once they saw the face underneath." Her tone was flat, as if recounting something completely unrelated to her.

She had grown used to it back in Heaven. Even if she didn't want to admit it, it remained the root of her insecurity. However, years had passed, and she was no longer as bitter as before; she was slowly making peace with it.

Hestia propped her chin on her hands, full of longing. "I might be a Virgin Goddess, but I just hate the messy jerks up in Heaven. If I could have a heart-pounding, fateful encounter, there's nothing wrong with falling in love!" Unlike Artemis, she was a Virgin Goddess who didn't oppose the concept of romance itself.

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