Chapter 3: Am I Really a Cloud-Parenting Expert? (Patreon)

Hestia had never imagined an Adventurer's potential could be laid out so plainly before her eyes — though of course, that was thanks to this panel of light.

"Hero Cloud-Raising Plan"

Random fact:

The dividing line for countless Adventurers in Orario was Rank D in stats — only by reaching that standard could one undergo a level-up.

As for Rozz, who had just become an Adventurer —

if he simply followed the proper steps of exploration and growth, he could reach Level 2. But if she added a proper training plan of her own...

surely he'd achieve something even greater?!

The girl goddess furrowed her brow slightly, thinking it over seriously. "So, how exactly should I go about drafting a training plan for Rozz?"

Curiosity nagging at her,

Hestia kept studying the "Hero Cloud-Raising Panel."

"Affection: 3"

Affection...

It wasn't hard to understand — Rozz, having just joined her Familia, probably owed his current affection level to the fact that she'd picked him up in the first place.

A god and her follower need to keep their bond close, don't they?!

But what exactly did that closeness do?

Hestia hadn't quite figured it out yet, so she kept studying the other attributes on the transparent light panel, trying to understand its functions.

"Mood: 43↓100 (Anxious)"

"Energy: 93↑100 (Good)"

"Health: 98/100 (Excellent)"

"Money: 0"

"Note: Having just arrived in Orario and become an Adventurer, Rozz hasn't yet found a place to live, and feels anxious about his brand-new future."

"Raise Affection to unlock the Character Development feature."

"This should be... how he's feeling right now, right?"

Made sense, really.

He'd come to Orario harboring the goal of becoming an Adventurer, only to pass out — and probably had every valis stolen from him as a result.

No matter how you looked at it, he'd naturally worry about what came next.

Hestia could really empathize. When she'd first come to Orario, if her close friend Hephaestus hadn't kindly taken her in —

she'd definitely have ended up living on the streets.

"Because she'd once been caught in the rain herself, she wanted to hold an umbrella for someone else!"

Besides —

Rozz had already accepted the Falna she'd given him. All that remained was registering at the Adventurer Guild, and he'd officially become the newest member of her Familia.

Thinking of this,

the girl goddess became clearly aware that she needed to help Rozz solve his current problem. "Rozz, do you have a place to stay?"

"Not yet..."

He couldn't shake the feeling...

that this goddess was looking at him a little strangely. Faced with the question about his future situation, Rozz answered honestly.

"Good."

"Then just wait here for me for a bit!"

—

Solving Rozz's housing problem —

there was no way she could handle that on her own, since Hephaestus covered all her daily expenses in Orario.

So...

when in trouble, of course she'd turn to her best friend for help!

Not to mention that her very first recruited follower came with a "Hero Cloud-Raising Plan," full of unknowns even a goddess couldn't decipher.

"Hephaestus..."

Arriving at the office of the weapon shop branch, Hestia shut the heavy wooden door behind her, so Rozz wouldn't see her like this.

Otherwise, the dignified goddess image she'd worked so hard to build would be completely shredded.

But faced with her best friend's all-seeing gaze, the girl rubbed her hands together, her smile a little awkward. "I came to discuss something with you."

"?"

Having spent so long together back in the heavens,

Hephaestus could guess from Hestia's demeanor that nothing good was coming. She rubbed her forehead helplessly. "No borrowing money."

"..."

The speech she'd prepared was completely shot down. Hestia had to switch tactics, lifting her head, her expression turning serious.

"But this time it's different!"

"Rozz is the new member I just recruited, and he doesn't have any money on him. As a goddess... I can't just watch him end up on the streets, can I?"

"Could you lend me some money?"

"I promise — it's absolutely to help Rozz. Once I guide him... into becoming a proper Adventurer, things will get better."

"..."

This one never mentioned paying back her debts!

Hephaestus knew Hestia's habits all too well — if she didn't get what she wanted, she'd probably pester her relentlessly for the next several days.

Besides...

Rozz's appearance might just be enough to change Hestia's freeloading ways.

She rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on, though what she felt more was genuine helplessness. "Fine... how much do you want to borrow?"

"Ten million?"

"Get lost."

"Then a million? I'll pick out a set of weapons and gear for him, and it'll make exploring the Dungeon much easier."

"..."

"If that's really too much, a hundred thousand valis would work too."

How could this possibly be called a shameless overreach?

At least Hestia didn't think so — Rozz had just arrived in Orario, and now that he was an Adventurer, there were plenty of places he'd need money for.

Better to ask for more...

it would make boosting Rozz's "Affection" that much easier, too!

"Just this once."

"Hephaestus, you really are my best friend."

"I sort of wish I weren't..."

Having successfully borrowed the hundred thousand valis, Hestia felt her back straighten noticeably as she went to find Rozz.

Arriving at the shop's front hall,

she looked at the black-haired boy standing before the display window, examining the weapons. "Rozz, you're my Familia's new member after all."

"So as your goddess, I naturally have to take responsibility for you."

"Let's go..."

"I'll take you to find a place to live first. As for Adventurer gear, we can think about that later — just tell me if you need anything."

Because of her straightened posture,

the girl goddess's full, ample chest, framed by the blue ribbon, was displayed perfectly before Rozz.

"..."

Having transmigrated into the world of "DanMachi,"

his stage goal of becoming an Adventurer had been smoothly accomplished. What remained to consider now were matters of food, clothing, shelter, and daily life.

As for that,

Rozz felt it was necessary to take back his initial judgment of Hestia. Even though... right now she seemed like a bit of a ragtag outfit.

But he also understood clearly:

she was under no obligation to give him special treatment just because of his status as a "follower."

As things stood now,

Hestia, willing to help him solve his most pressing living problems and offer guidance, was absolutely a qualified "Petite mom"!

"Toss me a peach, and I'll return a plum."

Such a simple truth —

having gone through modern compulsory education, Rozz naturally understood it, and he had no intention of taking her kindness for granted.

"Thank you, Lady Hestia..."

"No need to thank me~"

Even as she said that,

the smile on Hestia's youthful face betrayed her true feelings in that moment. She waved her hand. "If you really want to thank me..."

"Then..."

"I hope that the you of the future can hold onto your original resolve to become an Adventurer, and keep carving out your own path... your own scenery, on this road!"

"I'll do my best."

"..."

"Affection +2"

Noticing the affection increase that popped up on the "Hero Cloud-Raising Plan," the girl's smile gradually took on a doting, auntie-like warmth, and she secretly clenched her fist.

So —

could it be that she really was a master of the cloud-raising domain?!