Chapter 7: Hestia's Lap Pillow, Exploring Dungeon Plan! (Patreon)

This is my raised character, getting a stage-up boost? Looking at the information from the "Hero Cloud-Raising Plan," Hestia felt all the fatigue from today's part-time work wash away.

All the effort she'd put in—it felt worth it!

"Basic Swordsmanship: Lv1"

...

But looking at the brand-new Skill Rozz had picked up, Hestia couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the kind of thing that got written into the Falna. More like a game panel, turning his effort into data? She couldn't figure it out.

But the girl goddess knew this would definitely help Rozz's future exploration of the Dungeon. Maybe, if he kept working at it, even his Basic Swordsmanship level could rise further?

"So..."

"If I find a way to help Rozz finish his Daily Quest every day, he might—pick up all sorts of brand-new Skills?"

Things being what they were, Hestia was gradually piecing together the true nature of the "Hero Cloud-Raising Plan"—it was just like the Jungle Chess game she used to play back in the heavens.

Give resources, help it grow. Except, compared to the board in that game, she'd moved the whole thing to Orario, swapping the pieces out for members of her Familia.

"So that's how it is?"

Stamina dropping. The cause was surely today's high-intensity Basic Swordsmanship training. But what truly caught Hestia off guard was...

this: Even with his body worn ragged, his mood hadn't taken a hit at all—if anything, it was because he wanted to repay the help she'd given him.

His mood had actually gotten better?!

Thinking of this, the girl goddess's chest filled with warmth. If she'd simply been handing her Familia member resource after resource one-sidedly, and he'd taken it all for granted, she'd surely have ended up disappointed.

But... Rozz really was different!!

A god providing resources, and the Familia member working hard to repay that effort—wasn't that exactly the kind of mutual devotion you'd find in a picture-book story?

And so, brimming with joy, Hestia grabbed the potato balls she'd carefully fried—though they still came out looking a bit rough—and made a swift getaway.

"Hehe!"

"Tonight...I'll give you a proper reward~"

—

"Thank you, Lord Takemikazuchi."

"It was nothing."

Takemikazuchi smiled warmly. Remembering how Rozz had spent the whole day sweating it out in the courtyard, training diligently, he found it hard to feel anything but fondness.

At the very least, it showed something about the boy's attitude toward Hestia.

Hm... He really was a fine kid.

He didn't forget to offer some advice: "If you feel you've gotten a handle on how to fight, you could try heading into the Dungeon and starting to explore."

"The upper levels really aren't as dangerous as people expect."

"I will."

Rozz didn't turn down the suggestion—mainly because he'd read a bit too much smut in his past life, and the stereotype of goblins was that they were pretty pathetic.

Of course, there was also the type where goblins dragged someone into a cave and bred with them in turns.

But after getting advice from Takemikazuchi, the God of Martial Arts, Rozz inevitably felt some nervousness about the unknown—though anticipation outweighed it.

After parting with Takemikazuchi, Rozz planned to head back to the communal dormitory along the route he remembered. But just as he reached the street and looked ahead, he spotted a familiar figure running straight at him.

...

Could someone really run that fast in flip-flops? Rozz was genuinely curious, but before he had time to think it over, he felt an unprecedented weight of girl slam into him.

Foul! Cute petite girls aren't allowed to charge into people like that!

But then again—he felt an indescribable, supreme softness press against his chest, his hands frozen, unsure what to do with themselves, because this was truly a weight he couldn't bear.

A faint scent, uniquely hers, kept drifting into his nose.

"Lady Hestia..."

"Um—is it really okay for us to be doing this?"

"What's wrong with it?"

She didn't think the contact was too intimate at all. Because of her height, she had to tilt her head back to look up at him, her smile especially bright.

Right after that, Hestia saw a notification pop up from the "Hero Cloud-Raising Plan."

"Rozz has felt this weight unique to a goddess; both his physical and mental fatigue have been effectively relieved."

"Stamina +20"

...

Cuddling could actually restore Stamina points?!

Still, the girl could understand the feeling, since she herself had felt her own fatigue melt away just now when she saw Rozz's status feedback.

"Stamina: 32↑100 (Fatigued)"

Did that mean there were other ways to ease the physical fatigue from Rozz's intense training too?

"Come on~"

"I'll walk you back to the communal dormitory!"

Curious about the mystery behind the "Hero Cloud-Raising Plan," the ever-active Hestia looped her arm through Rozz's without a second thought.

She was simply the chatty type. Even though she already knew the answer, she asked anyway, "So how was training with Takemikazuchi today?"

"Well..."

"Lord Takemikazuchi's great. He patiently taught me the basics of combat."

Rozz didn't hide anything. Maybe it was the boost from the Falna, or maybe it was because this body of his hadn't yet been worn down by corporate slave labor.

He just felt full of energy. He thought it over and answered with a smile, "I'm definitely a bit tired, but I feel like... once I sleep it off, I'll be fine by tomorrow."

"And..."

"Somehow, once I see you, Lady Hestia, I don't feel as tired anymore?"

"Of course!"

The girl let out a smug little huff.

Still... Hestia had no intention of telling him about the "Hero Cloud-Raising Plan." Even if it meant a misunderstanding, she'd just let the misunderstanding run its course!

...

Back at the communal dormitory, he could feel the sticky sensation of his clothes clinging to his skin—soaked with sweat earlier, then dried by the wind.

Rozz decided to wash up first.

When he came back, he found Hestia sitting on the edge of the bed, her pale bare feet resting on the floor, clearly waiting for him.

Noticing Rozz, the girl goddess smiled with tenderness and gave a little wave. "Come here."

...

"Lie down on the bed!"

...

Not quite sure what was going on, Rozz still followed Hestia's instructions—maybe she needed to update his stats.

Except, just as he was about to lie down, he saw Hestia reach out and gently pat her own pale, perfectly shaped legs.

Nothing like stick-thin legs—hers had a bit of softness to them, yet didn't look the least bit heavy, matching her perfect pear-shaped figure.

Unbeatable!

"Rozz."

"Great work training today!"

...

Enjoying the lap pillow from his beautiful Petite mom, Rozz looked up. Even from this unflattering angle, when it came to looks, she was still indescribably perfect.

When their eyes met, Rozz turned his head to change the subject. "It's fine...Lady Hestia, there's something I want to tell you."

"Mm-hm?"

"Tomorrow I want to go explore the Dungeon. That should let me earn some money, and it'll take a lot of pressure off you, Lady Hestia."

"?!"