Is It Wrong to Explore the Dungeon Even Though I’m Overpowered? (Danmachi SI- WC) (Patreon)

Chapter 4: The Hearth

“Artemis!”

With happiness radiating off the tiny Goddess she walked around the stall before taking off in a small sprint and giving Artemis a flying hug causing the moon Goddess to take a few steps back to keep her balance.

“Artemis! It’s so good to see you~” Hestia yelled at the top of her lungs looking like a limpet right now since Artemis was much taller than her.

“Fufufu it’s good to see you as well Hestia. How have you been?” Artemis asked with a chuckle at her friend’s enthusiasm as she softly patter her back.

“I-I’ve been doing good hehe.” Hestia responded finally letting go of Artemis and laughing nervously while also looking off to the side randomly.

“Hoh, is that so? What happened to staying with Hephaistos?” Artemis asked with a raised eyebrow causing Hestia to lower her head in shame.

“She kicked me out.” Hestia muttered quietly before looking up again with comical tears in her eyes. “It’s been horrible Artemis! I never knew work could be so hard~” She whined.

“Haah and here I thought you had finally matured a bit.” Artemis said with a shake of her head only making Hestia cry more.

“Anyways Hestia, there’s something I want to talk to you about. What time is your break?” Artemis moved the conversation along causing Hestia to blink curiously.

“Well not until a few more hours but if you want, we can talk now. The rush hour is over so it should be pretty slow now until lunch time.” Hestia suggested before finally taking notice of us and offering us a smile.

“Oh, is that your Familia?” she asked giving a small glance to the girls before focusing her gaze on me and giving me a curious look probably wondering what I was doing with Artemis who didn’t like men very much last she remembered.

“No, I don’t think that would be a good idea. What I have to say is rather sensitive.” Artemis said with a shake of her head throwing me a small glance before focusing on Hestia again. “And yes, they are. Let me introduce you to them.”

“Hestia, I want you to meet Rethusa, my captain and Lante the Vice-Captain.” Artemis introduced the girls who bowed their head at the tiny Goddess when their name was called.

“Finally, I want you to meet Reinhard and his companion Est. Reinhard is actually the reason I want to talk to you in private.” Artemis finished with her introductions while swiveling her head around to make sure we weren’t overheard.

“A pleasure to meet you Hestia-sama. Artemis-sama spoke fondly of you.” I greeted the goddess with a smile bringing my right hand over my chest and offering her a small bow.

“It’s nice to meet everyone.” Hestia greeted us with a warm smile on her face that highlighted how beautiful she was.

“So, what did you want to talk about that has to do with Reinhard? Don’t tell me that you actually broke your ‘no boys allowed’ rule?” Hestia asked teasingly towards her friend only to drop her smile and widen her eyes when she caught the Moon Goddess looking nervously off to the side with a cute blush on her cheeks.

“No Way!” Hestia exclaimed loudly causing Artemis to panic and comically cover her mouth with her hands.

“Shh! Quiet! What did I just say!?” Artemis growled at the petite goddess in embarrassment the blush on her cheeks not lessening at all.

Once things calmed down Artemis quietly explained that she needed a favor from her but it would be best to discuss things in private. Hestia, proving what a good friend she was, stated that we could head to where she was currently staying and she would just close the stall for the day.

“Are you sure Hestia? We don’t mind waiting until the end of your shift you know?” Artemis asked with a concerned frown adorning her beautiful face now wanting to inconvenience her friend.

“Don’t worry about it. This matter seems really important for you, so I don’t mind skipping work for a day. I’ve never seen you act this way before.” Hestia denied with a shake of her head offering her friend a soft smile.

“Yeah…” Artemis muttered softly unconsciously turning my direction and looking into my eyes for a moment before turning back to her friend. “It is. Thank you.”

“Excuse me Hestia-sama, Artemis-sama? I don’t mean to interrupt but since you are missing a day of work for me, may I offer a compromise?” I spoke up interrupting the moment feeling bad that Hestia would be missing a day of work for me when she was barely getting by as it is.

“Oh? You have an idea, Rein? What is it?” Artemis asked curiously offering me a smile.

“How about I just pay Hestia-sama for the day that way she doesn’t have to miss a whole day of work?” I offered with a smile knowing I still had money from my monthly salary and besides now that we were in Orario I could recoup that pretty easily.

“I couldn’t possibly ask that of you!” Hestia exclaimed with a shake of her head once she got over her shock. “Besides, it will only be for one day so it’s fine, really.”

“Great idea Rein!” Artemis said giving me a smile completely ignoring Hestia’s words. “Though you don’t have to use your personal money, we still have all the magic stones from the monsters you killed.”

“I have them right here.” Rethusa said stepping forward with a medium pouch in her hand no doubt filled with magic stones.

“Huh, I had completely forgotten about them if I’m being honest.” I muttered tilting my head slightly.

“Huhuhu of course you did.” Lante let out with a small chuckle.

“You guys, listen to me~” Hestia childishly whined only to be ignored again.

“Alright, so now that we don’t have to feel bad about Hestia losing a day of work, how about we get moving?” Artemis said moving the conversation along and looking back at Hestia who had comical tears at the corner of her eyes.

“Stubborn as always huh? At least that part of you hasn’t changed.” Hestia muttered quietly before shaking her head. “Fine, since it seems I’m outnumbered here, just give me a few minutes to close down the stall and then I’ll lead you to where I’m currently staying.”

A few minutes later the tiny goddess was done and she was quick to grab Artemis’s hand and drag her along behind her ignoring everything else around us.

=====

“S-so here we are.” Hestia muttered with an embarrassed blush on her face as we stood in front of the depilated church that served as Hestia’s home for now.

“This is perfect.” I said with a nod of my head as I thought about all the advantages such a building provided.

It was out of place, only a select few knew of its location, it was in a good location overall and most importantly I felt a portal inside that connected to my Sweet Home.

“R-Really!?” Hestia turned to me with a surprised look on her face not detecting any lies in what I said.

“Of course.” I nodded at her with a smile. “A building can always be rebuilt so it’s current state doesn’t bother me at all. Based on what I observed so far this church is close to many important locations which is amazing.”

“Hehehe, when you say it like that…” Hestia muttered in embarrassment with another blush growing on her cheeks as she scratched the back of her head bashfully.

“As expected of Reinhard-sama, he has already won over another goddess huhuhu.” Lante muttered quietly with an amused giggle.

Hestia apparently heard her as her blush grew to encompass her entire face as she hurriedly turned away from us and awkwardly coughed into her hand. “A-Anyways, come on in everyone.”

Once inside Hestia led us through the secret door that led to the basement that was currently being used as a bedroom/living room/kitchen and bid us to take a seat.

“Now what is it you need to tell me that required all this privacy?” Hestia asked curiously looking at Artemis and me specifically.

Fidgeting for a moment, unconsciously scooting closer to me, Artemis took a deep breath to settle her nerves and began. “Right. Hestia, would you accept taking in Reinhard as part of your Familia?”

“…What!?” Hestia exclaimed in surprise directing her gaze to me to see if her friend was telling the truth.

I only nodded my head in agreement causing Hestia to look at Artemis as she began talking again.

“You see, Reinhard is…”

Artemis spent the next ten minutes explaining to Hestia what had happened the past week. How I had managed to rescue her and the other two just in time from Antares and then went on to slay the monster. Finding out about my abilities and granting me her Falna in an attempt to protect me from other deities who would want to take advantage of me. And finally, how she feared that I would be in danger under her Familia since she was known for not boys under her Familia and had suggested Hestia herself as a good choice for me to be under.

At the end of Artemis’s recounting of events, Hestia found herself silent contemplating everything that had been said to her. After a few minutes of this she finally directed her gaze at me and looked at me with a serious expression on her face.

“Reinhard, first of all thank you for saving my friend.” Hestia said bowing her head at me in thanks making me uncomfortable at having a goddess bowing to me but before I could ask her to raise her head she continued.

“Just on that alone I would be more than willing to welcome you into my Familia with open arms. However, I want to know what you think. Do you want to join me?” Hestia asked me with a serious look on her face.

Not even having to think about it, I immediately stood up surprising the others and walked in front of Hestia before getting on one knee giving her a proper knightly bow by gently grabbing her left hand with my right and kissing her knuckles.

“I don’t know how much help my modest strength can be to you but it would be my pleasure to lend my blade to someone Artemis-sama holds in such high regard.” I said sincerely with a smile on my face, my instincts as Reinhard taking over in this situation.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“K-KYAAAAAA!”

The sound of two squealing voices suddenly rang out in the hidden basement taking me by surprise coming from Hestia and Lante. I watched in confusion as Hestia in front of me was now blushing to the roots of her hair while shyly looking away from me and nervously playing with one of her bangs with her free hand.

“W-Welcome a-aboard then Rein-kun~” Hestia muttered shily still refusing to look in my direction.

I was pulled from my thoughts as I felt a slim finger suddenly start poking my left cheek turning to see Artemis looking at me with a pout on her face and feelings of jealousy radiating from her being.

“Mou, how come you never did this for me Rein?” Artemis asked with a cute pout on her cheeks. “And stop seducing my friend!”

Resisting the sudden urge to poke her cheek as well as she looked adorable, I finally released Hestia’s hand my brain catching up with the rest of what she had said.

“S-Seducing?” I muttered with an embarrassed tone as a small blush grew on my cheeks. “But I was just greeting her. This is how a knight usually greets those they are offering their services to or important figures.” I hurried to explain myself.

“If that was the case, then how come you never did that for us?” Lante suddenly chimed in now standing beside Artemis with a pout also visible on her face and a jealous look on her blue eyes.

“That’s right! How come?” Artemis said backing up her child.

Having them side to side like this I finally realized that Lante and Artemis really looked similar if it wasn’t for Lante’s obvious elven heritage.

I realized thought that they were right and I had never done that for them causing another wave of embarrassment to hit me at forgetting such a thing.

“Forgive me Artemis-sama, Lante-san and you too Rethusa-san.” I apologized sincerely with a bow of my head. “At the time I was still processing everything that it slipped my mind though that’s no excuse for my actions. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“…”

“Haah, it’s alright Rein. I’m sorry for overreacting like that.” Artemis said after staying quiet for a few moments.

“I apologize too, Reinhard-sama.” Lante said next also sounding sorry.

“You have nothing to apologize for Reinhard-sama.” Rethusa said lastly being the only one that had not overreacted.

“Thank you everyone.” I thanked them glad that they were no longer annoyed at me.

“A-ahem. Anyways, I just remembered something.” Hestia suddenly coughed into her hand bringing our attention to the tiny goddess again to see her with a worried look on her face. “Though I would love to have Rein-kun in my Familia, doesn’t one need to wait a year before they can transfer Familias?”

“Oh! That’s right! I had completely forgotten about that. How could I forget something so important!?” Artemis suddenly exclaimed in alarm as she held her head with her hands and starting pacing back and forth.

‘Oh yeah, that was a thing huh? Though I don’t think that should be a problem with me.’ I thought remembering that specific detail.

“Umm I think it should be fine.” I muttered raising my hand as if I was in school getting their attention. “My body is a bit ‘special’ should we say so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Understatement of the century if I was being completely honest. I mean what kind of body could handle an unlimited number of abilities while still being human? And that without taking into account Yuuya Tenjou’s template or Company bullshit.

Reinhard was a complete monster through and through, especially now that my broken gate had been fixed thanks to Body Tune-Up allowing me to use the versatile magic from Re:Zero.

Combine that with Reinhard’s absurd talents, it wouldn’t take me long before I became a monster when it came to magic as well surpassing even the likes of that creepy clown.

“Are you sure Rein?” Artemis asked with a worried look inspecting my face to see if I was hiding something.

“Yes,” I nodded my head knowing I was probably right. “I’m almost certain.”

Looking at me for a bit longer Artemis let out a sigh when she felt no lie from me. “Haah alright. Let’s do this then, Rein take off your shirt.”

Setting both Reid and Est against the comforter I then quickly took off my shirt trying to ignore the fact that I was now shirtless in a room full of beautiful girls.

“R-Right now lay down on the bed.” Artemis said with a small stutter looking away from me just like everyone else.

Doing as she asked, I waited patiently as first Artemis stepped forward and let a drop of blood fall on my back before Hestia repeated the process.

“W-Wha-What the heck is with all these absurd skills!?” Hestia exclaimed in surprise. “I was somewhat expecting it but this is just ridiculous!”

“Now you know what I felt when I saw them for myself.” Artemis muttered with a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes as she looked on the verge of crying.

“Artemis-sama, are you alright?” I asked Artemis worriedly through our new mental connection.

“I-I’m okay Rein. Thank you for worrying about me. I’m just sad that you’re no longer part of my Familia.” Artemis responded cheering up a little at my words.

“I may no longer be part of your Familia Artemis-sama but please know that I will always stand at your side and try to help you as much as I can. You have my word as a Knight.” I declared passionately knowing that no matter who I met in the future, Artemis would always hold a very special place in my heart.

Since we now shared an empathic bond, Artemis was able to also feel my emotions at my declaration causing her to blush prettily and for a smile to grow on her face. “Rein…Mmn, that’s right. We’ll always be together; I did promise after all.”

“Umm Artemis, why are you and Rein-kun just staring at each other?” The voice of Hestia suddenly interrupted our moment letting us know that we were probably silent for too long.

“N-no reason hehehe. Anyways, you can get up and put your shirt back on now Rein.” Artemis said scratching her cheek nervously.

Silently doing as she asked, I got up from the bed and put my shirt back on once again ignoring the disappointed looks thrown my way by Lante and Hestia surprisingly.

“Well ignoring your ridiculous skills,” Hestia suddenly began again turning my direction with a big smile on her face. “Welcome Rein-kun~ Please treat me well.” Hestia yelled before launching herself at me and hugging me around the neck with a happy squeal.

“Oof, thank you again for accepting me Hestia-sama.” I said having to take a step back to keep my balance due to the Goddess now hanging from my neck.

“Hihihi by the way Rein I want that Shroud thingy that you gave to everyone else. I’m your Goddess now so please don’t leave me out~” Hestia continued looking up at me with eager eyes.

‘That…was a lot easier than I expected.’ I thought in surprise at Hestia basically asking to be captured/bound.

Reinhard Van Astrea

Stats:

•Strength:

I0

•Endurance:

I0

•Dexterity:

I0

•Agility:

I0

•Magic:

I1

Skills:

Divine Protection of Od Laguna

Ability to request any Divine Protection he feels like he needs in a specific situation and permanently keep them.

Master of the Door

The master of the door leading to another world. It allows him to use the menu function.

Endurance

A skill which grants great resistance to abnormal states, mental interference or physical stress.

Otherworlder

It gives a special growth boost, allowing him to obtain more experience than normal. It will also be easier to learn skills.

Person Who Visited A Different World For The First Time

Person who visited another world for the first time. A distinct title that makes it easier for him to invent skills and magic compared to the effect of similar titles.