บท 8: [8] Chibi
To complete the task within the given time, Aiden realized he had to join Hestia Familia or another small familia. He listened intently as Eina continued her introduction.
"Let me continue introducing other gods and familias, and point out some that require extra caution, including the Amazonian race, which you should also be wary of."
Why is that? Aiden wondered. Apart from Freya, the gods in the story were generally benevolent, and the two Amazonians in Loki Familia didn't seem like bad people.
"The Ganesha Familia is also large, and its members are very kind. They organize the annual Monsterphilia. The Hephaestus Familia, led by the goddess of the forge, Hephaestus, is the largest smithing familia in Orario, operating many shops selling high-quality weapons and armor. Similarly, the Goibniu Familia specializes in the repair and crafting of weapons and armor."
"Most gods are kind, but some can be capricious. Apollo, known as the Loving God, has a reputation for pursuing both men and women, often using various means to bring his desired targets into his familia. Then there's Freya, whose charm is nearly impossible for mortals to resist, resulting in her familia members being devoted admirers."
"Thank you, Eina-san. Being new to Orario, I wasn't aware of these details. It would be problematic if I inadvertently wandered into such places."
"You're very welcome, Aiden-san. Once you join a familia, you can't switch without the consent of both deities, so don't rush your decision. Consider it carefully."
"Thank you for your advice, Eina-san. I'll think carefully about which familia to join." Aiden said with a smile, appreciating her thorough introduction to Orario's gods, familias, rules, and her suggestions for joining a familia.
Pausing, Aiden finally decided to seek out the goddess he had met earlier. "Eina-san, do you know a goddess named Hestia? Does she have her own familia? I met her at a fried potato stand while exploring Orario."
"Aiden-san, you're very polite. This is my job. Goddess Hestia recently descended to the lower world. She just moved out of her friend Hephaestus's place and doesn't have a familia yet, but she's reportedly recruiting now." Eina replied, checking her notes.
"Once you join a familia, you need to register with the guild. However, you can first register as an adventurer."
Aiden took out his money pouch upon hearing about registration. "How much does it cost to register as an adventurer?"
Eina shook her head. "Registration is free." She produced a form, writing down his name and gender with elegant script that was unfamiliar yet understandable to Aiden thanks to the system's support.
"Age and place of origin?"
Is this the otherworldly version of an ID registration?
"Fifteen years old, from Earth."
"Earth? Is that the name of the town?" Eina glanced at him curiously.
His ornate black coat with intricate patterns, the stylish yet practical inner lining, and the elaborately decorated sword all indicated wealth. Not to mention his clean and pristine appearance, which suggested he hadn't been on a long journey. His skin was smooth and well-maintained, hands devoid of calluses, hinting at a life free from hard labor or intensive training.
She concluded he was likely a noble or wealthy individual, possibly even a runaway.
Despite her suspicions, Eina chose not to press the matter. She maintained her professional demeanor, offering the same courtesy to all adventurers, regardless of their background.
She wasn't new to encountering people aspiring to become adventurers in Orario. Rich or poor, noble or commoner, Eina treated everyone equally and aimed to make a good impression.
After all, building friendships can be beneficial. No one can predict who might rise to greatness or achieve remarkable feats.
Eina had a soft spot for those pursuing their dreams in a foreign city. Unless they were outright malevolent, she couldn't bring herself to dislike them.
"It's hard to explain, but you can interpret it that way to make it simple."
"Alright, take your time to consider which familia to join. See you next time." Eina smiled as she put away the form.
"You've been a great help. Thank you, Eina-san." Aiden expressed his gratitude.
"You're too kind, Aiden-san. It's my duty." Eina responded, smiling and shaking her hands dismissively.
"No, no, expressing thanks when helped by someone is only proper. Just call me Aiden."
"Then please call me Eina."
"Sure thing, Eina. See you when I come to register with a familia." Aiden waved as he walked away.
"See you then, Aiden." Eina smiled, watching him leave the guild.
"Phew~ Dealing with people is quite exhausting, but thankfully it was Eina-san." Aiden muttered to himself as he exited the guild, rubbing his face and taking a deep breath.
With so many gods and familias, only the goddess Hestia seemed to meet his criteria. Even though Hestia appeared kind and not particularly shrewd in the anime, she was still a genuine deity, reputed to possess the power to see through one's soul.
However, with the soul-binding system in place, there shouldn't be any issues.
Since Bell had not yet joined Hestia Familia, the goddess was still actively seeking members. As long as Aiden found her, she would likely be eager to accept him.
With his plan set, Aiden opened the map and began his search for the chibi goddess, Hestia.
First, he recalled the places where Hestia worked. In the anime, Hestia juggled several jobs, earning her the nickname the working goddess. Aiden couldn't help but chuckle at the thought, imagining another spin-off series titled "Work Hard! Goddess-sama."
...
Unlike many protagonists in novels who quickly encounter Hestia as if by fate, Aiden spent several hours checking the map and asking shop owners for directions. Finally, by evening, he found her at a small, secluded fried potato stand on north street.
He approached the stand.
"Hello, could I get three orders of fried potatoes? One red bean flavor, one cream flavor, and one curry flavor."
"Sure, please wait a moment." Hestia, happy to have a customer, quickly prepared it.
While waiting, Aiden quietly observed the goddess preparing the fried potatoes. Despite the Japanese anime art style, Hestia, being one of the Olympians from Greek mythology and the eldest sister of Zeus, was undoubtedly of European appearance.
She had a round face, chubby cheeks, a small and delicate nose, and exquisitely cute features. Her large, deep blue eyes sparkled with cheerfulness, and her revealing short dress only added to her charm.
Though Hestia appeared easy to deceive, outright requesting to join her barely-known familia would be too suspicious. Even if she didn't realize it, her close friend, Hephaestus, might suspect ulterior motives.
Thus, Aiden planned to present himself as a traveler who had just arrived in Orario. He would mention his desire to join a familia to explore the dungeon and explain that he had just learned about the gods and familias from the guild, hinting that he hadn't decided on one yet. This way, he could let her invite him, making his joining seem natural. And, in truth, he wouldn't be lying.
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