3 03 Meal with Hestia.

D_Ep3

At one corner of the bustling streets near the tower of Babel.

As it was already afternoon, some if not most of the adventures that went inside the dungeon this morning should have returned by now bringing continues tides of people here. This is very favorable for the merchants that sells different products here since the more people that passes in this street, the bigger their income.

At one corner, a certain goddess with black twin tailed braids was tending to her fried potato stand, busily serving her customers while also frying new batches of potatoes at the same time.

"Two fried potatoes with apple cream please."

"Two plain fried potatoes for me."

"Three for me!"

"Coming right up!" One by one, Hestia accepted and made each and everyone's order skillfully. Being busy like this works quite well for her as it helps her divert her worries towards Bell who entered the dungeon for the first time today.

Half an hour later.

"You have worked hard, Hestia. Here's your payment for today." the old auntie handed 500 valis to Hestia. That should be her payment for today. "Also, take these potatoes with you as well. It is not like I can still sell them anyways."

"Really? Thank you, stall owner!" Hestia accepted the left over unsold fried potatoes along with the money before she started closing the stall.

The tables are then disassembled, the utensils are piled up and was brought inside the stall owners wagon. Only after she finished doing all of that did Hestia finally ended her work for today. Looking at the bag of fried potatoes on her hand, she smiled. "I got food for my Bell-kun again. I wonder how is he doing right now?"

If it's only possible, Hestia definitely didn't want Bell to go inside the dungeon but, she knew that's not an option.

Hestia can only look towards the Tower of Babel's direction and pray for her Bell's safe return.

( A/N : A Goddess praying? )

As she was in daze, Hestia failed to notice someone appearing right behind her. That person raised both his hands and used them to cover her eyes.

"Guess who?" a familiar voice whispered to Hestia's ears.

" Aah! " Hestia was surprised by that sudden 'attack' and even panicked a little until she heard his voice. "Bell-kun?"

"Mn. Yes." Bell pulled back his hands and side stepped in front of Hestia. "You have worked hard, Goddess. It's quite fun watching you work like that."

" Bell-kun!! " Hestia jumped onto him without hesitation. "Bell-kun. You're safe... I.. I'm glad.. You're safe."

"I am."

Bell waited for his Loli Goddess to calm down a little.

A few minutes later, Hestia finally let go of him but not completely as she began to examine his body next.

"Are you hurt, Bell-kun? Did you get any wounds? You didn't, right? Right?"

"I did not, Goddess. I'm perfectly fine, you see."

"Really? Hmm." After confirming that Bell's okay, she asked. "By the way, since when did you arrived? Why didn't you show me yourself immediately, Bell-kun?"

"Hehe. That doesn't matter, Goddess." Bell grabbed Hestia's hand and said. "I made some money inside the Dungeon today so I will buy you a meal outside."

And with that, Bell pulled the still worried Hestia with him towards the Hostess Of Fertility Pub.

At Hostess of Fertility.

"Welcome to Hostess of Fertility nya~ What do you two wants to eat - nya~?"

Anya, the cheerful waitress approached Bell and Hestia right after they took their seat. She has brown hair and eyes with cat ears and a tail of the same color. She also wears the Hostess of Fertility's uniform.

"Let's see..." Bell picked up the menu and started looking at the food listed there. "Give us two glasses of Orange Juice, one serving of pasta topped with red sauce (spaghetti ) and... your tonight's special please."

Based on what Bell can remember, the food here are quite gigantic so he only ordered a single order each for him and Hestia.

"Owlrighty nya~! Two glasses of Orange Juice, one order of pasta topped with red sauce(spaghetti) and.... our tonight's special! Is that all? How about your Goddess - nya~?"

"Hmm.. I think that's it.. What do you think, Goddess?"

"Erm... Bel-kun.." Hestia signalled for Bella to come closer which he did by leaning his head forward. "The food here are quite expensive Bell-kun. Can we... afford it?"

It's was Bell's first time entering the dungeon and Hestia was afraid he will spend all of his money here.

"Don't worry about that, Goddess. I told you I earned some money today right? We have enough to pay for all of these so feel free to order anything you like."

"Really?"

"Really." Bell replied with a nod.

Hestia continue looking at him for a few seconds making sure he's telling the truth. "Then.. then I want two cups of booze."

"Okay." Bell once again turned to Anya and said. "Add two cups of your fruit wine please. That's all."

"Copy - nya~. Please wait for a few minutes - nya~." she then left after that.

Bell was a bit surprised to see how Anya can take their orders like this without any problem. According to his past memories about the anime, she's supposed to be a bit of an airhead. But that doesn't seemed to be the case here. He wondered why..

While waiting for their food, Hestia tried asking what Bell did inside the dungeon and if it was hard for him or not. Bell simply told her almost everything since he didn't see any reason of hiding it.

"Oh, Goddess Hestia. It's been awhile since you visited here in my pub. Hmm... is this your child?"

As the two of them were talking, Mia Grand, the owner of the pub herself approached them before putting two plates of food on their table.

"Well, your food here are quite pricey Mia, so I can't really visit even if I wanted to." sneered Hestia in complain. It is obvious that this wasn't the first time the two met. "Besides, why are you the one serving our food, Mia?"

"Oh that? It's because that Syr brat of mine suddenly banished for some reason, leaving all her duties here. That left me with only two girls for tonight and they are both busy serving the other customers." There's a visible frown on her face as she said that, she's definitely angry. And a level 6 person like Mia being angry definitely isn't a good news.." I have to go now, Goddess Hestia. Anya will serve the rest of your food and drinks in a minute."

"Sure thing, do you work first, Mia." Hestia sent her away and return her focus to Bell. "So Bell-kun, how much exactly did you earned today for you to be this generous?"

"How much I earned? I got 29 000 valis. Oh, I almost forgot...." Bell took out a small pouch of coins from his pocket and handed it to Hestia. "Take this, Goddess. Use it to buy things you need and food to eat while I'm away on the dungeon."

"Tw-twenty nine thousand valis!?" Hestia was genuinely surprised. One should know that even a whole party of level one adventurer rarely earn this kind of amount. But Bell did it on his own? And on his first day at that!

How?

Lookin at the small pouch of coins in front of her, she said. "This is.. Bell-kun.. I can't.. I can't accept this."

"Just take it, Goddess. Though I want to give you more, I still need to buy a new weapon tomorrow so."

"Bell-kun... Then.. use this money to buy a better weapon. I don't need it." Hestia was deeply move by this action of Bell. It's not about the money he gave her but the concern and care he's giving her really did moved the young goddess deeply.

"You're making this difficult for me, Goddess. How about this then? Use that ten thousand as our allowance for our daily needs? You can buy food or other things we need at home too if you want. The money I have in me right now is enough for me to buy a new weapon so I don't really need it either."

Bell was telling the truth here because once he returned to the dungeon tomorrow, he can earn another batch of money again. Probably more than what he earned today.

"F.. fine then. I will keep this for now. " Hestia finally agreed after thinking about it for awhile.

Anya soon brought the rest of their orders and Bell and Hestia start eating.

It's already past 8 pm by the time Bell and Hestia came out of the Hostess of Fertility.

The food is great but Bell found it a bit of a pity for not seeing the elven girl, Ryu there. She's probably not on duty tonight.

There's also that grey-haired beauty, Syr Flova that according to Mia, have mysteriously disappeared tonight. Was it probably because of Bell bringing Hestia with him tonight, who knows?

"Hey Bell-kun, carry me?"

On their way back home, Hestia suddenly requested by tugging his sleeves.

"Carry you? Me."

"Umn. You can do that right, Bell-kun?"

"I guess I can? But, aren't you two old for that, Goddess? Besides, we are about there anywa-."

"Exactly! We are almost there, so you won't get tired carrying me." Hestia insisted to be carried by him. "Please.. Bell-kun."

"Sigh.. Fine but only for today." Bell then took a step forward and scooped up Hestia, princess carrying her.

Bell was surprised to see how light and soft she was. Are all Goddesses like this?

Hestia has a blush on her smiling as brought her face to Bell's chest, feeling really happy. The two of them made their way home in that position.

Back to the abandoned church

Hestia used a small knife to poke her finger and a drop of her blood landed on Bell's back. Looking at the letters and numbers that floats in front of her made Hestia's eyes to expand.

"This.. what the hell is this?"