Chapter 104 – Becoming a god

After returning to the Familia with Eina, Aston joined everyone for dinner before diving into his workshop to concoct potions. During this time, Hestia came in to get some of the wine he had brewed earlier, which she shared with other Familia members.

Aston was relieved that his wine, unlike the Soma Familia's, was captivating but not addictive; otherwise, he would have considered stopping its production. He often set aside a little time to brew a barrel of wine, which he then let age in the space of his magic essence farm.

Hestia frequently shared this wine with her fellow gods. On one occasion, when Aston visited Hephaestus to forge equipment, she asked for a barrel, which Aston gave without accepting payment. After all, Hephaestus had provided the materials for his equipment free of charge, so giving her some wine was a fair exchange.

Having finished his usual routine of brewing wine and making potions, Aston went to sleep, planning to head to the dungeon again the next day. However, he was awakened at midnight by some noise. Opening his eyes, he found Hestia sitting on him. Despite the darkness, he could see her clearly. Her cheeks were flushed, and she appeared inebriated, obviously having had too much to drink.

"Good evening, Aston," Hestia greeted him with a tipsy smile.

"Hestia? Do you want to sleep here with me again?" Aston wasn't surprised by her sudden appearance in his room. He figured Hestia probably wanted to sleep with him, as she often did in the past, preferring his company on the sofa to her own bed. But her next words caught him off guard.

"Aston, I smell a woman's scent on you. You're not a virgin anymore, are you?" Hestia asked.

"Uh, Hestia, how did you know?" Aston asked awkwardly, not attempting to deceive her. Given Hestia's straightforwardness, it seemed she had concrete evidence, and lying might only worsen the situation.

"I am a virgin goddess, so I have a strong sense of chastity," Hestia said, resting her head on Aston's chest and pouting. "I sensed it as soon as you returned."

Aston felt a twinge in his heart upon hearing this. When he had returned earlier, Hestia had immediately pounced on him, showing no sign that she knew about his loss of virginity. This meant she had been aware since then and had been restraining herself, pretending not to know and only revealing it now under the influence of alcohol.

Aston gently stroked Hestia's head and hesitantly asked, "Hestia, aren't you angry?"

"Of course, I'm angry," Hestia replied. "Aston is supposed to be mine, so why did someone else get to you first? But after being angry, I remembered that you are destined to become a god and stay with me forever, so my anger subsided considerably."

"The lifespans of mortals on the surface are very short, barely a century. What does it matter if someone was with you first? In the end, you will still be mine." Hestia buried her face in his chest, speaking softly and intimately.

Aston, puzzled, asked, "Why do you say that? Hestia, are you so sure I will become a god?"

Hestia lifted her head, looking closely at Aston, her face flushed with a gentle smile. "Aston, the Blessing of the Gods is essentially a path to godhood. It's a power created by the gods to give mortals a chance to ascend. Once you climb from Level 1 to Level 10, you can ignite the divine fire and become a demigod. When the divine fire grows strong enough, it forms a kind of divine power, and then you will become like us, a true god."

"Since the advent of the Blessing of the Gods, the highest level ever reached was Level 9 by Hera's child, the Empress. However, she failed in her attempt to defeat the Black Dragon in the dungeon. But you, Aston, I'm confident that you will complete this path to godhood, ignite the divine fire, become a demigod, and eventually a god like us, achieving immortality. And then, you will be mine."

This was the reason Hestia, although upset that Aston's virginity was not taken by her, did not make a big fuss about it. After all, what does it matter who took Aston's virginity first? In the end, she would be the one to be with Aston.

"I'm sorry, Hestia," Aston said, embracing Hestia tightly, his expression filled with a sense of regret and guilt. He was aware of Hestia's feelings for him but had never actively pursued her, planning to confess his feelings once he became stronger. However, unexpectedly, Tiona took the initiative, and Aston couldn't resist accepting her advances. 

Seeing Aston's dejected look, Hestia couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Why are you so downhearted?" she asked.

Aston apologized again, but Hestia reassured him, "There's no need to apologize, Aston. We haven't really started a relationship yet, so it's natural for you to interact with other girls. But remember, I'll only let you give your first time to someone else, not the second time."

"Second time?" Aston asked, puzzled.

"What do you think?" Hestia teased, hinting at her intentions. "Do you know why I came here drunk in the middle of the night? The door's locked from the inside, and no one will come to save you, no matter how much you shout. Just give in."

Aston, realizing the situation, could only stare in astonishment as Hestia playfully said, "Prepare yourself, Aston!"

***

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