Danmachi: Strongest Familia

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"I'm not blind. Just now, Hestia was kowtowing to Hephaestus for equipment."

"Well, it can't be helped. Who told the Hestia Familia to just start out? The initial period is really tough."

"So, you foolish guy, are you also eyeing that kid? I didn't expect you to have such... peculiar hobbies."

Sol glanced at the other party teasingly. He didn't say a word, but his innuendo could easily read the meaning in his look. 

'Damn it, I'm not into 'fencing'—ah, this misunderstanding won't do!' Hermes cursed in his heart.

"That child is an orphan raised by Zeus himself, the hope left behind by the Zeus Familia and the Hera Familia for Orario!" 

Hermes quietly pulled Sol out of the banquet hall and, with a face full of fervor, revealed this "secret."

"Oh—" was all Sol responded with, his tone cold and dismissive.

Hermes stared at Sol, dumbfounded. Why was this guy reacting like that?

"This is the 'legacy' left by the Zeus and Hera Familias. Even if you don't want to claim it, you should at least pay attention to it!"

"No matter how highly he's praised, he's just a Level 1 adventurer right now. A genius who hasn't grown is still no genius," Sol replied flatly, his tone devoid of interest in Bell.

Initially, Hermes thought Sol's calmness was simply patience. 

This script is wrong. Shouldn't he be as excited as I am? 

Helping Bell grow would surely be in his best interest. 

Even though he wasn't always in Orario, Hermes understood the influence of the Sol Familia. With Sol's help, things would be much easier.

But if this guy doesn't take the bait, how can I continue my schemes?

"It's because the child is too weak right now. I need to prepare a magic book for him!"

"When did you become so passionate? You don't even care this much about your own children," Sol sneered.

"Besides, that kid is already part of the Hestia Familia. You're a little late. If you'd come back earlier, maybe you could've recruited Bell for yourself."

"I was intrigued by what Zeus said, so I returned to Orario just to witness that child's growth!"

"Well then, you'd better work hard. Can I leave now?"

"Is that all you have to say?"

Sol gave Hermes a calm, steady look. Was this guy already planning something for Bell? 

In other words, he came back because Zeus instructed him to check on Bell. 

But you're overinvesting. Also, that magic book for Bell—isn't it supposed to be from Freya? 

Looking at how things were unfolding, it seemed like Hermes was aiming to replace the "mother" role. 

What, is he trying to be Bell's "dad" now?

"And what does Zeus's grandson have to do with me? He even expects me to hand over a magic book? I barely have enough for my own children," Sol said, rolling his eyes in irritation.

These boring fools get euphoric the moment they hear the word "hero."

Though he had some interest in Bell, it was limited to enjoying the spectacle from afar. 

As for any investment in Bell, it would only be out of courtesy for Alfia. 

Of course, only a handful of people in his Familia knew about this, and he certainly wouldn't let Hermes catch wind of his intentions. 

Otherwise, this shameless Hermes might not even spare a single valis.

"100 million Valiss—I can only offer so much," Seeing Sol's reluctance, Hermes finally took out his money.

"Then it's a deal, I'll hand the magic book over to that child without anyone noticing," Sol assured him.

"Wait, didn't I pay for this?" Hermes asked, his expression blank as he stared at Sol.

"You were the one who insisted that the child should have this magic book, so I sold it to you. As long as it ends up in his hands, everything will be fine," Sol replied, a sly grin creeping onto his face.

But this guy Hermes is hiding really deep, and he can take out 100 million valis in one breath.

"Then it's settled. But you have to—"

"Relax. Do you doubt my integrity?" Sol interrupted, walking out of the venue without so much as a backward glance.

Hermes, though pained by the cost, considered it a necessary part of his plan. For Sol to buy a magic book worth 100 million mana was no small gesture. 

After all, 100 million mana was the base price for such a priceless artifact. It wasn't something anyone could acquire lightly. 

What Hermes didn't realize, however, was that Sol was secretly overjoyed. 

Sol had promised Alfia that he would help Bell, though he hadn't yet figured out how to approach it. 

Now, everything fell neatly into place. With this setup, Sol wouldn't need to rack his brain—he could simply have Alfia deliver the magic book to Bell at the right moment.

And there was even a benefactor willing to foot the bill!

When the goal of assisting Bell was achieved, Sol wouldn't have lost a thing. 

This way, both Alfia's and Hermes's original intentions would be fulfilled—a win-win situation for everyone. 

A peaceful resolution where no one got hurt. 

——

Meanwhile, Asfie wept silently as her Familia's finances were drained, picturing the smug, punchable face of her god responsible for this mess. 

Hermes ended up spending the night hanging upside down from a large tree, bound tightly with a sturdy rope that night.

Unlike Hermes, Sol's life remained rich and indulgent. 

When it came to the magic book, Sol didn't need to expend much effort. All he had to do was inform Alfia, and she would handle everything perfectly.

Later that quiet night, the familiar bathhouse offered its usual tranquility. 

With most of the gods attending the Ganesha Familia's divine gathering, the place was nearly deserted. 

The empty bathhouse was filled with the soft sound of water rippling and the intimate exchange of two voices, their tones heavy with passion.

——

"Sol, harder! Ahh~ I'm coming!"

Pap! Pap! Pap!

"I'm coming inside you, Demeter!"

"COME! COME INSIDE ME! AHHH~"

——

Soaking in the hot spring, Demeter leaned languidly against the edge of the hot spring, her hair cascading into the steamy water like a flowing river. Her cheeks, flushed with warmth, glowed faintly against the cool tiles she rested upon.

Breathless, her eyes—still glazed from the intensity—turned to Sol. His frame loomed over her, droplets sliding down his skin, evidence of their shared exertion. The heat of the spring wasn't the only thing keeping the air between them charged, as silence settled, speaking volumes of what had transpired.

After catching her breath, Demeter tilted her head lazily, her chest rising and falling as she murmured, her voice sultry and teasing, "You bastard… stirring up trouble with Freya right in the middle of the banquet. And yet, you still have this much energy left..." 

Sol smirked, his gaze fixed on her flushed face, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Don't worry," he replied, his voice low and confident. "I'm nothing if not fair and just." 

Leaning closer, he let his fingers trace the edge of her damp hair, his tone dripping with playful pride. "I'll make sure none of you go hungry." 

The way he said it, laced with both promise and audacity, left no doubt that he meant every word, his conviction as unshakable as the heat still lingering between them.