Hestia stared blankly at Roland in disbelief, yet there was nothing false about his sincere words.
Although she was already nodding honestly, her reason still held her back.
"But my Familia only has one member. I can't offer you much help..."
Hestia nervously lowered her eyes and spoke with some unease.
During her past attempts to find Familia members, she had always met with failure at this stage, so she looked into Roland's eyes with profound anxiety.
"As a hero's starting point, it couldn't be more fitting. A lone hero and a goddess with nothing-I believe this will surely make a wonderful legend."
Looking at the dazed Hestia, Roland smiled helplessly.
"Then, what is your answer?"
"I... I... of course I agree! No, please, become my family!"
Her face bright red, Hestia nodded like a bobblehead, her twin ponytails swaying back and forth.
Overcome with excitement, she had blurted out her true feelings.
I'm done for. We only just met, and I said something that sounded like a declaration of love. Doesn't that make me just like those philandering gods? I'm a virgin goddess renowned throughout heaven. How could I fall in love with my own Familia member... wait, that seems pretty common down here.
"Then our contract is hereby established. From this moment on, the Hestia Familia will lead all of Orario!"
With the gods as their witnesses, the Hestia Familia and the legendary hero took their first step together.
Before long, led by Hestia, Roland arrived outside a shabby bookstore. According to her, she had decided long ago that this would be where she bestowed her first Falna.
She believed that, as someone who loved books, she could find no better place to welcome a new beginning.
The beginning of a legend ought to take place somewhere