Although most regular shops had already closed.
At the street corners along the main roads and in areas where adventurers gathered, the bustle was only just beginning.
Lights blazed everywhere.
The aroma of food mingled with the night breeze, drifting over the labyrinth city.
"I want this! And that!"
"Hey, boss! Ten more of these skewers!"
"And this soup!"
Before long.
Outside a late-night tavern by the roadside.
Hestia sat on a bench without a shred of decorum, empty plates piled up in front of her.
Her mouth was stuffed full, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster's.
She still held a roasted chicken leg, eating until grease covered her mouth.
Haimo sat across from her.
He held a cup of barley tea, sipping it leisurely.
He watched Hestia devour everything in sight.
"Eat slower."
"No one's going to steal your food."
Haimo pulled out a napkin and handed it over.
"Mmph... mm-hmm..."
Hestia answered indistinctly, took the napkin, and wiped her mouth haphazardly before digging in again.
Only when every plate had been completely emptied.
"Hah-!"
Did Hestia finally let out a long breath, toss the bone in her hand onto a plate, and slump in her seat without any decorum, patting her round little belly.
"I'm alive again..."
"I've been resurrected..."
"The goddess has made her grand revival!"
Hestia looked utterly satisfied. The apocalyptic resentment she had harbored at home had long since been filled up with food and vanished without a trace.
"Full?"
Haimo set down his teacup.
"Mm-hmm! I'm full!"
Hestia nodded emphatically, then looked at Haimo and grinned.
"But..."
Hestia seemed to think of something, her eyes darting around.
"Even though I'm full."
"It still feels like something's missing..."
"Like dessert, maybe?"
Just as Hestia finished speaking.
A familiar toasted aroma.
Mixed with the sound