Chapter 119: The Goddess of the Blue Ribbon

"Another failure..."

Watching the new adventurer bow to her and then scurry away as if he had encountered a terrifying beast, even the usually spirited Hestia could not help but feel a sense of dejection.

Days like these had been continuing for quite some time. Having descended from Heaven hundreds of years later than the others, she had faced many setbacks in recruiting for her Familia. After all, the beginner stage for an adventurer was exactly when they most needed guidance and care, and Hestia, who still had no Familia members, could not even provide the most basic equipment. It was truly a case of starting with nothing but a blessing and relying entirely on looting for gear. Naturally, adventurers seeking security would not join a Familia with such a hopeless future.

Consequently, after hitting a wall several times, Hestia had simply settled into living in the Familia of her close friend, Hephaestus, for several years now. It was only after she was mocked as a "freeloader" by her rival, Loki, at the last gathering that Hephaestus finally lost patience with her friend's aimless attitude of staying home and reading all day.

"Find a stable job, or find a Familia. Otherwise, rather than wasting your time in the Lower World, you might as well return to Heaven." Hephaestus had delivered this ultimatum with a firm tone.

Hestia could understand her friend's concern, and she didn't truly want to be a lazy parasite. She had been trying hard these past few days, but after being rejected time and again, this goddess, who had once been quite popular in Heaven, had to admit a sad truth: she had perhaps been abandoned by the times.

Although the blessing granted by every god was the same, with no difference in strength, the assistance a Familia could provide varied greatly depending on the nature of the deity themselves. Even the patron god of a small Familia could rely on their own specialties to attract a group of like-minded followers. Even if they couldn't offer much help, people who lacked options or had been repeatedly turned away would join them, forming a new force.

Though she hated to admit it, Hestia possessed no such advantage. If she were willing to cast a wide net, she might have stumbled upon a few unlucky souls, but Hestia held herself to high standards in this regard. She wasn't like some gods who simply wanted a group of tools to support their leisure, treating the inhabitants of the Lower World as mere laborers, nor was she like others who gathered companions based on their own hobbies. For Hestia, a Familia meant a new family, and each member was infinitely precious. Naturally, she had to choose carefully, and in the presence of a god’s gaze, those with hidden agendas in the Lower World had nowhere to hide. This strict screening process only further increased the difficulty of her recruitment.

"Perhaps, compared to a Familia, finding a job is more realistic..."

Hestia walked down the street, dejected. Guided by the slowly brightening streetlights, she rubbed her stomach. She had gained nothing today, and she was too embarrassed to keep returning to her friend's Familia to ask for support. Was there any goddess more useless than her?

"Am I forced to just eat a bit more at Loki's banquet...? I'm going to be teased as a 'Poverty Goddess' by that flat-chested woman again."

Hestia sighed helplessly and ran quickly toward the address she had been notified of. She would slip in before the other gods arrived, order everything she could, have a big meal, and then find an opportunity to slip away from the banquet. It was Loki's money, anyway. With a "what the hell" mentality, Hestia trotted toward the invitation address.

—

"My Lady, you've arrived quite early?"

"Well... just average, I suppose. I wasn't very busy today. It's Loki paying tonight, right?"

A delicate, crisp voice came from the doorway. Upon receiving an affirmative answer, the voice suddenly rose in pitch, carrying a hint of indignation.

"In any case, bring me one of everything that is the most expensive!"

Roland, who had been deep in thought, instinctively looked up upon hearing such a simple declaration from the tavern entrance. Appearing in his line of sight was an undeniable beauty. Her lustrous, jet-black hair was tied into twin tails that hung down to her waist. Her plump yet adorable face still carried a touch of childishness; judging by her appearance, she looked to be under fifteen.

Yet, in sharp contrast to this childlike face were the parts on the girl's chest that would make any woman envious—warm, soft, and full. Her loose white outfit, paired with that exquisite blue ribbon wrapped under her chest, made her even more alluring. With a face that could easily evoke pity, she would certainly have made an excellent mascot if she were to take up a part-time job.

Hestia, who was walking toward a corner seat with a pout,