"So, please deposit the reward into this account." In the first floor of the dungeon, Aston is currently saying goodbye to Fels.
His original purpose for coming down was to see if he could eliminate the members of the Ikelos Familia.
Now that the goal has been achieved, there's no need to stay in the dungeon any longer, so he's heading back.
"Ah, I understand." Fels replied lightly, then his figure directly vanished under Aston's gaze.
It must be said, as a sage who has developed magic to the extreme, this guy still has some skills.
If Aston isn't paying attention, he really can't sense it.
After saying goodbye to Fels, Aston went directly back to the surface.
However, on his way back, Aston was stopped.
Freya had run to the "Hostess of Fertility" tavern again to work as a waitress.
When Aston was passing by, she managed to catch his attention.
Using the excuse of buying something, she started walking with Aston.
"Since last time, Aston-san has not visited the tavern, is there anything about Syr's service that has dissatisfied you?" With her hands in front of her, Freya smiled and asked Aston.
"Well, I just haven't had the time." Aston shrugged his shoulders, explaining lightly.
This wasn't Aston making excuses; he really didn't have the time to eat out.
Between the commissions from the Loki Familia, the regular potion making, brewing medicinal wine, then Naaza coming over to learn potion making, Tsubaki also came once, and then she was also joined by Hephaestus and others for a dinner, Aston had no time to go out.
Starting tomorrow, Aston also needs to make defensive equipment and weapons for Lyd and others.
It can be said that until the time for the expedition with the Loki Familia, Aston won't have much time to spare.
In about a week or so, Lyd and others are likely to re-enter the dungeon to start their conquest of the dungeon.
Moreover, for the remaining days, Aston plans to prepare some more expedition essentials with Riveria.
Indeed, Aston is planning to take including Eina and ten members of the Hestia Familia on this expedition.
The Hestia Familia will soon go on an expedition as well, so taking a few members along to firsthand understand and adapt to the expedition situation will ensure they aren't completely clueless when the time comes.
With the rate of improvement in the strength of Eina and others, they should be able to reach Level 3 before the expedition. This level of strength would not be considered weak in a large expedition group.
"The Hestia Familia has quickly gained a great reputation, Aston-san."
"It's unexpected that besides Aston-san, the Hestia Familia has so many adventurers with great potential."
"However, Syr believes that all these achievements must be credited to Aston-san." Freya did not show any dissatisfaction with Aston's explanation, instead, she smiled and spoke.
After Eina and others all displayed Level 2 strength, she was the first to use her divine eyes that can see through souls to observe these members of the Hestia Familia.
But none of their souls shone as brightly as Aston's, only one or two souls were somewhat decent.
Such souls were common in her Familia, but none had such potential for growth.
Even her currently strongest child, Ottar, took more than two years to upgrade his blessing from Level 1 to Level 2.
The sword princess of the Loki Familia took more than a year.
Yet, Aston's members of the Hestia Familia took only half a month, and the members who joined the Familia later even took just a week to upgrade their levels from Level 1 to Level 2.
And it wasn't just one or two members, but all members who joined the Familia at the same time.
To say that this was all due to the innate talents and potentials of the Hestia Familia's members, Freya, having seen their souls, wouldn't believe it even a bit.
Thus, she first suspected Aston.
It must be some powerful skill Aston possesses that enables him to rapidly enhance the growth of others.
As for suspecting Hestia, who is also a deity, Freya really hadn't considered it.
Firstly, Hestia is not known for being cunning or sneaky.
Secondly, Freya couldn't think of any means by which Hestia, who had sealed her divine power, could accomplish such a feat...
The only possibility then lies with Aston, whose soul shines so brightly that she constantly desires to embrace him and shower him with affection.
"Indeed, it's because of me," Aston said with a smile, nodding without any intention of hiding the truth. Now, everyone in Orario, both gods and mortals, already knows that the Hestia Familia possesses the ability to rapidly grow its members.
It's either they suspect Hestia or they suspect me.
Since Freya asked, Aston had no thought of concealing it.
Anyway, he is now fearless against any adventurer, unless a god intervenes.
Otherwise, there's no threat to him.
"The members of the Hestia Familia are truly fortunate."
"Now, there are many new adventurers in Orario who are eagerly wishing to become members of the Hestia Familia."
"Hey, Aston-san, can I also join the Hestia Familia?" Freya said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Aston's eyes twitched.
You, a goddess of beauty, actually want to join a Familia as a member?
Stop joking, please.
Faced with Freya's jest, Aston could only respond in a perfunctory manner.
Along the way, Aston and Freya chatted about this and that for about fifteen minutes, after which Aston used the excuse of not going the same way to part from Freya.
"Level 7, huh? Aston-san is truly incredible, to actually ignore my charm." Watching Aston's receding figure, Freya touched her face with her left hand, her cheeks flushing red, and her eyes filled with hearts as she murmured softly.
Aston's soul is becoming more and more dazzling, so dazzling that she's almost unable to restrain herself, wanting to make a move on Aston.
Just now, she had made a tentative move, using her charm ability, trying to enchant Aston.
Unexpectedly, her charm, which had always been infallible, had no effect on Aston at all; he showed no reaction whatsoever.
"Perhaps, to truly be effective, I need to directly unleash the real power of charm."
"Should I do that?" A flicker of intense desire passed through Freya's eyes as she weighed her options internally.
***
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