A Temporary Farewell
Chasing after Hestia as she burst out of the inn in a hurry, I quickly followed her outside. But she had already vanished from sight. What followed was an endless series of searches... Finding a hero who had already transcended human limits by ordinary means was nearly impossible. With no other choice, I even resorted to using my Authority to track her location. Only after considerable effort did I finally pinpoint where she was.
The place where the hidden Hestia had been found was a restaurant on the outskirts of the village. A few early-morning customers had already claimed their seats, but spotting her was not difficult. Even from behind, her noble aura was unmistakable. At a single glance, I knew it was her.
"You were here? I've been looking everywhere for you."
"......"
I approached from behind with a friendly greeting, but no answer came. Her gaze wasn't on me at all—it was fixed on empty space. Reading the room, I cautiously sat down in the seat beside her.
"......"
"......"
As I always feel, the ratio of silence between us is far too high compared to the time we've spent together. I thought we'd grown close enough by now... I wonder when we'll finally be able to interact without this awkwardness.
"You haven't ordered anything yet, right?"
"...Yes."
I scanned the items listed on the menu and called over a server.
"Excuse me, could you take our order?"
"Yes, sir. What would you like?"
"Whatever you're most confident in, please."
"You must be a traveler? In that case, how about this..."
I placed a moderate order based on the server's recommendation. Once the server disappeared into the kitchen, I shifted my seat a little closer to Hestia so we could talk more comfortably. But her eyes remained fixed on empty air, never turning toward me.
Faced with this completely unfamiliar side of her, I couldn't help breaking into a cold sweat.
"...Are you upset with me?"
"......"
"I'm sorry. I wasn't being thoughtful. As you know, Hestia, I'm not exactly known for having a good personality, right? So I slipped back into my old habits..."
"...It is not that."
I tried to offer a sincere apology, but Hestia shook her head.
"It is not like that at all. Therefore, please do not demean yourself unnecessarily. I know better than anyone else that you are a good person."
"......"
"I am simply... dissatisfied with myself."
What was she talking about? The topic had suddenly grown heavy, and while I was still trying to catch up, Hestia lowered her head and spoke in a gloomy voice.
"Have you... not grown tired of me?"
"Pardon?"
"My personality is blunt and impulsive. Whenever something happens, I try to avoid it..."
"......?"
"It would not be strange if you considered me a bothersome woman..."
As she spoke, Hestia covered her face with both hands. I couldn't hide my bewilderment at this pessimistic attitude I'd never seen from her before.
More than anything, the idea that she thought of herself as a bothersome woman was the most absurd part. Her blunt personality was fine in its own way, and compared to Elisha, her impulsiveness made her seem practically angelic...
"I don't think of you that way, Hestia."
"I know."
"I'm not just saying that... Huh?"
"I said I know."
?
"It is only natural that you do not think of me that way. You... are kind, after all."
"...I'm not particularly kind, but that's roughly right. Then why bring this up all of a sudden?"
"......I do not know either."
Hestia turned her head toward me. Her beautifully shining golden eyes stared straight into mine. I waited silently for her to continue.
After gazing at me intently for a moment, she slightly averted her eyes and spoke.
"I suppose I... simply wanted to throw a tantrum for once."
"......"
"...I am sorry for being such a pathetic woman."
"Not at all. Seeing a different side of you is actually quite charming."
I shook my head beside the dejected Hestia. She looked at me with a strange expression, then clenched her fist tightly as if resolving herself.
"I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"...It is not particularly important... I will tell you after we have eaten."
The moment Hestia finished speaking, the server approached with our food.
"Enjoy your meal."
I had no choice but to pause the conversation and focus on eating. Unlike her usual self, Hestia was only picking at her food... It was cute, but she looked like a sick little hamster, and it made me genuinely worried.
Had her sudden pessimism come from more than simple embarrassment? I forced the food down while wondering what she wanted to say.
"Let's part ways."
"......?"
Those were the first words I heard from Hestia the moment we left the restaurant. There were many things I wanted to say—What kind of nonsense is this all of a sudden? Why am I suddenly the one getting dumped?—but I held back and decided to listen to her first.
"May I ask why?"
"It is not a significant reason. I simply..."
Hestia spoke with a distant look in her eyes.
"...need time to organize my feelings."
"Ah... I see..."
I had no idea what this was about, but I had a strong feeling I shouldn't press. So I nodded as if I understood and asked,
"Then what would you like to do?"
"I am thinking of taking on mercenary work alone for the remainder of the vacation."
"Why the sudden change of heart?"
"......"
At my question, Hestia avoided my gaze and answered in a small voice.
"...Because it feels like I would find it difficult to hold myself back if we stayed together."
Goosebumps rose across my skin as I realized something shocking. Wait a minute. Have I been used this whole time? The ruins exploration was over and I'd served my purpose, so now she was throwing me away?
"It is absolutely not because I dislike being with you. On the contrary, I only wish to remain together."
"......"
Well, of course... There was no way that was the case. I, who knew Hestia's kind heart better than anyone, shouldn't have doubted her. Deciding to respect her wishes, I coolly agreed to let her go.
"I understand. I'll head back to the Academy, so please take care of yourself."
"...Thank you."
She offered me her hand, and I took it. We walked hand in hand all the way to the warp gate.
"I am sorry."
Right before we parted, Hestia said those words.
"For what?"
When I asked, her face filled with deep regret.
"After dragging you all the way to the ruins, I am sending you back without any reward... I am truly sorry."
Her apology carried the pure goodness of her heart. I smiled brightly at her.
"Who says I didn't gain anything?"
"Pardon?"
As she looked at me in confusion, I handed her the golden necklace set with a black gem that I'd brought from the ruins.
"What is... this?"
"A necklace."
"No, that is not what I..."
"I know what you're trying to say. The truth is, when we found that mountain of treasure in the ruins, I secretly took one."
"What? I was watching you the entire time..."
"Haha, don't worry about that..."
Even if Hestia had been carefully monitoring me, I possessed an Authority capable of deceiving even the gods. Slipping one treasure past her gaze was child's play. Of course, the idea of secretly taking my own share was rather ridiculous, but still...
"I picked this necklace because the color combination was unique. What do you think?"
"...It is beautiful."
"Right? It's a gift for you."
"......Do you truly mean that?"
With a touched expression and tears glistening in her eyes, Hestia gazed at the necklace. I chuckled inwardly and pointed at the golden chain.
"Please consider it repayment for the valuable experience you gave me. I enjoyed everything that happened in the ruins as well."
After staring at me blankly for a moment, she seemed to come to a decision and handed the necklace back.
Then, with clear, upright eyes, she said, "Please put it on for me."
"Wouldn't it be easier if you did it yourself?"
"Please put it on for me."
"...Alright."
At her firm insistence, I had no choice but to undo the clasp and drape the necklace around her neck with both arms. It naturally ended up looking as though I were embracing her...
Hestia wrapped both arms tightly around me.
"Thank you..."
"H-Hestia?"
I called her name in a flustered voice, but she only hugged me tighter.
"I already knew you had been calling me by my name casually since this morning. I was too embarrassed to mention it... but I have been grateful the entire time."
...So she'd noticed from the very beginning.
Hestia buried her face in my shoulder and whispered softly.
"...I will miss you."
I gently stroked her hair and replied, "Me too."
And so, with Hestia's farewell, I stepped onto the warp gate.