149 Chapter 24

"Is there anything you want?", William asked as he ate the crepe handed to him by Goddess Hestia.

The taste was not bad.

Sitting beside him in a relaxed position with her arms spread wide open, Goddess Hestia who seem to have completely forgotten her previous fears seriously looked at William for a moment before saying.

"Human child, don't tell me you are in love with me..."

"I'm not."

"Now now no need to hide you're feelings! this great goddess will listen to you!"

"I'm really not."

William touched his forehead in annoyance, the only reason he wanted to do something for her was because of bell, he felt that he could atleast provide her with something that can help her.

But it seems like Goddess Hestia wasn't taking him seriously at all.

On the other hand Goddess Hestia laughed with a low sound seeing William's reaction, only after spending some time with William did she came to find out the true nature of this person.

And Goddess Hestia also came to a realisation.

It was fun to tease him.

And that's exactly what she was doing.

William gave her a side glance before saying once again.

"I'm serious Goddess Hestia so I will ask again, is there anything you want?"

Listening to the serious tone, Goddess Hestia calmed down and stopped laughing, now she was seriously contemplating about why this person wanted to do something for her.

Goddess Hestia's eyes glowed as ahe thought of something.

"Don't tell me..."

She continued in a serious tone.

"You're actually in love with me?"

William got up from his seat and started walking towards the stairs.

"W-wait it was a joke! a joke!"

Goddess Hestia hurriedly jumped after him and grabbed his long coat to stop him, unfortunately her little strength was no where enough to stop William, so she was also dragged up by him.

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Goddess Hestia walked down the night street with William, though it was more like her following him rather than them going together.

Actually she could have just stayed down at the church but knowing that she didn't have anything to do anyway, she decided to follow William.

"So which familia are you from?", Goddess Hestia asked in a casual tone, but her eyes were unable to hide a faint light of anticipation.

Hearing her question, William paused and a look of contemplation appeared on his face.

Seeing his look, the light in Goddess Hestia's eyes seem to glow brighter.

But.

"Soma familia."

Hearing his words made the light disappear.

"Wah! So you're part of the Soma familia!", Goddess Hestia said with a surprised face.

William simply nodded in response.

The reason he hesitated before answering was because the current blessing he possessed belonged to Goddess Artemis and not God Soma.

It seems he must go back and change it when he returns.

William didn't have anything against Goddess Artemis.

But Soma familia was something he created.

Although he was unable to deeply feel emotions, if when he returned to the dungeon City and Soma familia had been destroyed by Freya familia then William without a second thought would have levelled the entirety of the dungeon City to the ground.

'Scary!', Feeling the invisible intent surrounding William's body Goddess Hestia couldn't help but tremble a little.

After some time they reached the entrance of the Soma familia residence.

"Are you sure there is nothing you want?", William asked without turning his back.

Seeing his figure, the corners of Goddess Hestia's mouth couldn't help but raise up a little.

"Tsk tsk tsk since you want to give me something so badly then this Goddess will magnanimously accept you're request."

Turning around William faced Goddess Hestia, his crystal clear eyes staring straight at her as if asking her to go ahead and state her demand.

"Then......."

Goddess Hestia extended her hand and said with a smiling face.

"Let's be friends!"

Silence descended upon the place.

A very awkward silence.

For a full minute, William showed no sign of movement, he just kept staring at her outstretched hand.

Finally just when Goddess Hestia was about to lower her hand in embarrassment, a strong and rough rough sensation gripped her hand.

At some point William had taken off his black gloves and grabbed her outstretched hand.

"If this is what you want....."

A slightly rough voice entered her ears.

"Friend."

Seeing his dull reaction a bright smile appeared on Goddess Hestia's face as she grabbed William's hand using both of her hands and said in an almost shouting voice.

"Yup! Aren't you feeling glad that I decided to become you're friend?".

"So as a friend....."

Her face suddenly turned extremely serious.

"Isn't it okay for me to keep living at you're place?"

She was talking about the abandoned Church.

In short she was asking for permission to freeload off of him.

To her reply William simply nodded his head, he didn't care whether she lived the abandoned Church or not, he wasn't going to be using that place in the future anyway.

Then after messing around for a bit more, Goddess Hestia bid William farewell and finally started walking back towards the church.

Turning back William stopped by the guard standing at the gate of Soma familia.

"Follow her stealthily and make sure nothing happens to her."

"Yes captain!"

The guard quickly ran after Goddess Hestia in a hurry.

In all honesty the streets of dungeon City were anything but safe, even for a god since they weren't allowed to use their powers under no circumstances.

"You've returned my child.", God Soma welcomed William with a small smile while standing beside his familia members.

Seeing them, William squinted his brows especially when he saw Goddess Artemis who was standing with a downcasted look on her face.

"Let's go Artemis, isn't there something you wanted to say to William?", God Soma said with a kind smile on his face while tightly grabbing Goddess Artemis's shoulder and pushing her forward, making her stand right in front of William before letting go of her shoulders.

Although William could see that something wasn't right with the scene, he decided to keep quiet and continue watching.

Standing in front of him, Goddess Artemis somehow raised her face and looked at William.

He could see visible dark circles under her eyes which weren't there before.

After hearing what Soma said, she was unable to keep her mind straight, various thoughts kept coming to her mind.

One side of her kept saying that she should let William go, it was better for everyone, that she would be too selfish to try and keep him with her after everything Soma familia and William went through.

But at the same time another side of her kept shouting to be more selfish, be more greedy.

It was the first time she was experiencing such emotions, it made her wonder whether this was how humans felt, to be forced to make decisions against their wills, to not know which choice was right, to choose for herself or to choose based on what's best for everyone.

With her mind filled with chaotic thoughts Goddess Artemis opened her mouth and said in a small voice.

"William....."

Her body quivered.

"I think it's better for you......"

Her hand reached out and lightly grabbed his clothes.

"I think it's better for you to go to Soma familia...."

*Drop*

Drops of tears unknowingly dripped down Goddess Artemis's face.

"But I....."

"That's all Artemis wanted to say------.", God Soma tried to cut off Artemis in the middle but was stopped by William.

"Keep going.", William said in a calm voice, neither showing anger nor sadness.

Hearing his voice seem to make Goddess Artemis's tears fall even faster.

Placing her head against his chest she said in an almost begging voice.

"I...I don't want to let you go.",

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Standing on the side Eldest Lackey stood still like a statue while his eyes moved around from places to places.

That's why he clearly saw the smile disappear from God Soma's face, Haruhime slowly unsheathing her sword, Lily loading her arrow and even Youngest Lackey...wait why was his eyes bloodshed? what's going on with his youngest brother?

And so seeing the chaotic scene, Eldest Lackey did the only logical thing that came to his mind.

He slowly put his hand in his pocket and took out a handful of peanuts ready to enjoy the show that was about to unfold.