Chương 54: The Healer and the Future Home

Shinobu's parchment showed something none of them had expected. [Status] Name: Shinobu Kocho Level: Lv. 1 Magic The Crane's Farewell Song - Group healing Magic. - Restores stamina and injuries. - Removes poison and mental contamination. - Temporarily grants the party reduced damage taken. - Effects increase according to Magic value. Skills Sword Technique Master - Greatly increases the speed of learning sword techniques. - Greatly increases the power of sword techniques.

Pharmacology Master - Greatly enhances understanding of medicine. - Greatly enhances the effect of created medicines. Toxicology Master - Greatly enhances understanding of poison. - Greatly enhances the effect of created poisons.

"Your Skills and Magic are excellent," Cael said, eyes shining.

"No. They are more than excellent. They might be the best support abilities among everyone here." She was a healer. In Orario, this kind of Magic and Skill set was extremely rare, especially group healing Magic and medicine-making Skills. The value of healing Magic in Dungeon exploration did not need to be explained. It could let an exhausted party recover and regain momentum. A party with a healer was on a completely different level from one without a healer. Medicine-making Skills were just as important.

They could produce potions and other consumables. Whether used inside the Familia or sold for profit, potions were among the most important supplies in the Dungeon after weapons.

"My Skills are not suited for direct combat. Is that truly the best?" Shinobu asked, her clear violet eyes showing surprise at Cael's excitement. Among the Hashira, she had the least physical strength. She could not even cut off a demon's neck by force alone.

"You are misunderstanding your own value," Cael said.

"In one-on-one combat, you may not be the strongest. In a team, you are an irreplaceable core. Group recovery Magic can bring everyone back when they are exhausted. In the Dungeon, that is an extremely rare ability. With you present, leveling, safety, and long expeditions all become much easier." The Loki Familia was proof enough. With one or two strong support mages, an entire expedition could challenge unknown floors. Without support Magic, they would have to retreat long before reaching their true limit.

"I see. Thank you for explaining, Mr. Cael," Shinobu said softly.

"You are patient and considerate." His gaze was very clear. His movements still had traces of youth, but he was constantly trying to make himself grow. He was someone with a pure conviction.

"Ask me anything you want. I will answer what I know." This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Cael smiled, then looked toward Mitsuri. Her abilities should be incredible too. A supposedly delicate girl whose muscle density was eight times that of an ordinary person had to be special. [Status] Name: Mitsuri Kanroji Level: Lv. 1 Skills Heaven-Sent Monstrous Strength - Permanently grants an extreme increase to Strength.

- Permanently grants the Development Ability Strong Body. - Extremely enhances explosive power. - Further enhances Strength and explosive power during battle. Natural Body - Greatly enhances physical resistance. - Greatly enhances stamina recovery.

"An extreme enhancement, and then another extreme enhancement during battle. That is absurd. A gentler version of someone who could end a fight with one punch." Cael's mouth twitched. He was not surprised, though. It made sense. Mitsuri had been born with strength far beyond ordinary people. These Hashira were all gifted by their era. In their normal state, they could already fight upper-Level-2 threats.

"Now everyone has formed a contract," Hestia declared, lifting her fist high.

"From today on, you are all members of Hestia Familia. Choosing me proves that every one of you has excellent taste. Let us all work hard together!"

"Oh."

"Ooh!" Since the goddess had raised such an energetic cheer, the Hashira lifted their hands and answered. Some were awkward about it. Tengen and Kyojuro, at least, shouted with full force.

"Good. You all have spirit." Hestia set her hands on her hips.

"Our Familia is still poor right now, but I believe that if we work together and get through this hardest period, things will definitely improve."

"Together, we will become the strongest Familia in Orario."

"We will work hard and become stronger. You can count on us, Lady Goddess!" Kyojuro shouted like a burning flame.

"Exactly. I will become stronger in the flashiest way," Tengen said.

"Same," Obanai added.

"I feel the same. Let us all grow stronger together," Shinobu said gently. Looking at Hestia, she thought this goddess was strange. Hestia was nothing like the solemn gods she had imagined. Perhaps this was what gods were truly like on the lower world. More human than humans.

"Wait, wait. Lady Hestia, she has not joined Hestia Familia yet." Cael pushed Lili forward.

"Lord Cael..." Lili looked nervously at Hestia.

"Hm? She already has another god's Falna, doesn't she? Gods cannot steal children from each other." Hestia looked at Lili's nervous face and seemed to realize something.

"Did you run away from your patron god? If that is the case, even if you want to transfer, you cannot join Hestia Familia without your god's permission." There were only two ways for a Familia member to transfer. First, the patron god released the contract. Second, the patron god died on the lower world and returned to Heaven.

"Lady Hestia, Lili..." Lili lowered her head, unable to meet Hestia's eyes. She secretly looked toward Cael.

"Wait." Hestia noticed that little glance, and a very bad feeling rose in her heart.

"Cael! This little Prum girl is someone you brought home, isn't she?"

"That is... Lady Hestia, please listen calmly while I ex... explain. Here is what happened." As Hestia's lip trembled and tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, cold sweat formed on Cael's forehead. This was bad. Her jealousy had finally spilled over. Cael had no choice but to explain while surrounded by jealous tension so thick it was hard to breathe. He told her about Lili's suffering: being abused by adventurers, exploited by her companions, and beaten down by the Soma Familia.

He made it sound a little worse where it needed to sound worse, and carefully left out the two times Lili had tricked him. Hestia slowly began to listen seriously. She was jealous, yes, but she was also a kind goddess. Faced with a child who had suffered, she could not remain hardhearted. The Hashira had originally looked ready to enjoy Cael's trouble, but once they heard Lili's story, anger rose in all of them.

"Poor child."

"I am angry. I have only just arrived in Orario, and I already dislike that Familia."

"Same. If I ever meet them, I will make them suffer in the flashiest way."

"Same." They all looked ready to avenge Lili. In their eyes, she was a small, weak girl who had been hurt by people who should have protected her. In Lili's eyes, their tall, righteous figures were reflected like heroes.

"I see." Hestia looked at the Prum girl with her head lowered and sighed.

"Cael really is that kind of child. When he sees a girl suffering or standing alone, he rushes in to help without thinking about himself."