Is It Wrong to Explore the Dungeon Even Though I’m Overpowered? (Danmachi SI- WC)

Chapter 65: The Hearth Grows

Sometime Later

Once the surprise surrounding Est had finally worn off, with the little spirit still cutely glaring at Aisha and, to a much lesser extent, Haruhime, Aisha suddenly broke into a loud laugh that surprised the three of us.

“Hahahaha! Here I was thinking I was only joking about you being an actual Hero, Reinhard, but to think you were hiding a surprise like this.” Aisha said between laughs as she held her stomach with one hand.

“I’m very fortunate to have Est as my partner,” I replied with a small smile as I gently rested my hand on Est’s head and began patting it.

Almost immediately, I felt Est relax beneath my hand, her rigid posture softening as she happily accepted the affection. Across from us, Aisha looked even more amused, while Haruhime continued staring at us with wide, awestruck eyes.

“Nonetheless, allow me to make a proper introduction,” I said. “This is Est, my spirit weapon and the most reliable partner anyone could ever wish for.”

I spoke with complete sincerity, causing Est to proudly puff out her chest while the glare she had been directing at Aisha weakened ever so slightly.

“Nice to meet ya,” Aisha replied with an amused grin as she rested one hand on her hip. “Honestly, I’m not even surprised a spirit ended up falling for your charms.”

Rather than becoming embarrassed, Est simply let out a cute huff and crossed her arms.

“Hmph. Reinhard is both my one and only partner and the man I will marry in the future. I love him, and I won’t let ecchi girls like you seduce him.”

She declared those words with complete confidence while pointing directly at Aisha.

Both women blinked in surprise, with Haruhime blushing in embarrassment at Est’s bold words.

“Hoh.” Aisha's grin widened. “Looks like you’re just as confident as he is. I like that.”

“M-My name is Sanjouno Haruhime. I-It’s a pleasure to properly meet you, Reinhard-sama... Est-sama.” Haruhime introduced herself with a nervous stutter before bowing gracefully hiding her red face.

Est quietly stared at Haruhime for several seconds, seemingly studying her.

The prolonged silence only made the poor Renard grow increasingly nervous as she shifted awkwardly from foot to foot beneath Est’s careful inspection.

Eventually, Est gave a small nod.

The hostility vanished from her eyes when she looked at Haruhime, though she continued eyeing Aisha with obvious suspicion.

“Hello.” Est nodded once. “Hmm... you're okay. I approve.”

She finished by giving Haruhime a small thumbs-up.

The Renard only blinked in complete confusion.

“Hahahaha! Looks like you lucked out, Haruhime. One of Reinhard's girls already approves of you.” Aisha laughed as she gave Haruhime a friendly pat on the back.

Haruhime blinked once.

Then twice.

Only after Aisha’s words fully registered did a deep blush spread across her entire face.

“E-Eeeehhh!?”

Deciding to spare the poor girl from any further teasing, I cleared my throat.

“Ahem.”

The three of them immediately turned their attention back to me.

“I know this is a lot to ask,” I began, “but could the two of you please keep Est’s existence a secret? There are many people who would cause us no end of trouble if they discovered what she truly is.”

As I finished speaking, I respectfully bowed my head toward them.

“P-P-Please don’t bow, Reinhard-sama!” Haruhime exclaimed in a panic, frantically waving both of her hands. “W-We promise we won’t tell anyone!”

“Haruhime is right. There’s no need to bow over such a simple request, Reinhard.” Aisha waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone. It’s the least we can do after you’ve already helped us twice.”

“Thank you.” I nodded gratefully before glancing around the street.

“Now then, we should probably leave before any members of the Freya Familia decide to come looking for you.”

I extended my hand toward the two women.

“My Familia is waiting for me near the entrance to the Entertainment District. Would the two of you like to come with us?”

Both of them blinked in surprise.

Aisha tilted her head curiously, while Haruhime's expression softened for only a brief moment before sadness overtook it once more. Her fox ears drooped noticeably as she lowered her gaze.

“You'd really take us with you just like that?” Aisha asked with a raised eyebrow. “Even if it means possibly coming into conflict with the Freya Familia because you got involved?”

“It is never wrong to help someone in need,” I answered without hesitation, all the while continuing to gently pat Est's head to keep her relaxed.

My immediate response clearly caught them off guard.

Haruhime looked up at me again, hope briefly flickering across her face before she lowered her eyes once more.

“Even if the people you're helping are prostitutes... like Haruhime and me?” Aisha asked, resting a hand on her hip as she watched me carefully.

I opened my mouth to answer.

Before I could, Haruhime quietly spoke.

“…Prostitutes only bring ruin to Heroes, Reinhard-sama.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Those words should be saved for people who are truly worthy of being rescued.”

A deep frown crossed my face.

“And who decided that you aren't worthy of being saved?”

Both women froze.

Haruhime, in particular, looked at me with wide, stunned eyes.

“I've always trusted my intuition,” I continued with a gentle smile. “And right now it's telling me that both you and Aisha deserve to be saved.”

I shook my head.

“Your past doesn't determine your worth.”

“So please... don't say such sad things, Miss Haruhime.”

Silence settled over the street.

A few moments later, tears slowly welled up in Haruhime's beautiful emerald eyes.

Beside her, Aisha suddenly burst into another hearty laugh.

“Hahahaha! I really do like decisive men!”

She laughed for several more seconds before giving me an approving nod.

“Very well. We'll come with you.”

Her smile turned confident.

“Normally I'd want to test whether a man can actually back up words like those... but you've already proven you're stronger than me.”

She wrapped one arm around Haruhime's shoulders, causing the poor Renard to let out a tiny squeak.

“So we'll be in your care from now on, Reinhard~”

For a brief moment, Aisha's smile looked completely genuine.

Then, just as quickly, it became teasing again.

“Just remember... my offer from earlier is still on the table~”

She gave me another sultry smile.

Immediately, Est stepped in front of me with an adorable glare.

“Ecchi!”

“A-Aisha-san!”

Haruhime squeaked in embarrassment, her entire face turning bright red as she hurriedly covered it with both hands.

I could only smile awkwardly.

Choosing not to dignify Aisha's latest remark with a response, I simply turned around and began leading the way back.

If everything had gone according to plan, Rem and Ram should already be waiting for us at the place we'd agreed to meet.

=====

Following Day

Rem and Ram were already waiting for us at our agreed meeting spot by the time we arrived.

It took them exactly two seconds to begin directing suspicious glares toward Aisha and Haruhime.

Even after I explained everything that had happened, neither of their expressions softened in the slightest. Instead, they quietly moved closer until they were practically glued to my sides, joining Est, who had firmly insisted that I carry her on my back.

Although neither of the twins voiced any objections to my decision to invite Aisha and Haruhime back with us, it was abundantly clear that they did not trust either of them.

I must have looked rather ridiculous.

With Rem and Ram each holding one of my arms, Est happily riding on my back, and an Amazon and a Renard following beside us, we attracted more than a few curious glances as we made our way home.

Fortunately, it was already quite late by the time we returned to the Hearth Mansion, so nothing else of note happened that evening.

After showing Aisha and Haruhime to one of the guest rooms and promising that we would speak properly the following day, I silently informed Hestia and Artemis through Conjunction that we had returned safely before finally calling it a night.

Admittedly, I did not sleep alone.

Then again...

If I was being honest with myself, I rarely did anymore.

There was almost always at least one girl sharing my bed.

Tonight, however, the number had grown considerably.

Whether it was because everyone was worried about the Amazon now staying under the same roof or because they feared she might sneak into my room during the night, I couldn't say for certain.

Either way, I ended up sharing my bed with Est, Wiene, Marie, Rem, and Ram.

The following morning, I woke much later than I usually did.

After carefully extracting myself from the mountain of sleeping girls and giving each of them their customary good morning kiss, I quietly slipped out of the room and began preparing breakfast.

Once everything was ready, I made my way to the guest room where Aisha and Haruhime were staying before gently knocking on the door.

“Aisha, Miss Haruhime,” I called softly. “Pardon the interruption, but would the two of you like to join us for breakfast?”

Hearing movement from inside, I relaxed slightly, relieved that I hadn't accidentally woken them.

A few moments later, the door opened.

Aisha stood in the doorway with her usual confident smirk, while Haruhime shyly peeked out from behind her and gave me a timid wave.

Thankfully, both of them were already dressed in their usual outfits.

Considering how revealing Amazon clothing could be, I had a feeling that more than a few people in the mansion would have struggled to remain calm had that not been the case.

“Morning, handsome~” Aisha greeted with a seductive smile as she deliberately leaned against the doorframe in a rather suggestive pose. “It's a shame you didn't take me up on my offer. We were waiting for you last night.”

Her words immediately caused poor Haruhime to let out an embarrassed squeak before hiding her burning face behind both hands.

“Good morning,” I replied with a polite smile, choosing to ignore her teasing entirely. “Are the two of you hungry?”

“Huhu. Playing innocent, are we?” Aisha chuckled, clearly amused by my refusal to react. Thankfully, she decided not to press the issue any further. “But yes, actually. We're both starving.”

“T-Thank you very much for your hospitality, Reinhard-sama,” Haruhime said as she hurried forward and bowed deeply.

“There is no need to thank me, Miss Haruhime.” I gently waved away her gratitude before offering her a warm smile. “Come along before the food gets cold. This will also be a good opportunity to introduce you properly to everyone else.”

“I’m certain they'll all be happy to meet you.”

With that, I turned and began leading the two of them toward the dining room.

“Huhuhu, you mean like your cute spirit and your maids?” Aisha asked teasingly as she quickly caught up to me and fell into step at my side, while Haruhime quietly followed a pace behind with her head lowered.

“They mean no harm,” I replied with a nervous smile. “Some of them are simply... a little overprotective when it comes to me.”

“I'll say,” Aisha laughed, clearly finding the situation far more amusing than I did.

By the time we reached the dining room, I came to a stop at the entrance.

The long dining table, large enough to comfortably seat around thirty people, was already filled.

I blinked in mild surprise.

It was rather unusual to see everyone gathered together for breakfast.

With both my own party and Artemis's Familia frequently leaving for the Dungeon before sunrise, it was rare for everyone's schedules to align so perfectly.

As my gaze swept across the room, it landed on a familiar head of crimson hair.

Right...

I had almost forgotten.

Hephaestus had mentioned she would be coming over this morning.

Bell and Lucia were also seated among the others, chatting pleasantly with everyone around them.

Poor Bell had once again turned into a tomato.

Surrounded by so many beautiful girls, he stumbled over nearly every response directed his way, while Lucia watched him with an amused expression that suggested she was thoroughly enjoying his predicament.

Naturally, our arrival did not go unnoticed.

“Rein!”

“Reinhard-kun!”

“Reinhard!”

Several cheerful voices called out almost simultaneously.

Smiles quickly spread throughout the room before curious eyes shifted toward the two women standing behind me.

Aisha met their attention with her usual confident smirk.

Haruhime, meanwhile, shrank back slightly, looking as though she wished she could disappear behind me.

“Good morning, everyone,” I greeted with a smile as I raised a hand.

My gaze then shifted toward Bell and Lucia.

“I'm glad to see the two of you are settling in well.”

“Morning,” Lucia replied first, giving me a small nod.

Compared to when we had first met, she already looked considerably more relaxed.

“T-Thank you again for taking us in, Reinhard-san,” Bell said as he suddenly stood up and bowed deeply. “Everyone has been so kind to us. I... I really can't thank you enough.”

Warm smiles appeared around the table.

“There is no need to thank me, Bell,” I replied with a gentle shake of my head. “You're among friends now.”

Bell looked up at me with slightly watery eyes before hurriedly wiping them away and sitting back down.

“H-Hai!”

Smiling, I turned toward the red-haired Goddess.

“Good morning, Hephaestus-sama. Welcome to our home.”

“Morning, Reinhard.” Hephaestus returned the greeting with a relaxed smile. “I'll be intruding for the day, if you don't mind.”

“Not at all.” I shook my head. “As I said before, you're welcome here anytime.”

She smiled a little wider before settling back into her seat beside Hestia and Artemis.

Clearing my throat, I stepped to one side, allowing everyone a clear view of Aisha and Haruhime.

The sudden attention caused Haruhime's face to flush as she instinctively lowered her ears and shifted closer behind me.

“I'm sure most of you are wondering who these two are,” I began. “Please welcome the newest members of our Familia, whom I met last night.”

I turned toward them with an encouraging smile.

“I'll let them introduce themselves.”

Taking the initiative without the slightest hesitation, Aisha stepped forward with her usual confidence.

She looked around the room with a broad grin, seemingly unfazed by the mixture of curiosity and mild embarrassment she was receiving from everyone, particularly from those whose eyes had inevitably wandered toward her rather revealing attire.

“Yo.” Aisha flashed everyone a confident grin. “Name’s Aisha Belka. Our Hero here saved both me and my friend from a rather unpleasant situation last night, and now here we are. It’s nice to see we weren’t the only ones who fell for his charms.”

Her teasing remark was accompanied by a slow sweep of her gaze across every girl seated around the table, deliberately skipping over Bell.

The reaction was immediate.

Several girls blushed in embarrassment, while others narrowed their eyes as they instinctively recognized a potential rival.

Aisha, however, appeared completely unfazed by the mixture of glares and embarrassed looks directed her way.

With a satisfied smile, she stepped aside before gently, but firmly, nudging Haruhime forward.

The poor Renard let out a tiny squeak.

From the expression on her face, it looked as though she wished the floor would simply open beneath her and swallow her whole.

After glancing nervously around the room, she turned pleading eyes toward me, silently asking for help.

Unable to help myself, I smiled before gently resting a hand on top of her head.

Haruhime stiffened the instant my hand touched her.

A heartbeat later, her tense body gradually relaxed as she unconsciously leaned into the headpat, almost as though she were trying to prolong the comforting feeling.

“Don't worry, Haruhime,” I said gently. “Everyone here is your friend, so take your time.”

My words finally pulled her from her daze.

Realizing what she had just done, Haruhime's face immediately turned bright red before she hurriedly stepped away and bowed with remarkable elegance.

“M-My name is Sanjouno Haruhime,” she introduced herself with a slight stutter. “P-Please take care of me.”

She kept her eyes tightly shut throughout her introduction, seemingly too embarrassed to look at anyone.

Once she finished, I gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.

“You did well.”

Turning back toward everyone else, I addressed the room once more.

“I would ask one favor of all of you. Please don't pressure any of them into talking about their past if they aren't ready to do so.”

I smiled warmly before continuing.

“With that said, please join me in welcoming our new friends and companions.”

Although my attention briefly lingered on Aisha and Haruhime, my words naturally included Bell and Lucia as well, since they had officially joined us only yesterday.

“Welcome!”

The dining room immediately filled with cheerful greetings and words of encouragement as everyone enthusiastically welcomed the four newest members of our Familia.

Meanwhile, I quietly made my way over to my usual seat beside the three Goddesses.

As I sat down, I couldn't help but smile.

Aisha had already taken charge of the situation, leading Haruhime toward two empty seats while casually introducing her to everyone around them.

Haruhime still looked a little overwhelmed, but the warm reception she was receiving seemed to be slowly easing her nerves.

“Seriously, Rein-kun,” Hestia said teasingly between bites of breakfast, “aren't you recruiting an awful lot of girls?”

She gave me an amused look.

“If you hadn't invited Bell too, I'd have started thinking you were doing it on purpose instead of it being one giant coincidence.”

Before I could respond, Artemis calmly interjected.

“I fail to see what the problem is.”

Hestia slowly turned toward her fellow Goddess with an utterly deadpan expression.

“Your opinion would carry a lot more weight if you weren't famous for hating men.”

Hephaestus couldn't help letting out a quiet giggle.

Realizing both Goddesses had turned to look at her, she quickly cleared her throat.

“Ahem... Hestia isn't exactly wrong, Artemis.”

She smiled apologetically before continuing.

“Regardless, what's important is that Hestia's Familia is continuing to grow at a healthy pace.”

“Speaking of that,” I said as I took a sip of my drink, “did either of you hear whether Freya was punished for what happened last night?”

Hephaestus sighed and gently shook her head.

“No. At worst, she'll receive little more than a slap on the wrist. Freya simply holds too much influence within Orario.”

That sounds about right.

I let out a quiet sigh inwardly.

‘I really need to win her over before she decides to do something even more extreme the next time someone so much as looks at me the wrong way.’

My thoughts naturally drifted toward the date Syr had invited me on.

If everything went according to plan...

That day was quickly approaching.