Orsted didn't need to handle the barbecue this ti.
Elenoir and the others insisted he relax, eagerly taking on the grilling duties themselves, leaving Orsted to sit and wait for the food.
mbers from the Miach and Takemikazuchi Familias also pitched in with the barbecue.
A feast like this was dull without participation.
Miach and Takemikazuchi grilled skewers, chatting intermittently.
Even Hestia and Loki were at it, fiercely competing over adjacent grills as if trying to outdo each other.
With nothing to do, Orsted sat aside, waiting to eat.
But he didn't wait long.
Ais, equally clueless about grilling, approached and sat beside him.
"Orsted, congratulations," she said, referring to the war ga victory.
"Thanks," Orsted replied, understanding her aning.
"Hehe, Orsted, thank you so much this ti," Tiona said, joining them with a plate of freshly grilled barbecue, courtesy of her and her sister.
Tione, still at the grill, kept working.
Ais couldn't grill, and Loki's competitive grilling with Hestia produced barely edible results, so Tiona and Tione handled the cooking.
Tiona brought the food, while Tione stayed at the grill.
"Here," Tiona said, handing skewers to Orsted and Ais.
"Thank you? For what?" Orsted asked, confused, taking a bite of the perfectly cooked skewer.
"The Loki Familia made a fortune off this war ga," Lili interjected, approaching with a plate of barbecue, Elenoir beside her with another.
Both handed skewers to Orsted.
Orsted, still puzzled, accepted the food.
"Loki's Familia was nearly bankrupt after our last expedition's losses," Tiona explained, scratching her head awkwardly.
"When Apollo targeted you, I suggested to Finn we start a betting pool. The odds were fifty-to-three against Hestia's Familia."
"Hardly anyone bet on you—only one or two, and even then, minimally. So, their valis went to us."
"Finn said he'll send so magic book materials in a few days as thanks," Ais added.
"Exactly. Hope you don't mind, Argonaut," Tiona said, nodding.
"So that's it. No worries," Orsted said, understanding. He bit into Lili and Elenoir's skewers.
"But why 'Argonaut'?"
"Your performance reminds of the Argonaut from the Hero's Tale," Tione said, arriving from the grill.
"That's why Tiona calls you that."
"Lord Orsted is truly a hero," Lili said, agreeing with Tiona's nickna.
"Lord Orsted is my hero," Elenoir added with a smile, her voice loud enough for nearby Hestia Familia mbers to hear.
"Lord Orsted is my hero!" the other elves chid in, their voices ringing out in unison, drawing attention.
"He's quite the star," Loki teased, squinting at Hestia as they grilled.
"Hmph!" Hestia snorted, turning away.
But then, an unwelco voice echoed.
"Oh, a party, Hestia? Can I join? I brought ingredients!"
The courtyard gate was open for the barbecue, allowing anyone to enter.
Hestia and the others turned toward the familiar voice.
Seeing the newcor, Hestia's face fell.
"Hers, why are you here?"
"Hey, Hers, long ti no see!" Loki waved cheerfully.
"We t yesterday," Hers replied.
"You're no fun anymore," Loki said, raising an eyebrow.
It was Hers, accompanied by his captain, Asfi, each carrying two bags with wine bottles peeking out.
Hestia, already annoyed, glared at Hers' smile, ready to demand why he'd co.
But before she could speak, her eyes widened at the sight behind him, and her scream filled the courtyard.
"Why are you all here too?"
"You chased us all day and won't leave us alone even at night!"
Behind Hers was the sa group of goddesses who had hounded Hestia and Orsted all day.
"Don't be so stingy," the lead goddess said, smiling, ignoring Hestia's frustration.
"We're here to support your barbecue feast. You should welco us." She and the others headed to the grills with their ingredients.
"No thanks needed!" Hestia snapped, returning to her grilling duel with Loki.
She couldn't exactly drive them out.
These goddesses, though annoying, bore no real grudge against her—just idle deities stirring trouble.
Kicking them out would seem petty.
Frustrated, Hestia vented on the grill.
Elenoir and the others exchanged glances, shook their heads, and smiled.
With the goddesses' arrival, the barbecue's atmosphere grew livelier, the courtyard brimming with laughter.
Amid the festive chaos, Orsted, drawn by Ais, slipped away from Hearth Manor with her.
---
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