Chapter 131: A Confession of Love

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After seeing the girls off, August stayed in the military camp. During break time, the young recruits wandered around the drill ground, stretching their necks to see what was happening, looking nervous.

As soon as the girls began to step through the portal, the soldiers practically sprinted over in excitement.

"August, my boy, thanks for the hard work." Commander James came over. The old veteran looked at the girls and noticed the strange mix of things they were carrying.

Some had potted plants and herbs, while others held real medieval weapons.

"What is all this?"

Commander James asked, surprised. They had left with nothing, but now they looked like a traveling merchant group.

"Gifts from the brides' families," August said with a casual gesture.

"The ones with the plants belong to the Demeter Familia."

"The ones with the weapons are from the Hephaestus Familia."

August crossed his arms. "Gods treat their Familia members like their own children. In our terms, the in-laws just sent a wedding gift."

"Ah." Commander James looked stunned. "This... this is a lot."

He scratched his head, not sure what to say. It was obvious these gifts weren't just cheap trinkets or random plants. Anything made or grown by actual gods was priceless.

The Commander cleared his throat, turned to the young men who were fussing over their new wives, and shouted across the yard.

"YOU BOYS BETTER TREAT YOUR WIVES RIGHT!"

"If their families come knocking because you've wronged them, don't expect me to bail you out!"

"Yes, sir!" the young men replied.

They knew these divine gifts were valuable.

"Alright, that's enough. Dismissed. Get back to your quarters," Commander James said, waving them away.

The soldiers quickly took their wives by the hand and hurried off to their temporary barracks.

"Ah, youth," Commander James said with a sigh.

He turned to his adjutant. "Write up a report. We need to log everything. Have the logistics team do a full inventory tomorrow morning."

Even with their divine powers sealed, gifts from the gods were still powerful tools. They had to be accounted for.

"Yes, Commander." The adjutant nodded, signaling the end of the ordeal. He caught August's eye, leaned in, and quietly said, "Commander. There's a situation outside."

"..." August noticed the look and glanced at the old veteran.

"The Legal Department..." Commander James said in a flat tone.

"They heard about the women from the other world and showed up asking questions."

"I stopped them at the gate. This isn't their business anyway."

"Trying to force a diplomatic issue into a legal matter is overstepping," James said with a scoff. "Whatever. I'm not going to argue about it. The higher-ups can deal with it."

James made it clear that August didn't need to worry about the bureaucracy. August understood—the adjutant was just warning him about the political trouble his actions were causing.

"Alright. I'll leave it to you," August said, waving it off.

He opened the dimensional portal and went back to Orario.

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Once August was gone, the adjutant finally spoke.

"Sir... shouldn't we have told him everything?" he asked, sounding unsure.

Commander James didn't seem worried at all. "Tell him what? The kid understands politics better than we do."

"Besides, do you really think Goddess Hestia is just a mascot?"

He knew the adjutant's worries didn't make sense. A Virgin Goddess was basically a lie detector. No one could fool them.

"Here's the real problem: a political marriage might look good on paper," James said, his voice getting serious. "But for us, it's actually the worst thing that could happen."

"Sir?" The adjutant looked confused, not understanding why his boss wanted to avoid an alliance.

"As long as August is a free agent, we can cooperate smoothly."

"If he gets tied down by political marriages to certain families, we'll have to deal with a mess of conflicting interests."

"Choosing the wrong side could get people killed. Making a mistake could get even more people killed. My answer is a firm no."

James realized the 'Legal Department' inquiry was just a cover. Some high-ranking official wanted to use it as a chance to introduce their daughter to August. James wasn't about to play matchmaker for a rival group.

For the military, having August act on his own was the best option. Keeping him out of domestic politics was the safest play.

"Forget it," James said, shaking his head. "August will probably outlive all of us. Forcing our short-lived politics on him will only make him angry."

He knew his own people too well. August's chance at eternal life was no joke. He was dealing with things on a much bigger scale.

The adjutant bowed his head, taking the lesson seriously. The best thing to do was to stay out of it and let August handle things himself. He decided to ignore any future political games and let the bureaucrats deal with the consequences.

Deep down, he understood the real message: Hestia was very protective. Anyone who tried to take August away from the Goddess of the Hearth would end up catching a divine curse.

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Meanwhile, back in Orario.

August walked into the ruined church. Miach, Takemikazuchi, Hephaestus, and Demeter had already left with their Familias. The place was empty except for the Xenos sunbathing outside the walls.

"AUGUST!"

Hestia cheered, instantly tackling him and climbing onto his lap as if it were a rocking chair, her legs swinging back and forth.

"What's got you in such a good mood?" August asked, catching her legs to steady her as he sat down on the sofa.

He cleared his throat, trying to ignore any thoughts about the Goddess sitting comfortably on his lap. He was just curious about why she seemed so happy.

"Guess what! I finally figured it out. HEPHAESTUS TOTALLY HAS A CRUSH ON YOU." Hestia leaned in, her eyes brimming with gossip.

"Huh?"

August had been listening quietly, but he froze when Hestia said the Forge Goddess liked him. He hadn't expected that at all...

Since when did he attract the attention of a Goddess?

Hestia liked him for his honesty and openness. But what did Hephaestus see in him? He wasn't a naive, pure-hearted teen like the ones Apollo usually liked. August thought about his own traits, trying to figure out what could have attracted a legendary blacksmith.

"You don't believe me?" Hestia blinked. For someone who traveled between worlds, he really didn't notice his own charm.

"I knew it."

Lili, sitting nearby, chimed in with a smug grin. Seeing August's genuine confusion confirmed her theory. "Lady Hestia, I told you he was completely clueless."

"Lili, you're telling me you knew too?" August turned to the Pallum.

August wasn't clueless. He knew Lili had a crush on him, and pretending not to would just be silly.

But Hephaestus? That was a surprise.

It seemed even stranger than Apollo being interested. From what he knew, Hephaestus usually liked people who shared her interests and didn't mind her scars.

"What does she like about you?" Lili paused, the comprehension dawning on her. "No, I mean... what did Lady Hephaestus notice in you first?"

The question left her puzzled.

August wasn't warm or affectionate. Except for Hestia and herself, he treated everyone else with a cool, businesslike attitude. Even the Xenos outside got the same practical treatment. She couldn't figure out what made him appealing.

"August," Hestia pouted. "You should be thrilled! Having a Goddess fall for you is a huge deal. Aren't you happy?"

August tilted his head, locking eyes with her. His gaze turned incredibly serious.

"But I like Hestia..."

"I like the Hestia who treats me with unconditional kindness. The Hestia who accepts all my flaws. The one who gets fiercely jealous over me."

"All of it. Every single part."

He didn't care about impressing another Goddess. Hestia was the first person in this chaotic world, outside his family, to give him real, steady support. She had helped him, covered for him, and always stood by his side.

They could either discuss big dreams or simply enjoy inexpensive takeout together on the couch like an old married couple. That small, warm moment was what made her special to him.

Hestia, who had just been looking for gossip, was caught off guard by his sudden confession. It was romantic, but also very real.

"R-Really?" She leaned in closer, her voice trembling. She hadn't realized just how deeply he valued her.

"YAY!"

Hestia almost jumped into the air, so happy she could barely contain herself. She never thought he would confess his feelings like that. It was simple, honest, and full of love. She ran around the room, bursting with pride.

"That's so nice," Lili murmured.

It wasn't a dramatic or wild confession. It was a calm recognition of the small, everyday moments they shared, built on mutual understanding. Lili watched from her corner, feeling a stab of envy as she saw their romance.

August caught the envious look shadowing Lili's face.

"Lili, I like you too," he added casually.

"But unlike my feelings for Hestia..." August rubbed his neck, not embarrassed. "With you, it's just plain desire."

Did he dislike her? Of course not.

"You really..."

Lili's self-pity evaporated in an instant. Learning that he harbored genuine feelings for her—even if those feelings were rooted in desire rather than romance—changed everything.

Her gloomy expression vanished, replaced by a blushing smile.

"LORD AUGUST, YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THINGS LIKE THAT!" Lili cried, her face burning as she waved her hands at him. "Honestly, you're impossible! Save that kind of talk for when we're alone. You can't just announce it to everyone!"

Even as she scolded him, she could not hide her smile. She was happy to be wanted. Desire might not be love, but it was still better than pity, indifference, or being treated as though she did not exist.

"Sly~" Hestia giggled.

Hearing him say that his feelings for Lili were just desire actually made Hestia feel better. It meant he wasn't drifting away from her emotionally.

A little mortal desire was normal.

"I'll give you a pass on that one," Hestia declared, hands on her hips in mock authority.

As for Hephaestus's crush? That topic was immediately buried.

Hephaestus who? Never heard of her. Hestia was the star of this show. August's confession was honest and all about her. That felt like a huge win.

"We are definitely celebrating tonight!" Hestia cheered.

It had been a great day. She had helped some mortal girls find a better future, and she had found her own happiness too.

"Let's go home." Hestia smiled, glancing at the setting sun outside the ruined windows. "It's getting late."

"Right."

August summoned the dimensional portal. Taking Hestia and Lili by the hand, the trio crossed the threshold and returned to Earth for the night.

Outside, the Xenos gazed at the empty church. They had heard the muffled voices, the cheering, and the odd changes in tone. It was confusing.

Was this really how people showed their feelings on the surface?

The Siren watched from the corner, wiping away a moved tear. "That's so beautiful."

The radiant affection in the air was blinding.

Meanwhile, the rest of the monsters just traded deadpan looks.

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