On the floating island of the 'Abyss Floor', Hestia finished eating the delicious fruit that, if detonated, could destroy all of Orario.
Although the Blue Ribbon Goddess worried that her stomach might explode if she took a punch, after Chen Hai promised her that 'no one can harm you', Hestia cast that concern aside.
"Hey hey, does this 'Abyss Floor' have any other fun places? Can you take us to see them?"
For Hestia, this had become an unimaginable excursion.
Therefore, she decided to seize this opportunity to see more places.
Although the Death Dragon was indeed displeased by an outsider interrupting its solitude with its master, it did not refuse Hestia's request.
The Death Dragon once again bent down and lowered its wings, allowing the two to climb onto its back.
"By the way, does it not have a name?"
"Not at the moment. We only know its species is 'Death Dragon'."
"How about we give it a name? We can't just call it by its species, it's a bit inconvenient and doesn't sound good."
At these words, the Death Dragon, carrying them in flight, let out a roar, clearly wanting a name.
Chen Hai thought for a moment.
In the games he had played and the animations he had watched… "Polyx, Thor, neither feels right."
"A good name is indeed very difficult to come up with."
Hestia also began to ponder.
She thought seriously, her gaze falling forward.
"A powerful Dragon living on the Abyss Floor. It needs a majestic name, right? Like… 'Sky-Burning Beast'? 'Abyss Calamity'?"
"Are those monsters from some novel?"
"Orario's Creation Guild occasionally sells those works. They're all about people and monsters with impressive names fighting each other."
"Those were just titles, not names, right? Any other suggestions?"
Chen Hai didn't think he was good at naming things, so he planned to let Hestia think for him.
Hmm… Hestia frowned, and quickly thought of something.
"Ignis… Ignifaros, how about that?"
"What's the meaning of that name?"
"It seems Chen Hai-kun isn't very knowledgeable in this area, hehe~ Actually, the 'Ignis' (fire) and the suffix 'faros' ('bearer' or 'radiance') combine to mean 'Bearer of Fire' or 'World-Burning Flame'. Sounds pretty cool, right?"
"That's really good."
Chen Hai admitted his lack of knowledge and fully agreed with the name Hestia proposed.
He then asked the Dragon beneath his feet.
"What do you think? You heard our conversation, right? Personally, I think it sounds great."
"Roar—!!"
As soon as he spoke, the Death Dragon let out an excited roar, and scorching flames erupted from its nostrils, as if acknowledging the name.
The sound waves of the Dragon's roar spread everywhere, causing echoes in the Abyss.
"Wah!"
Hestia nearly jumped.
"It, it agreed?!"
Chen Hai smiled slightly, reaching out to pat the Dragon's back.
"You seem very satisfied. So, from today on, you are Ignifaros—my flame and the witness of the Abyss."
Amidst the turbulent winds, the massive Death Dragon's body slowly ascended. Excited, it carried Chen Hai and the Goddess, accelerating towards the peculiar light in the distance.
Hestia mumbled softly,
"If it doesn't like it later, don't blame me."
"Agreeing now doesn't mean agreeing later, right?"
Chen Hai didn't think the Death Dragon would do such a thing.
"Anyway, don't worry about that. Let's see where Ignifaros wants to take us."
— — — —
— — — —
The Death Dragon Ignifaros, or Ignis for short, began to slow down.
"Fog?"
Hestia noticed the strange scene ahead.
But before she could ask, Ignis carried the two through the mist.
This was the end of a huge passage on the Abyss Floor.
The 'sky' in their vision was not pitch black, but an inverted, crystal-like azure firmament, with countless specks of light falling slowly from above like reverse rain.
Those were not shooting stars, but 'stardust'—magic stones scattered and shattered from the magic power ley lines.
They emitted fragments of silver-blue and pale-purple light, drifting down silently like fireflies, as if countless stars were silently withering and being reborn.
Each particle of light dust brushed past Chen Hai and Hestia, transforming into a flowing river of stars that extended in all directions.
"So beautiful…"
Hestia murmured softly, her eyes reflecting the starlight, as if holding an entire night sky.
Chen Hai was also surprised.
The Abyss Floor was not just monsters; it also had such beautiful wonders.
But as they ascended higher, a chill quietly crept in.
The cold wind of the Abyss was bone-chilling, and Hestia unconsciously shivered, her small face slightly flushed.
Seeing this, Chen Hai gave an order to the Death Dragon.
"Ignis."
The next moment, Ignifaros let out a low growl, and flames slowly rose from its back. Yet, there was no scorching heat; instead, they formed a flowing curtain of light, dispelling the chill that enveloped the two.
"Is it warming us?"
Hestia was surprised.
Chen Hai replied with a smile,
"Ignis is very smart."
"She is!"
The Dragon's flames gently enveloped the two, and stardust fell like rain all around.
Hestia finally relaxed, unconsciously leaning on Chen Hai's shoulder, muttering softly,
"…I'm a little sleepy."
Preparing in the morning, setting up a stall in the afternoon, and then experiencing Orario's changes and the exploration of the Abyss Floor with Chen Hai at night.
"Do you want me to take you back?"
"No, this is fine…"
Hestia shook her head, refusing.
She recalled the cold stronghold beneath the church and had no desire to leave here.
Ever since living alone, Hestia had always wanted a warm 'home'.
And now… although she had no subordinates, Hestia felt very at peace.
"Sleep."
Chen Hai said softly,
"Ignis and I are here."
Hestia softly hummed in agreement. Leaning against each other on the Dragon's broad back, enveloped in the warmth of the flames, they both closed their eyes.
Ignis slowly circled, carrying dreams and stars, soaring through the meteor-filled sky of the Abyss Floor towards their destination.