Why does Hermes want to make a hearth out of Orario in Danmachi? Explained

In the latest episode of Danmachi season 5, Hermes received a note from Hestia, instructing him to turn Orario into a hearth. Notably, it's the same note he handed over to Hestia before Freya charmed everyone in Orario. While giving it to Hestia back then, Hermes instructed her to return the note to him when the moment was right.

Eventually, when Hestia learned from Asfi that Freya Familia had become distracted due to Bell's refusal to submit to their plans, she felt the time had come. So, why does Hermes want to turn Orario into a heath in Danmachi?

According to volume 17 of the original light novel series, Hermes knows Hestia's Sacred Flames can break Freya's charm. However, she requires a hearth to demonstrate her powers. Ouranos was aware of it; hence, he had Hermes Familia distribute firewood all over Orario.

Likewise, Hestia realized the plan when she read Hermes's note. She gave some of her blood to Asfi, who then handed it over to Hermes. In the light novel, the God of Messengers dripped one drop of blood on every log before delivering them. That's how he prepared the altar/hearth and allowed Hestia to use her powers.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Danmachi light novel series.

Exploring why Hermes wants to turn Orario into a hearth in Danmachi

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In Danmachi, Hermes's desire to turn Orario into a hearth is deeply connected to freeing Orario from Freya's charm. When Hermes realized Freya's intention to alter everyone's memories, he quickly scribbled a note and handed it over to Hestia. He instructed her to return it only when the time was right, or he could become her enemy.

Later, the narrative revealed that the note specified Hermes to turn Orario into a hearth. According to the 17th volume of the light novel series, Hermes wanted to use Hestia's Sacred Flames to break Freya's spell. He knew that even though Hestia ruled as the Goddess of flame, she couldn't do much without it unless an altar was prepared.

Hermes in the anime (Image via J.C.Staff)

That's why it was necessary to deliver firewood all over Orario to turn it into Hestia's altar or hearth. Besides Hermes, Ouranos knew about Hestia's actual powers. That's why he gave the responsibility of handing over the firewood to the Hermes Familia, not Ganesha Familia.

Ouranos perhaps realized that Hermes was the key to the plan. The final piece of the puzzle fell to the correct place the moment Hestia met Asfi. Having read the letter's content, Hestia knew what she had to do. In the light novels, she gave her blood to Asfi, who then passed it on to Hermes.

How does Hestia break Freya's spell using the hearth in Danmachi?

Hestia, as seen in season 5 (Image via J.C.Staff)

According to the 17th volume of the Danmachi light novel series, Hermes laced every log with one drop of Hestia's blood before delivering them. This allowed Hermes to prepare the altar under Hestia's name. The stage was set for Hestia to unleash her powers when everyone in Orario lit the firewood.

Asfi carried the Goddess up in the sky and flew to Babel's rooftop. Hestia then raised her arms and hundreds of light pillars shot up into the sky from the flames across the city below her. Apparently, mixing the firewood with her blood was essential to break Freya's charm.

Since Hestia is one of the Virgin Goddesses besides Athena and Artemis, she could use her flames to remove lust from people in Orario and consequently undo Freya, the Goddess of Beauty's charm over them. Standing atop Babel, she engulfed the city in her flames to break Freya's charm.

Conclusion

Hermes's actual motive behind making Orario into a hearth proves his mettle as a clever God. He knew only Hestia had the power to confront Freya's charms.

Yet, he had to construct the message in a way others under Freya's charm wouldn't notice. Eventually, he had to wait for Hestia to return the note to him at the correct right.