Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

"To actually try to restrain a cat that cherishes freedom, ah~ this is simply an act of utter disregard for divine retribution! Dwarves are so terrifying, meow! I really hope she'll spare the cats and only treat Runova, who isn't a cat, like a beast of burden, meow!"

"Hey, don't make me beat someone up."

Incited by one of them, the three girls began to pour out their grievances.

Anya spoke sadly and dejectedly, while Roy gazed at the sky as if she were performing a play, and Lunova clenched her right fist angrily.

Among all the tavern staff with their eccentric personalities, these three troublemakers were the most prone to causing trouble. It was understandable that the female owner would assign them a lot of work, almost as a form of punishment, but the three of them were completely oblivious to it.

In order to skip work and sneak out of the bar, he went to peek at Seele and Belle's date.

Two cat-people and one human were frantically trying to use their already not-so-bright little brains.

"If we want to follow Seele and the others, we'll definitely need a sufficient workforce. As long as there are enough people in the shop, we won't be caught immediately even if we try to escape. This method is guaranteed to work... probably. Anyway, let's try to hire some temporary workers first, so we can have time to rest and slip out of here..."

"The cats don't have money to hire anyone to work, meow~ and there's absolutely no way Mommy Mia would help pay for it, meow! Lunova is such a stupid cat!"

"Are you really asking for trouble?! We were just discussing how to skip work!"

These three owed the female shop owner a large sum of money for some reason, so their daily wages were so meager that they could rival those of a certain goddess who worked every day. After feeling Anya, the bar's notorious "dumb cat," looking at her with eyes that seemed to think she was an idiot, Runova became so angry that her face turned red, and she prepared to punch her.

"—Simply put, we need a few 'living sacrifices' who obey us without question, meow."

Just then—

The black cat revealed an evil smile.

"...Do you have any countermeasures?"

"Anyway, it's definitely a shameless method, meow..."

Lunova and Anya were quite confused by their colleague, who was full of bad intentions and acted like a god.

Kroy raised her index finger and pressed it to her lips, revealing a charmingly wicked smile.

"The cat has a foolproof plan, meow~"

"Is this really a good idea, Goddess Freya?"

"That's what it asked."

He was on the top floor of the Tower of Babel, which stood in the center of the city, facing his own god who was resting in the shrine.

The night sky was a deep blue. From the towering skyscraper, a landmark of the city, the moon could be clearly seen hanging high in the sky tonight.

Freya sat in an elegant armchair, enjoying her wine, her gaze still fixed on the view outside the window, and asked in return:

"What's the meaning?"

"It's about the 'Goddess Festival'."

"...Helen told you?"

"Yes," Ota replied respectfully.

The head attendant, who revered the supreme god, was not present. After all, her main job was not to chat with Freya, but to take care of Freya's daily life. Therefore, when it was inconvenient for Otto and others to handle matters, and only actions by women would not offend the supreme god, Harren was given priority in taking care of them. If Freya rang the bell to call for her, Harren would probably come with the other attendants.

Whenever Freya lingers at the top of the Tower of Babel, sipping wine and gazing at Eurasian at will, Otto is always by her side. He keeps Freya company, offering concise and powerful answers to any questions, and providing advice and suggestions when necessary. This is a job he, as the leader, is both qualified for and an honor.

Ota, who doesn't usually initiate conversations, unusually took the initiative to ask the goddess about her thoughts this time.

"I heard that you... have agreed to accept this 'battle' to see who gets Bell Crane."

"Victory or defeat... that girl has become quite belligerent these days."

"...Are you really going to do this?"

"That's right, because she said she was also irresistibly attracted to Belle."

"That's quite surprising," Freya chuckled softly for some reason.

Seeing this, Ota could only shut his mouth. From his expression reflected in the huge, seamless glass window, it was easy to see that he still wanted to confirm Freya's feelings again.

"Is this a reflection? A shared experience? Or a connection? Will that girl's heart be affected by me?"

"...This subordinate has no way of knowing."

"That makes sense."

Freya was not displeased; she tilted her glass slightly and moistened her lips.

Ota tried to continue the topic.

"Allen and the others are dissatisfied with the Goddess Festival."

"Is Allen the same as always? Just tell him to cooperate obediently in this game with the girl."

"Yes."

"Even if I order you not to arrange guards, it would be a waste of breath, wouldn't it?"

"Only in this matter, I implore the goddess to turn a blind eye."

"I understand. Although I'm not sure how many people you plan to send, the guards must be at least second-rank dependents. Handing over the command to Hedin shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Please rest assured, Goddess."

This is merely to confirm relevant official matters and serves as an opening remark before delving into the main topic.

After much hesitation, Oo finally made up his mind and asked the goddess to confirm her will.

"Goddess Freya, what do you desire?"

Face this problem.

Freya did not respond immediately.

The cold moonlight streamed through the glass window, falling on that stunningly beautiful face.

"The goddess's 'wish' has never changed."

Freya paused for a moment before slowly opening her lips.

"No matter what happens, I'm getting Bell. It's that simple."

This is the goddess's will, her "wish".

Upon hearing this, Ota remained silent and stood motionless in place.

"Otto, who do you support?"

"..."

"She must have asked you for help, right?"

The goddess's eyes had already seen through everything.

One cannot lie before God. Ota, who had initially decided to remain silent, finally relented.

The reason is that such a reaction is no different from defaulting.

"Everything I've done is for you, Goddess."

"So, according to you, you're willing to cooperate with that girl just for my sake, is that right?"

Oh, he was speechless after hearing that sentence.

So he closed his eyes, neither admitting nor denying, looking as if he had bowed his head in surrender.

The silver-haired goddess let out a clear laugh and raised her wine cup to the bright moon.

"A bountiful feast that's always been so boring... what will this year be like?"

—Even I don't know.

The goddess seemed to be filled with anticipation for the "unknown," as she made this declaration.

Monologue II, Volume XVI

I began to make careful preparations.

The time available on the day of the feast is quite limited. I must fulfill my "wish" before the clock strikes midnight, and to do so, I must take action before the "Goddess Festival" begins.

I asked one of the groups—the goddess's retinue—for help.

First, explain the matter of the "Goddess Festival" to Lord Otto... to Mr. Otto, and to the attendant in charge of delivering the message.

My direct approach would arouse suspicion. Even if the goddess sees through my deception, I must avoid arousing unnecessary suspicion among the other members of the kin who are her eyes and ears.

After receiving the letter, Mr. Otto secretly came to visit me.

I confessed everything without reservation, and although he remained serious as usual, he kept his mouth shut and fell silent.

This appearance is actually quite cute, and a bit funny.

I suppressed a laugh and asked the question again.

—Just one day… no, just this once, could you please help me?

I decided to bet he would agree.

However, I have a good chance of winning this bet.

Just as I had already noticed, Mr. Otto also vaguely discerned the goddess's true "wish." Even subconsciously, he was constantly pondering what choice would truly be in the goddess's best interest.

The existence called "I" has gradually become a "bomb" that could change the current situation and the goddess's future, and at the same time, it has the potential to become the final "key" to help him realize the "possibility" that once flashed through his mind.

I decided to gamble on this last remaining hope because I believed that this warrior, as resolute as a rock, would make such a judgment.

Besides Mr. Otto, I could hardly find any other help.

Especially Mr. Allen and his group, that's definitely out of the question. The reason is that this group is completely devoted to the goddess. If this group, which can be categorized as "radicals," finds out about this, they will definitely do everything in their power to stop it, regardless of whether my "plan" is exposed or not.

After a long period of time.

Under my pleading gaze, the boar-man follower finally nodded in agreement.

I'm sorry.

I silently apologized in my heart.

At the same time, he felt deeply guilty and loathed himself for intending to deceive the goddess and the person in front of him.

But I still decided to follow my own will and only wanted to realize my "wish".

Volume 16, Chapter 3: Harvest Festival

The sky was clear and blue that day.

Scattered white clouds drifted in the sky like fruit pits, higher and smaller than summer clouds. Under the clear, crisp autumn sky, a breeze swept by.

Sunny and comfortable weather.

It is undoubtedly a good day to hold a celebration.

"As you can see, the weather is fine and sunny today, and even the moody god of the sky seems to be in a good mood."

The goddess used magic stone artifacts to spread her gentle voice throughout every corner of Orario.

The sound originated from the city center, specifically the central square at the foot of the white tower.

This plaza, which leads to eight main avenues and can accommodate tens of thousands of people, is decorated in various ways unlike anything seen before. At the four cardinal directions of the Tower of Babel, there is a stone altar shaped like a tower.

That was actually a place used to worship the gods.

"This season has arrived once again this year. Winter has passed so quickly; the seeds we planted have sprouted, the sprouts have blossomed and borne fruit, and the ripe produce allows us to harvest. It all seems to have happened in the blink of an eye. How do you all feel about this?"

Beneath the four towering altars, which required craning one's neck to see clearly, lay a large crowd of humans and demi-humans. They all looked up at the four goddesses seated on the altars.

They are Damia, Hathor, Freya, and Demeter.

They are the goddesses of abundance who reside in Orario, and they are also the "symbols" of today's celebration.

Demeter, who was giving the speech with a loud voice, suddenly lowered her eyes.

Indeed, far more terrible and sorrowful things have happened this year than ever before. For the gods, a year is but a fleeting moment… but I will never forget what has transpired in that short time.

She said this in a forlorn tone.

Perhaps this is the goddess's lament for the "Elegy Festival." The commotion at the Monster Festival, the destruction of the pleasure district, and the appearance and disappearance of "armed monsters" on the surface all resurface in people's minds.

As the entire city fell silent, the goddess suddenly put on a cheerful expression.

She looked around at her people who were gazing up at her from below the altar, and smiled.

So let us seize this day and celebrate it, including for our departed children, with gratitude for abundance in our hearts.

The audience members beamed with joy.