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

"After all, besides Bell, the rest of us also received a lot of care from that waitress and the bar... and this matter is quite concerning."

Unlike Lily and the others, Welf had noticed why the boy, whom he considered like a younger brother, had become so melancholy. Welf was the one who had advised Bell to act like a man and make a clean break, and therefore, he, like Bell, felt a strange sense of guilt.

More importantly, he was very concerned about the interference of the Freya Familia.

The question of who Seele really was left him wavering between doubt and suspense.

"...Now that things have come to this, there's no way for them to continue enjoying the Goddess Festival to their heart's content."

"That's right. Lady Haruhime is clearly looking forward to this festival, but I feel the same way. I'm truly sorry..."

"Please don't say that, my lord. Anyway, the Goddess Festival will be held again in a year."

After Lily and Ming both nodded in agreement, Chunji, who had been imprisoned in the red-light district, also smiled and agreed to help find the person.

"Sorry for dragging you into this... Okay, then let's take it one step at a time and gather information from all directions."

In order to find out if anyone had seen where the girl with light gray hair was going, Welf and the others wandered through the bustling streets.

*

"...I really hate this dark cloud."

Hestia murmured to herself.

She walked alone on the streets of Orario.

After kicking all the family members out, she asked Takemikazuchi and the others to watch the house. Because she had to work at a bar before, she also asked them to fill in at Mih and Hephaestus's shop. However, the people involved (Takemikazuchi and the others) laughed and said, "Anyway, we don't have the money to enjoy the pleasure of eating on the go. Helping out can save us these troubles."

While Hestia was thinking about these trivial matters, her expression remained stiff.

(Last night I found out from Hermes who that girl named Seele really is...)

When Hestia first met the girl named "Seele", she questioned the god from her hometown (Hermes).

What is the true identity of this seemingly "goddess"? His guess (answer) is "divine transformation magic".

It is a "secret technique" for transforming into a specific goddess.

Driven by an unusual and insatiable "desire," they ascended to the ranks of God without going through the proper process.

Hestia still can't believe this conclusion.

Even under the restrictions of "magic" and without the ability to use "divine power," it is possible to temporarily transform a person into a god.

The thought of this absurd principle that transcends laws and principles, and this abnormal existence, made her shudder.

"But... that's not the real problem."

Hestia couldn't help but have a terrible thought pop into her head.

If Seele, who has been in contact with Bell so far, has only become a "familiar" of the gods, that would be fine.

But what if the person Bell has been communicating with all along is the "goddess" herself?

And she patiently waited for the boy (someone) to grow up and thrive?

Actually, Athena's silver eyes were fixed on Belle from beginning to end.

"Hey, you idiot, have some awareness! That goddess (woman) is protecting the child (man)!"

Loki said this to her at the Council of the Gods.

She had given Freya advice at the time.

To this day, Hestia has remained vigilant, and the experience of the Ishtar Familia incident has instilled in her a greater sense of crisis; however—

"That goddess of beauty (Freya) hasn't made a move yet, so I thought maybe I was just overthinking it."

Whether it's the commotion Bell encountered at the Monster Philia (the silverback ape) or the trial that prompted him to rank up (the Minotaur), there are indeed clues to follow.

"Beauty" will never let go of the prey she has set her sights on.

Rumors abound that she used sweet words to forcibly seize the followers of other gods.

Compared to these cases, Freya's approach so far has been far too passive.

This left Hestia unsure whether Freya was truly after Bell.

"...What if she had stayed by Bell's side all along, without having to act as a 'goddess'?"

The other gods (including Hermes) could not discern whether Seele was a goddess or a member of their entourage. Hermes emphasized that only Loki, with whom he had the closest relationship, could do so. In other words, the Tavern of Abundance was like a box whose lid could not be opened to observe the cat inside; without breaking the "spell," it was impossible to be certain whether Seele inside was a goddess or a member of their entourage.

To confirm this, Hestia went out into the street.

She has arranged to meet with Hermes somewhere to discuss this matter in detail.

Besides Hermes, Hestia also planned to seek information from Demeter and other gods who had met the girl (Seele). Due to the Goddess Festival, she would probably have to find another opportunity to meet Demeter, but she had prepared for the worst: even if it meant owing Loki a favor, she had to find out the truth of the matter.

"Anyway, let's meet up with Hermes first—"

Just then—

Hestia.

The beautiful goddess's voice was like a gentle breeze—

It's like deliberately blocking the way—

The sound reached Hestia's ears from the front.

"…………………………………………………………………………"

Hestia stopped in her tracks.

They remained motionless in an extremely unnatural posture, as if rooted to the ground.

"………………Freya".

The goddess was wearing the same dark blue robe as during the Monster Festival.

You could vaguely see her snow-white, delicate skin, and beneath her hood was a head of beautiful silver hair, while her rosy lips held a smile.

Although they were both gods, that smile and silver eyes seemed to Hestia like some unknown entity.

Why is she here?

Why did it have to happen at this time? Was it a coincidence? Or—

Hestia stood rooted to the spot, her mind flashing with a variety of thoughts.

Unaware that a drop of water was sliding down her cheek, and unaware that she was already drenched in a cold sweat, Hestia noticed something at that moment.

The surroundings were unnaturally deserted.

The city is currently celebrating the Goddess Festival, but it's as if a barrier has been erected nearby, preventing anyone from getting close and forcing this place to be isolated.

The eye of the goddess of beauty, capable of "bewitching" all things, faintly emits an eerie silver glow.

"...What did you want to see me about...?"

Feeling parched, Hestia asked a question.

Freya gave the answer directly.

"Could you please give me your family (children) – Bell?"

“Eh!”

Hestia's surprise did not last long.

Rather than the fear of their worries becoming reality, it was the emotions that had been building up inside them that were ignited on the spot.

"What nonsense are you talking about?! How could I possibly agree to that?!"

You could say it's like a rush of blood to the head. Hestia vehemently rejected Freya's blunt request, almost cursing her out.

"Hey, Hestia, I actually really like you."

However, Freya maintained her calm and composed smile and spoke in a gentle tone.

"...?"

"I once said at the 'Assembly of the Gods' that even if you resist me, I will still regard you as a goddess and hold you in high esteem. This is from the bottom of my heart, isn't it? The ancient sacred fire you wield is more valuable than any amount of gold. You can say I have awe for you."

Hestia was greatly confused by this sudden confession, but Freya still spoke her mind frankly.

"That's why I don't want to be rough with you."

She completely revealed her "true nature".

“──!?”

Everything in the world has two sides.

It governs the existence of love and possesses a "divinity" that is more unrestrained and cruel than anyone else's.

"I don't want to become like a certain male god (Apollo)."

"Because of a tragic love affair that turned out to be a joke, I want to wipe you off the face of the earth."

"I don't want to become like a certain goddess (Ishtar)."

"Transform into a beast devoid of all humanity, utterly loyal to one's own desires."

"However, if this matter cannot be resolved peacefully, I will stop at nothing to achieve it."

"Because I want him no matter what."

The Goddess of Silver sang her heart out as fluently as if in a song.

The queen, gazing at Hestia, smiled with eyes crinkling, her gaze like an arrow aimed at its prey, utterly intolerant of any disobedience.

thump.

Hestia's heart jolted violently against her will.

That smile was both stunning and chilling.

This is an ultimatum.

Looking down upon the mortal realm, the goddess, possessing the most exquisite beauty, the most considerable wealth, and the most powerful subordinates (familia), compassionately expressed her willingness to yield, and then arbitrarily issued an imperial decree.

In a quiet corner of the city, between two goddesses who met each other's eyes from a distance, one could feel Freya subtly eroding Hestia with an invisible pressure.

"So, would you please let me have Bell, Hestia?"

Faced with the ultimatum (that smile), Hestia's reply was—

"I refuse."

The answer was decided from the very beginning.

"Is it not allowed to say anything?"

"Nothing I say will work."

"Really?"

"real!!"

Hestia raised her eyebrows and gave the only answer.

"Bell is my family! He's my precious child! Don't even think about handing him over to you!!"

This is Hestia's only Achilles' heel.

It was her most intense emotion, her strongest possessiveness, and her deepest compassion.

The Goddess of Holy Fire asserted that, looking at the lower realm, the heavenly realm, and the earthly realm (the dungeon), her love for the boy would never be inferior to anyone else's.

Hestia unleashed her divine power, pushing Freya's divine power back.

"--I see, then there's nothing we can do."

Freya's face suddenly lost its expression.

She felt no anger or sadness at the negotiations that ultimately broke down; she simply felt a sense of regret—as if she had expected this outcome—and gently raised one hand.

She snapped her fingers with her clean, delicate fingers.

The crisp sound of snapping fingers echoed throughout the quiet street.

Then—he summoned a bolt of lightning.

「!?」

Lightning doesn't fall from the sky; it shoots from the ground into the sky.