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

Speaking of Hephaestus, this friend of the gods, her personality was such that she would never let any evildoer go unpunished.

After this incident escalated, it's easy to imagine that she would lead her clan to confront the Freya Familia and demand an explanation.

As for the smaller factions of Takemikazuchi and Mich, they are likely to do the same.

"Once Hephaestus and other factions join the war, it will surely bring a turning point to this matter."

To give a radical example, if we could gain the support of the Loki Familia, the worst-case scenario would be to instigate a large-scale battle similar to the "struggle." In short, as long as we buy more time, we'll have a chance to devise a method to reclaim Bell from Freya.

That's exactly what Hermes meant.

"...Hermes, why did you do this? Why are you willing to become Freya's enemy to help us...?"

"Considering the incident with the heretics (Zenos), think about all the trouble I've caused you. Would you believe me if I said it was compensation for that?"

After hearing her crush's offer to provide full assistance, Hestia, feeling confused, couldn't help but have doubts.

Despite his self-proclaimed "neutrality," there is absolutely no way he would risk opposing the absolute powerhouse (Freya) to help Hestia based on past friendship.

"How could you possibly be so honest?" Hearing Hestia's teasing, Hermes touched his feathered hat and couldn't help but give a wry smile.

"To be honest... I think it's best for Bell to stay by Hestia's side. I believe it's also a good thing for him."

Of course, this was all based on my intuition—Hermes didn't take Hestia's surprise to heart, and after explaining, he gave another wry smile.

He then pulled down the brim of his hat to temporarily cover his eyes, and when he looked up at Hestia again, he had a serious expression on his face.

"So even if it means I have to be an enemy of Miss Freya this time, I will stand on your side—"

When the self-proclaimed guardian deity of merchants made his promise—

"Oh, right, I forgot to remind you of something."

Freya, who had already walked some distance, suddenly stopped.

Hestia and Hermes turned to look at them with tense expressions.

They were clearly speaking in hushed tones.

Freya couldn't possibly have heard the conversation just now.

But the figure standing in the distance, even without turning around, seemed to have already seen through their plan.

"Since I agreed to complete the 'conversion' in six months, I should at least ask for some 'compensation' for it."

"Compensation...?"

"That's right, in order to make Bell my man—I'll twist everything else first."

Faced with this declaration—

Unlike Hestia, who was at a loss, Hermes froze completely.

"Please keep your promise, Hestia."

Freya turned her head to look directly at the goddess of the hearth, as if she didn't care about anyone except Hestia.

Then it left along with Ota, who had taken the boy away.

Could it be—

The mediator felt a surge of fear and involuntarily widened his eyes.

Freya at this moment truly exceeded Hermes's expectations.

*

The sky is clouded over.

It seemed to reflect the chaotic situation in the city.

The situation took a rapid turn for the worse.

"Goddess Freya! What exactly was that commotion all about!?"

Guild Master Loiman Madir questioned loudly.

Despite being an elf, he was so fat that he was called "the guild's pig." After a chance encounter with a goddess on the road, he vigorously shook his flabby body and rushed forward.

"I've heard that your clan was fully armed and fighting in the streets! Even though you are a noble figure in Orario, the guild cannot stand idly by while your clan engages in what resembles a 'fight' during the Goddess Festival!"

Even the largest faction in the city must be punished by the guild if they commit wrongdoings.

As Leumann, who spared no effort to keep Orario running, made this implication—

"Shut up, Leuman."

"--Huh?"

Freya interrupted Loyman.

Loiman and the several guild staff members accompanying him were stunned on the spot, and the goddess, who was heading straight for the city center, finally stopped.

"Instead of dealing with this, immediately gather all the citizens in Central Park."

The next second, those silver eyes emitted an eerie light.

By the time Lloydman realized it was "seduction," it was too late.

The guild members around them seemed to have lost their souls, their bodies swaying unnaturally.

"To gather as many children and gods as possible, and to make my voice heard in every corner of the city."

"Yes, ma'am..."

Regardless of gender, the employees began to split up to fulfill the "goddess's" wish.

The only people who remained in place were Freya and Lloyd, who was kneeling on the ground.

“Mmmmm…!?”

"Resisting the influence of 'charm' by feeling pain... You are insulted as a pig by the world because of your ugly appearance, but you are indeed excellent, Lloyd."

In order to counter Freya's "beauty".

In a moment of quick thinking, Lloyd pinched his own tuna belly with both hands, so hard that he almost tore the flesh off, causing his eyes to turn bloodshot from the pain.

However, that's about all the effect it had.

He was stared down at by the goddess, who was walking alone on the road, without any attendants, her identity concealed by a long robe, and he let out a groan like a wild beast.

"Freya... Goddess...! What exactly do you want to do...!?"

Both reason and instinct are gradually being consumed by the irresistible allure of the silver light.

As her remaining consciousness was being devoured, the goddess gave a sarcastic look in response.

"Just like always, it's purely a whim of the gods."

Then she opened her plump, moist lips and added a proviso.

"It's just that I have something I've been longing for, and I've been holding back for a long time. In order to get it, I've decided to stop holding back, it's that simple."

That's right.

The goddess (Freya) endured it for a long time.

Since meeting the boy (Bell), through the Monster Festival, the awakening of "magic," the deadly battle with the Minotaur, the perilous journey to the "Middle Layer," and the War Game, the goddess has always remained an observer throughout his growth, never intervening. Even during the events involving the Familia of the Goddess (Ishtar Familia) and the Heretic, she did not have direct contact with the boy.

I have always been patient and patient, and have never forcibly taken people away from me.

But now there's no need to endure it any longer.

Freya could use any means necessary to openly and legitimately take the boy for herself.

Because the "chains (Seele)" that bound her no longer exist.

"...!?"

After looking up at the God's Eye that was looking down at him, Lloyd immediately understood.

-- The "aggression" has already begun.

He realized this with his last remaining consciousness.

After fully understanding the true intentions behind the goddess (Freya)'s actions, he couldn't help but groan. While feeling excited, he also turned pale with fear.

"So, I've decided to use any means necessary."

*

"Hestia, quickly increase your Kamui!!"

A shrill roar suddenly rang out.

The one who screamed as if at the end of the road was not an adventurer or anyone else, but the god (Hermes).

"Push your divine power to its limit!! Otherwise, it will directly pierce through your authority!!"

"W-What are you talking about? Hermes... Weren't we discussing countermeasures...!?"

Faced with the agitated Hermes, Hestia's mind was in complete chaos.

Hermes was more anxious than ever before. He shook his head and reached out to grab the goddess's shoulders.

"The situation has become so serious that we can no longer afford to do that!! Thinking of more solutions won't help!"

"...!?"

"I was wrong! I was completely wrong! We were all wrong!! From the moment Ishtar was sent back to Heaven, we all underestimated Miss Freya's 'infatuation' and 'obsession' with little Bell!"

The feelings that have always lingered in the heart of the goddess (Freya).

It was neither "jealousy" nor "anger".

"To obtain her one and only 'Odr,' she disregards all restraint, reputation, and even the 'rules' she sets for herself, intending to directly violate the entire lower realm!"

Only through her "consistent madness (wish)" can she calmly and ruthlessly allow her inner self to break down.

"Miss Freya is serious! There's no stopping her now! No one can stop her!!"

There wasn't even a tiny bit of "buffer" left, let alone "six months".

As Hermes explained to the stunned Hestia—

"Hermes!"

Asphie hurriedly descended from the sky to stand in front of Hermes and the others.

"The Freya Familia attacked the Hestia Familia in the street...! Aisha and Falgar are both seriously injured! Even Leon is...! What on earth is going on!?"

She descended from the sky using talaria shoes, holding the unconscious Ryu in her arms.

Asphie was probably quite confused, after all, she had forgotten to transform into "invisibility" to avoid being seen, and was flying in the sky in a blatant manner, which showed how shaky her heart was.

Hermes looked at Asphie and gave her orders directly instead of explaining the situation.

"Asphie, run!"

"Huh...!?"

"Now only you, who can fly, can escape! Take as many people as possible—no, no, there's no time! Quickly take Little Liu and get away from Orario!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?! Hermes!!"

In response to the instructions given by the God of God, who appeared to be in great pain, Asphie excitedly asked a question.

"Do as I say!!"

"!!"

"Obey my orders! Don't think too much! Otherwise, it'll be too late! Get as far away from Orario as possible! Go now, Asphie! -- Please!!"

"Yes, yes, sir."

Faced with Hermes's divine will—no, it was a "desperate request"—Asphyxis could only nod and comply.

Based on her trust in the Lord God, she asked no more questions and immediately flew up into the sky at full speed, passing over the city wall and gradually disappearing into the distance.

Hestia stared blankly at the sky. When she looked away, she saw Hermes had torn a small corner off an old scroll and hastily scribbled down some words.

"Give this to me when the time is right!"

"A piece of paper...? And it's for you...!?"

"Don't hand it over to me right now! If you mess it up, I'll make you my enemy!"

Hermes tossed the red quill aside and handed the torn strip of paper to Hestia.