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

After the boy (Bell Crane) escaped, he was in the "Special Hall (Sessrúmnir)" deep within the Freya Familia's headquarters.

During the period when the cat-man (Allen) was solely responsible for tracking and monitoring the boy, Alfred and his brothers sat in chairs, turning their heads to look at the white elf sitting diagonally in front of them.

"...In principle, all actions are in accordance with the will of the goddess."

Hedin pushed up his glasses and said:

"Except for the stupid rabbit, everyone's memories of God have been altered because of 'bewitching'."

Faced with the elf's explanation of the current situation in a tone that stifled emotions, the three younger brothers of the dwarf race expressed their feelings one after another in a tone tinged with fear.

"That's terrifying."

"Yeah, that's terrifying."

"Even though he's our supreme god, he's still too terrifying."

Then the three of them said in unison:

"Since they couldn't change Bell Craney, they somehow changed the world (everyone except him)."

This is the truth.

This is the "reason" that led to the boy's isolation from the world, and also the "invasion" launched by Freya.

"It's understandable that Bell Craney would be thrown into chaos."

"His life over the past six months has been completely erased."

"As a member of the Hestia Familia, he has disappeared from the world's memory. Instead, he will be regarded as a member of our Freya Familia."

This is the power of "beauty".

This is the ultimate in "beauty".

Sometimes it can manipulate people's hearts, sometimes it can bring destruction, sometimes it can create the "beauty" of puppets, and even without "divine power," it can completely change the tone of the lower realm—directly controlling the "soul" itself.

The so-called "ultimate beauty" is so captivating that its mere existence can bewitch everything in the world.

"It's more accurate to say that it's about using 'bewitching' to create a false perception rather than 'altering memories.' To prevent the public from acknowledging that Bell Crane is a member of the goddess Hestia's kin, to make them mistakenly believe that he has belonged to our faction (the Freya Familia) from the beginning... This order was given to the people and gods who had been enslaved by the goddess Freya."

Alfred, whose words also revealed fear, glanced at his terrified brothers and added an explanation.

The allure of the "goddess of beauty" is not enough to change the world or people.

But everyone will become Freya's "captives," thereby creating obedient "servants."

The people and the gods seemed to be following a decree, not only deceiving Bell, but also keeping themselves in the dark.

The effect is similar to "self-suggestion".

Even if the reasons or procedures for the changes are different, the same result is obtained.

The entire Orario region is currently experiencing a phenomenon akin to "memory alteration."

"Whether they are friends who share joys and sorrows or benefactors who silently support you... none of them can kill the boy in your memories and forget the eternal bond between you and him."

Hegny, the only one who stood up, closed his eyes and muttered to himself.

"The white rabbit fell into a fairyland... but no matter how fast the white rabbit ran, it could only find itself in a lonely world where no one was willing to chase it."

“──!?”

Bell turned and ran away from Eina and the others.

Unable to face the reality before him, he ultimately succumbed to fear and was swallowed by chaos.

So he let his impulses run wild, just to find out who else knew "himself".

However──

"Look, it's the Freya Familia."

"It's a white rabbit's foot!"

Whether traveling through main streets, corners, narrow alleys, or side streets—

In this overcrowded city, everyone treated him with great unfamiliarity, and some even dared not approach him.

"...!?"

The soft whispers of pedestrians on the roadside were as noisy as echoes in a forest.

This phenomenon gave Bell a sense of déjà vu.

The way people view themselves now is exactly the same as how they would react to an unattainable "Fiora".

Even if I really made a mistake, this is definitely not the kind of look I would have when I saw a rising star in the city.

It is different from simple fear, envy, and excitement.

That's right, it's "reverence".

This is the reaction one has when seeing members of the "strongest family"—it's genuine awe.

impossible!

This is all an illusion!!

Bell shouted this in his heart, ignoring the residents, merchants, and adventurers who made way for him along the way, and ran forward.

"Bell Crane's fate was sealed the moment the goddess Freya decided to use 'Charm'."

Alfred's voice echoed from the "Special Hall".

Today is the last day of the Goddess Festival, which was yesterday.

Freya displayed her "beauty" on the Tower of Abundance, and conquered Orario in one fell swoop.

"The goddess's 'charm' extends to the entire Orario region."

Those who gaze upon Freya in the central square and hear her voice through the magic stone megaphone have all been "bewitched." Even those who are asleep, unconscious, or deprived of consciousness are not exempt. The goddess's voice, once it enters the body, not only affects consciousness but also reaches the "soul."

The people and the gods, without even realizing it, became Freya's "captives" and lived the same lives as yesterday.

"To Bell Craney, this must be a nightmare."

"After all, the world I was in had completely changed overnight."

"It wouldn't hurt to show him a little sympathy now."

Du Hualin, Belling, and Ger said in unison, with identical voices:

"After all, such an anomaly would certainly raise doubts for someone who knows nothing about it, and there's absolutely no way they could understand it."

"Why... how could this happen!?"

As Du Hualin and others have said, no matter how hard Bear ran, the confusion and anxiety entrenched in his heart only increased.

For the lower-world residents who couldn't fathom the "gods'" true nature, it was unimaginable that the goddess could distort the world and directly change an entire city without using "divine power."

Bell Craney possesses a crystal-clear and pure soul, but no matter how pure he is or how much he grows, he can never predict things from a "god's perspective."

"Hey, Belle, what are you doing here?"

"Huh...? Who is it?"

Suddenly, a beautiful young woman older than Bell called out to him.

This person had light red hair and wore a white robe resembling combat gear. A puzzled Bell noticed something.

"Why would you ask that...? I'm Haici, Haici, the healer who treats you because you're always getting hurt. I'm currently running errands for someone."

The white robe had a "Valkyrie badge" on its shoulder.

This person is a member of the Freya Familia.

Bell's face turned pale instantly, and the girl's beautiful face immediately looked no different from a doll.

"I bought some snacks on my way to deliver them, would you like one...? Oh, I remember you don't like sweets. I should have bought some savory ones."

A person you've never met before is very familiar with you.

This situation is actually more terrifying than a familiar person suddenly not recognizing you.

"Ugh, ah...!?"

Bell couldn't help but step back, then took off running again.

The girl stood there, her face devoid of emotion, watching the boy's departing figure.

"The power of 'charm' that not only affects our own clans, but even the gods... In fact, we were prepared to be influenced by 'charm'..."

"To be precise, we were once 'bewitched,' and then we were freed. This was achieved through the divine blood bestowed upon us by the goddess Freya."

Freya's "Charm" affects almost everyone, friend or foe.

Those who see the goddess or hear her voice will fall under her spell; it is impossible to specify who will remain unaffected.

Therefore, before attacking the Hestia Familia, all the members of the Familia were willing to accept Freya's divine will. As long as it was the will of the supreme god, they were willing to show their loyalty even if it would distort their own souls.

However, the members of the Freya Familia are able to recognize the original information.

Just as Hedin answered Alfred's whispers, Freya used the divine blood bestowed upon her as an opportunity to use divine power to remove the effect of "beauty".

"Thanks to this, we are able to share the 'setting' that the goddess wanted."

This conveniently avoids unnecessary trouble, Du Hualin implied in his words.

After being "charmed" and receiving the "settings", they regain their senses.

In this way, the Freya Familia can play the various roles assigned to them by Freya.

Even without prior arrangement, all members can pretend that "Bell Crane has been our comrade from the very beginning."

"Bell Crane arrived in Orario six months ago."

"After being taken in by the goddess Freya, he began to grow rapidly, reaching his current level 4."

"【White Rabbit's Foot】is a candidate for executive of the 【Freya Familia】, attracting attention both within and outside the faction..."

This is the current state of the labyrinth city (Orario).

To elaborate further, this is the "false reality (situation)" in which Bell Craney finds himself.

Bell was completely kept in the dark and was manipulated by the world he lived in.

"...Mih! Miss Nazha, Miss Daphne, Miss Cassandra!"

After wandering around aimlessly for a while, Bell finally met his close friends with whom he had helped each other and fought side by side.

The God of Healing was personally leading his retinue in preparing for the festival.

"Hmm? I remember you are..."

"It's the Freya Familia, Mih... also known as the arrogant newcomer (rookie) who's called the world's fastest white rabbit (record holder). No, now he's called 'White Rabbit's Feet'...?"

"What does the cadre candidate from the city's largest faction want with us?"

“──!?”

His attitude was like that of Mich, whom he was meeting for the first time.

Naza's eyes were as if she were looking at a stranger.

Daphne was very wary.

Overwhelmed by despair, Bell trembled all over and ran away quickly once again.

However, they failed to notice a young girl (Cassandra) standing to the side, who was terrified as if she had witnessed an "impossible daydream".

"Takemikazuchi! Sakura-san! Chigusa-san!"

The Martial God and his group are mediating a dispute.

They came to mediate because adventurers from other factions were arguing. As soon as Bell ran up to them, he grabbed the girl's shoulder in a moment of panic.

"babble!?"

"What are you doing?! Let go of Chigusa!"

"...You're from the Freya family, aren't you? You're acting all familiar; have we met before?"

"...!?"

Chigusa looked terrified.

The cherry blossoms angrily pushed Belle's hand away.