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

"Do you remember the 'contract' you made with me... the 'conditions' when Bell exposed your 'lie'? From now on, you are not allowed to have any contact with Bell, not even appear in his sight."

"...Yes, Goddess Freya."

"Instead, it will be 'me' who cleans up the mess. Although I've been busy all day, I haven't been able to resolve all the conflicts caused by the 'alterations.' I agree that you should use 'charm' to deal with any problems as soon as they are discovered, especially the children who will be returning from outside the city later."

Herren, whose right half of his face was covered by long gray hair, had a look of confusion in his left eye.

When Helen activates the "Transformation Magic," she loses all "divine power" and transforms into an existence indistinguishable from the goddess (Freya). This means she can also use the beauty of the goddess to exert "charm." Although the power and effect are inferior to the original, Freya still commands the girl, who is equivalent to "another version of herself," to make this "closed world" more perfect.

As long as he leaves Orario, the perception of "Bell Crane of the Hearth Goddess (Hestia) Familia" remains intact. Because Orario is the "center of the world," travelers and merchants frequently visit this place, and it's hard to guarantee that they won't have doubts about the citizens whose perception has been distorted, or create unnecessary suspense for Bell.

Therefore, a "countermeasure" must be taken. They will then cooperate with the guards (the Ganesha Familia), who are already completely subservient to Freya and her clan, and have Helen help by applying "charm." Additionally, she will deal with any survivors who escaped the "request for alteration" earlier.

Intelligence can be replaced.

Once the news that "Bell has joined the Freya Familia" spreads outside the city, it will eventually become a reality. As long as the citizens (Orario residents) unanimously insist that "it's true," even if some people feel something is amiss, they will still believe it.

In any case, as time goes by, the altered understanding will spread all over the world.

Regardless of the truth of the matter, the key lies in the title of "Bell becoming Freya's kin".

After much hesitation, Herren, who was tasked with carrying out "intelligence manipulation," finally spoke.

"Goddess Freya...you really won't punish me? I was so foolish as to lie to you and plan to kill Bell Crane with my own hands..."

"After all, not punishing you is the biggest 'punishment' for you, isn't it, Herren?"

"...!"

"I will not help you alleviate your guilt, and I have no doubt about your loyalty, so from now on you must continue to serve me wholeheartedly."

Facing those silver eyes that seemed to see through everything, Herren felt both awe and fear.

Helen has not been punished to this day. Although she was prepared to kill the boy (Bell Crane), the guilt of betraying the Goddess still lingered in her heart. Tormented by this unvented emotion, the girl lowered her eyes and replied in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "As the Goddess commands..." and obeyed.

"Heron is hereby reinstated to his original position and will continue to serve as my attendant, effective immediately."

"Forgive my boldness, but this action may displease Lord Allen and the others."

"Give the order to say that I gave permission."

Haici bowed respectfully, obeying the will of the Lord God.

Freya shifted her gaze to the door of the shrine.

Her thoughts had already drifted to the boy she had isolated.

(When children encounter "absurd realities," they initially rely on their own "subjectivity," but over time they gradually begin to doubt themselves.)

Bell's mental state is still very unstable.

He was terrified and anxious due to an unprecedented sense of loneliness, and at the same time, he became unable to trust anyone. At this point, no matter how much you tried to convince him that Freya and the others were his companions, he would absolutely not accept it.

Given this situation, what should we do?

It's very simple; all you need is one "understanding person".

Freya should be the "only one who understands the boy".

Never deny him, never reject him, and resonate with his words.

This can easily sway a child's heart, and even if they know that what they are seeing is a poisoned apple, they will still willingly choose to accept it.

"Bell, I will continue to hurt you, but whenever you are hurt, I will hold you in my arms and protect you until the very end."

The goddess revealed a smile that left everyone guessing.

"So, I'm sorry—because I've made up my mind to use any means necessary."

Her name is Freya.

She possesses both positive and negative aspects; she is both a goddess who is cruel and unrestrained, and a "witch" who understands the wickedness and miracles of love better than anyone else.

Volume 17, Chapter 3: Battlefield

The sun rises.

The sky, still retaining its deep blue hue, was as clear as if the rain had stopped and the sky was cloudless.

But I don't feel that my mood has improved as a result; on the contrary, it has made me feel depressed.

"Bell! Stop standing there daydreaming! Come here right now!"

"……yes."

At the call of the half-human tribe members, I stopped looking up at the sky from my hilltop and quickly followed behind him.

This is the main base (headquarters) of the Freya Familia, "Battlefield".

Among the top factions belonging to Orario, this "courtyard," with its most expansive headquarters, can truly be described as a wilderness. The mansion, situated on a central hill, is surrounded by a green sea of ​​grass, and this grassland, wet with morning dew, glistens under the sunrise, captivating the eye.

The towering, sturdy walls and gates went beyond the scope of a fence, completely blocking out the street view, making it hard for me to believe that this place was actually located in the city.

I'm about to fight someone here.

"I don't care if your memory is distorted or not, my attitude towards you remains unchanged! Next, I will give you a 'baptism' in this 'courtyard'!"

Mr. Pain, the male dwarf chosen as my "watchman," said this in a serious tone with his back to me.

The goddess Freya seemed to announce to the [Family] last night that my abnormal behavior was due to a curse... and the one taking care of my daily life was a fellow Level 4, Rank 2 adventurer (Mr. Pain). But he completely ignored my condition, barged into my bedroom, dragged me out of bed, and forced me to eat a simple meal that could barely replace breakfast, which was placed on the long table in the "Special Hall." Then, together with the other members of the party, he took me to the "Courtyard."

I still longed for yesterday to be just a dream, but he wouldn't allow me to indulge in fantasy and anxiety, forcing me to participate in training.

The sight of everyone holding weapons made me feel as if I were in an army.

"Before losing your memory, you were just a country bumpkin, yet you've become that damned newcomer who immediately caught the attention of the main god (Goddess Freya)! In short, I hate you, and I'm extremely annoyed by everything about you! Since others feel the same way, I advise you not to expect us to go easy on you...! By the way, what's with this lifeless, pathetic rabbit look on you!?"

“S-Sorry…”

When I casually glanced at the dwarfs who were shorter than me, I was immediately met with a scolding.

Still feeling confused, I quickly apologized to Mr. Paine, who had turned around and was red-faced with anger.

...I am not entirely without impression of Mr. Paine.

I remember when I was on a date with Seele at the Goddess Festival, he was the one secretly watching me. Also, this half-human member was in the Freya Familia who chased us to the ship.

Now that things have come to this, there may never be another chance to confirm it with him.

"Let me explain briefly. All those who gloriously become members of the goddess Freya's kin must fight each other within this 'Courtyard'! From morning till night, every single day! Although members who explore the dungeons are exempt from this restriction, very few actually leave the 'Courtyard'! Because this is the 'Battlefield'!"

Mr. Paine pointed to the grassland and explained loudly.

【Freya Familia】Apart from non-combat professions such as healers, the members from Lv.1 to Lv.4 come to the "Garden" every morning for repeated combat training.

This is a well-known rumor in Orario, and I witnessed it myself yesterday.

So I wasn't alarmed by it...

"...What is the signal to start the war?"

They were herded outdoors early in the morning and forced to take up arms to prepare for a fight.

Honestly, even I'm starting to lose track of what I'm doing.

Although a voice inside me, like an obsessive thought, was reminding me that there were other issues that needed to be addressed and considered first, I wished someone could tell me what else I could do.

The heartache of being rejected by many people has not yet healed.

Just recalling everyone's looks and the words the deity spoke leaves me at a loss for what to do.

Should I try to find out "the reasons that have changed the world"? Or should I become aware of "the reasons for changing myself"? Most people around me support the latter, constantly reminding me to face reality, but I am already powerless to simply cover my ears and not listen to those voices.

This feeling of being trapped in endless darkness—

"There is no such thing."

—I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but because of these “warriors” I immediately put the problem out of my mind.

When I turned around, I saw Mr. Paine's twin swords already thrusting towards my chest.

「!?」

My survival instinct kicked in loudly, and I reflexively used the dagger in my hand to block the attack.

This fierce attack sent a shiver down my spine. If I hadn't defended myself in time, my heart would have been pierced by a sword.

He means it.

They genuinely wanted to kill me!!

"The moment you step onto this field, the battle has already begun!"

As if in agreement, the surrounding group members drew their weapons.

The battle cries echoed through the sky.

The deafening, intense sounds of striking and slashing, coupled with the fierce roars, sent a jolt through my body, inside and out.

Before I could even be surprised by the "courtyard" where a fierce battle was taking place like a furnace, I was already imitating the actions of the "warriors" around me.

Because the half-human in front of me was swinging its sword at me with all its might.

"I told you I would 'baptize' you!!"

"...!?"

"This is the battlefield! Only this place can nurture warriors who meet the goddess's expectations!"

Mr. Paine roared this through the sparks flying from the twin swords and daggers.

The next second, he flipped his sword, deflecting the dagger in my hand, and the twin swords that came whistling through the air generated a whirlwind of slashes.

My body reacted on its own.

He immediately drew the double-edged dagger from his waist to meet the attack.

They were constantly defending and dodging attacks, their lives hanging by a thread.

I could only force myself to let go of all the increasingly tangled thoughts in my mind and awaken my sense of adventure.

"Ugh ugh ...

Amidst the earth-shattering sounds of battle, I was forced to join the ranks of the "warriors."

The thrusting sword tip, the spinning kick close to the ground, the clear "killing intent" in his eyes—I was overwhelmed by Mr. Paine's attitude, which could not be called training, exercise, or sparring, and I was determined to resist accepting "death."

There's no time to question the weapon in my hand that I find so easy to handle.

I kept swinging my sword, frantically moving my feet to take rapid strides, and focused intently on the battle.

My opponent is so strong that I have no choice but to hold back my strength, and I cannot afford to be distracted even for a moment.

If I hesitate even slightly—I will die a violent death!

"hiss!"

"Drink! Aa ...

The other members around me were the same.

Nearby, human males and females were locked in combat, while dwarves behind them used warhammers to send elves flying. Slightly ahead, orcs and Amazons could be seen forcefully blocking each other's weapons. If a bird were to fly overhead, it would surely see this scene of war reflected in its eyes. Comrades of the same faction were slaughtering each other, even resorting to "magic" or "curses."

Blood splattered everywhere.

Someone fell to the ground.

The weapon slipped from his hand.

They could sense someone retrieving a spear that had slipped from their grasp or a sword that had been driven into the ground, and they continued to fight, covered in blood.

I did hear a chilling sound.

(This is it)

I was so naive.

I was too superficial.

To be honest, deep down I always felt that the word "fighting" was just a metaphor.

The incredible fighting spirit displayed on the scene proves once again that the rumors are absolutely not exaggerated!

(This is—"Battlefield"!!)

It likely did cause deaths, in the extremely brutal infighting within the factions.

What's needed is the strength and fighting spirit to be second to none.