At the Apollo Familia headquarters.
While the Apollo Familia couldn't match the elite Loki Familia or Freya Familia, they ranked solidly in Orario's middle tier alongside the Ganesha Familia. Their strength far surpassed that of lower-tier groups like the Hestia, Miach, and Takemikazuchi Familias combined.
Their headquarters reflected this status. The magnificent building, rivaling Roswaal's mansion in size, left Bell — a modest youth from the countryside — feeling quite overwheld.
Yet even that paled in comparison to what he witnessed at the banquet.
The gathering brimd not only with unfamiliar deities but also with renowned and powerful Adventurers, each accompanying their respective deity.
Mia Grand, Asfi Al Androda, Naaza Erisuis...
And of course, Ais, who occupied his every thought.
'So... Adam wasn't lying to after all.'
Though Bell's head was bowed shyly, his red eyes remained fixed intently on the enchanting golden-haired half-elf before him — Miss Ais. His unmasked admiration brought a blush to her cheeks.
Their pure, innocent romance was on full display, drawing amused looks from the other guests.
All except two.
"Nnnngh—"
"Damn it."
Hestia and Loki, watching their Familia mbers' exchange of glances, instantly grew jealous and nearly ca to blows.
Thankfully, nearby guests intervened to prevent a scene at the divine banquet. And as if on cue, the evening's true protagonist made her entrance.
"Good evening, Hestia, Loki."
Freya — the Goddess of Beauty whom Loki dubbed "pervert" — arrived at the venue.
Upon spotting Hestia, she glided toward the pair with graceful steps.
As she approached, her eyes swept over the group, settling on Bell. Her eyebrows twitched slightly, and her gaze narrowed with surprise.
Events were clearly unfolding differently than she had anticipated.
"Wait a minute! Don't look at her, Bell! Don't let her charm you!" Hestia leaped in front of Bell, desperately trying to shield him.
Unfortunately, her diminutive stature proved rather ineffective.
But it was unnecessary anyway, as Bell remained unaffected. The effect of〚Liaris Freese〛proved far more powerful than she had imagined!
"Hestia, is this young man your Familia mber?" With an enchanting smile, Freya instinctively cast her Charm gaze at the rabbit boy before her.
Yet the boy didn't fall into a trance, even as the Gods around them and children from the lower world succumbed to her natural Beauty's spell.
The Goddess of Beauty found herself satisfied with the rabbit's reaction.
However, soone else had caught her interest.
"Hestia, is this child your only Familia mber?"
"Yes, Bell is my Familia mber."
"Just one?"
"Um... you're acting strange, Freya." Hestia sensed sothing amiss but answered innocently, "No, I actually have another child, but he just returned from an expedition and was tired, so I didn't bring him this ti."
"Is that so? What a sha." Freya smiled, having received her answer.
Though she spoke of regret, her smile held none.
Her attendant Ottar imdiately grasped his Goddess's aning. But as a loyal servant, he maintained his stoic stance, standing tall behind his Goddess.
"Hold on, shorty." Loki grabbed Hestia's twin tails and spoke with narrowed eyes and a fierce tone, "Wasn't that Adam from your Familia who went on the expedition with us?"
"Eh...?!" Hestia's shock was evident.
Adam had left headquarters using an expedition as an excuse but hadn't ntioned joining anyone. She'd assud he was simply leveling up alone on the 18th Floor like last ti.
That explained why Bell hadn't seen Adam there when he'd encountered danger on the 18th Floor — he'd been with the Loki Familia.
This is bad! Could my invincible child be getting poached?!
"Hmph... hmph! So what if he did? My child is stronger than your WallenWhatsIt!" Hestia puffed out her chest in defiance.
Though she was clearly putting on a brave front. But Ais's next words truly shocked her.
"Indeed. Even I probably couldn't defeat him now."
Her matter-of-fact statent landed like a thunderbolt in their small circle, leaving the others rubbing their ears in disbelief.
"That's right! After all, Adam is my Familia mber! Ahahahaha—!" Hestia puffed out her chest proudly.
Her deanor shifted dramatically from feigned bravado to genuine confidence — quite the transformation.
Why had Adam gone on an expedition with the Loki Familia? She wondered about this too.
But facing her old rival, she couldn't reveal any doubt about her Familia mber — she'd never hear the end of it. Her questions would have to wait until they returned ho.
As the two glared at each other, their faces nearly touching, they failed to notice the Goddess of Beauty nearby, wearing her own proud expression.
"Don't get cocky, shorty! Even if your child can match Ais, my Familia isn't just Ais!"
"Hah—?! Who's the one always bragging about their precious next-generation idol, and now making excuses when their child gets outmatched by mine?"
"What did you say, midget!"
"Look who's talking, flat-chest!"
The two rivals' argunt escalated beyond control. Neither showed any sign of backing down until a clear winner erged.
Yet when the banquet's host made his entrance, both goddesses abruptly ceased their unseemly quarrel. After all, they were supposed to maintain so semblance of divine dignity.
...Though they'd long since abandoned such pretenses.
"Welco, my fellow deities!"
Apollo's appearance imdiately commanded everyone's attention. As host of the divine banquet, he welcod all guests with impeccable social grace.
However, his gaze fixed intently on one person in the middle of the venue: the white-haired, red-eyed rabbit!
His intentions were far from pure!
anwhile, Hestia positioned herself in front of Bell, trying to shield him from Apollo's intense, predatory stare.
"Be careful, Bell!" She whispered nervously, "It seems Adam was right — this pervert Apollo has so unspeakable intentions."
"I understand, Lady Hestia." Bell nodded solemnly.
✧✧✧
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