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Hello everyone, I'm here with a new chapter.
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Freya observed Bell's face with a stillness that belied the whirlwind of emotions tearing her apart inside. He continued staring into space, unfocused, unresponsive, with an expression that wasn't pain or exhaustion… it was something worse. A broken silence. A profound numbness born from his mind simply being unable to bear it any longer.
And she knew it.
She knew exactly why he was like that. She knew who had pushed him to that point.
Herself.
Every trembling breath Bell took in her arms pierced her like a dagger. Because that boy, that young man who had always put others first, who had always strived to be better, who had always offered his hand even to those who rejected him… now he was destroyed by her actions. By her obsession. By her selfishness.
Freya felt sadness. She felt sorrow. But also something she never thought she would feel toward herself: hatred. A dry, visceral hatred, directed at that part of her that led her down paths that always hurt those she loved most. That part of her that made her possessive, impulsive, blind. That part that had dragged Bell to a place he should never have known. She was the opposite of him. He was devotion, sincerity, affection. She… was not.
And there was no one else to blame. She couldn't blame her Executives. She couldn't blame the Dungeon. She couldn't blame another Goddess.
It was entirely her fault.
The bridge between them, that thread she had tried to maintain with small gestures like Syr… she herself had set it ablaze. No, not even that. She had blown it up. And it's as if part of that explosion had also reached her heart.
Freya pressed her lips together, looking at her hands. They looked… tainted.
'I have no right to hold him like this.' The thought pierced her mind. Because every second she held him in her arms didn't feel like an act of love… but like a reminder that she was the reason he was broken.
So, with slow and tense movements, Freya stood up.
Bell didn't react. His head simply fell forward slightly, as if he were too heavy for himself.
The Goddess took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure as she walked toward the others: Mikoto, Lena, Haruhime, Ais, Riveria, and Ryuu. That small semicircle of people who, unlike her, had truly cared for him. People Bell valued. People who would never have brought him to this point.
Freya stopped right in front of them. The tension was palpable. No one knew what she was going to do, or why she was approaching. They all became alert, especially Ais and Riveria, who were still stiff after everything that had happened.
But Freya didn't look up. She didn't say anything grand. She just held Bell a little higher, as if preparing to let him go.
Her gaze fell upon Ryuu.
"Ryuu…" she pronounced his name with a softness that did not fit the atmosphere.
Ryuu blinked. The Goddess's voice was so… familiar. So different from the cold, distant image she had of the goddess. That closeness disconcerted her.
Freya took a small step towards her.
"Bell…" her voice trembled slightly, "you're the only one I can confide him in."
Ryuu opened her eyes in surprise. She hadn't expected that. She hadn't expected a Goddess, much less Freya, to hand him over to her as if it were an irreplaceable treasure. And she certainly hadn't expected her to do it with that expression: a mixture of pain and surrender.
"Me?" Ryuu whispered, hesitant. Elves avoided physical contact. It was part of their upbringing, their nature. And yet…
Freya nodded.
"You are the only one… worthy of holding him now."
The word "worthy" left Ryuu speechless. Why the different tone? Since when did the Goddess Freya treat her as someone close... as someone important?
Even so, Ryuu extended her arms. Not because she trusted Freya. But because Bell needed help. And because, seeing his condition, it was clear he needed immediate support. If she backed down now, she would hurt him.
Freya gently placed Bell in her arms. And when Ryuu felt the boy's weight on her, her body tensed… but only for a second. Because the contact wasn't unpleasant as she had expected. It was warm.
And that surprised even her.
She held him more firmly, making sure his head rested against her shoulder. Bell didn't react. He still stared blankly, as if his mind were somewhere far away.
Ryuu smoothed his bangs and looked at him sadly. She understood his values. She understood what he stood for. And in that moment, her resolve grew stronger.
After she sorts out Syr's situation...everything will be alright.
Or at least, that's what she wanted to believe.
Freya, seeing Bell in Ryuu's arms, felt a pang in her chest. A mixture of relief and pain. Relief because she knew he was in the hands of someone who would take care of him. Pain because that act made it clear that she… wasn't the one to hold him. Not now. Maybe never.
The Goddess took a step back. Her hands trembled slightly, as if she wanted to touch him again, but she forced herself to stop. She raised her gaze just enough to take in the scene: Bell being held by someone else. Not by her. And yet, she knew it was the right thing to do.
Because even though she loved him madly, at that moment... she wasn't what he needed.
He needed peace.
And she… was the opposite of that.
With that, Freya began to walk without looking back, her steps slow but steady. Her Executives immediately followed her. Allen, Hogni, the Gulliver Brothers, and even Hedin walked behind her like silent shadows. None dared to raise their eyes. They could all sense their Goddess's disapproval, not through words, but through the absence of them.
Ottar walked at the back of the group, so far behind that at times it seemed he didn't even want to be near her. His expression was dark, sunken, marked by guilt. He hadn't looked at his Goddess's face since he hurt her. And yet, his guardian instinct compelled him to follow her, to protect her even if he felt he didn't deserve to.
While the Executives went ahead to clear each section of the Dungeon, Haruhime, Mikoto, Lena, Riveria, Ais, and Ryuu stayed behind the main group. And Ryuu was still holding Bell in her arms.
The ascent was long. They traversed several floors without stopping, advancing through tunnels where traces of the recent battle still lingered: broken rocks, scorch marks, walls cracked by blows that ordinary people couldn't even imagine. But this time, unlike when they descended, they encountered no real resistance. Every minor Monster that approached was swiftly eliminated by Freya's Executives, who advanced like a silent, living wall, efficiently compensating for their enormous shortcomings.
Riveria walked with a serious expression. Every time her eyes drifted toward Ottar and the others, she tightened her fingers slightly around her staff. Ais, beside her, stayed close without saying a word. It was a silence of exhaustion, but also of confusion. They had fought against those people just moments before. And now they walked almost in single file.
At some point along the way, Haruhime noticed Ryuu. The Renard was still worried but relieved; being near Bell calmed her, but seeing her condition tore at her. Mikoto walked cautiously, her hand near the hilt of her katana out of sheer habit of self-defense. Lena… Lena simply stayed close to the other two, still tense from what had happened.
The only constant sound was the echo of footsteps and the occasional distant roar of some monster that was instantly silenced by the weapons of the Freya Familia.
Eventually, after a long trek, the light from the upper floor appeared. And then another. And another. Until finally they reached the Dungeon's exit. The fresh air from the surface hit them all like a reminder that the nightmare was over… but the consequences were only just beginning.
It was at that moment that Riveria stopped, giving a look to the girls of the Hestia Familia.
"It's up to you to take care of him now," she said calmly.
Haruhime nodded immediately, although her ears drooped slightly out of concern.
"Lady Riveria… Will you be alright?" Mikoto asked.
The High Elf smiled slightly, one of those subtle smiles that seemed more like a gesture of weariness than joy.
"I'll be fine. The first thing I need to do is to inform Lady Loki about everything that happened. We can't delay it any longer."
Ais stood beside her and looked at Haruhime for a few seconds. They shared a gentle smile, a silent gesture of mutual respect.
"We'll see each other later," Ais said.
Haruhime nodded. "Yes… take care."
And so, Ais and Riveria walked away, heading towards the Loki Familia's Twilight Manor. They both disappeared into the crowd on the main street.
Once they left, Ryuu moved a little closer to Hestia's group, adjusting her grip on Bell's body so as not to hurt him.
"I'm coming with you," she said softly, with that calm formality that was so characteristic of her. "I don't want to leave him until he's in a safe place."
Haruhime took a deep breath. "Thank you very much."
"It's not a problem. Besides…" Ryuu looked at Bell, and in that small glance there was concern and determination, "it seems he's been through too much."
Lena chimed in a little more timidly, "We have to take him to Lady Hestia. But… she's not home. She stayed behind visiting one of her friends, Lord Takemikazuchi. She's at his home."
Ryuu nodded without a second's hesitation.
"Then we'll go there."
Mikoto, Lena, and Haruhime started walking while Ryuu, still holding Bell in her arms, simply followed them.
The sun was beginning to set, painting the city in shades of orange. The main street was filled with Adventurers finishing their day, merchants serving customers, and civilians strolling about peacefully.
No one could have imagined what had happened on the Floors of the Dungeon. No one could have imagined how close they had all come to tragedy.
Haruhime glanced at Bell every now and then, as if she feared that at any second she might break even more.
Ryuu continued walking with a determined stride, focused solely on getting Bell to safety. It didn't matter what it took. It didn't matter how many questions remained unanswered.
Because even though I didn't know everything that had happened, I could sense that Bell was on the edge. Something deep inside him had fractured.
Finally, they reached the wooden gate. Mikoto raised her hand and knocked a couple of times. The knock echoed in the stillness of the sunset.
The gate opened immediately.
Takemikazuchi appeared with his usual warm smile, that kind expression he wore when he received visitors he considered close. But as soon as his eyes lowered and he saw Bell unconscious in Ryuu's arms… his smile broke.
The Sword God's expression changed to a mixture of alarm and genuine concern.
"What happened to him?" he murmured, opening the door wider. "Come in, quickly."
The group entered the dojo and, after taking only a few steps, found Hestia sitting on the tatami mats with some teacups. She appeared to have been conversing with Takemikazuchi moments before. The Goddess turned at the sound of their footsteps, and her face lit up—but only for a second.
"Bell-kun? Why…?" Hestia stood up so quickly she almost tripped over the small table. She rushed toward Ryuu without thinking, disregarding personal space, without slowing down. She simply reached them and bent over Bell, examining him with her own hands. "What happened to him? Why is he like this? Is he hurt? Is he…?"
Her voice was trembling.
Ryuu had seen Hestia worried before, but this was different. This was pure fear.
"He's alive," Ryuu said softly. "But… he's exhausted. Both physically and mentally."
Hestia swallowed. Her small fingers trembled as she brushed aside a strand of Bell's white hair, as if she needed to see him clearly, as if she needed to confirm every second that he was really there.
"What happened to him?" the Goddess said, her voice barely a whisper. "What did you do? What happened down there?"
Ryuu took a deep breath. She knew she couldn't lie to her. But she also couldn't give details because, in reality, she didn't have any.
"I arrived after everything had calmed down," she replied calmly, still holding Bell. "I didn't witness what happened. When I arrived, he was already in this state."
Hestia pressed her lips together, as if that answer hadn't satisfied her. Slowly, she turned her gaze to the rest of her family.
"Mikoto. Lena. Haruhime."
The three girls felt the weight of that gaze. It wasn't authoritarian, but it was certainly filled with anguish.
Haruhime stepped forward, taking a breath to explain everything. Mikoto also prepared to speak, straightening her posture. Lena, though nervous, raised her chin resolutely. But before any of them could say anything, Ryuu intervened again.
"It would be best to let Mr. Cranel rest first."
Hestia looked at her in surprise, as if she hadn't expected the interruption. But there was no reproach. Only doubt.
Ryuu continued in a calm tone.
"He needs peace and quiet. We gain nothing by telling him what happened right away. Let him rest. Then, when he wakes up… you can explain it clearly."
The Goddess lowered her gaze to Bell again. Her expression softened slightly.
"You're right…" she murmured.
Ryuu approached one of the side rooms of the dojo, where visitors were usually allowed to rest. She entered, still carrying Bell in her arms. Hestia followed closely behind, watching her every move.
With great care, Ryuu knelt beside the futon and laid Bell down, settling him in with the gentleness of someone handling something fragile. His face looked calm, but it wasn't true peace: it was empty. An emptiness that worried everyone.
Hestia leaned over him, arranging the blanket over his chest.
"Bell-kun…" she murmured, too quietly for anyone outside that room to hear.
Ryuu stood up slowly. Her posture was firm, but her eyes revealed that something inside her had also shifted with everything she had seen that day.
"Hestia-sama," she said, her tone returning to its usual calm and formal demeanor. "When he recovers… I want to speak with him. And with Syr."
Hestia looked up.
"…Why?"
"It's something that needs to be clarified," Ryuu replied bluntly. "Something important to me. So please, when Bell wakes up and is mentally well enough…take him to the Hostess of Fertility. I'll be waiting for him there."
The Goddess of Hearth swallowed, but nodded firmly.
"Okay. I'll tell him."
Ryuu bowed her head in a gesture of respect and began to head towards the exit. Haruhime, Mikoto, and Lena gave her a small bow of thanks as she passed.
Before crossing the threshold, Ryuu paused for a moment. She looked inside the dojo. She looked at the door of the room where Bell was resting.
But no words left her mouth.
She simply turned and left the dojo, leaving behind the tension, the tiredness, and the image of the boy who needed more rest than anyone could give him.
And with his departure, the place fell into a gentle silence.
…
Freya ascended the internal stairs of the Tower of Babel with a determined stride. She didn't speak, she didn't look at anyone, but her Executives perfectly understood the atmosphere she carried. Her silence wasn't elegant or calculated as usual. It was a tense, heavy silence, as if everything around her made her uncomfortable.
With every step, Freya replayed what had happened in the Dungeon. She returned again and again to the same scene: Bell in her arms, completely broken, and her powerless to do anything but carry him. That image pained her, but what bothered her now was something else.
Her anger towards her own Executives.
How could they even think of harming her Odr?
How dare they push him to the limit when they themselves knew what he meant to her?
Even as she walked, her mind searched for a suitable punishment. But there weren't many options. Any physical punishment would be seen as a reward. Locking them up wouldn't do any good: they'd feel honored to be punished by her. Sending them away was the only thing she could think of… something that would hurt more than any physical injury. But even then, she wasn't sure if it would leave any lasting effect. Her Executives were strong, efficient, and however much they had disappointed her, they had acted out of devotion. Clumsy, but devotion nonetheless.
Ottar walked behind, head down, his expression a mixture of guilt and shame. He didn't need immediate punishment. The mere fact of having caused that small scratch on his forehead seemed to torture him more than any formal punishment ever could. In his own way, Ottar was already punishing himself.
Freya continued onward until a Guild employee appeared in the corridor. He was a young man and was sweating despite not having run.
"L-Lady Freya…" he stammered, trying to maintain his composure. "Ouranos-sama requests your presence. It is… it is a direct order."
The boy could barely finish his sentence before he felt the Executives' eyes on him. Every single one of them was staring at him as if he were interrupting something he shouldn't be seeing. He swallowed hard and took a half step back.
Freya let out a soft sigh. It wasn't from annoyance with the boy, but from tiredness.
"Very well. I will follow your lead."
In her mind, she had already figured out the reason. If Ouranos wanted to see her, it was surely because of the destruction of both the Apollo and Ishtar Familia. She hadn't been discreet; so it was surprising that they had taken so long just to summon her.
The Guild employee nodded with a quick, almost trembling gesture, eager to finish his task as soon as possible and go lock himself in his room.
Freya's Executives took a step to accompany her, but Freya stopped them with a single glance. She didn't need words. It was a clear order: do not follow her.
Not even Ottar was allowed to accompany her.
There was only one exception. Freya undid the enchantment she held over Horn. The young woman stopped, blinking as she regained consciousness. She looked around, confused for a few seconds, until she understood the situation. She wasn't offended at having been controlled. On the contrary, she blushed deeply, realizing that her Goddess had used her power over her.
That was Horn: devoted to the point of bordering on total worship.
"You may leave," Freya said in a calm tone.
The Executives obeyed without protest. They were all too embarrassed and ashamed to speak. Horn bowed respectfully before following them, still somewhat flushed.
Freya watched them walk away for a moment. When they were all out of sight, she turned her gaze back to the Guild employee.
"Guide me."
The young man nearly jumped in fright (and excitement), but nodded and began to walk. In a matter of seconds, Freya was left alone following his steps, moving away from the floor where her Executives were resting.
Her footsteps echoed faintly in the empty corridor. She wasn't thinking about Ouranos. Or the Guild. Or the possible consequences.
She was only thinking about her Odr.
In his empty expression.
In how her own love had led him to that.
The Guild employee led Freya down a long, silent corridor to the enormous hall where the Denatus were usually held. But this time there was no noise, no Gods conversing, no chairs filled. The place was almost empty, which made it feel even larger and colder.
The employee opened the heavy doors, gave a small bow, and left without saying another word.
Freya entered with a confident step, although inside she was still carrying all those emotions she had been holding back since the Dungeon.
Inside the room there were only four figures.
Ganesha was first. The muscular God of the Masses, who almost always had a cheerful smile and an energy more befitting an entertainer than a God, now sat with a rigid posture. Serious. Unusually serious. Not even a hint of humor appeared on his face, which spoke volumes about the atmosphere.
Loki stood beside her, wearing that lopsided grin of her. But it wasn't a relaxed or mocking smile in his usual style. It was a sharp grin, a grin that said, 'You're going to be punished... and I'm going to enjoy watching every damn second of it.' Freya noticed it immediately.
Hermes was also seated, but he looked different. His arms were crossed behind his head, as if he were only there to fulfill a duty. He gazed at the other Gods with quiet boredom, with no intention of intervening unless absolutely necessary. It was clear he didn't want to be caught in the middle of this 'judgment'.
And finally, facing them all… was Ouranos.
Ouranos, who never left his dark chamber beneath the Guild. Ouranos, who rarely showed himself. He was there with the same firmness and authority he always carried, but this time looking her straight in the eye.
Freya felt a slight weight on her chest. Not fear, but the awareness of the seriousness of the matter. The fact that he was there in person said it all.
Ouranos spoke without raising his voice more than necessary.
"Freya. You have been accused of the destruction of both the Ishtar and Apollo Familias."
His tone was firm, neutral, with no evident judgment in his expression. It was as if he were reading a verdict out of obligation, not desire.
"During the assault on the Ishtar Familia, you have destroyed an entire District of Orario, jeopardizing its infrastructure, economy, and the safety of its inhabitants. Furthermore, you have murdered the Goddess Ishtar herself with your own hands."
Freya said nothing. She watched him calmly, without bowing her head, waiting for him to finish.
"You are also accused of eliminating every single Familia member who accompanied the Sun God Apollo during his exile, as well as the murder of Apollo himself. However, it is reported that the former members of his Familia who chose to remain in Orario have continued their lives without hindrance."
Hermes raised his eyebrows at that detail, but said nothing.
Ouranos then asked the obligatory question, one that they both knew was a mere formality.
"Freya. How do you declare your feelings?"
Loki almost stood up. In fact, she leaned forward, completely ready for Freya to do what she expected: deny it. It was clear Loki had evidence ready and probably an entire presentation prepared just to see her fall. Her smile looked ready to burst.
But Freya spoke before Loki could even enjoy that moment.
"Yes. It was me."
The silence that followed was heavy.
"I want to hear your reasons," Ouranos said, more firmly this time.
Loki couldn't stand it and slammed her open palm on the table.
"Why listen to her reasons?! She already admitted everything, didn't she? Then give her the punishments. And to be honest…" Loki leaned back with a wide smile. "I hope that they will be…severe."
But the answer did not come from Ouranos.
It came from Ganesha, of all Gods.
The muscular God spoke in a deep, serious voice, something that rarely happened.
"Loki. Reasons matter."
Loki snorted, clearly frustrated.
Ganesha continued:
"Freya's actions disgust me. They are dangerous, reckless, and a bad precedent for the city. But if we are going to pass judgment, we need all the information possible. Not just as Gods… but as those responsible for the safety of Orario."
Hermes raised his hand listlessly.
"Furthermore, Freya is an important part of the city's defense force," he added, though it sounded more like an obligation than his own opinion. "If we sanction her Adventurers, or even her, it would also affect the balance of power."
Loki rolled his eyes.
"I get it. Blah, blah, blah. Information first," she said, crossing her arms. "Then let's hear her speak."
Ouranos turned his gaze to Freya. His eyes were deep, steady, with that weight that only such an ancient God could bear.
"Freya. Please explain your reasons."
The room fell completely silent, as if even the walls were holding their breath. Freya knew that what she said would determine her immediate future, that of her Familia, and perhaps even Bell's fate.
But even so, she didn't look away for a second.
She was ready to talk.
Freya kept her back straight, her hands relaxed at her sides, her gaze fixed directly on Ouranos. There was no visible tension on her face, but a silent weight behind her eyes.
She knew that nothing she said would erase the craters she had left in Orario… but still, she knew she had to speak.
"I found out about everything from one of the Amazons of Ishtar Familia," she began, her voice firm. "Ishtar was making deals with Evilius's remains. They were exchanging resources and… objects of dubious origin."
A barely audible murmur passed between the three seated Gods. Even Loki stopped smiling for a moment.
"Those resources were also used to empower the Captain of the Apollo Familia," Freya continued. "For the War Game that was about to begin."
Hermes slowly straightened up in his seat.
Ganesha frowned, his gaze serious.
Loki rested her elbow on the table, waiting for more answers.
Freya paused slightly, not because she doubted, but because she didn't find it necessary to elaborate further on that part.
"…And that's all."
The silence that followed was so awkward it was almost palpable. Hermes raised an eyebrow, incredulous, and was the first to break it.
"That's all?" he said in an odd tone, a mixture of surprise and resignation. "Is that the great tragedy that led the most powerful Familia in all of Orario to… you know… destroy two other Familias?"
Freya did not respond.
Ganesha took a deep breath. His voice was deep and disciplined.
"If that was all you had discovered," he said, "you could have informed us. We could have intervened using official protocols, investigated, taken action. Evilius is not a game, and neither is resource trafficking. But that still doesn't justify… this."
He moved his hand around, pointing to an empty space that, symbolically, carried the full weight of the lost lives.
"There were deaths, Freya. Adventurers and innocent people who shouldn't have had to pay with their lives."
Loki snorted with a bitter smile.
"Please," she said, crossing her arms. "As if that were really the main reason. We all know you have more to say. And the sooner you spill it, the better."
Freya kept her gaze fixed on Ouranos. Her silver eyes didn't even blink.
Finally, she sighed slowly.
"I found my Odr."
The entire room fell into absolute silence.
It was not a normal silence: it was a pressure, a weight, the kind of silence that falls when something is said that changes destinies.
Ouranos' eyes barely opened—but in him, that minimal gesture was equivalent to a cry of surprise.
Ganesha remained completely motionless, as if the air had frozen.
Loki opened his eyes wide, revealing the intense red he always kept hidden beneath his half-closed eyelids.
Hermes… Hermes let his shoulders slump, with a very clear expression of 'well… I'm screwed'.
Because he knew exactly who he was talking about.
She knew that the boy Freya had set her sights on… was Bell Cranel.
The grandson of Zeus.
The boy whom his old friend had entrusted to watch over and help, before disappearing after his exile.
The child whom Zeus asked him to "take good care of, and teach him everything that a young man needs to turn his entire life into one wonderful harem."
Hermes closed his eyes for a second, wishing that Zeus was less Zeus.
And furthermore… Hermes also knew another truth:
Bell was Artemis's Orion.
The only mortal whose soul resonated with the Moon Goddess, something that was in itself improbable.
And now it turned out that same Bell was also Freya's Odr.
It was like a double curse.
Or double luck, depending on who you asked.
Loki broke the silence, pointing at Freya with a trembling finger.
"That boy…?" Her voice rose involuntarily. "That… Bell Cranel. That same one? That… BOY?"
Freya said nothing, but the answer was obvious.
Loki exploded.
"I knew it! I knew you were interested in him! I knew you wanted him! But I never imagined that… he was so important to you."
She leaned forward, slamming her fist on the table. "So you destroyed Ishtar Familia… and Apollo Familia… because they threatened him?"
Freya closed her eyes for a moment.
When she opened them again, her expression was serene, but broken at its core.
"…Yes."
Loki stared, his mouth slightly open.
It was the first time she had seen Freya talk about something other than desire or whim… but about love.
Ouranos finally spoke, in a slow, heavy voice.
"This… complicates things."
Ouranos paused briefly before speaking again.
"And not just for you. You have jeopardized the balance of Orario, delicate political decisions, the stability between Familias… and even worse still, you have committed crimes that cannot be ignored."
His voice lowered slightly, deep like distant thunder.
"Regardless of your motives, two Gods have died. Hundreds of lives were lost. Public property was destroyed, citizens were endangered, and the fate of the city was altered for personal gain."
Freya listened in silence.
Ouranos continued:
"Your Familia is strong. Very strong. Too strong, some would say. And your recent actions demonstrate how dangerous it can be when you decide to act solely based on your desires."
Ganesha took a deep breath.
"Freya, your reasoning is… understandable, from your perspective. But that doesn't change what happened. A sanction must be decided. And it must be one that doesn't further disrupt the city's equilibrium."
Ouranos bowed his head slightly, as if mentally organizing each point before speaking. When he did speak, his voice filled the room with a weight that no one dared interrupt.
Loki crossed her arms, expectant. Hermes swallowed. Ganesha settled rigidly in his seat. Freya simply waited, showing no emotion.
"First," Ouranos declared, "you will be fined two billion Valis."
The air seemed to stop for a moment.
Even Hermes opened his eyes a little.
It was an absurd amount… for any other Familia.
But Freya did not react.
She knew her wealth far exceeded that amount. It wasn't insignificant, but it wasn't enough to bankrupt her either.
Ouranos continued.
"Second: The Executives of Freya Familia will be required to participate in group expeditions to the Dungeon."
Loki let out a stifled, incredulous chuckle.
"Group expeditions…? Are you serious?" She muttered, but not quietly enough.
The tension between Freya's Executives was legendary.
They practically only tolerated each other because Freya ordered them to be, and only because Ottar commanded enough respect to actually keep them in line.
Forcing them to work together, in a dangerous environment and for long periods, was almost a punishment for both them and anyone who crossed their path.
Ouranos continued without flinching.
"It will be mandatory. They cannot refuse or claim incompatibility. They will participate together, report together, and operate as a unit. And these expeditions will have priority when the Guild requests it."
Loki raised an eyebrow.
Okay. That was something that could become a headache for the entire city if something went wrong.
But she didn't say anything... yet.
Ouranos looked down at Freya, assessing her again.
"And finally, you are forbidden from leaving Orario until further notice. You will not be allowed to leave the walls without explicit authorization from the Guild."
This time Loki straightened up immediately.
"What—?! Is that all?"
She slammed her fist onto the table. "Come on, Ouranos! This is ridiculous! Is that the great punishment for destroying two entire Familia? It's a joke!!"
Hermes looked away, trying to make himself small.
Ganesha sighed deeply.
Freya, for her part, remained motionless.
Ouranos did not turn towards Loki, he simply continued speaking in the same imperturbable voice.
"Additionally, the Freya Familia will be obligated to respond to requests from the Guild without financial compensation. When the Guild requests support, they must comply without negotiations or delays."
Loki opened her mouth to protest again, but this time she froze.
Now that was serious.
It was, essentially, about turning the Freya Familia into a kind of free auxiliary force.
Any "mission" or requirement that the Guild needed —investigations, patrols, special operations, monster containment, crisis support in the deep levels— the Freya Familia would have to take it on without receiving a single Vali in return.
And since their Adventurers were the strongest in Orario, the Guild could ask for really heavy things.
Ganesha finally spoke, in a neutral tone:
"It will be a considerable burden."
Hermes nodded, trying to sound professional but unable to hide his relief that it wasn't all blood and chaos.
"Yes… yes, quite considerable it'll be."
Loki snorted again, but not with the same level of fury.
"That's still mild…" she murmured. "Don't get me wrong, it's not that I care about Ishtar or Apollo… but Freya DESTROYED things. A lot."
Ouranos finally answered Loki, looking directly at her.
"It's mild… because we didn't just punish Freya. We punished the entire Freya Familia."
Loki closed her mouth.
Ouranos continued calmly:
"Do you want me to send Ottar to prison? Her best Adventurers? Do you want me to weaken Orario's first line of defense, when we need it most? Do you want me to create chaos that ends up costing more lives than Freya took?"
Loki pursed her lips, knowing she had no counterargument.
"Freya is dangerous," Ouranos continued. "But she's also essential to the city. I can't destroy the defense structure just to punish her severely. Nor can I ignore what she and her Familia have done… which is why this balance needs to exist."
There was a tense silence.
It was a real punishment, even if it didn't seem all that dramatic.
Freya could pay for everything.
She could handle the internal pressure from her Familia.
It could be adapted to the restrictions.
But the real burden would fall on all her people, and that was a problem.
Loki looked at Freya with an expression that was somewhere between anger and resignation.
"I can't believe you got away with it so easily."
She clicked her tongue. "Luck really does love you."
Freya held her gaze without saying anything.
A neutral, almost bored expression, as if she was listening to the instructions of an administrative meeting.
The punishment did not excite her.
It didn't bother her.
It didn't hurt her.
It was simply…acceptable.
Ouranos concluded his verdict with one final sentence:
"This is your punishment, Freya. There will be no renegotiation. There will be no appeal. And if you act out of control again… there will be no second chance."
Freya bowed her head.
"I understand."
Her face showed no emotion whatsoever.
Only acceptance.
Loki rolled her eyes.
Hermes sighed with relief.
Ganesha clenched his fists, though calmly.