The repeated use of the term "damn pig" had even left a crack in Ottar's iron-clad composure.
If it weren't for the Loki Familia's banquet that evening, he would've already pounded those bastards into the ground.
"Freya-sama believes that Bell Cranel is the one she's been searching for in Genkai."
"What!?"
That single sentence was even more shocking than what the Cat People had said earlier. It instantly riled up everyone vying for the goddess's affection.
This wasn't about winning her favor anymore—this was about someone trying to steal the goddess away entirely!
The Cat People and the four Pallum brothers, who had been full of hostility moments ago, immediately set aside their grudges.
Their petty rivalries could wait. Right now, they had to unite against a common threat.
The male Elf, still hanging onto a thread of reason, steadied himself and asked a critical question.
"I remember that guy's part of Hestia Familia, right? Can Freya-sama really take someone like that away?"
"Hah? Are you doubting the Goddess's charm!?"
"…You damn cat, if you want to show off your smarts, be my guest—but don't twist my words."
Hedin had never once doubted Freya-sama's charm. If she so much as made a genuine effort, no one could resist her allure.
"Does Freya-sama really need to go through all this trouble just for one person?"
"Right now, Freya-sama's taking the most roundabout approach. But does she really need to? Especially someone like her?"
Yeah, exactly.
Everyone began to cool down. If Freya-sama truly wanted someone, would she really need to go to such lengths? Wasn't her charm enough to make anything possible?
All those who had just been questioning things now unconsciously turned their eyes toward Ottar.
No doubt about it—this pig definitely knew something.
When Ottar noticed all their stares, he remained calm and added,
"That person has the ability to make Freya-sama misjudge him."
"No way... seriously?"
Everyone looked stunned.
It was common knowledge that Freya-sama possessed eyes that could see the colors of souls. It was thanks to her vision that she had been able to find each of them and nurture their potential.
Inside her room, Freya was carefully picking out the dress she'd wear that evening.
"Hmm~ How about this one?"
She was looking forward to the banquet tonight. After all, it would be the first time she would officially meet that child.
Her thoughts wandered back to the scene she had witnessed in the soul world.
A black, ink-like mist had sealed off everything from entering, while the Wall of Lamentation had kept everything else out.
Freya was certain that behind that wall lay the soul of the child being protected.
It was when she saw that vision that she knew—the child was the one she had truly been searching for. The one she was destined to encounter in Genkai.
"What will that child think of me?"
The more she looked forward to the meeting, the more curious Freya became about how that child would perceive her.
The "Goddess of Beauty" didn't exactly have the best reputation in Genkai. Aside from the blunt and tactless Aphrodite, she was the most socially connected among the gods.
"Pfft~"
"Right, right... Those four kids looked absolutely heartbroken back then."
As she recalled it, Freya remembered the devastated expressions Alfrigg and the others had worn. It turned out they really weren't the ones she had been searching for.
Although she had mentally prepared herself for that possibility, seeing their despair made it clear—they weren't the right ones.
They were talented enough, but still lacked the qualities she sought.
"So then, how will it turn out this time? What kind of look will that child give me?"
With that thought, Freya smiled like a girl in love and carefully picked out the dress she would wear to the banquet.
...
Night soon fell over Orario.
As lively as ever—perhaps even more so than usual.
To most adventurers, it might not have mattered much, but the news about the Loki Familia was still the hottest topic around every table.
At the bustling "Hostess of Fertility," adventurers enjoying their food and drinks were also deep in discussion about the Loki Familia.
"The Loki Familia's expedition team didn't just conquer the 59th floor—they even defeated the 'Corrupted Spirit'."
"The Spirit... I never thought that a spirit, once the avatar of a god, would become our greatest enemy."
"Tell me about it."
All adventurers understood how the "Corrupted Spirit" had come to be.
It had been devoured by a Dungeon monster, and due to its unique nature, was reversed—twisted into what they now called the "Corrupted Spirit."
"Still, the Loki Familia really is something else."
"Yeah. They actually managed to defeat that powerful 'Corrupted Spirit'."
"Exactly. I heard from a Familia God that the Corrupted Spirit they fought was as strong as Level 8. I still don't get how the Loki Familia managed to defeat it while being two levels lower."
It was a question many adventurers were asking.
"I'd say it must be the Loki Familia's hidden trump card. After all, they and the Freya Familia are the two kings of Orario. It's not surprising if they've been keeping a game-changer under wraps."
"Hmm... Put like that, it does make sense."
Though the specifics of that trump card remained a mystery, one thing was clear—the Loki Familia's place alongside the Freya Familia wasn't without reason.
And with everyone talking about it, even the staff at the "Hostess of Fertility" were now in the loop.
'Indeed, the Loki Familia is the only one in Orario that can rival the Freya Familia. If they've been hiding a trump card like that, it's completely understandable.'
Although Ryuu, the elf waitress, had never heard anything about a trump card during her days as an adventurer, it made sense. A card that could reverse the situation wouldn't be revealed easily.
This time, it was probably forced out by the sheer threat of their opponent.
Even so, a quiet sigh escaped her lips.
'If only we'd had a trump card like that back then... maybe things wouldn't have turned out the way they did.'