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"But I refuse." Ryoji spoke up immediately, his tone firm and decisive.
"Why?" Freya stopped in her tracks, turning to face Ryoji, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
It was the first time she'd shown any displeasure, perhaps even anger, towards him.
"Could it be that the love I've given you… still isn't enough?"
"Can you really call that love?"
"If not love, then what else could it be?"
"Is that so… If that's your definition of love, then I must respectfully decline."
Ryoji shook his head.
In his eyes, what happened between him and Freya that day was simply a mutual physical attraction, scum man meets scum woman. They were just lusting after each other's bodies. There wasn't even a shred of genuine emotion involved.
He didn't expect Freya to be so persistent, to go to such lengths to try and recruit him into her Familia. Even Demeter had been more straightforward.
"Why?" Freya's gaze darkened.
She felt something in her heart stir, something that hadn't budged in centuries, now rising in irritation.
"Why…? If I had to say, maybe it's because I'm just a passerby."
After a brief pause, Ryoji met Freya's obviously displeased look and carefully gave his answer.
"That's why I can't accept love. At least not right now."
This wasn't his world.
He had only come here temporarily by using his crossing over ability. Sooner or later, he'd have to go back. There was no way he could abandon the Senior Sister and the rich girl Kanata, with whom he had already made a promise.
And once he went back, who knew if he'd even be able to return to this world again? His "shake-to-cross" method of dimension-hopping, who could say if he'd ever "shake into" the DanMachi world again?
No one knew. It was pure chance.
Given that, he had no business getting emotionally involved.
He was fine just having a bit of fun.
That's how it was with both Demeter and Freya. At most, it was a one-night stand, no feelings, no obligations, no reason to be hung up over parting ways.
He'd been avoiding giving Tiona an answer precisely because she'd genuinely fallen for him… well, okay, her body was also a significant factor.
If he hastily accepted Tiona's feelings and became her lover, but then couldn't return to this world once he went back, wouldn't that make him an irresponsible scum man?
Sure, he was already walking the line, two-timing, casual flings, but still, he didn't want to become that kind of scum.
The kind that doesn't take responsibility.
That wouldn't just make him a scum man, it would make him absolute trash.
So if Freya did truly love him, then the best thing he could do was stay as far away from her as possible.
Though to be honest, he really hadn't sensed any genuine love from Freya's body at all.
"In the end, aren't you a god? You fall in love this easily?"
"I love each of my children equally."
"…So, a reverse harem, huh?"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"You can't even be devoted to me, why should I be devoted to you?"
Ryoji had felt a bit guilty before, but hearing that instantly made him perk up.
Haiya!
We're all scum men and scum women here, no point in judging each other! No big brother's better than the other.
Freya crossed her arms.
She realized she was actually getting mad at Ryoji.
But she couldn't refute what he said.
She was used to collecting dazzling souls.
Back in the heavens, it was already her habit. After descending to the Lower World, she became even more unrestrained. From the top of Babel Tower's observation deck, she'd scan the Lower World for radiant souls, and when she spotted one, she'd devise a way to bring them into her Familia.
With her charm, which could shatter minds and sap willpower, collecting dazzling souls was laughably easy.
This was exactly why people like Finn and Tiona were so wary of her; they feared she'd make a move on Ryoji. There were far too many precedents.
Why was the Freya Familia the strongest in the city?
Because of Freya's own charm, which accounted for 90% of it, most of her Familia's members were drawn in by her allure. They were her treasured collection, each one a brilliant soul, a hero among mortals.
She viewed Ryoji in much the same way.
Ryoji, however, was a rather special soul. On top of that, he had a natural talent that complemented Freya's perfectly. This ignited in her a possessiveness far stronger than usual, she regarded him as an especially treasured addition to her collection.
Normally, if someone rejected her love, she would've already activated her charm.
But this time, she had her eyes on a freak, someone completely immune to her charm. If she tried to force him, it might even provoke Loki's wrath. For once, Freya found herself at a loss for what to do.
"Alright, isn't this good enough already?"
Ryoji waved a hand casually and said, quite bluntly, "If you miss me, or I miss you, we can meet up. Otherwise, let's not interfere with each other's lives. We each do our own thing. How about that?"
He hadn't expected to get involved with such a troublesome woman.
Ryoji secretly sighed in his heart.
He could only blame his lack of experience. He hadn't clarified her intentions before "singing" (i.e., before they got intimate), and seeing such a beautiful woman like Freya, he had a moment of rationality evaporation and invited her on impulse without thinking it through.
Next time, he had to learn from this. Never get involved with a troublesome woman like this again.
Regret? Impossible. There were probably countless people in the world who dreamed of spending a passionate night with the Goddess of Beauty but never had the chance. In that sense, he'd profited immensely.
Freya said nothing.
But her eyes were still very unhappy.
It felt like a toy she had set her sights on had suddenly grown wings and flown away right in front of her.
Still, she didn't argue.
Ryoji took that as silent agreement, so he turned around and prepared to leave.
It was already late, he needed to come up with an excuse, and more importantly, find a place to take a shower. If someone smelled Freya's scent on him, that'd be a disaster.
"Wait a moment."
Just as he was about to lift his foot to leave, Freya's voice came from behind.
"I understand your point of view. But I don't agree with your proposal. When I want something, I don't give it up easily... However, for now, give and take. Come on, I'll take you to learn charm."
"Huh? You're still willing to teach me?"
Ryoji was stunned.
He had assumed things had gone so sour between him and Freya that she wouldn't be willing to teach him anything anymore. He didn't expect her to still feel this way?
"I'm not a petty goddess."
Freya still looked displeased, her head held high like a queen sulking in frustration.
"Let's go."
She walked ahead.
Ryoji was quite surprised, but his instincts didn't pick up on any danger, so he didn't doubt her intentions and followed along.
This was… somewhat unexpected.
Could it be that she was trying to win him over through action?
The reason Ryoji was unwilling to leave the Loki Familia, even giving up the power of charm for it, was because they had helped him a lot. When he was in crisis, they had mobilized half their Familia to rescue him.
If Freya was now planning to keep giving him benefits to make him feel guilty and slowly wear down his defenses, then, must say, this was probably the most effective strategy.
Tsk!
As expected of the Goddess of Beauty, she's lived a billion years; her cunning still runs deep!
But what you didn't count on… is that I'll eventually leave!
You'll never have me!
"Is this West Main Street?"
After passing through Central Plaza, Freya led Ryoji toward West Main Street.
The western district was one of Orario's most well-known residential areas. Because Orario had many factories that produced Magic Stone devices, the city attracted a large working-class population, and this was where many of the workers and their families lived.
Eventually, the two of them stopped in front of a tavern on West Main Street.
Ryoji looked up.
"The Benevolent Mistress?"
(End of Chapter)
PS-"For every 200 power stones, I'll release one bonus chapter (Current-0)!"