The day after the discussion about "Sharing" concluded, Bell arrived at the Tower of Babel, specifically in Freya's private chamber.
Today, Freya wore a smile—one so radiant that it could blind any devotee of the Goddess of Beauty. Of course, Bell was not among those "devotees."
"Freya-sama, your gaze makes me feel somewhat uneasy."
The constant sensation of being devoured made Bell stand there, trembling with anxiety.
"Danger?"
Freya's smile only widened further upon hearing that word.
"My Authority holds no power over you, and with my divine strength sealed, where exactly do you see me posing a threat?"
It's that very smile of yours.
Bell, who had never encountered such a smile before, felt a shiver run down his spine. Despite remaining calm in the face of vicious enemies and monsters, for some reason, when confronted by mature women—especially those older sisters who could easily devour him—he always felt like a small animal.
"It has nothing to do with strength. It's just..."
"Just that I naturally feel vulnerable around you?" Freya asked, taking a few steps forward. In that brief moment, Bell instinctively took half a step back.
Despite Freya's face being filled with smiles, Bell felt as though he was being threatened at a life-or-death level.
"Pfft! Hahahaha~"
Seeing Bell's instinctive response, Freya couldn't help but burst into laughter. Her eyes lingered on Bell, who looked like a frightened little animal. Who would have thought this kid would show such vulnerability when faced with a woman he couldn't handle?
This time, Freya didn't approach slowly. She walked briskly toward him. Before Bell could take another step back, she grabbed the hem of his robe.
Considering that Freya didn't possess overwhelming divine power herself, Bell dared not move recklessly. A single mistake could accidentally send Freya back to Tenkai.
"You really are a down-to-earth child," Freya said, pulling Bell tightly into her embrace.
"But I don't mind a bit of realism either."
Freya was a goddess with idealistic tendencies, but she was also profoundly pragmatic. She could change her nature for those she cared about, but for those she didn't care about, she wouldn't even spare a thought, even if they faced the world's cruelest trials.
Freya believed in fate, and she always believed that there was someone in the world who was destined for her.
But Freya also believed in reality. The Bell she held in her arms was both her destiny and the reality she had chosen to accept.
"I was certain you were the child I'd been searching for, so I wouldn't let you slip through my fingers."
Feeling Bell's stiff body in her arms, Freya softly voiced her thoughts.
"Fate did indeed bring you to me, but alas, that time I failed to see your true colors immediately. Fate... it truly is cruel."
Had that first glance confirmed it, she would have fought tooth and nail to snatch this child from Hestia's grasp from the very beginning.
Alas, the opportunity was fleeting.
And she herself had missed the most crucial moment.
Freya was not one to admit defeat, yet this time alone, she knew she had lost to Hestia. Though she had reached the end of the road, Freya had arrived at this point precisely because she had chosen compromise. And this was the price she paid for misjudging that first glance.
"....."
Facing Freya in this moment, Bell found himself at a loss for words.
"Bell, if this were your first time in Orario, and there were no distinctions between the Familia, after meeting all of them, which Familia would you choose?"
"Besides Hestia?"
"Yes, besides Hestia."
Bell actually had an answer ready.
"Probably the Loki Familia."
"...Hah."
Freya sighed helplessly at this response, reaching out to tap Bell on the head.
"At a time like this, shouldn't you say 'Freya's Familia'? You can't even lie properly."
This remark made Bell feel a bit embarrassed.
"After all, if it were my first time entering Orario, I'd still want to gain access to more resources for growth. A major Familia can provide abundant resources. Considering the atmosphere of Loki Familia, it should be the best place for a newcomer like me who came from the countryside."
"You really are brutally honest."
Well, Freya knew the Loki Familia was indeed more suitable for children newly entering Orario seeking Familia affiliation.
"You'd never choose my Familia anyway."
Freya couldn't help but sigh. This fate was truly toying with her.
"...Freya-sama, the competition for your favor is quite common within your Familia. I doubt many newcomers to Orario would seek to join you."
Though Freya's Familia was a major Familia on par with Loki Familia, the internal atmosphere differed greatly. The environment within Freya's Familia alone was truly inhospitable for newcomers. Periodic contests for the Familia God's favor required intense competition—could any newcomer endure that?
Even Bell, aware of his exceptional talent, wouldn't choose Freya's Familia first.
"Besides, when I entered Orario, I went straight to the Guild.
The receptionist who greeted me back then advised newcomers not to even consider joining a major Familia. Of course, I knew myself that as a country bumpkin, I had no chance of joining one of the big Familia. So after understanding the situation, I immediately ruled out both the Loki Familia and the Freya Familia."
Put simply, Bell knew he wouldn't be valued, so he didn't even bother considering them. The Loki Familia was a decent option, but without connections, it was pointless to entertain such unrealistic hopes. After all, the Loki Familia's recruitment was extremely strict. How could he possibly get in with his current skills?
Through self-recommendation? Bell didn't think a newcomer like himself had that kind of clout.
"The Major Familias..."
Freya's face bore a hint of resignation. She fully understood Bell's feelings and thoughts at the time. But dwelling on it now was pointless. Even if he hadn't chosen a major Familia, this kid probably wouldn't have picked her in the first place. This twist of fate made her want to laugh—even mock the so-called destiny itself.