When it came to "Sword Soul" Liang Yue, Freya's thoughts were complicated.
A rookie who had broken world records, a talent so overwhelming that no one could ignore it.
With such an identity and achievements, unless it was Loki—
most gods, faced with a child like this, would inevitably harbor thoughts of their own.
Especially after learning that on the return from the Familia's expedition, Liang Yue had slain the floor boss Goliath with his own strength.
From talent alone—
so long as resources were invested in him, he would absolutely become a newcomer even more dazzling than the "Sword Princess" Ais Wallenstein.
He could become the most important rising force in any Familia.
Dismissing Panen with a wave, the goddess of beauty swirled the red wine in her glass.
Her breathtaking face—so often unreadable—was faintly marred by a rare crease of her brow.
Lifting the glass, she took a delicate sip.
"…What a dilemma."
Among the Familia's recruits, the reason she gave Bell so much attention was simple:
his extremely pure soul,
and the potential it revealed.
Compared to Liang Yue, Bell's raw talent might not measure up to this dark horse of an adventurer.
The reason Freya hesitated was—
that she did not see in Liang Yue what she truly desired.
The "radiance of the soul."
With eyes that could perceive the essence of the soul, what she saw in Liang Yue was a spirit twisted and interwoven with violence, blood, and sin.
"Still… he might make Orario far more interesting."
Patience—
that was the mark of a true hunter. At least, Freya thought so.
She had allowed Bell to grasp the skill Liaris Freese, "Heroic Desire."
Sometimes, what one saw wasn't necessarily the truth.
"…."
The wineglass slipped from her hand and shattered against the floor.
Freya's eyes turned to the shadow that appeared at the sound, her face unreadable.
"Ottar. There is something I want you to do."
As for his own future, Liang Yue only had a rough plan.
At present, he had already accumulated enough Great Feats. What he needed now was to settle down—
max out all of his ability values.
Through this process, he would continue to build up experience, and raise the class level of his "Sword Soul" template.
A true Sword Soul should at least be able to utterly dominate his enemies.
His idea was to secure a degree of self-protection, slow his pace, and enjoy life—
to experience the many unique aspects of this different world.
After all, he hadn't crossed into DanMachi's world just to grind the dungeon like some machine.
"Tonight's victory feast—leave it to you to arrange. And this weapon—find me a decent smithy to get it repaired."
Liang Yue gave the order without hesitation.
The development of the Familia already had its conveniences: he didn't need to pay wages, just cover food and lodging, and his comrades would work.
For simple matters like these, they could be entrusted to Lili, who knew Orario well.
As for himself—his priority was to eat his fill, rest properly, and allow himself a little vacation.
"Alright."
Taking the weapon, Lili didn't feel the least resistance.
Compared to the Soma Familia, where she had handled far dirtier, harsher tasks, this was almost relaxing.
She didn't have to fear exploitation.
Even the money from exchanging the expedition's monster stones had been left in her hands.
So this… was what it felt like to be truly trusted.
Walking through Orario's streets, the pallum girl kept her head low in thought.
Aside from her plans to break free from her former Familia, when it came to really being with Liang Yue—
she couldn't find much common ground.
Tentatively, with a playful tone to mask her nerves, she asked:
"Liang Yue, do you still remember when we first met?"
"…Yeah."
"The times after that, you always seemed really wary of me," she said casually, eyes downcast.
"Of course."
From their first encounters up until the downfall of the Soma Familia, Lili could've stabbed him in the back at any moment.
Naturally, he had been guarded.
Later, they had been through some things together.
If she asked whether he trusted her now—yes, he did.
He didn't deny it. That much at least clarified her thoughts.
Never once had she been treated sincerely. But now, given this trust—
for someone who had long wallowed in the mud, it was impossible not to feel something.
"As comrades in the same Familia, it's only natural to trust each other.
Can't expect everyone to live chained to the past, right?"
After a pause for thought, Liang Yue spoke lightly.
"…."
It was as if he could read her mind every time. All the words she wanted to say were cut off before they left her lips.
She turned her gaze toward his handsome profile.
The budding feelings in her heart swelled, magnified in this moment.
Her frustration was that he could see through everything she thought—
except this one thing:
her growing feelings for him.
And just as she had finally found a topic—
the conversation ended, leaving her flustered.
Safe. Comforting. Yes.
But she didn't want to stop there.
"Um…"
"…Don't you have anything else to say?"
At her height, the pallum girl had to crane her neck just to catch his expression.
"…?"
Liang Yue frowned slightly, pausing to study the girl beside him.
No matter her personality or appearance, she couldn't exactly be called the "cute" type.
As for what else he might say?
Maybe just some advice about joining the Hestia Familia, things she should watch out for?
He didn't think along any other lines. Out of habit, he reached out, ruffling her airy short hair.
Then he added:
"No need to keep changing your looks with magic. You're fine the way you are. But if you do want to…
just add a pair of cat ears."
"…?"
Something felt strange. But seeing how serious he was, Lili suddenly couldn't make sense of it.
So—
why did he have opinions on how she looked?
The weapon repair was left entirely to Lili.
With no other tasks, Liang Yue filled his stomach, then returned to the Familia's base for a rest.
In the original storyline, the early days of the Hestia Familia were harsh.
The turning point came with Apollo, whose… peculiar tastes led him to fixate on Bell.
Together with Zanis, the deceased captain of the Soma Familia, Apollo launched a War Game against Hestia.
The result was Bell being transferred into Freya Familia.
Now, however, the plot had shifted dramatically, far beyond Liang Yue's control.
The fastest route to growth had been completely blocked.
And he seriously doubted Apollo would develop a taste for him just because of his white demon hand.
If it were that simple, everything would be much easier.
He couldn't exactly go and force a War Game with Apollo Familia, could he?
"…Troublesome."
His thoughts grew along with his strength. Liang Yue was becoming acutely aware of the swelling ambition in his heart.
A better standard of living—
was now, aside from growing stronger, what he valued most.
Back at the abandoned church, he had only just stepped into the basement, still cloaked in black, when footsteps sounded on the stairs.
He turned his gaze—and froze.
The adventurers descending carried emblems that marked their Familia.
"…?"
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