If the citizens of Belden truly had such awareness, they would have all fought the Swamp King long ago, instead of creating sacrifices.
In the original work, a country that could only survive by making sacrifices was portrayed as an ideal kingdom of love and mutual aid, without any grudges, which was ridiculously fake.
In fact, if these few guys hadn't genuinely fought for Taruvi and the Swamp King after being awakened later, Rod wouldn't have planned so much and would have just killed them on the spot.
Just then, Vera suddenly looked up, her amber eyes fixed directly on Rod.
"... You said earlier that the young lady next to you also had similar symptoms."
Rod's lips curved slightly.
"Finally noticed?"
Vera let out a long breath and gently parted her lips.
"Ah... I should have known, with your displayed personality, you shouldn't be so talkative."
"You... have a way to take the Spring of Life while also saving the citizens of Belden, right?"
Taruvi, in his arms, held her breath for a moment, looking at Rod with trepidation and anticipation.
Including those guys from Belden, they all held their breath.
Uskali even immediately struggled to get up, saying eagerly.
"If you can save the citizens of Belden, then I can offer my life!"
The knights also hastily shouted in agreement.
"And ours!"
Rod, however, couldn't be bothered with them.
Vera asked directly.
"What price must be paid to ask you to act?"
A hint of exploration and curiosity seemed to linger in those amber eyes.
Rod merely said indifferently.
"That depends on how important they are in your heart."
Vera's brows furrowed slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Rod adjusted his collar, his movements unhurried.
He looked at the goddess before him calmly, his voice flat, yet carrying an unquestionable authority. "Offer everything you have, then beg me. I will save the Belden citizens and end their destiny."
The scene fell into an eerie silence.
Humans had prayed to gods countless times.
But it was the first time someone had asked a god to pray to them.
Even if the omniscient and omnipotent gods could not use their divine power after coming to the human world, humans still retained a deep reverence for gods in their hearts.
The people of Belden widened their eyes in astonishment, followed by an indescribable sense of humiliation that welled up in their hearts.
Uskali's face instantly flushed, and he clenched his fists.
His own Main God was being so humiliated; he should have fought to the death.
But... in the end, he was only angry for a moment, and then, there was no 'then'.
Vera's status in Belden was not highly regarded to begin with, and even after knowing she was their savior, which somewhat changed things, it couldn't immediately make them fervent and loyal.
Most importantly, reality is not a strategy simulation game; life is not a cold numerical unit.
But once one gets used to putting lives on a scale for calculation, then one can never stop.
[An unpopular Main God], [All citizens of Belden].
Rod, as if deliberately tormenting them, once again threw this multiple-choice question at them.
And the only choice they could make was, of course, that one.
Riveria quietly observed Rod, who was unusually domineering at this moment.
Unlike his usual gentleness when interacting with the girls, and his occasional playfulness when chatting with her, at this moment, he was like a man who possessed miraculous power that even gods found difficult to fathom.
How bold he is, not only setting his sights on Elf Royalty but also greedily coveting even gods...
Riveria's gaze shifted, a smile in her eyes.
Perhaps only he in this world would have the right to be so arrogant.
The other girls who were not contracted also had tumultuous emotions within them.
It was only now that they realized the man who used to joke around with them had already stepped into a realm beyond their reach.
Amid, while healing the scarred A Di, secretly observed Rod's back, feeling a faint stir within her.
If even a god must bow, then what am I still agonizing over....
Compared to everyone's complex emotions, Vera, after her astonishment, fell into a period of silence.
Then.
"Heh.... Heh heh... Ha.... Hahahahahaha--"
She laughed uncontrollably, leaning back and forth, her laughter then transforming into a high-pitched, almost delirious cackle.
"Interesting, too interesting, is this the unknown of the Lower World?"
Vera laughed for a long time before reining in her amusement, her gaze sharp as she stared at Rod, exuding a formidable divine might.
"Boy, do you know what you're saying?"
She took a step forward, approaching Rod until they were so close they could almost smell each other's breath.
Vera looked up, as if wanting to completely see through his heart.
The narcissus flower she wore on her head emitted a natural fragrance, and the blue beaded tassels beneath the coronet swayed gently.
"I'm a genuine pleasure-seeker, you know ~ Do you really think a god like me would become your slave and obey your [commands] for a mere group of mortals?"
The girls all showed solemn expressions, but Rod's face remained composed as he looked down at her calmly.
"Willing to play the role of a villain to prevent the poisonous swamp from spreading beyond Belden, plus your concern for the Belden citizens."
"Even if it was just a whim at first, it must have now become an obsession, an anticipation for the grand finale."
"As the one who wrote the opening chapter of the story, whether the ending is a comedy or a tragedy, the choice is in your hands."
One human, one god, stared at each other for a long time.
Finally, Vera quietly closed her beautiful eyes.
"You... are even more [malicious] than I am."
Rod raised an eyebrow slightly.
"So, your answer?"
Vera suddenly opened her eyes, grabbed Rod's collar, and forcibly pulled him down.
Over Taruvi, who was still in a daze in Rod's arms, she stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed Rod's lips, a touch-and-go moment.
"The choice I will make, from beginning to end, is only one."
A trace of helplessness, mixed with an uncontrollable excitement, flashed in her eyes.
"Please, save them, I will offer everything I have~"
[S-rank wish has been issued.]
[Issuer: Vera.]
[Content: Free the citizens of Belden from the curse.]
[Reward: Authority of the Winter Goddess.]
Uskali's eyes widened.
"Vera... My Lady..."
They probably never imagined that Vera could actually go this far for them.
Vera turned around and looked at the knights lying on the ground, their faces filled with shame, not daring to meet her gaze.
As if she had completely lost interest in this story that had lasted for a thousand years, she said indifferently.
"Don't misunderstand, the dark history of your clan began with me, and it will naturally end with me."
"After you are all free from the curse, I will also remove your Grace... Hm, rejoice, you are finally free."
"Both from the curse and from me, your Main God."
Uskali hesitated, wanting to apologize, wanting to keep her, but no matter what he said, it seemed hypocritical and disgusting, so he finally just slammed his fist on the ground.
"I'm sorry... I understand..."
Vera still wanted to say something cool to completely cut ties with the past, but the next second, she suddenly widened her eyes and was directly sent flying by Hestia, whose eyes were spitting fire, with a rocket headbutt!
"Damn it—! I've never even done that with Rod! I knew I should've fought you properly in Heaven back then!"
Vera, clutching her almost broken old waist, clumsily crawled out of the ruins, but still didn't forget to mock proudly.
"You clumsy idiot with unfashionable twin pigtails! Purity is outdated these days, when you see a good man, you go straight for him!"
Goddess Hestia rolled up her sleeves, and with each step she took, the ground seemed to tremble slightly.
The terrifying aura erupting from her even made Ais, who was beside her, instinctively feel afraid and quickly hug Riveria's leg.
"In front of a virgin goddess... you really dare to say such things!"
"Want to fight? I'm very strong, you know... Eh, wait, wait a minute, you're actually hitting me! Damn it, don't underestimate me! Ugh... what's going on, you're actually this strong?!"
"Hmph hmph, don't think I'm just freeloading in the Lower World. You have no idea how many life-and-death, respectful, brutal battles my arch-nemesis, that evil goddess, and I have endured!"
"Eh... Eh? Do, do you have to be so exaggerated!!!"
A Di scratched her head and secretly glanced at Riveria, whose eyes showed a 'that's more like it' expression.
"Lady Riveria, the arch-nemesis Goddess Hestia mentioned... could it be?"
Riveria nodded frankly, admitting it.
"Ah, that's right. It's my Familia's patron deity, Loki."
...
"These two goddesses fight every time they meet, but for some reason, good luck always favors Goddess Hestia. To this day, she has never lost, always pinning Loki to the ground and beating her up."
A Di couldn't help but want to retort.
Her own patron deity is being beaten, why are you almost unable to hold back your laughter!
If Riveria knew her thoughts, she would naturally say.
That's because if that happens, Loki will be so preoccupied with seeking revenge on Hestia that she won't bother tormenting the other members of the Familia.
At this moment, Astrea suddenly ran to the side of the two gods' battlefield.
Vera's eyes lit up, thinking the other party was there to save her.
It's perfectly reasonable for the Goddess of Justice to dislike bullying the weak!
At least, she'd wait until she retrieved the winter staff, then find a chance to beat them back!
However, Astrea merely pretended as if nothing had happened, throwing a wooden stick in front of Hestia.
"Oh dear... how careless. What if someone used this wooden stick to brutally beat others?"
Vera's eyes widened, and she cried out in horror.
"Hey, hey, hey! Aren't you the Goddess of Justice?"
Astrea stood with her hands on her hips, looking very serious.
"Yes, so don't worry, I will preside over your battle and ensure the fairness and beauty of the refereeing!"
Vera felt like spitting blood.
Damn it! This biased refereeing is so blatant, they're not even pretending anymore!
Hestia laughed triumphantly, looking up at the sky.
The referee is on my side, how can you fight me!
"Idiot, this time I'll give you a small lesson. So you don't underestimate a virgin goddess, you should thank me!"
"Huh? I got beaten, and I have to thank you? What a joke!"
"Hmph hmph, after all, this time it's just the kind and gentle me and Astrea. If you provoke Artemis next time, then you'll really be in big trouble!"
"...Ugh."
Ryu looked at the Goddess of Justice, who was completely different from her impression, and instantly turned into a statue, her eyes wavering.
"Ho-how could this be... This isn't the Lady Astrea I know... Could she have been infected by Goddess Hestia's idiotic aura?"
Rhode shook his head with a wry smile.
The gods in this world have never been stuffy old-fashioned beings constrained by their authorities.
Even those who wield the authority of evil gods can be kind and gentle, and benevolent gods who preside over positive authorities can have a decisive side.
Besides, if one feels that the current actions are not just, then as the Goddess of Justice, wouldn't it be enough to redefine what justice is?
Although the battle here ended quickly, it also caused a commotion.
If Rhode hadn't been present, a large number of Familia would probably have intervened much earlier.
In the original story, these people dared to openly act on the streets during the Holy Night Festival, the busiest time, truly showing no regard for Orario's adventurers.
Just then, a tall, beautiful woman with short blue hair slowly walked over.
"Although I know it's over, if possible, could you tell me what happened?"
Her blue hair was neatly cut at the nape of her neck, and she wore a battle uniform of the same color.
She was taller than Ryu and the others, with a sharp face, the kind of sharpness unique to those at the top of an organization.
"Big Sister!"
A Di happily rushed over.
Shakti hugged A Di, frowning in a reproving manner.
"A Di, I've told you many times not to call me that when others are present. Call me by my title when we're working!"
A Di stuck out her tongue, pretending to reflect.
"Ah, sorry, my plant~"
...
Shakti sighed, saying nothing more about her much younger sister's attitude.
"So what happened?"
A Di, who was usually absolutely obedient to her older sister, did not answer immediately this time but looked at Rhode.
Only after he nodded did A Di breathe a sigh of relief and recount the events to Shakti.
Looking at her sister, who was almost completely resembling that man, Shakti felt a complex mix of emotions, as if her treasure had been stolen.
After learning the whole story, Shakti frowned and glanced at Belden and his group, who were receiving treatment from Amid not far away (they had paid for it).
As the head of the Familia that managed all of Orario, Shakti was more rational than the girls present.
If it were her, for the sake of all the people of Orario, she would most likely make the same choice as them...
Even if that sacrifice were her most cherished sister....
Feeling a deep sense of contempt and disgust for herself for thinking this way, Shakti showed a bitter smile.
Mysterious and powerful was her first impression of Rhode.
Later, knowing his undisguised flirtatious behavior and vaguely unruly actions, she subconsciously kept her distance.
But now, she suddenly felt a little envious, even a little admiring of Rhode.
As long as it's for the people he cares about, he doesn't mind being an enemy of the world.
Given his absolutely powerful strength, being a playboy was actually his advantage.
After all, if such a man truly chose only one sole partner, who in all of Orario could be worthy?
Shakti was silent for a moment, then turned to look at A Di, who was playfully clinging to her, and stroked her hair.
"A Di, you mentioned before that Rhode invited you to train outside Orario, didn't you...?"
A Di immediately tensed up at the words, nervously and secretly watching her sister's expression.
"No, is it not allowed...?"
Shakti showed a gentle smile.
"After you come back with me this time, I will make a request to the main god to allow your transfer."
"...Eh?"
"Whether it's Hestia Familia or Astrea Familia, either is fine. As long as you are protected by that man."
"W-wait a minute, why are you suddenly saying such things!"
"A Di, don't you want to be in the same Familia as Rhode?"
"Ugh... but it's so sudden... and I also want to always be with Big Sister!"
A Di's pretty face flushed red as she hugged Shakti and pouted playfully.
At this, Shakti subconsciously glanced at Rhode again, and their gazes met.
Rhode smiled and nodded at her, and Shakti's heart couldn't help but flutter.
Should I go with A Di?
This tempting thought arose but was immediately suppressed.
No, I still have the duty to protect Orario!