The sun climbed steadily across the sky. Adventurers all over Orario were talking about the monsters that had surfaced at dawn. Unlike the noise outside, Freya Familia remained quiet and refined. The members hadn't even begun their usual morning drills; the entire courtyard felt like it was attending to someone unseen, the silence almost unnatural.
Freya sat alone on a white chair, gazing out the window with a trace of worry.
"Bell..."
As if answering her murmur, the King appeared at the doorway and knelt respectfully.
"What's the situation?"
"Freya-sama, the boy is unharmed. We've brought him back to the familia."
"Did you find anything?"
The goddess looked into the distance, her flawless face carrying a faint chill of killing intent.
"When I arrived, I sensed no third party. Even if a Tamer was involved, they must have simply released the monsters and let them act on their own."
Ottar reported honestly. Aside from guarding, he had one more critical task: find whoever was behind this. Monsters don't appear on the surface for no reason. And in a city as vast as Orario, they had targeted that abandoned chapel of all places.
As a Level 7 who had failed to fully meet the goddess's expectations, Ottar continued, "Please give me some time. I'll take the team into the underground waterways. Even the smallest trace, I will bring it to you..."
"That won't be necessary."
Freya interrupted his apology.
"As long as he's safe, that's enough for me. You've done well. Leave the rest to Loki and her people."
"But..."
Ottar didn't want to contradict the goddess, only feared Loki Familia wouldn't uncover the full picture.
Freya seemed to catch his thoughts.
"As the Spear, they can dive into the depths without restraint. And don't forget—you still bear the duty of the Shield."
Only then did Ottar understand her reasoning. The enemy hid in darkness; investigating their trail risked ambush at every step. To the goddess, the boy's safety mattered more than the mastermind.
"Freya-sama, I failed to consider that."
Freya didn't blame him. She simply shifted the topic.
"I've heard about the potions and the kidnapping. If the two are related, who do you think is most suspicious?"
Ottar's brows tightened. Heith's report made one thing clear: [Gods] were involved. Now the enemy could even send monsters to the surface without anyone noticing. If he had to name a suspect, only one came to mind.
"The Guild," he said plainly.
"Is that so?"
Freya looked toward a nearby guesthouse. After a long silence, she spoke softly.
"Being a goddess is exhausting. I'm tired. You may go."
"Understood."
Ottar backed out respectfully. Before the door closed, he caught sight of a faint smile lifting the goddess's lips.
He had no idea what she intended. Perhaps vengeance. Perhaps a descent into joy-fueled madness. Whatever awaited, the King would wield his blades for her. For him, nothing had changed.
But for a certain girl, today was the first day her life began to change.
...
"Syr?"
Bell stared blankly at the girl before him, momentarily forgetting where he even was. In stark contrast to her usual shop assistant uniform, she wore a lovely, perfectly fitted pale white gown. As if tailored specifically for her slender, graceful form, every elegant curve and charming detail felt naturally made for her. Syr wore no makeup, yet the gown drew out a charm far beyond her everyday appearance.
"Bell-san, did I startle you?"
Syr gave a soft, teasing laugh and walked into the room on her own.
"I'm just surprised. Isn't this the Freya Familia?"
Before Bell could sort his thoughts, the girl was already sitting in a chair, lightly swinging her legs.
"A few days ago, I helped the injured Heith-san. The Freya Familia gave me a token of gratitude, so that's why I'm here."
Without the tavern's restraints, Syr's eyes looked far more genuine and pure.
"What kind of gift?"
"Hmm... a rather peculiar book." Syr showed him the present she'd received.
"What's inside?"
Following her rhythm, Bell asked naturally. He found a sense of comfort he had never experienced before just by being near this charming girl. In this unfamiliar room, even time felt slower.
"I haven't read it either. If you want to see it, you have to answer my question first."
Syr puffed her cheeks slightly, showing a mischievous smile.
"If it's something I know, go ahead and ask." Swept up by her lighthearted mood, Bell stepped right into her "trap."
"I heard about this morning's incident. Are you hurt?"
To his surprise, her question sounded more like genuine concern.
"No. Thanks to Ryuu-san and Heith-san, I got out unscathed. Their injuries must be much worse than mine." Bell answered honestly.
"Is that so..."
Syr whispered softly. At the mention of the two girls, her lashes drooped with a hint of loneliness before she quickly recovered.
"Is something wrong?" Bell asked.
"No... nothing. I'm just glad you're okay." Syr seemed to hide something as she twirled a lock of her soft, pale gray hair. "Bell-san, um... what do you think of Airmid-san?"
"Are you worried about the mixed bathing thing?" Bell countered.
Syr's skirt barely reached her knees, her slender legs swaying gently, her fair skin fully exposed.
"..."
Her cheeks flushed a deep red in an instant, the blush even spreading to her ears.
"Please forget about that!"
If you're that embarrassed, you shouldn't have gone to the mixed baths…
Bell managed to swallow the thought before it escaped.
"Everyone except Syr-san seems to have forgotten already, you know?"
"...."
Amused, Syr's lips curved slightly, only to be buried again by a bright, burning blush.
"I told you to forget it! And even though it makes me happy that you remember only me, maybe you just said that without thinking…"
Her voice grew softer and softer until even she didn't seem to know what she was saying.
"A-anyway! What do you think of Airmid-san?"
Bell looked at Syr, realizing this wasn't something he could dodge. "I think she's great. In the Dungeon, without her Healing Magic, I probably wouldn't have made it back to the surface."
Syr froze, as if struck.
"One last question. No matter how you answer, you can read what's in this book."
She placed the book in front of her and motioned for Bell to come closer.
Bell reached out, ready to check the title. A sweet, refreshing scent drifted over the smell of paper. Syr brushed a strand of gray hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear.
Then she parted her lips and asked her final question.
"Bell Cranel, I like you. Will you go out with me?"
...
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