Chapter 7: God's Repatriation
Freya watched the unsightly deity, complex emotions flickering in her purple eyes. But she was Freya now, not Syr—she couldn't bow to such a minor god before her Familia!
"What harm in letting you enter?"
"Ottar, all of you, clear the path!"
Not wanting to embarrass Lady Freya before an unfamiliar deity, the Gulliver Brothers and Ottar cleared the path to the basement with utmost speed.
Asmodeus waved gratefully at Freya.
Then, with Freya and Ottar following, Asmodeus briskly headed toward the basement...
...
The roar of thunder made Ryuu and Keyaru, who had been chatting in the basement, pause in surprise.
The elf girl's sharp perception immediately understood the situation above ground.
"This place won't leak, will it, Mr. Keyaru..."
Just as Keyaru was about to answer Ryuu's question, the basement's iron door was pushed open with effort.
Both the elf girl and Keyaru looked simultaneously toward a bearded man who entered slowly, breathing heavily with an awkward smile.
Ryuu and Keyaru exclaimed almost in unison:
"God Asmodeus!"
Ignoring their surprise, Asmodeus glanced appreciatively at the exceptionally beautiful elf girl before vigorously patting Keyaru's shoulder as if encouraging him.
"You brat, after all these years, you've surpassed even this god!"
"This girl, by my assessment, rivals some goddesses in beauty!"
Asmodeus's blunt words made Ryuu glare fiercely at the irresponsible Patron God and his Familia member.
"Enough, less talk!"
"This god will remove your Falna now. Get out of my Familia, you pure virgin who's reached this age without ever being with a woman!"
Without seeking Keyaru's opinion, Asmodeus erupted with unparalleled strength like an old father, effortlessly flipping Keyaru over.
Pulling back the clothing, Divine Blood dripped down.
After a series of actions, Asmodeus patted his hands in accomplishment.
Just as he was about to say something more to Keyaru, Freya stepped in slowly in high heels, her gaze pressing down on Asmodeus.
"Since you're done, you should leave now!"
Treating Freya's words as background noise, Asmodeus even disdainfully picked his ear. Though his demeanor was casual, his eyes never left Keyaru.
Finally, etching the boy's face into his heart, Asmodeus turned with a ferocious grin, his eyes like an abyss as he stared at the lofty Goddess of Beauty.
"Didn't I tell you, Freya?"
"Perhaps in Heaven, you only saw me as an insignificant minor god, so you didn't take my words to heart..."
"As the master of lust, I understand certain things far more deeply than you, who governs beauty!"
"You are too arrogant and too cowardly, Freya..."
"You've underestimated this god and misjudged Keyaru's potential!"
"Using light and purity to measure each adorable soul that excels beyond this god's expectations is utterly foolish, Freya!"
"I made the decision long ago to stake everything!"
"What of heroes? Adventure is nothing but shit!"
"Only lust that connects people and deepens bonds is the one true answer in this world!"
Asmodeus's demeanor finally made Freya look directly at this minor god. Realizing his intent, Freya decided to grant him the utmost respect!
"Ottar!"
The boar adventurer, in sync with the goddess's will, instantly understood Freya's divine command. The thick calves of the boar man bulged with veins as Ottar moved to apprehend Asmodeus, but an unparalleled Divine Authority enveloped him.
At that moment, the boar adventurer's unshakable calm finally broke. This was a Divine Authority surpassing Freya's—under the god's world-shaking resolve, Asmodeus's Divine Authority in this moment even evoked the presence of the great god Ouranos!
Level 7...
The top adventurer in the city found himself unable to move an inch!
Having restrained Ottar, Asmodeus turned and gently touched Keyaru's face amid Freya's overwhelming shock and fury.
"No sentimental words—just remember that your first Patron God is this god!"
"After you leave today, rest well with the elf girl beside you. As for Familia, this god recommends that scumbag Loki! Of course, other gods are fine too..."
"From the dawn of the lower world till now, this god is probably the first laughable deity to stake his entire future on his own child~"
"After years of rushing about, I'm tired... So I've chosen this ending for myself."
"I'll head back first. In Heaven, I'll craft the finest tea set, sit comfortably atop the heavenly platform, and play divine melodies on the God of Music's flute for your future pleasures!"
"Don't make this god's viewing experience too boring!"
"Now then..."
"Let these final words be my parting gift to you!"
"My most perfect creation, my proudest child!"
"Use your 'weapon' to pierce through this damned lower world that looks down on this god and those damned goddesses who scorn me!!!"
"Farewell, Freya!"
"And... until we meet again! Keyaru!"
After Asmodeus's outburst, his gaze lowered, and a single crystal-clear tear could vaguely be seen falling onto the cold floor.
In the ensuing silence...
Asmodeus spat out a mouthful of blood—a dagger had somehow been plunged into his abdomen by his own hand.
Under the boundless curtain of rain...
Beneath the silence-drenched dark night sky...
Almost simultaneously, Loki, Hephaestus, Ganesha, and even the great god Ouranos all turned their attention to the northwest corner of Orario.
At that moment, a towering pillar of white light erupted there.
Within the vast, boundless white pillar, Keyaru sat dazed and collapsed on the ground, with Ryuu beside him equally stunned. For some reason, this grand divine send-off had not harmed either of them in the slightest...
He could state without hesitation that this was undoubtedly the most explosive and moving beginning to a story...
Thus begins the hero's journey!
With complex emotions in his eyes, Keyaru completely abandoned viewing this world through the faint stirrings in his heart... He also took to heart the words of that self-willed Asmodeus.
"Use a weapon to pierce the lower world?"
"What an unreliable fellow till the very end..."
The golden light finally faded, marking the end of the divine send-off.
Surprisingly, the dark clouds in the sky had dispersed, revealing a brilliantly starry night...
While Keyaru's heart felt unburdened, Freya had lost her ability to speak. The arrogant goddess had never imagined she would witness the beginning of this story as a supporting character, a bystander, or even an antagonist...
Though the silver-haired goddess could become impulsive in matters involving her beloved, at this moment, for the sake of her pride and dignity, Freya spoke calmly:
"This time, I have lost..."
"Asmodeus, was it? I will remember you forever!"
"And Ottar, you need more training too—you couldn't even react to the sudden outburst of a minor... no, a God of Lust..."
"Consider this a mark against you!"