Genichi sat in the living room of the Demeter Familia's home, tapping a finger against his teacup in a steady rhythm.
His brow was furrowed, his eyes dark.
He was considering how to confront Ouranos.
The god had leaked word of his resurrection magic, putting a target on his back. Now Ishtar had her sights on him, and people who had lost loved ones were flocking to him.
Ouranos owed him an explanation. And compensation.
Demeter sat beside him, watching him.
Across from them, Astraea maintained a calm expression, though unease lingered in her eyes.
Artemis stood by the window, her aqua hair glowing softly in the moonlight. Her green eyes were fixed on the night outside, her thoughts unreadable.
All three were waiting for Genichi to speak. But he remained silent, his finger tapping out that monotonous, restless beat against the cup.
Then footsteps sounded outside.
A man in a Guild uniform entered with his head bowed.
"Genichi-sama, Lord Ouranos requests your presence at the underground altar."
Genichi's eyes narrowed.
Perfect timing. He hadn't even gone looking for Ouranos yet, and the god had already sent for him.
He rose, straightened his clothes, and headed for the door.
Demeter, Astraea, and Artemis stood and followed.
He didn't object. He knew they were worried about him and wanted to be there for him. There was no reason to turn them away.
The four of them crossed Orario's streets on their way to the Guild.
It was late. Few people remained outside, apart from a handful of adventurers lingering near tavern doors.
Moonlight washed over the paving stones, turning their weather-smoothed surfaces silver.
Genichi led the way with steady, heavy strides, each step landing with a dull sound.
He was still weighing his words, deciding how to confront Ouranos and demand an explanation.
This wasn't his first visit to the underground altar.
Yet every time he entered, he felt that same ancient majesty. It was solemn and profound, carrying a pressure that made people instinctively want to bow.
Ouranos sat atop the altar as always, his body concealed beneath his robes.
In the glow of the magic-stone lamps, his figure seemed immense, like an unshakable mountain.
Genichi stopped before the altar, the three goddesses standing behind him.
He didn't sit. He simply stood there, watching Ouranos with an expression so calm it betrayed nothing.
But Ouranos could sense what lay beneath that calm.
Before Genichi could question him, the god spoke.
"There is something I must make clear. I did not order anyone to spread the rumor currently circulating through Orario."
His deep, commanding voice echoed through the chamber.
Genichi said nothing.
He merely regarded Ouranos, a trace of scrutiny and suspicion in his eyes.
Was he supposed to accept that just because Ouranos said so?
Who would believe that?
Only a handful of people in Orario knew about his resurrection magic.
The members of the Astraea Familia owed their lives to him. They felt nothing but gratitude and would never betray him.
Demeter, Astraea, and Artemis were his women. There was even less chance of any of them betraying him.
That left only Ouranos and Fels from the Guild.
Fels had neither the motive nor the reason, much less the nerve.
Who else could it have been?
"Royman," Ouranos said with a hint of resignation. "Ishtar charmed him. That was how information about you was leaked."
Genichi's brow furrowed slightly.
Royman. The elf known as the "Guild's Pig," that greedy little man who nevertheless held a high-ranking position.
Ishtar had charmed him?
That was certainly possible.
Even gods struggled to resist Ishtar's authority over charm. An ordinary elf would hardly stand a chance.
If she really had charmed him, the leak made sense.
"I apologize for what happened."
Ouranos's voice grew heavier.
"I will do everything I can to compensate you."
Genichi watched him in silence for a moment.
Then he spoke, his voice quiet but cold.
"Can you guarantee Ishtar won't come after me and charm me? You should know that bitch has never cared about following the rules."
Ouranos fell silent.
Of course he knew. The gods could not use their divine power in the Lower World, but the charm of the goddesses of beauty was an exception.
It was an innate authority, part of their very nature. An instinct, rather than an exercise of divine power.
Even in the Lower World, with most of their power sealed away, they could still use it.
The rules could not restrict it, and Ouranos could not prevent it.
He couldn't guarantee Genichi's safety. He couldn't promise that Ishtar would leave him alone, or that she wouldn't seize control of him one night and turn him into her puppet.
"I cannot give you that guarantee."
There was guilt in Ouranos's voice, along with resignation and a rare note of concession.
"You may ask for something within my power to grant."
Genichi's eyes narrowed slightly.
It was rare for Ouranos to be this accommodating, this generous, or this guilty.
He knew he was in the wrong. His oversight had been inadequate, and Royman was his subordinate. He could not escape responsibility.
That was why he was willing to offer compensation, pay a price, and agree to Genichi's request.
Genichi considered it in silence, countless possibilities passing through his mind.
What did he want?
Divine authority?
Resources?
A favor from Ouranos?
He could ask for any of those and hold the god to his word.
But none of them was what he needed most right now.
What he needed was a way to resist Ishtar's charm. He needed Hestia's authority over the sacred flame, the power that would let him face Ishtar directly.
"Then arrange for Hestia to descend to the Lower World as soon as possible."
His voice was calm, but his resolve left no room for debate.
"I need her authority."
Ouranos fell silent.
Naturally, he knew who Hestia was: the Goddess of the Hearth, one of the virgin goddesses, and the wielder of the sacred flame.
Her flame could purify all evil and dispel charm.
If Genichi obtained her authority, he would become immune to Ishtar's charm. He could confront that bitch openly, without having to keep hiding.
But Hestia was no ordinary goddess. She was a virgin goddess.
"Very well."
Ouranos finally answered, his voice low and firm.
"I will arrange for Hestia to descend as soon as possible."
The corners of Genichi's mouth lifted.
He knew Ouranos could do it. As the overseer of the Dungeon and Orario's guardian deity, he had the means to guide gods to the Lower World and arrange their arrival at the proper time and place, under the right circumstances.
That was both his authority and his responsibility.
"Thank you, then."
Genichi sounded calm, with a hint of satisfaction.
"If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving."
He turned to go.
"Wait."
Ouranos's voice came from behind him.
Genichi stopped without looking back.
"What is it?"
"Be careful of Ishtar."
Genichi was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I know."
He walked out of the underground altar, with Demeter, Astraea, and Artemis following.
Their footsteps echoed down the corridor, gradually fading into the distance.
(End of Chapter)
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