That touch of gold was too dazzling; even mixed in filthy sludge, it retained its luster.
This was a soul Freya had never seen. She was captivated for a moment.
Even Freya lamented that Roy's soul was so deceptive.
Possessing such a dazzling soul that moved her, yet veiled by negative traits full of malice.
Otherwise, Freya wouldn't have discovered this unique soul until now.
After all, Freya loved standing atop Babel, overlooking Orario, surveying its scenery.
From Babel's peak, with the best view, Freya could easily scan Orario residents' souls.
Roy's radiant soul would shine among thousands.
But the outer filth had hidden Roy's uniqueness until now.
Freya's gaze lingered on Roy, reluctantly withdrawing only after he left the restaurant's view.
She turned to Loki, swirling her wine glass, rippling the liquid and inhaling its aroma.
Calmly, she asked, "You said he's from the Hestia Familia?"
"Right, that brat's—annoying as the Hestia herself," Loki drank heavily, tipsy but unfiltered in her resentment toward Hestia and Roy.
Freya sighed inwardly.
If she'd spotted Roy's soul sooner, Hestia wouldn't have claimed such a special child.
"Besides the guild, nothing else, right?" Freya sipped her wine unhurriedly.
"Nope," Loki replied bluntly.
"Then I'll go," Freya set down her glass, some wine unfinished.
"Rare get-together, and you're leaving? No more drinks?" Loki was surprised.
"The wine here's mediocre—far from divine wine," Freya shook her head, rising.
"Drink slowly; I'm off."
"Cover the bill," Loki reminded drunkenly. Plenty of wine remained; she'd quench her recent drought alone.
"Got it," Freya waved, tightening her robe to hide her features.
As for the bill, consider it payment for Loki introducing Roy.
Freya quickened her pace after leaving the room.
If fast enough, she might catch Roy.
"Sorry, Hestia!" Freya no longer hid her desire, eyes gleaming with morbid possessiveness.
She whispered, chuckling softly.
Freya couldn't wait for a formal meeting with Roy; she wanted him now.
From confirming Roy's soul, Freya knew she must have him.
"Did he go this way?" Freya glanced at the street—the direction Roy had vanished.
Year-round atop Babel overlooking Orario made her terrain-savvy; she quickly deduced Roy's route.
"Lower-world children love chance-encounter dramas..." Freya slipped into an alley, planning to intercept Roy.
On the street, Roy walked home at normal speed.
Suddenly, a figure rushed out, staggering toward him.
Roy dodged instinctively, avoiding collision.
"Ah—!" The figure exclaimed, tumbling to the ground.
Roy grumbled inwardly; her cry was indecently alluring.
Even Roy, seasoned by several girls, admitted her moan was ecstasy-inducing.
Just that sound stirred the heart.
Its allure defied words.
Primitively, intuitively: failing to react to her cry disrespected one's orientation.
Weaker humans might climax instantly.
No exaggeration—fact.
Roy was curious who she was.
As she fell, her hood slipped, silver hair cascading.
Seeing her face, Roy looked twice.
Simply, she was stunningly beautiful.
Even compared to heroines he'd met, she surpassed them.
Her face could captivate any suitor.
Under the black robe, a gold-embroidered dress outlined perfect curves.
Her fallen pose displayed her figure fully.
Slender limbs, plump breasts, round pert hips, slim waist—all drew eyes, evaporating reason.
'Damn, this woman's incredible!' Roy sighed.
Whether intentional or not, she was a romance master.
Just that profile and pose could capture the weak-willed.
"You seem to know me?" Freya glanced at Roy, lips parting.
"Goddess Freya, I've seen your portrait on the guild's god roster," Roy said.
Honestly, even without it, Roy would've recognized her instantly.
Such looks, silver hair, divine temperament.
Anyone knowing Freya would identify her immediately.
"The guild roster? Seeking a Familia, why not consider mine?" Freya asked.
Adventurers checking the roster usually picked appealing gods to join.
"I wanted a challenging Familia—to build from nothing into a key Orario player. Only Hestia fit," Roy replied.
Freya eyed Roy, sensing partial truth; perhaps hidden motives, but a reason for choosing Hestia.
"Great ambition," Freya smiled in praise, inwardly scheming: If known sooner, I'd disband my Familia.
Too soon to disband until now.
Want to handle my Familia upon return?
Wait till Roy joins, then disband.
"Help me? I nearly bumped you—sorry," A bewitching smile curved Freya's lips as she extended arms toward Roy.
Roy grasped Freya's hand, pulling her up.
"Hiss—!" Freya inhaled sharply in pain, stumbling into Roy's arms.
Embracing Freya, intimate contact revealed amazing elasticity where they pressed.
"You've been drinking?" Freya smelled divine, but wine mingled in, slightly marring perfection.
Descended gods sealed power; even mundane wine intoxicated them.
No dispelling alcohol's scent post-drink.
"Just a gathering with friends; had a bit," Freya glanced at Roy, intrigued.
"You dislike women drinking?"
Typically, a beauty like her post-drink should allure opposite sex more.
Yet it didn't faze Roy.
"Just dislike drunk behaviour," Roy shook his head.
"Perfect—I'm not in your disliked range," Freya brushed her silver hair, a charming lilt escaping her lips.
Read advance chapters at:
200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter