At the Apollo Familia headquarters.
While the Apollo Familia couldn't match the elite Loki Familia or Freya Familia, they ranked solidly in Orario's middle tier alongside the Ganesha Familia. Their strength far surpassed that of lower-tier groups like the Hestia, Miach, and Takemikazuchi Familias combined.
Their headquarters reflected this status. The magnificent building, rivaling Roswaal's mansion in size, left Bell — a modest youth from the countryside — feeling quite overwhelmed.
Yet even that paled in comparison to what he witnessed at the banquet.
The gathering brimmed not only with unfamiliar deities but also with renowned and powerful Adventurers, each accompanying their respective deity.
Mia Grand, Asfi Al Andromeda, Naaza Erisuis...
And of course, Ais, who occupied his every thought.
'So... Adam wasn't lying to me after all.'
Though Bell's head was bowed shyly, his red eyes remained fixed intently on the enchanting golden-haired half-elf before him — Miss Ais. His unmasked admiration brought a blush to her cheeks.
Their pure, innocent romance was on full display, drawing amused looks from the other guests.
Hestia and Loki, watching their Familia members' exchange of glances, instantly grew jealous and nearly came to blows.
Thankfully, nearby guests intervened to prevent a scene at the divine banquet. And as if on cue, the evening's true protagonist made her entrance.
"Good evening, Hestia, Loki."
Freya — the Goddess of Beauty whom Loki dubbed "pervert" — arrived at the venue.
Upon spotting Hestia, she glided toward the pair with graceful steps.
As she approached, her eyes swept over the group, settling on Bell. Her eyebrows twitched slightly, and her gaze narrowed with surprise.
Events were clearly unfolding differently than she had anticipated.
"Wait a minute! Don't look at her, Bell! Don't let her charm you!" Hestia leaped in front of Bell, desperately trying to shield him.
Unfortunately, her diminutive stature proved rather ineffective.
But it was unnecessary anyway, as Bell remained unaffected. The effect of〚Liaris Freese〛proved far more powerful than she had imagined!
"Hestia, is this young man your Familia member?" With an enchanting smile, Freya instinctively cast her Charm gaze at the rabbit boy before her.
Yet the boy didn't fall into a trance, even as the Gods around them and children from the lower world succumbed to her natural Beauty's spell.
The Goddess of Beauty found herself satisfied with the rabbit's reaction.
However, someone else had caught her interest.
"Hestia, is this child your only Familia member?"
"Yes, Bell is my Familia member."
"Um... you're acting strange, Freya." Hestia sensed something amiss but answered innocently, "No, I actually have another child, but he just returned from an expedition and was tired, so I didn't bring him this time."
"Is that so? What a shame." Freya smiled, having received her answer.
Though she spoke of regret, her smile held none.
Her attendant Ottar immediately grasped his Goddess's meaning. But as a loyal servant, he maintained his stoic stance, standing tall behind his Goddess.
"Hold on, shorty." Loki grabbed Hestia's twin tails and spoke with narrowed eyes and a fierce tone, "Wasn't that Adam from your Familia who went on the expedition with us?"
"Eh...?!" Hestia's shock was evident.
Adam had left headquarters using an expedition as an excuse but hadn't mentioned joining anyone. She'd assumed he was simply leveling up alone on the 18th Floor like last time.
That explained why Bell hadn't seen Adam there when he'd encountered danger on the 18th Floor — he'd been with the Loki Familia.
This is bad! Could my invincible child be getting poached?!
"Hmph... hmph! So what if he did? My child is stronger than your WallenWhatsIt!" Hestia puffed out her chest in defiance.
Though she was clearly putting on a brave front. But Ais's next words truly shocked her.
"Indeed. Even I probably couldn't defeat him now."
Her matter-of-fact statement landed like a thunderbolt in their small circle, leaving the others rubbing their ears in disbelief.
"That's right! After all, Adam is my Familia member! Ahahahaha—!" Hestia puffed out her chest proudly.
Her demeanor shifted dramatically from feigned bravado to genuine confidence — quite the transformation.
Why had Adam gone on an expedition with the Loki Familia? She wondered about this too.
But facing her old rival, she couldn't reveal any doubt about her Familia member — she'd never hear the end of it. Her questions would have to wait until they returned home.
As the two glared at each other, their faces nearly touching, they failed to notice the Goddess of Beauty nearby, wearing her own proud expression.
"Don't get cocky, shorty! Even if your child can match Ais, my Familia isn't just Ais!"
"Hah—?! Who's the one always bragging about their precious next-generation idol, and now making excuses when their child gets outmatched by mine?"
"What did you say, midget!"
"Look who's talking, flat-chest!"
The two rivals' argument escalated beyond control. Neither showed any sign of backing down until a clear winner emerged.
Yet when the banquet's host made his entrance, both goddesses abruptly ceased their unseemly quarrel. After all, they were supposed to maintain some semblance of divine dignity.
...Though they'd long since abandoned such pretenses.
"Welcome, my fellow deities!"
Apollo's appearance immediately commanded everyone's attention. As host of the divine banquet, he welcomed all guests with impeccable social grace.
However, his gaze fixed intently on one person in the middle of the venue: the white-haired, red-eyed rabbit!
His intentions were far from pure!
Meanwhile, Hestia positioned herself in front of Bell, trying to shield him from Apollo's intense, predatory stare.
"Be careful, Bell!" She whispered nervously, "It seems Adam was right — this pervert Apollo has some unspeakable intentions."
"I understand, Lady Hestia." Bell nodded solemnly.
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