"Freya, aren't you the least suitable one here?"
Loki wasn't about to let Freya's arrogance slide and fired back as if he'd just swallowed a mouthful of gunpowder.
"After all, you're the Goddess of Beauty. No matter where you go, you're always the center of attention. But Bell hates being stared at by crowds. You walking down the street with him, shopping together—do you honestly think that's appropriate?"
That line hit Freya like a direct strike.
Realizing how accurate Loki's words were, Freya's expression twitched ever so slightly, betraying a flicker of irritation.
She knew Loki was right. With Bell's personality, he'd never feel at ease strolling through the streets beside her.
Hestia wasn't much of a problem—among the ordinary citizens of Orario, she wasn't particularly famous.
Hephaestus, though widely known, was the Goddess of Smithing. Even if she went out with a young man, no one would find it strange—especially given her reputation for mentoring talented children.
Even Loki often went out fooling around with her own children in public. Though her tendency to get overly familiar with the opposite sex might draw attention, everyone knew it was just her personality, and no one thought much of it.
But Freya? Her presence alone drew eyes like moths to a flame.
"See? I wasn't wrong, was I?"
Watching the mix of shifting emotions play across Freya's face, Loki couldn't help but feel pleased.
Finally, she'd scored a point against that woman.
But Loki's satisfaction didn't last. Freya's expression soon smoothed into calm composure, her earlier irritation fading completely—like it had only existed to toy with Loki in the first place.
Her smile returned, serene and confident, carrying neither disdain nor agitation—just the poise of someone entirely in control.
She didn't even bother denying Loki's point; in fact, she accepted it with ease.
"Hmm, you're right, Loki. If I invited that child out, we'd definitely run into all kinds of problems. But if I recall, that child has an ability to conceal his presence. As long as no one sees us, wouldn't everything be fine?"
Freya wasn't so easily rattled.
While Loki was speaking, Freya had already considered Bell's personality and played out the same scenario in her mind.
She didn't intend to parade him in public—she just wanted to experience the festival atmosphere with him.
Bell was already keeping his true self hidden, and Freya had no desire to expose that secret.
After all, gods were greedy. If any of them caught even a glimpse of Bell's true nature, it would bring her endless trouble.
"You..."
Loki stomped her foot in frustration. She'd expected Freya to lose control—but that woman remained infuriatingly calm.
"Loki, you didn't actually think I'd lost my temper, did you?"
"...Hmph. The way you looked just now wasn't fake. Acting all composed now, but a moment ago you looked ready to tear me apart."
Freya didn't deny it. In fact, she had wanted to tear Loki apart just now.
Loki's words had genuinely gotten under her skin.
Normally, she wouldn't have been affected like this—but this wasn't a normal situation.
Suddenly, a faint ripple passed through the space.
All four goddesses immediately sensed it—it was like a doorbell ringing in their divine home. Without any need for restriction or signal, they knew instantly that someone had returned.
The argument came to an abrupt halt as all four turned their attention toward the sound of the approaching door.
"Click!"
"I'm home."
The sound of the door opening, followed by that familiar voice, made all four goddesses rise to their feet in unison.
"Welcome home." ×4
Who else could possibly be greeted by four goddesses at once?
At that moment, Bell felt completely lost.
"Uh... yeah, I'm home."
He awkwardly repeated himself, his voice dry and uncertain.
Staring at the four goddesses seated before him, Bell couldn't help but feel a strange, creeping sense that he had returned a bit too early. Maybe he should've stayed outside longer—
Perhaps even gone to see what that festival was all about, the one he'd thought was boring and not worth his time. At least that would've been better than walking into this situation—four goddesses sitting together at the same table, radiating tension thick enough to cut through the air.
The atmosphere felt... dangerous.
Still, someone had to say something, right?
With a touch of hesitation, Bell decided to speak first.
"You four... happened to be sitting together today. Is this... a meeting?"
"A meeting?"
The four goddesses exchanged glances. Though they didn't particularly like the term, they decided to accept it for now.
"Let's call it a meeting. Mainly because the Holy Moon Festival is coming up soon—we were just discussing how to spend it."
"Holy Moon Festival..."
Bell blinked. The name sounded oddly familiar.
He was sure he hadn't heard it here in Orario. Even knowing there was a festival tonight, he hadn't paid attention to what kind. So... could it be something from his previous life?
Holy Moon Festival... Holy Moon Festival...
"!?"
Artemis!?
The only goddess tied to the moon was her—the Moon Goddess. Bell clearly remembered that Artemis had appeared during the Holy Moon Festival... though back then, the one who appeared was merely a lingering fragment of her divine memory.
'No wonder I felt there was something strange about this festival... But isn't it happening later than it should?'
If he remembered correctly, the Holy Moon Festival was supposed to take place after "Bell Cranel" reached Level 2. Yet now, he was already at Level 4. The timing seemed a little off.
Realizing this, Bell felt a twinge of mixed emotion.
Still, was that necessarily a bad thing?
The monster that devoured a god—the Scorpion Antares that absorbed divine power—was, in a way, a formidable and worthy challenge.
Unfortunately, Bell had no intention of using it as a stepping stone to reach Level 7.
'Still... this might be a good opportunity.'