His thoughts drifted like dust, but his expression remained perfectly still.
Bell had long since mastered the art of concealment. If his face ever betrayed his thoughts so easily, he'd have been exposed countless times by now.
"The Holy Moon Festival... this is the first I've heard of it. But while I was investigating Ryuu's situation earlier, I noticed the streets of Orario had been decorated quite a bit. It really does look like preparations for some kind of festival."
"But for a festival like this, didn't you usually celebrate with your Familia members?"
It might have been Bell's first time hearing about it, but at least three of the goddesses present had likely experienced it before.
"That was then. This year's different."
Freya, of course, didn't deny attending previous Holy Moon Festivals. Every year, she found an excuse to go out during these events—otherwise, her children would keep her under strict watch, afraid someone might lure her away.
"Besides, my children worry every day that someone will try to steal me. Festivals like these are the only time I can sneak out."
So you do have that kind of self-awareness, huh?
Bell's mouth twitched slightly. He could completely understand why Freya's Familia acted the way they did. With a goddess this open-minded and constantly searching for her "fated one," how could they not keep a close eye on her?
And as for Orario's situation—others might not know, but Bell certainly did.
With a beauty like Freya walking around outside, any man's gaze would inevitably follow her. Of course, most adventurers in Orario were smart enough to know which people were best not to provoke—especially in a city where Familia Gods were everywhere.
Still, that didn't mean there weren't idiots around. There would always be those who thought, "If I die for beauty, at least I'll die happy."
"I think you'd better not wander around too freely. Most adventurers in Orario understand the value of their lives—and their wallets. But what this city never lacks are people with broken common sense."
"You're a goddess—you can defend yourself. But if it were an ordinary girl, she'd probably end up dragged off to some shady casino."
Freya gave Bell a wry, helpless smile.
"You're saying the same thing my children tell me."
"I think any goddess of beauty has good reason to worry about that."
Bell spoke with genuine understanding. To him, this wasn't a casual remark—it was a real concern worth discussing.
"So... that's what you were all talking about earlier?"
The four goddesses exchanged glances, then silently agreed to let Bell keep his misunderstanding.
"Exactly!" ×4
"After all, it's not every day we get to celebrate the Holy Moon Festival," Hestia said. "We were just talking about how we should spend it."
Bell nodded slightly and followed her lead.
"If it's just about soaking in the festival atmosphere, that's easy enough. I can set up a barrier—people inside it will be subconsciously ignored by anyone outside. But if you want to really enjoy yourselves, that might be trickier."
"Then let's just enjoy the atmosphere."
Hestia didn't have any particular demands. All she wanted was to experience the mood of the festival—just walking around Orario with Bell by her side would be more than enough.
"Bell, can't you cast one of those Cognitive Obstruction barriers over our faces?"
"I could, but I don't recommend it."
Hestia tilted her head, confused.
"Would it interfere with our shopping?"
"Well... you could call it interference, I suppose. Maybe it'll be clearer if you experience it firsthand. Freya, could I trouble you for a moment?"
"Of course."
Freya agreed without hesitation.
It wasn't as though this would put any strain on her. Bell stepped closer, reached out, and lightly touched her face. In an instant, Freya's once-stunning features blurred before the three other goddesses' eyes.
"Mm... I can't see Freya's face anymore."
Hestia immediately noticed her vision go hazy.
The barrier's effect was instant. Even though she could still recall Freya's image in her mind, she found herself unable to clearly picture her face while looking directly at her.
"This barrier's really impressive. I wonder how it'd work in a bathhouse?"
Bell almost froze at Loki's remark.
"Loki, it's just a cognitive barrier. Even if you covered your face in the bathhouse, Vice Captain Riveria would still know it's you."
"And not just your own familia—your reputation's spread all across Orario. If any gods or adventurers saw someone in a bath whose face couldn't be seen but could tell it was a woman, the chance of you being exposed would be practically one hundred percent."
The implication was obvious.
Loki, get a clue. Others might not see your face thanks to the barrier, but that sleazy aura of yours gives you away immediately.
"Pfft!"
Hestia and Hephaestus both burst out laughing.
Freya nearly lost it too—Bell's words were just too accurate. Even if Loki covered her face completely, the moment that lecherous aura slipped out, everyone in Orario would know exactly who she was.
Even Loki herself looked visibly offended.
"Damn it! You're obviously picking on me!"
Bell shook his head calmly, shooting her a disdainful look.
"I'm really not. It's just that your personality is... too distinct. You're so lecherous that even this kind of barrier magic can't hide your aura."
"And that brings me to the real flaw in this Cognitive Obstruction spell. I only use it to mask my face—to make sure people overlook my presence. But you goddesses can't get away with that."
By "you goddesses," Bell clearly meant Hestia, Hephaestus, and Freya—excluding Loki.
"Loki not included."
"Wait! Hold on! What do you mean 'not included'?!"
Bell didn't answer. His gaze simply drifted downward, lowering at an angle.
For some goddesses, that angle was a compliment. For others, it was pure insult.
Oh-ho~
The three goddesses who noticed his look unconsciously straightened their backs in pride.
Meanwhile, Loki—who also caught where his eyes had gone—was grinding her teeth hard enough to spark fire.
"Damn you!"
With that shout, she lunged straight at Bell, full of murderous energy—clearly determined to leave him with something to remember her by.