"Long time no see, Freya!"
Astraea sat at the table, smiling at the silver-haired goddess before her.
"It truly has been a long time. It's been several hundred years since we last met, hasn't it?" Freya recalled their days in Heaven. "Though..."
The Goddess of Beauty looked Astraea up and down with a hint of emotion. "You've changed quite a bit. I almost didn't recognize you."
"No, my change isn't as great as you say, Freya."
"My essence remains the same. It's only that, when facing the children of the lower world, I chose a gentler approach."
Astraea opened her palm, sounding somewhat helpless. "If I followed the methods of Heaven, I would likely cause unimaginable harm to the children here."
"After all, justice is not merely the eradication of evil."
"It seems you've encountered quite a few interesting things since descending to the lower world, Astraea," Freya teased.
"How could I compare to you? You've been in the lower world far longer than I have, Freya!"
"Hehe! That's true."
The two goddesses conversed in one of the rooms of the Freya Familia as though chatting about everyday matters.
But the two standing behind them did not feel so relaxed.
Ottar and Elise stood respectively behind Freya and Astraea, quietly listening to the exchange between the goddesses.
Though the main topic had not yet begun, neither goddess yielded an inch in presence.
"Let's leave the past at that, Astraea," Freya said first, ending the small talk.
"You came here for something special, didn't you?"
"For example..."
"About your child defeating my Ottar?"
As she spoke, Freya shifted her gaze to the figure behind Astraea.
Ignoring Astraea, she continued as if talking to herself, "Publicly, she's a Level 1. But in reality, she possesses potential of at least Level 5."
"And if we include your other child, even Ottar was no match."
"Astraea, if we hadn't been friends for so many years and if I didn't understand your character, I might almost suspect you of cheating. Hehe."
The Goddess of Beauty smiled as she spoke, but the meaning behind her words was unmistakable.
She was accusing Astraea of cheating.
"I truly did not cheat. Elise is simply that special. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Though..."
"In that case, we would need to find a god to prove whether I'm lying or not."
Astraea revealed a troubled expression, only to appear suddenly enlightened the next moment.
"Ah, that's right! I remember Loki has such an ability, doesn't she?"
"We can see through mortal lies, but Loki is different. Her authority allows her to see through our lies as well, doesn't it?"
"She would be the most suitable candidate!"
Astraea smiled as she responded, causing Freya to raise an eyebrow.
At present, there were two Familias standing at the pinnacle of Orario.
Freya's was one of them. The other belonged to Loki.
Astraea's meaning was obvious.
Letting Loki act as a lie detector? That was merely an excuse.
If Freya dared to spread rumors outside, Astraea would go directly to Loki and discuss cooperation.
Regardless of the outcome, it would be more than enough to give Freya a headache.
"Is that so? Then perhaps I was overthinking things..."
"You are the Goddess of Justice, after all. Surely someone as fair as you would never do such a thing."
"See? You truly are my best friend, Freya. You understand me so well! Hehe!"
Though both of them were smiling, the two behind them felt that something in the atmosphere was deeply wrong.
"Very well, enough of this meaningless probing. Let's move to the main issue."
"Of course."
Astraea spoke first. "I came here because of Elise."
"I hope you will help conceal her true strength—for the time being."
"Oh?"
Freya's interest was instantly piqued.
"I thought you would make a grand announcement of this victory and use the opportunity to develop your Familia."
"I did consider it at first. But since you're my friend, Freya," Astraea replied, "I wouldn't do something excessive to a friend."
"So, for the sake of both our Familias, it's better to keep Elise's matter quiet. What do you think, Freya?"
"That would indeed preserve my Familia's reputation..."
"Right?"
"But I refuse."
"Your reason?"
Astraea's expression did not change at Freya's refusal. She had anticipated it would not be so simple. Freya would certainly demand something.
"Why should I help you at all, Astraea?"
"We may not have had any grievances before, but not long ago, your child just beat my Ottar."
"Why should I keep that secret for you?"
Freya poured herself another glass of red wine and took a gentle sip.
"You'll have to offer something in return. That would only be fair."
"So... what do you want, Freya?" Astraea sighed softly. "My Familia has only just been established. We don't have much valis. Payment in installments is possible, though."
"Relax. I have no interest in valis."
Freya's gaze drifted casually—yet it lingered, intentionally or not, on Elise.
"Lend me your child for a taste... how about it?"
"Such a beautiful girl. Even I can't resist wanting to try her flavor."
The moment those words left her lips, Elise shuddered and instinctively stepped back half a pace.
"Are you serious, Freya?"
Astraea's voice was devoid of emotion, but Elise could clearly sense that her goddess was angry.
"I can promise not to use charm. After some time, I'll return her to you intact... What do you say?"
"..."
Astraea remained silent and expressionless for a moment.
Then, strangely, she smiled.
It was beautiful—but carried a lethal danger.
"War."
The Goddess of Justice did not hesitate. Divine authority surged from her.
Freya naturally refused to be outdone and released her own divine aura in response.
"With a Familia of only two members, you intend to declare war on me?"
"Astraea, are you joking?"
"Of course... not," Astraea replied, sitting upright with extreme confidence written across her face.
"I have the finest Familia in the world."
"There is no possibility of losing."
"..."
The Goddess of Beauty stared at the Goddess of Justice for a long moment before her gaze finally shifted to Elise behind her.
What kind of magic did this girl possess?
To make Astraea go this far for her?