The Guild was alive with chatter.
Misha spotted Eina returning to her post and rushed over. "You're finally back! Something big has happened!"
"W-what exactly happened?" Eina asked, looking at her friend's serious face, a wave of panic creeping in.
Logically, news of Bell's level up shouldn't have spread yet.
"Come here a moment."
Misha pulled Eina aside and whispered, her tone conspiratorial. "Actually, that boy... suddenly gained twenty new members in his harem!"
"...?" Eina was completely confused by what her friend was saying.
"It's absolutely true. They were all part of the original Artemis familia, and now they've joined Hestia's familia."
Misha's mind drifted back to the beautiful young women she'd seen and continued, "I overheard everything when they came to register here..."
Artemis had broken the taboo and fallen in love with the boy.
At first, the goddess's familia members had only discussed the future, but the conversation slowly shifted. Eventually, someone even suggested that if the goddess disapproved of such matters, their loyal self would be happy to step in and take her place.
Though that comment was quickly corrected by the others, it left an undeniable impression in Misha's heart.
"Those girls are terrifying! You need to step up your game!" Misha gave Eina a pointed look, her tone one of playful urgency.
"Step... up? What are you talking about?" Eina hurried back to her desk.
Misha, noticing the faint blush on the half-elf's cheeks, narrowed her eyes and said, "Hmm, I sense something strange. Come on, tell me—did you have dinner with that boy?!"
"Ugh... Stop it!" Eina quickly lowered her head, burying her flustered thoughts in her work.
Misha ignored her friend's embarrassment, turning away and muttering under her breath, "Honestly, I was just trying to help. [The enemy] has already entered Orario."
...
Within the Twilight Manor.
"I'm full. Thank you for the meal."
Lefiya lightly clapped her hands and set down her cutlery.
"Lefiya, have you not had much of an appetite lately? You're exercising all the time, but if you don't eat properly, your chest isn't going to grow, you know," Loki said with a chuckle.
"Um..."
Already feeling a bit down, Lefiya had no idea how to respond to remarks that sounded more like something out of a middle-aged man's mouth.
"Could it be you're not feeling well? I could give you a thorough examination, you know."
"Loki, you're being... Lefiya is really troubled..."
Seeing the Familia Goddess clinging to Lefiya, Ais immediately stepped in to defuse the situation.
"Oh, oh, sorry about that, Lefiya. That [Arrow of Orion] the other day was just too exciting. My heart is still racing," Loki said, laughing as she apologized.
A divine arrow aimed at the Genkai, a pillar of light unlike the one used in Divine Return.
For all the gods, it was an exhilarating [unknown].
Ais paid Loki no attention. She set down her cutlery and followed Lefiya as she left the dining hall.
"Lefiya... are you worried about Bell?"
Ais had no sense of subtlety and voiced her question outright.
"Huh...? I-I'm not worried about that human at all!"
A flush immediately crept up Lefiya's cheeks.
"...Really?"
Ais blinked, her golden eyes fixed on Lefiya's face.
"Um... do you think Bell Cranel will be alright, Ais-san?"
In the end, Lefiya couldn't stand up to this naturally straightforward girl.
Lying to the one she admired so deeply was simply too hard.
Ever since the day Bell Cranel suddenly disappeared, Lefiya had been unable to sleep properly.
She couldn't quite put the feeling in her heart into words.
Whether it was the Sword City or the journey to the land of the spirits, Lefiya had been there throughout it all.
And yet, without warning, the boy had left, taking the goddess Hestia and the others with him.
Lefiya felt as though she had been left behind.
Once she became aware of these awkward feelings, her worry and gloom only continued to grow.
What had the boy encountered, exactly?
Had something happened to him?
Could it be that he had simply left Orario and settled near some other great unexplored region?
Lefiya's habit of overthinking continued to spiral.
Even though the dungeon's upheaval had already ended, and the crescent moon and bow in the sky had disappeared, she still couldn't stop worrying.
"If it's Bell, he'll be fine..."
Ais spoke without any hesitation, voicing her thoughts just as they came.
"But even Hestia-sama went with him? Maybe they'll end up moving somewhere else to live..."
Lefiya said timidly.
"..."
Ais didn't know how to respond.
Would Bell really move to another city?
That thought seeped into Ais as well, leaving her feeling a little down.
After thinking for a moment, she spoke.
"If that really happens... Lefiya, I'll go with you to bring Bell back..."
"Really?!"
Lefiya immediately brightened up.
"Mm..."
Ais smiled softly.
The next moment, a clear and graceful voice interrupted them.
"What are you two talking about? Bell Cranel is already back, you know."
Riveria appeared from the other side of the corridor, cutting off what was starting to sound like a rather dangerous conversation.
"Riveria-sama... h-he's already back in Orario?!"
A glimmer of light flashed in Lefiya's eyes.
"Yes. I just had lunch with Bell Cranel a short while ago."
Riveria replied gently.
"Huh?!"
Lefiya's mouth fell open in shock.
He came back and didn't even tell me he was safe, and instead went to have lunch with Riveria-sama?!
"That rabbit! I'm going to roast him!"
Lefiya stomped her foot.
She glanced at her clothes, as if suddenly remembering something, then hurried off toward her room.
"Lefiya... she's full of energy again..."
Ais said happily.
"Judging by her reaction, she's probably gone to change clothes."
Riveria's lips curved upward as she silently offered her blessings to the boy.
...
Inside a certain luxurious hall.
The goddess Freya swept her gaze over Ottar and the others, then spoke softly.
"[The enemy] has already entered the city."
"Yes. As long as you give the order, I alone can deal with them."
Allen knelt on one knee, requesting permission to fight.
"I believe I've already told you not to cause trouble for the girls."
Freya shot Allen a cold glance, then continued.
"Speaking of which, tomorrow should be [Valentine's Day], shouldn't it?"
"No, Freya-sama. Valentine's Day has already passed."
Allen replied respectfully.
"...."
Freya lightly waved her hand.
"Ottar."
"Yes."
Ottar stepped forward calmly, grabbed Allen by the head, and dragged him straight out the door.
As the sounds of fighting faded into the distance, Freya's expression remained unchanged.
"Tomorrow should be Valentine's Day, correct?"
The goddess asked once more.
"Yes. I will act according to your will."
A glint flashed across Hedin's glasses.
"Very well. Heith, come to the kitchen with me later. I'll make arrangements regarding the trump card."
Freya looked up at the sky, as if gazing at the crescent moon and bow that had once been there.
"Everyone, the time for the [Holy War] has come."