Tsuna had successfully landed a devastating [Burning Axle] on Ottar.
"Haa… Haa…"
I held back the output, but still…
This guy is unbelievably tough…
Tsuna was panting heavily, yet Ottar was somehow still standing. To take a direct hit from that attack and remain standing left both Tsuna and Reborn genuinely shocked.
This sensation…
Ottar felt a deep sense of nostalgia. It reminded him of the days when he challenged the Zeus and Hera Familias—the days when he was knocked into the dirt over and over again, utterly incapable of landing a single blow or even comprehending the attacks that struck him.
After those two great factions vanished, Ottar ascended to Level 7. He transitioned from the challenger to the challenged. It wasn't uncommon for the executives of the Freya Familia to test their mettle against him. But Ottar held little interest in those spars; he knew full well that they were no longer strong enough to truly satisfy his warrior's spirit.
But this was different. The boy before him was a true powerhouse, capable of pushing him to his limits. Even driven to the brink of defeat, Ottar's heart swelled with exhilarating anticipation.
He still wants to fight…
Tsuna knew Ottar wasn't the type of man who didn't understand when he was beaten. Yet, the Boaz clenched his charred fists, his fighting spirit completely unbroken. Though Tsuna despised fighting, he couldn't bring himself to trample on Ottar's extraordinary resolve.
It was then.
"[Smite eternally, immortal lightning general]."
""!?""
Someone quietly murmured an incantation. Instantly sensing the incoming magic, both Tsuna and Ottar leapt back to create distance.
"[Varian Hildr]."
A colossal barrage of lightning bombarded the space where they had just stood, kicking up a massive cloud of dust and debris.
"You certainly look like you're having fun, Ottar."
"…Lady Freya."
So this is…
The patron Goddess of the Freya Familia…
As the dust settled, Freya gracefully stepped forward, accompanied by Hedin.
Everyone in Orario knew that Freya had forcefully deported Ishtar back to Heaven. Because of her terrifying reputation, a tense silence fell over Tsuna and Reborn.
"You claimed you were merely going to investigate the noise, yet here you are brawling with a member of another Familia. What were you thinking, Ottar?" Hedin reprimanded sharply.
"…Forgive me."
Because Hedin was completely right, Ottar could only bow his head in apology.
"So you're Freya," Reborn spoke up.
"Yes, I am. And what of it?" Freya asked.
"I heard rumors that you deported a God, so I was expecting some terrifying monster. But you look pretty normal to me. Though, the rumors about you having a face that could captivate anyone seem to be dead on."
"My. You certainly know how to flatter a woman."
"It's not flattery. That said, I absolutely loathe you."
""!?""
Hearing someone explicitly state they hated the Goddess of Beauty—an entity whose charm was considered absolute—caused Hedin and Ottar's eyes to widen in utter shock.
"Ahahahahahahaha!!"
Freya, however, didn't take offense. Instead, she clutched her stomach and burst into a fit of genuine, ringing laughter.
She was well accustomed to women hating her out of pure jealousy for her beauty, but no man had ever looked her in the eye and bluntly declared his hatred. It was such a refreshing, unprecedented experience that she simply couldn't contain her amusement.
"You are a fascinating child. That is the first time a man has ever said such a thing to me."
"Glad I could entertain you."
"If you don't mind my asking, why exactly do you hate me?"
"Because you remind me of the guy I hate most in this world."
Reborn's mind flashed with the image of Checkerface—the man responsible for cursing him into the body of an infant.
When Reborn first encountered Checkerface in the future, he hadn't known the man was the one who had turned him into an Arcobaleno, yet he had instinctively felt a deep, visceral revulsion toward him. It was the aura of a higher being callously manipulating mortals from the shadows. Looking at Freya, Reborn felt that exact repulsive aura.
Even from this distance, I cannot see the color of his soul… Freya thought, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Despite standing only a few feet away, Freya found herself completely unable to perceive the color of Reborn's soul, deepening the mystery surrounding the bizarre infant.
"And why exactly were you fighting Ottar?" Freya asked.
"It's nothing serious. He just happened to show up, so I asked him to act as Tsuna's sparring partner. He agreed, that's all."
I cannot tell if he is lying… Just what is this child? Freya was unnerved by her inability to read the infant. He was clearly a bizarre existence, but he certainly wasn't a God, yet her divine eyes couldn't discern the truth in his words.
"Ottar. Is what he said true?"
"…Yes."
"I see."
Why did she go out of her way to confirm it with Ottar? By asking Ottar, Freya confirmed that Reborn's story was genuine. However, Hedin, knowing full well that Freya could perfectly discern lies, found it highly unusual that she had to verify the infant's words with her dependent.
What is this feeling…? While Reborn and Freya conversed, Tsuna stared at the Goddess. A profound, indescribable sense of dissonance washed over him, leaving him confused. Because of this overwhelming sensation, he completely tuned out their conversation.
"Syr…?"
"!?"
I-Impossible!?This boy…!? The moment the name unconsciously slipped from Tsuna's lips, Freya, Ottar, and Hedin all froze, their faces stiffening in utter shock.
The atmosphere just changed… Reborn didn't miss the sharp spike in tension that occurred the second Tsuna muttered that name, his dark eyes narrowing analytically.
"We are leaving, Hedin, Ottar."
Judging that staying any longer was incredibly dangerous, Freya turned and swiftly departed with her two executives in tow.
"Tsuna. Why did you bring up Syr's name just now?" Reborn asked.
"I… I don't really know… I was just looking at Freya, and her name slipped out…"
"Is there a chance Syr and Freya are the exact same person?"
"No… I don't think so… I can't really explain it, but Syr and Freya just feel… fundamentally different…"
If his intuition says they're different, then they probably are… But if that's the case, what the hell was with their reaction just now? Tsuna's Hyper Intuition was sharp enough to pierce through Possession Bullets and recognize Mukuro's true presence hiding within another body. If Tsuna said Syr and Freya weren't the same person, Reborn trusted that judgment. And yet, the blatant panic the Freya Familia had shown when the name was dropped bothered him immensely.
─────
Meanwhile, a short distance away.
"You mentioned before that Sawada Tsunayoshi possesses a terrifying ability to see through others, Lady Freya, but I never imagined it was to that extent…" Hedin muttered grimly.
"Yes. That completely exceeded my expectations. Well, as long as he is the only one who suspects the truth, it isn't a fatal issue. But if he were to make a remark like that in front of a crowd, it would become incredibly troublesome."
Even if Tsuna harbored no malicious intent, if third parties began to suspect her true identity, those with ill intentions could easily use it as leverage against her. Freya needed to nip this in the bud.
"What are your orders?"
"Have Horn walk around the city during the duration of this war to establish eyewitness accounts. Tell her to be exceptionally careful."
"By your will."
Receiving his orders, Hedin broke off from the group and sprinted back toward Orario.
"I am deeply sorry, Lady Freya. This is entirely my fault for agreeing to fight Sawada Tsunayoshi…" Ottar apologized, his head bowed low.
"Do not worry about it. Judging by his reaction, he isn't completely certain of my true identity either. Besides, I have no desire to become a petty Goddess who denies her dependents their purest wishes. You have nothing to apologize for."
Even though he had broken his word about simply 'investigating the noise,' Freya didn't blame him. Still, Ottar's heart was heavy with guilt.
Setting that aside… He can see the connection between myself and Syr, yet he remains completely oblivious to that poor girl's feelings for him? How fascinating… Freya mused, a soft, amused smile touching her lips.
----
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