""""...""""
"Ahem..."
"Lady Freya?"
"I never expected such a side to exist..."
The members of the Freya Familia stood in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on their goddess. Freya herself seemed quite flustered, pointedly avoiding their collective gaze.
The reason for their collective paralysis was simple...
"Hehe~ What's the matter, Ottar?"
"...It is nothing!"
'Hmm? Why is everyone acting so strange?'
Standing before them was Akumo, currently transformed into an Amazon. He wore a bright, innocent smile while practically clinging to Ottar's massive frame. His attire—or lack thereof—was a daring ensemble clearly inspired by Amazonian fashion, leaving very little to the imagination and making it impossible for the men to maintain their composure.
Akumo's transformation into a cheerful, vivacious girl reminiscent of the Loki Familia's Tiona and Tione sisters was more than enough to shake the resolve of even the most hardened veterans.
"Can I go out for a bit?"
""""No. (Absolutely not.)""""
"Hmph."
The only saving grace was that Akumo was fundamentally a powerful warrior; even in this form, he hadn't 'fallen' for anyone. The executives breathed a collective sigh of relief, shuddering to think of the catastrophe that would unfold if Akumo were to actually fall in love with someone in this state.
Freya let out a light laugh, noting that the Familia might truly have collapsed. She then turned to her children with a mischievous glint in her eyes, wondering aloud if it might be possible for Akumo to fall for someone now.
"""..."""
"The first one to move dies. This is a Captain's order for the sake of the Familia's survival."
"So scary~!"
Completely oblivious to the tension, Akumo continued to cling to them, effectively sealing the executives in place for the foreseeable future.
One hour of the three-hour duration had passed. Akumo was wandering through the Familia home, engaging the other members in cheerful conversation.
"Hiya, Heize!"
"Ah...! Akumo, good to see you too."
'Wow... I heard about it this morning, but I didn't think the personality would shift this much...'
"Hehe! Did everyone have a good run in the Dungeon? Nobody got hurt, right?"
"Yes, ma'am! Thank you for your concern!"
Heize, a close friend, watched with a mix of bewilderment and fascination. The regular members and even the fresh recruits were at a loss for how to handle this version of Akumo.
Yet, they couldn't deny the appeal. Unlike his usual poised and serenely beautiful self, this energetic Amazonian charm—radiating health and cheer—was incredibly captivating.
"Akumo... isn't this version kind of amazing?"
"Honestly, my heart actually skipped a beat...!"
"It's a different charm from the usual mature beauty!"
"If the Ishtar Familia had a woman like that, I'd have surrendered my entire fortune."
THUD—!
The member who voiced that final, disturbing thought was silenced by Ottar's 'precisely adjusted' punch. Ottar stood silently, his mind drifting toward Akumo, who had returned to his room.
As the members said, Akumo was currently the embodiment of an Amazon. That level of beauty could lead almost any man astray. If such a person were truly in the Ishtar Familia...
CRASH—!!!!!
"Phew... Such blasphemous thoughts..."
For a split second, Ottar had visualized Akumo in a setting he didn't recognize, entertaining customers. Enraged by the horrific mental image, he accidentally pulverized the stone floor beneath him.
Recalling that the Gods referred to such a situation as 'NTR,' Ottar massaged his throbbing temples, forcing the nightmare from his mind.
BOOM—!!!
CRACK—!!!
SHATTER—!!!
"...I'll have to arrange for repairs."
Ottar wasn't the only one; echoes of destruction rang throughout the home as other members likely grappled with similarly distressing thoughts.
Another hour passed. Akumo was currently sprawled out in his room.
S-t-r-e-t-c-h—!
"Nnnngh!!! Hah~ That feels great!"
'I feel like my body has become even more flexible~'
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
"One, two! One, two!"
As Akumo performed deep stretches, his body assumed positions that were unintentionally provocative. Anyone watching would have found the play of muscles and curves utterly intoxicating.
Creek—
"Akum— I'm leaving."
"Huh!? Ottar! Wait just a second!"
Patter, patter—!
"Where are you going~? Get over here!"
"Wait..."
"Help me with my stretching~! I'll give you a massage afterward as a thank you!"
Ottar tried to retreat the moment he saw Akumo stretching, but he was caught by the Amazon-enhanced physical specs. He ended up forced to assist.
He lifted his arms to help him stretch and braced his body whenever Akumo took a precarious, wobbly stance to prevent him from falling.
"Fufu! Thanks~ Now it's my turn to massage you!"
"No, that's..."
Grab—!
"It's fine! Just lie down!"
"Ngh!?"
'What is this strength...!'
Forced onto his stomach by Akumo's sheer power, Ottar was flustered, but ultimately surrendered to the massage.
Press, knead—!
"How is it? Feels good?"
Squeeze, squeeze—
"..."
"Ottar~? Won't you answer me?"
'It's been a while since I've seen him this flustered. This is fun!'
Press—!
".....!"
As Akumo's hands found the knots in Ottar's muscles, kneading them with surprisingly expert technique, the Boaz felt his tension beginning to melt away.
The problem, however, was that Akumo had climbed onto Ottar's back to apply leverage. Due to the difference in their builds, the distance between them was non-existent. Every time Akumo pushed down with force, the considerable weight of his 'generous heart' pressed firmly against Ottar's back.
"..."
"Otta-rr?"
Akumo capitalized on the situation, teasingly massaging his back, arms, and even legs to see how much Ottar could take.
However, at some point, Ottar stopped reacting entirely. He became as rigid as a stone statue. Sensing something was wrong, Akumo climbed down and leaned over to look at his face.
"Ottar?"
"..."
Poke, poke—
"Hello~?"
Pinch—
"Did my massage put you right to sleep?"
"..."
"Is he really asleep...? Hmm..."
'In that case...'
"Should I go do this for the other guys?"
GRAB—!!!
"Kyaak!?"
Upon hearing those words, Ottar's eyes snapped open. He seized Akumo's arm and stared at him with frightening intensity. Akumo laughed, finding the reaction amusing, and tried to pull his arm away, but it wouldn't budge.
"Um...? Ottar... could you let go now...?"
Tighter—
"Wait... just a minute...!"
'I thought you were 100% devoted to Lady Freya!!!'
Ottar held on with a strength unprecedented even for him. Akumo struggled, thrashing his arm in a desperate attempt to break free from the immovable grip.
And in that instant.
POOF—!!!!!!
"...Eh?"
'Wait... why am I with Ottar...'
"Have you returned to your senses?"
"H-Hyaaaaakh!!!!!!!!"
"..."
"Ottar! I'm incredibly embarrassed right now! I just need to change clothes!!! Let go!!"
'Aaaah!!! Why did I do all that...!!!'
Having returned to his original male form, Akumo took one look at his current 'Amazonian' outfit and turned bright red, struggling violently to escape.
Ottar watched the flustered warrior pleading and hitting his hand to be released. Only then did a thought cross the Boaz's mind.
'As I thought... the original is better.'
"Ottar...? Please let go..."
Lurch—!
"Ottar!?"
There was a variable that neither Ottar nor Akumo had accounted for.
Akumo's original face, paired with the daring Amazon outfit, the deep blush of shame, and the fact that they were alone in a room... after everything that had happened that morning, it was more than enough to cloud Ottar's judgment.
"..."
'My Goddess, forgive me.'
That day, the devotee who had only ever looked toward his goddess accepted a new goddess into his heart.
Rumble—!!!!!!!
"GET THAT BASTARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"DIE!!!!!!"
"The darkness flowing in my arm craves your blood!!!!!!"
""""UOOOOO!!!!!!!""""
The following day, it was perhaps inevitable that the goddess's followers, fueled by rage and a sense of betrayal, would mobilize in unison to hunt down Ottar.
The sight of Akumo emerging from his room with a stiff lower back, followed by Ottar wearing a face of enlightened transcendence, was more than enough to tip the executives off.
"Guys... I'm okay, so..."
"I will absolutely kill you, Ottar!!!!!!!!!!!!"
'Even Hedin's lost it...!'
"Lady Freya... please, do something..."
"Fufu, shall we join them next time?"
"Sigh..."
Even with the Familia on the brink of collapse, the Goddess of Beauty simply laughed in amusement, looking forward to when the rest of her children would open their hearts. Akumo could only let out a long sigh, dreading the chaotic days ahead.