Ren chuckled lightly as he watched the two gods playing around like children.
"Kid, what are you laughing at?"
"I'm thinking of something happy," Ren replied.
"Um, Ren, do you have time to eat together?" Ais asked seriously, recalling that meal with Lefiya and wanting to try the same.
"Sure, but not right now. I need to solve this problem first."
"Do you need my help?" Ais looked at Ren. She didn't like owing anyone favors.
"Dancing with me next is already helping," he said.
"Oh."
Then, a figure appeared, instantly drawing all eyes. Whether from the Familias or the gods with weaker resistance, everyone stared at the figure in awe.
This figure could be described by all the beauty in the world. No matter the gender, anyone who knew the feeling of longing for perfection would recognize this goddess.
The banquet seemed to pause, silent except for the goddess's footsteps descending the stairs. Her red lips parted, and her voice was the most beautiful sound in the world.
"Ren, will you join my Familia?"
Ren had extremely high resistance, naturally immune to Freya's charm. Even without it, he felt she was an extraordinarily beautiful goddess.
"Answer?" Freya pressed.
"Although Freya Familia is very powerful, and I once wanted to join, I refuse now," Ren said.
"Refused!?" The other gods finally snapped back. It wasn't that they had resisted Freya's charm themselves—it was that Freya voluntarily gave up charming. The goddess looked stunned after being turned down.
Ais looked at Ren with a complex expression. She hadn't been able to resist Freya's charm, so his refusal proved he was immune to it. The more she understood him, the more curious she became.
"Ren." Hestia rushed over and clung to him, even though she was dressed in a formal gown.
"Lady Hestia, were you just… mesmerized?" Ren asked suddenly.
"Haha, I can't help it. She's irresistible to both men and women," Hestia said, jumping down, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"He actually rejected me? That's a first… but it's fine," Freya adjusted her stance, her eyes burning with intensity.
Her charm had no effect on him—that had never happened before. When he first tried to join her Familia, she hadn't seen such ability. No matter what, she had to have Ren.
Ren shivered involuntarily. If he remembered correctly, Freya rarely took part in these events; she came here entirely for him. What about the main character? Didn't he matter?
"Welcome, everyone, and a special greeting to Hestia," Apollo announced as he appeared, drawing all eyes to him.
Freya concealed her figure again. Her entrance was over, but she hadn't left. She wanted to observe the potential in this child.
"You're a virgin, yet as a virgin goddess, you were mesmerized?" Loki mocked loudly.
"Stop talking nonsense. Weren't you the same?" Hestia snapped back, sparking another argument with Loki.
"They really don't get along," Ren muttered as he came to Ais's side. He wasn't interested in what the men on stage were saying; this guy had completely shattered his ideal of the Sun God.
"Mm," Ais nodded.
As the lights dimmed, Ren reached out his hand toward Ais.
Ais happily placed her hand in his, and together they moved onto the stage.
"It's all your fault," Hestia said, trying to stop them but it was too late, so she blamed Loki instead.
"You're the one to blame. Ais is my treasure," Loki shot back.
Soon, neither of them argued anymore. On stage, their movements were graceful. Though slightly clumsy at first, they quickly synchronized, flowing together like a beautiful waltz.
The lights now focused on them, naturally drawing all eyes in their direction.
"Ais… you're amazing," Ren said, holding her hand.
"You're the amazing one, Ren, with that incredible magic," Ais replied sincerely, admiring him.
"It's unfair, isn't it? A lazy person like me without any goals having such abilities," Ren said with a shrug.
Ais shook her head. "Blaming your own weakness on others—that's the true weakness."
"Shall we dance another round?"
"Mm."
This stage seemed made for just the two of them. They drew the gaze of the gods, Apollo included. But he wasn't drawn by curiosity—he was filled with anger. Ren had taken the lives of many of his Familia.
Though they could be replaced quickly, it was unforgivable. Those people had been valuable tools.
After the dance ended, Ren came to Hestia's side, trying to soothe the angry goddess.
"Ais, what happened to Ren to make him like this?" Loki whispered. She trusted her initial judgment. She had thought he had no talent, but now he was so powerful—he must have gone through something extraordinary.
"Sorry," Ais murmured. She didn't want to use Ren.
"I see," Loki said casually. She didn't mind. Soon, someone would test him, and this game would be controlled by the gods.
Sure enough, Apollo began arguing with Hestia. Of course, it was Hestia who was angry, and Apollo wore a look of satisfaction.
Ren pulled Hestia back and glared at Apollo. "If that's the case, then let's play by your gods' rules. A War Game it shall be. I declare war on you in the name of Hestia Familia."
"Wait…" Hestia tried to stop him.
"Good. Exciting. You know the rules of the War Game, right?" Apollo looked at Hestia.
"I understand," Hestia said, her lips trembling. Losing would mean being expelled from Orario. Even for gods, who could live forever, that was deadly.
But what Hestia feared wasn't being expelled—it was losing the Familia she had finally gained.
"Excellent. If I win, he'll belong to me," Apollo said, turning his gaze toward Ren.
"Hestia-sama, trust your Familia," Ren said, noticing her hesitation.
"Alright. I agree. Bell can be returned to me now, right?" Hestia looked at Apollo.
"Don't worry. He's fine. I just asked him to have a few meals with me," Apollo said cheerfully, releasing Bell. In the end, Bell had simply been bait to lure Hestia in.
After speaking, Apollo turned to the gods and said, "Next, the Apollo Familia will have a war game with the Hestia Familia. All of you will act as referees. You are welcome to watch. Hestia Familia will attack, and my Familia will defend."
After Apollo finished speaking, the scene erupted in excitement. It had been a long time since they had seen War Game.
"Lady Freya, should I go warn the Apollo Familia?" a beastman asked the woman who seemed to embody beauty itself.
"He will win. The person I chose will definitely win. Apollo is nothing but a clown," Freya said with a light laugh, showing no concern.
The beastman clenched his fist. Jealousy toward Ren welled up inside him. In his view, no one should reject Lady Freya, and yet someone had—and on top of that, this person had somehow captured her attention. It was unforgivable.
**********
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