At the very top of Babel, moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in silver.
Freya stood by the window with a glass of red wine in her hand. The dark liquid swirled gently in the crystal glass, gleaming like blood beneath the moonlight.
She wore a long white gown, her silver hair cascading to her waist. Her exquisite, coolly beautiful face was expressionless, but something flickered in her eyes.
It was neither curiosity nor anticipation.
It was scrutiny.
Behind her stood Ottar, Orario's strongest adventurer. His head was bowed, his voice low and steady.
"Freya-sama, we've confirmed the information about Genichi."
"Go on."
Her voice was soft, yet carried unquestionable authority.
"All the deceased Astraea Familia members have indeed been resurrected. Their condition is no different from when they were alive. According to our information, the one who cast the resurrection magic was Genichi."
Freya's fingers brushed against her wineglass, her knuckles paling slightly.
The corners of her mouth lifted into a meaningful smile.
"Resurrection magic? That is quite a surprise."
Her voice held wonder, reflection, and an excitement she could not quite name.
She had witnessed countless miracles, heroes, and mortal lives. Yet bringing back the dead belonged to a realm only the gods could enter.
And Genichi, a human who had become an adventurer only a few months ago, had accomplished it.
It made her all the more curious about him.
"Find out who's spreading this information through Orario."
Her tone was calm, but a chill passed through her eyes.
She knew this news had not spread by chance. Someone was pushing it from behind the scenes, deliberately circulating it to achieve a particular end.
She needed to know who, why, and whether Genichi was their target.
"According to what we've learned, the information was leaked from within the Guild."
A trace of hesitation entered Ottar's voice.
"It may even have come from…"
Freya's brow furrowed.
Ouranos, the god at the head of the Guild.
The great deity who watched over the Dungeon and safeguarded Orario.
Why would he do such a thing?
It offered him no obvious benefit. It might even bring Orario unforeseen trouble.
Ouranos was not someone who acted without purpose. Every move carried meaning, every decision came after careful consideration.
If he had released this information, he had a reason.
But Freya could not see it.
Why would Ouranos create trouble for Genichi? Why would he draw attention to him? What was he trying to help Genichi accomplish?
She shook her head.
"Keep investigating."
Her voice grew more serious.
"I suspect there's more to this."
Ottar nodded and withdrew.
Silence settled over the room, leaving Freya alone.
She stood by the window, looking out over the moonlit city, but another figure occupied her thoughts.
Genichi.
His eyes, calm and deep, like a lake whose bottom lay beyond sight. His voice, low and steady, carrying a force that made him difficult to refuse.
His soul was an iridescent black, filthy, bloody, and steeped in sin. Yet something shone within that darkness.
The light of life. Of struggle. Of an unyielding will to survive.
Freya's lips curved faintly.
She had seen countless souls, countless heroes, countless mortals. But never a soul like his.
It was too complex, too contradictory.
Too fascinating.
She wanted to examine that soul more closely, to understand the young man more deeply, to experience his presence from nearer at hand.
But the time had not yet come.
She still needed to wait, to observe, and to determine whether he was worth pursuing herself.
Turning from the window, she returned to the table and set down her glass.
The wine swayed gently, reflecting her silver hair, delicate features, cool expression, and those eyes that seemed to see through everything.
She reached out and traced the rim of the glass, her fingertip making a faint sound against the crystal.
"Genichi…"
She murmured his name softly, almost as though calling to an old friend.
"Just how far can you go?"
No one answered.
Moonlight poured through the window, stretching her shadow across the floor.
An expectant smile touched her lips.
She believed that young man would not disappoint her.
Meanwhile, in the Demeter Familia's living room, Genichi sat on the sofa with a cup of cold tea in his hand. His expression was composed, but a trace of gloom lingered in his eyes.
His fingers tapped a steady rhythm against the cup.
Demeter sat beside him, watching him with concern.
"Genichi, what's wrong?"
Her voice was gentle and worried.
He was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Ouranos leaked the news about my resurrection magic."
His voice remained calm, but his eyes cooled.
"He's using me. He's using the Astraea Familia's resurrection, using this information to accomplish something he hasn't told me about."
Demeter frowned slightly.
"Are you sure he's the one who leaked it?"
"Yes."
Genichi nodded.
"No one else has both the motive and the ability. Nothing that happens inside the Guild escapes his notice. If he wanted to suppress this information, he would have done it already. Instead, he's letting it spread faster and farther, until everyone knows."
Demeter fell silent.
She knew he had a point. Ouranos had both the means and reason to act.
But why would he do this?
She could not understand it either.
"Maybe… he's trying to help you?"
There was a tentative note in her voice.
Genichi shook his head.
"Help me? By creating trouble for me? Drawing everyone's attention to me? Making sure Ishtar sets her sights on me? That's not helping. It's putting me in danger."
Demeter had no answer.
She knew he was right. Once word of his resurrection magic spread, people would come.
Those who had lost loved ones would seek him out. So would those who wanted to exploit him, and those who envied him.
His life would be thrown into chaos. His safety would be threatened, and his plans would be disrupted.
This would hurt him, not help him.
"What are you going to do?"
Worry colored Demeter's voice.
(End of Chapter)
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