The grand hall in Babel Tower where the Denatus was held was truly magnificent. Situated higher than the other halls, the room was filled with towering white marble pillars adorned with lush green plants growing in golden pots.
At the center of the room, a beautiful fountain sprayed clear water, surrounded by luxurious and comfortable chairs.
"Oh, so Hermes is hosting this Denatus? I thought it would be Ganesha."
Hermes was greeted with enthusiastic applause from most of the gods and goddesses. However, Astraea sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap. She didn't join in the clapping.
Honestly, she didn't have a good impression of him. To her, Hermes was too cunning and untrustworthy.
"Usually, that narcissistic Ganesha hosts every Denatus. A lot of us got tired of seeing him, so it was decided that the next host would be chosen randomly. Hermes got picked." Loki explained briefly, her eyes scanning the room.
(Looks like that shortstack didn't show up. Tsk, that's for the best. She'd probably be bragging about her kid's recent feat on Floor 18.)
The "shortstack" Loki referred to was Hestia. Their relationship had been sour since their days in Heaven. Whenever they met, they almost always ended up arguing and hurling insults at each other.
"Loki, where's your hand touching?"
"Oops, that was subconscious. Don't get mad, Astraea."
Without a hint of guilt, Loki retracted her mischievous hand that had tried to touch Astraea's thigh.
"…"
Astraea merely sighed. She decided not to pay further attention to Loki's antics. While remaining vigilant for any more potential harassment, she focused on the proceedings of the Denatus.
"Alright, let's get started! First question: any exciting news we need to hear? If you've got something interesting to share, speak up now!"
Raising his hat slightly, Hermes asked with enthusiasm, livening up the atmosphere as several gods raised their hands.
"Me! Me! I heard Soma got a warning from the Guild, and his only hobby got banned!"
"W-What, are you serious!?"
"So, what's his hobby?"
"Uh… I don't know."
"I heard he's been sulking in a corner of his room! I'd love to see his pathetic face."
"I might go cheer him up later."
"You? You'd just rub salt in his wounds, wouldn't you?"
"This is sudden, but I heard Rakia's planning to attack Orario again."
"That's really sudden."
"Don't tell me it's Ares again."
"Isn't it about time we did something about that idiot? He's seriously annoying."
"Why is Ares so worshipped in that country?"
"Maybe because he's got a personality that's hard to hate? Kids love that kind of thing."
"Must be his stunning looks. His face is almost on par with a Goddess of Beauty. But I'm still Team Freya."
"He's got muscles but no brains."
Though the meeting was supposed to address formal and important matters, as expected from gods who descended to the Lower World for entertainment, the atmosphere remained relaxed and unhurried. They continued sharing opinions and gossip cheerfully.
Astraea observed the commotion calmly.
"This is going to take a while."
It wasn't her first time attending a Denatus. She was used to the playful and unserious attitude of her fellow gods.
"Alright, settle down." Hermes trying to calm the ruckus. With his laid-back demeanor, he scanned the hall filled with gods before continuing.
"In short, what we need to worry about right now is Rakia. I'll inform the Guild about this threat, and your Familia might be called to fight if an attack actually happens. So, be prepared."
"…"
The Denatus continued. Hermes skillfully sorted through the flurry of information and gossip, summarizing the key points. As the host, it was his duty to ensure the gods and goddesses from Orario's most influential Familias heard the most critical information.
He then went around, asking if there was any other news to share. Most responses were mere murmurs or trivial jokes. When his question seemed to fall on deaf ears…
"Alright, let's move on. Time for our main event—the alias ceremony!"
Instantly, the previously noisy room fell silent.
As Hermes spoke those words, many gods who had been vocal earlier suddenly quieted. Their expressions changed. Some eyes sparkled with excitement, while others even seemed to drool in anticipation.
They were familiar with how Denatus meetings worked, and their favorite part was coming.
Some faces even broke into wide, slightly wicked grins.
For many gods, this was their party—and for some unfortunate adventurers, it could be a small tragedy. The gods' often irresponsible "creativity" fest was about to begin.
"There are three adventurers who've reached Level 2, and one special adventurer who hasn't received an alias despite reaching Level 5! I'm sure you all know who that one is, right?"
The gods' and goddesses' silence in response to Hermes' question was as good as agreement.
"Alright, let's start with the first adventurer: Arden from Hachiman Familia!"
Hermes announced the name of one of the three Level 2 adventurers to receive an alias.
Immediately, a tense-faced god—Hachiman—stood up quickly.
"P-Please, go easy on him…!"
"Rejected!" xN
Dozens of gods and goddesses shouted in unison, accompanied by roaring laughter.
"Nooooooooo!"
Hachiman collapsed back into his seat, his face full of despair.
This was the moment to bestow aliases upon newly leveled-up adventurers. Every adventurer, upon reaching Level 2, would receive an official alias during the Denatus.
Names like Sword Princess for Ais Wallenstein or King for Ottar were born from this process. For the residents of the Lower World, these aliases were symbols of strength and fame, sacred names bestowed by the gods, regarded with awe, respect, and envy.
What they didn't know was that the gods often took great pleasure in bullying weaker Familia by giving their adventurers silly, embarrassing chuunibyou names purely for entertainment.
"How about Darkness Hunter?"
"Too generic! How about Sunlit Eye Piercing the Darkness?"
"I suggest Trash Hero!"
"No, no! I think Youth Dancing with Chickens is funnier!"
"I've got a better one! Eternal Guardian of the Boring God!"
"That's too long! How about Dragonblood Knight?"
"Boring! Red Gorilla!"
Ridiculous and over-the-top suggestions poured in. Hachiman could only sit limply. He knew his protests would go unheard.
Finally, after a chaotic debate, an alias was somehow approved by the majority—amid laughter: Shadow of Silence.
Hachiman sighed in resignation.
(At least it sounds cool on the surface.)
(As long as Arden doesn't learn the true meaning behind it, he'll act like other adventurers who take the gods' aliases with reverence.)
For him, the only consolation in this humiliating process was that Arden wouldn't know and would remain motivated.