Soaked in calamity-like mana, the aftermath was even more thorough than the lifeless gray wastelands left behind by the ancient monster Antares.
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"[Night Weaver]Fron Argon? Not only is his close-combat skill terrifyingly strong, but his magic technique has also reached an unparalleled level."
"That was an ultra-long chant, and yet he finished it in less than ten seconds… and while parallel-chanting at that."
Hundreds of monsters were completely annihilated in a single blow, utterly shocking everyone present.
When they once again looked at the figure standing in the center, they finally realized that sense of distance between themselves and a true powerhouse, no, it was simply the instinctive respect the weak feel for the strong.
When the battle was over, of course, cleaning up the battlefield was not something Fron the mighty would do; there were supporters for that.
Watching those busily clearing the battlefield, no one could suppress the rising heat in their chests.
"I didn't expect you to already be this strong. And yet Loki is still hiding it, so petty."
The god Hermes, grinning, walked over with Asfi, slung an arm around Fron's shoulder, and laughed.
"Uh, did Loki really do that?"
"..." The handsome god's smile stiffened, and Asfi burst into laughter.
Even Ryu, who had been quietly standing beside Fron, couldn't help but chuckle.
That attitude buried deep in this god's bones was always a headache to deal with, and there weren't many people who could shut him up with just a single line.
"I thought you were just an ordinary first-class adventurer, but…" Artemis gazed at Fron with an unusual expression. She didn't know why she was feeling this way, but… the flutter in her heart was real.
Whether in the heavens or the lower world, to stir such emotion and reaction in her, it was the first time.
"Ahem, please don't overpraise me, you two. I only did what I had to do. When conquering ruins, finishing battles quickly is best; that way, everyone saves their strength."
Hermes clapped his hands and looked at him with admiration.
"Not only unmatched in power, but your tactical vision is also sharp. Looks like Loki Familia has its successor."
Fron's performance naturally made the god think of that strategist, the [Braver].
Surely Fron's knowledge must have been passed down carefully.
The [Braver] Finn's strategy and command, the [Nine Hell]' magic and technique, the [Elgarm] Gareth's strength and courage,
In Fron's figure, Hermes saw all three of them. And on top of that, his own talent and potential…
'Has Loki Familia finally taken that step forward? I wonder what Zeus and Hera would think if they heard this news.'
Complex thoughts swirled in Hermes' mind, spinning endlessly in an instant.
"By the way, Fron. I hear you're acquainted with Bell Cranel? From the same village?"
After the battle, the atmosphere in camp returned to calm.
Fron, Ryu, Asfi, Hermes, and Artemis sat around the campfire, chatting idly.
With skewers of meat and vegetables he'd gotten from somewhere, Fron grilled them carefully over the coals.
The fragrance of spices mixed with the food's own aroma burst out, making everyone's throats swallow involuntarily, their eyes locked on Fron's hands as he cooked.
"Yes, we came from the same small town. For certain reasons, I came to Orario more than a year earlier than him, and things just turned out this way."
While grilling, Fron chatted with the god.
"Hmm, at his age he's still a bit childish, but… I think he'll become a hero."
"To think the [Night Weaver], a first-class adventurer like you, would rate that child so highly?"
Fron's words surprised not only Hermes, but also the others.
If anyone else had said this, they wouldn't have cared much about a boy who had only been an adventurer for two months. Even if his leveling speed was fast, that didn't mean much for the future.
But when the words came from [Night Weaver] Fron Argon, they carried a very different weight.
As one of Orario's top adventurers, who had created many miracles, Fron's judgment was not to be dismissed lightly, not even by gods like Hermes and Artemis.
Especially Hermes, who had been entrusted by an old acquaintance (Bell's foster grandfather, Zeus) to watch over Bell Cranel.
Pressing down the brim of his traveling hat, hiding his eyes in shadow, his lips curled slightly upward under the firelight. Those who knew him well, like Asfi, could easily sense something brewing.
Fron also noticed his reaction, amused at heart.
It felt like something interesting was about to happen. Would Bell become a hero molded by divine will, a puppet of the gods? Or would he defy their intentions and become an irregular hero?
"Come, everyone, try my cooking."
Seeing the skewers were ready, Fron placed them on a wooden tray and handed them out one by one.
"This one's yours, Ryu." Looking at the grilled vegetables in front of her, Ryu's eyes shifted strangely.
"Hmph, I thought you were one of those annoying insensitive men. But it seems you can be considerate toward girls too."
Asfi pouted, her tone and expression sour like she'd bitten a lemon. The sudden jab shattered the subtle atmosphere that had just been building between Fron and Ryu, leaving them both awkward.
"W-whoa… is, is this what they call a love triangle?" Lante's eyes sparkled like stars as she clasped her fists before her chest, full of excitement.
"Idiot! Where do you see a love triangle? It's just competition, that's all!"
Hearing the Artemis Familia girls' whispers, Hermes chuckled, leaning against a tree, biting into his skewer and washing it down with ale.
"Not a love triangle, my beautiful maidens. In this Great Tree Sea, and back in Orario, there are still plenty of women not present! Fron's popularity among female adventurers, tsk tsk tsk, rivals even the [Braver] himself."
"[Braver]? You mean the leader of Loki Familia, Finn Deimne?"
Thinking of Finn's adorable yet brilliant, charming face, the girls' eyes lit up in admiration.
"Exactly. Just like him, if Fron raised his arm and called out, who knows how many women would throw themselves at him? That's the level we're talking about."
"Hermes!!"
"?" A sharp, overwhelming aura suddenly crushed down on him, leaving the god dumbstruck.
"You dare plant such nonsense in my children's heads? I am the goddess of purity!"
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T/N: First bonus chapter for crossing 400 power stones; will post the second chapter in some time~