Hermes didn't linger at Hestia Familia. Using the spatial tunnel in Loki's room, he returned with Asfi to Loki Familia.
As soon as they left, Hermes headed straight for the Guild with Asfi at his side.
Though the streets of Orario were cloaked in night, his heart felt heavier than ever.
Carrying the greatest secret in the world, Hermes had come to a stark realization—everything faced by the gods and the children of the Genkai was nothing but a carefully orchestrated "scam." The gods, in all their self-importance, were nothing more than pieces on someone else's chessboard.
For a god, there was no greater irony.
But if they didn't want to stay pawns, they had to find a way out. That was the only way to break the game.
'Zeus... you old bastard, you knew all along that kid was the key, didn't you?'
'I should've known. You've still got that deadly eye for talent. No wonder Ouranos arranged for you and Hera to leave Orario—it wasn't exile, it was strategy. You were raising the child who'd carry our hopes and open the path forward.'
Hermes, who had always considered himself clever, couldn't help but admire Zeus's foresight.
Back in Tenkai, that perverted old man could size up a goddess's figure in an instant—and describe it to the last decimal. Hermes had once thought all of Zeus's perception was wasted on lust, but now it seemed his eye for talent might've even surpassed Freya's.
Shaking his head, Hermes continued on toward the Guild.
"Ah, Hermes... it's been a while."
Hermes froze. That voice—he knew it all too well.
He turned his head and saw a cloaked and hooded woman standing next to Orario's most famous adventurer. There was no need to guess her identity.
"Freya, even under moonlight, your beauty remains as radiant as ever."
"Heh~ Still as sweet-tongued as ever. But Hermes, I'm not here for flattery."
Disguised as she was, Freya's eyes gleamed with a spark of interest.
"I figured as much..."
Hermes let out a dry laugh. He'd been hoping to avoid trouble, yet he'd run straight into the most troublesome woman in all of Orario.
"Freya, do you need something from me?"
"Hermes, you're heading to speak with Ouranos, aren't you?"
"That's right. I just finished talking with Loki and was on my way to discuss something important."
"Oh~ Something important? Could it be about that child and the Black Dragon? Or is it the reason Loki was so desperate to find you?"
So she really did know. Hermes had never underestimated Freya—he'd even kept himself composed from the start to avoid slipping up.
But clearly, this woman had already put the pieces together.
"That child and the Black Dragon? Freya, I'm not sure I follow. My conversation with Loki had nothing to do with the Black Dragon—it was about something else entirely."
Freya smiled, eyes locked on Hermes.
"Isn't Ouranos acting this way because of that child? He jumped to pin the blame on the Evilus without a second thought—and that's because of that child, isn't it?"
"It's only been a few days, and already Loki rushed to find you. Hestia, Hephaestus, and Loki all decided to drag you into this, didn't they? There's a deeper secret behind all of this, isn't there?"
Every word made Hermes feel numb.
He'd expected Freya to have some idea of what was going on. But he hadn't thought she'd already guessed so close to the truth—close enough to even touch on the Black Dragon's hidden secret. Maybe she didn't know the core of it... but this chance encounter had given her the perfect leverage.
If...
"I believe, as a god, I have a certain responsibility for the peace and stability of Orario. I wish to meet with Ouranos and express my desire to contribute."
She really isn't giving herself any escape route!?
Hermes was completely stunned. He had expected Freya to use Orario's safety as a bargaining chip—but instead, she left no room for negotiation and was flat-out binding herself to the Guild's agenda.
"Hermes, do you think Ouranos will accept my request?"
Of course he will! Hermes was absolutely certain that Ouranos would agree to Freya's proposal.
Freya's actions were very pointed, but not harmful to Orario. In fact, bringing both Loki Familia and Freya Familia into this would be a huge help in defeating the Black Dragon and eliminating the Evilus.
If it was something beneficial, Ouranos would never refuse.
Besides, her motives were obvious—it was all for Bell. As long as Freya promised not to interfere with certain matters, Ouranos would have no reason to reject her involvement.
"Freya, do you really have to go this far?"
"Hermes, this is no game to me."
There wasn't a hint of amusement on Freya's face. She was now more convinced than ever—her vision had been deliberately blocked that day. Otherwise, she never would've failed to see that child's soul's color.
She wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics, just as she had promised Hestia that day. After all, that child had been listening too.
For a god, leaving a good impression on a child was one way to earn their attention.
Even if some methods were restricted to her now, it didn't mean she was out of options.
This, right now, was a very effective one.
"So, will you come with me to the Guild now?"
"Of course. It's my honor."
Faced with Freya's firm stance, Hermes had no choice but to force a bitter smile and agree.
Asfi, standing behind them, could only cover her face helplessly.
'This is going to be a headache...'
She understood exactly how Hermes felt. Just as she had been stunned earlier upon hearing the world's greatest secret, this moment brought another kind of pressure.
Two gods, accompanied by the leaders of their Familia, heading to the Guild at the same time—and requesting a meeting with Ouranos. That alone was no trivial matter.
But given Hermes' special standing, Royman, the Guild's administrator, had no choice but to report it.
And Ouranos approved the meeting.
Only, the audience with Ouranos would be limited to the two Familia Gods.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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