The scene didn't end there.
"Black Dragon, will you allow me to retreat now?"
The sudden question drew the full attention of the three gods.
Since ancient times, no adventurer had ever escaped from the Black Dragon unscathed. Even the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia hadn't managed that.
"It's hard to admit, but I'm still not your match. I don't think I can surpass you right now."
"You think I would just let you go?"
It was only natural that Bell wasn't strong enough to face the Black Dragon. He had been an adventurer for less than half a year. If he already had the power to challenge the Black Dragon, then everyone else in Orario might as well be useless.
The three gods knew Bell had managed to escape, but seeing this footage, it clearly hadn't been that simple.
The pure white space was overwhelmed by black and red energy, completely dyed in the Black Dragon's presence. The sheer pressure of it stung the eyes of the three gods.
But the boy didn't flinch. He stood firm, facing the threat head-on.
Zzzz!
Blue-white lightning surged across his body, pushing back the black-red aura completely. The crackling lightning held its ground against the Black Dragon's overwhelming pressure, even pushing back, fighting for dominance.
It was then that the boy finally revealed his true strength.
Level 4.
The gods all sensed it clearly. And what filled their eyes was astonishment—pure awe at such power.
In just half a year, he had gone from nothing to reaching Lv. 4. That kind of growth was unheard of for any adventurer.
And in that flashing lightning, the gods saw something else—another unmistakable sign.
Authority.
A strange glint flashed through Freya's eyes.
Only now did she truly understand why she hadn't been able to see the boy's soul during their first encounter.
"Hmph... so that's why. No wonder it was you. No wonder."
"Then I'll let you go this time. I permit your escape."
"But the next time we meet, we'll settle things."
The Black Dragon had clearly sensed it too. With a swift retraction of its aura, it chose not to pursue him, letting the matter go—for now.
And with that, the projection cut off.
But what had been shown was more than enough.
It wasn't just the relationship between the Black Dragon and the gods that was laid bare—it also revealed what would happen if the Black Dragon couldn't be defeated.
Everything would return to nothingness.
Of course, Freya wasn't interested in the end of the world. She only cared about one thing.
'Hehe... so that's the child's secret.'
She had always known he was hiding something big—but this? This was far greater than she expected. It was enough to even shake her judgment of him.
'No wonder I didn't notice at first. A secret like that doesn't come to light easily.'
The idea that a child of Genkai could possess Authority was something no god would ever imagine. It was supposed to be impossible.
And yet, here it was—undeniably real.
Freya was certain—if she hadn't cornered Hermes that day, she never would have learned any of this.
Though her position had changed, she now had a clearer, better view of everything.
Freya had never cared whether she was good or evil. The only thing that mattered was what she cared about.
And now, Ouranos could see it clearly too—Bell Cranel was without a doubt the one destined to bring change to Orario.
"Zeus' choice was the right one."
That comment drew Hermes' attention.
"Ouranos, so you exiled Zeus and Hera because of something you discussed with them?"
"...Zeus did tell me one thing. 'That child might be our last hope'—those were his exact words."
At this point, Ouranos no longer hid the truth behind Zeus and Hera's exile.
It had been Loki and Freya who pushed for their banishment. Ouranos could've handled it more gently, but Zeus's parting words were what made him let go.
He quietly opened a backdoor for the last members of Zeus and Hera's Familia, arranging for their transfer out of Orario—one final act of farewell.
All these years, Ouranos had been waiting for the child Zeus had left Orario to raise.
"I didn't expect the hope Zeus spoke of to be so extraordinary."
A child of Genkai possessing Authority—that was as earth-shaking as the uproar caused by the Black Dragon.
Fortunately, that child understood restraint. He hadn't let his power run wild, nor had he revealed it recklessly.
"That's just like the old man."
Hermes pulled his hat low, cursing Zeus outwardly but inwardly admiring the old man's foresight.
"Bell-kun really isn't your average adventurer. He's inherited his aunt's talent—and even has the physical strength she lacked. But reaching Level 4 in under half a year? Not even the Empress or Silence managed that."
"And that kid is incredibly good at staying hidden. He slips through Orario like a ghost. I'd bet that what happened in the Dungeon was only because he exposed himself deliberately, which let the Black Dragon find him and triggered this mess."
"Otherwise, I doubt Bell-kun would've revealed his strength—even if he'd reached Lv. 6."
But Hermes couldn't help feeling a twinge of regret.
"That kid has no interest in standing out—not even in being a hero."
"His actions and mindset are on a completely different extreme. Honestly, I don't think he even cares if Orario burns. If Hestia asked him, he might try to destroy the whole city."
He was skilled at hiding himself, yet had zero interest in fame or fortune.
A hope like that would be a real headache for the gods.
Still, Hermes understood—it might not be necessary to manipulate or corner him. "Maybe now, we gods don't even need to push him. That child might choose to face the Black Dragon all on his own."
Without desire, there's no drive to move forward.
Adventurers chase fame, wealth, or glory—but those won't work on Bell.
For someone who doesn't care what others think, fame is meaningless.
And wealth? With Authority, it's effortless to obtain.
Given that, the only way to motivate that child can't rely on those typical adventurer goals. It has to be something else—something even gods would consider special.
"Hestia and that child share a bond that's anything but ordinary. If it's for Hestia, he would absolutely challenge the Black Dragon—just to free her from whatever fate the reshuffling would bring."
"So in the end, it all comes down to Hestia."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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