Although Hermes hadn't spelled it out, his meaning was perfectly clear.
The smile in Freya's eyes faded.
Just as Hermes said—the one who could inspire that child to fight wasn't her, but Hestia.
Everything about him matched what she'd always searched for in her other half. So why... why had he formed a bond with Hestia instead?
One misstep, and everything slipped away.
Even though she was glad to finally learn more about that child, it was already too late. If she had known just a little earlier—just six months earlier—she might've become the one he fought for.
That thought filled Freya's gaze with bitter regret.
But she was a god, and even gods couldn't turn back time. If they could, she'd give anything to go back six months.
Before everything had begun, there might have been a chance to change it all. But gods weren't omnipotent. Not even they could reverse time.
"Hestia..."
Freya bit down gently on her pink lip.
The regret only deepened. She'd trade all her current status for a chance to rewrite things—without hesitation. But no such deal existed. And even if it did, Hestia would never accept it.
Even if she considered forcing her way in—would it really go her way?
Freya already knew it wouldn't.
Hestia guarded against her. There was no way she'd ever agree to meet her casually.
That child didn't care about Orario's fate, and his social circle was practically nonexistent. Even if Freya tried to act forcefully, there'd be no opening to exploit.
In truth, Freya had already realized all of this before her last meeting with Hestia. It was exactly because she understood it that she tried other ways to approach the child.
But that only left her more deflated.
The answer was right in front of her now, and yet that child would never grant her wish.
"If Hestia, as a god, fails to overcome this trial... that child absolutely won't let it happen."
"Yeah... that does seem to be the case."
Hermes knew Bell's personality well, and he'd already sensed the faint emotions between Bell and Hestia.
As an ancient god, Ouranos wasn't blind either. He too had noticed what was going on between Hestia and that child.
Both gods were quietly optimistic.
All except Freya.
She cast Hermes a sharp glance like a blade—her mood souring.
Hermes felt the sting of her gaze, but there was nothing he could do at the moment.
In truth, the best-case scenario would've been Freya staying out of it entirely. But that was nothing more than wishful thinking now.
Freya had already picked her side. There was no going back to treating her like any other god. Her Familia was a major force—and they would play a crucial role in the coming battle against the Black Dragon.
"Freya…"
"Yes."
"I can feel the fluctuations in your emotions. You need to stop pushing with Authority. Now that you know the truth, you should understand—gods are forbidden from using Authority freely outside of Tenkai."
"This isn't a personal warning… but if you don't want to be forced off the stage early, you'd best be careful."
Ouranos could clearly see into Freya's heart, understood her deepest desire—but he still gave her a warning.
Freya responded with a polite, elegant smile and bowed slightly in acknowledgment.
"My apologies. It's true—I did consider making the world 'compromise.' But I won't act on that now."
Because in the end, it might not be the world that gives in—it might be her who's removed. That was something Freya absolutely could not accept.
She was this close to that child, just within reach. There was no way she'd let herself be sent back to Tenkai now.
"But… I want to meet that child."
"Just to meet him?"
"Just to meet him."
"Hermes, you handle it."
Ouranos didn't hesitate to pass the problem directly to Hermes, who'd been quietly idling nearby.
Hermes blinked in shock at the sudden order.
"Me? I have to go?"
Wasn't that basically a death sentence?
He couldn't even imagine the scene—him trying to talk to Hestia about letting Bell-kun meet with Freya. He was sure she'd throw him out on the spot.
But Ouranos paid no attention to Hermes' discomfort and gave Freya a clear answer.
"Freya, take it up with Hermes."
"Yes. Understood."
Hermes didn't even have time to protest—his chance to refuse had already vanished.
"Hermes."
The soft, velvety voice of the Goddess of Beauty whispered by his ear—but it sent a cold chill down his spine.
"Yes!"
Hermes instinctively straightened his posture.
"Hestia has a bit of a bias against me. So… I'll have to trouble you to arrange the meeting."
"But…"
"I'm counting on you, Hermes."
Hermes had been ready to object, but when Freya intentionally emphasized "I'm counting on you," he found himself unable to refuse. With a helpless smile, he surrendered.
"I get it. I'll talk to Hestia."
Freya gave a satisfied smile and took her leave from Ouranos.
She walked away gracefully, but Hermes was left behind with a bitter face. He cast a resentful look at Ouranos and muttered,
"Why'd you agree to Freya's request? Her desire for Bell-kun is way too strong. If they actually meet, it could get out of hand real fast."
"You think you can stop her?"
That single line from Ouranos shut Hermes up completely.
"You know why Freya made this choice. If we don't meet her request, she might spiral. Orario can't afford to deal with a rampaging god—especially not right now."
"I know that, but… it still feels too soon to let her meet Bell-kun."
Hermes understood everything Ouranos was saying, but arranging a meeting between Bell and Freya now was far from simple. If Bell couldn't resist the allure of the Goddess of Beauty, things might spiral into disaster.
"Hermes, you're underestimating Freya. When she knows something won't work, she adapts. Do you really think she'd try to charm that child?"
"That…"
Hermes paused, realization slowly replacing concern.
"Freya just wants to confirm something?"
"Exactly. No matter what, she hasn't confirmed what she's looking for in that child. So she wants to see it with her own eyes."
"But… can Bell-kun really resist?"
"Have some faith. If that child could withstand the power of the Black Dragon… do you really think Freya's charm would be too much for him?"