"Bell, this power originates from within yourself."
"I understand the black one, but what about the white one?"
Bell knew both powers stemmed from himself, but if the black represented the Seven Deadly Sins, then what did the white signify?
This was exactly what he still couldn't figure out.
Freya simply smiled and pointed at Bell.
"The black represents desire. The white represents your own 'self-discipline.'"
"That's why you're able to restrain the 'Seven Deadly Sins,' the embodiment of desire itself. That is no coincidence."
Bell paused, thinking.
"Self-discipline…"
It was hard for him to believe he possessed such a trait. In his previous life he'd been a full-time shut-in—bad at sports, terrible at self-control, someone who had nothing to do with discipline at all.
If anything, the weight-lifting guys who trained in all weather were the ones who were truly disciplined.
Yet Freya's reasoning wasn't baseless. And if she said it, she must have had her reasons.
So… did he just not understand himself well enough?
But surely he wasn't that oblivious to his own situation?
While Bell sank into thought, the other goddesses exchanged looks of understanding.
"Self-discipline is accurate. Bell's always shown signs of that," Hestia said, remembering his constant vigilance—that careful, alert attitude he maintained at all times. "He really is disciplined, and without anyone reminding him."
"His expression of it is… maybe a bit strange, but it still counts as self-discipline."
Artemis said this with a painfully stiff expression, her lips pressed tightly to suppress a reaction.
"Pff—ahahahahaha~"
Hephaestus, unlike the reserved Artemis, had the natural aura of a big sister—bold, warm, straightforward.
"Bell, think about how cautious you always are. Haven't you kept that up every moment? Who else could stay that disciplined every second of the day?"
"Huh?"
Bell froze mid-thought.
As the realization hit, his face twitched. Wait… could that actually count as a form of self-discipline?
He quickly straightened his expression and answered in a serious tone:
"That's simply the necessary attitude of an adventurer."
Attitude was indeed necessary—yet even the firmest attitude couldn't protect him from Hephaestus suddenly hooking an arm around his neck.
"So… being horny is also a necessary adventurer attitude?"
"Pfft!"
Hephaestus's line hit Bell so hard he completely lost composure. In the end, unable to endure it anymore, he blurted out—
"Given your conditions, it's only normal I'd have thoughts about you."
All the goddesses fell silent for a brief moment. Then pride slowly surfaced on each of their faces.
Indeed—with conditions like theirs, it would be strange not to feel anything.
Bell having thoughts about them was the most natural thing in the world.
In truth, many adventurers in the lower world harbored fantasies about goddesses. The clearest example was the Freya's Followers.
However, relationships between goddesses and Genkai adventurers almost never ended well. Unless both sides were only fooling around—like Ishtar—it could barely work. But to stay together long-term? Nearly impossible.
Not because the goddess couldn't, but because adventurers lacked the qualifications to reach Level 10, attain demi-godhood, and steal eternal time.
If someone could achieve that… which mortal wouldn't desire a goddess?
After all, every god was sculpted by the Creator with meticulous intention, their beauty dialed to the absolute limit.
Purely by appearance, each god possessed a level of allure that could enchant nations.
The only thing missing was an adventurer who met such conditions.
The gathered goddesses slowly withdrew from their prideful daze.
Except Loki, who still pouted unhappily.
Today, her outfit was a little different from usual.
Black long trousers nearly brushed the floor, paired with white heels that matched perfectly.
Her upper body wore a flowing white top beneath a short black jacket.
Compared to her usual shorts-and-crop-top combination, this was decidedly more formal. The casual mischief was gone, replaced by something more befitting a proper goddess.
She still had a hint of boyish charm, but with this style, she finally exuded a bit of goddess-like grace.
"Tch, easy for you to say. If I hadn't thrown myself at you yesterday, who knows how long you'd have made me wait."
Clearly, Loki was still bothered about having to be the one to initiate things last night. She preferred being pursued, not doing the pursuing.
As the male lead of last night's events, Bell felt a bit embarrassed.
He hadn't even processed Loki's intentions at first—partly because he'd grown so used to treating her as a friend.
So at times, his tone came off a bit too casual.
Even after Loki and Freya had openly confessed, it hadn't fully changed.
Bell slipped out of Hephaestus's arm, kissed her cheek in apology, then walked over to Loki.
"Sorry, Loki. This one's on me."
"I've gotten too used to joking around with you, and to our old trading grudges. It's hard for me to suddenly shift you from the 'friend' category into the 'woman' category."
Loki's anger eased a bit at his apology.
Still, she grabbed Bell's face, pulled him close, and pressed her forehead to his.
"So from now on, make it clear: I am a goddess, and I am your woman. Understood?"
"Crystal clear."
With that answer, Loki's irritation finally faded.
"Good. Then back to the real topic."
"That thing you manifested earlier—are you sure it won't affect you?"
Bell nodded firmly.
"I'm almost completely sure."
"The Seven Deadly Sins are all within my control, and none of them are trying to invade my body. But since they only just fused, I'll need some time before I can control them precisely."
Only then did Loki's tightly held worry loosen. She cast a glance at a certain cow goddess and, with clear reluctance, reminded him:
"Hestia's awake too. Bell, you should explain your plans for the next year."