The only one whose seat was on par with the "Goddess of Beauty" Freya was the head of another top Familia, Loki. She studied the intelligence report handed to her—
A record of the miracle Liang Yue had created.
Although she had vaguely speculated before, actually seeing the truth still sent ripples through her heart. The miracles that mortal children brought to the gods in the Lower World could still be astonishing.
The record of Ais's fastest time being broken wasn't hard for Loki to accept.
One should never underestimate the potential of Orario's adventurers.
What she found truly unbelievable was that without any help from his Familia, Liang Yue had, through sheer effort and talent alone, cut the record time down to just ten days.
"This… this kind of talent is far too outrageous!!"
"The potential of a hero?"
Most incredible of all—such an extraordinarily gifted child had been picked up purely by chance… by that good-for-nothing Hestia.
Loki's expression turned complicated.
She remembered the young boyish face she had seen after the celebration feast for her Familia's last expedition. Even the usually indifferent Ais had recalled that moment.
A vague sense of crisis quietly stirred deep within her heart.
The only one who could strike up a conversation with Loki at the gods' assembly was the "Goddess who could make beauty itself fall in love"—Freya. Dressed in a pure white holy gown, her peerless figure was concealed beneath its fabric.
She covered her smile with her hand, her gaze lingering on Hestia—currently the focus of everyone's attention—before remarking with a laugh:
"Perhaps it's a miracle surpassing even a hero's."
Loki immediately turned toward her.
"You know something?"
"You could say that."
"Then tell me—what level are we talking about?"
Miracles beyond comprehension were exactly what gods sought in their descent to the Lower World. Naturally, Loki was no exception.
Freya replied vaguely:
"It has to do with his ability values… and it will be even more delightful than simply breaking a record."
"You too? Playing this guessing game nonsense!"
Thinking of a certain other annoying person, Loki's expression soured. Still, knowing Freya's personality, she was certain Freya wouldn't reveal more.
Loki turned her thoughts toward Liang Yue's title.
Even Ouranos—the ever-neutral god and head of the Guild—had personally proposed a title for the boy at the gods' assembly. Should she just go along with it?
Before Loki could decide, Hephaestus—Orario's foremost weaponsmith—crossed her arms and spoke up:
"I think the title 'Sword Soul' is quite fitting."
"Hephaestus…"
Hestia hadn't expected events to develop this way. The fact that Ouranos himself had nominated a title already made it clear where the Guild stood. Now, with her close friend's support, the weight of that proposal had only grown.
Her heart gradually relaxed. All that remained was to win the approval of the other gods. Then the title would be as good as secured.
The next to speak surprised most of the gods present. Freya, wearing a smile that could steal hearts, curved her lips in a crescent.
"When all is said and done, he does have some connection to a child in my Familia. I don't know the meaning behind this 'Sword Soul,' but since Ouranos, that old fox, proposed it…"
"… I suppose I'll agree, reluctantly."
"Of course we agree! We support anything you decide, Freya-sama. Whatever you wish to do, we'll obey without question!!"
As soon as she spoke, the male gods present erupted in vocal support. With that, the matter of his title was essentially settled.
Even those inclined to stir trouble found their protests meaningless in the face of Freya, Hephaestus, and the gods who supported them.
"Since no one objects…"
The meeting had gone far more smoothly than expected. Ganesha—chairing the assembly—had half a mind to stir things up for fun. After all, his Familia had been used as little more than tools by Liang Yue.
In his most passionate voice, he declared the decision:
"From the Hestia Familia—the super rookie! His title shall be… 'Sword Soul'!!"
Hestia hadn't imagined the matter would be settled so quickly. She glanced toward Freya, whose gentle smile revealed nothing of her thoughts.
Her feelings were mixed—
Good news: Liang Yue had gained the title Sword Soul.
Bad news: The boy who had wrought a miracle for the world was now under the watchful gaze of all the gods… including Freya.
Leaving her seat, Hephaestus walked toward Hestia with a teasing smile.
"Your Liang Yue has earned the favor of the gods. Guess how long it will take before adventurers across Orario—and perhaps the whole world—hear of this miracle?"
"The favor of the gods…?"
"Why am I, his goddess, the one feeling troubled about this!?"
Faced with her friend's teasing, Hestia's expression stiffened. She couldn't bear to stay in the assembly hall for even another second.
To raise his ability values, one had to delve deep into the Dungeon and face strong enough challenges. Liang Yue naturally did this, and he had the strength to back it up.
He didn't ask the members of Takemikazuchi Familia to join the fighting.
Finishing off the last wave of the Monster Feast with ease—thanks to the effects of his magic War Enthusiasm—he barely felt any fatigue.
Just as he signaled for Lili to collect the loot, he noticed that Kashima and Mikoto were still following. What truly caught his attention was the complex expressions on their faces.
He was about to explain that there was no need for them to take such risks when the usually reserved Kashima finally spoke:
"This… method of raising ability values—don't you think it's a bit too extreme? No offense intended…"
Knowing Kashima wasn't the type for fancy words, and that they would soon be expedition teammates, Liang Yue thought briefly before replying:
"In my homeland, we have a saying—'The rougher the seas, the pricier the fish.'"
Mikoto, who had prepared for battle only to end up as an observer to a one-sided slaughter, looked at him with undisguised curiosity.
He used swordsmanship, just as she did—but his style was unlike anything she had ever seen.
And those sword energy slashes he unleashed so casually… were they a special kind of magic?
If her guess was right, then just how much magic power did he possess to sustain such high-intensity combat?
To face a Monster Feast alone and win with ease—he possessed strength she could not hope to match.
If the purpose of the joint expedition was to push Lv.2 adventurers to their limits, then asking other Familias for help likely just meant securing a safe place to rest afterward.
After some hesitation, she finally asked:
"As you can see… my fighting style also relies on swordsmanship. This might be presumptuous, but…"
"… during the expedition, would you be willing to discuss sword techniques with me?"
Liang Yue didn't feel the request was presumptuous. Even if he taught her Inner Swordsmanship, could the same moves really achieve the same results in her hands?
He nodded lightly.
"No problem."