As everyone knew, Familia members couldn't, pfft, kiss their own god.
Correction: Mortals could not lie in front of a deity.
Of course, once gods descended and sealed away their divine power, they couldn't read minds anymore.
But even with just this built-in "lie detector," things got tricky.
Like right now,
"I came to Orario to become an adventurer."
"Mhm~"
"I've already gathered quite a lot of information about the various Familia."
"And?"
"Freya Familia… was one of my candidates."
Every word was technically true.
No lies detected.
But,
"Only a candidate?"
Though Freya herself didn't respond, the towering man behind her furrowed his brow, displeasure radiating off him in waves.
That was Ottar, the only current Level 7 in all of Orario.
A man whom the gods themselves had titled the King of Warriors.
To him, his goddess was absolute.
Everything she desired was righteous.
Everything tied to her was beyond reproach.
And now some random mortal, who wasn't even an adventurer yet, dared to call Freya Familia nothing more than a backup option?
If not for his goddess's silence, Ottar would've already cut the boy in two.
But since she hadn't spoken, he stood unmoving, playing the role of guardian.
At last, Freya leaned forward slightly, her eyes glinting.
"A backup, hm? Then I'm curious… what does that have to do with what you said earlier about… licking Freya?"
Renjiro's eyelid twitched violently.
Could we not bring that up again?
But from the teasing amusement playing across her face, he knew he was screwed.
This was a game to her.
That was all.
And really, wasn't that the whole reason gods descended in the first place?
To seek entertainment, after sealing away their omnipotence?
Today, Freya had found her new amusement, him.
Renjiro groaned inwardly.
"Knew I shouldn't have run my damn mouth."
If not for that slip, he would've already used his "earthly treasures", like his smartphone, to slip quietly into Soma Familia.
Once the so-called "Genshin System" activated, dealing with a measly Level 2 captain would've been child's play.
He could've either seized Soma Familia for himself, or switched to another Familia later
Anything was better than this.
Most of all, he valued freedom.
And now…
"In my world," he began, forcing a smile, "there's a term for people who endlessly flatter and debase themselves for someone who doesn't even like them. Even knowing they'll be used and discarded, they still stick around, shamelessly clinging on. We call them… bootlickers."
Freya raised a brow, intrigued.
"I figured since Freya Familia is Orario's most powerful force, someone like me, an ordinary man with no advantages, might not even be accepted. So I was prepared to… well, bootlick, if necessary. Even then, the odds of success seemed slim. That's why I listed your Familia only as a backup."
Again, technically not a lie.
Freya's lips curved.
So he has a silver tongue, does he…
Her Familia's strength wasn't built on beauty alone.
She'd mastered the human heart long ago, back in the dark days of Orario.
To dismiss her as merely a lustful goddess seeking fun,
that would be arrogance of the highest order.
Renjiro knew she was difficult to handle.
But at this point, he had no choice but to bluff his way forward.
And sure enough,
"Oh ho. So that's what you meant."
Her smile widened, playfulness glimmering.
If she weren't bored, she wouldn't be here toying with him in the first place.
Finally, she said softly,
"Since you want to join my Familia…"
No, I don't! Don't twist my words! Renjiro screamed internally.
But Freya went on as if she hadn't heard:
"…then I'll give you a chance."
She crossed one elegant leg over the other, her dress shifting scandalously.
"If you kneel and worship me right here, I'll allow you into my Familia… and personally grant you my blessing."
Renjiro froze.
So it had come to this.
"…Actually, I was hoping to keep a little dignity, "
"You seem to already know my greatest secret."
Freya cut him off smoothly, her smile sharpening.
"Ottar. If this mortal refuses my generosity… you can deal with him."
"Yes, Freya-sama."
A wave of killing intent surged from Ottar, cold and suffocating.
He'd wanted to kill the boy from the start.
And the thought of Freya personally blessing him only made it worse.
After all, within Freya Familia, there was an unspoken truth every member knew:
Each was granted the right to spend one night with their goddess.
But never two. Never three.
Because after one night, no one could resist being utterly conquered.
Not even other gods.
Ottar, loyal as he was, still couldn't stomach watching such a thing happen again.
And Renjiro, was staring down the most important decision of his life.
Dignity or survival?
He thought for a second and a half.
"…Could you untie me first?"
Shhhk!
A massive greatsword flew past his shoulder, severing his bonds.
Hardcore untying.
He lost a few strands of hair in the process, but he was free.
Straightening, Renjiro walked forward, knelt on one knee before Freya's throne, and, like a knight, took her hand in his and pressed his lips lightly against it.
Kneel and lick. Mission accomplished.
Damn, I'm a genius.
==========
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