As soon as Ais saw Win-P., she immediately left Loki and ran over.
"Mr. Win-P.!"
Everyone looked over to see Ais's golden eyes sparkling, her voice filled with undisguised excitement.
"Good evening, Miss Ais. You look truly beautiful tonight."
Ying Ping bowed courteously, his gaze falling on her pale gold dress as he smiled and said, "This dress suits you perfectly."
Ais's cheeks instantly flushed, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt. "Tha-thank you… Riviria-mama helped me choose it…"
Ying Ping playfully teased, "If Miss Riviria hears you call her 'mama' again, she'll definitely get angry…"
"Hey! Ais-tan! Wait for me!"
Just then, Loki, holding up her skirt, clumsily chased after them, complaining breathlessly, "Why are you running so fast, child! You didn't even wait for me!"
She turned and, seeing Hestia, immediately narrowed her eyes and said sourly, "Oh, shorty, your Familia is quite the talk of the town this time, aren't they~"
"Hmph! Of course they are!"
Hestia proudly puffed out her chest and said smugly, "My child is the hero who saved the Lower World! Everyone calls him the Savior!"
"Hero? Savior?"
"Well, I'm a bit reluctant to admit it, but you're not wrong. It's just that he's still far inferior to my Ais."
Loki nodded, glanced at Ying Ping, and then added in an irritating manner.
"You, what did you say?!"
"My Ying Ping-kun is much stronger than your child!"
Hestia immediately glared at Loki.
"Oh, is that so? But he doesn't even have an alias."
Loki raised an eyebrow, pretending to be unconcerned, but was suddenly captivated by the radiant Artemis.
Her squinted eyes instantly widened and shone as she exclaimed, "Artemis! Long time no see!"
She spread her arms, ready to pounce. "I missed you so much~ Let me give you a hug~"
Artemis nimbly dodged behind Ying Ping.
She only showed half her head, looking disgusted, and said, "Loki… why are you still the same? You know I would never allow such a thing…"
"Tch~ How stingy~"
Loki pouted, then narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Ying Ping in front of her. "Oh, kid, I haven't seen you in a while, and you've become someone even I can't see through."
"Hestia, that girl, I don't know what kind of luck she stumbled upon to pick up a treasure like you~"
"Sigh, why didn't you come to my Loki Familia back then?"
Facing Loki's frivolous attitude, Ying Ping merely smiled calmly.
He said, neither humble nor arrogant, "I apologize, Lady Loki, but this was the guidance of fate."
"Just to meet Hestia, it seems I've already used up all the good luck I saved up before."
"Now, my courage, my belief in moving forward, and my sword, all were bestowed upon me by Hestia. Therefore, my loyalty will forever belong only to Hestia."
"Lady Loki, please be careful with your words from now on. I will never again allow anyone to use such a frivolous attitude to harm and insult my beloved goddess."
Ying Ping placed his hand on his chest, looked at Hestia with deep affection, and sternly warned Loki.
"You, what did you say?!"
Loki's eyes fully opened, her expression suddenly frozen, as if she hadn't expected Ying Ping to have the audacity to say such a thing.
"Ying Ping-kun, I truly didn't spoil you for nothing…"
Hestia was instantly moved, her clear blue eyes welling up with tears.
"Master is so manly. If only he could say that to me someday…"
Kokoro cupped her cheeks, immediately lost in admiration.
Everyone present was amused, except for Loki, who was furious.
"Hmph, alright, you really are a good kid!"
"You think your wings are strong enough now, do you? Do you know who you're talking to?"
"Forget it, seeing as you're so loyal to the shorty, and you saved the Lower World, I'll let it go this time!"
"Ais-tan, let's go!"
Loki gritted her teeth in anger at these words, but she also knew she was in the wrong.
After all, she had indeed often deliberately bullied Hestia for fun, so it was reasonable for him to say such things now.
"I'm truly sorry, Mr. Ying Ping, Lady Hestia."
Ais bowed slightly, her golden hair falling forward. "I sincerely apologize to you for Loki's behavior…"
"Ais-tan! Why are you apologizing to them?!"
Loki jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Ais tilted her head, looking innocent. "Because… Lady Loki was wrong. You always seemed to make Lady Hestia angry before too…"
"Huh?! Th-there's nothing of the sort, alright?!"
Loki stamped her foot in anger, gritting her teeth and asking, "Whose side are you on, you troublesome child?!"
Without waiting for Ais to answer, she grabbed Ais's wrist. "Let's go, let's go! Stop embarrassing yourself here!"
"Wait…"
Ais reluctantly looked back at Ying Ping, but Loki forcibly dragged her away.
Before leaving, Loki turned back and threw a threat: "Shorty, I've noted this down. You just wait!"
"Nyah nyah nyah, who's afraid of whom?!"
Hestia chased after them, hands on her hips, shouting, "My Ying Ping is stronger than your entire Familia combined!"
"Hmph! Anyone can brag!"
Loki, far away, jumped up in anger and continued to yell.
Watching the two part ways unhappily, the surrounding gods and adventurers exchanged knowing smiles.
"It's the same old drama again~"
"But the Hestia Familia is not what it used to be. Their captain is suspected to have at least LV5 strength."
"Hey, hey, really?"
"Of course it's true. The Hestia Familia has risen now, so it's definitely not appropriate for Loki to treat Hestia with the same old attitude."
"Loki usually acts arrogant and domineering in Orario. Besides Freya, no one can control her. Now she's met her match."
The gods discussed animatedly, and the Hestia Familia became the center of attention.
At this moment, gods and adventurers continuously came to congratulate the Hestia Familia and inquire about Artemis.
As the captain, Ying Ping maintained a polite smile, dealing with them alongside Hestia and Artemis.
Occasionally, he would encounter gods who tried to harass Ilena and the others.
Ying Ping would unceremoniously embarrass them in public, not holding back at all, completely unafraid of offending anyone.
"Ah, faced with a genius beautiful girl with ash-gray hair and blue eyes, anyone's heart would race, wouldn't it~"
"It seems being too beautiful can sometimes be a sin."
Ilena held a wine glass, shook her head, and said narcissistically with a flushed face.
"Yes, I agree. You are truly a sinful woman."
"If it weren't for those foolish gods at least knowing when to retreat, I probably would have almost killed them several times for your sake."
Hearing this, Ying Ping immediately teased.
"Oh my, really? Master likes me so much he's willing to kill gods for me?"
Ilena widened her sparkling eyes and asked, looking like she wanted to stir up trouble.
"Kill what ghost?! Why do you look so eager to try?!"
"You must have been deliberately seducing them earlier to make me act, you scummy witch!"
Ying Ping now understood, so he directly tapped Ilena's head.
"Ciallo~(?)"
After her thoughts were exposed, Ilena simply made a V-sign and acted cute.
Chisato and Takina secretly chuckled nearby, while Kokoro diligently recorded the names and information of each visitor.
Artemis gently touched Ying Ping's arm. "Orion, look over there."
Following her gaze, Ying Ping saw Loki pulling Ais, saying something, while Ais occasionally glanced over here.
"It seems Miss Sword Princess is quite interested in you too. Even her head god can't stop her."
Artemis teased.
Ying Ping shook his head helplessly. "Oh dear, oh dear, she's truly an unstoppable young lady."
Just then, the ballroom doors opened again, and a rich fragrance of roses instantly filled the entire hall.
All conversations ceased abruptly, and everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn over—
The Goddess of Beauty, Freya, entered gracefully, dressed in a pure white, floor-length evening gown, her silver-white hair cascading like moonlight.
She walked hand-in-hand with Orario's strongest adventurer, the LV7 'Braver' Ottar, and elegantly approached Ying Ping.
"Hestia, Artemis, long time no see~"
Freya's voice was both composed and lofty. She gracefully nodded to the two goddesses.
"Hmm."
Artemis turned her face away coldly.
As the Goddess of the Moon, who presides over chastity, she always disdained Freya's promiscuous lifestyle.
"Ah, Freya…"
Hestia subconsciously responded, then suddenly realized and immediately jumped in front of Ying Ping, covering his eyes. "Hey! Ying Ping-kun, you're not allowed to look at her! Otherwise, you'll be charmed by her!"
Ying Ping gently pulled down Hestia's hands and said calmly, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
He looked around and found that, except for himself, Hestia, and Artemis, almost all the gods and adventurers had captivated expressions—
Regardless of gender, even the War God Take Mikazuchi and Asfi had flushed cheeks, completely enthralled.
The only thing that comforted Ying Ping was that his attendants, Kokoro, Ilena, Chisato, and the others, were completely unaffected by Freya due to the power of their contract.
"Is this the natural charm of the Goddess of Beauty…"
Ying Ping was secretly shocked. This was even without Freya actively using her charm.
If she were to unleash her full power, it was no wonder she could charm all of Orario; it was truly terrifying.
Freya observed Ying Ping with interest, then suddenly extended her slender hand, intending to touch his cheek. "Your soul is becoming more and more delicious. Now it's as cold as ice. You're truly a special child~"
Ying Ping took half a step back, subtly avoiding her touch. "I apologize, Goddess Freya, but I'm not accustomed to being touched casually."
Rejected in public, Freya didn't get angry but instead smiled, her scarlet tongue lightly licking her lips. "I didn't expect a human to reject the Goddess of Beauty. I'm starting to take an interest in you~"
She turned to Hestia and said disingenuously, "Be careful, Hestia~ Such a cute child of yours might be taken away by someone someday~"
Hestia, protectively, shielded Ying Ping with both hands and retorted firmly, "I don't need you to remind me of such things, Freya. I advise you to drop that idea!"
"Hehehe."
Freya smiled indifferently and gracefully walked away with the perpetually expressionless Ottar.
It wasn't until Freya's figure disappeared to the other end of the ballroom that everyone seemed to awaken from a dream.
Take Mikazuchi's expression was a bit awkward.
Even a war god with his resolute personality couldn't escape the Goddess of Beauty's charm, which was truly a bit inexcusable.
Hestia, pouting, tugged at Ying Ping's sleeve and said with a stern little face, "Ying Ping-kun, no matter what, you must stay away from that woman from now on! She loves to steal other people's children!"
"Hestia is right. A good man like you would be completely devoured by her if you fell into her hands!"
Artemis also rarely and seriously warned, "Orion, Freya's danger is far beyond your imagination. You'd better be careful."
Ying Ping smiled slightly, "Don't worry, I won't be easily abducted. At worst, we'll just destroy the Freya Familia."
"Really, Master?"
Ilena playfully shook her wine glass, "Such a beautiful goddess, even I feel a bit moved when I see her~ Are you really willing to destroy her?"
Ying Ping spread his hands, "What, do you think I'm the kind of person who can't bear to act against someone just because they're pretty?"
"Of course you are!"
Chisato chimed in with a grin, hands behind her back, "Master is always the gentlest with us girls~"
Ying Ping shook his head, his expression becoming serious, "That may be so, but on matters of principle, I will never back down."
Kokonoe stopped writing, her small face filled with respect, "Master... I trust your judgment."
Takina stood by, her hand unconsciously resting on the hilt of her sword.
Her sharp gaze scanned her surroundings cautiously, and she whispered, "Although our strength is great, if we really have to go to war with the Freya Familia, we must prepare in advance."
"Hey, hey, aren't you guys taking this too seriously?"
Chisato blinked and patted Takina's shoulder with a smile, "That Goddess Freya just came over to say hello~"
"No, Takina is right."
Ying Ping narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured to himself, "Freya's gaze at me... it's truly like a hunter eyeing her prey. With her proud and willful nature, she won't easily give up on a target."
Artemis snorted, "That woman has always been like this. She treats people like toys, and if she sees a toy she likes, she'll definitely get her hands on it."
Hestia looked at them, then suddenly hugged Ying Ping's arm, "No! From today on, I'm going to follow Ying Ping-kun 24 hours a day! I absolutely can't give Freya any opportunity!"
"Uh... Hestia, there's no need for that, is there?"
"What did you say! It's very necessary!"
Seeing Hestia's alarmed expression, Ying Ping could only sigh helplessly.
He looked in the direction Freya had left, his eyes gradually growing cold.
(Freya... let's see who's the hunter and who's the prey.)