Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

『──Ooo ...

Deafening cheers erupted from the crowd.

The volume was so loud that Boffman and his entourage had to cover their ears.

The sound, like ten thousand horses galloping, is the cheer of the desert world.

Some people were overjoyed.

Some people wept with joy.

Some even kneel down, put their hands together, and offer their heartfelt gratitude to the goddess.

Whether man, woman, child, or elderly, and regardless of race, they all react in the same way.

The slaves' furious roars shook the entire market... no, the entire city.

Before the girl she had her eye on could react, Freya turned her back to her and continued walking forward with her usual elegant posture.

"Boffman, untie those kids. My children don't need any handcuffs or chains."

“Yes, yes!!”

Boffman was startled and immediately gave instructions to his close attendants.

They took the keys from the merchants and unlocked the handcuffs and collars from the slaves one by one. However, the group of attendants alone was not enough to handle the task, so one of them quickly went to notify the Fazl Merchant Guild to mobilize everyone to liberate the slaves.

The slave market was filled with cheers and shouts, so lively that it almost turned the place upside down.

Freya walked forward without paying any attention to the changes around her, while Boffman was shocked and hurriedly chased after her.

"Goddess Freya, please forgive my rudeness, but may I ask what this money is for...?"

"You can pay for it first, I'll bring you the [family] certificate later."

Freya made an explosive declaration without batting an eye, startling Boffman so much his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Ignoring Boffman's reaction, she went on to demand:

"Go and prepare to transport those children."

The implication of this statement is, of course, that it refers to the slaves that were purchased.

The total number is at least several hundred people.

Having already broken out in a cold sweat, Boffman desperately tried to move his knotted tongue and said:

"Goddess Freya, where do you intend to send them? Forgive my incompetence, but the properties owned by my merchant guild are simply insufficient to accommodate so many slaves..."

In response to Boffman's doubts, Freya held up one finger.

Before us stretched a vast oasis.

She pointed to the island in the oasis, or more precisely, to the largest mansion on the island, deliberately decorated with a domed roof and resembling a castle, and said:

"I also want to buy that house."

Upon hearing this, Boffman was so horrified that he stared in disbelief, as if his jaw had dislocated.

3

This building is also known by local residents as the "Oasis Residence".

As its name suggests, it is located on a small island in the center of an oasis and has a palace-like domed roof.

The building materials are excellent white stone that reflects sunlight, and the gold carvings inlaid throughout are dazzling. Surrounded by a large number of date palm trees, this mansion is the largest building in "Leod City". Even if you invite hundreds of travelers to visit, there is enough space to entertain guests for several days.

In other words, this is a mansion that only the upper class, or more precisely, the city's richest people, are qualified to live in.

—This luxurious villa has now become the private property of some goddess.

"What are you all standing there for? Bring out all the food and wine you have."

The main hall inside the mansion.

The room was so luxurious that it even had an indoor fountain—in the center of the pool was a fairy stone statue holding a water bottle—from which spring water flowed incessantly, playing melodies that Freya couldn't help but sing along.

On a platform several steps higher than the floor, there was a sofa. Freya, who was sitting there, rested her hands on the armrests and watched as the "former slaves" enjoyed the meals that were constantly being served to them.

Those who were enslaved due to the war were naturally exhausted, but many more were starving due to the harsh management. So they kept grabbing pieces of meat or fruit and stuffing them into their mouths, and drinking the water or wine in their cups in one gulp.

This kind of behavior, where etiquette and rationality are disregarded, is not considered unsightly, but rather a celebration of life.

The handcuffs and chains that bound these people were no longer there. They were now quite excited because they had been freed from slavery on the goddess's whim, and they nourished their exhausted bodies and minds with tears.

"Lord Boffman! We are completely short-handed!!"

"Seriously, go and notify the other chambers of commerce to send reinforcements! Just say we'll pay them, and even if you have to kidnap them, bring them here—!!"

In contrast, Boffman, as a businessman, and his close entourage were extremely busy.

After bringing the slaves here, they immediately bought up all the ingredients in the market and kept making all kinds of delicacies that were comparable to the Manchu Han Imperial Feast.

The servants in the house (whom Freya had bought from the previous owner) were not enough to handle serving the food, so members of the Fazl Merchant Guild were forced to join in to help.

"I remember a philosopher once said, 'The greatest use of money is not to satisfy oneself, but to share with others'... If one of my friends (Loki) heard me say this, he would definitely scoff."

The first thing Freya did after buying this "Oasis Mansion" was to feed the slaves she had bought.

This is less a good deed and more a matter of basic morality. Freya bought all the slaves simply because they were "an eyesore," and if she had simply walked away afterward, the world would have questioned her character. Her beauty, besides her well-known appearance, was mainly based on the "character" befitting her supreme status.

Moreover, this group of people is already Freya's "private property".

The goddess of beauty, of course, greeted them with a smile and treated them like her own hands and feet.

"Goddess Freya, please use it!"

"Oh, thank you."

One of the slaves rescued by Freya brought over a plate of fruit of various colors.

Although she may not be as beautiful as the "Goddess of Beauty," this tanned beauty, who could certainly charm many men, gazed at Freya with infatuated eyes.

She wasn't the only one.

Handsome men and beautiful women, bought and sold based on such demand, all served Freya.

To be honest, they did it without permission.

Some people helped pour the wine, while others used large leaves as fans to help fan the air. Everyone looked completely absorbed, as if they were preparing to bring an elephant to perform.

They were definitely not "bewitched" by Freya.

Instead, they held the deepest respect and loyalty for the beautiful goddess who rescued them.

It was Freya, with her queenly majesty and supreme aura, who was able to create this scene.

"Winning the hearts of many women? Being popular with many men? That's far too naive."

This phrase perfectly describes it.

The sight of multiple handsome men and beautiful women serving one person at the same time is a luxurious dream that every mortal would want to realize at least once in their life. However, just like the kin who swore allegiance to the silver-haired goddess, this group of people are deeply infatuated with her.

It was truly an extremely luxurious experience.

"Goddess Freya, thank you for saving us!"

At this time──

Two very young boys and girls came to Freya's side.

No one present condemned the two children for daring to be so disrespectful to the "goddess of beauty".

On the contrary, such frank gratitude fully represents the feelings of everyone present.

"What are your names?" Freya asked.

"I... my name is Jonah!" the boy nervously introduced himself.

"I am Hera!" the girl, younger than the boy, said with great enthusiasm.

"Is that so? What a fine name. Jonah, Hora, you don't need to thank me. I only freed you from slavery for my own sake."

These were Freya's heartfelt words. She did not help the children regain their freedom out of great love or compassion, but out of selfishness—it could be said to be a whim of God.

Jonah and Hora tilted their heads in confusion, but quickly perked up again.

"Um, Goddess Freya... we have a request!"

"Hehe, what request do you want? Tell me."

"Please allow us to join your [Family], Goddess Freya!"

"We want to work for you, Goddess Freya!"

The boy and girl made such a pure request.

The reason is probably that he wanted to repay the goddess who saved him.

Freya smiled most sincerely at the sight of the two adorable children.

"No, you have to work under Boffman first."

“Puhuh!?”

Boffman, who was busy with his work, stopped in his tracks when he was suddenly called on. He let out a strange cry.

In fact, Freya had already decided that when she left the desert world and returned to Orario, she would entrust all the slaves she had bought to the Fazl Merchant Guild, so she continued to comfort her with a smile.

"Your souls are not even immature, they are completely unsprouted. I love beautiful flowers and I adore dazzling gems, so you should first undergo rigorous training in this desert."

There is only one condition for joining the Freya Familia: it depends on the whim of the Supreme God.

Freya, who can see through the brilliance of the "soul" that represents talent at a glance, will only choose valiant warriors (Einheriar).

That's why it reached its peak, that's why it became the strongest.

The culture of the Freya Familia is such that even the most talented person can become a stepping stone in the brutal infighting. If such immature children are thrown into it, they will definitely be eliminated and suffer a miserable end.

That's why Freya is so selective.

Carefully select qualified individuals to join the family.

The intention was to cherish the chosen child, to be loved by the chosen child, and also based on the expectation of the "unknown".

"Grow well here, and when you blossom and bear fruit, if you gain my favor... I will let you join my family."

"Ah, yes!"

The girl, whose cheek was gently stroked by Freya, responded loudly with a voice full of joy and determination.

Based on the brilliance of their "souls," they will likely have the opportunity to unleash their talents in about ten years.

However, the two might exceed Freya's expectations due to the "possibility of descending to the lower realm," and they might shine brightly in just five years, or even sooner. At that time, Freya would gladly welcome the two children.

Freya is a goddess who never breaks a verbal agreement.

"Goddess Freya, please take me in!"

"My name is Nasser, please allow me to sit at the very bottom of the family ranks!"

Starting with the children's actions, the adults also vied to make requests.

Freya treated everyone else with the same attitude, while assuring them that she was willing to recruit them as non-combatants. Her reasoning was that, except for those who could satisfy her, none would be endowed with divine blood (ichor)—meaning they wouldn't be branded with [ability values]. In short, they were "believers" supporting the main god (Freya) and her familia. Freya didn't do this intentionally, but it resulted in her increasing her "supporters" outside the labyrinth city.

Despite the obvious discrimination they faced, the former slaves' loyalty to Freya remained unwavering. Although somewhat unaccustomed to it, they still followed etiquette similar to that of paying homage to a monarch, expressing their gratitude to the goddess who had saved them.

Once upon a time, a long dragon of people appeared in front of Freya.

"Boffman, if these kids are willing, hire them to join the guild. If they are truly loyal to me, they will surely strive to achieve great things. Once I return to Orario, this house will be yours, you can do whatever you want... Hey you, are you even listening to me?"

"Ah, yes, Goddess Freya..."

Having finally finished his errand, Boffman returned to Freya's side with unsteady steps, looking extremely haggard.

It was only then that Boffman truly realized what it was like to be led by the nose by God's whims—no, it was how difficult it was to stay by Freya's side.

Being willful and making unreasonable demands is just commonplace for them.

Tasks that seem impossible to accomplish by conventional thinking must be carried out at Freya's command.

As for expenses, the Freya Familia, with its vast assets, will cover them in full, but he will still have to contribute his labor accordingly.

This is the "tragedy" that those with ulterior motives will inevitably encounter when trying to win over a goddess.

"Goddess Freya... Not only the merchant guild, but I myself am willing to devote myself to you... Therefore, when you achieve your goal, I hope I will be fortunate enough to receive your 'reward'... Duhe, duhehe...!"

There will always be some people who are so ungrateful as to expect a "reward".

Boffman stared intently at the goddess's beautiful legs, panting heavily as if he could smell her fragrance, while letting out a strange laugh. Just as Freya decided to reassess him in disappointment—four figures silently appeared.