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

The goddess Freya picked up a sharp silver needle and pierced her finger, from which blood beaded.

Seeing her unwavering attitude, my heart skipped a beat.

Are they telling the truth?

No, that's impossible, which is why we must take this opportunity to clarify the truth.

I'm sure I can't be wrong. Even though my hands are trembling slightly, I still have to take off my shirt as quickly as possible—

I struggled against my racing heartbeat and took off my clothes, leaving my upper body bare.

Guided by the goddess Freya, I sat down on the stool placed in front of the recliner.

"Don't move, I'll update it for you as usual."

When I heard that murmur, I couldn't help but tremble all over.

The instant my mind went blank, I felt what must have been divine blood dripping onto my back.

(──!?)

The moment the goddess touched his back with her fingers, one could feel the "blessing" being activated.

This is the familiar pulse that emanates from my skin every time the goddess Hestia renews me.

No way, this is outrageous, how could this be possible? -- The goddess Freya ignored me, who was stiff and had my back to her, and skillfully moved her fingers.

I was completely stunned, as if time had frozen, but this didn't last long.

"That's it."

It felt like being sentenced to death, and then the goddess Freya handed me a piece of paper from behind.

I took the paper with trembling hands.

Bell Craney

Lv·4

力量：A843→846　耐久：A812→871　灵巧：A881→895　敏捷：S928→935　魔力：B767→769　幸运：F　异常抗性：G　逃跑：I

「!?」

Looking at the ability values ​​on the paper that other gods (the goddess Freya) should have no idea about, and that they have been further updated, I felt as if my heart had been grabbed.

The surge of excitement that filled my entire body ruthlessly proclaimed that "my ability parameters have been successfully improved."

"Your 'endurance' has increased significantly. Did Hedin take you in for some rigorous training again?"

Ignoring my astonishment, the goddess Freya placed the silver needles on the round low table.

I ignored her words, got up from the chair, and casually tossed the paper aside.

Bare-chested and with unsteady steps, she stumbled and staggered to the dressing mirror.

"────────"

The mirror reflects an incredibly cruel "reality".

I turned my head to look at my back, and the "silver hieroglyph" immediately came into view.

The inscription-like text is no longer in the familiar shape of the "sacred flame," but has taken on the form of the "mistress."

The meaning of "blessing" does not originate from the goddess Hestia—but from the goddess Freya!

"How...how could this be...?"

Faced with the "reality" laid out before me, my legs went weak and I collapsed to my knees.

(—It was a success.)

At that moment, Freya did indeed hear it.

The sound of the doubts in the boy's heart cracking and shattering.

And the sound of his barely held onto self-preservation completely crumbling.

Freya kept her joy hidden in her heart and slowly approached the poor child in front of her.

"It's alright, Bell."

"!!"

Freya hugged the kneeling boy from behind.

After Freya wrapped her arms around the boy's body, he trembled as if an electric current had passed through him, and the two were pressed so tightly together that there was almost no gap between them.

Her full breasts were pressed tightly against her back, which seemed on the verge of collapsing at any moment—ah, you could hear the thumping sound.

It was the throbbing of fear, the rhythm of despair, and the voice of the "soul" one loved.

She longed to gently nibble his ear, to kiss the back of his neck, to let their hot breaths intertwine, to become one, inseparable—Freya suppressed this urge and whispered in the boy's ear:

"I understand your fear and despair, and I can understand that you can't accept all of this for the time being."

“Eh…?”

"But don't hurt yourself, okay? Look how cold you are. Don't be afraid... there's nothing to worry about."

Freya spoke softly, as if coaxing a baby, as if wanting the other to hear her own heartbeat, uttering "the words the boy longed for."

He has now completely lost his "pillar of support" and is now extremely vulnerable.

Freya decided to seize the opportunity and gently stay by the boy's side.

The body, which had been as tense as if frozen, had now relaxed slightly—but definitely.

(Retrieving the "status snitch" from Rivera Town...it was definitely the right decision.)

This is the mechanism that uses a false reality to repeatedly strike at the teenager.

Just as Bell suspected, Hestia's "Blessing" was indeed inscribed on his back before he converted. No matter how Freya used her "Charm" to isolate Bell, she could not renew the "Blessing." As a result, Bell would definitely become suspicious.

Therefore, Freya used this "magical item".

This is an "update potion," which is even rarer than an "unlock potion."

This magical artifact, made from the blood of male and female gods who wield different powers, allows other gods to update one's [ability stats].

Generally speaking, using this item to help other factions upgrade their followers is entirely detrimental. However, it can also be used to rescue followers banned by evil gods or to recruit enemy forces as spies. Because its use varies from person to person, this item is extremely abhorred by the gods of the factions that operate within it, and therefore, the number produced is quite small.

Although the "unlocking potion" is still needed to break the seal, once broken, adding just one drop of this red potion will allow the user to upgrade their abilities—however, this only increases ability parameters, cannot unlock new "magic" or "skills," nor can it level them up—

Besides finishing up "Enchantment" all day, Freya also managed to get "Renewal Potion" ahead of time, catching Bell off guard.

During the regeneration, she whispered in Bell's ear, causing him to momentarily lose focus, and took the opportunity to use the "Unlocking Potion" and the "Regeneration Potion." Since, apart from the first drop being the "Regeneration Potion," the rest were made using her own divine blood, her power would remain on Bell's back for a period of time after the regeneration was completed.

Freya used this method to deceive Bell.

"Even if loneliness is the only thing you can accept right now, I will never abandon you... It's okay."

Freya patiently cared for the boy, always letting him feel her body temperature.

After a while, the boy's breathing became less rapid and gradually returned to normal.

During Bell's period of calm, Freya planted her "compassion" into the boy's heart, thus completing her "plan".

Freya couldn't help but laugh.

That was not mockery or sneer.

Instead, it was a smile of joy at finally being able to keep the boy by her side.

"How are you?"

"...Um, hmm..."

When Bell finally stopped trembling, Freya suppressed her reluctance and released her embrace.

After Freya got up, Bell also stood up unsteadily.

He still kept his head down, staring blankly at the floor.

But I've relaxed my guard slightly compared to before. Yes, only "relaxed my guard slightly."

"This is enough for now," Freya thought, narrowing her eyes.

"Bell, can I hear your story?"

“Eh…?”

"I want to hear your memories from those who are not my kin."

Bell looked up and couldn't help but widen his eyes.

He wore an expression that showed he completely couldn't understand the request.

Freya returned a gaze filled with holy light (maternal love) and said:

"You are a member of our [Family]... No matter how many times you hear it from others, you find it hard to accept, right?"

“Um, um…”

"You don't need to worry about me. If our positions were reversed, I would feel just as confused and unable to trust anything. I want to hear about you now, and tell me everything about you that I don't know."

“…………”

"No matter what you are like, I will not deny it. Of course, I hope you remember my love... but if Belle feels uncomfortable, there is no need to force yourself. For me, what matters is this moment with you, and the future."

This statement is entirely true, and for Bell, it was a "redemption-like proposal."

At least Bell didn't see through Freya's divine will. The key point is that he didn't deny the existence of "his current self," which, in the eyes of the person involved, was like a "pillar in his heart."

That's right, it's fine to just "look the same" at the beginning.

It can gradually become "real" in the future.

"Uranus summoned me today, saying it's time to make progress on the labyrinth's solution."

"what?"

"I know you haven't regained your memories yet, so it's too harsh on you... but I hope you can train well with the other kids you met during the day. I don't want to lose you because of the dungeon."

“…………”

"Let's have a proper talk just the two of us after we finish exercising."

"……………………I, I understand."

Bell had no choice. After hitting walls all day, even if he didn't want to, the only place he could find refuge was the Freya Familia, who considered him a companion.

Freya placed her right hand on Bell's cheek.

This time, Bell did not dodge.

Even though she was trembling like a frightened little animal, she still let Freya touch her.

See you tomorrow night!

"..."

"Should we sleep together like this tonight?"

"I...I appreciate it!!"

"Hehe, what a pity... After all, so much has happened, you must be tired too. You should go back to your room and rest."

"Okay, okay... thank you..."

After Bell finished speaking, he finally cut off the lingering gaze.

After all, he had endured such a long and shocking day, and he probably couldn't handle any more external information. Even thinking would likely cause him pain.

Bell walked unsteadily toward the door, then turned back as she was leaving.

Freya returned a kind smile, a flicker of doubt crossing her deep red eyes before she looked away.

After the boy left, the shrine chamber fell silent.

"—Haytz, from today onwards you will be responsible for Bell's protection. Remember not to let him find out, and tell me every detail of his actions throughout the day."

"As commanded."

"And, Herren."

As soon as Bell left the room, the healer girl and the chief attendant immediately entered.

Freya glanced sideways at the latter—Helen—who trembled as his name was called.