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

I felt as if Apollo's gaze, sweeping over the guests, pierced right through me.

(…?)

I turned around in surprise to look behind me, then back to face him. The handsome man seemed to completely ignore me, not even glancing at me, and continued his speech to everyone.

...Perhaps it's because I have some past grievances with the Apollo Familia that I've become a bit neurotic. I told myself that I was overthinking it.

"Tonight will be a long night. I'll treat you to fine wine and food. Please have a great time!"

After saying this, Apollo opened his arms.

As if in agreement, the gods, centered around the male god, cheered. Many people raised their beautiful glasses to each other, and the banquet hall instantly became lively and bustling.

"God... uh, what should we do?"

"Hmm... I wanted to tell Apollo, but I think I'll do it later. He seems quite busy."

When I asked her, Hestia, the goddess beside me, looked toward Apollo.

Although we hope that the incident at the tavern won't cause any future trouble, the Apollo Familia does seem quite busy. Members in matching uniforms are serving as waiters, and even the chief god Apollo seems to be greeting everyone, surrounded by numerous deities. Judging by the looks of it, striking up a conversation with him won't be easy.

The goddess Hestia is right; perhaps we should wait a while before saying it.

"Well, since we're all here, let's enjoy ourselves. Let's have some delicious food, Belle."

"Oh, okay."

Urged on by the gods, we joined Mihe's group. Everyone was already enjoying the wine.

"Um, Miss Ming. Thank you for saving us on the 18th floor. You've helped us a lot..."

"No, no! I didn't do anything..."

After a while, Miss Ming seemed less shy and nervous. Although she stuttered, she still answered my questions.

Not only about the search party incident, but she also came to help when the immortal was kidnapped by adventurers. I thanked her for these things, but she simply shook her head.

"Mr. Bell, you are truly remarkable. To be able to bravely challenge the floor master in such a situation, and even personally decide the winner in the end... It's embarrassing to admit, but seeing that scene, even I was inspired."

"That...that can't be considered my strength alone, and I can't do anything by myself..."

Miss Ming answered me with deep feeling, which made me stutter as well.

We politely declined each other's offer, and then we both burst out laughing at the same time.

"...Mr. Bell, please feel free to call upon me if you encounter any difficulties. I am willing to do my best to assist you."

"Miss Ming..."

"Sakura and Chigusa both hope to be of assistance to Mr. Bell. Of course, so do I."

"Well... if you encounter any difficulties, Miss Ming, please come to me. I'll help you too."

From now on, we just need to help each other.

When I told Miss Ming this, she smiled slightly.

She lightly extended her hand to me, and I scratched my cheek, feeling embarrassed, but still tightly grasped her hand in return.

"I've heard that Mr. Bell's growth rate is astonishing. May I ask what the secret is to his increased strength?"

"Bell is a cyborg; he takes dangerous, forbidden drugs that I personally concocted every day to enhance his physical abilities..."

"Stop lying and deceiving people!?"

Miss Nazha also came to chat with us. As we chatted, I started to look around.

The "Feast of the Gods," which I had long heard of, didn't have any special etiquette or rules. Some of the gods even laughed heartily with their mouths wide open. To be honest, I was quite nervous at first, but there was really no need to be so restrained.

On the contrary, it was this extravagant building that made me feel a little intimidated.

"Um, is this building the headquarters of the Apollo Familia?"

"No, that's not it. This facility is public property managed by the guild. It will be rented to [family members] or merchants who need it," Miss Asifi answered my question.

Then Takemikazuchi spoke:

"Some gods do hold 'banquets' at their headquarters, but probably only Ganesha would do that. Generally speaking, no god would invite people from other factions into the Familia's headquarters."

"Because that would be tantamount to allowing free intrusion, and if we did that, we wouldn't be able to keep things secret."

When Mihe explained it to me like this, I suddenly understood.

As we were talking, the goddesses Hephaestus and Hermes were also looking around.

"Perhaps it's because today's 'banquet' is completely different from usual; even the gods who don't usually come have come."

"Yes, Apollo really knows how to come up with ideas."

I overheard Hephaestus and the goddess's conversation.

After hesitating for a moment, I tried asking something that piqued my curiosity.

"Excuse me... what kind of god is Apollo?"

"Hmm, are you curious, little Bell?"

Hearing what Hermes said, I nodded in response, "Yes."

Hermes, his orange-yellow eyes curving into crescents, spoke:

"He's an interesting fellow. I've known him since I was in Heaven, and I never get tired of looking at him. Other gods often make fun of him too."

Upon hearing the unexpected content, I exclaimed "Huh?" and my eyes turned into two black dots.

"Anyway, that guy is always involved in scandals. He's not even an adventurer, yet everyone still gave him a nickname: 'Farce'."

Sorrow, sorrowful love?

What is this all about...? No, I don't understand at all.

"You're a goddess who's head over heels in love. Don't you think so, Hestia?"

"Who knows!"

The deity, who had turned away to eat—wanting to eat his fill—shouted back to the grinning Hermes. His retreating figure, having stuffed the food into his stomach, seemed rather unhappy.

The goddess Hestia said she didn't like Apollo very much... What happened between these two gods?

"And then there's this: relentless pursuit."

"what?"

Upon hearing Hermes' last words, I turned my head away.

Just as I was about to ask what it meant...

The loud noise from the entrance to the banquet hall drowned out my voice.

"Oh...the important person has arrived."

Hermes said this with a mischievous grin, staring in the direction from which the sound came.

I looked towards the other end of the crowd—and instantly understood the reason for the commotion.

The one drawing all eyes was the silver-haired goddess leading a burly orc.

“Th-That’s…”

"It's the goddess Freya, little brother Bell. You should have heard of the Freya Familia, right?"

The undeniable presence made me gasp, and I managed a weak nod in response to Hermes.

The Freya Familia – one of the strongest factions alongside the Loki Familia. These two factions, reigning supreme at the pinnacle of Orario, are even likened to the twin kings of the labyrinth city. Even novice adventurers should have heard of the Familia's valiant exploits and resounding reputation.

The goddess in front of me is the chief deity of that [Familia]...?

The moment Goddess Freya appeared on stage, the atmosphere was immediately heated. She was so beautiful and charming.

Her beauty, with its silver eyes, and the gown that hugged her full breasts and slender waist like a celestial maiden's dress, captivated countless eyes with every gesture. Just watching her from afar, I couldn't help but blush.

This is the first time I've ever seen such a beautiful god (or human)...

"—Hmm!?"

As I was lost in thought, suddenly, Hestia's twin ponytails trembled.

She looked up from the food she was eating, saw the goddess Freya, and then saw me, who was staring blankly.

Just from that, she understood everything, and with a leap, she pounced on me.

"Don't look at Freya, Bell!!"

"Huh!?"

"If children keep looking at the 'Goddess of Beauty,' they will immediately become her captives and be 'bewitched'!"

I was almost knocked to the ground by a deity who bumped into me from the side.

I barely managed to stand up when the deity grabbed my neck and wouldn't let go, blocking my view of the goddess Freya.

I know a little about the name "Goddess of Beauty".

Whether it is the gods or the people of the underworld, they are all "enchanted" by them, without exception. They can be said to be transcendent beings (Deus Dea) who are the embodiment of beauty.

As if to prove the gods right, members of all factions stared wide-eyed, completely captivated by the goddess Freya. Regardless of gender, some even stood frozen in place, as if they had lost their souls.

The same was true around us; Miss Nazha kept shaking her head as if saying "No, no"; Miss Ming blushed and groaned; and Miss Asifa looked away from the very beginning.

"The last time was Ganesha's 'banquet,' and this is the second time... It's quite rare for Freya to show her face in public like this."

"W-What do you mean?"

"Miss Freya usually stays at the top of the Tower of Babel and never shows herself in front of people. Some male gods would even risk their slim hopes to attend the banquet just to catch a glimpse of her."

As I fought with the gods, I questioned the whispers of the goddess Hephaestus, and Hermes then provided me with further explanation.

Not showing herself in front of crowds... Indeed, being in the spotlight like this, it must be difficult to go out. Regardless of whether the goddess Freya herself dislikes being in the public eye, going out easily would inevitably cause chaos every time.

Looking at the goddess Freya surrounded by male gods, I thought to myself.

“——”

Just then, those silver eyes fixed on me.

The goddess Freya suddenly stopped what she was doing, stared at me for a while... and then smiled.

She began to walk forward, her shoes clicking and clattering. As if separated by an invisible wall, the crowd parted before her, clearing a path. Hestia, still clinging to me, opened her eyes wide, and soon the goddess, leading her orcish retinue, stopped before us.

"You've arrived, Hestia. And Hephaestus too. We haven't seen each other since the Council of the Gods?"

"...Hi, Freya, what brings you here?"

In contrast to the smiling and friendly Freya, Hestia, who had suddenly left me, was now ready to fight.

"I am glad to see that you are well," replied the goddess Hephaestus. The other gods nearby, however, exuded a menacing aura.

"Nothing much, just came to say hello. It's rare to see so many people gathered together, so I couldn't resist checking it out."

After saying that, the goddess Freya gave the gods a flirtatious wink.

Upon being met with that alluring gaze, Hermes immediately adopted a lecherous look; Takemikazuchi blushed slightly and coughed awkwardly; while Mihage praised her as usual, "You are just as beautiful and charming tonight."

Immediately afterwards, several deities were brutally attacked by female members of their clan, who stomped on their feet and pinched their flesh. "Ugh!?", "Ugh!?", "Ooh!?", screams of agony filled the air. I, on the other hand, took a step back.

Finally, the silver gaze settled on my face.

Her alluring eyes made me swallow hard, and the goddess Freya deepened her smile.

She reached out and stroked my cheek very naturally and silently.

"—Can you let me have a good dream tonight?"

"—No way!!"

Just as the goddess Freya asked me, the goddess Hestia roared.

She slapped the hand off my cheek, her face flushed with anger and agitation.

"Bell, you're not allowed to blush either!"

"I'm so sorry!?"

"Listen carefully, this goddess eats every man she sees, like a monster (dragon)! A child like you (a rabbit) will be devoured in an instant!"

"yes……!!"

The deity preaching in front of me had such a terrifying expression that I leaned back in fright. It was as if I had been hit by a barrage of magic (fire and lightning).