Chapter 28. The Gods Throw Away Their Dignity
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In order to win over the existence known as the "Pure White Hero," the gods began abandoning their dignity.
Cyd leisurely took a sip of water. It wasn't that he didn't respect the gods in front of him, but their behavior made it hard to do so.
Each one looked like they were itching to drag him away on the spot, and some even said things like, "I'll give you candy if you come with me, okay?"—making Cyd's eyebrow twitch uncontrollably.
Are you kidnappers? Why are you so good at this?
"Don't look at us like that," Loki waved her hand dismissively.
"Don't you hate me?" Cyd rolled his eyes. "Isn't this awkward for you?"
"Not at all! I just hate Hestia," Loki shamelessly gave a thumbs-up. "As long as you're not her child, there's no problem!"
"Hey!!!" Hestia jumped up from behind and wrapped her arms around Loki's neck.
"Crack! Crack! I'm… I'm gonna die!" Loki's face turned blue as she kicked her legs. Normally, Hestia, with her short arms and legs, would be held down with one hand, but now she was caught off guard, her head nearly buried in that terrifying softness. "Help… me…"
Normally, some kind-hearted gods would step in to stop this, but now...
"If you disappear, does that mean we have one less competitor?"
The gods surrounding Loki all had that same expression.
Freya elegantly covered Loki's mouth with her hand, making it impossible for her to even cry out for help.
"You all just wait!"
Loki glared fiercely before being strangled unconscious by Hestia.
"Now, one less competitor," Freya crossed her legs, breathing heavily.
The only one qualified to compete with her here was Loki. If she was eliminated, the other gods weren't worth fearing. As for retaliation from Loki later? That was never something Freya considered.
"Come, into my embrace. This is where you truly belong," Freya, her face flushed, opened her arms.
Cyd quietly set his teacup down, scooted his chair back, and stared at Freya with a blank expression.
Freya's expression stiffened, making her look somewhat ridiculous for someone so confident.
Unfortunately, the person who would normally laugh at her was currently unconscious.
"This child… seems immune to my charm…"
"Does that mean we still have a chance?"
The gods, who had just come to make some noise, suddenly had their eyes lit up.
"You!" Freya's expression darkened.
This was supposed to be her moment to embrace Cyd under the watchful eyes of the other gods. Just thinking about it made her feel euphoric. But now, that picture had shattered.
The child she adored looked at her with indifference—or perhaps a hint of disdain.
And the other gods, who she thought were mere onlookers, were now trying to push their way onto the stage, hoping to claim the child for themselves.
Absolutely not!
He is mine!
Freya clenched her fists.
Even if it means starting a war!
Sensing that Freya wasn't joking, the surrounding gods' expressions grew serious. Playfulness aside, they hadn't abandoned their true nature.
"It feels… like the atmosphere has shifted!" Bell and Lili clung to each other, trembling in the corner.
Cyd frowned. If it was just some harmless fun, he might have just watched and occasionally sighed in exasperation, but if this turned into something serious…
"Ahem! I say, now isn't the right time," Hephaestus coughed heavily, "Your chaotic behavior doesn't make you look like gods worthy of this child's trust. You'll only make him wary of you."
Freya blinked and quickly composed herself, adopting a noble and elegant posture. "You're right. Right now, you all look like unreliable con artists."
You were acting like a bandit just a moment ago.
The surrounding gods scratched their stomachs and laughed, returning to their usual, unreliable selves.
Loki remained unconscious.
"I propose we hold a banquet, where each god can showcase their best, and let this child decide," Hephaestus raised her hand.
"I agree," Freya's lips curled into a smile, her gaze towards Hephaestus softening.
This was a stage made just for her. Once she brought out Ottar, the others would be silenced.
The surrounding gods whispered among themselves for a moment, then nodded. Since Cyd wasn't affected by Freya's charm, they had a chance. Perhaps this Pure White Hero would take a liking to their child or some other quality.
"What do you think?" Hephaestus looked at Cyd.
"Do I have a choice?" Cyd smiled wryly, shrugging.
"Of course!" Hephaestus raised her voice. "You even have the right not to attend the banquet. We love you, but we want you to be yourself. Because what attracts us is exactly who you are."
"Indeed," Freya nodded.
If Cyd's soul darkened because of their reckless actions, she'd be so distraught she might just kill herself—especially since she would have been one of the causes.
"I refu—"
"Go, Cyd!" Hestia squeezed out, "The banquet is hosted by them, so the food is bound to be super luxurious. You'd be a fool not to go! You can even take some home!"
Cyd's eye twitched.
Now that she mentioned it… Due to recent events, their wealth had started to dwindle rapidly.
Though they weren't desperate enough to skip a meal to save money...
Cyd glanced at Bell, who seemed to be lost in thought, practically drooling at the memory.
"Alright, alright," Cyd sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead.
"Well then… I look forward to that day," Freya chuckled softly and left without hesitation.
Seeing Freya, who had the deepest obsession, leave, the other gods gradually followed suit. A few who had good relations with Hestia left some snacks behind. It seemed they initially came by just to check on Hestia.
The only ones left were…
Hephaestus, who looked like she wasn't in a hurry, and the unconscious Loki.
"Why are you still here?" Hestia puffed up her cheeks.
"How hurtful, after all the help I've given you. Don't forget, you still work for me," Hephaestus sighed. "Do I need to ask you to pay up right now?"
"Ugh…" Hestia promptly knelt.
"Well… you're not planning to join any Familia, are you?" Hephaestus asked Cyd.
"Of course not. Right now, my only goal is to help Bell become a hero who can stand tall," Cyd smiled slightly. "Here, there's nothing more important than that."
"Teacher!!!" Bell, deeply moved, threw himself at Cyd, burying his face in Cyd's waist.
"Then… let's go kill ten thousand Minotaurs," Cyd raised his hand and patted Bell's head.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Caught up in the emotion, Bell agreed to everything Cyd said.