Chapter 121: Freya’s Growing Interest

"It's starting."

After leaving the Guild, Hermes found himself a suitable vantage point to observe from.

The vision of a god far surpassed human limits. Even from the highest point, he could clearly see everything unfolding below.

"Ishtar… what a shame."

Despite the words, there wasn't a hint of regret on Hermes' face.

As a target, Ishtar was unquestionably ideal. But the script that was meant to play out had been disrupted by the main actor himself—which left Hermes feeling a bit exasperated.

'Zeus, your grandson sure knows how to play it safe.'

'I think even I wasn't this cautious.'

Hermes had always believed he was careful enough, maintaining neutrality among the gods, never leaning too far in any direction.

At least, that's how it looked on the surface.

But compared to Zeus' grandson, he was far from discreet.

It had been more than half a month since the boy arrived in Orario, and he still hadn't uncovered any solid information.

The kid hadn't even made contact with a single adventurer. If not for the incident involving the rune stones, Hermes wouldn't have found a single lead.

"Hermes-sama, I don't see a trace of regret on your face."

Standing behind Hermes was a blue-haired girl with glasses, cloaked in white—an outfit that looked oddly out of place.

"I really do feel sorry for Ishtar. But only because the lead in this play wasn't properly cast."

"Asfi, did you manage to steal the intel from the Guild from those few days?"

The moment her Familia God casually dropped the word "steal," the girl couldn't help but push up her glasses.

"Hermes-sama, please don't use such crude terms."

"Technically, I didn't take anything from the Guild. I only copied a portion of the relevant data."

Hermes didn't care for the clarification. What he wanted was the result.

"So? What did you find?"

Asfi sighed. Knowing exactly what Hermes was after, she gave another brief sigh and got to the point.

"A little over half a month ago, the Guild's records showed a sudden large expenditure. The money was used to purchase over two hundred short swords—ones that only drop from first-floor Goblins."

"That same day was also the first Dungeon riot in a while."

"And, coincidentally, that day was the second since the boy—Bell Cranel—arrived in Orario."

With one hand supporting his chin, Hermes finally saw the puzzle pieces start to align.

"So that's it. Looks like the kid really is tied to the recent Dungeon unrest."

He'd had his suspicions before, since the strange incidents started after the boy's arrival.

And Hermes had always been aware of how special the kid was. That's what led him to this conclusion in the first place.

He hadn't expected to find leftover traces inside the Guild's records.

"What about after that?"

"Since then, the Guild's expenditures have returned to normal. Nothing unusual since."

"So he slipped up during his first visit and left a trail."

It wasn't uncommon. Being new to Orario, lacking experience was expected.

Mistakes like that were typical for rookie adventurers.

What Hermes really wanted to know now was whether the records had left behind any identifying information about the kid.

"What about specific proof of identity?"

"None was left behind. The document only listed the quantity and value of the repurchase, along with the potential profits for the Guild. There was no information about the seller." That genuinely caught Hermes off guard.

"Wow~ I didn't expect that kid to get help from a Guild receptionist on just his second day in Orario." Even though it was still an obvious lead, with only this one clue, it wasn't enough to raise suspicion.

Well, except from a certain god—Hermes couldn't help but mutter to himself.

...

At the top of Babel, the gaze of the Goddess of Beauty, Freya, was also fixed on the battlefield.

"Is Loki really that impatient?"

Freya also thought things had moved a bit too quickly.

She had expected Loki to make more preparations—at least enough to completely immobilize Ishtar in one strike.

But to think it would be this rushed...

Freya gently swirled the wine glass in her hand, watching the crimson liquid slowly settle as she continued to swirl it.

She wasn't particularly interested in today's spectacle.

The result of a clash between Ishtar and Loki was obvious—she didn't even need to pay attention to know how it would end.

What intrigued her more were the documents spread out on the table.

If Hermes were here, he'd recognize the papers as the ones he had ordered his captain to steal.

"What a cautious child... but still lacking in experience."

With growing interest, Freya opened the file in her hands. Inside was a photo of a boy, his face half-shrouded in the shadow of a hood. Yet his name was clearly written beneath it.

"Bell Cranel."

Since that one encounter at the Hostess of Fertility, Freya hadn't seen the boy again.

'If I could see him once more, maybe I could figure out why my eyes can't perceive him.'

Freya was certain—this child was not one of those dull, soulless beings.

Souls without light don't shine in Orario. They're destined for ordinary lives.

Could a soul without light truly master unique magical script?

Freya already had her answer.

'Yes... that child is far too good at hiding.'

She felt a small twinge of frustration.

Here was a child who had finally piqued her interest—yet he was so cautious that she hadn't gotten a second look, nor could she determine just what kind of secret he was concealing.

This curiosity, this anticipation, clawed at her like a cat scratching at her heart. It was irresistible—but she didn't want the answer too quickly.

She wanted to fully savor this feeling. Only then would she seek the truth with her own eyes.

That emotion alone brought a smile to Freya's lips—one so mesmerizing that no man who saw it could hope to resist.

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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