Inside a dimly lit room, Freya was sitting at the end of a dining table. The silver-haired goddess was garbed in a revealing white dress. A necklace with violet gemstones hung around her neck, one she had obtained from tricking the dwarfs a long time ago. Two purple flower-like ornaments adorned her hair. Earrings of matching color finished her elegant look for the occasion.

  "So then." Her eyes peered at the gate which opened slowly. A smile enriching her beauty, she greeted the guests, "Welcome."

  Asahi observed the lavish dining room and the goddess whose beauty brought everything up another notch.

  "Damn. I thought it was an informal party. I might be looking out of place."

  "No need to be humble, Asahi." Freya eyed Asahi's face. "The quote 'Clothes make the man' isn't for you."

  She found the gods and goddesses lacking compared to his charm. Unlike his invisible soul, his charm was apparent to every mortal and deity in Orario.

  'His charm is stronger than Aphrodite.'

  Freya stared at his face with unconcealed amusement.

  "Your kind words are wasted on a level 2 adventurer like me." Asahi grabbed the closest chair, which was directly opposite to Freya. "Your servant sure was troublesome."

  Freya couldn't help but grin at his acting. Everybody here knew Asahi's secret, yet they tried to hide it. "She is a bit impulsive."

  She played along for the time being.

  Loki stared at Freya's bright smile, finding her cheery mood hard to stomach for some reason. "What are ya cookin', Freya?"

  "Apologies? I have servants to cook for me."

  Loki rolled her eyes before she took a seat. Astraea and Hephaestus followed suit, leaving the chair opposite to Hephaestus empty.

  Freya gestured to Ottar, who left the room and closed the door. "The dinner is coming. Let's talk after we eat."

  "You won't drug us, right?" Asahi asked.

  (It won't work on my love.)

  'I'm just trying to get a reaction out of this goddess.'

  (Umu.)

  Freya pouted her cheeks as though showing displeasure at Asahi's suspicion. "I'm not the best host, but you don't have to accuse me of such cheap tricks."

  She hadn't invited them to use drugs. Besides, even the strongest drugs she could find wouldn't work on him.

  Asahi found her childish outburst strange and bewitching at the same time. Though Loki felt uncomfortable to see Freya showing a gap appeal.

  Helen and Ottar came with the dishes. Every type of exquisite cuisine was lined up on the table, spreading an aroma that made Loki drool. Even Hephaestus found it excessive, on par with the banquets Ganesha and Demeter held at festivals.

  "Goodness," Astraea muttered. "Freya, what's wrong with you?"

  "I had to do it for my old friends."

  Astraea gave a wry smile. "Bold of you to say that after sending an invitation to my lover?"

  Freya just giggled mischievously as if someone had caught her in a prank. "Let's not waste time."

  Asahi shamelessly dug into the food as Helen glared at him. She couldn't let go of her dark feelings with Asahi in her sight. Not that he cared what he thought of him as long as she stayed out of his way.

  Astraea and Hephaestus merely watched Asahi and Loki gobble up the dishes on the table. Loki ate little to nothing but the appetizing booze lured her to dreamland. She collapsed on the table, nearly smashing her face on the plate if it weren't for Asahi's timely intervention.

  "Loki is unsalvageable." Freya giggled. "Why aren't you two eating? There is plenty left in the kitchen."

  "Oh…… don't mind me then."

  Astraea and Hephaestus joined Asahi, though they ate in moderation.

  Freya took small bites of food, using more time to observe Asahi.

  After a hearty meal, Asahi stretched his hand towards Helen, who begrudgingly gave him a napkin and took the empty dishes away. Asahi ran his fingers through Loki's hair, scratching her scalp to annoy her. The trickster goddess mumbled incoherent things in her sleep.

  (My love, you are patting her.)

  'I'm not even trying.'

  Asahi sighed at the might of his headpats. "Shall we talk about the business now?"

  "Yes…" Freya clapped in excitement. "Asahi, can I talk to you alone?"

  "……"

  Astraea stared at Freya with a deep frown. She accompanied Asahi to prevent this from happening. Yet, this goddess brazenly asked to have a meeting with him.

  "I promise I won't seduce him," Freya added with a cheery smile. "It's a very personal matter."

  "Hell no." Astraea was hellbent on refusing Freya's advances on Asahi. He had shown zero interest in Freya, so it was her duty to keep Freya away from her.

  Astraea's fierce rejection was unlike anything Asahi had seen.

  'As expected, goddesses have the highest potential to become yandere… especially the virgin ones.'

  (Truer words have never been spoken.)

  Asahi's hand moved under the table and caressed Astraea's thighs. "Freya, we can talk here."

  Ottar's expression became more intimidating. He felt like nobody in the room gave any respect to his goddess. He might have pulled out his greatsword if not for Freya's warning beforehand. He could only express his anger in silence.

  Freya's face twitched. She realized she wasn't going to get anything done at this rate.

  "Alright. I'll say it here." Freya pointed at Asahi. "You, Asahi Marikawa, aren't either from Orario or the Far East. You came from beyond. Another world."

  Loki lifted her head and snickered. "She's finally gone crazy."

  "Freya and her love for the unknown."

  Loki and Hephaestus tried to play it off as Freya being a crazy woman.

  Meanwhile, Astraea stared at Freya, who showed no signs of faltering under Hephaestus and Loki's jokes on her sanity…… Her bright grin said it all, she knew everything.