Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?

"Principle... Freya, you're not saying your 'principle' is to wait until you see clearly, then snatch Bell-kun away from me, are you?"

"Exactly."

Freya admitted it without the slightest hesitation, leaving even Loki baffled by her bluntness.

"You're just going to admit that outright?"

Hestia had at least expected Freya to try to deny it.

But Freya looked completely unfazed. She simply rested her cheek on one hand, looking relaxed.

"Hestia, you and that child have been guarding against me all along, haven't you? He's still watching us from somewhere nearby, isn't he? And that child's skill is impressive. Even now, I can't feel a single trace of his gaze."

Even now, Freya still couldn't sense anything. If someone were spying on her, she would definitely feel it. And yet, she was sure that Hestia's child was close by, watching.

"Since you've both been on guard this much, is there even any point in pretending otherwise?"

"Hmph..."

In that moment, Hestia understood—Freya wasn't saying these things for her. Everything she said just now was meant for Bell to hear.

"Freya, you're not playing by the rules!"

Watching Hestia stomp in frustration, Freya responded with a graceful smile.

"Hestia, this is how the gods play the game. The competition between Familias comes down to the charm of the god and the resources of the Familia. So, Hestia, are you saying you're not charming enough to attract your own child?"

"Mm... Who said that?! As long as you don't play dirty, Bell-kun would never be swayed by you!"

"No tricks? Hestia, gods play with tricks."

Freya mercilessly stated the truth. The games in Orario were games played by gods—games that shaped the fate of the world. A god without strategy simply couldn't compete. Competing for resources, vying for gifted children, raising them—these were all methods.

If the god didn't use these means, then the children raised by the Familia would. That, too, was part of Orario's rules.

"Apollo forced children into his Familia—those were his methods. Loki went after Ishtar for the child she wanted and even raided Apollo—that's a method too."

"The gods of Orario all use means. So if you say you won't, Hestia—are you just afraid to play?"

"Ugh..."

Freya's tone wasn't sharp, but it carried weight, pressing down on Hestia with undeniable force. That one question—"Are you afraid to play?"—made it clear Hestia couldn't dodge Freya this time.

"Of course I'm not afraid!"

"Then how about a game between us?"

"Don't tell me... another 'War Game'?"

"If I forced it, that child wouldn't acknowledge it. Even if I won, he wouldn't willingly join my Familia. So, this game won't involve a War Game."

That caught Hestia off guard, but a game that didn't involve a War Game was certainly to her advantage.

"I won't use my Familia's power to overwhelm him, nor will I demand your child change his ways. I'll find him on my own terms, and when I do, I'll see clearly the true color of his soul."

"And if, in the end, that child chooses me, Hestia—you'll accept it gracefully."

'Like my Bell-kun would be so easily found by you.'

Hestia scoffed inwardly, unconcerned. She knew what Bell-kun was capable of. Unless he revealed himself, almost no one could track him down. Let alone convince him to join Freya.

"Fine!"

Hestia felt confident she had the upper hand. Freya trying to find Bell-kun on her own was a dead end. If that was the game, there was no reason not to accept.

Loki glanced at Freya. On the surface, this seemed like an unfair match stacked against Freya. But it wouldn't be surprising if everything she said was meant to reach that boy's ears. Even if the game sounded one-sided, it had already been acknowledged by the shorty. Which meant, once again, Freya had set the trap.

After being noticed, Bell had already shifted to a lower rooftop. And to avoid being sensed again, he'd chosen an even more unreasonable hiding spot than before.

While keeping an eye on the Sword Princess trio's battle against the Violas, Bell also paid close attention to how things were going with Goddess-sama.

'Goddess Freya really is a god who knows how to play her cards.'

Having observed the entire exchange between Goddess-sama and Freya, Bell understood her intentions clearly.

Freya hadn't been sure whether she had made a mistake or if she simply couldn't see it, so she held back from openly saying she would take him. On the surface, it made things seem fairer—but in truth, there was never any fairness involved.

Bell knew very well that Freya only refrained from seizing him because she was still unsure. If she had been certain, she wouldn't be playing games—she would have gone straight for him.

'Which means… next, Freya Familia will be scouring the city to find where I am.'

The thought made Bell sigh. Any future movements would be much more troublesome now, and he'd have to be even more cautious and alert to everything around him.

'They might even try to force me out.'

Still, that wasn't much of a concern. As long as he didn't take the bait, there'd be no problem. Bell fully understood what it meant to endure. Unless the situation left him no other choice, he could simply pretend nothing was happening.

The real priority now was steadily strengthening his "vessel." That required slow, consistent effort—there was no shortcut to getting stronger overnight.

But once he'd built up enough power, then Freya wouldn't be an issue anymore. What he needed to consider next was how to support the growth of Loki Familia. Otherwise, when the time came to face the Black Dragon, he'd be the only one left standing.

'There's no need to think that far ahead just yet. The fighting spirit of Loki Familia's three core members has already been lit. What they need now is the opportunity to keep moving forward.'