True Goddess Of Beauty(1)
--- Ren's POV ---
The presence of the Freya Familia loomed before me, and inexplicably, my instincts stirred, warning of a profound and imminent danger.
From the very beginning, I knew I was granted no shortcuts or privileges. I've toiled relentlessly, struggling against my own frailty since I was weaker than the average adult man. And now, here I stood, proud and resolute in a world where even level 6s held no significance in my eyes...
Except for Ais, of course.
But there, my thoughts halted.
My strength stemmed from reaching the state of physical and mana core perfection through arduous training spanning eight centuries.
I didn't possess an innate ability like Rimuru Tempest¹⁴.
Acquiring resistance against various elements wasn't a magical occurrence achieved by willingly subjecting myself to fire or ingesting poisons. It took weeks of rigorous poison resistance training to witness even the slightest effects.
So, despite possessing resilience against mind control, it was evident that I couldn't magically obtain immunity to Freya's charm.
Did you think I possessed my own version of [Liaris Freese]? As if.
Freya, as a true Goddess, possessed enough power in her mere avatar to charm me, and that was precisely what my senses vehemently cautioned against.
Encountering Freya was undeniably dangerous. And by my side, I noticed a growing seriousness etching itself upon Ais as well.
I harbored a strong aversion towards the unfolding narrative within the novel, yearning to steer clear of those particular events at any cost, even if it meant obliterating her Avatar on the spot.
It was impossible to anticipate when she would reach her breaking point. That woman's unpredictable nature bordered on madness.
For a being of my caliber to realistically slay a God, I would need to ascend, but that must wait until Ais herself is prepared for it.
At present, the disappearance of Freya from this world would greatly benefit me and the white rabbit.
Knowing that Freya had sealed her Arcanum, the prospect of erasing her Avatar presented itself as a relatively straightforward task.
Should she dare to unleash her powers in an active manner, the pact all Gods and Goddesses were bound by upon their descent would ensure her return to the Heavens, sparing me the burden of contending with her true might.
Yet, I didn't anticipate it to be so easy.
As a "member" of the Loki Familia, I positioned myself, along with Ais and the other executives, to stand behind Loki.
In the event of any attempt, the precious seconds afforded by Loki's presence would be crucial, allowing me to act.
Anxiety gripped me, not because I feared death or being controlled, but because I dreaded the wickedness of Freya setting her sights on my beloved Angel.
I pledged that the moment I ascended, Freya would be the first Goddess to fall beneath my blade. Her existence posed too great a threat to be spared.
As my thoughts swirled, Loki instructed the guard to lead her inside, fully aware that any attempt to delay her would prove futile. She opted for a direct confrontation. Her gaze met mine, brimming with determination.
Yes, Loki and I were in this together.
Protect her, and I shall ensure the prosperity of your Familia.
Through my gaze alone, I conveyed these words, even though the cyan hue that once colored my eyes had faded into near-blackness. The urgency of the situation rendered such details inconsequential, and no one bothered to inquire.
---
As the door swung open, time itself seemed to hold its breath, unveiling a vision of ethereal allure.
Her resplendent tresses, like molten silver, cascaded in gentle waves, caressed by an unseen breeze. Eyes of liquid mercury shimmered with an otherworldly luminescence, reflecting the secrets of galaxies within their depths. Her fair complexion, a canvas of celestial grace, radiated a luminosity that rivaled the moon's soft glow on a starlit night...
As the rest averted their gazes, I unyieldingly kept my eyes locked upon her, my visage revealing no discernible emotion.
Even without "seeing" the physical appearance of Goddess Eve, I could discern, with closed eyes, one simple truth:
This woman before me paled in comparison.
Her beauty falls short, lacking the resplendence that embodies true perfection. Though most would succumb to the allure of her flawlessly captivating figure, I...
Remained utterly indifferent.
She... is not Her.
After briefly beholding her form, my gaze shifted to Ais, my voice softly reaching her ears.
"Aren't you the True Goddess of Beauty? I find you far more captivating than her."
Yes, I yearned to convey this sentiment to her, without reservation.
My obsession runs far deeper than Freya's attempts to bewitch me with a flawless physique. I too possess a body of unparalleled perfection. Care to challenge me?
"My, my, Loki. Have I interrupted a private affair?" Freya's voice resonated through the room, dripping with an alluring charm. "I do apologize for my unannounced visit, but there is a pressing matter I wish to discuss with you..."
As her words reached my ears, a flicker of understanding danced within my mind. The purpose behind her unexpected arrival became clear, yet confusion clung to my thoughts like a lingering mist.
I couldn't help but doubt if only Freya had heard my vow, and the thought of the entire city of Orario catching wind of it was undeniably aggravating.
Damn it! Why didn't anyone mention it earlier? I could have proudly declared my love for Ais to everyone! It would have been a perfect opportunity to boast...
Setting aside my jesting thoughts, it seemed that now everyone was aware of my existence. Well, I never had any intention of hiding myself in the first place, but I would prefer to spare them the details of who I truly am.
That revelation is reserved for the one person in this world with whom I wish to share it.
Amidst my musings, as Ais blushed like a ripened tomato, Loki responded to Freya without wavering.
"Regrettably, Freya, you shall glean nothing from me, and your fanciful fantasies shall remain just that. He is already claimed, for he belongs to me."
I don't.
Though the impulse to interrupt surged within me, I exercised restraint. Stepping back from Ais, I instead drew closer to Finn, aligning myself with Loki's intentions...
---
14: Rimuru Tempest, the protagonist of "That Time I got reincarnated as a Slime". That slime just casually acquired resistance upon resistance just by coming in contact with things.
Author's Note:
Is anyone interested in managing my Discord server? I'd like 2 or 3 people who can and want to do it.
A reader asked if the novel doesn't have a discord server. I was actually working on it, but I don't know anyone so it's kind of awkward to ask someone to do that...