Chapter 135: Orario on the Rise

"Seriously! How could you go off alone with someone from the Loki Familia!"

As soon as Hestia opened the door, she rushed into Roland’s arms, acting spoiled and indignant.

"Those people in that Familia, they’re just as mean-spirited as their deity, especially that Wallenstein girl! Roland, you really need to be more vigilant!"

Roland sighed helplessly. Seeing the petite goddess acting jealous, he guessed she must have been thoroughly humiliated at the divine assembly.

"Did something unexpected happen at the assembly today? I know you and Loki don't get along, but given how anxious you look, it couldn't just be Loki's doing, could it?"

Sure enough, the moment Roland spoke, Hestia’s expression stiffened. Roland was right. Hestia had forgotten her dignity as a virgin goddess the moment she returned, clinging to him in a way that suggested she was terrified he might run away. The reason was simple: she was trying to reclaim the sense of security she had felt over the past few days. Nothing more.

But some things were better left unsaid, even if it meant death! She couldn't possibly tell him that she had intended to defend his title at the assembly, only to be saved by Freya's intervention.

After the assembly, although Hestia didn't particularly care for Freya, she had sought her out in a private room to offer a polite word of thanks for the rescue—only to receive an unexpected response.

"It doesn't matter, Hestia. I didn't do it for your sake," Freya had said, looking down at her with a voice so captivating and bone-chillingly beautiful that it made Hestia's skin crawl. "However, after today, you must realize the reality of the situation. You cannot protect him. Why not hand him over to me?"

Hestia had felt something was wrong the moment she saw Freya’s intoxicated smile and heard that seductive tone. She had a bad feeling, but when she actually heard those words, she bristled.

"Don't you dare! Roland is different!"

Every god knew of Freya’s obsession. She would relentlessly chase after heroes with brilliant souls, "collecting" them until she lost interest and discarded them, not even allowing them to reincarnate. Being targeted by such a goddess was the worst possible outcome.

In the lower world, this obsession had only worsened. Many members of the Freya Familia had been picked up by her as children and raised to be her playthings; she seemed to never grow tired of the cycle. Even back in heaven, Hestia had never seen Freya show such fanatical infatuation. After all, she was the Goddess of Love and Beauty—what could she not have? Yet, the fact that Freya was now so openly expressing her desire only proved how extraordinary Roland truly was.

"He is, of course, different. That is why I haven't let anyone harass him. Such reckless behavior would only anger him, wouldn't it..." A sweet, unconscious smile spread across Freya’s face when she mentioned Roland.

"Yes, exactly! Roland is very headstrong. You weren't there that day, so you might not have heard, but he prefers to dominate the gods himself rather than serve as their follower. He would never get along with you!" Hestia said, mentally apologizing to Roland as she frantically added fuel to the fire, hoping to discourage Freya.

"Is that so... doesn't that make it even better?" Freya smiled sweetly, leaning down to whisper in Hestia’s ear. "That actually suits me even more. Forget being dominated by him—even if I had to live like a pet, existing only to seek my master's praise, abandoning all dignity as a goddess to fawn over him without restraint... as long as it was for that child, I would gladly accept it."

Hestia, who had been furious just a moment ago, was stunned by the sincerity in Freya’s words. She stared back, face flushed, unable to even muster a retort.

"You smell like him, too," Freya said, gently stroking Hestia’s hair with a seductive smile, sniffing greedily. The gesture made Hestia feel as if she were facing a monster. She scrambled away, looking at the goddess of heaven as if she were a pervert.

Freya, however, didn't seem to notice. She stood there, a brilliant, radiant smile on her face. With her flawless, beautiful features, she looked as peaceful as a Madonna.

"My hero... what more must I pay before you grant me even a sliver of your merciful love?" Freya touched her lips, savoring the lingering scent of Roland on Hestia, her eyes filled with abnormal excitement.

She wanted his love. A love unique in all the world—a love so intense it felt as if it would burn the world to ash. For that, she would pay anything. She would give up her dignity as a goddess, her pride, even if it meant placing herself in the lowly dust, unseen and unacknowledged; as long as he knew her heart, even without a response, she would be content.

Freya drifted into her fantasies, hugging her shoulders tightly, her face flushed, her long, beautiful legs entwined. She wore a smile of absolute bliss.

"Gulp!"

Seeing Freya begin to act as if she were alone, her eyes shimmering with moisture, Hestia trembled, her face pale. She bit her lip to stay silent and fled the room, looking pathetic. Even though she didn't know the term "simp," Freya’s pathological behavior was enough to shatter Hestia’s worldview. She knew she wasn't in the same league as this woman. This emotion—if it could even be called love—was truly bone-chilling. To call it "perverted" was an insult.

Even now, as she held Roland, Hestia couldn't help but shiver at the memory.

"Good child, good child..."

Though puzzled, Roland calmed the anxious goddess. He asked about what had happened while feeling the soft, indescribable sensation of her petite body—a stark contrast to her vibrant, optimistic personality. He was curious what could have caused such deep worry in her.

"Sometimes, even though I know it’s selfish, I wish you would grow more slowly, Roland," Hestia said softly. "I know you are a hero full of potential, completely different from a useless goddess like me who only reads books. It’s natural that you’ll eventually leave me for a greater stage, but I still wish this time could last a little longer."

Roland listened quietly, resting his hand on her head, stroking it gently.

"The more outstanding you become, the more people will try to snatch you away. It’s not just that 'flat-chested' Loki, but even Freya has become so shameless..." Hestia trailed off, her expression showing unprecedented weakness. "I’m really worried that one day you’ll just throw yourself into the arms of another Familia."

Freya? Hearing the name, Roland understood the situation. He had thought she was taking her time, showing off her power, but it seemed she had changed her approach from the start. Had she really been captivated by his "Human Evil" essence? If so, perhaps he could make use of her for the Soma Familia’s wine business; after all, the name "Freya" was excellent for marketing, and he wouldn't even have to pay for an endorsement...

Roland thought about it, but quickly pushed the idea aside and smiled at Hestia.

"It’s fine. As long as you still see me as family, I won't betray that kindness."

For Roland, this world was quite foreign. Whether as a demon or the "Human Evil," he had adapted to their values easily, though he often remained detached and indifferent. It wasn't his world, so empathy was difficult. He didn't view humanity as mere numbers like Kiritsugu Emiya, but he treated them as either irrelevant or as his own property. He had always lacked a sense of security; he only trusted bonds he had personally verified and forged.

"Besides, joining a Familia once is enough."

If not for the need for a Falna, he wouldn't have cared about the Hestia Familia in the first place. He wasn't a native of this world; why treat himself like a commodity, switching owners just to be sold for a higher price? Even if he were to convert, he had no intention of choosing anyone other than the Hestia Familia. Furthermore, though he had no proof, he felt this journey was becoming part of his own "secret language." Much like DIO, who had traveled the world before embarking on the path to heaven, he was on a journey to find encounters—only, his encounters were with different worlds.

Hestia said nothing more, looking at Roland earnestly. Only after confirming the truth of his words did she look relieved.

The next morning, after waking up with the goddess who had been acting spoiled in his arms and Ais, who had quietly manifested during the night to claim his other arm, Roland called Hestia over to update his stats.

Then, Hestia, who had sworn the day before that nothing Roland achieved would surprise her, opened her mouth wide again.

"All your stats have reached S-rank! It’s only been a day, and you didn't even go to the dungeon. How did you do this? Even your development abilities have reached A-rank." Hestia looked at him, conflicted, and sighed. "I thought I might have been holding you back yesterday, but it seems that's not the case. In the face of this talent, any god would just be a hanger-on. With your growth rate, I doubt all the children in Orario combined could match your proficiency."

"That’s a bit of an exaggeration. The total growth rate of all Orario definitely exceeds mine alone, I’m sure of that," Roland said as he put on his clothes.

"Is that so? But with stats like these, you can consider leveling up again, as long as you achieve a suitable feat."

"I know, but there’s no rush. There’s still time." Roland stood up from the sofa and straightened his clothes.

"Are you not going to the dungeon today?" Hestia asked curiously. She was much more relaxed with him now; as long as Roland didn't want to, there was likely no one in Orario who could force him.

"No, Finn from the Loki Familia asked to meet me."

"Finn? He’s the captain of the Loki Familia. What does he want?" Since he was a man, Hestia wasn't nervous, just curious.

"I don't know. He said he wanted to reveal some... classified information?"

—

At the Hostess of Fertility, although it was morning, it wasn't yet time for the shop to open. But for regular customers, such rules were irrelevant.

Sitting at a corner table, Roland tore open the envelope in front of him. He stared at the few lines of text inside and his mouth twitched.

"Classified?"

"Yes, classified."

Roland flipped the paper over, pointed to the words "Hero of the Sword," and looked at Finn. "This is classified?"

"Yes."

"The strongest newcomer in Orario, Roland's title is 'Hero of the Sword'?"

"Correct."

"Hahahaha! Do I really need you to tell me if I'm the 'Hero of the Sword'?"

"Legends are legends, but this is an official certification from the Guild." Finn looked serious, but seeing Roland's speechless expression, he couldn't help but smile. "Come on, the Guild is an official body; they have to take responsibility for these things. A hero recognized by them is officially announced to the world. You’re not just a legend of Orario now, but a legend of the entire world. This reward is actually quite significant."

"Besides, fame has value. My own deity put in a lot of effort for my title." Finn’s title was "Brave," which he had requested himself. To revive the Pallum race, he needed a representative figure. In fact, the strategy had been successful; his status as a Pallum hadn't hindered his popularity. He had many admirers throughout Orario, and he had gradually dispelled prejudices against his race.

"Even if you hadn't told me, this title would have been announced by noon today. You didn't come to see me for something so trivial." Roland folded the letter and looked at Finn playfully. "So, is it about the anomalies in the dungeon from before? We already told the Guild that the things down there are infectious, right? What did they reply?"

"You're as sharp as ever." Finn’s expression darkened. He finished his drink in one gulp and sighed. "They said, 'Don't worry, our Orario is thriving.'"