Chapter 146: After All, I'm Not Some Kind of Demon

As night gradually fell, at Hestia’s insistence, Roland donned formal attire for the first time in a long while. The outfit transformed his entire demeanor, making him appear far more mature and composed.

No sooner had they entered the banquet hall than numerous goddesses cast fervent glances his way.

—Only to be met with sharp glares from Hestia beside him.

Though Roland was the sole member of their household, even without dipping into his own funds, the steady income he earned daily was more than enough to lift Hestia out of poverty, even if only a small portion slipped through his fingers.

Accordingly, Hestia wore a striking blue gown that was more elegant and dazzling than her usual attire.

They had barely stepped inside and were yet to greet any acquaintances when an excited voice rang out.

“Lord Hero! We meet again!”

A white-haired youth, clad in formal wear but radiating an air of innocence and nervousness, waved toward Roland with a look of delight.

“Bell?” Roland was somewhat surprised. Although the requirements for attendance at this divine gathering had been relaxed somewhat, it was not an open invitation to just anyone. Typically, only those connected to deities could gain entry.

Bell had been an ordinary person mere days ago—had he so quickly found a deity willing to accept him?

“Ah, Hestia.”

Trailing behind Bell was a male deity with his coat completely open and his collar loose, giving him a rather rakish appearance.

“Hermes, when did you return?” Hestia looked at him in surprise. Though his base was in Orario, Hermes preferred to travel and rarely stayed in one place for more than half a month. His movements were unpredictable.

“Well, it’s a long story. Suffice it to say, I was entrusted with a task. Also, I was curious about the recently renowned Sword Hero.” Hermes smiled mysteriously as he turned to Roland.

“Greetings, Sword Hero. I’m Hermes. Bell told me about what happened the other day. Thank you kindly; otherwise, I might have missed out on such an outstanding youth.”

“You’ve taken on a new follower? That’s rare.” Hestia’s curiosity was piqued. While Hermes’s followers might not look impressive, he always seemed to be privy to all sorts of strange information and secrets. No deity truly underestimated him.

Watching the scene, Roland fell into contemplation.

His knowledge of this world’s original story was limited to a single season of the anime. Still, out of curiosity, he had studied much of the related lore and understood some of the background.

Before Loki and Freya’s followers rose to prominence, the strongest in Orario had been those aligned with Zeus and Hera from Greek mythology. Their power far exceeded that of any current follower in Orario. Even the so-called strongest level 7 of today was merely at the starting point of the main force during Zeus’s era.

They had once set out to exterminate the three great ancient quests that had persisted into the present and successfully defeated the monsters symbolizing land and sea. However, when they launched an assault against the black dragon with a single eye, they were wiped out.

With their main force lost and Loki and Freya’s factions infiltrating from within, they were eventually driven out of Orario.

Roland had once wondered if the spirit—called a “contract spirit”—might have been attached to that black dragon representing the final chapter, but he dismissed the idea because the mental nature of contract spirits seemed incompatible with the dragon’s image.

Given Hermes’s close ties to Zeus, it was understandable that he would aid Bell in such a critical situation.

“Just a coincidence,” Hermes chuckled, patting Bell’s back with a proud smile.

“Though you may not believe it, this child has the makings of a hero.”

Hearing Hermes’s praise, Bell smiled shyly.

“Lord Hermes jesteth again. I could never compare to the Sword Hero.”

Roland’s expression turned subtle. He had not paid much attention to this person he had casually saved. If memory served, this innocent youth seemed to idolize heroes above all else.

“Isn’t that the little runt and Hermes?”

A brazen voice interrupted. At the sound, Hestia’s smile froze, her expression darkening instantly.

Loki, dressed in men’s clothing and wearing a provocatively arrogant grin, strode over to join the conversation.

But Roland paid no mind to Loki at that moment. Instead, his gaze drifted behind her to a figure clad in an exquisitely tailored evening gown, her radiant golden hair swept up as if studded with stars, a beauty as ethereal as a fairy from a storybook—Isis.

As if sensing his gaze, Isis lifted her tender, enchanting eyes and cast him a puzzled look.

Roland said nothing, simply stared at her quietly and greeted, “Long time no see, Isis. Did you miss me?”

Though the words were brief, they suffused Isis’s pale face with a bright blush, her pupils shimmering with moisture.

Meanwhile, Hermes quietly observed Bell’s gaze. Faced with such breathtaking beauty, Bell remained unmoved, instead glancing at Roland and then back at Isis, sighing with satisfaction.

“Bliss...” Hermes sighed and shrugged helplessly.

Clearly, the Sword Hero had been completely idolized in Bell’s heart. Much like the stories of heroes he had admired since childhood, Bell felt anxious when his heroes were in peril, joyful at their triumphs, and restless with excitement when they found love.

Such an infatuated admiration was both touching and troubling. Given the current situation, if conflict were ever to arise between Roland and himself, Bell would likely sever ties with Hermes first. Who his true deity really was remained uncertain.

“Loki, you really are everywhere...” Hestia looked at Loki with disdain. Their animosity was no recent development; every meeting sparked sharp tension.

“Do you think I want to be here? It’s all because our Isis has gained... well, anyway, Loki’s followers are on the same side as yours for now.” Loki scowled, then looked at Roland.

“You should know what Apollo’s up to today. With your personality, a fight is probably unavoidable. How do you plan to handle it?”

“I see. So Loki, you’re worried about the aftermath?” Roland’s expression brightened as he clapped his hands.

“Don’t worry. If Apollo’s followers are sensible, I’ll know when to stop. I’ll just eliminate anyone who dares attack me. As for Apollo himself, I’ll just send him off to feed the zombies.”

The hero smiled warmly, looking around at the silent crowd.

“After all, I’m not a demon.”

For today, he would take it easy. After many sleepless nights, he planned to adjust his schedule, attempt a thousand characters a day in writing, and finish this volume soon.

(End of chapter)