"Anyway, it's basically a meeting held every three months where the gods exchange information. Of course, for us ordinary Adventurers, the most important thing is that the Divine Council decides the titles of those who level up."
Airmid explained to Ryoji.
As she spoke, her face showed almost no change in expression. Like Ais Wallenstein, she gave off a very cool and distant impression, but her explanation was extremely thorough.
The so-called Divine Council, as the name suggests, is a consultative body that only gods can attend, mainly used for exchanging information.
It's said that this idea originally came from a spur-of-the-moment suggestion by some god, was immediately met with widespread approval, and eventually became a regular activity among the gods.
In the end, the current surface world is built around the gods. They descended to the lower world in search of entertainment and stimulation, and most of their actions are rather arbitrary.
So in reality, the Divine Council is almost like a showcase of how carefree the gods are, most of its proceedings are filled with unserious and joking content.
That said, it is still a consultative body officially recognized by the Guild, so outwardly, no disrespect can be shown.
Moreover, it includes things like the "Naming Ceremony," which concerns the honor of Adventurers, so it cannot be taken lightly.
"A title? That kind of thing doesn't really matter, does it?"
Ryoji recalled the titles of Ais and the others and said dismissively.
Brave Finn, Nine Hell Riveria, Elgarm Gareth, Sword Princess Ais, Crusher Tiona, Vanargand Bete… no matter how you look at them, those nicknames all sound quite imposing.
And then there's Airmid, because her healing magic is unrivaled in Orario; she earned the grand title of "Dea Saint."
So it shouldn't be possible to end up with something painfully embarrassing like "Broken-Winged Angel," right?
"That's a misconception. You need to wake up to reality."
Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Airmid's expression grew slightly more serious.
"In fact, titles like ours are the minority. Most nicknames are extremely bizarre. Whether it's due to the gods' different tastes… or simply their bad sense of humor…"
For example, Holy Dragon Knight of Dawn.
"It hurts!"
Also, Absolute Divine Wind Apocalypse.
"Ugh… Eh?!"
And others as well.
"Alright, alright, you can stop!"
Ryoji clutched his chest and interrupted Airmid in a gravely wounded tone.
Good grief, these are even more abstract than the nicknames given by students at Hagun Academy! At least something like "Broken-Winged Angel" sounds somewhat fitting. The gods, on the other hand, seem determined to make things as cringeworthy as possible!
So this is your idea of fun?!
"I think that if it were you, Ryoji, you'd most likely end up with a bizarre title like 'Husband of the Gods.'"
Airmid said with a completely serious face.
"Hiss…!"
Ryoji sucked in a sharp breath.
"Eh? Isn't that the Husband of the Gods?"
"So strong, no wonder he's the Husband of the Gods!"
Without realizing it, scenes of onlookers praising him like that while he tried to act cool surfaced in his mind.
A chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, goosebumps spreading all over his body.
No way!
If he really got stuck with a title like that, then in future battles, if an enemy praised him even once, he might cringe so hard that he'd drop his sword on the spot!
"Loki! Is Loki here?!"
Ryoji dashed back to the Familia, shouting as he rushed straight toward Loki's room.
These gods really are the worst!
...
In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.
That morning, Ryoji geared himself up and left his room.
"Ryoji, let's go together!"
Tiona was already standing at the entrance of the Familia mansion, waving enthusiastically.
Beside her were Ais, Tione, Lefiya, and the others.
"Oh? Dressing up like this makes you look even more handsome!"
Tione crossed her arms, further emphasizing the overwhelming curves that were completely different from her younger sister's, and sized Ryoji up from head to toe.
"I'm just wearing ordinary light armor?"
Ryoji lowered his head and glanced at himself.
"That only proves you normally don't pay attention to coordinating your outfits."
Tione spread her hands.
"Isn't it better if fewer people are eyeing Ryoji?"
Tiona, on the other hand, looked delighted as she clung to him like a koala.
"Let's go. Captain is already waiting for us."
Ais's gaze also lingered on Ryoji for several seconds before she urged the group onward.
Only Lefiya kept staring straight ahead, as if there were some fascinating scenery in the distance.
"True enough."
Ryoji draped a black robe over himself and set off together with the group of beautiful girls.
Early in the morning, large numbers of Adventurers streamed in from the city's eight main roads toward the massive central plaza. Fully equipped young men, women, and burly giants, together with their Supporters, were preparing to challenge the Dungeon.
After assembling in the North Main Street district, the Loki Familia advanced toward the central plaza under the Captain's command. The large wagons loaded with equipment and other supplies were currently parked some distance away from the entrance of the Tower of Babel, standing by.
The flag bearing the clown emblem fluttered in the wind.
Every member of the city's strongest faction was brimming with spirit. The youthful energy and powerful aura of these boys and girls attracted countless Adventurers around them, who stopped to watch and admire.
"The Sword Princess has gotten even prettier!"
"So those are the Amazoness sisters. I heard when they first arrived in Orario, they caused a huge commotion no less sensational than that rookie!"
"That person in the black robe… could he be…?"
"He's eye-catching even through his clothes, so it has to be him! I heard he's already become Lv.5. It's honestly unimaginable, how can the gap between people be this huge?"
"Could he really be a descendant of the gods?"
Voices buzzed all around them.
Some people had even started worshipping Ryoji as though he were descended from the gods. Pure admiration could be seen in their eyes.
"Oh, right! Ryoji, are one of your parents secretly a god or something?"
Tiona suddenly looked enlightened, as though she had just discovered the truth.
Ais and the others also cast curious looks his way.
They really had never considered that possibility before.
If he were truly descended from a god, or even a demigod, then possessing talent far beyond all races on the surface world would actually make sense.
"Impossible. I'm a pure-blooded human… probably?"
Ryoji had sounded very certain at first.
But halfway through, he recalled what Master God of War had once told him, and his tone became much less confident.
He had been sent down from the sky in a beam of golden light during a season of heavy snowfall, landing right in front of God of War, who then took him in and raised him.
Come to think of it, Ryoji genuinely had no idea who his parents were in this life.
He himself didn't even know what kind of blood flowed through his veins.
And with his constantly awakening abilities, along with the Vrring Blade whose true name remained unknown, the more one looked at his background, the stranger it seemed. It really didn't feel like a simple case of transmigration.
"I knew it, this must be the truth!"
Tiona looked thrilled.
Who would've thought she'd found herself a demigod as a husband? Not bad at all!
"What exactly are you so excited about…"
Ryoji was certain his body held many secrets, but no matter how you looked at it, this was hardly the time to be thinking about such things during an expedition. The group steadied themselves, and before long arrived in front of the Tower of Babel.
(End of Chapter)
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