On the street.
After listening to Ryuu's explanation, Bell frowned.
"How are Syr and the others going to decide the winner?"
"Cranel-san, that's exactly why I came to find you," Ryuu replied.
At the very beginning, the girls had only planned to use the outcome to decide whether or not to accept Goddess Artemis's rather willful demand.
But without realizing it, through Syr's words, it had turned into a [Holy War] to decide who would have the final say.
In the terms used by certain countries, the victor would become the boy's [official consort].
Not only Artemis and Syr, but Laurier and Airmid would also be taking part.
As for how the winner would be decided, it would naturally involve evaluating every aspect, to see who was best suited to become the boy's main partner.
"...You want me to be the judge?"
Bell repeated Ryuu's request.
Challenging a goddess to a contest and then having him do the scoring really did sound like something Syr would come up with.
"If Syr and the others are competing, won't it involve fighting?"
Bell asked with concern.
"As for that, it seems others will be handling it. After all, connections are also a form of personal ability," Ryuu answered honestly.
Those like Syr and Artemis, who weren't suited to fighting directly, were inviting others to act as their support.
"I see. That's very well thought out."
Bell nodded.
The girls were accepting Artemis in their own way, and Bell had no intention of interfering with their feelings.
Still, having to evaluate every aspect of the girls?
No matter how he thought about it, it sounded like a battlefield.
The task placed before him felt overwhelmingly difficult.
...
Inside the Freya Familia's base.
Hermes removed his invisibility magic item and smiled lightly.
"The job's done. That's a surprisingly generous reward. What exactly is your goddess planning?"
Hedin adjusted his glasses and replied calmly.
"She just wants things to be a little more lively."
"Is that so? So Goddess Freya wants to enjoy Valentine's Day as well…"
Hermes put on his hat and turned to leave.
Hedin watched the god's retreating figure without saying a word.
Was this truly the goddess's [scheme], or just a spur-of-the-moment whim?
Hedin didn't think too deeply about it.
No matter which it was, all he needed to offer was his loyalty.
…
"A showdown for the main wife? Now I'm getting excited, nya."
Chloe laughed as she walked behind the boy.
"I don't really get what it means, but if it's a showdown, then Syr absolutely has to win, nya."
Anya cheered for Syr with her usual simple-minded enthusiasm.
At some point, the street had filled with couples walking arm in arm.
They carried heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, drawing the eyes of passersby.
"Why does it feel like… today's Valentine's Day, nya?"
Anya looked around, carefully weaving past the affectionate couples.
"You actually know about that holiday, nya…"
Even Chloe felt that the atmosphere was unusual.
By nightfall, that sweet mood would probably become even stronger.
"This is way too strange, nya!"
Anya struck a thoughtful pose.
"There's definitely something going on behind the scenes, nya!"
"The detective game is already over, nya…"
Chloe casually brushed off her excited coworker.
"I know, nya!"
Anya suddenly clapped her hands.
"Someone is definitely following us, nya! Right over there, nya!"
"..."
Chloe had no idea how to respond.
It was obviously something Anya had just made up on the spot, straight out of a detective novel.
But the very next moment, an elf girl stepped out shakily.
"Y-You… you actually noticed me…"
"Huh? Huh, nya?!"
Anya hadn't expected her "deduction" to actually work and cried out in surprise.
"You said it yourself, nya. Why are you so shocked, nya…"
Chloe couldn't help but comment.
Bell turned around and looked at the blushing, golden-haired elf.
"Lefiya-san, were you following us?"
"I-It was just a coincidence…"
Lefiya stepped forward awkwardly.
"It's not like I was upset or anything… but why didn't you tell me you were back…"
She had planned to confront the boy yesterday.
But then she realized that doing so would just be telling Bell Cranel how much she cared about him.
Lefiya had endured it for the entire night, yet when she finally saw the boy, she couldn't stop herself from following him after all.
"Sorry, Lefiya-san. I've made you worry during this time."
Bell apologized softly.
"Huh…?! I—I wasn't worried about you at all!"
Lefiya stepped forward aggressively.
"I was just worried that you might lose my crystal candy. Don't get the wrong idea!"
"I understand. Just calm down for now…"
Bell replied with a gentle smile.
Because of her flustered state, there was barely any distance left between him and the golden-haired elf.
"S-Sorry?!"
Lefiya hurriedly jumped back, her cheeks instantly flushing bright red.
Just as she was about to make up an excuse and escape, a black-haired girl came running over.
"C-Captain… I finally found you…"
Cassandra panted heavily, her hair slightly disheveled.
"Did something happen?"
Bell asked.
"N-No, it's just… I fell asleep earlier and had a new [Prophetic Dream]…"
At those words, the others instinctively shot her skeptical looks, clearly thinking she had been sleeping in broad daylight.
Cassandra ignored them and continued.
"In the dream, there was a blonde girl standing there. I couldn't see clearly who she was, but the [prophecy] is definitely related to you, Captain."
Cassandra's prophetic dreams were always nothing more than vague scenes.
And the prophecies tied to them were just as obscure.
This time, the content was as follows:
"Humans and elves.
Girls and a goddess.
Love collides.
A harem clashes.
When the dust finally settles, only the golden-haired girl tastes the forbidden fruit and looks down upon all."
The moment Cassandra heard the word "harem," Bell immediately came to mind.
She hurriedly changed her clothes, found the boy, and relayed the prophecy to him word for word.
"I understand, Cassandra-san. Thank you for coming all this way to tell me. Please go back and continue resting."
Bell expressed his gratitude frankly.
Since there was no tragedy shown in the dream, there was no need for excessive worry.
"Mm…"
Cassandra smiled faintly and turned to leave.
Being able to help the boy was already more than enough happiness for her.
Lefiya watched the black-haired girl's retreating figure, questions bubbling up one after another in her mind.
A harem showdown?
Why?
And who was that blonde girl?
Ais-san?
Laurier-san?
Or maybe Alicia…
She had never explained who she gave the fruit of the Great Sacred Tree to.
No.
It was just a vague prophetic dream. Why should she believe it?
But… but going to take a look wouldn't hurt, right?
Lefiya nodded to herself, as if mustering courage.
She took a step forward and made her request.
"Bell Cranel, may I come along with you to take a look?"
"Of course."
Bell answered without hesitation.
He had intended to invite her from the start.
Leaving him alone to evaluate the girls would be no different from roasting him over an open flame.
Bell was smart enough to realize that.
"When the time comes, I'll be counting on Lefiya-san and Ryuu-san to help with the scoring."
Having already foreseen the battlefield-like situation, Bell chose to bring more people to help share the burden.
"O-Okay… I'll do my best?"
Lefiya agreed, though her tone carried a hint of uncertainty.
"..."
Ryuu remained silent, offering no objection.
Her thoughts still seemed caught up in the prophetic dream.
Reason told her it was completely unreliable.
And yet, the words "golden-haired girl" continued to tug at her heart, sending faint ripples through her calm surface.