The aroma of black tea drifted around the round table.
The Goddesses, far more captivating than the flowers in bloom, exchanged greetings and enjoyed the delicious sweets.
"So, Artemis, why did you invite Freya? Aren't you supposed to be on opposite sides?"
Astraea asked curiously.
The Goddess of Beauty possessed the authority of [Charm], a power capable of affecting even the minds of Gods. If a Goddess of Beauty like Freya used [Charm], she could easily trigger a large-scale invasion or establish control over others.
In contrast, Virgin Goddesses could resist [Charm], and even purify it completely. Naturally, they served as a restraint and safeguard against Goddesses of Beauty.
Since the days of Tenkai, this had been an unchanging rule. In a sense, Virgin Goddesses and Goddesses of Beauty should have been completely incompatible.
"Opposite sides? I certainly cannot stand the other Goddesses of Beauty, but I rather like Freya."
Artemis gazed at the Goddess of Beauty's silver hair, as if recalling something.
After a brief pause, she added, "If Freya were like the other Goddesses of Beauty, fooling around everywhere, I never would have invited her. In fact, I might have shot an arrow at her long ago and cut ties completely."
"As expected of the Goddess of Chastity... Artemis, are you starting to become like Athena? Luckily, no one here has crossed that line."
Hephaestus smiled helplessly.
At her words, Freya and Artemis both wavered slightly.
Hephaestus did not pay much attention to that and continued, "By Artemis's standards, most Gods out there would be your enemies, wouldn't they? But you have not gone after them. Why single out Freya like this? Did something happen?"
"That is because..."
Artemis pressed her lips together, momentarily unsure how to answer.
"Because when she first came to Orario, I scolded her a little. After all, she is a Goddess of Chastity who had fallen head over heels in love. I was curious, so I could not resist teasing her a bit."
Freya answered in Artemis's place.
"I see. I understand how you felt. That kind of [Unknown] event really is fascinating."
Hephaestus nodded with a smile.
To the people of the Lower World, Artemis entering a romantic relationship with a boy might only bring about envy and jealousy. But for Gods with an ancient past, a Goddess of Chastity falling into the depths of love was undoubtedly an [Unknown] event that could shake Tenkai.
"What [Unknown]? Everyone just got it wrong. Artemis is a sly vixen who keeps everything bottled up."
Hestia seemed provoked by those words and puffed out her cheeks as she slandered her best friend.
"Huh? Hestia?!"
Artemis had not expected to be stabbed in the back by her friend.
She coughed once, then quickly stuffed a pastry from the plate into Hestia's mouth.
"Mmph... I..."
Hestia seemed to want to expose something else, but the delicious sweet filled her mouth, leaving only muffled sounds.
"Do not talk while eating."
Astraea reminded her softly.
She realized that if this topic continued, she and Artemis would definitely end up in the center of the storm.
So Astraea quickly changed the subject. "It has been a long time since I came to Orario. The city seems to have changed quite a bit."
"This is the center of the world, after all. It develops much faster than other cities. And now that Evilus is no longer affecting things, it has become far more peaceful."
Hephaestus thought back to the past and grew a little emotional. "Astraea, have you ever considered coming back to live in Orario?"
"That sounds nice. You could live with me in Hestia's mansion."
Artemis agreed.
Back in Tenkai, the Goddesses had already been close, and now, because of the boy, they had been tied together once again.
Artemis still had many worries when it came to love, but she could not confide in Hestia. She wanted to find a Goddess in a similar situation to discuss those matters with.
"Mmph..."
Hestia swallowed the pastry while nodding happily.
"I hate to spoil your fun, but Artemis's case is special. The Guild probably would not allow a second Goddess to move in, would they?"
Hephaestus commented softly.
From the Gods' point of view, Familias were like children playing house. Some immersed themselves in it, while others treated it as nothing more than a game.
Taking that into account, the Guild forbade multiple Gods from living together and forming alliances in order to maintain order. The Guild would not interfere with how Gods got along in private, but publicly, the rules still had to be followed.
"It is fine. As long as I draw my bow, they will definitely compromise."
Artemis answered casually.
She had only recently settled in Orario, and some of her thinking from the free cities still remained.
"...You did not move into Hestia's house that way, did you?"
Hephaestus asked jokingly.
"If the Guild does not allow it, I can prepare a residence for Astraea Familia."
Freya smiled as she took up the topic. "What kind of love nest would Astraea like?"
"..."
At Freya's words, the others froze in place.
"I nearly forgot. You are a Goddess of Beauty too, after all..."
There was a trace of helplessness in Astraea's gentle voice.
Gods were [omniscient]. Even if they saw love as [Unknown] on an emotional level, the rational knowledge still existed.
The Goddesses present were not innocent, ignorant girls. They all knew the baser side of romance.
To use the people of the Lower World as an example, these Goddesses were all properly educated adults who had always avoided matters of love while preserving their virginity.
Precisely because of that, Freya's words and behavior were only somewhat crude, and did not have too great an effect.
"I appreciate your kindness, but I have no plans to return to Orario for now."
Astraea smoothed her walnut-colored hair and did not explain further.
"Even though you and the Little Rookie have become lovers? How cold of you."
Freya pressed further.
"Mm..."
Astraea lowered her eyes slightly.
"Could it be... you are actually shy? Worried that if you come back, something might happen?"
Freya seemed quite interested in this topic.
"H-how could that be..."
Astraea recalled her reunion with the boy and, unusually, wavered a little.
"..."
The Goddesses studied Astraea's face and fell silent for a moment.
The atmosphere gradually grew subtle.
Just then, Freya stood and walked toward the Moon Goddess.
"I almost forgot. There is something I want to say to Artemis."
Freya lowered herself and brought her lips close to the other Goddess's ear.
She covered her mouth with one hand and spoke softly in a voice no one else could hear.
"You always call him [Orion]... but that arrow of his really can pierce through Artemis."