"Beautiful, absolutely beautiful! It suits you perfectly!"
---------------------------
Aside from the trading district, the Southwest District was a place Fron was quite familiar with, and the tavern he frequented most often was also located there.
Speaking of that tavern, it was actually the very first one Fron had visited upon arriving in Orario.
The Flame Bee Pavilion, it, too, was located in the fifth sector of the Southwest District. Even among the many bustling taverns in that area, this one was the most famous.
Of course, it wasn't just because their signature honey mead was delicious, it was also because high-level adventurers like Fron and Welf often visited.
As the saying goes, "Those close to vermilion become red, those close to ink become black." With so many top adventurers frequenting it, the clientele of the Flame Bee Pavilion naturally became more refined.
If you weren't at least Level 2, you'd almost feel embarrassed to even sit down there.
Gazing absentmindedly out the window, the sign of the crimson bee flashed by, Fron's eyes softened knowingly.
As for the remaining landmarks, such as Hero's Bridge, they all added a sense of history and grandeur to the center of this world.
"All right, we're here!" The carriage came to a steady stop in front of a vast plaza.
Fron was the first to step down, then extended his hand to help Ais alight.
Her soft, delicate hand, its warmth could be felt even through the lace gloves, gave Fron a peculiar feeling, making him instinctively want to squeeze it.
"Fron~" Ais' cheeks turned red, and she pouted in shy protest.
These past few days, every night, the girl would sit curled up on bed, hugging her knees, gazing at the starry sky as memories of him came flooding back.
Why did she always become so coquettish around Fron?
Later, she understood.
Her heart had completely opened up to that man.
Or perhaps… the "self" she usually showed others was a façade, and only before him could she truly relax and be herself.
"Hey, hey, hey, you two! Am I, a goddess, invisible here? And you, Fron! Don't think I don't notice you flirting with my Ais-tan!"
With that, Loki yanked Ais by the arm and started dragging her away in a crab-like walk.
"???" Fron froze mid-gesture and exchanged a helpless smile with the turning Ais.
This goddess really hadn't changed one bit.
...
Compared to Loki Familia's Twilight Manor, Apollo's Sun Manor was far more ostentatious in design.
A square-shaped mansion surrounded by wide lawns, it displayed the god's unique sense of gaudy taste everywhere.
Walking along the neatly paved stone path, they saw that every statue lining it depicted one person, Apollo himself.
Yes, with all sorts of expressions and poses. Everyone's faces darkened instantly.
"I say, Loki… was Apollo's taste always this bad, even up in the heavens? This is… too much."
Loki smirked mischievously.
"That guy's a narcissist, an egomaniac, and a damn pervert. Disgusting. Oh, and he swings both ways, by the way. As far as I know, the number of goddesses he's confessed to is at least eight or ten thousand. Not one of them accepted him, of course."
"Oh yeah, he even tried to chase that shorty Hestia and Artemis too!"
"..." Now that was an image Fron didn't need.
Was it because the lower world described these deities as too perfect that the reality felt so jarringly different?
How painfully realistic.
"Welcome to the divine banquet hosted by Lord Apollo. Lady Loki, Miss Wallenstein, Mr. Argon, this way, please."
Glancing briefly at the butler who greeted them, the three followed him to the grand banquet hall on the second floor.
Their timing was perfect, the lavish hall, with its rich red carpet and marble floors, was already bustling with elegantly dressed guests.
Yet, the moment Loki's group entered, the noisy chatter suddenly fell silent for an instant, then resumed as if nothing had happened.
"Hey, hey, isn't that the Goddess of Regret herself!"
"Damn it, can you not say that next to me?"
"Didn't learn your lesson, huh? I still remember what happened to Apollo after he crossed her, nope, I'm out!"
People who had been chatting just moments ago instantly found excuses to scatter.
Especially when Loki's sinister gaze swept across them, several men visibly shuddered.
"Pfft…" Fron, who had kept a straight face, couldn't hold back a laugh at the title.
"?" When Loki glanced his way, he quickly covered his mouth, maybe it was just his imagination, but it felt like danger was radiating off her.
"Hmph! Those loudmouths… I've got every single one of their names in my little notebook. When I've got time, I'll make sure to pay them all back one by one!"
"..." Fron and Ais exchanged a look. Somehow, it felt like Loki's personality was heading in a… concerning direction.
"Yo, Loki, over here!" Only a few gods dared to call out to Loki so openly in a social setting like this.
Hermes was one of them.
Following the voice, they saw the charming, smooth-talking god, infamous among the divine crowd as a pretty boy, holding a glass of red wine and waving them over.
Beside him stood a young woman, naturally, Asfi, captain of the Hermes Familia.
"Long time no see, Loki! What've you been up to lately?" The little group around Hermes included several other deities, notably the goddess Hephaestus.
"Ah, Hephy~ Things haven't been going well for me at all, waaahhh…"
Fron, "..." Seriously, Loki, could you not embarrass yourself for once?
"Lady Hephaestus, Lord Miach, Lord Takemikazuchi, Lord Hermes, it's been a while."
"Yo, Fron, you rascal! Hahaha, feels like it hasn't been that long, but in the blink of an eye, you've already grown this much." Takemikazuchi laughed heartily, clapping Fron on the shoulder.
"Hm?" But with that single pat, the god instantly noticed something.
He squeezed Fron's shoulder again, his eyes widening in surprise.
"No way… huh… kid, don't tell me, you're Level 6 now?"
Level 6?
That hadn't been made public yet. In fact, because of how busy things had been these past few days, Loki hadn't even had the chance to report it to the Guild. So everyone's shock was understandable.
Facing the gods' questioning gazes, Fron showed no hesitation, he simply nodded, openly confirming Takemikazuchi's guess.
-------------------------------
T/N: Details about bonus chaps will be in Author notes at the bottom from now on~