"Ugh! I'm losing my mind!" Hestia groaned, hands buried in her hair as she stared at the mountain of documents covering her desk. "So many assets! So much money! So many people to manage!"
The two of them had already moved into the former Ishtar manor, now firmly under Hestia Familia control. Their first act had been decisive. Every slave owned by Ishtar had been freed. Those who wished to stay were offered proper jobs throughout the district, with fair pay and legal protection.
The prostitution rings had been dismantled entirely. It had been impossible to erase prostitution from the Red Light District overnight, so instead Hestia chose regulation. Legal work, strict oversight, and protection. Former Ishtar members were hired as guards, stationed to ensure no girl was abused or forced.
All of Ishtar's foreign connections were cut clean. No more traffickers, no more outside buyers slipping into Orario under the table.
Hestia had wanted to absorb the remaining Ishtar Familia members into her own, but Damien shut that down immediately.
"Not all of them deserve a place here," he had said.
In the end, only a few were accepted. Samira and Lena, the two who had treated Haruhime kindly and tried to protect her. Aisha and Lena were approved without argument, while Samira was accepted on Damien's recommendation alone. She had helped him orchestrate Ishtar's downfall and surrendered when the time came.
And finally, Haruhime herself. Free at last, and officially part of the Hestia Familia.
Damien leaned casually against the wall of the office, watching Hestia suffer under paperwork with visible amusement.
"Well," he said with a laugh, "at least you won't complain about being broke anymore. This place is going to print money. We can train our new members properly, equip them like a real Familia should be equipped. We're a major force in Orario now."
His eyes sharpened.
"That means protection. That means dominance. First thing we should do is take down Apollo and Set. They sided with Ishtar and challenged us once. They'll try again. Better to crush them before they get the chance."
Hestia looked up slowly. "I know that… but I don't want to ruin other Familias."
"We're not," Damien replied calmly. "The adventurers in those Familias either deserve a better place or deserve to fall with their gods. Not everyone thinks like you. Some only want power. Those kinds don't deserve to remain."
"I know… I know…" Hestia sighed, her voice trailing off.
Before she could finish, Damien placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to worry about that. Keep being the good goddess you are. Support your children. Leave the dirty work to me."
Hestia smiled softly. "Thank you, Damien."
He returned the smile and left the office, heading deeper into the manor.
His new room awaited him. Formerly Ishtar's personal chambers, it was massive. A bed large enough to sleep ten people comfortably, decorated with rare woods, jewels, and excessive luxury.
Normally, he would have commented on the absurdity of it.
Instead, his mind returned to the system notifications that had appeared after Ishtar's defeat.
[You have increased the influence of the Shadow Monarch in Orario][Shadow Preservation level increased: 40 → 60][You have gained: Dungeon Key (C)]
Damien summoned the key into his hand. It felt cold, heavy with intent. He opened his system map, narrowing in on its location.
Somewhere between Floors 28 and 30.
Unlike previous keys, the entrance wasn't clearly marked. It was hidden. Buried.
"Looks like the next expedition will give me more shadows, more experience," he muttered, curling his fingers around the key. "And whatever this thing is hiding."
He straightened up, already making plans.
"But first…"
A sharp grin crossed his face.
"Better go visit Hephaestus. I'm going to need a new weapon."
...
Freya sat alone at the summit of Babel, a glass of deep red wine resting between her fingers as she gazed out over Orario. The city glimmered beneath her like a living jewel
The door behind her opened.
Soft footsteps crossed the marble floor before a woman took a seat at Freya's table and let out a tired sigh.
"Haa… what a mess," the newcomer said lazily. "Convincing Ishtar to go that far was no small task. I do hope my reward will be worth it, dear Freya."
Freya turned, silver eyes locking onto the radiant goddess seated across from her.
"Aphrodite," she said calmly, then rose and joined her at the table. "You won't be disappointed. I always reward those who serve me well."
Aphrodite smiled, resting her chin on her palm. "Now that the other Goddess of Beauty is gone… are you planning to come for me next?"
Freya's lips curved slightly. "No. I have no reason to. You're useful. Obedient. And you understand your place."
Aphrodite laughed softly. "High praise coming from you." She tilted her head. "Still… did you really get what you wanted? I thought you'd take the Red Light District for yourself. Yet you've let Hestia keep it."
"Hestia can have her prize," Freya replied, swirling her wine. "It means nothing to me."
Her gaze sharpened, distant and hungry.
"As long as I have Damien."
Aphrodite raised an eyebrow. "I feel almost ashamed as a goddess for not seeing it sooner. What do you all see in him? Ishtar threw away everything for that man." She paused, then added honestly, "But...After learning he's the Necromancer… even I would have wanted him."
The temperature in the room dropped.
Freya's eyes snapped back to Aphrodite, sharp enough to cut.
Aphrodite immediately raised her hands. "Would have," she explained quickly. "Not want. I know my place. I won't reach for what you've claimed."
Freya studied her for a moment, then took a slow sip of wine.
"Do you know what heroes truly are, Aphrodite?"
Aphrodite frowned. "Powerful mortals. That's all."
Freya stepped forward without warning, leaning down and capturing Aphrodite's lips in a deep kiss. Wine spilled between them, shared breath for breath, as Aphrodite melted back into her chair, utterly overwhelmed by Freya's presence.
Freya broke the kiss and straightened.
"Open your mouth."
Aphrodite obeyed without hesitation.
Freya leaned close and let a slow drop of her spit fall onto Aphrodite's tongue. Aphrodite swallowed, shuddering, eyes dimmed and unfocused.
Freya smiled.
"Good girl."
She returned to her chair, crossing her legs with elegant calm.
"That obedience," Freya continued, "is my charm. As a superior goddess, I can impose it on weaker gods and mortals alike. You could do the same, if you wished."
Aphrodite listened silently.
"But heroes…" Freya's smile sharpened. "They are immune. They cannot be dominated. They cannot be controlled. They are mortals who stand above gods, capable of reshaping the world itself. Even we can lose to them."
She lifted her glass.
"A hero is the ultimate weapon against another god."
The haze in Aphrodite's eyes slowly faded as Freya's influence withdrew. She exhaled shakily and looked back at her.
Freya met her gaze with an amused smile. "You may leave now."
Aphrodite stood, smoothing her dress. "Of course."
She bowed her head slightly.
"Good night, mistress."
The door closed softly behind her, leaving Freya alone once more, gazing down at the city… and thinking only of one man.
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