After trying on various outfits, Charlie was finally bought five sets of casual clothes chosen by Aiz and Tiona. Of course, he initially wanted to refuse, but seeing Tiona's hopeful face and Aiz's gaze that seemed to say "just accept it", he eventually gave in. After all, for High-Class Adventurers like them, that amount of money was hardly worth mentioning.
After expressing his gratitude, Charlie parted ways with them. Tiona tried to persuade him to spend more time together, but he gently declined. He still had matters to attend to—preparing supplies for tomorrow's expedition.
His first destination was the Dian Cecht Familia's shop. Upon arrival, he immediately purchased dozens of Healing Potions as supplies. Unfortunately, when he asked for Elixirs, Airmid could only sell him two bottles due to limited stock. It was understandable, as Elixirs were rare items that couldn't be mass-produced in a short time.
After completing all his purchases, Charlie returned to the Empyrean Citadel.
As for food? He didn't buy any.
Compared to the modern flavors he brought from the world of Gotoubun no Hanayome, the food in Orario felt bland. The civilization in this world was still equivalent to medieval Europe, and its culinary techniques couldn't compare to the modern world.
As he strolled leisurely toward the Empyrean Citadel, his instincts suddenly kicked in.
'Hm? Hostility?'
His steps halted. With his Six Eyes, he immediately detected several individuals on the rooftops in the distance, radiating hostility toward him. They weren't moving, but the aura they emitted clearly indicated unfriendly intentions.
However, among them, one figure stood out more than the others. A woman with long silver hair, wearing a robe, stood gracefully in their midst. Her face wasn't entirely hidden, revealing unparalleled beauty—a divine charm so strong that anyone who gazed upon her would be captivated.
Charlie instantly recognized who she was.
"Goddess Freya?"
Although her presence alone was enough to draw attention, she seemed to be trying to conceal her charm by wearing a hooded robe. Clearly, this was to prevent those around her from falling under her charm at a mere glance.
As their eyes met, Freya casually waved her hand, as if signaling for him to approach.
Charlie raised an eyebrow.
'Goddess Freya, huh? Aren't I closer to Goddess Aphrodite? What's her purpose in meeting me?'
Without hesitation, Charlie leaped onto the nearest rooftop. With his speed and agility, he jumped from one rooftop to another, approaching the Goddess of Beauty. Once he stood before her, Freya smiled with an inscrutable gaze.
Behind Freya stood four short figures with unfriendly expressions. They were the source of the hostility he had sensed earlier.
Charlie immediately recognized their identities—the Gulliver Brothers.
The four dwarf adventurers wore heavy armor, each wielding a different weapon: a sword, a hammer, an axe, and a spear. Their muscles bulged beneath their armor, indicating extraordinary physical strength. They weren't ordinary adventurers; they were members of the Freya Familia, each at Level 5—a strength achieved only by a handful of elite adventurers in Orario.
One of them, Alfrigg, narrowed his eyes with a scowl.
"Kid, watch your manners in front of Lady Freya!"
His tone was full of displeasure. To them, Charlie was just someone who had suddenly appeared and caught their goddess's attention—something they clearly didn't appreciate.
However, before the situation escalated, Freya gracefully raised her hand, stopping them.
"Enough, Alfrigg." Her voice was soft yet carried undeniable authority. "I don't mind. Charlie Avalon is like that. Even in front of Aphrodite, his behavior is more reckless."
Charlie simply smiled. He could feel the Gulliver Brothers' sharp gazes, but he didn't care.
"So, what does Goddess Freya want with me?"
His gaze remained calm, even in the presence of four Level 5 adventurers who could attack him at any moment. If they thought he would cower just because of the difference in numbers and status, they were sorely mistaken.
However, unlike her followers, who still radiated hostility, Freya showed no signs of wasting time.
"You ruined my plans today."
"Huh?"
Charlie raised an eyebrow, his confused expression genuine, without pretense. He truly had no idea what Freya was referring to.
Seeing his reaction, Freya sighed softly, then explained, "The monsters you killed during the Monsterphilia today were supposed to be a stage for Bell Cranel. Except for the plant monster, all the monsters released were arranged by me. I wanted to give Bell an opportunity to easily gain Excelia."
Charlie finally understood.
Freya had planned a scenario where Bell would fight monsters in public, gain attention, and stand out as a young hero. However, before Bell could do anything, Charlie had wiped out all the monsters in an instant.
"So that's it." Charlie finally realized why Freya had called him.
Freya looked at him with a small smile. "I hope you won't interfere again."
Although her tone sounded sweet, there was a hidden meaning behind it. It wasn't a request but a warning.
Charlie sighed, then slightly lowered his head. "Alright, I apologize. I didn't know I was disrupting your plans."
"I promise I won't interfere in Bell Cranel's matters again. However, if that boy is ever in life-threatening danger, I will save him."
The Gulliver Brothers frowned, not expecting Charlie to set boundaries in response to Freya's warning. However, the Goddess of Beauty seemed intrigued.
"Interesting." Freya's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "I didn't expect you to care so much about him. May I know the reason?"
Charlie looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. "It's simple. Bell's mother and aunt were members of the Hera Familia."
"..."
The air around them seemed to freeze.
Freya's eyes widened slightly, while the Gulliver Brothers exchanged glances, their expressions hard to decipher.
Charlie continued calmly. "His mother, Meteria, and his aunt, Alfia, were siblings. Before I came to Orario, Goddess Hera instructed me that if I ever met a young man named Bell Cranel, I should protect him."
Freya stared at Charlie with an inscrutable expression. She touched her chin, pondering for a moment before speaking.
"Bell Cranel is the son of a former member of the Hera Familia… More than that, he is Alfia's nephew."
Behind her, the Gulliver Brothers seemed frozen in place. Shock was evident on their faces.
They might not have known much about Meteria, but Alfia was a different story.
Alfia wasn't just an ordinary member of the Hera Familia. She was an executive, a Level 7—an existence on par with Ottar, the strongest adventurer in the Freya Familia.
As one of the Hera Familia's executives, her name had once shaken Orario. However, she was one of those who participated in the joint assault with the Zeus Familia to defeat the One-Eyed Black Dragon.
The result was a crushing defeat for both the Hera and Zeus Familia's main teams. Their deaths marked the end of the two strongest familias that had ever existed.
The Gulliver Brothers swallowed hard, exchanging glances, still processing the information they had just heard.
The boy who had caught Lady Freya's attention… was Alfia's nephew?!
"I understand. If the situation truly threatens his life, I won't stop you from acting." Freya nodded in agreement.
Charlie glanced at the Gulliver Brothers, who still looked stunned by the earlier revelation, then turned his gaze back to Freya.
"Is there anything else you wish to discuss, Goddess Freya?" He asked politely.
Freya shook her head with a faint smile. "No, that's all."
Receiving her answer, Charlie gave a slight nod. "Very well. Then, I'll take my leave."
Without further ado, he turned and leaped from rooftop to rooftop.
Freya watched his retreating figure, then smiled softly.
"Interesting…"