Role playing. To act out a character.
As I looked down at the children's playground,
I altered my personality and voice to walk among them as another piece on the board.
The role I chose to pass my time with was "ordinary townsgirl".
And it was the perfect fit, given the contract that I had made with Horn.
While I was away being Syr,
she would fulfill her dream of becoming a Goddess through a spell that she'd manifested.
At other times, I would share part of my consciousness with her
so that she could fill in as Syr.
Although, those instances were rare enough that I can count them on one hand.
What a surprise to see you here in that form. I understand you have a wish to make?
Living as Syr was quite fun.
Cleaning and cooking were a challenge. I soon realized that I wasn't as dexterous as I had believed.
Still, I found it enjoyable.
I adore beautiful things.
Especially the ones that live beautifully for the sake of something aside from themselves.
The stray kitten.
The lonely black cat.
The girl seeking a place to belong.
The Elf trying to stay on the path of sincerity.
They are all my precious darlings.
But then, I came across him...
that boy and his translucent soul.
That drove me to throw it all away.
My honor, my pride, and even the void inside me.
Which is why...
I killed Syr.
Bell! Is everything okay?!
Bell. Where's Syr?
Ms. Syr is okay now. The Freya Familia left and everything's all right...
What do you mean it's all right?
Where did Syr go? And why was the Freya Familia even after her?!
Take it easy!
Bell... what's wrong?
FREYA FAMILIA INVASION
Let me get this straight, you're saying the Syr we saw was an imposter?!
Yes. The Freya Familia were never trying to kill the actual Syr.
Okay, then. What about the real Syr?
I met up with her. And Ms. Syr professed her love for me...
but I turned her down.
Huh?
But why?!
Why would you do that?!
How could you reject her heartfelt feelings?!
I know you! You're not the type of person who would do that!
Because then... nobody, not even me...
My heart is set on someone else.
It's a person who I've always been watching. And trying to catch up to.
Because someday, I want to become equals and tell her how I feel...
That's why even if Ms. Syr loves me... I can't reciprocate her feelings.
How did it never occur to me?
You're already captivated with someone else, just like how Syr was with you. And that's totally natural.
Please allow me to apologize.
I got all bent out of shape without even considering how you felt.
Syr still hasn't come back to the tavern.
So I'm leaving to go find her.
Then I'll join you.
We've finally been freed from working at the tavern...
but it just doesn't feel right to go have fun at the festival.
They won't be able to do much business after Lady Anya and the others got hurt so badly.
I can't believe they got attacked by the Freya Familia.
Not to mention that Lady Syr is still missing.
It's hard to make any sense out of what's going on.
Well, we've already been dragged into the deep end. We might as well keep poking our nose into it.
I'm curious about what the Freya Familia is up to.
Let's split up and find that missing waitress.
I'm willing to bet Hermes' theory was right.
That Syr girl we saw is both a Goddess and not a Goddess.
She's basically an empty vessel who Freya allowed to serve as her substitute.
And if she's been Syr the whole time, then that's fine.
The real problem is, what if the Syr who's been interacting with my Bell was actually Freya all along?
Because if Freya has been regularly using Syr's appearance to get close to Bell, then...
I need to be sure. For starters, I'll go meet with Hermes again and get his advice.
Hestia.
Freya!
I'd like to have Bell. Give him to me, would you?
Huh?! You can't be serious!
There's no way I'm going to agree to that!
Listen, Hestia.
You're one of the ones I adore.
The eternal flame of the hearth that you preside over is more valuable than any sort of gold.
You could even go as far as to say that I fear it.
I don't want to resort to any violence.
So please, Hestia.
Just let me have Bell, okay?
Not happening.
You won't budge no matter what?
That's right! Bell belongs to my Familia!
He's one of my precious children!
I'm never let you have him!
Okay. Then you leave me no choice.
I'll be taking him by force.
The hell do you think you're doing?!
Lady Aisha?! Why are you here?
My patron God told me to keep watch on you guys.
He also ordered me not to interfere, but...
protecting you is more important than that!
Try to stop us and...
we'll crush you!
Their infinite chain of attacks is too much!
I have to do something so at least Haruhime can escape!
You think you can protect this Renard?
You've already failed, fool.
Lady Aisha...
I remember you!
So are you here to fight me, or what?!
No, dumbass. Fight's already over.
You sonuva...
That was a solid attack. I take pride in seeing more brethren like you rise up in the world.
I can still hit him with my magic sword!
However, luck is far from being on your side.
It's The King! Why are you here?!
Just surrender. The divine will of our Goddess calls for you.
Your destiny has already been written.
Try to resist it, and I'll take you down.
Run away, Bell!
Ms. Ryu!
Lion... Bell Cranel...
Resigned to both crime and punishment. We shall shoulder all of the slander and condemnation.
For the Mistress of our pledged fealty has made a wish.
Hence we emerge as servants who implement divine will.
And should the Goddess ever desire it...
then all meaning shall come to naught.
What have you done, Freya?
I had my children launch an attack on your children.
The battle is already over.
What?!
Oh no...
Bell!
Not so fast, Hestia.
He's no longer yours to touch as you please.
Freya...
It's like I told you.
I'm taking him by force.
My time as Syr is over.
So then, it really was you parading as her at the tavern all along!
What an absolute joke!
You couldn't handle getting rejected by Bell so you lash out by pulling this crazy stunt?!
Pathetic for someone who's supposed to be the "Goddess of Love"!
Exactly. I tried as Syr and failed.
So now I'm pulling out all the stops.
Rescind your vow with Bell.
Say what?!
I'm telling you to get ready for a conversion.
Refuse my demands and I'll have your children killed.
If that's not enough to get you to cooperate, then I'll see you sent back to Heaven.
You can kick up a fuss, but Bell will be mine sooner or later.
It all ends the same way. So make the smart choice.
Bell, or your Familia?
You know, I've always wondered...
if there could be anything more terrifying than the carnage of a Goddess on the warpath.
Hermes!
Hey, Hestia. Let me guess...
Lady Freya is finally making a power play to try and force Bell over to her side, is that it?
That's right, so don't interfere.
If you're here to try and muddy the waters,
then I'll start by making sure you get sent to Heaven first.
Okay. I'll admit I can't do anything to stop you.
So you can go ahead and take Bell.
Huh?! Are you nuts, Hermes?!
But... you'll have to wait a bit for the conversion.
It's only been half a year since Bell joined the Hestia Familia.
And members of a Familia have to be active for at least one year
before they can undergo a conversion to a different one.
That's one of the rules for the Lower World that we Gods settled upon, right?
Bell is yours to take with you.
Heck, you can even pretend he's already with your Familia if you want.
I'll smooth things over with the Guild in that respect, too.
Hermes! That's ridiculous!
Sorry, you gotta admit defeat on this one.
Especially since I've given you the chance to reach a decent compromise here.
Huh?
Fine by me. I'd prefer to avoid pointless sacrifices.
So I'll go along with your coaxing.
Thank you. Your mercy is appreciated, Goddess of Love.
Just one thing.
I'll be taking a few proactive steps to make sure that the conversion happens when the time comes.
Don't try and break your promise, Hestia.
But my Bell...
Tough it out for now.
With half a year, we can put together some kind of plan.
Despite everything that's going on, I find myself wanting to see Bell stick around with you, Hestia.
Although it's just a whim.
But... what did she mean by "proactive steps"?
I'm not sure.
Nothing seems beyond Lady Freya at this point, even going straight to the her last resort...
Uh oh!
Master Hermes!
A vast amount of the townsfolk have assembled at Central Park in response to a summons from the Guild!
They've even prepared megaphones.
It's almost like someone is about to give a speech.
What is all this about? What is the Freya Familia plotting?!
Hestia! Boost your divinity!
Huh?
As high as you can, right now!
Otherwise it will even override your innate ability!
Wh-what's the matter with you all of a sudden?
I thought we were going to plan for half a year first...
We don't have the luxury of that anymore!
I misjudged the situation! Lady Freya is more hell-bent on her desire than I thought!
She'll go to any length for her one and only Ord! Even forfeiting the rule that she imposed on herself!
Asfi! Grab Ryu and escape right now!
Fly as far away from Orario as you can possibly get!
But, sir...
Just do what I say before it's too late!
All right!
When the time is right, you need to give this to me.
Don't try and do it immediately!
If you screw up the timing, then I'll just end up being your enemy instead!
Y-you want me to give you this...?
Yes! Out of everyone in Orario right now, the only one who can resist what's coming is you, Hestia!
Hold on, Hermes.
Are you saying that what Freya's about to do is...?
I'm going to tell you all a very boring story.
I saw to it that Ishtar went back to Heaven.
She lost all her elegance and became too ugly to bear looking at.
That's why I got rid of her.
And now...
I'm on the verge of becoming someone just as ugly as her.
I will submit to the scorn.
But I will not apologize.
Because my heart is already set.
I've found something for which there is no substitute.
And it's all that I need anymore.
I finally have an opportunity to learn about all the things aside from love.
I want to know. And so I won't let go.
Thus...
I must defile you all.
Now bow before me!
HESTIAAAAAAA!
You will heed my every word.
Where am I?
Oh, right! I got attacked by Mr. Ottarl...
The knife I got from Goddess Hestia is gone.
Where the heck am I right now?
And is Ms. Ryu okay?
For starters, I'll look around for Ms. Ryu.
I just hope that nobody notices me...
What are you doing?
M-Master...
Wash that filthy face of yours immediately.
It's time for breakfast.
Huh?
Hurry up, harebrain.
Y-yes, Master!
What is going on?
Hey.
Hurry and sit down.
You only just woke up? Oversleeper.
Look at this big shot! Showing up whenever he wants!
Tis a fine dawn.
Huh?
Will you not shed the chains upon your gluttony?
Uh... what?
Quit standing there like a friggin' wall! Sit your ass down and eat, then go to the courtyard.
C-courtyard?
Um, sorry! But where exactly am I right now?
And why are you treating me like this?
You should know. This is our home, the Fólkvangr.
But why would you bring me here?
What did you attack me for?
And what about Ms. Ryu? Is she okay?!
You are quite the contrary to a captive damsel.
There is no purpose for which we would abduct you.
You still asleep or what, dumbass?
Apart from the usual training, there's no possible reason we would have to attack you.
Nothing you've said makes any sense.
You're the one who Lady Freya fell in love with at first sight.
A fellow member of the Freya Familia.
Wh-what the? What are you saying?!
I'm a member of the Hestia Familia!
I'm not one of Lady Freya's children!
What kind of bullshit are you spouting, punk?!
Hold on. I know this rabbit can be silly, but even he wouldn't forget the respect due to our Goddess.
Either bedlam dominates his remembrance,
or perhaps a malignant spell has been laid upon him.
I was saved by Goddess Hestia when she took me under her wing!
I don't have any connections to Lady Freya!
And I never underwent a conversion!
Yikes.
What?
Are you crazy?
Think back very carefully.
When you first came to Orario, the only Goddess who bestowed you with a blessing...
was Lady Freya, wasn't it?
What kind of sick joke is this?! They can't seriously think I'm part of the Freya Familia!
I need to get back to my real home fast!
Goddess Hestia, Lili, Welf, Ms. Mikoto, and Ms. Haruhime are waiting!
I'll ask them to help me rescue Ms. Ryu!
Hey, that hurt! Watch where you're going, jackass!
Ah, you're Mr. Mord!
Oh shit, Rabbit's Foot! From the Freya Familia!
S-sorry. I didn't realize who I was talking to!
I wasn't trying to pick a fight!
What are you talking about? I'm not part of the Freya Familia.
Mord! Give him money!
Empty your pockets and maybe he'll let us go!
What do you think you're doing?! I don't need any money!
Then what the hell am I supposed to do?!
All goes according to her divine will.
With the exception of that harebrain,
all the other Gods and townsfolk have been charmed and had their memories altered.
So his confusion is understandable.
Don't you remember me, Mr. Mord?
You used to pick on me and make all these weird comments,
but you've helped me out when I needed it! I'm Bell Cranel!
That's never happened! No way, man!
You gotta let him off the hook, please!
He didn't mean to offend you!
They've lost all memory of him as a member of the Hestia Familia.
Instead, they now recognize him as belonging to our Familia.
Her innate ability is most formidable.
She was able to alter the Lower World without using any divine power,
and exert control over the very souls of the populace.
All are slaves before the might of Lady Freya.
However, her charm has no effect on him.
And so, she had to distort everything around him instead.
Please! You have to remember!
I'm with the Hestia Familia!
What is all this about?!
Ms. Eina!
I beg your pardon. Have we met somewhere before?
Huh? It's me. You don't remember... who I am?
Don't be silly! There is nobody in Orario who isn't familiar with your reputation!
It's just, this is the first time we've actually met, so I was surprised to hear you say my name.
But you're my advisor at the Guild, isn't that right?
Who me? Really?
The Freya Familia has their own unique in-house policy,
and they don't make use of the advisor system as far as I know...
The rabbit has been plunged into wonderland.
Uh, Mister Cranel?!
No! No! No!
I am NOT part of the Freya Familia!
Stop it! Quit looking at me like that!
No matter how wildly he scampers, none shall chase the rabbit.
It's a solitary world.
Goddess!
You guys!
Aren't you... that rookie with the Freya Familia?
What business does the up-and-coming Rabbit's Foot have to do with a minor Familia like ours?
Goddess Hestia... not you, too...
Let's go. We should keep our distance from the Freya Familia.
Goddess Hestia... please no...!
I'm sorry, Bell...
I'm so sorry. Forgive me.
Next time: "Orario".
ORARIO DISTORTED CITY