"And in this situation… what can you do?"
The Guild staff guarding the west gate, and the renowned Ganesha Familia adventurers, had lost all strength, collapsing limply to the ground.
Their cages, originally holding monsters, were empty; the Goddess of Beauty had released them.
Freya had no combat ability; in the lower world, she was powerless.
However, she possessed extraordinary beauty. No, she was beauty personified.
An irresistible force. Humans, demi-humans, and even Gods couldn't resist her overwhelming power. She could plunge anyone into a state of infatuation.
She used this power for her amusement.
She incapacitated her opponents, rendering them helpless, turning them into "jelly." She charmed them. It was a kind of ambush.
Her purpose was simple: amusement.
This bored Goddess wanted to see what the boy she'd chosen could do.
"A pristine figure… so pitiable. Will I see your frost bloom this time?"
Arthas and Hestia wandered through the arena, but couldn't find Syr.
"She must have gone home. Arthas, let's watch the show?"
Hestia said, urging Arthas.
"Should we?"
Arthas hesitated; he disliked the lively atmosphere, but if Hestia wanted to go…
Let's go.
Then, a sound caught his attention.
Not the festival's noise, but a sharp, urgent sound.
"…A scream?"
Arthas muttered.
A deafening roar echoed.
"Mo… monsters!"
The lively street fell silent.
Arthas saw it.
From the road leading from the arena.
With the sound of feet on stone, a white-furred monster charged towards them.
The monster, seemingly searching for something, roared upon seeing Hestia and lunged.
In that instant.
The crowd screamed and scattered.
"…Ar… Arthas."
Hestia, sensing danger, called out to Arthas.
Arthas grasped her hand, then released it.
"Stay back."
He said calmly. He was curious about the monster's appearance and what had happened, but he had no time for that now.
He needed to deal with the monster before more people were hurt.
Though imposing, it was similar to the Minotaur.
In other words… this monster was weak!
"N… no, I won't leave Arthas."
Hestia clung to him.
Don't do this! I told you to stay back because the frost might hurt you.
Arthas understood his magic's nature; he didn't control the frost; it affected everyone indiscriminately.
He was immune and could protect others, but only afterward. The initial impact was unavoidable.
He didn't want Hestia to suffer.
Ais Wallenstein knew this pain best. Arthas still felt guilty about unintentionally hurting her.
As Arthas hesitated, the ape-like monster, a Silverback Gorilla, swiped at them.
Let's run.
Abandoning the idea of fighting, Arthas, carrying Hestia, ran with the crowd.
The Silverback, being large, was slow; they could easily lose it in the alleys.
The street was in chaos.
People screamed and fled.
They escaped into an alley, but the Silverback followed, targeting Hestia.
"Why is it only chasing us?"
Arthas muttered, looking down to see Hestia smiling.
"You're still smiling? My Goddess."
"Isn't it romantic, Arthas? A hero protecting his Goddess from a monster."
Hestia said dreamily.
"Why did you run back? You almost got hurt! You know my magic's nature; you'll get frostbite."
"It's okay… it's Arthas's frost. Even if I freeze, it's warm."
Hestia shook her head, smiling gently.
"Don't worry about hurting others. Even surrounded by ice, Arthas's gentleness is felt."
"Arthas's frost… is gentle."
This power… this frost… is gentle?
Arthas paused, lost in thought. Then, the monster roared again.
So fast… it's already caught up?!
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