Everyone was waiting for his answer. Kano's murky irises met Freya's, the sensation shook him. Never had he felt as if he could see for the first time. Licking his lips, he spoke softly, "Well, if the most powerful woman in Orario's walls is asking me for a conversation, how can I refuse? However, I don't exactly…see the point." The irony was not lost on them.

Freya's smile widened to a loving degree beneath her cloak. Even Ottar, normally stoic, had the faintest traces of mirth, the mere crinkling of his eyes. The Boaz quickly adopted his passive expression. He has a reputation to maintain.

Most don't understand Freya. They think her a lecherous woman, into craving the carnal pleasures. Who steals from everyone. That was not the case. She was far from that woman that they, the world, has described her as.

Like Kano, Freya was terribly misunderstood. "Then, let's go. Please give me your arm, I would like to walk with you."

"Are you sure that's alright? From various rumors, your Familia has some…fanatical tendencies, including but not limited to killing a person who disrespects you, critiques you, and you take people into your Familia against their will or even steal them, am I wrong?"

His observer released some intent but backed off quickly, probably because Kano felt Ottar's intent being directed that way.

"That's what this conversation is for, dear boy, where I hope to dispel those rumors from your mind," Freya said with elegance, her smile dimmed slightly, knowing that was how he currently viewed her. To Kano, he was being assaulted by the divine charm, not in any malicious sense but the natural charm exuding from her figure.

Intoxicating.

That's what it was. For some, it may be good, but for others, a detriment. Kano was in the latter camp. It was clouding his senses. "Normally, it would be customary for the man to lead the woman, but I currently lack the necessities to do so. May I ask for your assistance, Lady Freya?" Kano asked, hoping that she didn't call out the waver in his voice.

He had not forgotten about the observers who quickly backed off lest they wish to feel Freya Familia's 'wrath' which did not exist in the ways they thought.

"Gladly," Freya said smoothly but was cheering in her head. She made sure to make her steps as loud as possible before reaching a hand out and coiling it around his right arm. "May I?"

"Of course," Kano said, feeling tingles run up his arm, making him involuntary shiver.

"I do not mean you any harm," Freya said once they were far enough away from the crowd. "I do apologize for approaching you so publicly…Kano." her voice softly chimed like she was tasting it on her tongue as one would a fine wine.

"I should be surprised you know my name, Lady Freya, especially since I never gave it," he said blankly. He was finally able to recall that she said it earlier. "Your tone is honest but, why approach me now?"

"I couldn't hold back any longer. I wished to meet you for some time," she whispered as she guided him to a restaurant. She made sure to let out her honest feelings on the matter. There was another reason, however.

"But…why?" He whispered, more confused than assured. Whether or not she heard him was uncertain.

She guided him to a table and let him sit before she went around the other side of the table and sat down, removing the purple cloak that surrounded her figure. The black and red frilly dress covered parts of her body, exposing some to the imagination.

Before she could open her mouth, he spoke, the words flowing out of his mouth before he could stop it, "Could you charm me?"

Freya's mouth fell open in shock, even as her voice hitched, "Why?!"

Ottar, who stood outside the room, heard this and curiously glanced over his shoulder. No one has ever made such a selfish but dangerous request to his Lady in all his years. From the way she reacted, this was the first time someone ever requested that. Ottar let a faint smile come to his face, in actuality, it was a twitch of his facial muscles. This one will be good for her. His love for her was eternal but Ottar accepted that her platonic love for him was enough.

Kano regarded her clearly, "I want to see if you can, with me being blind and all."

She frowned, "That's not the entire reason." She found it odd that he would ask to be charmed willingly. He wasn't lying but Freya could detect that he was not being entirely truthful, merely omitting some details.

"But there is a reason," he countered immediately, almost desperately.

The goddess hummed, resting her chin on her intertwined hands, "Why are you asking this of me? I don't charm people for fun or to get what I want. I've learned that lesson, harshly."

"Charm me and I will tell you the reason after you release me," he bargained.

"What makes you think I will?" She countered. She was testing him. She did learn her lesson but that does not mean she would release him.

Kano sighed, "Because you just said that you've learned that lesson which implies that someone had—no offense—put you in your place when you tried crossing that line. I will say that I do not fully trust you but sometimes life is all about risks. This is one I am willing to take."

Freya—contrary to popular belief—did not like exercising her charm. Beforehand, she used to. She used to be the person that they all thought she was but after realizing that the victory would be hollow, she started doing some things differently. A certain few mortals made sure she knew.

Now…Freya cannot recall the last time she actively used her charm. Even for mundane things. Her natural divine charms did that for her. She watched as he fidgeted in his seat, how he looked pained and she knew it was because of her.

"Is this what you want? Do you want me to charm you, a blind boy, all for the sake of your own curiosity?"

"Yes." His answer was absolute.

Freya sighed before gently reaching across the table, not that it was a very long table, and grabbed his cheeks gently, her fingertips soothing to the touch before her own eyes began to glow with her charm, "Look at me~" her voice went flirtatious, a small side effect of using her divine charm. It was not her Arcanum. This ability was available to her because she was a Goddess of Beauty. She was a Goddess of other things too but most really stop at Beauty. "You are now under my thrall, let me in~."

Kano only felt dizzy as her charm entered his being. Her touch was nothing short of ecstasy, even as his body reacted in such a lewd manner. Thankfully, he has more control than most—said reaction was also hidden under the table. He mentally rushed to embrace the charm.

He wanted to feel it course through him, fill him with bliss. Yet…

…he didn't feel it after a moment. The charm was pulled back, no, pushed back.

"Now, that's interesting…"

"…huh?"

Freya giggled, "It seems that you can resist my divine charm, how delightful!" She didn't seem upset. In fact, she was pleased and relieved. Someone who she can talk with regularly without them succumbing to her charm! This is wonderful! If Kano could see, he would have seen the most radiant smile on Freya. It wasn't a goddess' radiant smile but the smile of a very happy woman.

However, the blind boy was upset, "But I didn't try to resist it. I embraced it, Lady Freya…"

Now, the goddess of beauty was truly stricken. He didn't resist and she failed to charm him, even with his consent? "You truly are one of a kind, Kano. Do you have a theory as to why?"

"I d-don't know…I thought maybe…maybe you…" he trailed off as a thumb brushed under his eye. His words failed him. He just wan-

"Please, tell me why you wanted me to charm you…"

He sighed, knowing that if he said anything other than the truth, she would know, "I wanted to see if you could use your charm to force my eyes to see for the first time…it's a selfish reason…but…"

Silence reigned. The only sounds heard were the mortal and deity breathing. Freya was processing his reason. He wanted to be healed, so he could see the people he's been interacting with. To put the voice with the face. To experience what he's been missing.

"I can understand why you wanted to…" Freya eventually said. "Do you hate your blindness?"

Kano breathed in, voice low and hoarse, not wanting to talk but Freya wasn't being a goddess at the moment. For just this instance, she was feeling motherly, "Sometimes I do. I sometimes feel like I could experience something that everyone else does. I was born blind…and my parents assisted me in whatever way they could."

"So you never got to see anyone you've been close with, not being able to see their faces, the way they act, and their body language…" Freya bit her lip before gently wiping the leaking tears away, now sitting next to him, gently coaxing his head into her breasts. Kano allowed it, not seeing a point in fighting her. She offered, and he accepted.

"Yeah…" Here he was, crying in front of Orario's top goddess. Gods, how pathetic he felt yet Freya didn't make him feel that way. Conflicted. He was fighting with himself.

The deity smiled into his crown before whispering, "But you have the greatest gift of them all, Kano: being able to not judge people by appearance but by the way they talk. You can hear through what someone says if they have sinister intentions. Tell me, have I lied to you since we began talking?"

The blind boy sniffled once, "No…you've been hesitant to answer a few times but kept hope. Hope that I will hear you out. You know…those rumors about your Familia? I don't believe them…that and the person you sent to watch me was doing a poor job of hiding their intent."

"Really?" He managed to find Allen without even knowing where or who he was by just his intentions. Oh…your senses must be finely tuned…

"I had a feeling that someone was watching me since this morning. I request to know why Lady Freya."

"Please, when we are alone, just call me Freya," she asked sweetly, that air of a mother flooded her words. "As for your request, I wanted to make sure nothing happened to you. I wished to have avoided that crowd but they were swarming you. To give you a mental picture, they were moving as you were, so everyone was clamoring to speak with you."

"La-Freya," Kano caught himself, "I can take care of myself. I have for seventeen years and I can for the rest of my life."

"But you need a fallback."

"Probably not without a price. It's Orario, nothing is truly free," Kano countered sternly but softly.

The beautiful goddess sighed, "As much as I want you to join my Familia, I do not force people in. If you wish to remain unblessed, I shall let it be your choice."

Kano said nothing. He gently lifted himself from her breasts, relaxing back into his chair. "It will be. I don't desire to go into the Dungeon for 'fame' or whatever…" he waved a hand. "No offense, I don't want to be a 'servant' or 'follower' to a deity. I'll do that when I'm dead."

"Such morbid thoughts, Kano."

"I believe that we've spoken long enough, are you hungry?" He changed the subject.

He didn't deny it. What happened to you? "I could go for a light snack. Would you happen to be going to Monsterphilia?"

"That festival?" Kano asked, finally recomposing himself. Two in less than a day? I must be slipping. "I usually stay inside because there are too many people. More than usual anyway."

Freya tapped her fingers against her cheek, "Would you accompany me?"

Kano fumbled with the table for a moment, "Shouldn't your Warlord accompany you? Not a nameless, blind, unblessed civilian?"

"While the second and third are true, the first is certainly not," Freya replied flatly. "You have a name, Kano, and I will not let such a handsome boy self-depreciate himself with lies."

The tone in her voice showed that she truly believed that he wasn't nameless, and handsome, to her anyway. Kano doesn't even know what he looks like, "Fine, on the condition that you dispel any rumors that go around."

Freya giggled like a little girl, clapping her hands, adopting a mischievous tone "It's a date!"

Kano recoiled, "It's what now?!"

Kano left the restaurant feeling slightly dazed, now that his senses were clearer. He still couldn't believe that he got swindled into a date. Yet with Freya, he didn't want to imagine the oncoming shit storm that was going to be.

Granted, he wanted to be in the presence of a Goddess of Beauty, he wanted her to charm him, and he wanted so selfishly to see. Yet, she was very nice, she couldn't charm him due to something outside of his and her control, and he was still blind.

Like that last one will never change.

There was still a crowd, one that Kano felt their eyes on him. They were giving him a headache, "Are you all going to stand there, or are you going to let me by so that I may go on with my day?" The shuffling of footsteps was heard, "Thank you. My answer will remain the same. I do not and will not join any Familia on Gekai."

Nevertheless, he continued on with his day. Since he cooked breakfast for the Hostess girls, got questioned by many gods, and chatted with Freya…what could make his day better?

"Ano, Kano?"

His lips unconsciously curved up, "Mikoto, a pleasure to hear your voice again. I could use some positivity."

"What happened?"

He was about to answer, having turned in her direction, only to have heard five other sets of footsteps. Two were closer than the other three. "I assume what I'm hearing is your Familia, correct? Is your patron deity with you?"

"So this is the blind boy you met?" A deep masculine voice asked.

"T-The one who constantly…called you beautiful?"

Kano honestly doesn't know why they were questioning him on that, of course, Mikoto's voice is beautiful, can't they understand that? "I call it how I hear it, miss…" he trailed off, not exactly knowing their names.

"My apologies, Kano. Ouka is the Captain of the Familia. Chisuga is my and Ouka's childhood friend," Mikoto said.

The blind boy greeted them in kind. "As for what happened…it is exactly as I had predicted. Since my run-in with the esteemed Loki Familia, making a level five docile, many gods seem to suddenly overlook the fact I'm blind."

"Which places pity on you?" The beautiful girl asked in her lovely voice.

The concern in her voice was touching, making Kano feel warm and fuzzy inside his chest, for a reason he still didn't quite understand, "Exactly. See, you already understand me and we only met yesterday! Now, I assume you are all going to the Dungeon? Please, don't let me hold you up." He shuffled slightly to move out of the way. "Come back alive."

"Don't you mean safe and alive?" The one called Ouka asked.

"Safe' implies that you aren't in any sort of danger in the first place. Alive means you can still draw breath," Kano noted. "The difference is how you can achieve that."

"Uhm…"

"I'm aware that my outlook on this aspect is dark but unfortunately, I've heard more depressing things at a young age. Trust each other, keep watch, and never leave someone behind."

Ouka inspected the blind boy, "Sound advice. Are you sure th-"

"I'm not an adventurer. I've just learned that those fantasies of the world being perfect are false. Some may call me a pessimist but I prefer being a realist," Kano interrupted politely. "Now, please, I've held you up long enough. Mikoto, Ouka, and Chisuga, it was a pleasure to meet you."

Kano walked away, knowing that he couldn't do much, even if he really wanted to stay. His face formed a frown, obviously unseen by himself, and wondered why the feeling in his chest was being replaced by something cold…empty. He didn't even know who to ask about it. Kano never had any friends, only because they didn't understand him.

Would he consider the Hostess girls friends? He didn't feel like asking because of the potential answers he might receive. His lips twitched, I must be so insecure to be feeling like this. Do I actually want the life of an adventurer? I never felt like I needed to be. He continued to navigate through the streets, avoiding people like a snake slipping through the cracks. A spin here or there to avoid a potential collision.

His walking stick never left his grip, and he remembers the days he got the thing. It was adjustable as he got older, so he never outgrew it. Come to think of it, it was really—in loose terms—his only toy. The only one that really mattered to him. He tilted his head up, looking into the sky, not caring that he could not see the sky in all its glory. Then, his stomach grumbled. Putting his free hand on it, he mused, "Maybe I'll try one of the Jajamarukuns that everyone says is all the rage."

However, what he truly missed amongst the stares and footsteps of the crowd, was the intense gaze of multiple women. Multiple women of a Familia that are in opposition to Freya.

Kano only continued to wander Orario with a destination in mind. He followed the smell of the treats he was after. The smell got stronger as he followed the sounds of a higher-pitched voice. "I have a few more."

The blind boy felt it before he got any closer. A Goddess. Strange. It's not every day that some work a normal job. Being a potato snack vendor could certainly be the best thing for ones who wish to experience mortal life. Before he could open his mouth to speak, he was called out, "Oh, you! The one with the stick!"

Kano internally grumbled, I am more than just a guy with a stick… "Lady Goddess, I do have a name."

The resulting giggle was a tad nervous, Kano noted, "You must be the one who helped my child."

"Most likely…and Lady Ais?" Kano heard her footsteps and felt her stare. He doesn't forget that kind of information, "Didn't expect to meet you again so soon. How is Bete?" he asked.

"Fine now…still wondering how…you made him heel," she said that word in a confused tone.

Kano refrained from snickering, knowing that he's heard of Doll Princess, but seriously, she should know what that means! "Yes, I guess you can say that. I do hope that is not after my head?"

"No…his pride, however…" Ais trailed off.

"Am I being forgotten over here? How do you know Wallenwhatsherface?" the Goddess asked.

"I don't like your tone, Goddess," Kano said plainly, "What has Lady Ais done to you to not respect her?"

Clearly, she did not like that, "Are you a part of that washboard's Familia?"

"I'm not in a Familia," he said flatly. He waited a few seconds before speaking again, "You must be realizing that I'm not lying. May I know your name, so I stop calling you Lady Goddess?"

"It's Hestia. Goddess of the Hearth, Flame, and Family," Hesita introduced herself, "Can you look at me?"

"Lady Hestia, I don't think you understand. This stick I hold is not some accessory, I am blind, meaning I cannot see anything, no shapes, no shadows. It is all black to me," Kano may sound harsh but some are ignorant of that fact. He's willing to let bygones be bygones. "I would like to buy a Jagamarukun if that's possible." He pulled out some valis, based on their weight, he was holding four hundred valis. "Before you think of it, Lady Hestia, I will not accept it for free. I have a distaste for those that pity me."

Ais, from an outside perspective, has never seen someone put a deity in their place like this before. She thought that this Kano was at first, a bit rude, but she didn't quite catch everything. Her airheadedness often makes her miss social cues. She noticed the blue eyes of the goddess widen.

"...I understand," she said, currently thinking.

The blonde swordswoman saw that look, "Don't ask him."

"Why not?"

"...because he does not wish to…be in a Familia."

Kano's lips twitched, "I do apologize, Lady Hestia, but my first impressions of deities have been…less than stellar. I don't hold anything against you personally. I'm guessing you are new to Orario."

"Indeed," Hestia replied, bouncing in place.

Kano blinked as he was sure he heard…flesh…clapping. She has a massive chest, doesn't she? Is that why… he snickered, so that's what the washboard comment was for. Maybe we can get along.

"Here's your jagamaru," Hestia shortened the name as she walked around her stand and put it close to his hand, after he paid for it, of course. "Hope you enjoy it."

Kano smelled it and he admitted that it did let his stomach roar, much to his embarrassment, "Quiet you…" as he bit into the snack. He loved the crunchiness of it, and the sweet cream filling was warm. "What flavor is this?"

"Atsuki cream," Ais answered.

"You like these?"

Hestia giggled, "That one there is addicted to them."

"Interesting," Kano noted. Being blind has certain advantages. Eating food is one of those things. His brain works differently because of his blindness. Apparently, when a person loses one of the five senses, the brain theoretically rewires itself to make all the other senses improve. Kano doesn't know if it's true but he was willing to hedge his bets that it was plausible.

For example, his hearing improved by leaps and bounds, thanks to his training in that facet of himself, his sense of touch was slightly more sensitive, and his nose could be compared to a young pup's nose—since humans had the weakest disposition—but his taste? His sense of taste skyrocketed to ultra-sensitive.

That's why when he mentioned his cooking accidents, he was reminded of those horrid tastes that made him queasy for the rest of the day. Sometimes, he wouldn't eat for two days! No one knows that though.

So, this simple snack was very good but Kano bets that he could probably make it better. He won't say it aloud but he loves cooking. It…was more of a pastime…from a better time.

Hestia's voice broke him out of his thoughts, "Are you alright?"

Kano blinked, feeling a drip from it. "Just got reminded of something, nothing major." In his daydream, he didn't realize he had finished his snack. Hestia's eyes were on him, spotting the lie but knew better than to bring it up.

Ais saw this and wondered what was bothering him. She then had to go and said her piece before walking away with three jagamarus in her arms, happily munching on them. "Now that she is gone, I assume your child is Bell?"

"Yes…"

"Do keep an eye on him. Orario is a very cutthroat place. Standing out too much causes a lot of attention, most of it is the bad kind," Kano said. "I know this on a personal basis." Literally, the last two days are perfect examples.

"H-How…why are you telling me this?" There was concern and fear in her voice, which he berated himself for. He wasn't trying to be so…menacing…but reality was often far crueler than fiction.

"I was born and raised here, and…" he paused, having heard her confused tone, "You've never heard of the Dark Age, have you?"

"The Dark what?"

Kano sighed, "Do you have a deity friend? One you're close to?"

"Yes…?" Hestia was confused.

Kano finally looked down to where the voice had been coming from, "Then ask them, what you may not notice is that Orario is still recovering. With my mysterious message passed, I bid you a lovely evening, Lady Hestia. Seriously, keep a close eye on your Familia."

Hestia sighed once Kano was out of sight, "Who is that kid?" She felt like he was yearning for something and it tickled her intuition. Hestia sighed, figuring that he was one of the orphans of Orario. Many of them live in Orario but since Hestia was—or is associated with being —the Goddess of Family, she noted that he did not lack familial love.

For one reason or another, he found himself in front of Babel. He had to take his time getting there as he often doesn't come this way. Even still, he just sat on one of the benches there, his hands folded under his chin, resting on his walking stick.

This was the time that he truly thought about his encounter with Loki Familia and their executives. He mentally replayed it back and forth. How did he really do that? He certainly didn't feel any different when he spoke. He froze…did I ever do that to my parents? If he did, then…no…I was aware of this before, right? I just never used it…

A memory came back to him, one where he recalls his parents, telling him to never let his emotions override his sense of reason. Was that why it worked? Was he just so emotionally invested that his words came out harsher?

Or was it because Bete was looking down on someone who he deemed weaker because he was out of his element? Such things shouldn't be a defining trait but a defining moment. Sure, Bell got into a situation that was entirely out of his control. Kano was not knowledgeable about the Dungeon, so knowing which monsters spawn on which floors is beyond him. A question for another time, or maybe Mikoto.

Just thinking about her voice made a pleasurable shiver go down his spine, along with that same warm feeling. His right hand clutched his chest, right where his heart was. He wanted to know more. The way he could is if he-

No! He shouted mentally, making it feel like he was clawing his heart out. Being an adventurer isn't worth that! She can find someone…better.

Just like that, the warm feeling was replaced by a feeling of ice. He sighed, when did his days suddenly become so complicated?Oh right, two days ago…

The Loki Familia didn't seem like bad people to Kano. The blind boy most likely had misjudged a few of them. Her Majesty and the other respectful speaker, mentally filling out Riveria and Lefiya, were really nice people it seemed. They never spoke with dishonesty or ill intent. Kano easily could be wrong about some of them because it wouldn't be the first time. He had thought about two others who were like that. They were nice people with far-off noble goals but in order to achieve them, they had to turn their backs on everything else.

"You're…quiet, why are you here? Are…trying to….us?"

"No…" Kano whispered. "I wanted to know why." He remembers the soft-spoken voice, how she never rose above a normal speaking voice, how powerful she felt. Even when she directed her killer intent at him, he never flinched. His memory continued, not caring about his surroundings at this point. He remembers the head pat he received. The pat on the shoulder and a few words about leaving the area.

Kano blinked. He was getting off track. His walking stick…his aid. It never left his hands if he could help it. He doesn't sleep with it but it always felt comfortable in his hands like I was meant to hold it.

Goodness, he was really all over the place. He couldn't find some peace as he heard some voices, and he didn't pay attention as they were walking close to him, not at him. While his shoulders didn't rise, he was very much on guard. His observer from this morning was no longer around and probably hasn't been since the restaurant.

How could he forget that? His 'date' with Freya. If he wasn't front and center before, Kano certainly would be after that. Many might think she was pitying him but her words were happy, pleased, even if he did try to tell her it wasn't a date.

Spoiler alert: she was going to treat it like a date.

"Is there something that I can help you with? May I also inquire why you…four are approaching me from behind with 'silent' footsteps? Bare feet give distinctive sounds, plus the jewelry. If this was a stealth check, you failed."

"Oh, he's good~. We sure he's not an adventurer?" This sounded like someone his age. Childish with not a lot of hints about reality but it could be a fake, hiding behind a mask.

"Indeed, I'm not," Kano said, his tone neutral, not liking the…flirtatious tones. "So, you've clearly sought me out…I'm almost afraid to ask."

They gave silent gasps, "He heard that?"

Kano responded again, "I did. You must not be aware that if a person loses one of their senses, theoretically, their other senses become stronger." He sat up and inclined his head back, one arm over the bench. "So, tell me…why are four Amazons so far away from the RLD? Unless I'm mistaken; if so, I apologize for the assumption."

One of them spoke, much more seriously than the rest, "For you."

Kano minutely tensed, "While I'm flattered, I'm not interested, even if you do give off a vibe that makes men cower before you. Would it trouble you to let me know your name? I wish to refer to you properly instead of by your race."

A second voice muttered, "Wouldn't it be easier to just grab him?"

Kano turned full around on the bench, his aid tightly grasped in his hand. The youngest of the four noticed that his knuckles were white yet he looked so calm.

"My name is Aisha Belka of Berbera." Long hair descended to her waist, purple being the primary color of her attire.

"Samira of Berbera." White hair and a body that makes her look like a tomboy Amazon.

"I'm Lena Tally, what's it like being blind?" Short, orange as the primary color, almost too excitable.

The Berbera. Members of Ishtar Familia? Kano tilted his head at the last one, "Dark, next question."

"Sharay," the last voice said, gray being her primary color with ashen hair. Her voice was meeker than the rest but no less exotic if her accent was anything to go by. While not able to pick up exactly what specific accent it was, Kano deduced that she was from Telskyura but moved to Orario. Her Koine was not as confident as the other three.

Kano then stood up, his aid in his hand, "And if I say no?"

Samira's voice piped up, "That wasn't an option."

He sighed, seemingly giving in, which made Aisha pleased. Lena, though, felt something coming and the origin was this blind boy.

She had to admit, he was kinda cute but he wasn't Bete Loga! Which reminded her, wasn't this the one who made him docile? The rumor mill of Orario quickly got to the Pleasure Quarter about someone who made a level five heel. Many were surprised to see that this guy wasn't even an adventurer! Some think that he's actually some all-powerful adventurer coming to reap their souls or was hiding his true strength. Others think that he was just a guy with some skill that allowed him to do this.

Kano looked up, eyes closed, then back at them. His eyes opened, his murky eyes looking at them with such intensity, "No. I will not go with you."

Each one of them felt those words slamming into them but they felt no pain. Aisha gawked at him, surprised at the show of force, then grinned, "Playing tough?"

"Ask me again."

"""Huh?"""

"Ask me to go with you again. Humor me," he said bored, his grip on his aid loose, which Lena once again noticed. However, when they tried to ask him, they found their tongues tied like the words couldn't come out. Kano, meanwhile, was freaking out. He was in disbelief. "She'll definitely want to see him."

"Is that supposed to be a joke?" Kano shot back, trying to calm his beating heart. He swore that they could hear it. Was he sweating? He didn't feel like he was but was he? Aisha looked back at him, seeing he was trying to keep himself composed. She could respect that inner strength. "But since I'm not looking for conflict, I shall go with you on the condition that I am not to be fed aphrodisiacs, am not to be held down and passed around like cheap wine, and keep contact to an absolute minimum. Also, I'm not joining, I'm aware that your district is ninety percent women. I am also not stupid enough to fight four ladies of the night."

"You fought Bete Loga."

"He was drunk and uncoordinated. I have no doubt he would be able to crush me without trying. His senses were clouded by alcohol," Kano retorted.

"I heard you smashed a glass over his head?" Sharay asked, voice trickling in amusement and slight disbelief.

"Semantics," Kano deflected. "So, Ladies Aisha, Samira, Sharay, and Lena, shall we go?"

"You're an interesting one, aren't you?" Aisha murmured.

"Somehow, I feel like that's going to be a description of me," Kano joked.

Aisha chuckled lowly, "At least he has a sense of humor."

"And much more but I only give presents to nice girls," he replied, slowly trying to shut himself up but he just had to get a few quips in.

This time, Aisha slowly draped an arm over him, noticing his muscles tense but still keeping his impassive posture. "What do you give to naughty girls?"

Kano really shouldn't respo-"Spankings." God damn it…is this that charm that Mia says I have? Or just because I like hearing the sound of my own voice?

"He might be a keeper, Aisha!" Lena joked while sticking her tongue out playfully.

If only Kano wasn't so occupied to notice Freya looking down from her tower. Then to the Red Light District.

"Tread carefully, Ishtar…" There were many things that Freya would do if something happened to one of her favorite mortals. She has had plenty, many of them in her Familia because she had found their souls and colors intriguing. The fires in them still burn but there was always something missing.

Kano was different. Freya was slowly learning that difference. His blindness could be his defining trait but he never focused on that. He accepted that he was blind, even though he desperately wishes to see just once. She was unsure that a Falna would help that. Of course, Freya was not an expert on humanity and mortals in general.

She was trying. Ottar, her ever-faithful Captain, has noticed this effort and swore to help her. All she needed to do was tell him and it will be done. That was how he worked. She adored her Captain for that. She always wanted to treat him with the love he deserved. Not the sexual kind but the friendship kind.

As for her other favorite mortal, one of anyway, the colors of his soul were clear. She wanted him. However, she knew she would not get him easily. Freya held onto her wrist as she remembered the last time she tried.

"I did deserve that…" she whispered. "You three often reminded me of that fact." Her silver eyes went back to that picture, only seeing flashes of green. "Ahh…I miss you all…he's grown up so much. You should be proud."

She blinked and laughed lightly, "You helped his parents so much with him. It's no wonder why you gave him that…isn't that right, Sofia?"

...

Alright. Some of you may recognize that last word up there. Yes, the Vlahos Family (my OCs from my story Delicate Balance) do exist here but not in this current timeline of my DanMachi stories. No, he's not Isaac or Irene's kid. Just saying it in case someone wants to be a conspiracy theorist.

At first, I wasn't intending for it to be that way but, what's writing without a little fun? So, I'll try to keep their mentions to a minimum. Now, Freya herself.

I know some people like her, hate her, want to do her, whatever floats their boat. I used to be in the hate club but as I tried to find a way to hate her, I found myself sympathizing. Odd how it turns out.

So no, Freya is not an evil woman. She will still do some shenanigans from time to time but she's not the antagonist. I've recently wanted to find stories of her being MumFrey but sadly those don't exist or I just can't find them.

So, she will be present for a lot of this story. There's also a reason why he didn't get charmed and why it was pushed back. No, it's not because he's blind. If I told you everything, then this wouldn't be a story!

We finally met Hestia, saw Mikoto (best girl) again—and I have to slowly get the ship sailing—but I don't want to rush it. We saw some use of this mystical voice thing that Kano still doesn't fully understand but knows marginally how to use it.

Can't fully explain what I'm trying to say but this 'voice' thing won't pop up at every crossroad. This will be one of the things I want to explore in this story. That and Kano's blindness.

Those brain passages about rewiring via lost sense, I do believe it's true but I'm trying to be in the mindset for the story that not everything has been proven true. Do you understand? DanMachi has a medieval-esque setting, so science and other fancy stuff isn't exactly prominent.

Lastly, we get the Amazons, Berbera, and Ishtar Familia. We'll be seeing how this goes next chapter. Freya wasn't kidding, Ishtar better tread lightly.

If MumFrey gets upset...you don't want to be around the aftermath.