Tone of this chapter was an experience, although I hope it didn't get too silly. These are gods at a Denatus. I also realize I gave Hephaestus probably the most sexually aware POV so far. I want everyone to have their own voice in terms of what they notice, but wouldn't have jumped to her before writing this. Also ended up surprised by who talked most often.

Hope the humor and tone works for you all, since I feel like it's something that you can hate even as others like it...comedy is hard.

InsaneMakaioshin - Most adventurers could use therapy. Shakti's persistent mourning probably wouldn't be a problem if she didn't have a skill that feeds off and abets that, and benefits those around her to stimulate that self-sacrificial instinct. At least among the Level 5's, I am saying that all of that - besides Ilta - reached Level 5 within the last two years. Most of them are newer Level 5's and need more time. Meaning I got to give them enough development that readers can probably recognize them first. Level 4's have more potential in short-term. I suspect you want Shakti to be Bi. I respect that desire.

BlueVey - Seriously appreciated this review. Always glad to hear more people like this sort of work. I knew it was going to be more niche than some potential ideas. I'm eager to return to Ottar too.

Guest/Anon - Assume same person. You make very good points on the armor. This is more me trying to connect that canonically, Ottar doesn't wear armor (besides two armguards, a small chest piece, and a headpiece) while in Astraea Record against Zald he did. In the latter though, all the armor shattered by like halfway, so not sure how effective it was. You are right though that unless his body is as hard as metals, he really wouldn't lose anything from having a bit extra just to catch a single blow or two. Maybe I can put it as more a habit developed from not being able to push himself as much as hoped, so he sandbagged? That he'll eventually return to it now that he is challenged? I'll try to think about it.

The Denatus.

A meeting of the gods.

It was a purely unofficial function, but the Guild still lent it weight and treated it as an advisory body purely from the weight of that phrase.

A meeting of the gods.

When they met, the city held its breath. The Guild waited for any decisions that they might be forced to deal with. The adventurers anxiously held themselves back and postponed their work as they wondered what wisdom might be revealed.

A meeting of the gods.

…

It was honestly something of a joke, to those who knew.

There was no concrete start to the Denatus. Its root simply lay in a number of gods and goddesses finding they had too much time on their hands upon descending. With boredom the bane of all deities, it was only natural they would soon start to meet to try to remedy it. They met to gossip, trade barbs, joke, brag of their children, and simply play around.

Such meetings naturally had to have a meeting place, and those deities with power and influence soon cooperated to establish one. So, a floor of Babel was dedicated to this gathering. The pointless banter and gossip also inevitably led to news being traded. Knowledge of familias was passed, reputations of adventurers established among deities, and opinions waxed without care about whatever was occurring in the city or the wider world.

Eventually, people noticed.

And suddenly their meetings started to have far-reaching effects on Orario.

Everyone started noting when they met. What was said was noted down and widely distributed. The 30th floor of Babel were they held the meeting was remodeled into something grander; the outer wall replaced by glass that made their meeting place look over the city and their talks occured in the midst of drifting clouds.

"Hah, those pants make your butt look big."

"Then I'll give them to you, to correct your flat butt."

Two goddesses trading pointed garbs.

"Hey, Nabu! You still owe me for that lost bet!"

"You have no proof!"

"You wrote me this IOU!"

"Forgery!"

Gods bringing up old grudges and debts.

"Ahh, Xochiquetzal~. My dear Xochi, you look as beautiful as ever."

"You say that even though you've been running from me for a year to try and hide you trying to seduce that elf adventurer of yours."

"My heart's passion is like a storm that runs its course, but it shall always come back to water the flowers of our love."

"Well, while the storm was away trying futilely to water someone else's flowers, let's just say I might have found a different gardener."

"Ahhhhhhh! No, no, no…I'll win you back!"

"Ha, simp!"

The same love dramas playing out, and the busybodies who merely watched so as to laugh and point at the one currently losing.

You could put them in a room reminiscent of a temple, make them overlook the city, and pay great heed to their words, but…this 'meeting of the gods' was merely a bunch of bored gods gathering to shoot the shit.

You could put a suit on a dog licking its balls, but it would still be just that.

"And I already regret that analogy," Hephaestus said, raising a hand to her own face.

"Internally monologuing?"

"Unfortunately," she admitted, turning to the one that had come by her side while she was distracted. The dark blue hair and eyes, alongside the gentle demeanor and too beautiful face, of Miach greeted her. Gesturing out at the scene, she merely added, "I always regret coming here. Gives me secondhand embarrassment."

She was not going to say her fellows couldn't play however they wanted, but that didn't mean she wouldn't pretend like she didn't know them when they decided to play fools.

"Yet, you are still are one of the most consistent attendees," Miach pointed out.

"And I monologue because I wonder why when seeing this place," she retorted wryly.

"Because you are too dedicated to skip and risk missing something important," he in turn told her, answering her sarcasm with sincerity. "It's an admirable trait, and one I respect about you. We're lucky to have you."

Hephaestus gave him a lingering look, but eventually rolled her eye and said, "I'd prefer if such an admirable trait of mine didn't land me in situations like this, but I thank you regardless. I appreciate you stopping by too, Miach. We should get a drink sometime."

"I'd find that lovely."

"Lovely?" she repeated, snorting a bit. "Be careful who you say that around. I know better, but you'd be playing a dangerous game with others."

"I don't know what that quite means, but I'll try to remember to avoid the word. Delightful or charming are good words too."

Hephaestus chuckled.

A shame that she preferred partners a bit more forceful in behavior or sheer presence, or she might have been tempted. Well, that and how popular the god of healing was. While Hephaestus unfortunately had a competitive streak that flared up in such things, helped along by knowing she had to try harder and accept more than others, thousands of years with Aphrodite had rather worn her out on that. Vying for a lover's attention amidst a pack was something she only had the energy to put up with for a century or so nowadays.

Two tops.

Good-looking deities too dense or unwilling to draw lines and make choices were out of her strike zone.

After a bit of silence, Miach broke it by pointing out with a wince, "Oh dear, looks like Takemikazuchi is having a hard time."

"It's his first Denatus," she said. The god of war was currently having a barrage of too-hard back slaps, fingers pinching his cheeks, and overly friendly reactions from some goddesses that increased the first. The man was grimacing under the assault. She only shrugged. "He can handle it. Everyone goes through it."

It was congratulations, in their own way, to the new face that finally had someone in their familia rank up.

"I still think I should go try to help him," Miach said as he moved to aid his fellow god that – despite not knowing each other much from Heaven – he had quickly been lumped together with for several reasons.

She didn't have much time before she was approached again.

"Heeey, Phae-tan," the naturally-taunting voice of Loki rang out throughout the room, all but skipping over to her. She then made a move of looking Hephaestus over from bottom to top, smiling and chuckling exaggeratedly. "Looking good as always. I would have preferred a nice evening gown with spaghetti straps to show your – hehe – talents, but that blouse and those leather pants always give that reliable Onee-Chan charm."

She did indeed have some attention from both male and female deities for the outfit more fitting for a man, but Hephaestus knew that it was ultimately shallow and performative.

So, she merely drawled back, "Thanks for the compliments, even if I wasn't fishing for any. I see that you chose to dress up."

"Hehe, what can I say?" Loki barked with a laugh, planting fists on hips as she showed off the strapless dress she chose. "There might not be a dress code, but I like to enjoy the opportunity."

~Flat~

"Who the hell said that?!" Loki said as she spun around, shaking her fist.

"No one said anything," Hephaestus told her, holding her forehead.

Although it didn't help when one god called out, "We were just all thinking it."

Loki merely smiled through the laughter, although when she turned Hephaestus saw her smile turn far too wide as she whispered, "I'll destroy them."

…Hephaestus wasn't entirely sure whether Loki merely had a very unflattering fashion style for her build or if she purposefully did so just to draw a response she could retaliate against, but…either would fit the Trickster Goddess.

Deciding to move on, she asked quickly, "Any reason you came over? Earlier you were in such a mood no one wanted to approach you."

"Just escaping those harpies," Loki snapped, pointing over her shoulders at a group of goddesses.

Who naturally noticed, and now spoke up in a faux-whisper, "To think she showed her face here."

"None of her children even leveled up. Why did she even show up?"

"So shameless."

"As lacking as what her bra holds."

"Okay, seriously stop it," Loki snarled while waving her fist at them before turning, tears gathering in her eyes that Hephaestus knew enough to ignore. "They've been at it nonstop."

"Well, you were never going to be allowed to do nothing in the corner," Hephaestus reminded her casually, shrugging. "They're waiting on you."

"Tch," Loki let out, not needing more.

Despite what some mortals might think, Loki had a role at this Denatus. Ottar's level up ensured that. Freya? Freya didn't have to make any moves or make a statement. Ottar already did that for her. HHer presence was mere preening. Loki, as Freya's rival, was the one that had to respond. No one else truly could.

And Loki, probably on principle, likely considered leaving here without giving anything away as her goal.

Only natural everyone would poke at her to get something from her.

"Like I care what any of them think," Loki muttered, narrowed eyes looking around with arms crossed. "Like I'd rely on any of them. Herd of busybodies. Ya know. You're in charge this time, right, Phae-tan?"

"Unfortunately," she admitted.

"Who conned you into that? You aren't the type to get bored and volunteer, and you usually barely even talk during these things."

"I got requested," she claimed, shrugging.

True. A certain boaz turned this Denatus into a bigger affair than usual. It had to be someone able to enforce some control. Freya would have been in her rights to request to head it up, but she was uninterested. Usually left in the middle of the meetings, even. Loki couldn't, as Freya's obvious rival. Ganesha was…Ganesha was not heading up another Denatus after the last experience they had of that occasion. Best not give Ishtar the chance.

Not many more options.

"Well, I'll enjoy the view as you try to herd this useless crowd. Like that."

Hephaestus looked at what she meant.

"Ooooooh~, Freya-sama."

"Lady Freya has arrived! A blessing for the eyes."

"The true Goddess of Beauty."

The silver-haired goddess came had entered minutes ago, but still received such raving declarations. Although, she did invite it beyond her mere existence. Freya seemingly joined Loki in dressing up. Couldn't help wearing a dress with a deep cleavage that perfectly illustrated the breasts that remained high and…yeah.

Forcing herself to look away before she was drawn in too deep, she did little as Loki growled out, "Look at her. That sex addict. Smiling. Happy. Makes me sick. I'd trip and tear her dress, but she'd probably like that."

Even though Loki was merely grumbling petulantly, Hephaestus didn't doubt there was plenty brewing behind Loki's narrow eyes.

"Oh, Hephaestus. Loki. It's been so long," an airy voice spoke, making Hephaestus turn. The sight of thick honey-blonde hair, pouty lips, and enormous breasts that insistently drew the eye identified her as Orario's top Goddess of FertilityAgriculture.

Feeling bad for the mental slipup, Hephaestus nodded and said, "Demeter. Nice to see you too. Sorry I didn't come greet you myself."

"Ahh-Ooooh, D-Demeter. So, you were here too," Loki in turn said, cowering away from the overwhelming opponent before her. "I didn't k-know. I wasn't avoiding you at all."

"No bother. I was distracted by Hermes, and admittedly came over here to escape him," Demeter said with a carefree smile, gesturing at the other god while closing. "Let's just pretend like we are having a serious talk. Like, I'm so eager I skipped right up to you guys."

Loki gradually paled at the sight of her natural enemy getting close.

"Oh, you mean like having an innocuous exchange while frowning and making hand gestures like we're serious," Hephaestus said, playing along while hiding a smirk.

"Exactly. Here, I'll even shake my head to help sell it."

"And then I'll give you a comforting smile while obviously lightening the rejection."

"And I'll perk up and throw my hands in the air."

"Ack," Loki let out, recoiling and grasping at her heart when the little – not at all little – bounce once again showed quite clearly that Demeter was someone she would never beat. The movement had enough weight to draw a good 20% of the eyes in the room towards it. Like Gravity. "Stop. I'm beat. I don't even want to grope you. This is just painful."

Shaking her head but ultimately lending Loki a hand, Hephaestus asked, "Why was Hermes bugging you?"

"Weeelllll, he's probably up to something."

"And a forge is hot," Hephaestus remarked blithely. "What was he asking about?"

"Ottar," Demeter remarked immediately, shrugging in a way that made it hard not to look downwards. Not playing oblivious, but unable to help it. "I think he has ideas for the Naming Ceremony, and also seemed to be interested in who might have ability to ask a favor of him. Seems to be tracking down everywhere Ottar stops."

The name was hard to judge, besides the usual reasons, but a favor from Ottar? Was this about the Eye of Balor? Hephaestus had plenty of ways she could imagine one could use that. Although…

"I didn't realize you were in a position to ask a favor of Ottar?" she couldn't help asking.

"He stops by every few days, although I was telling Hermes it's nothing. Still trying to get closer to him. Get past that cold front he puts on," Demeter replied, waving a hand like it was nothing. Hephaestus still raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the annoyance it stirred. "I think I'll have to warn Freya. Hermes irritates her."

"Good," Loki quickly muttered.

Hephaestus meanwhile commented, "I think he actually handles her better than most."

"Which is why he irritates her," Demeter claimed with a smile.

Hephaestus tipped her head at that point.

Even gods found themselves bamboozled at times by what Hermes had managed to get them to think or accept, once the moment passed.

"Well, don't let us keep you," Loki said sweetly, waving Demeter away. "Go tell Freya."

Demeter left, and a moment of silence passed before Loki asked, "Was that purposeful of her?"

Hephaestus merely hummed noncommittally, instead commenting, "Ganesha is having a grand time."

"Feh, who cares? He's always doing that," Loki said, turning her head curtly away from where the eccentric god was entertaining. On the opposite side of the room from Loki. "Not like it matters to me."

…That was interesting. Right now, a tacit cooperation of those two was arguably the only obvious move to restrain Freya. It was one of the expected moves.

Loki not approaching was natural, one could not say the Trickster Goddess didn't have complete confidence in her family, but Ganesha moving away was unexpected.

Not giving her anything, Loki grumbled and said, "Guess I got to go talk to the sex addict, or people will bug me."

Loki then did just that. The crowd around Freya had lessened already. Only Demeter remained, although Dionysus had seemingly arrived at the same time to join in. The trio opened up for Loki, with numerous eyes moving to watch the interaction.

Hephaestus was less drawn to whatever play Loki was going to put on for everyone with Freya, instead using the following silence to look at the wider scene.

Hathor, usually at the center of numerous middle-ranking familias, was much less crowded than expected. Although that appeared more choice than anything. She had remained largely quiet so far, and her quiet smile didn't. She merely sipped wine. Waiting.

Ishtar was sitting with her own admirers, trying to ignore Freya even as she also tried draw attention from her. Also with her was…Ikelos? Now that was surprising. Concerning too. He hadn't appeared for years, only having bad rumors.

Freya. Loki. Ganesha. Ishtar. Ikelos. Hathor. More. Who they talked to, or didn't talk to.

…

Hephaestus might not be fond of the Denatus, but at least this time it was clear it was good that she came.

That thought in mind, she moved to join Freya, Loki, Demeter, and Dionysus.

Eventually, it was time to get this show on the road.

"Okay, okay. Let's get down to business," Hephaestus said loudly as she moved from the wall, clapping her hands to draw attention. She also strode to the large circular table that dominated the floor. "Everyone take a seat. Or floor. Or leave. I don't really care."

"So forceful~."

"It's nice, right?"

"Not complainin' of the view. Well, besides the eye."

"Gah, don't mention it. Feel like it's looking at me now."

Hephaestus ignored that attempt to break her composure, instead announcing, "So, we are opening the…I don't remember which one this is, so I'll just say this is the nine-hundred and ninety-ninth Denatus."

"Ha, what's with that number?"

"Let's declare it the 69th."

"58008."

"Nine hundred and ninety…eight."

Ignoring the expected calls, others merely whistled and applauded eagerly.

"Naturally, we shall start with news. Is there anything anyone wants to discuss or announce?" Hephaestus asked.

"Adventurers at Riviria peeped on my female familia members bathing."

"How terrible!"

"I know, I'm jealous."

"I heard Soma is putting out a new shipment of soma in a week."

"Well, I guess I know where my familia reserve funds are being used."

"Man, that's terrible."

"Make sure to tell your familia in public. Should be fun to see."

"Kaios Desert's war has settled, with geopolitical consequences," one more serious god declared with glasses flashing and hands folded before his face. "We should discuss."

"I don't even know where Kaios is."

"Look at that pose."

"South of us. It has sand."

"I don't like sand. It's coarse and-"

"Some desert doesn't matter," a goddess declared, pointing at Freya. "What matters is her destroying an army and nation!"

Freya merely elegantly raised an eyebrow even as more reactions broke out.

"Oh yeah, that did happen."

"No, it didn't."

"I saw Freya cleaning streets when she was SUPPOSEDLY out of the city…I promise."

"I want to have my familia crush an army too."

Freya kept her face completely calm though as she claimed, "I have no idea what you mean."

"Are you saying there is another boaz, cat person, elf, dark elf, and four pallum that can crush an army without issue out there?"

"That's kind of a terrifying thought."

"I know. Dark Freya Familia."

"Wouldn't that be Good Freya Familia?"

"Of course not," Freya retorted, huffing. "My familia members are unique."

"Are you even trying to deny it anymore?!"

"I was in Orario at this time. This is merely rumors being spread," Freya said, waving her hand dismissively. "Someone is just trying to frame me. Clearly the rumors are being exaggerated."

"Yep, yep. I saw Freya at that time."

"We were going on romantic dates. Every night."

"Liar, how shameless can you be."

"The Guild will have handled it, whatever the case might be," Hephaestus took over again, sending everyone looks to sit down and shut up. She stopped on Freya. "All we can do is remind everyone here that us acting outside Orario could have major effects. Now, anyone else have any other comments to make?"

"It's good that a horde like Warusa's was stopped since it had all the signs of becoming a new Rakia," the same god that brought the topic up said, still trying to act serious. "But Rakia is making noise about Orario breaking rules."

"Rakia and Ares again? That muscle for brains doesn't know when to stop."

"No one likes that guy."

"Eh, kids like him. They always point and laugh when he passes by."

"His looks are good too, although I'm on Team Freya."

"Ares does whatever he wants, at his own pace. If he is raising a fuss, it's only because he was about to act anyway," Hephaestus said again, waving the topic away. "Anything else?"

"I have something to say," someone declared, standing before dramatically pointing at Hephaestus. "My children haven't been able to buy any of your product."

He moved to Dian Cecht.

"Or yours."

Goibnu.

"Or yours."

He threw his hands up.

"This is discrimination, and I demand compensation."

"Yeah. Speak it true, bro."

"Haha, isn't that because your familia is poor?"

Hephaestus was unimpressed, merely asking dryly, "It's called a shop. Supply and demand. What are you even asking for?"

"Money."

"Only sell to us."

"Show us your boobs!"

At that last call – who got a slap on the back of the head from a goddess next to him - the first god immediately pointed to Demeter to declare, "Just remembered I forgot to include you earlier. Show us your boobs!"

The god got a shoe thrown into his face.

"I'll do the same to anyone who says that again," one goddess warned.

"Hah, you only have two shoes though."

With no hesitation, the goddess grabbed something from below before dropping a literal box full of spare shoes on the table.

It earned her a pat on the back from a neighboring goddess and nods of respect from even the gods.

The moment still passed.

"We shall still not be oppressed, no matter how many shoes you throw."

"…game on then."

"I'm pretty sure I sold plenty of food to the city, didn't I?" Demeter asked aloud, hand on her cheek while obviously ignoring everything else.

"Okay, there are currently supply constraints. We get it," Hephaestus said, deciding to cut to the heart of the matter they were trying to get across instead of the…whatever play they were doing. "Yet we can hardly scale up production instantly. I'm also certain there are more than enough of lesser business familias to supply you all."

Honestly, only in the Deep Floors and with large familia do the necessary supplies start becoming truly troublesome to accrue.

"But…we want the expensive stuff."

"For cheap!"

"That's kind of troublesome for some of us," Miach stated with a troubled expression.

"Yeah, this is the difference between top-quality suppliers and our walking money banks," Dian Cecht burst out, laughing. "If you have a problem, have one of your kids learn all that is needed to heal you. Till then, beg on your knees for what we give you or go to poor ones like Miach!"

"Ouch, harsh."

"Oh, Miach, I'll comfort you~."

"I'd go on my knees for Dea Saint."

"What did you say, you bastard!"

"Fight, fight, fight."

"Enough!" Hephaestus cut off. "I got better things to do then watch you guys flail around and fail to throw a punch."

"~Burn~."

"Moving on," Hephaestus said as she slapped the table again, ignoring the calls for her. "We can all try to do our best to deal with this in the medium term, but it's ultimately an unavoidable bottleneck in the short-term. Only in the higher-end stuff as well, so most don't have reason to complain. Anyone else have anything to discuss?"

Several things were brought up and discussed, of varying seriousness.

"Okay, so a reminder to not leave Orario without permission," Hephaestus started to summarize, sending a look at Freya with that. Who looked positively beatific, not reacting to the implication. "Stop harassing the top-business familias for supplies, there's plenty for any familia but one of the top 10 if you look towards other options. We'll send a recommendation to the Guild to hold off on Familia Rank adjustments till at least next Denatus, since plenty of people need more time. The 49th floor is currently warped, leading to some worries on the recent defeats of the Monster Rex's to Ottar. Several of us shall be investigating the Floor Bosses for a bit. Everyone good?"

Loki and Freya had been quite subtle in setting that last point up, and Hephaestus had also cooperated.

The other deities nodded, not as bothered since the Monster Rex's not get in the way of their own expeditions was a better bet for them.

"Good, then it's time to proceed."

The room's tension peaked instantly. Some of the deities present paled. Others had their grins widen, some almost drooling.

The Naming Ceremony.

The main event. Where the seasoned and established deities got to torture the new psychologically. The inexperienced gulping in face of the trial they all had to go through.

The laughter and cries of agony were coming.

Merely sighing at the activity favored by the pettier of their number, Hephaestus still continued, "You all have the handouts. We already have a few more than usual to get through."

"Next time is going to be crazy."

"Number of people leveling up will likely only be matched by the number dying trying to."

Just sighing again at the bad taste shown, Hephaestus looked at the paper as she said, "Takemikazuchi's captain, Ouka."

Takemikazuchi trembled with a look unsuited to how he usually looked, and he clasped his hands together while crying out, "Please go easy on him! He's a good boy."

"""DENIED!"""

"He looks boring. That solid and dependable type. How about White Steel Champion [Unmoving Pillar of Justice]?"

"W-W-What the hell is that?"

"No, he's from the Far East. It must sound right. How about Kuro Ryuuji [Rising Darkness Dragon]?"

"Ouka!"

"No, Grande Ouka [Conqueror of the Future]!"

"He's a good, dedicated boy," Takemikazuchi whined, holding back tears.

The Aliases assigned by the gods were truly painful. Mortals found them wise and profound. Adventurers took extreme pride in having such extravagant names. The Guild made sure to spread them. People gossiped and tried to extrapolate their future and potential that made the gods have such high hopes for them.

The gods knew the truth.

…too chuuni.

And the deities would have to hear these nicknames for years, and hold back tears of blood from their children earnestly being proud and declaring them.

Hephaestus sent Take a sympathetic look, but her voice was one of many.

"Ah, I want to do him a favor. He said he admired how I walk earlier," one goddess said, tilting her head back and forth as she thought. "This kid is boring though…How about Masuratakeo [Martial God's Son]? Brave and Stalwart man."

Take shook in psychological pain, but eventually declared, "I'll accept it."

While the nickname merely sounded foreign to most and really just meant – to the deities – 'boring, reliable kid of Takemikazuchi', it was certainly better.

"No, it's too bland!"

But this Denatus was worked up.

"Nobu Nobu [Blessed Son of War]!"

"Noooooo. ~Ouka~"

The gods were out for blood today.

….

"Bright Light [Shining Lance of Purity].

"Just because he's gloomy and a virgin?!"

…

"Phantasmal Wolf [Dog Transcendence]."

"Is it racist to name a chienthrope that?"

…

"Eternal Pursuer [Boundless Will of Man]."

"He just has a crush on a childhood friend."

…

The room became littered by tears, but eventually the worst of the names passed as it stopped being solely newcomers.

"Um…can you please do something a little less cringe?" Hathor asked, pressing her hands together with a cute, awkward smile.

"Yes, mommy!"

Her Level 3 was not getting Burning Starra [Smoking Hot Form].

"My girls will bite next time you come. There," Ishtar threatened on behalf of a new Level 2.

"Sorry, I meant to say…Radiance [Sparkling Aura]?"

Even Hephaestus had to step in for one of her new Level 2's.

"Please repeat that, but think carefully before you," she warned, staring him down.

She was not accepting Super Polisher [Shining Tool].

…

And eventually they came to the big names that even they had to take with…some degree of seriousness.

Maybe.

Hephaestus herself blinked at the second-to-last page, looking up at Ganesha to remark, "I wasn't aware Varma had leveled up."

"HAH!" Ganesha said, bursting to his feet. "I am Ganesha, and I am great at keeping secrets."

"What, how long has that been a secret?"

"Guess Ganesha is more squirrely than expected. Probably why they reached the 59th floor."

"Well, how long has it been, Ganesha?!"

"I am Ganesha, and I seek to speak," Ganesa said, starting to flex his muscle…for a time that stretched on.

"Speak already, ya bastard!"

"I am Ganesha," he yelled right back, even if he then answered with a final pose. "She leveled up last night!"

"That means you didn't even last a day!"

"That's not a secret!"

"Enough, enough," Hephaestus said, waving away the byplay as she looked at the page. "So, she leveled leading the expedition to the 59th floor that had casualties. Don't think we need much more, since we know enough of her."

"Yeah, she's not a nobody," Loki said, leaning forward while staring at Ganesha. "A few weeks ago, and she would have set the city ablaze. You must be proud."

"Extremely, for I am-"

"We get it, already."

"…I AM GANESHA."

Hephaestus looked at Loki.

Then Freya.

Was this why he had stood separately before this?

She didn't have much more time to dwell before Ganesha lifted a leg to place on the table, posing as he continued, "And for Shakti's alias, I suggest Anurakti [Bestow-"

He was cut off by a shoe to the face.

"No giving suggestions for your own familia members."

"…I am sorry," the god said as he sat, wilting.

"Does she even need a new alias?" Dionysus asked. "Ankusha [Elephant God's Staff] is pretty iconic by this point."

"Only because she's had it for fifteen years," Hephaestus quickly corrected.

Shakti's alias traced back to the final days of Zeus and Hera, when she turned Level 4. It was basic, but acceptable for the women who was daughter to the captain of the Ganesha familia. She then leveled up during the Great Feud, and few aliases changed at that time. Even they knew there were more important things.

"A Level 6 captain of the third strongest familia does need something…extra."

…

"I know, she's a tamer, right? So, how about…Whips and Chains [The Mistress]!"

"No, no. Her sister was Vyasa, right? So, Vyasa [The Second]."

Ganesha gasped, and let out a weak, "I am Ganesha."

Hephaestus blinked too. Seems those here really wanted to vent on the stronger familia that were throwing the previous status quo out the window. It would no doubt turn into something respectable, but for now they were making Ganesha pay.

More such aliases were suggested, but eventually they were shut down and more serious started.

"Rakshaka [Order Guardian] sounds cool."

"Lacks a little something."

"Rakshaka Nagari?"

"Too long, you ruined it."

The vote went through.

"The vote is clear. Shakti Varma's new alias is…Puranas [Tamer of the City]."

"Now for the final," Freya spoke, smiling as eyes were dragged to her with a mixture of emotions.

"Yes, the final," Hephaestus agreed, turning to the final paper.

What greeted her was a sketch of a small boy. Thin, short. The drawer had captured quite skillfully – and unfortunately – the blank look in his eyes and flat affect too. It came across vaguely disturbing.

Ottar as a child. The Guild only required a sketch to be taken on registering. One could have it updated as years passed, but only those careful to their presentation did so. The gods didn't care either, believing it better to make everyone recognize them through their deeds over some sketch.

…it was weird to see Ottar as a child though, even if Hephaestus was hardly intimidated by his current size.

"Solo killing Balor, what the hell?"

"Did anyone in Zeus and Hera do that?"

"Not that I can remember."

Freya's giggle rang out.

Hephaestus quickly spoke up, "So, the important one here. Ottar has reached Level 8, and everyone knows it. We can't play with this one."

"Does he even need a new name?"

"Of course he does. He's Level 8 now."

"Not like that's too amazing."

Both true and not true. Anyone that had been in Orario for over fifteen years could remember Maxim. The Empress. For gods, it wasn't long ago. Who knows what things would be like in a century?

Although, numerous side glances were shot Freya's way.

She merely smiled sweetly, leaning elegantly on a hand, and said, "Do not worry about me. I am sure you all will come to a good decision."

Many started sweating.

"Why are ya all playing coy?" Loki growled, bearing her teeth. "He's boring, but downplaying him is downplaying my kids too. No point in eventually beating him after pulling petty shit like this. Build him up, so we can climb over him."

With Loki's…support, the talk quickly broke out.

"But I like King."

"Eh, Warlord was better."

"Oh, don't get started on that translation thing here."

"The Simple [The Battle Pig]!"

"That's literally his level 2 and 3 alias?!"

"The Lone Vanguard [Dedicated Loner]."

"Are you going to repeat all his previous names?"

"The Bore."

"Shut that guy up."

"We could go with just bumping it up. King [Formidable One] could become Great King [The Unchallenged]."

"No, no. Instead of Great King, we could do Emperor! You know, like Empress. That Mad Elf took him as her apprentice."

"Apprentice? Is that what you call her going totally yandere and-"

A crunch sounded out.

Everyone looked to see that the thin metal of a mug was crushed in Freya's hand, wine spilling over it.

"Oh dear. I must have had a defective cup," Freya said as she put it down, soon cleaning her hand. Although she still sent them all a cherubic smile. "Anything about that woman is disqualified."

"But-"

"Dis…quali…fied."

No one raised a protest.

"Then, I have an idea," a new voice said, making everyone turn.

"Hermes, you've been quiet," Hephaestus commented, the usually talkative god having been all but silent.

Especially with Demeter's words earlier…

"Just in the appreciative mood," he claimed, voice so exaggeratedly casual not a single person would buy it. He quickly continued though. "I was thinking. I like King too, but for more, how about…'The Final Defender'?"

The Final Defender?

Loki put it together first, grumbling before commenting, "What nice word choice. Maybe if we switched it up with a few synonyms. Maybe The Last…The Last One? The Last Protector? What is the word I'm searching for."

The Last Hero.

Everyone sent Hermes looks. That was a bit too much even for him. That title was not something even they could give.

"I avoided it for a specific reason, but, well…" he started, soon smirking. "It's close enough to provoke some people. Like someone else hailed by some to be the hero closest to claiming that title."

Leon Vardenburg.

Deities leaned forward as one asked with a chuckle, "You want to provoke conflict between Leon and Ottar?"

Loki quickly added in a growl, "Crazy bastard. Ya want to get stomped on that bad."

"Not at all," he claimed, not able to help looking towards Freya. Whose purple eyes were fixed on him, not a single hint of anything but sternness peaking through. He still continued on, "But is anyone denying that if the One Eyed Black Dragon awoke, he would be Orario's best possibility of success? The great defender?"

Freya's sternness only deepened, no doubt angered at Hermes pushing that narrative forth.

Hephaestus knew Freya enough to know despite it being expected of her since she helped remove Zeus and Hera from power, Freya would only ever move – even on this – when she wanted to and not when anyone tried to force her too.

Not that it stopped the manic smile creeping onto Hermes' face, "Plus, if the wider world can put someone forth without our input, shouldn't the same be true? Isn't it time the wider world be forced to look to our candidate?"

It was a weak argument Hephaestus didn't buy for a moment.

He wanted to push Leon and Ottar into crashing against each other.

Yet…

She held in a groan.

Too many of the deities were smiling. Leon was respectable, in many ways. He was also strong enough they couldn't not acknowledge or work with him. That was not to say there weren't grudges, however. Many remembered how Leon used to be. They also remembered how he took off with the School District in the early days of the Dark Era, accruing his new heroic reputation while Orario descended into chaos.

In the end, the opportunity to give Leon a poke in the eye was too much.

Especially if they could fob the resulting trouble onto Freya and Ottar.

Smiling as he realized his victory, Hermes continued, "We should keep King in there too, but Adventurer King is a bit too similar to something else."

That once again threw some ice water on the eagerness.

Adventurer King.

Mercenary King.

No. If anything, that was worse than trying to The Last Hero. At least that was a desired existence. Albert Waldstein was a known person, and his reputation had grown in recent times. For much of the Age of the Gods, he was the last Hero of the Age of Heroes. Admirable and great, but the one who after his death left the world on the precipice of ruin.

After Zeus and Hera lost to the Black Dragon?

He became the man whose sacrifice drove off the Black Dragon that slaughtered the cumulation of a thousand years of Orario's effort.

Trying to imply a connection, no matter how weak, was just not something one did.

"Oooh, oooh, I have an idea," the unexpected voice of Demeter spoke up, bouncing with her hand raised. Which admittedly helped draw attention to her. "I know exactly what to add to King. It pops right into mind when I think of Ottar."

Hermes winced a bit at the interruption, but still gestured for her to continue.

"Beast," she said simply, looking around for several moments as everyone stared at her. Eventually shifting and elaborating perkily, "I mean, doesn't 'a beast' just pop into your mind when thinking about him? Like, break that control of his and just...~a beast~."

"Aha, you refer to his race and beastification, no?" Ganesha declared. "A bit simple, but I am Ganesha and recognize it."

…

"Yes," Demeter said, after a long, pregnant pause. "That was what I meant. Just that."

…

"Keh hohoho," Freya suddenly chuckled.

Suddenly it popped into Hephaestus' head too.

Break his control and awaken the beast.

She couldn't help giggling either.

Well, if Demeter was going to be so bold, Hephaestus was not going to back down.

It was a bad trait of hers.

"The vote is done. Ottar's new alias shall be…"

King of Beasts [The Final Defender]

Hephaestus: I assure you that Ottar's alias was not chosen partially to make a sex joke...the Denatus is far too serious to ever do that.

As said, the tone of rather irreverent conversation is hard to nail. Hope it worked. I also cut out a few scenes and planned talking point because it reached this length.

Otherwise, hope the nicknames sound cool. I really considered doing polls yesterday to have you guys vote, somehow, but erred against. Rakshaka or Puranaswere my final two ideas for Shakti. I didn't quite have another idea for Ottar. If someone gives a good idea for an alternative for either, I might be willing to entertain changing them.

Next chapter is Ottar.