Danmachi: Valkyrie Oratoria

Chapter 14: Freya Familia

Freya, the goddess of beauty, stood before Hedin, a blond elf with glasses. He was a level 5 adventurer who belonged to her Familia. She had tasked him with investigating an peculiar mask.

''Did you find anything about this mask?'' Freya inquired as he handed it back to her.

''It's a very well-crafted mask, Freya-sama,'' Hedin replied. ''I couldn't determine its origin precisely but it seems to have been created even before the gods descended into this world.''

He adjusted his glasses and continued: ''But what I found most remarkable is the blue orb engraved on the mask. When I focused my senses to detect mana, I could sense an extremely faint trace of magic emanating from it.''

Hedin paused for emphasis before revealing his discovery: ''It appears that weak mana connects Sigrid Kaslana somehow - through that blue orb specifically.''

''I see... Thank you for your efforts in investigating this matter thoroughly.'' Freya smiled graciously at him. Hedin bowed respectfully in return.

''And how is Sigrid's current condition?'' Freya asked Hedin, her voice laced with concern.

''She is still asleep,'' Hedin replied. ''It seems she used up all her energy to fight and survived against that black monster Ottar told us about - it appears to be a new, enhanced species.''

Freya nodded in response to Hedin's report. She could sense his curiosity, though he tried to remain professional. After a pause, Hedin finally voiced the question that had been on his mind for the past three days.

''Freya-sama... are you trying to convert Sigrid Kaslana to our familia?'' Hedin asked carefully. ''I don't think Goddess Astraea would give up her first child so easily without conflict. Goddess Astraea is well-known for her deep love of all her children, but especially Sigrid Kaslana, according to rumors.''

Freya simply smiled at her faithful servant. ''Not yet,'' she replied calmly. ''I believe Sigrid will shine brightly under Astraea for now. I like Astraea, so I wouldn't want to be on her bad side. So I will wait and see how things unfold before making Sigrid mine.''

Freya's desire to claim Sigrid for herself was powerful, but she reigned it in for the time being, content simply to observe Sigrid's growth and beauty from afar.

Hedin nodded respectfully. ''As you wish, Freya-sama. The Familia exists to serve your will.''

Freya smiled and took her leave, Sigrid's mask still clutched delicately in her hand. She made her way to the guest room where Sigrid rested, exhaustion still holding her in its grip. Freya paused outside the door, gazing down at the mask with a thoughtful expression.

While she had no desire to directly oppose Astraea at this time, Freya's longing to claim Sigrid as her own ran deep. She would wait, and watch, biding her time until the opportunity arose to bring that radiant soul under her dominion. For now, it was enough simply to be near Sigrid and admire her beauty from afar.

But Freya knew that if Sigrid were to die, her soul leaving this world to ascend to heaven, Freya would not hesitate. She would go to heaven herself to claim Sigrid's soul, even if it meant Freya could never return to the lower world again. Sigrid's radiant beauty and spirit had captured Freya completely, and she was willing to do anything to make the adventurer hers, both in life and in death.

Freya opened the door and entered the room, closing it softly behind her. Her eyes wandered to the bed, where the beautiful white-haired girl rested. Though she appeared around 14 years old, Sigrid was in truth only 11.

She wore a simple white dress, as her adventurer clothes had been torn beyond repair. Her two swords and tattered outfit lay on the table.

Freya walked to the bed and sat down gently, so as not to disturb Sigrid's slumber. She reached out and softly stroked the girl's silky white hair, admiring its softness. Even exhausted and injured, Sigrid remained as radiant as ever to Freya's eyes. Her beauty and strength of spirit shone through, captivating the goddess completely.