"So..."
"It is only natural for Elise to receive a fitting title."
"And Ishtar, you're the chief deity of a major Familia. Is it really necessary to compete with a newcomer?"
"Wouldn't it be better if everyone just got along?"
Since Freya had already spoken, the quarrel between Astraea and Ishtar should come to an end.
"Thank you, Freya. Let's chat again at the next tea party."
For Astraea, Freya was at least a temporary ally. It was only proper to give her face—after all, she presided over one of Orario's strongest Familias on the surface.
Moreover, Freya had just helped her, quietly taking her side. To continue arguing now would be unreasonable.
"It's nothing. After all, as they say in the lower world, we're best girlfriends."
Freya accepted Astraea's gratitude with ease.
As for Ishtar...
The Goddess of Beauty was glaring furiously at the one who shared her divine domain.
"Freya, are you still planning to—"
Still planning to suppress me?
Ishtar seemed ready to demand as much, but before she could finish, a surge of danger rose in her chest.
And the source of that danger... was the Freya standing before her.
"I said, this matter ends here."
The gray-haired goddess wore a dangerous smile, the implication clear: say another word, and you'll regret it.
Ishtar clenched her teeth, staring at Freya from across the hall.
Anger. Jealousy. Countless negative emotions surfaced on her face before finally settling into unwilling resentment.
In the end, Ishtar endured it.
She could not go to war with Freya—not yet.
Freya's Familia had Level 5s and Level 6s. Ishtar's strongest were only Level 3.
How could she possibly win?
The moment war broke out, defeat would be inevitable.
Even she herself would be sent back to the heavens. That would not be worth it.
Just wait, Freya...
Ishtar thought bitterly.
Once all my preparations are complete, you'll be the one rolling down from that lofty seat.
With that, Ishtar silently returned to her seat and said no more.
Though judging by her expression, she would not let this go so easily.
"Then, Astraea, what title do you intend to give Elise?"
"Hey, hey! What are you doing, love-crazed woman? I'm the host of this Banquet!"
At last, Loki—who had been forgotten in the corner—could no longer sit still. Her expression was far from pleasant.
At some point, Freya had formed an alliance with Astraea. Loki had no idea what she was planning, but it certainly wasn't good news for the Loki Familia.
Although their two Familias were known as Orario's Twin Pillars, in truth Freya's Familia was stronger by a fair margin.
If not for the internal disunity within Freya's ranks, it would have been difficult for the Loki Familia to contend with them at all.
And now there was Astraea as well?
Not to mention that Astraea possessed a member like Elise—Level 1 with strength comparable to Level 5. That was already on par with Finn and the others.
And more importantly...
Was Freya even planning to seize her position as host?
You've got some nerve.
Love-crazed woman!
"Let me have this one, Loki," Freya said lightly.
"I'll compensate you next time."
Those words only deepened Loki's suspicions. She stared at Freya for a long moment before finally sitting back down to watch.
"Hah. You'd better compensate me generously, or I won't let this slide so easily!"
"Naturally."
Though Loki sat, her gaze continued shifting between Freya and Astraea, searching for flaws.
In the end, all of this stemmed from Astraea's child...
Elise Holiness...
Was she truly as formidable as Freya claimed? Possessing strength not inferior to Level 5?
It seemed she would have to meet her in person sometime.
And Freya and Astraea...
"Tch. Suddenly there's a lot more to deal with..."
...
"Yes. The title I wish to give Elise is already written on the paper. Please take a look."
At Astraea's words, the gods shifted their attention back to the documents and turned to the next page.
A single title lay quietly upon it.
Saintess of Scales.
"Ohhh!"
"That's quite something, Astraea!"
"Just how highly do you regard her, to bestow such a name?"
The moment they saw it, countless gods exclaimed in surprise.
They understood perfectly well what that title signified.
Scales...
Was that not the very symbol Astraea held in her hand in the heavens?
If a god chose something directly associated with themselves to name a child of the lower world, it was proof of extraordinary favor.
Many gods had such titles within their Familias.
And those children were almost always exceptional.
"Saintess of Scales?"
Freya studied the name thoughtfully before speaking.
"Is that truly for the best?"
"Personally, I think simply 'Saintess' would be better."
"There is no one more suited to that title than she."
Freya raised her doubt, but Astraea shook her head.
"No. Elise herself does not wish for that."
"Whether in the past or the future, there have always been kind and gentle souls. Many have borne the title of saint. I am merely one among them."
"If I were to receive such a pure title outright, it would feel as though I were betraying the predecessors who strove before me—and the successors who will strive after me."
"So this title is enough. I hope that in the future, more and more people will earn the title of saint. If that happens, the world will surely become a better place."
"Those are Elise's exact words. I hope you will grant her this small wish."
Astraea rose and bowed deeply to the assembled gods.
The courtesy had been fully observed.
"Say no more! I accept without hesitation!"
"To think such a good child exists in the lower world—it's rare indeed!"
"Grant her wish! We absolutely must grant it!"
"Hey, brother, that sounded a little strange..."
Though some of the gods' remarks were tinged with odd undertones, the outcome was already decided.
With Freya's assistance, Astraea's courtesy, and the fact that Elise was clearly a good child in their eyes, the gods made their decision without hesitation.
Elise's title was set.
Saintess of Scales—Elise Holiness.