Looking at Apollo walking closer step by step, with that disgusting smile on his face—
Combined with what Cao Ye knew about Apollo from DanMachi—
Cao Ye immediately felt sick.
This guy actually has his eyes on me.
What terrible luck…
"Lord Apollo."
Although Cao Ye felt extreme disgust inside, he still maintained basic courtesy.
No matter how unpleasant Apollo was—
He was still a god.
"Hyacinthus offended you earlier."
"I apologize to you on his behalf."
"It was just a small conflict."
Even though Cao Ye really wanted to punch Apollo's face in—
He couldn't do that.
He glanced at Hyacinthus, sheathed his black sword, and casually flicked the blood off the blade.
Hyacinthus watched with burning resentment.
The surrounding gods all smiled.
They knew the entertainment was just beginning.
Even if they didn't know which familia Cao Ye belonged to—
They knew what Apollo was about to do.
Soon he would publicly confess his interest.
Then it would become a question:
Would the boy accept or refuse?
"Child, which familia do you belong to?"
Apollo was already impatient.
But to be safe, he first wanted to know Cao Ye's affiliation.
If it was a small familia, he could act freely.
If it was a major familia, he would have to find another opportunity later.
At least not openly.
"Lord Apollo, I belong to Freya Familia."
"Freya Familia?"
In that instant—
Apollo's smiling face froze.
Hyacinthus also stared in disbelief.
How could he be from Freya Familia?
That familia hadn't accepted new members for years—
Except for that one person…
Many people in the hall immediately realized Cao Ye's identity.
The boy Freya publicly took in on the street.
Now things became interesting.
Freya's "kept boy" had now caught Apollo's attention too.
Apollo really lived up to his reputation—
Men and women alike.
Now the question was:
Would Freya kill him for this?
Tap… tap… tap…
At that moment, a beautiful figure walked forward.
"Apollo."
"What exactly were you planning to say to my child?"
"N-Nothing at all!"
Seeing Freya, Apollo's expression stiffened.
He quickly forced a smile.
In Orario, the last person anyone wanted to provoke—
Was Freya.
Because she was the most terrifying goddess in the city.
Both she and her familia.
"Cao Ye."
"You tell me. What happened?"
Freya looked at him coldly.
Although they had known each other for less than a month—
Cao Ye knew very well how possessive Freya was.
Anyone belonging to her was absolutely off-limits to others.
"Well, nothing much."
"This Lord Apollo wanted to see me."
"So he sent that guy to bring me over."
"I refused."
"And a small conflict happened."
Cao Ye explained it bluntly.
Hearing this, cold sweat appeared on Apollo's forehead.
Meanwhile Freya's expression turned darker.
She knew Apollo's preferences very well.
He liked men.
And when he wanted someone—
He would stop at nothing to obtain them.
Previously, Freya had never bothered with Apollo.
But today—
He had reached his hand toward her possession.
"A misunderstanding!"
"This is absolutely a misunderstanding!"
"I never said such a thing!"
"Hyacinthus—what exactly did you do?!"
Panicking, Apollo immediately pushed all responsibility onto Hyacinthus.
Hyacinthus widened his eyes in disbelief.
He never expected the god he worshipped to throw him away so easily.
For a moment he didn't know what to do.
"Hm?"
Seeing him hesitate, Apollo's eyes flashed coldly.
"Lady Freya…"
"This was entirely my own decision."
"It has nothing to do with Lord Apollo."
Despite being abandoned, Hyacinthus still chose to protect Apollo.
He had long regarded Apollo as his faith.
"Cao Ye."
"What do you think?"
Freya turned to him.
The conflict began because of him.
She wanted to see how he wished to resolve it.
"I didn't really suffer any loss."
"A small punishment should be enough."
SLASH!
Without warning—
Cao Ye swung his black sword.
The blade cut straight through Hyacinthus's shoulder.
"AAAAHHHH!"
A severed arm fell to the floor.
Blood sprayed everywhere, staining the expensive carpet in the banquet hall.
The ruthless act shocked everyone present.
Even Finn was stunned.
Earlier, during their conversation, he thought Cao Ye seemed like a decent person worth befriending.
He had even planned to encourage members of Loki Familia to interact with him later.
But he hadn't expected such brutality.
Just for a conflict—
Cao Ye severed Hyacinthus's arm in front of gods and adventurers alike.
Even if it could be reattached with a Panacea, there would likely be lasting consequences.
And tonight—
Apollo Familia's reputation had been completely destroyed.
"Sorry about that, Lord Apollo."
"Looks like I might have gone a bit too far."
"N-No problem…"
"He brought it upon himself!"
Apollo said through clenched teeth.
But with Freya standing beside them—
He didn't dare react.
Freya, however, looked at Cao Ye with slight surprise.
His action had been impulsive—
But against someone like Apollo, it didn't matter.
Apollo simply didn't have the strength to cause real trouble.
Meanwhile, Hyacinthus clutched his severed arm.
His teeth were clenched tightly.
His eyes burned with hatred and killing intent.
His arm had been cut off.
This was a deep grudge.
But he didn't dare lift his head.
He feared Cao Ye might notice the killing intent in his eyes.
After tonight—
The name Cao Ye would spread throughout Orario.
Freya's "kept boy" had cut off the arm of Apollo Familia's captain at Apollo's own banquet.
It was a scandal of enormous proportions.
From now on—
As long as Cao Ye remained alive—
Apollo Familia's reputation would forever be trampled into the dirt.
A god humiliated so badly by a mortal child.
Apollo would likely be mocked by the gods for centuries.
After this incident, the banquet was essentially ruined.
And since Cao Ye was the center of the chaos—
Freya took him away once everything ended.
After such a huge disturbance—
There was no point continuing the party.
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