Chapter 74: Denatus

The so-called Denatus had once been nothing more than a casual gathering, orchestrated by a few idle gods seeking to kill time and escape their eternal boredom. In the beginning, it had been limited to a small circle—gods meeting for the sake of conversation, light-hearted chatter, laughter, and the occasional exchange of trivial daily amusement. The atmosphere had been easygoing, informal. But as the years rolled by, more and more deities began to participate. What began as a leisurely social event slowly evolved into something far more structured and far-reaching. The once-casual assembly had become a central platform for information dissemination and ideological exchange among the divine. Eventually, the Denatus transformed from an informal reunion of Familia heads into a pivotal institution—now coordinated with the Guild, influencing policies that echoed across Orario. The best-known part of this tradition was the naming ceremony, which had long since become a matter of routine. Even now, the venue remained unchanged: the Tower of Babel, the proud pillar that pierced the sky at the heart of Orario. Gods arrived in groups of two or three, chatting and laughing as they ascended the endless spiral of stairs. Their destination was the 30th floor—reserved exclusively for this conference. The floor had been entirely cleared out, all partitions removed to create a grand open space. Towering columns lined the room, stretching skyward to support the elevated ceiling. In the center stood a single, enormous round table—its surface polished to a mirror-like gleam. Aside from that, the room held no other furnishings. The far wall was composed entirely of massive panes of glass, offering a breathtaking view of the sky from thirty stories above. Among the gathering gods was one wearing an elephant-head mask—the ever-enthusiastic deity of the masses. With his trademark booming voice, he greeted old friends he hadn't seen in ages. Elsewhere, in a more quiet corner, three goddesses drew considerable attention from nearby male gods. But of the three, it was the silver-haired goddess who stole the show. Her supple, petite curves and delicate waist were so enticing, one could lose their sense of reason at a single glance. Her outfit—revealing yet elegant—covered only the most essential areas. The fabric clung tightly to her proud, shapely chest while exposing her snowy skin, enhancing her already overwhelming beauty. She could only be described as transcendent. Next to her sat a red-haired goddess, flame-like locks cascading down as she remained quiet, an eye patch covering her right eye. Her calm, composed demeanor contrasted with the chaos around her as she waited patiently for the conference to officially begin. Between them was Astraea, dressed in her usual pure-white casual dress—dignified and graceful. A warm, peaceful smile spread across her lips. In the corner of the room sat a man who appeared to have arrived before everyone else. Chin resting on his hand, he leaned lazily over the table, flipping through documents with casual disinterest. Though he wore his hat low to conceal his face, the bright orange of his hair gave him away. After three months without a Denatus, the turnout this time was impressive. Unlike the more formal Banquet of the Gods, which required ceremonial dress, today's event permitted each god to wear whatever suited them. "Whoa, look at this crowd!" One god exclaimed, clearly impressed. "Seems like there are more participants this time!" "That's to be expected. Evilus has gone quiet lately. With fewer attacks, our children have become more energetic. It's natural the gods are in better spirits too." Another replied. As more and more gods filled the seats around the giant round table, casual conversations sprang up all around. The buzz of anticipation filled the air. Even though Freya's overwhelming presence drew much attention, Astraea could still feel several gazes falling upon her—some filled with ridicule, others tinged with curiosity or emotion toward the justice her Familia stood for. She sighed softly, then turned toward the two goddesses at her side. "It's been a while, Freya, Hephaestus." "It has." Hephaestus replied with a nod, her voice gentle. "But I've been hearing all sorts of news about your child lately. His level up time... it's honestly unbelievable." "Indeed. Each child in your Familia seems so brilliant. And now you've taken in another exceptionally talented one. Truly enviable." Freya added with a melodic chuckle, her hand elegantly covering her mouth. Although Freya had been surprised by Akira's unprecedented growth rate, her interest did not run deep enough to stir envy. Her words carried a rare note of sincerity as she offered her congratulations. Astraea laughed softly amd said, "Akira truly is exceptional, but I must clarify—he wasn't someone I discovered. It was Alise and the others who brought him in." Freya leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. She asked, "Astraea, have you thought of an alias for your child yet? Or do you have something in mind?" At this, Astraea's smile widened as she said, "Oh yes, I've considered it. Although he used to be quite reserved, recently he's begun showing a more assertive side. That's why the alias I've prepared for him fits perfectly." Seeing Astraea's radiant confidence, Hephaestus chuckled and said, "If that's the case, then you'll have my vote. I look forward to seeing the options." She added playfully, "After all, he commissioned a weapon from Tsubaki not long ago. I suppose that counts as support for my Familia, too." Freya laughed gently and said, "It seems we're all eager to see what path your child takes. Still... if I find your proposed alias unsatisfying, I might just submit one myself." Astraea gave her a helpless, wry smile and said, "Please be merciful. I don't possess your charisma or influence." The three goddesses continued their light-hearted banter, the tension in the air gradually easing as their conversation deepened. Eventually, a clear voice echoed through the hall. "Well then, let us begin." A goddess stood at the center of the room, her crimson eye sweeping over the gods now seated in their places. "This marks the beginning of yet another Denatus." She declared. "And for this session, I, Loki, shall serve as the host!" A beat of silence passed. Then, suddenly, the room erupted into cheers and applause. It was an unexpectedly lively start. "Heh? Loki's hosting today?" Hephaestus raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I thought it'd be Ganesha." Freya chuckled, her eyes gleaming. "That's just Loki's nature. And besides, this meeting is special, isn't it? After all, Akira from Astraea's Familia has just ranked up to Level 2. Naturally, she'd want to oversee the naming herself."