Inner Voice: All Heroines Hear My Inner Voice Chapter 945 945: Syr Visit

To keep it brief, as the finer points seemed unnecessary, Eiji had concluded the creation of armor and gauntlets for Bell. Hestia expressed her gratitude, and upon learning the specifications of the equipment, her favorable opinion of him rose by two points.

Both Hestia and even Hephaestus considered the crafted gear to be on par with the exceptional items Eiji had previously fashioned for his own familia members. They harbored no suspicions about any hidden flaws in the equipment.

Concurrently, Bell, as he made his way back to his familia's dwelling, shivered. A sense of foreboding washed over him.

Eiji's lips curved into a smile, a look that concealed a villainous cunning and dark intent.

"In that case, I shall depart now. I fully intend to grace the feast hosted by that god, Apollo. I anticipate seeing you adorned in a beautiful gown then, Hephaestus," he declared.

Before exiting Valka's Crimson Chamber, he couldn't resist a playful jab at Hephaestus.

However, her favorability towards him remained stagnant, failing to increase further. It was still fixed at 99.

"You wish for me to wear... Very well," Hephaestus responded, a blush coloring her cheeks. They had previously discussed the party Apollo was organizing, and Eiji had confirmed his own invitation.

In the past, she had always avoided such gatherings, burdened by insecurities concerning her disability. But now? Eagerness filled her, and she found herself anticipating the event and the prospect of seeing Eiji again soon.

As Hephaestus offered Eiji a smile, passersby outside Valka's Crimson Chamber were taken aback. The sight of the Goddess of Smithing, no longer concealing one eye with a patch, left them captivated.

"What about me? Hey Eiji, are you also eager to see me in a ball gown?" Hestia inquired, her voice tinged with a slight pout as she tugged at the hem of Eiji's garment.

Eiji tilted his head to gaze at Hestia. "Naturally, you as well, Hestia," he affirmed.

"Really? Hehe... My dresses aren't particularly fancy, so don't set your expectations too high, alright?"

The petite goddess with twin pigtails giggled, striking an irresistibly cute pose.

"...." Hephaestus remained silent.

Hestia appeared to have reached a similar conclusion...

Despite their shared friendship, she was determined not to yield!

Eiji reveled in the unspoken rivalry between the two women. He departed with Hestia, parting ways when their paths diverged.

Meanwhile, on another front.

Upon re-entering her familia's headquarters, Hephaestus was met by Tsubaki and several other familia members. They stopped short, gaping as they beheld her face, or more precisely, her unbandaged right eye.

"He-Hephaestus-sama... Your eye...! Your right eye has been healed!?"

"Uwaaahhh! Hephaestus-sama, you look even more stunning!"

"Congratulations, Hephaestus-sama!"

"Who healed you, Hephaestus-sama? Was it that handsome gentleman from earlier!?"

Tsubaki and the others rejoiced at their Goddess's recovery, some even moved to tears, deeply understanding the long-standing torment caused by her disfigurement.

Hephaestus, touched by their reaction, nodded and spoke of Eiji. She explained that he was the one who had restored her eye and had astonished her with his unparalleled blacksmithing prowess.

Furthermore, their familia had recently established a highly exclusive contract with his.

"If we encounter him again, I will certainly express my gratitude for healing you, Hephaestus-sama!"

"Hold on, is it true? Is Eiji-sama also a master blacksmith, on par with you?!"

Tsubaki inquired with evident excitement.

"Indeed, he is. But Tsubaki, may I ask why you inquire?" Hephaestus replied, her curiosity piqued.

Tsubaki patted her ample chest. "If it were possible, I would gladly learn from him as well."

"Um... Perhaps it would be best if you did not pursue that."

"Huh? Why not?"

Hephaestus didn't object to Tsubaki's desire to study under Eiji or even become his apprentice. However, it hinged entirely on Eiji's consent, and according to him...

Tsubaki would likely be unable to grasp Eiji's blacksmithing techniques, as they were reputed to be at a level attainable only by the gods.

Shifting focus.

Eiji's expression shifted to one of surprise as he observed the arrivals at his familia's headquarters.

On the training grounds, Artoria was seen imparting sword techniques to Ais. Within the study room, Morgan was conducting magic lessons for two elves, Riveria and Lefiya.

From Medusa, he received a detailed account of the Loki Familia's beautiful ladies' recent visit to his familia's estate.

How could he not feel a sense of joy?

Yet, they were not the only ones. Freya—or rather, Syr, as she was known—had also arrived, seemingly eager to fulfill a promise made between them.

In the Seiya Familia's lounge.

"Syr, have you been waiting long? I was occupied with some matters before returning here," Eiji said to the woman seated before him.

His gaze couldn't help but drift, appreciating her appearance as she was elegantly dressed in a knee-length white gown, enhancing her natural beauty.

Her hair, a shade of gray-blue, was neatly gathered into a small knot, forming a ponytail. Her eyes mirrored this hue, and her skin possessed a smooth, light peach complexion.

[Truly befitting the alter ego of the Goddess of Beauty, Freya! She's gone to such lengths, coming to my familia's home just to try and win me over!]

[Has her patience finally worn thin? Yare-yare.]

The heroines: "...."

You sound quite thrilled, Eiji.

Even though you're aware that woman harbors ulterior motives for this meeting.

The sound of Eiji's inner monologue shattered Ais's concentration, causing her to falter once more. She failed to parry Artoria's sword hilt as it slammed against her own blade.

"Ahh!"

"Concentrate, Ais. This is hardly the time to be preoccupied with a man."

Artoria, acting as her master, chastised her apprentice.

Ais winced in pain, cradling the hand that had taken the blow and retrieving her fallen sword from the ground.

Artoria's words stung her pride, yet she offered no retort, unsure of what she could possibly say.

The scene shifts back to the living room.

Freya, in her Syr guise, remained unable to perceive Eiji's inner thoughts. Nonetheless, the way he looked at her filled her with delight.

Her confidence grew with each passing moment.

"I've been waiting for over an hour, but that's quite alright... Medusa-san kindly offered me some tea, and Scáthach-san engaged me in conversation."

"I also found myself captivated watching Pendragon-san train the renowned Wallenstein-san. Your familia members are truly exceptional, Eiji-sama."

Syr's words made it evident that she had already been briefed on the identities of his familia members.

Upon her initial encounter with these stunning women, surprise and a touch of jealousy had indeed washed over her.

Scáthach, in particular, captivated her. Beyond her goddess-like beauty, Freya/Syr sensed an unnerving depth within her, a soul that shimmered with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. This aura was of a dark, blood-red hue, cold as death itself.

It was both intriguing and deeply unsettling.

She could surmise that this woman had likely been responsible for the demise of countless beings, including humans. However, the possibility that her victims might have included gods had not yet crossed her mind.

"Is that so? I take immense pride in my familia members. On a related note... I don't recall ever disclosing my residence to you, Syr."

Eiji bore no ill will towards Freya learning the identities of his familia. He decided to continue their small talk.

[Scáthach: This woman strikes me as peculiar, Eiji.]

[Medusa: My sentiments exactly.]

[Eiji: It's only natural. She's essentially a goddess masquerading as a human to pursue me.]

While Scáthach and the other women in the familia's chat group were already privy to Syr's true identity, hearing it confirmed directly by Eiji left them momentarily speechless.

"I became aware through the recent circulating rumors. Eiji-sama, you and your familia have garnered considerable fame. It's likely that nearly everyone in Orario has heard something about you."

"I heard this was where you resided. That's precisely why I decided to pay you a visit."

Syr spun her tale with effortless grace.

A sweet smile graced her lips as she spoke. In reality, she had acquired all this information from her own familia members, who had diligently gathered intelligence on Eiji for her benefit.

"Oh? Now that you've accomplished your objective of meeting me, is there anything else you require from me, Syr?"

"Yes!" Syr responded without a moment's hesitation. "Eiji-sama, I came to fulfill my promise. I feared you might have forgotten, so I took it upon myself to offer my services."

Services?

Woman, your choice of words could easily lead to severe misunderstandings!

I know you're doing this deliberately. After all, Medusa and Scáthach are currently seated on the adjacent sofa.

They watched their man with impassive expressions.

"Ahem! You mean your offer to guide me through Orario and show me its finest attractions, correct?"

Eiji feigned a cough, engaging in his own pretense. To be precise, every individual in the room was maintaining a facade!

Scáthach and Medusa would hardly be provoked merely because Eiji intended to avail himself of Syr's 'lewd services'.

They had long been aware of his rather perverted nature.

However, unaware of this, Syr believed she had successfully agitated the other women. A graceful giggle escaped her lips. "Precisely what I intended, Eiji-sama. Though, I do prefer to refer to it as a 'date', if you wouldn't mind."

[Medusa: This woman appears to harbor some resentment towards us.]

[Scáthach: Fufu. Not only that, she seems quite possessive. Eiji, you may find yourself in a rather difficult situation.]

[Morgan: By what right does that vile woman presume to claim our husband as her own? Shall I freeze her on the spot?]

[Artoria: Morgan, please compose yourself!]

Simultaneously, Riveria and Lefiya, who had been in high spirits discussing the mechanics of magic from another universe, suddenly felt a palpable chill.

A wave of coldness emanated from Morgan, her usually beautiful face now set in a grim expression.

Good heavens, who had managed to provoke her?!

"My apologies, Morgan-san, did we inadvertently say something amiss?" Riveria inquired tentatively.

"No, you two are excellent apprentices. I'm simply experiencing irritation towards that wretched woman downstairs."

"...."

Riveria and Lefiya exchanged glances.

Wretched woman?

Could they be referring to Syr?

Prior to ascending to the second floor, they too had encountered her and were, in fact, aware of her true identity as Freya in disguise.

Fortunately, prior to their arrival, they had managed to prevent Loki from following them. Otherwise, the ensuing chaos would have been significantly amplified.

"Well, as it happens, I have no other commitments this afternoon. Scáthach, Medusa, I'll be heading out with Syr." Eiji casually informed his two companions.

Neither of them displayed any anger nor attempted to dissuade him. Scáthach, in fact, offered her encouragement: "Have a good time."

This response left Syr feeling as though her efforts were futile.

With a slight twitch of her lips, she accompanied Eiji towards the front gate. There, she took the lead, her arm linked through his.

Bell was on the verge of blushing, but Eiji, savoring the pleasant sensation of Syr's body pressed against his, made no comment.

For a seasoned individual like himself, this was a commonplace occurrence. Right, Leme?

"Precisely, our King. And perhaps a suggestion: you might consider taking that lady back to your lodgings and amusing yourselves forthwith."

At that precise moment, Leme drew Eiji's attention to Syr's burgeoning positive sentiment towards him.

Eiji was not taken aback. He was already aware that Syr harbored yandere tendencies, a trait established in the original narrative. Nevertheless, he wasn't inclined to rush, intending to manage her feelings first.

Why wouldn't he?

"Freya/Syr's positive level towards the Harem King: 101 (Possessive Love + Infatuation + Greedy For Your Body And Soul + Wants You To Be Her Dog Like Other Men)"

The final sentiment, however, was best left unvoiced.

He already had an idea for that particular aspect.

Freya would undoubtedly endure until her existence revolved solely around him.

A subtle smile touched Eiji's lips as he observed Syr's jubilant expression, his own gaze holding a depth akin to...

"Yandere. You are also a yandere, host."

"Miss System, your assessment is incorrect."

Eiji believed it was perfectly natural for a man to desire the sole affection of a woman who caught his interest. To do otherwise, he reasoned, could potentially lead to him being cuckolded.

Consider, for instance, the protagonist Kazuya. In the original work, he frequently found himself in scenarios where he was subjected to NTR. In this current life, Eiji had provided him with firsthand experience.

As they strolled through the vibrant marketplace, the aroma of freshly baked bread permeated the air, and Syr frequently offered him samples of the pastries she purchased.

She even went so far as to feed him while they sat on a garden chair, creating a moment of romantic ambiance.

Eiji, naturally, did not refuse her advances.

"Those are some of my preferred sweet shops," Syr stated, her voice a melody to Eiji's ears. Still holding his arm, she continued to captivate him with her every gesture. She then gestured towards a street where the buildings were closely clustered. "And over there lies the Daedalus Street shopping district, though we must be mindful not to become lost within its intricate layout."

The area Syr indicated was a vast, densely populated section situated in the east/southeast quadrant of Orario, infamous for its disorienting architecture and the difficulty one faced in exiting once inside.

It was frequently referred to as the Labyrinth, or alternatively, the Second Dungeon.

"I've only just learned about that. Engaging Syr's services for a date was indeed the optimal decision," Eiji remarked with a casual falsehood, even draping his arm around the woman's shoulders.

He could discern the envious glances cast his way by numerous passersby.

"The weather is quite pleasant today as well," he mused internally.

Syr's cheeks flushed. Both she and Freya were overcome with shyness due to Eiji's affectionate gestures and words.

Her infatuation with him intensified.

She briefly contemplated disregarding the impending Apollo's party and revealing her true form immediately, while simultaneously activating her charms.

However, Freya held back. She was currently embodying Syr and relishing the date she was experiencing with Eiji.

"!" Yet, deep within her consciousness, Horn felt not only embarrassment but also indignation that Eiji would presume to initiate physical contact with her goddess!

But given that her goddess was content with the situation, Horn could do nothing but continue observing the unfolding events from Syr's perspective.

She was effectively the unseen third party.

Eiji found the situation amusing, as he could perceive Horn's spirit within Syr's body, poised to switch places with Freya at any given moment.

"Ara. I am delighted that Eiji-sama appreciates my services," Syr said demurely.

Shortly thereafter, she extended an invitation for them to continue their excursion. Eiji found himself once again ensnared, or more accurately, Syr clung to his arm, pressing her voluptuous form against him.

Yare-yare, this woman was remarkably clingy.

Beyond the approving glances of those they encountered, Eiji also keenly felt an unusual gaze upon them.

The palpable jealousy and animosity radiating from it were unmistakable.

The corner of Eiji's lips curved upward further. He drew Syr closer into his embrace, capitalizing on a moment when a pedestrian nearly collided with her.

"Ah... Eiji-sama, you startled me."

"My apologies. It's quite crowded here. I was merely concerned you might be bumped into. Let's proceed."

He made no haste to release the woman from his encompassing hold.

"O-Okay." Syr stammered, her face aflame as she gazed, entranced, at the extraordinarily handsome visage before her.

The spectacle was so sweet that Allen Fromel, the vice-captain of Freya Familia and a Cat Person, was consumed by fury. Veins throbbed in his neck as he ground his teeth audibly.

"Damn it... even if he's a god, how dare he touch Freya-sama so casually..."

His voice rumbled like a feline's growl, his right hand clenching his silver spear so tightly that his knuckles turned a stark white.

From their vantage point, Allen, a Level 6, could distinctly hear every taunt Eiji uttered and every pampered laugh that escaped Syr. To him, it felt like a profound insult.

Much like Ottar and the rest of Freya Familia, he harbored deep affection for Freya and yearned for her love. However, his possessiveness surpassed theirs, bordering on a murderous rage towards Eiji in that very moment.

Still, he managed to restrain himself, acutely aware of the established rules. This was his goddess's "game," and any individual who captured Freya's interest—whether as herself or as Syr—was strictly off-limits without her explicit command. Even the slightest disruption to her mood could result in severe punishment, or worse, his removal from her side.

Allen had no desire for punishment. Therefore, he could only endure the ignominy, feeling as if a brightly shining green hat had been placed upon his head.

"Hahaha," Eiji chuckled as they continued their stroll.

Syr appeared puzzled. "Eiji-sama, why the sudden laughter? Did something amuse you?"

"Indeed. I just observed a cat grow intensely jealous upon witnessing its mother on a date."

"!?" Allen's ears flickered. He couldn't help but wonder if Eiji's words were directed at him.

Surely not, right?

Yet, a surge of humiliation washed over him, almost driving him to the brink of madness with anger.

Unaware that Eiji was subtly mocking one of her familia members, Syr inquired about the location of this cat. Eiji simply replied that the cat had already retreated into hiding.

Their walk continued, leading them to explore a few additional locations. Whether by design or coincidence, Eiji felt certain this was their final stop. Syr even divulged the whereabouts of reputable hotels, as if providing him with some form of coded information.

However, his attention was momentarily diverted by a place illuminated by lights, even though the sun had yet to fully set.

"That is the entertainment district. Eiji-sama, you should absolutely avoid going there. That area falls under the territory of the Ishtar Familia. That woman... I mean, that goddess is not to be trifled with. Even as a god, there's no telling if she might attempt to abduct you for her own amusement."

Syr's expression turned serious as she voiced these words, genuinely concerned about Eiji venturing too close to Ishtar.

Eiji simply nodded in agreement. He certainly held no interest in women of questionable repute. Yet, a memory surfaced of a beautiful woman in that very district who was in dire need of a hero.

[This is precisely why documenting one's objectives is crucial to prevent them from being forgotten. It has just dawned on me that within this world, I also possess the capability to provide a suitable sister for Yasaka and Kunou.]

"???" Yasaka

What could her husband possibly mean by that?

She remained uncertain.