Inner Voice: All Heroines Hear My Inner Voice Chapter 950 950: Apollo's party begins

As time marched onward, night descended.

The grand festivities hosted by Apollo were held at Hearth Manor, the residence of his own familia. Within a magnificent hall adorned with opulence and light, the air hummed with enchanting classical melodies. Gods and goddesses, attired in their most exquisite garments, mingled and conversed.

In a secluded corner, Hephaestus stood with considerable dignity. Previously, her appearance might have gone largely unnoticed.

However, things had changed. Since Eiji had healed her eye, many gods and goddesses found their gaze drawn to her, their faces etched with surprise. They marveled at her restored beauty, their minds racing with the question of how her eye had been cured!

As if echoing the collective curiosity, an exceptionally beautiful goddess, draped in a alluring silver dress, approached the Goddess of Smithing.

Each step she took captivated every male eye, including Apollo's.

"Hephaestus, you are truly stunning tonight. Congratulations, it appears you've found a way to heal your eye."

"I am delighted for you."

This was Freya, the Goddess of Beauty. Even after enduring hours of Eiji's passionate advances, despite being in her Syr form at the time, her legs still ached slightly, causing her gait to be less than perfectly smooth.

Many deities took notice of this subtle imperfection. Initial reactions were laced with envy – they coveted the man who had seemingly toyed with Freya's affections so recently. Only a select few surmised she had perhaps stumbled and injured her leg.

Freya, however, remained unbothered and unashamed. Instead, she carried herself with a proud display until—Ishtar, on the other hand—let out an audible huff of irritation. The male deities who had previously surrounded her were now utterly captivated by Freya. When she entered their view, all attention shifted to her.

'Freya, you vixen! Just you wait; I'll put you in your place once I've managed to corner that man.'

The man Ishtar referred to was Eiji, who had yet to make an appearance despite the party's commencement.

Sensing Ishtar's gaze, thick with jealousy and animosity, Freya chose to ignore it. She positioned herself directly before Hephaestus, inclining her head to examine her eyes more closely.

Hephaestus instinctively took a small step back, feeling a hint of bashfulness. "Thank you for the kind words, Freya. I was fortunate enough to encounter someone capable of mending my affliction."

"Oh? And who might this individual be? To possess the ability to cure your affliction, something even the gods renowned for their healing prowess in the heavens could not achieve… they must be truly extraordinary."

Freya's interest was immediately piqued by the identity of the person who had restored one of Hephaestus's eyes.

"You will discover who it is in due time. He is expected to attend this gathering shortly."

Hephaestus consciously withheld Eiji's name from Freya for the moment. To be perfectly candid, she harbored a tinge of apprehension and a growing sense of possessiveness.

She found it hard to imagine that a woman like Freya would remain unmoved by Eiji, especially after witnessing his striking appearance.

Freya arched an eyebrow slightly. "Him? A god? In that case, I shall remain here, lest I miss the opportunity to meet him."

Anyone capable of rectifying Hephaestus's long-standing defect would surely be a god. Yet, a peculiar sensation lingered within her…

Could this god actually be Eiji?

They were anticipating the arrival of the same man?

If this were indeed the case, Freya mused, the situation held a certain intriguing quality.

Hephaestus offered no further remarks, unable to dissuade Freya from lingering near her, despite her internal desire to have her depart.

"Pwahaha! Well, well, look who it is! Little Hestia! How did you manage to get such fine clothes? Did you perhaps empty your entire savings from selling fried snacks just for this one dress, eh?!" Just then, Loki's sharp, piercing voice cut through the air.

All eyes, including those of Freya and Hephaestus, turned in her direction. They observed Loki pointing derisively at the goddess she was addressing, a wide, mocking laugh escaping her lips.

Beside Loki, Ais remained quietly attentive, while Riveria massaged her temples. Both women were also adorned in elegant ball gowns, enhancing their already considerable beauty. Though not goddesses themselves, they had accompanied Loki. This was not unusual, as many gods and goddesses were often attended by members of their respective familias.

Hestia's face flushed crimson with embarrassment and anger. She set down the plate of food she had been enjoying before clenching her fists in fierce indignation. "Watch your tongue, Loki! At least I possess curves that complement this dress, unlike you, whose chest is as flat as a chopping board! You must be envious that you can't appear as 'full' as me, right?"

She hurled the taunt back at the tomboyish goddess, emphatically pointing at her own chest. Simultaneously, her free hand patted her bosom with evident pride.

The assembled gods and goddesses observed the unfolding spectacle as if it were a grand performance. Many chuckled, placing wagers on the eventual victor.

Hephaestus let out a weary sigh, shaking her head. "They've started again."

Her statement clearly indicated that this was far from the first time Hestia and Loki had engaged in such verbal sparring.

The two had a long history of such confrontations, their bickering a familiar sight even when they resided in the heavens.

Freya giggled, accepting a glass of wine from a passing waiter. "Fufu. It's fine; this party has frankly become more entertaining due to the comedy these two are staging."

Hephaestus' lips twitched. "...."

In other words, Freya, you actually consider Hestia and Loki to be comedians?

That's a rather harsh assessment.

Loki's expression turned grim, her usually closed eyes now only half-open. She advanced until her chest made contact with Hestia's.

"What did you just say?! I am not jealous! How could I possibly be jealous of you, you shrimp!"

Witnessing Loki looking down on her solely because she was taller, Hestia pushed her ample chest against the other party's smaller one. A triumphant smile graced her cute face.

"Oh really? You're not jealous of my chest? You bony thing!"

"Y-You...! Hestia, take back your words!"

"Eh? Why would I? I was merely stating a fact, Loki."

"Shrimp!"

"Bony thing!"

With both hands, Loki began to pull Hestia's cheeks; Hestia retaliated by doing the same to Loki.

The two goddesses were quite literally engaged in a physical altercation amidst the cheers of the assembled gods and goddesses.

Riveria let out a sigh and made an attempt to separate Loki from Hestia. "Loki, that's enough now. We are attending someone else's party. Cease embarrassing yourself."

"Who's embarrassing themselves? Mama-san, I am currently defending my honor! I must make this diminutive goddess pay the price for mocking me!"

"Hmph!"

Like a cat being handled, Loki was dragged away by Riveria. Hestia snorted, flashing a derisive smile.

Loki was seething with anger, yet she felt utterly helpless. Riveria was indeed treating her like an incorrigible child.

Ais made her way to the table laden with an abundance of food, commencing her meal not far from Hestia. Under normal circumstances, Hestia might have cast a glance at Ais with a hint of envy, given that she was Bell's favored woman. However, her current focus was elsewhere.

But now, she couldn't be bothered to even glance her way and instead proceeded towards Hephaestus and Freya, her plate brimming with a generous helping of food.

As a goddess of meager means, this grand feast presented a valuable opportunity for her to dine heartily to her utmost satisfaction.

She offered greetings to Hephaestus and even Freya before settling down to eat in their vicinity. Both women remained silent.

Before they could utter any words to Hestia, a familiar voice resounded, diverting their attention.

"Hestia, Hephaestus, and Freya. A pleasant evening to you all. I trust I haven't missed too many of the exciting developments, have I?"

It wasn't solely the three goddesses, nor even Ishtar, who turned their heads. At that precise moment, every individual within the hall couldn't help but cast their gaze towards Demeter as she arrived. They were collectively astonished by her apparent enhancement in beauty. Her wheat-colored skin now radiated an even more captivating allure, accentuating her curves, while her substantial bosom commanded the attention of the goddesses of beauty themselves.

Yet, that was not the entirety of the surprise. What astonished them further was her arrival, her arm interlaced with that of a man. Or rather, a god, as his appearance unmistakably placed him above all other men present.

This was Eiji. He had arrived at Apollo's party accompanied by Demeter, and his presence was nothing short of breathtaking. His snow-white hair was meticulously styled, projecting an image of sharp yet elegant contrast. His tall and athletic physique was highlighted by his black suit. Coupled with his exceptionally handsome features, the goddesses found themselves involuntarily blushing and gazing at Demeter with profound envy.

However, Freya's reaction was the most pronounced. The wine glass in her hand nearly shattered when she witnessed the man she favored embracing another woman.

In her eyes, the scene was nothing less than an act of betrayal. She was so incensed that she felt an intense urge to violently wrench Eiji away from Demeter.

But on the surface?

"Demeter, you are slightly delayed. And no, perhaps the most captivating aspect of this entire party is likely you and the gentleman who accompanied you. Might I inquire as to his identity...?"

Freya offered a disingenuous smile, feigning ignorance of Eiji. She also surmised that the gentleman in question was unaware she was the same woman he had recently shared intimacy with.

"Ah, this is Eiji Seiya. He is my beloved. I am quite certain you have all at least heard the recent news concerning him. After all, he and his familia have gained considerable fame in recent days." Demeter proudly introduced Eiji as her lover.

She even pressed her ample bosom into his embrace as she clung to his arm.

Setting aside the gods and goddesses who exclaimed upon hearing Eiji's name, this marked their inaugural viewing of him in person.

Freya's countenance took on a somewhat grim expression. She regarded Demeter with a cold stare for a moment. If looks could indeed kill, she would have already dismembered that woman for daring to touch her man and shamelessly enticing him with her body right before her eyes.

Ishtar faltered, nearly losing her composure and drooling at the sight of the handsome man who had abducted one of her familia members. Her desire to make him her personal sex slave intensified.

Loki, who had been physically removed by Riveria to another area, stood with her mouth agape. Demeter's voice had carried quite clearly to her ears, and she was utterly stunned to learn the man was Eiji. She was reluctant to admit it, but even a twisted individual like herself was momentarily captivated by his striking appearance.

Hephaestus and Hestia felt a sting of jealousy, even though they were already aware that Demeter was Eiji's woman. Nonetheless, they couldn't help but feel envious of her.

"Hephaestus, Hestia. You both look stunning in your dresses. I'm delighted I didn't miss attending this party," Eiji remarked, deliberately ignoring Freya, who was conspicuously positioning herself between him and Demeter in a clear attempt at seduction.

His attention, however, was solely on Hephaestus and Hestia.

The next romantic endeavor was about to commence!

It was true that Ais, Riveria, Asfi, and even Shakti were present at the gathering. Yet, Eiji merely cast a distant glance their way. Upon sensing his gaze, they all blushed.

[Hehehe. Though Apollo isn't my favorite, this party is quite enjoyable. Many of the beautiful women from the original story are here.]

[Hephaestus and Hestia appear even more lovely than depicted in the original work. It seems they've dressed up specifically for me.]

Hephaestus offered no objection; she had indeed chosen her attire with Eiji in mind. Hearing his praise, especially through his inner voice, filled her with satisfaction and happiness.

Hestia, on the other hand, coughed and quickly took a drink, then tidied her appearance. She felt a pang of panic, having revealed her eagerness too openly in front of Eiji.

"H-Hello Eiji, you've finally arrived."

"Hestia, you have some sauce near your mouth."

Eiji gestured towards the corner of Hestia's lips.

"Ehh!? Just a moment!"

Hestia's face turned crimson with embarrassment. She quickly turned to find a tissue, wiped her mouth, and then turned back, approaching Eiji.

"How is it now?"

Eiji gave a thumbs-up. "All clean. Although, you don't need to hold back; you can continue eating as you please. You look incredibly cute when you're eating, Hestia."

Disregarding the other women present, he directed a straightforward comment towards the petite goddess.

"Fueehhh!"

Hestia let out an adorable squeak, her cheeks flushing as she cupped them with both hands, a silly grin spreading across her face.

It was evident to everyone that Eiji was playfully teasing Hestia.

And Demeter? She wasn't upset; in fact, she was chuckling. After all, she had shared an intimate moment with Eiji in an alley before arriving, causing their slight tardiness. Having learned about his harem and heard his inner thoughts, she wasn't surprised by his apparent interest in Hestia and Hephaestus.

"So you are Eiji. You are a remarkably handsome god. Tonight, I fear I may not sleep, thinking of you. I am Freya, the Goddess of Beauty. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Freya shifted her stance, allowing Eiji to look back at her. She took the initiative to introduce herself and even extended a slender hand towards him.

Whether intentional or not, her smile exuded such allure that the male gods observing the scene felt a surge of jealousy towards Eiji.

When had a goddess as esteemed as Freya ever shown such forwardness to a man?

For them, this was unprecedented, as typically, it was men like them who found themselves unable to resist her allure.

Were they mistaken, or was Freya, of all people, attempting to charm Eiji?

Ishtar felt a jolt of panic, realizing that her rival was also setting her sights on the man who had become her objective.

Surprisingly, Eiji's smile faltered slightly. He did not take Freya's outstretched hand, instead regarding her with a cool indifference before responding, "Oh, is that so? I wasn't aware the Goddess of Beauty suffered from insomnia. Perhaps you might find relief in Demeter's herbal tea; it is quite effective for such ailments."

Demeter thought: *Since when did I ever make herbal tea for you, Eiji?*

She couldn't recall, but soon comprehended that Eiji seemed to hold Freya in low regard. Not only her, but Hestia and Hephaestus, who had initially felt a twinge of concern, breathed a sigh of relief.

As expected of Eiji!

He seemed to instinctively recognize that Freya was not a woman of good character!

Unlike the other men, he had not succumbed immediately to her captivating beauty.

Freya's smile froze, disbelief flickering in her eyes. Her attempt at seduction had failed, and she felt a sting of humiliation from Eiji's response.

Witnessing this, Ishtar burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Freya, how does it feel to be rejected by a man? Is the sensation so exhilarating that your panties are soaked?"

Shamelessly disregarding the other divine beings, she taunted her rival.

Freya shot a glare at Ishtar, inwardly cursing her foul mouth. She immediately turned her attention back to Eiji.

There was not a single man in existence who had dared to address her with such casual disregard, as if she were merely an ordinary woman.

Initially, she had assumed this would be effortless. In her true form, she possessed a beauty far surpassing that of Syr. However, she had been mistaken. Instead of being instantly smitten and lustful, Eiji seemed utterly unimpressed!

What could be wrong?

Why was she not to his liking?

Freya felt a wave of worry, yet paradoxically, Eiji became even more captivating. He was truly worthy of being the man who had driven her to such distraction.

She leaned in subtly, her fingertips brushing Eiji's suit sleeve as she discreetly unleashed her charm. Unlike other deities forbidden from using their Arcanum, the Goddess of Beauty's enchantments were an exception, thus sparing her from punishment.

A subtle pink luminescence flickered in her eyes, a potent force capable of compelling even high-ranking adventurers and gods to beg for her affection.

"The tea can wait... Tonight, I only desire your presence. Tell me, what is it you seek from me? Whatever it is, I shall grant it."

Freya's voice, a silken caress that could ensnare the soul, spoke softly. Demeter, Hestia, and Hephaestus, within earshot, visibly stiffened.

That infuriating woman...!

She persistently attempted to seduce Eiji!

Utterly shameless!

Freya, you have no shame!

Eiji met Freya's gaze directly, completely unfazed. The Goddess of Beauty's charm held no sway over him; Avalon served as his unwavering shield.

His expression remained impassive.

"What I want? It seems I want you to move aside slightly. You're obstructing my view. I wish to observe Hephaestus and Hestia from a nearer vantage point."

"!!!" Freya faltered, stunned.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Her charm—the very power that instilled fear in the gods—proved utterly ineffective against the man before her.

How was this possible!?

How could Eiji possibly resist her charm!?

In this particular timeline, Freya was unaware that the protagonist Bell also possessed immunity to her charms. Eiji had become the first man to withstand her allure and treat her with such coldness.

Her body trembled, a flush creeping onto her cheeks. She experienced a turmoil of vexation and frustration, yet underneath it all, a novel thrill surged within her.

With a gesture of mild impatience, Eiji released Freya's hand and moved past her. Demeter followed, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she observed Freya's reaction.

She was taken aback; instead of anger, Freya appeared... pleased?

Oh dear, could she be...

Demeter was left speechless.

"Hephaestus, how is your eye? Does it still pain you?" Eiji inquired, approaching Hephaestus who stood before him.

"It's perfectly fine. Since you healed it, I haven't experienced any discomfort whatsoever."

Hephaestus gazed at Eiji with a tender expression, but the masculine scent emanating from him amplified the wine's effect.

Slightly tipsy, she felt an urge to kiss Eiji, but she suppressed it, mindful of Demeter and the others present.

She was not like the shamelessly forward Freya.

Eiji's eyes narrowed as he perceived Hephaestus's thoughts via Rasiel, a subtle smile curving his lips.

"My, I only just noticed you've stopped wearing an eyepatch, Hephaestus. Your eyes are truly beautiful... Eiji was the one who healed it?" Demeter inquired warmly.

Hephaestus nodded, confirming, "Yes, he restored it for me just a few days ago."

"Eiji, you are truly remarkable," Demeter lauded her husband.

Hestia chimed in, "Indeed! Eiji is incredible! He healed Hephaestus's eye, and I personally witnessed the entire process!"

"Ahem! Your praise is more than sufficient. Hephaestus has already compensated me handsomely for my efforts."

Eiji feigned a cough, maintaining a facade of humility while subtly reminding Hephaestus of her promised recompense.

He had not forgotten.

Hephaestus's cheeks flushed once more; she certainly recalled that Eiji had yet to mention the other unspecified favors she owed him.

She remained in anticipation, likely prepared to concede even to the most perverse of requests.

From a distance, Freya stood, her hands clenched into tight fists. Her burgeoning excitement waned as she witnessed Eiji engaging warmly with Hephaestus, Hestia, and Demeter, even exchanging playful banter.

A burning inferno of anger and jealousy ignited within her. Eiji's cold dismissal of her, contrasted with his warmth towards the other three, utterly shattered her pride.

Why?

Why was he treating her in such a manner?

Not long ago, he had been incredibly rough with her, even when she had employed a different form then.

"Freya, you seem disheartened. Perhaps I could—"

"Get away from me!"

A god approached her, attempting to seize the moment for his own desires. However, Freya recoiled instantly, filled with revulsion and a sharp pain as the god's touch grazed her.

Strangely, she had assumed the lingering soreness from her previous intense session with Eiji had not yet fully subsided.

The god recoiled in fear, quickly retreating without further insistence, aware that the Freya Familia remained one of Orario's most formidable powers.

Freya's intense gaze remained locked on Eiji; her pursuit was far from over.

'How dare he disregard me?'