Danmachi: The Multiverse Portal

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The two of them walked all the way to the rumored Bridge of Heroes.

The Bridge of Heroes dwarfed every other bridge they had seen. Built to honor the champions of ages past, it was lined with thirty-one figures carved into the stone. Every face and stance felt alive, each statue capturing the spirit of the hero and the deeds that had made them a legend.

"So this is the Bridge of Heroes…" Lili murmured, gazing up at the statues.

August studied the monument in silence. The stories of this world belonged to its heroes, from Albert a thousand years ago to the final champion who had yet to appear. Through the Gods' tales, each had passed into legend.

Seeing such a monument up close for the first time left a strong impression on August.

"Lili, with everything you're capable of, becoming a hero shouldn't be beyond you, should it?" August asked, looking at his Supporter.

He meant it. Every hero began somewhere, and Lili's story had barely started. If she ever chose that path for herself, August believed she could follow it to the end.

"Orario is still fairly peaceful... At least until the real storm arrives. You still have time to earn that title."

"Me?" Lili stared at him, caught completely off guard.

"Yeah." August's expression remained serious.

Lili had always admired heroes and Adventurers. But when she pictured herself following the same path, her hands slowly curled into fists.

"No. I don't want to become a hero."

A hero was supposed to live without regrets and never cry. But heroes were also the first to be put on a pedestal and sacrificed. Lili didn't want that kind of life.

"Haha, that's my Lili." August didn't try to change her mind. He just smiled and patted her shoulder.

She was free to choose her own path. In the Hestia Familia, as long as something wasn't completely out of reach, picking a different life was always okay.

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Inside the Hostess of Fertility, the food had been served. The crowd watched the broadcast as August and Lili stopped at the Bridge of Heroes and shared a heartfelt conversation.

"Tch. Become a hero? Like it's that easy." Bete Loga scoffed at the screen.

Did they really think it was that easy? The city was full of people, all fighting for that same title. Finn Deimne. Ottar. You couldn't earn it without going up against the strongest veterans in Orario.

"Idiot."

Tiona, Anya, and everyone else watching the screen immediately decided that the werewolf was clueless. Couldn't he see what was happening? August wasn't telling her to become a hero—he was showing he believed in her.

It was encouragement.

Who doesn't like a compliment? But this wolf was ruining the mood with his logic. This was supposed to be a confession! You needed a touching moment before the big reveal. What did he know about romance?

"Truly an idiot," Hestia nodded in agreement. Could this guy ever land a girlfriend?

Loki facepalmed and sighed at her dense executive. She'd have to educate him later.

Everyone turned back to the projection.

—•——•——•——•——•——•—

August and Lili left the bridge and walked down to the riverbank, stopping at an empty wooden pier. No pedestrians around. They stood in the quiet night.

This time, Lili was the first to speak. She stopped using the respectful titles—no more "Lord," no more "Captain." She crossed the line that separated their ranks.

"August..." She called his name intimately.

It was the first time she had ever spoken to him in a casual manner. To her, he was always like a gentle, protective older brother. Even if his kindness sometimes had a purpose, she didn't mind.

August turned to her. He knew she used his title out of habit, so hearing her leave it out completely surprised him a little.

"August, do you remember the story you told me that day?" Lili straightened. The river breeze swayed her dress as she looked up, her eyes locking onto his.

"..." August met her gaze. They stood in silence.

Holding eye contact, Lili took a large step forward. It was a new beginning—a symbol of her resolve.

She closed the distance.

Fwoosh.

BANG!

A whistle pierced the sky, followed by an explosive crack.

Fireworks.

The sudden noise broke the quiet tension.

Lili, caught mid-step, and August both turned to the sky. Bright fireworks exploded next to the hanging moon, lighting up the whole riverbank.

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To everyone watching, this didn't feel like a lucky coincidence.

At the Hostess of Fertility.

"AHHH!" A collective wail of agony erupted inside and outside the tavern.

They were just seconds away from a kiss!

"Who the hell is sick enough to set off fireworks right now, meow??" Anya Fromel cursed loudly.

Who was that oblivious? The girl was literally leaning in! The perfect moment was ruined!

Even Ryuu Lion, staunch defender of justice, clenched her fists. For the first time, she felt the urge to embrace the darkness and murder whoever set off those fireworks.

"Hey, look at her eyes," Tiona suddenly gasped.

Despite their rage, the crowd looked back at the screen.

In the glow of the fireworks, Lili looked at August with soft eyes, her gaze full of unmistakable first love.

"Ooooh..." The tavern erupted in a synchronized swoon.

That was it. That was the look. It was enough to make your heart explode.

"August," Lili spoke again.

August turned back to her, meeting her eyes.

"Actually, living the life in that story wouldn't be a bad choice," he said softly.

As soon as he spoke, Lili felt her heart lift. Her eyes lit up, and she smiled with hope. She believed she was going to succeed.

She stepped forward again. This was the most important step she had ever taken.

"But..."

August let out a sigh.

Lili's smile faded. Her face showed heartbreak. The truth hit her—she was being rejected.

August turned around and started to walk away.

—•——•——•——•——•——•—

Watching the live feed, the crowd at the tavern was floored.

"HE REJECTED HER."

"HE ACTUALLY SAID NO."

"WHAT THE HELL??"

The whole pub groaned in disappointment. Everything seemed perfect—the girl looked beautiful, her eyes were full of hope, and yet he walked away?

"Does that kid have a heart of stone or something?" Loki stared at the screen, dumbfounded.

Anyone else would have said yes in a heartbeat.

"Why? Why did he say no?" Tiona couldn't understand. This wasn't how the fairy tales ended! It was supposed to be a beautiful romance, just like the story of Argonaut!

—•——•——•——•——•——•—

On the screen, Lili looked up at the fireworks still exploding overhead, the colored light reflecting in her teary eyes.

"August!" She made her decision, turned, and called out to his retreating back.

August stopped and turned to face her.

"I will keep up with you." Lili clenched her fists.

Her first confession had failed, and now she understood why. She wanted to be closer to August, but he had never been the kind of man who could stand still. Most people would have been satisfied with the power he already possessed. To August, it was only another step along the road ahead.

She had tried to pull him toward her when she should have been finding a way to walk beside him.

At her declaration, August's expression softened into one of his rare smiles. Lili smiled back, and no more words were needed.

Then the tears she had been holding back slipped down her cheeks.

—•——•——•——•——•——•—

"Damn, he really has no heart."

The Goddesses watching the screen were frustrated. How could he reject a beautiful girl's confession just to chase his ambitions? Why not have both? Even Hephaestus thought it was harsh.

"It's because of me." Hestia took an unhurried sip of her juice. "I'm a goddess, and he's human. He's trying to reach me."

She said it as though the answer should have been obvious, with just enough pride in her voice to make it sound like a boast.

The more perceptive goddesses understood at once. August had not rejected Lili because he was too busy chasing his ambitions. His sights were already set on Hestia, and he had no intention of stopping until he crossed the distance between mortal and divine.

"Wait, does that mean the person he likes is… you?"

The other gods erupted. Everyone already knew Hestia was in love with August, but hearing that he felt the same way and was fighting to stand beside her as an equal put everything into place.

They eventually understood Hestia's true intention. She didn't invite them to see Lili's confession fail… instead, she used the situation to boast about her own relationship.

'Dammit!' Loki seethed. She had come expecting to enjoy Hestia's heartbreak, only to find herself trapped at a celebration of Hestia's love life.

"It was so close! Just an inch away!" Loki decided to shift the blame. "It's all because of those damn fireworks! Who the hell is sick enough to light fireworks right now?? I swear, I'm going to strangle them!"

If Lili had managed to kiss him, everything would have played out differently. Instead, the interruption turned her confession into a heartfelt rejection and handed Hestia the perfect chance to show off.

"Yeah! Who lit those fireworks?"

"Don't let me find out who did it."

"I'll rip their head off!"

Everyone in the tavern was furious with whoever had set off the fireworks. Ruining a moment like that felt downright cruel.

"We're finding them. I'm not letting this go," Tiona growled, miming a grip on her sword as she searched for somewhere to vent her frustration.

"I'll help," Ais said with an immediate nod, her rare show of complete agreement making the threat feel far more serious.

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BULK UPLOAD OF 5 CHAPTERS IF WE HIT 900 POWERSTONES THIS WEEK!!

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