Puppeteer of the DanMachi World Chapter 44

Led by Alfia, they stepped through the doorway and entered the hall.

Girls sat and stood all around them, packed densely together, each wearing a different expression as they looked at Ming Ge.

Whether they were appraising him, putting on an air of authority, or simply curious, those gazes all shared one thing in common: they were intensely oppressive.

"A show of force?"

Ming Ge smiled, showing no sign of being intimidated.

The gaze of high-level adventurers alone carried immense pressure, and this invisible aura would generally make people feel uncomfortable.

However, while developing Flight Magic, Ming Ge had also been searching for ideas for defensive magic. That particular kind of defensive magic happened to involve changes in aura and mental state.

Without any enhancement through magic, merely drawing upon his own mental strength and aura was enough for Ming Ge to face such a situation.

"Pleased to meet you, Goddess Hera."

Ming Ge looked at the dignified, beautiful woman before him and gave a slight bow. "I am Ming Ge, Meitellia's lover."

"Mm."

Seeing the intimacy between Ming Ge and Meitellia, Hera sighed faintly to herself before extending a hand. "Sit."

"Thank you."

Ming Ge sat down on the sofa, with Meitellia beside him. Alfia hesitated for a moment before sitting on Ming Ge's other side.

Hera revealed a startled expression when she saw Alfia's actions.

"Not bad, kid."

Hera praised him. "Not only did you pluck the most beautiful flower in my household, you even gained Alfia's approval. Very impressive."

Although Alfia called Hera an "old woman," she was referring to her personality.

Despite being extremely beautiful, her personality was like that of an old woman—sharp, imposing, and hot-tempered.

Unlike Zeus, who looked like an old grandfather, Hera was an extraordinarily beautiful goddess, both in the myths of the original world and in this one.

"You flatter me, Goddess Hera."

Ming Ge said calmly, "I merely did what a man should do."

The hostility in Hera's eyes faded, and she broke into a hearty smile. "A good answer."

She did not have much of an issue with Ming Ge. At most, it was a mother-in-law scrutinizing her prospective son-in-law.

It was only because Meitellia had wanted to prevent her family from putting too much pressure on Ming Ge that she had kept Hera away from him.

After Ming Ge achieved such astonishing feats and became capable, to a certain extent, of speaking with the Hera Familia as an equal, Hera had actually become very satisfied with him.

Setting aside the beginning, after Ming Ge resolved the negative skills affecting the two sisters, Hera had long been looking forward to meeting him.

Especially since an ordinary person like him had not flinched before her show of force, and even Alfia had taken his side... that only further proved Ming Ge's excellence.

"An innate magic—flight. It will be of great help to the Hera Familia."

Hera asked, "What do you want?"

"Recognition."

Ming Ge answered calmly, "Recognition from you, Hera, and from the Hera Familia."

"Nothing else?"

Hera said with great authority, "Putting aside your relationship with Meitellia, based on the value of this magic, you could obtain a price of more than ten billion Valis from me."

"Whether it is powerful weapons or the highest-grade magic tomes, I can satisfy your demands."

"Your recognition is more important than anything else," Ming Ge said. "Besides, I will obtain those things through my own ability."

He was not seeking Hera's recognition through the value of his magic, but through his own value.

Even if Ming Ge was merely an ordinary person, he himself was a treasure with limitless potential, and he would not mistreat her daughter, Meitellia—that was what he meant.

Of course, there were also a few ulterior considerations. If one day his ideals clashed with those of the Hera Familia, or if he wanted to avoid being dragged into the marital quarrels between Zeus and Hera, obtaining Hera's "promise" was necessary.

"Good."

Hera looked at Ming Ge with interest, then nodded readily. "I recognize you."

Upon hearing those words, the atmosphere throughout the hall relaxed.

"Not bad, kid."

A lightly dressed girl with slightly tan skin draped an arm over Ming Ge's shoulder and said with a grin, "Your body may be skinny and weak, but you've got great presence."

"If you weren't Meitellia's man, I'd have wanted to snatch you away myself."

"The Empress?" Ming Ge blinked and asked.

"Why do you sound uncertain?" The Empress blinked in confusion.

"Captain, you idiot, don't forget that Ming Ge just arrived in Orario. At first, he didn't even know the common language of the continent. It's already impressive that he recognized you."

Another cute girl said with a smile.

"Oh, right. How did you recognize me? Did Meitellia tell you about my features?"

The Empress smiled sweetly. "As expected of my little sister. Does she like her big sister that much?"

"No... I only sensed that you were the strongest among everyone here through perception magic."

Ming Ge denied her words.

Chapter 33: Understanding Destructive Power

"That's really cruel."

The Empress shrugged, unconcerned. "My name is Elsa. You can call me big sister too, you know."

"Mm, got it, Elsa."

Ming Ge nodded.

Seeing Ming Ge's utterly unconcerned expression, Elsa narrowed her eyes slightly, then smiled and shook her head.