Hajime stare's at the goddesses for a while. They all are heart-busting beauties in their own right, they're busy preparing a small stage similar to a beauty pageant. Hajime then say's to Adael:

  “Is it really necessary for them to do this?”

  Deus, speaking through the monitor, answer's:

  “It’s holy tradition that they do this, dictated by ToS 9826357.”

  Hajime replied:

  “What the hell is the ToS? It’s not like the Terms of Service in my world.”

  Deus scoff's:

  “It’s not a Terms of Service contract you idiot.”

  “Say what now?” Hajime asks.

  “It’s Terms of Society.”

  Hajime understood immediately and talks under his breath:

  “No way… it’s not a service mandate but a way-of-life one.”

  Valiant chime's in:

  “You didn’t know that?”

  Hajime bark's back:

  “Of course not! Who in their right mind would design that hell!?”

  Deus snap's:

  “Hold your slander prop!”

  Hajime felt wrinkles form at the corners of his eyes. Caladblock whisper's:

  “Hajime, please think of our steak date. It was nice and heartfelt.”

  He remembered the warm meal, and the wrinkles smoothed out.

  “I think they’re done,” Hajime say's.

  Deus shout's:

  “It’s showtime girls! Don’t disappoint me!”

  Beauty-pageant music explodes through the room, and a charismatic disembodied voice tout's:

  “Welcome all to the 6th Saintess Selection Goddess-Selection Premium Extravaganza!!!”

  Cheers from nowhere fill's the temple.

  “Now!!! One lucky goddess will be the grand winner for a handsome, young, oddly angry looking, bad-boy of a hero!!!”

  Hajime comments:

  “I like that guy.”

  The announcer continues:

  “Our first contestant is a goddess who is well respected! Previously chosen by the 2nd Hero for her might and smarts—watch this ad for the juicy details!”

  A gigantic ad began playing, showing a silhouette of a goddess.

  “She’s a fighter! She’s a bookworm! She has a heart of gold! Born from a head-bump Deus had while hungover, she represents all the smarts and cunning of Deus at your beck and call! Give a round of applause for—Adthena!!!”

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  Applause thunder's from nowhere. A brunette goddess wearing an ad-themed toga with sword and shield arrived.

  Hajime affirms:

  “So that’s where all your smarts went. She’s impressive.”

  Deus growl's:

  “Thank you for complimenting my daughter, but I resent that backhanded comment.”

  Adthena poses dramatically.

  “What would you do for the starving kids in Adlantis?” the announcer ask's.

  Adthena proudly answer's:

  “We would give them plenty of ads to eat and—umm—adopt them into my follower list!”

  More forced cheering is heard.

  Hajime yawn's:

  “How many goddesses do I have to sit through, Deus?”

  “At this pace… about 777,” she replies.

  Hajime bites his lip.

  “Is there a way to make it quicker?”

  “Sure is! Just buy the Premium Service and we’ll pick the top three plus a random raffle choice!”

  “What do I have to pay?”

  “Pray to me about your hopes and dreams! It helps us craft personalized ads just for you.”

  Hajime, confessing like a sinner, speaks:

  “I pray to you, Deus. Please hear the words of this wayward child.”

  Deus is shocked at how easily he complied.

  “What are your hopes and dreams, prop?”

  Hajime says:

  “I hope to escape this hell of a world. And I dream of sentient objects that don't have machinations for my life choices.”

  “Why escape? This world is perfect!”

  “Yes— a perfect hell.”

  “No—it’s paradise!”

  “To each their opinion.”

  “Take that back!!!”

  Hajime ignores her.

  “I wish for the happiness for most people, as long as they don’t interfere with mine.”

  “That’s oddly specific phrasing…”

  Hajime continues:

  “I dream of watching the season finale of Magical Nexus Girl.”

  “That doesn’t exist here—wait, you’re not lying!?”

  “I wish to pass the mantle of Hero to some other sap, but I’m contractually obligated to finish this thing.”

  “Stop! I get it!!! Premium service approved!”

  “Seductive! Mysterious! A beauty born from the sea! Applause for this year’s lust-powered fan favorite—Adphrodity!!!”

  An impossibly beautiful goddess took the stage. Adthena watches her with visible jealousy.

  “Beauty, love and clout—that’s all you need for happiness. Hero, beware when you sneak a peek… you may never recover~”

  Hajime mutter's:

  “Eye candy, but… I’m a pure-love kind of guy.”

  Valiant replies:

  “You have multiple girls fighting over you. It’s too late for that.”

  Hajime gag's slightly.

  “A goddess with a lot of heart, soothing beauty, pure and innocent—applause for the meek GOD Hestiad!!!”

  She look's motherly and comforting.

  “Home décor, cooking, tending to the land—I do it all! For the fair price of a lifetime subscription!”

  She spins softly.

  Hajime judges:

  “She’s sweet, but the lifetime subscription part feels ominous…”

  Deus nod's:

  “She’s they clingy type.”

  “Now, for the winner of the 775-entry raffle—Morrigad, Goddess of Death Advertising and Mortuary Services!!!”

  A gloomy goddess in a veiled dress speaks:

  “My ads are for those on the verge of death. Most heroes don’t benefit from my power but—”

  “Thank you for your participation!!!” the announcer cut in.

  She walks away slowly, radiating despair.

  Hajime says:

  “Short and sweet. Bonus points.”

  Deus sighs:

  “Can you forgive her? She’s the hardest daughter to get followers because she’s too honest…”

  “I choose her,” Hajime says.

  Deus blink's:

  “There are objectively better choices than her. Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. I like her.”

  The other weapons celebrate internally.

  The three unchosen goddesses cry but applaud warmly towards the winner. Morrigad whisper's a soft:

  “Yipppy…”

  She goes to Deus.

  “Mom, I’ll make you proud.”

  A contract copy transferrers to the death goddess.

  “So, what now?” Hajime asks.

  “Receive your patron goddess’s gift and continue the tour,” Deus replies.

  Morrigad handed over a skull ring radiating ominous energy.

  Hajime tried his index finger—too tight. Sweating slightly, he says:

  “It doesn’t fit…”

  Morrigad tilted her head and pointed to her ring finger.

  Hajime asks Deus:

  “Do I really have to put it on that finger?”

  “Of course. It’s named the ring finger for a reason.”

  Hajime sigh's:

  “Do you know what a ring finger means?”

  Deus snap's:

  “It’s a damn equipment slot! Don’t overthink it!”

  Relieved, he slips it on.

  “Good thing it only means that here… In my world this is a marriage pledge.”

  At that thought, Morrigad look's down, cheeks darkening, avoiding eye contact.