After Freya summoned Tammuz, the verdict was already set in stone.
Before the assembly of gods, Tammuz laid bare all of Ishtar's collusion, cooperation, and misdeeds with the Evilus over the years without holding anything back.
He even embellished many details, presenting himself as sharing a common hatred against the enemy!
Even Guild Leader Ouranos was left with no recourse.
The Evilus were enemies of the entire Orario. Allying with them meant standing against all Familias. As the Guild prioritized Orario's operations above all else, they had to provide maximum support for matters concerning the crackdown on the Evilus.
Just like that, Eiji's charges were completely cleared, even elevating him to a hero of the city in one fell swoop!
The male gods wept bitterly while the goddesses cheered with joy.
By tomorrow morning when the Guild released their bulletin, Eiji's name would be cleared, and all punishments would no longer apply to him.
But Loki remained wary.
She didn't even think this was necessarily a good thing.
Freya's arrival was at best icing on the cake—Eiji was never going to receive a heavy sentence to begin with. Yet she deliberately came, even bringing out Tammuz to meticulously clear Eiji's name.
Combined with the naming ceremony incident last time, Loki couldn't help but grow suspicious.
This goddess who would bed anything that moved had set her sights on her Familia this time!
...
"Anyway, that's how it went."
Loki threw up her hands and laid out the entire sequence of events in one go.
"That damn goddess of beauty has her eyes on Eiji after all!"
Tiona fumed indignantly. "I knew he was just too outstanding—there's no hiding his brilliance!"
Everyone nearly collapsed from exasperation.
While her words weren't wrong, saying them at this moment just felt off.
In an unnoticed corner, Ais clenched her fists.
She silently pressed a hand to her chest, unsure why the same fear she'd felt upon hearing Eiji had been captured by Ishtar was welling up inside her again.
"Don't worry, at the very least, Freya won't openly move against our Familia," Finn reassured the unsettled group.
"Similar situations have happened before, but Goddess Freya has always exercised some restraint."
Indeed.
Freya had a soul fetish—she would stop at nothing to claim any soul that caught her fancy.
Several members of Loki Familia had souls that attracted her attention, but Freya had never crossed any lines.
"The problem is the key."
Finn's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with concern.
"At this point, it's almost certain that Ishtar's key is in Freya's hands. But getting her to hand it over is going to be troublesome!"
Freya was a shrewd goddess.
To obtain the key from her, they would have to offer something she deemed worthy in return.
Hearing this, everyone else also grew troubled.
Their Loki Familia and Freya Familia were even rivals. Getting something they wanted from the opposing goddess wouldn't be easy at all.
Eiji, however, was itching to act.
The key was with Freya?
Perfect!
He'd go persuade her right now!
"About that, I've got an idea!"
Just then, Loki suddenly raised her hand.
A sly, fox-like smile appeared on her face.
"Leave this matter to me. Watch how I handle it properly!"
Her confident demeanor took everyone by surprise.
"Hmm... Loki may seem unreliable, but she does have her moments."
"True, she's trustworthy when it counts, even if she looks unreliable."
"Then we'll leave it to you, though you don't seem very reliable."
"That 'unreliable' part was unnecessary!"
Loki shouted angrily.
Eiji nodded subtly in agreement.
If he were to handle it, obtaining the key wouldn't be a problem, but explaining its origin would be troublesome. If Loki could resolve it, he might as well leave it to her.
...
The next day.
It was a clear morning, nearly a month since Eiji had returned to the world of DanMachi. The morning newspapers distributed by the Guild had already spread throughout the streets, portraying Eiji as the hero who had exposed Ishtar's conspiracy.
However, the Guild dared not reveal the truth about the Evilus, as it would cause widespread panic. Instead, they merely stated that Ishtar had plotted to overthrow Orario, leaving countless people shocked and heartbroken.
"Eiji, come with me!"
After breakfast, just as Eiji was about to head to the "Dungeon" to level up, Loki quietly called him aside.
Well, when the chief god commands, one must obey.
Without drawing any attention—in fact, Loki had stealthily left the house, bringing only Eiji along.
What could they be up to? Another meeting with an ally?
Eiji grumbled inwardly.
"Listen up. We're heading to a teahouse in the southeastern district. I've arranged to meet someone there."
As they walked down the street, Loki deliberately fell half a step behind, walking side by side with Eiji.
At the same time, she whispered instructions to him.
"Once we're face-to-face with the other party, don't ask anything—just use Charm immediately."
"Huh?"
"Did you hear me?"
"I heard, but..."
"Good enough!"
Loki nodded in satisfaction.
After preparing this trump card for so long, it was finally time to put it to use!
Loki was thrilled.
But Eiji was deeply troubled.
Use Charm as soon as they meet?
Who exactly are you meeting that requires such drastic measures?
Some heinous villain? Or someone who killed your father?
The two entered the southeastern district, turned into a quiet alley, and arrived at a teahouse.
"Here to meet a guest. We have a reservation."
Loki dismissed the approaching waiter and headed for the second floor.
"Why do all the waiters here seem dazed?"
Eiji glanced around.
To his surprise, all the waitstaff—men and women alike—looked utterly bewildered, neglecting their duties entirely. Even the manager was no exception.
Loki, however, seemed completely unfazed, as if this were perfectly normal.
The situation grew even stranger on the second floor.
A waiter at the stairway stood slack-jawed, staring blankly at one of the tea rooms.
Despite the number of people present, the entire floor was eerily silent.
"This feels familiar..."
Eiji found the scene oddly reminiscent.
Didn't this happen often when he went out without his hood?
"Hmm? Isn't this scent...?"
As they approached a tea room, Eiji suddenly caught a whiff of a captivating fragrance.
It was unmistakably familiar!
All too familiar!
He often caught this fragrance when they were skin to skin!
In that instant, cold sweat broke out all over Eiji's body.
"Ah, sorry I'm late!"
Loki pushed open the wooden door of the tearoom and walked in with an apologetic smile.
"You're not mad, are you, Freya?"
Loki!
Goddamn it!
Eiji completely lost it.
Emerging from within was the hooded figure of the Goddess of Beauty.
So the method you mentioned for getting Freya to hand over the key—was me?!