Chapter 82 – Blessings from the Two "Parents"!
Today was a truly unforgettable day for Bell.
Thanks to his goddess, he'd gained an older brother figure to guide him.
And on top of that, he'd also met two amazing older sisters... and even the core members of Loki Familia.
As someone who once wandered all over Orario, constantly being rejected by every Familia he approached, Bell had of course heard about the legendary Loki Familia. But he had always known his place, and never even dreamed of applying.
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"You're telling me... that you became the little brother of someone from that ironing-board Loki Familia? And not just one—TWO of them?!"
Later that night, inside the rundown church that served as Hestia Familia's humble base, the goddess herself stood glaring at Bell, clearly not amused.
Her very first child... had gone and gotten close to the children of that woman?
However, unlike the original timeline, the Hestia in this world didn't harbor any special romantic feelings for Bell. What she felt was a simple but heartfelt affection—a goddess looking after her very first familia member.
"D-Does that mean... you don't get along with Miss Tiona... I mean, Goddess Loki?" Bell asked cautiously, carefully choosing his words as he sat seiza-style. The anger in Hestia's aura was palpable.
"Of course I don't get along with her! That flat-chested witch is my mortal enemy! Just because she descended to the lower world before me, she always acts all high and mighty! Ugh, if we had descended at the same time, I'd have beaten her in every way possible!"
"U-Uh..." Bell could only let out a nervous chuckle, his body frozen in place. This wasn't something he was equipped to handle.
Hestia continued ranting, venting her endless frustration about Loki. But when her eyes caught the disappointed look on Bell's face—the slight furrow of his brows, the uncertain gaze—her anger began to fade.
After all, Bell was her first child. The one who had chosen her despite everything—despite her lack of followers, status, or resources. Something like this... wasn't worth getting worked up over.
"Alright, alright. I'll let it go. Your relationships are your business. I may be your goddess, but I don't have the right to meddle too much. But if, someday, you're sure about your feelings... I'm even willing to swallow my pride and propose to her on your behalf."
"Wha—?! Goddess!! There's nothing like that between me and Tiona-nee!"
Bell's voice cracked as his face turned beet red. He definitely didn't expect that kind of talk to come from his goddess.
But that exact reaction only made Hestia even more convinced that she'd struck a nerve.
"Alright, alright. Whether there's something or not, it doesn't matter. The important thing is—you're my child. My very first. As long as you don't abandon me as your goddess, we can talk about anything."
"I never would, Goddess. You saved me... and even welcomed me into your Familia. I'll never leave you. Not in this lifetime."
"You really are a good kid. I knew I made the right choice when I picked you, Bell."
"Ehehe~"
"Now then... I've got a mission for you."
"A mission?"
"Since you're spending time with Shin Akira now, I want you to report everything he does to me. Also, try to boost my image in front of him when you get the chance."
"Eh...? Uh, okay..."
Bell nodded slowly. It wasn't that hard a task, so he didn't feel the need to object.
Even so, he couldn't help but wonder...
Why did his goddess seem so interested in Akira-nii?
— — —
At the same time, deep within Twilight Manor—the home of Loki Familia—a very similar conversation was taking place.
"So our little Tiona... is in love, huh? And with that kid from the pipsqueak goddess' Familia?"
"Something like that," Finn replied with a calm nod.
"I gotta say... I didn't expect Tiona to be the first one to fall head over heels."
Loki leaned back with a sigh, her eyes half-lidded in thought. Of all her children, she was closest with Tiona.
It made sense, really—they shared similar 'builds.' Flat-chested solidarity, as it were. They often trained together, studied Level-boosting techniques together...
And also often ended up being collateral damage whenever Tione—blessed with unfair assets—decided to parade around half-naked.
"So, Loki... what do you think about this?" Finn's tone turned serious. It was the real reason he'd come to speak with her tonight.
Romantic relationships between members of different Familia weren't uncommon in Orario. But usually, those couples had already retired from adventuring.
After all, two different Familia meant two different agendas. In a city full of politics and power struggles, people couldn't afford to act purely on emotion.
Each Familia had their secrets, their alliances, their ambitions. A romantic bond could very well turn into a dangerous leak of information.
"I say let it play out naturally. If Tiona really does fall for the kid, then maybe... maybe he's the place she's been looking for all along."
"So you're saying... you approve?"
"Yup. If it were anyone other than that short stack's Familia, maybe I'd be worried. But Hestia? She's not the scheming type."
"That's a relief."
"Oi, Finn. What kind of monster do you think I am? You really thought I'd ruin my own child's happiness over some politics?"
"Hahaha, of course not. I'd never think that."
"Hmph. You better not."
Loki narrowed her eyes, but she and Finn both knew—this wasn't a trivial matter.
Tiona was part of their inner circle. She knew sensitive information. If someone with ill intentions got involved... the consequences could be catastrophic.
"By the way... don't you think something's been off in Orario lately? Like... something's brewing."
Loki's voice dropped into a low, serious tone.
"Not a huge wave, but... yeah. Some strange events. Around thirty members of Freya Familia were apparently killed under mysterious circumstances. Details are scarce."
"Killed? That many?" Loki's expression hardened. "Who did it?"
"If my sources are right... the suspect is from Hephaestus Familia."
"Shin Akira?"
"Yeah. Seems like Freya tried to trap him. He escaped. And this was... retaliation."
Loki leaned forward, her face unreadable. She had known the guy had potential—but she hadn't expected this.
Striking back at Freya Familia—Orario's most powerful Familia—and not just taking out a few... but dozens?
That wasn't recklessness. That was fearlessness.
"So... what's Freya's response? Retaliation? Pressure?"
"Nothing. It's like nothing happened at all. Everything's business as usual."
"...She's letting it go?"
"Seems that way. From what I gather, she's completely smitten. When Freya falls for someone, she really spoils them. The real danger is... we don't know for how long."
Freya wasn't just famous for her beauty—but for her whims. Her affection could be deep, but often... fleeting.
Most of her 'chosen ones' were picked on a whim. Love at first sight. And then, just as quickly... discarded.
Once the infatuation fades, so does her mercy.
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