Loki sighed and asked again, "So, what exactly is that brat doing here?" Her tone revealed a hint of curiosity.
Just then, Riveria suddenly raised her hand to signal Loki to be quiet, saying, "Ah, wait a moment. It looks like something new is about to happen over there." As she spoke, she turned her head, staring intently at Roland and Ais not far away.
I really have no dignity as a Patron Deity, Loki thought, a heartbroken expression on her beautiful face.
Let us return our focus to Roland and Ais.
Ais took a deep breath, trying to calm her panting caused by the intense exertion.
At the same time, the sword Desperate in her hand began to emit an emerald green light, as if it had been imbued with life. Immediately after, a powerful whirlwind appeared out of thin air, rapidly wrapping around the blade.
"Hah!" Ais shouted, swinging her arm violently. Her sword slashed rapidly at Roland twice with lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, two wind blades, two meters long, shot out. They spun rapidly, crossing each other as they slashed toward Roland at extreme speed.
"Ais, you dare use the move I personally taught you against me?" Roland wore an incredibly brilliant smile on his face as he spoke a line others might not understand.
Simultaneously, he tightly gripped the single-handed sword named [Oath of Justice]. A dazzling silver light began to ripple across the blade, as if a mysterious and powerful force was gathering within it.
Just then, the silver light gathered frantically on the blade like a storm, forming a heart-palpitating silver tempest. A look of excitement flashed in Roland's eyes as he shouted, "Then witness the next move you need to train: Invisible Air - Hammer of the Wind King!!"
Before his voice faded, Roland gripped the hilt with both hands and thrust forward violently.
In an instant, the silver storm that had gathered on the blade roared and surged out like an enraged beast.
This powerful force, with the momentum to topple mountains and overturn seas, crashed straight into the two fierce wind blades rushing toward him.
With a loud boom, the seemingly ferocious wind blades were instantly shattered by the silver storm, dissipating into countless breezes in the air.
However, this was just the beginning. The silver storm did not stop there; it continued to sweep toward Ais with astonishing speed.
Faced with such a fierce attack, Ais was momentarily at a loss. But being a veteran of many battles, she reacted quickly, immediately chanting a spell: "Rage!"
As her chant rang out, the surrounding air seemed to be drawn in, surging toward the whirlwind she controlled, instantly boosting its output significantly.
Immediately after, Ais leaped into the air without hesitation. Like a graceful swallow, she flew mid-air, narrowly avoiding Roland's terrifying strike.
The silver storm swept fiercely beneath her feet like a raging torrent. In an instant, a gale rose up, rolling dust into the sky and causing the hair of those around to flutter wildly.
The ground, which had been flat just moments ago, was now full of gouges and trenches after the storm passed, as if it had undergone a thrilling baptism.
While Ais was still in shock at the power of the Hammer of the Wind King, Roland, wrapped in his gale, flew in front of her in an instant. He gently tapped her forehead with his finger and declared, "I win."
"I lost," Ais looked dejected, slowly floating down to the ground with Roland.
Thunderous applause instantly erupted from the surroundings. The three executives and the Goddess also clapped as they walked toward the pair. Then Finn raised his hand and shouted to the surrounding members, "Alright, you all should have things to do, right? Don't stop and gather here."
Hearing the Captain speak, everyone had no choice but to disperse reluctantly.
Raul, who would later be known as [High Novice], turned to the [Noble Feline] Aki beside him with a face full of admiration and asked, "So amazing. Is that the adventurer known as [Morning Star]? He actually defeated Senior Ais while only at Level 2."
Facing Raul's question, Aki nodded without hesitation, speaking seriously, "He is indeed powerful. As expected, those words Lord Loki said are completely untrustworthy."
At this very moment, Loki, who had just understood the situation through Finn's explanation, suddenly let out a loud sneeze without warning, causing the five people around her to look sideways.
Roland asked with a questioning tone, "Goddess Loki, can gods catch colds too?"
Hearing this, Loki first couldn't help but laugh out loud. Then, rubbing her reddened nose, she replied grumpily, "Hah, naturally! After our Arcanum is sealed, we aren't much different from you children in the lower world. We get sick and feel hungry just the same. What, did Astraea not tell you any of this?"
Roland nodded straightforwardly and said, "Indeed, she hasn't. It seems I'll have to make sure Lady Astraea wears more clothes during winter or special weather from now on."
As soon as he finished speaking, Loki suddenly opened her arms and tightly hugged the Elf Princess beside her, wailing loudly and complaining, "Boohoohoo... Riveria, listen to this! Look at him! This is the attitude a Familia member should have toward their Patron Deity! Shouldn't you guys consider changing your attitude toward me a little?"
"Ouch!"
Riveria, who was focusing on casting healing magic on Roland and Ais, saw this and helplessly turned her staff, lightly tapping Loki on the head. She scolded, "Loki, stop making trouble! Stand still and don't hinder me from healing them."
Roland, who wanted to say he wasn't injured, saw the scene before him and silently closed his mouth. He stopped moving and obediently accepted Riveria's healing magic alongside Ais.
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Danmachi : Mage's Infinite Journey (168 Chapters – Ongoing)
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The green magical glow made their battered bodies feel as comfortable as if they were soaking in a hot spring. This deep comfort also softened Ais's expression.
"Come to think of it, isn't your Familia going on an expedition in a few days? I thought you'd have a pile of tedious tasks waiting to be dealt with. I didn't expect you to be done so quickly," Loki muttered, looking at Roland suspiciously while rubbing the head that had just been hit.
"And to have the energy to fight my cute little Ais at a time like this... you're really something."
After the treatment, Roland twisted his waist comfortably a few times, then shook his wrists vigorously, as if trying to shake off the last trace of soreness in his body.
After finishing these simple warm-up movements, he replied, "Actually, the necessary arrangements were made long ago. Now everyone is happily staying at home, keeping Lady Astraea company. As for me, I just came to deliver some important intelligence to everyone and visit you all while I was at it."
Ais, standing aside, watched Roland's movements and started mimicking them.
"Heh, I think you're just eyeing my little Ais. Speak up, what is your true objective?" Loki crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes as she asked.
Loki's flame-red long hair was tied up into a high ponytail, swaying gently with her movements like burning fire, catching the eye.
She wore a black scrunchie on top of her head, adding a mysterious yet playful aura to her appearance.
Although her figure was slightly slender—especially the curves of her chest, which could only be described as undulating slightly, like a flat airfield—when Loki was serious, she gave Roland the impression of a somewhat cool deity. Like a cool older sister who often teased you but would protect you in critical moments.
Of course, one would likely only realize this side of her if they were part of her Familia. After all, the usual Loki was a god of amusement, not to mention she acted too much like a dirty old man toward the girls in her Familia.
Roland thought hard and finally came up with a reason: "Uh... does planning to take Ais out to play count?"
Beside him, Ais's eyes lit up, and she quickly grabbed the corner of Roland's shirt, saying, "Mn, mn! I want to go out and play with Roland."
A look of indignation immediately appeared on Loki's face. She stepped forward, hooked her arm around Roland's neck, and pressed her fist into his cheek, saying angrily:
"It seems I was right! You just want to poach my little Ais. Good grief, I haven't even thought about poaching you, and here you are, trying to pull a fast one on me."
"Finn, don't let this brat leave today." Loki clenched her fist and raised it high. "Let this brat taste the power of the strongest Familia."
Hearing Loki's words, Finn smiled and said to Roland, "In that case, Roland, stay here for dinner tonight. I'll send someone to the Twilight Manor to let Alise and the others know."
"That's a good decision. When you two come back tired from playing, just have dinner here," Riveria agreed, nodding with satisfaction.
Gareth crossed his arms and laughed heartily, "Looks like we'll have to throw a banquet to welcome you tonight."
Ais, holding Roland's shirt with one hand, raised her other fist and said excitedly, "Oh! A banquet."
At this moment, Roland—still hooked by the neck—and Loki both had looks of shock on their faces, as if they couldn't believe what had just happened.
Roland's eyes widened, and he muttered in confusion, "Um... I haven't joined the Loki Familia, have I? Or have I been poisoned so deeply that I'm hallucinating? Why hold a banquet for me?"
Loki chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! Isn't it a bit too much to hold a banquet for a child from another Familia right in front of your own Patron Deity?"
Hearing this, Finn shrugged helplessly, spread his hands, and explained, "Isn't this what you said, Loki? Keep Roland here today. I'm just doing as you asked."
As soon as he finished speaking, Loki released Roland, waving her hand at the three with a deadpan expression. "No, no, no. Generally speaking, 'keeping this brat here' should mean beating him up a few times and throwing him into the warehouse to starve."
"Why are we entertaining him with good food and drink?" Loki's face changed, her eyes widening as she yelled out her complaint.
Roland spoke up in defense of Loki, feeling the injustice. "Yeah, yeah, you guys aren't following the script at all. You're going to get your pay docked for this."
Hearing this, Loki spun around and said angrily, "Hmph! Isn't this all your fault? Did you drug them or something? Otherwise, how could you have won their favor so quickly?"
With that, Loki bared her claws and pounced toward Roland.
Roland pulled Ais, dodging Loki's attack with a sway of his body. The two scurried behind Riveria to hide.
Roland poked his head out and made a funny face at Loki, mocking, "Can't catch me, bleh, bleh, bleh."
"Alright, you brat! Not only are you holding onto my little Ais, but you dare mock me? Don't run if you have the guts! I'll show you what I'm made of!"
And so, Roland and Loki played a game of cat and mouse among the three executives, leaving everyone else dazzled and amused. Ais, smiling like a normal child, followed Roland in dodging Loki's pursuit.