"Did Loki send you to deliver this mission? If so, with the Rakia Kingdom invading right now, the familia's forces for an external war shouldn't be enough, right? Even if Gareth is strong enough to fight multiple enemies alone, the battlefront is too long. He can't be everywhere at once."
Ais nodded and explained:
"Yes. But it isn't only our familia that has been dispatched by the Guild. Because Freya Familia violated the city's rules and waged war against Ishtar Familia, the Guild punished them by ordering them to commit fully to this war."
Hearing this, Fron could already picture Loki's gloating expression in his mind.
"So… Freya Familia is the main force, and we're just here to play a supporting role. That's what you mean, right?"
"Mm. On the surface, yes. But you also have another task, to keep watch inside the city for anyone planning to stir up trouble while things are chaotic."
"No problem. Leave that to me. You'd better return to the front quickly. As the famous Sword Princess, if you vanish from the enemy's sight for too long, it'll make them uneasy and put them on alert."
"Mm." Ais nodded firmly, then quickly left Fron's workshop.
"The goal of the Rakia Kingdom is Welf. If I just stay by his side and wait, the problem can be solved easily. Surely someone is already handling this, like the Hephaistos Familia, who has close ties to Welf."
"That goddess wouldn't leave him in danger. Better to watch for now than directly interfere. Aside from continuing to study and apply techniques, the most important thing to follow up on… is the subordinate of that Death God."
Narrowing his eyes, Fron's thoughts grew sharper.
Dungeon City Orario, known worldwide as the "Center of the World," is the largest and most advanced city in existence. It stands at the far west of the continent, backed by towering mountains, facing the beautiful Melen's Lake, and beyond that, the Melen Bay which leads to the vast, magnificent blue ocean.
Orario is considered the world's center not only because of its magic stone industry that advanced civilization, but also because it houses one of the world's most mysterious "Dungeon."
The dungeon produces magic stones that drive Orario's thriving economy. Rare materials, valuable treasures, and resources unlike anywhere else flow endlessly from its depths, making Orario a shining jewel revered by countless people. But at the same time, it also draws the greedy gaze of wolves eager to seize it.
The Rakia Kingdom, with its "Crozzo Magic Swords," once nearly conquered half the continent. But against Orario, they met their match.
In history, this nation and its god Ares launched several wars against Orario, and every time, without exception, they were utterly defeated.
And this was with the Crozzo Magic Swords. The Crozzo clan, once noble smiths, had lost the forging techniques generations ago. Yet the kingdom once again wages war against Orario.
In the end, apart from their main god, everyone, from king, prince, nobles, down to commoners, paid the price clearly. But as a god-led nation, their deity's command is absolute. So they once again gathered armies and supplies, marching toward Orario.
Time passed slowly.
"BOOOOM!!!"
"Run! Run away! The adventurers of Orario are all damn monsters! I don't want to fight anymore, I want to go home to my mother!!!"
With a deafening roar shaking the earth, countless soldiers were shattered by a single terrifying shockwave.
Their formations collapsed in panic, fleeing like demons chased them. One strike alone dispersed a group of thousands, Rakia's warriors breaking into a desperate rout.
Five kilometers from the battlefield, white tents stood in neat rows. The banners of clown and the Freya Familia fluttered in the wind, mocking the overconfidence of Rakia, though in truth, it was accurate.
On the high ground near the camp, a red-haired goddess and a silver-haired goddess stood side by side. Finn planted his spear into the ground, smiling as always. By the silver-haired goddess's side, Ottar silently kept his vigilant guard, his presence towering.
"What a boring war. Ares never learns. With this so-called 'Renaissance,' how could he possibly be a match for Orario? As a god, can't he see the difference in adventurer levels? Such a waste of time."The red-haired goddess narrowed her eyes, her tone openly mocking Ares's foolishness.
"Who knows? Even if he loses every battle, he's no brainless fool. After all, he is a god."
The two gods spoke in riddles, but their judgment of Ares was unanimous.
"Hehe, you little flirt. Since you've been punished by the Guild this time, I'll leave the rest to you, Freya."
"And what about you, Loki?"
"Me? I've got more important matters to handle."
At those words, Loki's eyes sharpened dangerously. Ottar said nothing, but he felt the fleeting malice radiating from the goddess.
"Oh? Important matters, hm? Fine. I've been bored anyway. I'll just have some fun with Ares. Our children are always fighting among themselves anyway."
Finn cast Ottar a glance, still wearing his mask-like smile. He bowed slightly to the Goddess of Beauty, then followed Loki away.
Sipping expensive red wine, Freya's amethyst eyes reflected the battlefield ahead, her lips curving with allure.
"Interesting. More important matters? Heh… For you, Loki, to call something important, I must admit, I'm curious."
"Yes, Lady Freya," Ottar answered.
"Mm. Investigate Loki's recent movements, but be cautious. I don't want Loki coming to me to complain. I've bought many slaves lately, and with the Guild's fines, we're already running short on resources."
"As you command."
As the footsteps faded, the goddess stood alone on the hillside, enjoying the summer breeze.
"Could it be related to that item in Ishtar's hands? Loki is hiding quite a few secrets. Then again, so is Ouranos."
"That old man kept us from leaving Orario during the dungeon riots, and with the way he's been excluding me and Loki… He's hiding plenty as well. None of them are easy to deal with."
"And Hermes, that pretty boy, passing Bell's information to Ishtar, trying to stir up trouble behind my back." The goddess's smile slowly turned cruel.