The God's Banquet fell silent instantly as the gods pricked up their ears.
Modifying a child from the lower world using divine power.
It wasn't impossible—in fact, it made more sense this way.
After all, no matter how you looked at it, Eiji's rate of growth was far too abnormal, surpassing even the gods' understanding!
If he had undergone divine modification, such achievements would be explainable. For gods, performing a miracle or two was child's play.
So, had Loki used her divine power or not?
"Of course not. I wouldn't waste my time on something so boring!"
Loki curled her lips dismissively.
"Empty words won't convince anyone, Loki."
Ishtar pursed her lips, her tone sharp and provocative.
"If it were any other matter, I might let it slide, but this is far too bizarre. I'm sure everyone here is curious about the truth behind it, right?"
"Well, if we could find out..."
"Who wouldn't be curious?"
Under Ishtar's instigation, the surrounding gods all wore expressions of eager fascination, nodding in agreement.
Who knew how many of these gods had once visited Ishtar's "gentle embrace"?
"Oh? Ishtar, you seem very interested in the secrets of my child, huh?"
A vicious glint flashed in Loki's eyes.
Her narrowed eyes cracked open slightly, revealing crimson pupils as an aura befitting a malevolent deity once again filled the vast chamber.
Ishtar's heart skipped a beat.
"And the rest of you—got nothing better to do?"
"N-No, not at all!"
"Actually, ignorance is bliss!"
"Yeah, yeah, exactly!"
Under Loki's glare, the gods' lecherous expressions vanished in an instant, replaced by solemn nods.
To be fair, they were all quite afraid of Loki.
After all, she had once been the number one troublemaker in the heavens, inciting wars among gods more than once. Her infamy was well-earned. And now, she commanded the strongest Familia in the city. If she sent someone to assassinate them and send them back to the heavens, where there was no entertainment to be had, the loss would far outweigh the gain.
"Must be some kind of 'rare skill' awakening."
Just then—
A disinterested voice came from the other end of the table.
Loki frowned, shooting a vexed look at the speaker.
"And I hear he's exceptionally skilled at fighting above his level, which explains his rapid growth."
Freya lounged lazily in her chair, her delicate fingers tracing her cheek, drawing awed murmurs from the surrounding gods.
"Besides, if a god used divine power, it would be detected immediately. Loki wouldn't have had the chance. I believe that child achieved everything through his own efforts. What do you all think?"
"Absolutely!"
"Lady Freya speaks the truth!"
"Kids these days are so hardworking!"
In an instant, every god in the room changed their tune.
Thanks to the covenant they had all signed, the moment divine power was used, the offender would be forcibly sent back to the heavens without exception.
Moreover, gods were highly sensitive to divine energy. If one of them used it, the others would notice immediately—there was no hiding it.
Of course, the real reason was simpler:
Whatever Freya said was gospel truth.
"Tch!"
Ishtar glared at Freya with resentment.
She had really wanted to pry secrets from Loki's mouth—preferably ones that could strengthen her own Familia and ultimately dethrone Freya. Unfortunately, that scheme had been thwarted by Freya yet again.
"Anyway, it's pretty much as Freya said."
Loki brushed off the gods with a nonchalant reply.
At the same time, she eyed the perverted goddess suspiciously.
Freya actually speaking up for her? One might think the sun had risen from the west.
The two of them held the title of the strongest in the city, locked in constant competition. Not causing trouble for each other was already something to be grateful for—helping out was practically unthinkable.
"Could this perverted goddess be up to something...?"
Loki's guard shot up to maximum alertness.
But this wasn't the right moment to make a scene, so she held back for now.
"Alright, let's get back to discussing the alias... Though I already have an idea—how about 'Aurora'?"
"No problem!"
"Great choice!"
"Fits perfectly!"
Even without considering bootlicking, it was a fitting name. His rapid level-up speed certainly warranted the title "Aurora."
"Doesn't it sound a bit too plain?"
But then Freya suddenly spoke up.
A delighted smile played on her lips as she began stirring up the gods.
"How about adding a prefix or suffix to it?"
"Fair point!"
"Freya's suggestion is even better!"
"I heard his swordsmanship is unparalleled in Orario. Why not call him 'Aurora Sword God'?"
"Agreed!"
"Everyone, I have a proposal."
Under Loki's intense glare, Freya's face blossomed into a radiant smile, eliciting a chorus of swooning cries.
"How about we call him..."
...
"We're back!"
Before the gates of Twilight Manor, someone knelt on the ground, tears streaming down their face.
"I almost thought we'd die in the lower floors!"
"Damn those Poison Moth Worms!"
Others cursed loudly.
Seven days had passed since the battle in the unexplored territory.
The Loki Familia's expedition team had finally returned from the Dungeon, though the journey had been anything but smooth.
In one of the lower floors, as the Loki Familia was making their way back, they encountered a Monster Party. Dozens—no, hundreds—of Poison Moth Worms emerged from the walls and ceilings.
As the name suggested, these monsters were highly venomous. Their sudden appearance poisoned nearly half the expedition team on the spot, with some even falling unconscious.
After resting on the 18th floor for a day, Eiji rushed back to the surface and brought back Airmid, the Battlefield Saint, from the Dian Cecht Familia to heal the expedition team.
"That's just how the Dungeon is. Unknown dangers can pop up from anywhere. At least there were no casualties this time."
Finn said with a wry smile.
The Loki Familia, having just broken the record of the great Zeus Familia, nearly met their end at the hands of mere lower-floor monsters. If word got out, their hard-earned reputation would be ruined in an instant.
"Well then, I'll take my leave now."
Before departing, the Battlefield Saint cast a lingering glance at Eiji.
"Tiona, I think there's something off about Miss Airmid!"
"Alicia, you noticed it too?"
"I remember Eiji carried Airmid down back then, so they definitely had physical contact! And I heard he forcibly brought her here even though she still had work to do. She must have been moved by Eiji's concern for his comrades!"
"Damn it, Eiji's charm is too overpowering!"
Tiona's tears soaked her clothes.
Alicia was left speechless.
This man was just too good at attracting women—he could rack up romantic debts without even trying!
Ais gave them a puzzled glance, not quite understanding their thoughts.
Lefiya guiltily averted her gaze, not daring to face Tiona and the others.