I took a bite of the food she had made. The same seasoning as always, the same delicious taste as always, or so it should have been.
Right now, I can't taste anything. The clinking sounds of utensils against plates echoed through the room.
It was the day after training simultaneously with Bell and Lefiya. I woke up as usual, she came over as usual, we worked as usual, and now we were having lunch as usual, or so it should have been. Yet, an unspoken tension lingered between us, a subtle shift in the air that was hard to put into words.
It wasn't a hostile or unpleasant atmosphere, just awkward, like we hadn't quite figured out the right distance between us yet.
I glanced at her. Our eyes met, Lefiya's sky-blue eyes locking onto mine. She quickly looked away. …Wait, why did I look away too?
Since Lefiya came over, it has been like this. Neither of us could properly look at each other. After what she said yesterday, I suppose we became a couple… I think.
But even with all my experience, I've never actually had a girlfriend. Frankly, I never had the time. So here I was, completely out of my depth.
"S-so, uh…"
"Y-yes?"
"A-about today… are you not training with Ais-san?"
"N-no, I told her I'd be coming here today. She kind of picked up on it, I think."
"W-what exactly did she pick up on?"
"Eh?! I mean, just that it's the day I usually visit you…"
"Ah, I see. Got it."
The conversation died.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
After lunch, it was time to get back to work. Usually, we'd be chatting and laughing by now, but the silence hung heavy. And then,
Knock, knock, knock.
"Oh, coming!"
A visitor? Thank goodness. I wasn't sure how long I could take this atmosphere.
I went to the door and opened it.
"Yo!"
"Good afternoon."
It was Loki and Finn. …This just got a lot more complicated.
I led Loki and Finn to the sitting room.
"Huh? Loki and the captain? What brings you here?"
"We were on our way back from discussing the expedition with Phai‑tan. Lefiya, make us some lunch, would ya?"
"Got it."
Lefiya stood up and headed to the kitchen while I prepared tea and served it to them.
"What should we do while waiting for lunch?"
"How 'bout we settle that chess game we left hanging?"
"Sounds good. I accept the challenge."
I pulled out the chessboard from the corner and set it on the table. As we set up the pieces, the match began.
I focused entirely on the game, reading Loki's moves and planning my own. The smell of Lefiya's cooking wafted through the air as the match entered its middle stages. And then,
"Hey, you've started dating Lefiya, haven't ya?"
My thoughts stumbled.
"W-what are you talking about?"
"No point playing dumb. You can't lie to a god."
Crap. I slipped up and didn't shield myself from her divinity.
See, gods have this thing called "Arcanum." their divine essence, which can influence their children. It makes it impossible to lie to them.
Normally, I'd wrap myself in a thin veil of my [Endless Abyss] magic to counter it, but doing so temporarily disables my [Status]. It's a tradeoff.
"You're such a rookie. Well, as far as dating goes, I'll allow it."
"…Thank you."
"But show me some sincerity, okay?"
"…I'm not converting to your faith."
"Aw, shame. So, what are you planning to do about this?"
"Loki, don't push him too hard, "
"Quiet, Finn."
I sighed heavily. I had an idea, but it went against everything Hermes-sama would stand for. Still, breaking up with Lefiya wasn't an option.
From the shadows, I retrieved a special safe. It had a lock on the inside. Sliding a single tendril into the gap, I took out the key and unlocked it.
From within, I pulled out a pouch containing fifty million valis and placed it in front of Loki and Finn.
"This bag holds fifty million valis. Use it to fund your expedition. In addition, I'll ensure the Loki Familia receives discounts on weapons, items, and food, and I'll use my entire information network to assist with negotiations for alliances during expeditions. Will this suffice?"
"Not bad."
"I'm serious about this."
"Well, I was gonna approve from the start anyway."
"…What?"
"Also, checkmate."
I looked at the board. She had me cornered. Total defeat.
"…I concede."
"Hahaha!"
"Loki, that wasn't very mature."
"Who cares? Winning's what counts!"
Incidentally, they didn't take the money. Apparently, the whole discussion was just to throw me off during the game.
Also, I was later told that trying to resolve things with money is a terrible idea in these situations. …This is harder than I thought.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Loki and Finn stuck around after lunch, claiming they had more expedition meetings but leaving them to other members. …Is the Loki Familia really okay like this?
Meanwhile, Lefiya seemed closer than usual, possibly because her goddess had approved of our relationship.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Coming!"
I got up and went to the door. Opening it, I found… a rather portly elf standing there.
"Hello, Toki-kun."
"Hello, Royman-san."
Royman Mardeel, the de facto top authority of the guild organized by Ouranos-sama. Behind him were two men who seemed to be his subordinates, probably bodyguards.
"Speaking of which, is it that time already? Please, come inside."
"Yes, thank you."
I smiled and welcomed him, but honestly, I don't like this guy. Actually, I'm pretty uncomfortable around him.
Known disparagingly as the "Guild Pig." this man looks repulsive even to me. He seems to have forgotten he's an elf, living in luxury and decadence. If I were still an assassin, he would definitely be a prime target. Most importantly… every time he comes around, Lefiya makes a sour face.
Of course, Royman does his job properly. Despite his appearance, he's a wise elder over 150 years old. But still, Lefiya clearly dislikes him.
"Oh, Royman! Long time no see! What brings you here?
"G-God Loki! What are you doing here?"
Sorry for hanging around a place like this.
Lefiya served Royman tea, her expression unusually blank this time. Then she sat right next to me… so I secretly took her hand. This small comfort was probably okay, right?
"So, Royman-san, is this about personal business or official matters?"
"Well, since God Loki is here... I suppose I'll just..."
"Oh, just treat us like we're not here."
"But..."
"Royman-san, I've gotten quite busy recently, so I don't have much free time. If we don't talk today, who knows when we'll get another chance."
"I-I see... then it can't be helped."
Royman seemed flustered. Nearby, Loki-sama and Finn were quietly whispering.
"What's with Royman getting persuaded?"
"He seems well-connected in the guild."
"Well then, let's start with the personal stuff. Wasn't it the simple diet plan from last time?"
"Pfft!"
"Ugh!"
Loki-sama and Finn burst out laughing at my comment.
"Ro-Royman, you're really concerned about your figure, huh?"
"Sh-shut up!"
"Well, about that method..."
I asked specifically what went wrong with the last plan and suggested some improvements. Honestly, this will probably fail again. Why? Because he lacks motivation.
"Well then, let's see how it goes with this."
"Yeah, thanks as always. It works for a while, but I wonder why it always fails eventually."
That's because of your lack of willpower.
"Next, the official business: the preparation of materials to be distributed to the gods at next week's 'Divine Council Denatus,' right?"
"W-what!? You made those documents, Toki!?"
"What do you mean?"
"About six months ago, the materials given to us at the Divine Council Denatus suddenly got much more detailed. Thanks to that, the naming ceremony went smoothly instead of chaotic. So, you were the one making those materials?"
Six months ago, Royman personally asked me to create the documents to be presented to the gods at the Divine Council Denatus. I tried including profiles, portraits, interviews, and a brief message from the chief deity, which apparently went over very well.
"Yes, could you do it again this time?"
"Well, about that, Royman-san... I recently received a formal blessing from Hermes-sama, so I'd like to refrain from such work, "
"No, I give permission!"
Just as I was about to refuse, Loki-sama cut in.
"Wait, what authority do you have to give permission, Loki-sama?"
"I'm hosting the Divine Council Denatus this time!"
"Ehhhh!?"
Royman was the one who voiced his shock, not me.
"G-God Loki! You can't just decide that on your own!"
"Why not? When the Divine Council Denatus starts, my people will be out on an expedition. I'll be free anyway."
"But..."
"So, Royman, make sure to tell the person in charge about this, okay?"
"...Understood."
"So, Toki, please make the materials."
"...Understood."
Royman and I both sighed. Before the Divine Council Denatus, I really want to go to the dungeon with Bell at least once. We've only been training lately. Once my training with Bete-san ends, I'm definitely going.
"Oh, and about transferring to the guild, have you thought about it?"
"Royman! You're the one trying to recruit Toki!"
"No, no, God Loki. There are many factions trying to recruit Toki. We're actually behind schedule compared to them."
"...Hey, Toki. How many factions are trying to recruit you?"
"Well... around thirty or forty, I guess."
"I thought it was more like fifty?"
"Really?"
"...This is bad. We've got to get serious."
With that, Loki-sama immediately stood up.
"Let's go, Finn!"
"Huh? Where?"
"You know where, Hermes's place!"
Loki-sama left, dragging Finn along. I wonder what that was about?
Afterwards, Royman and his group left, and I spent a different but comfortable time until Bell arrived.
"So, Hermes! Give Toki to me!"
"Hahaha! But I refuse!"
"Ugh, then how about I attack this Familia?"
"That's fine with me! But then I'll have Toki destroy the Loki Familia. Losing supply lines would be a big blow even for the mighty Loki Familia, huh?"
"Grrr..."
That's apparently how that conversation went.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Note: The concept that the gods' power reveals lies is an original setting.
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