Another week has passed, and the conversion speed has really increased a lot. It won't take long to reach the next layer. Evolving is becoming quite slow, even with the bonuses.
At this rate, I'll only be able to advance one layer per month.
Well… in the future, it'll take more than a month to move up a single layer—unless the bonuses suddenly increase drastically.
But I'm not expecting that to happen.
I left the tree and headed to Serie's house. As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by Lyuu.
She's acting more mature now. She learns things really fast.
I'm not sure if the tree also affects her learning ability (beyond things related to magic), but it probably does.
"Welcome, my queen. Have you finished your training for today?"
Of course, Serie must have explained my training to her. But she didn't mention my "unusual" abilities.
"Yes, I'm done. Where's Serie?"
"She left a while ago. She didn't tell me where she was going."
"Hmmm…" Serie is a responsible woman, but even so, I'm very worried. For some reason, I'm more concerned about her than usual. I wasn't like this in the past.
It's as if she's become my daughter… The image of that child from Isaac's memories came to my mind.
'This is strange.'
Since elves can't have children, I've never experienced this before. But I think it's a similar feeling—a strong desire to protect at all costs. A constant worry.
'What am I even thinking?' I shook my head and pushed those thoughts out of my mind.
"I think I'll go look for her."
"Did something happen?"
"No, it's not that. I'm just a little worried."
"Worried about what?" Then, Serie appeared.
Behind her was Ryuu.
"Oh, Serie."
"Worried about what? About me?" Serie smiled.
I kept a stoic expression and replied, "No, it's not that. I'm worried about something else."
"But you—"
"Lyuu, shut your mouth."
"Hmmm…" Serie had an unpleasant look on her face.
Tsk!
I clicked my tongue and turned to leave. But before I could, Ryuu spoke up. "I have important information regarding Ares' death."
"Oh?" I turned around, feeling a bit excited.
Finally, something is happening?
Although I don't want a war with the gods right now, all this calmness has been bothering me.
"The information came straight from Rakia. Apparently, the country is in chaos."
"That's it? I already expected that. Ares is dead."
"You might not have realized it, but you also killed the King of Rakia. He was the captain of the Ares Familia."
"Hm, that's new information. I didn't know the king was among the dead. But in the end, wasn't that king just a pawn? Just like every other high-ranking official in Rakia. It's always been that way."
"You're right. But if the king hadn't died, he probably could've kept things under control for a while. He would've likely joined one of the minor Familias under Ares' control."
"And that Familia would take control of Rakia."
"Exactly. But that was just one possibility. There was also the chance of a Familia taking the country by force."
"Didn't that king have a son or something? Why doesn't he try to find a Familia to support him?"
"He does have a son, but he fled. He escaped to Orario and is currently a member of the Loki Familia. He was the one who brought the news of Ares' death to Loki."
"I see. So what's happening in Rakia exactly?"
"All the minor Familias want to take control of Rakia because the country has a powerful military."
"But didn't most of the soldiers lose their falnas after Ares died?"
"The minor Familias already had many members in the army, and they're recruiting the soldiers who lost their falnas. The minor Familias are slowly growing stronger."
"So Rakia is becoming a battlefield…" I smiled, because I had already expected something like this to happen.
In fact, it took longer than I thought.
"And what about Loki?"
"What do you mean?"
"Will she do anything? The prince of Rakia is in her Familia now. Won't she try to take control of Rakia?"
"Apparently not. But I wouldn't rule out the possibility of another major Familia trying to seize control. The Apollo Familia or Freya could make a move."
"Hmmm… Freya Familia? I doubt she would. But Apollo? I wouldn't put it past him. He's an idiot, just like Ares."
Apollo is an idiot—probably one of the most detestable gods I've ever had the displeasure of meeting.
I still haven't forgotten his disgusting gaze.
"That's all the information I've gathered in the past few days."
"Thanks for that, Ryuu. I'm making you work a lot, aren't I?"
"Not at all. It didn't take much effort to get this info since I'm part of the Familia."
"Ah… wait, the Familia you joined—is it Loki Familia?"
"Didn't I mention that before?"
"No, you didn't."
"Well, it doesn't matter now. I plan to leave the Familia soon. With the tree's power returning, I don't need a falna."
"Don't do that just yet. I still need you to gather information and help with errands for me and Serie."
"But if Loki starts getting suspicious, leave the Familia immediately. I'm afraid she might try to use you to get to me."
"Don't worry. Loki wouldn't do that."
"Trust me, Ryuu… she would. She'd do much worse than that."
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Read more chapters on my patr eon: patr eon.com/parodygirl
Next Chapters: Chapter 23 – The country is crumbling. / Chapter 24 - Why don't you go and visit her, Riveria? / Chapter 25 - Is Loki Here? / Chapter 26 - She doesn't look like the same Riveria. / Chapter 27 - Information about the culprit. / Chapter 28 - Happy to have prepared good food. / Chapter 29 - Heiter and Fern.