To be honest, Alfrigg and the others, despite their age, had never before faced a situation where they didn't know whose side to take during a confrontation.
Of course, in the past, they would have likely just stood by and watched the show.
Or perhaps they would have offended both sides, making the situation even more chaotic.
Hmm, usually at a moment like this… no guessing required, the one stirring trouble would definitely be the third brother, Berling, who loved group ridicule the most.
But let's skip the side chatter.
Right now…
"The prestige of Goddess Freya cannot be desecrated in the slightest."
Hedin pushed up his glasses, his tone serious.
"But now, I am talking about you."
"Lumine, don't play word games with me. You should know very well, as a member of the Freya familia, and with your special standing within it, whether you should be getting too close to people from an 'opposing' force."
"This is not a minor issue that can be brushed off with a simple explanation."
He paused for a moment.
"However… if you insist on going your own way, then according to internal regulations, it's time for the 'baptism.'"
Hedin planted his sword-staff firmly on the ground.
"The deity we serve is not only the epitome of supreme beauty in the world, but also delights in combat and martial exercises. This… is the very reason the 'Battlefield/Wilderness of War' exists."
"Lumine, if you want your will to be recognized, you must first gain my (executive) approval."
"Because among Freya familia members, under the goddess, only the victor has absolute authority."
"Reason does not matter, nor do individuals. What matters is victory."
At this moment, as the words of the golden-haired, white-elf fell, Lumine furrowed her brows in thought.
Hogni, who had been standing aside, slowly moved to Hedin's side and assumed a ready stance with his sword.
After all, being long-time rivals, he didn't fully understand Hedin's goal, but he understood his intent.
Not long after…
==========
Lumine looked once more toward the "White and Black Knights" nearby, seeming to read some information from the current situation.
Sigh~
She let out a breath, as if resigned, though there was no hint of annoLuminece.
Then…
"In that case, let the 'baptism' begin."
Lumine had accepted the challenge.
Within the Freya familia, the term "baptism" carries two meanings.
The first is that new members joining the familia have a chance to spend a night with the deity.
The second is that they must repeatedly endure trials of combat in the familia's
Battlefield/Wilderness of War.
Renjiro knew that, given the original author personality, any explanation of the first type of trial would likely be exaggerated into a comedic scene of "spending the night playing flying chess with the goddess."
But regardless, the truth is: any member who completed the first type of baptism became fiercely loyal to Freya.
As for the second type…
Renjiro preferred to call it *involution.*
And it was wildly intense.
Previously, neither Renjiro's main body nor the Traveler twins had experienced any baptism.
This drew the attention of the familia's core executives.
At the same time, it was also why some clueless little sister had unintentionally become the "group's favorite" without even realizing it.
Now…
"If anyone's fault it is for getting too close to the Loki familia, I suppose I share some of the blame."
That night, outside the Large Tree Labyrinth border camp, Renjiro (Aether), who should have been training in melee combat in the dungeon, had been transported to Lumine's side through the passive effect of the Statue of the Seven skill.
At this moment…
"Two versus two. The victor decides everything."
He stood shoulder to shoulder with Lumine, facing…
Hedin Selland, Hildrsleif, and Hogni Ragnar, Dainsleif.
The Twin Stars vs. White and Black Knights.
This was the internal conflict of the Freya familia.
Witnesses included the Gulliver Brothers, and…
"Riveria-sama, are you sure it's okay for us to come along?"
Lefia shrank behind old man Grace, neck pulled in.
She thought: The people in the Freya familia are terrifying, and Lumine-san… she isn't even flinching in front of such fearsome kin. Incredible.
Heh, double standard?
At this moment…
"Watch closely."
Grave veteran Grace Landrock stroked his beard.
"This little girl, Lumine, has her own mind. She isn't impulsive. Perhaps she can turn this into another 'great achievement.'"
"But Lv.3 versus Lv.6… that's…"
"Lv.2 successfully defeating the Amphisbaena isn't normal either."
The elder continued:
"I believe Lumine can create a miracle. And this time, she and Aether are striving for us… for the world."
Even the Elf royalty seemed to catch a glimpse of the situation.
Remember…
"That bastard actually dared to attack Riveria-sama."
"Kill him! Absolutely kill him!"
"Let go of me! Why are you holding me back?"
Meanwhile, inside the camp, in the tent used by the Loki familia…
A brown-haired, slightly curly female elf was being firmly restrained by two peers.
Alyssia Forestlet, currently Lv.4, usually had a very laid-back, big-sister aura.
But now, without the signature pointed ears, one might mistake her for Tione (Amazon).
Yes, Alyssia had gone berserk, like a berserker.
The root cause of all this? Hedin's just-cast magic.
At that moment, if Lumine hadn't reacted swiftly, someone from the Loki familia would have been hurt, almost certainly including Riveria.
Of course, there was the possibility that Riveria herself reacted fast enough to barely take Hedin's attack.
But either way…
Elf royalty harmed by elves… if this gets out, Hedin would be wanted by the entire lower-world elf familias.
Fortunately, the worst-case scenario did not occur.
At present, only Alyssia's anger had skyrocketed.
Riveria herself, the direct target, seemed unconcerned by Hedin's disrespect, or rather, his nearly treasonous act.
After all, if her guess was correct…
"This battle is most likely not reckless internal strife."
Look…
Many in the camp had their attention drawn here, as if the 'script' had been prearranged.