It's common knowledge that while cats may be irresistibly cute, cuddly, and easy to fall in love with, at their core… they are predators constantly evolving toward becoming ultimate hunters.
Every part of them—their sharp claws, pointed teeth… even their fluffy ears and soft paw pads—is designed to end a prey's life faster.
Tonight, the impromptu "after-dinner activity" arranged by Renjiro went off without a hitch.
Putting aside Chloe, who briefly returned to her old assassin roots, Lunoire—being a top-tier bounty hunter—had more than enough experience to know exactly what she should be doing during such operations.
In short, once the trio of one man and two women worked together, the main task was handled with ease…
"The Soma Familia's remaining trivial matters are all settled," Renjiro thought as he parted ways with Chloe and Lunoire—strictly speaking, after the latter had forcibly dragged the former away—and made his way alone toward Daedalus Street.
At that moment, he received a mental message from the cat-girl, Diona.
The gist of it: she reported on the status of her side's arrangements.
Earlier that afternoon, after Diona successfully took over the position of captain of the Soma Familia, that incompetent Cherniss had already been locked in the family's self-made dungeon.
That place had previously served both as a sobering cell for members addicted to divine liquor and as punishment for anyone who defied Cherniss's orders. Damp, filthy, and harsh—it was a perfect place for reflection.
Now, Renjiro thought, there was no better place for the middle-parted glasses guy who had tormented so many innocents to spend his dwindling days.
Of course, the other accomplices who had done bad things alongside him were also not escaping.
They'd just have a few "neighbors"—fellow prisoners—to keep them company on the way out.
No doubt, this was squarely private justice.
But Renjiro didn't care.
Within Orario, the guilds' authority was limited, and with no unified legal system to punish these criminals, he had no issue taking extra steps to do some "cleanup work."
As for the future—how those already addicted to divine liquor would recover…
Renjiro wasn't worried.
He was confident Diona could handle it.
And indeed, she did have enough confidence in these matters.
Currently, Diona, capable of producing excellent drinks even from chaotic brewing attempts, possessed the real strength of a first-tier adventurer. Coupled with the fact that a certain lazy goddess was completely uninvolved, no one in the Soma Familia dared disobey her.
With this foundation, many rules could slowly be established in the future.
Moreover…
"Since divine liquor is addictive, it can essentially be considered a poison."
During tonight's small gathering, Renjiro formally met the Dea Saint, Airmid Teasanare.
Thanks to Lumine's introduction, Airmid mentioned the conditions under which she would allow Renjiro to study her magic.
So in the future, whenever he helped at the Dian Kate Familia's sanatorium, he could also bring up the matter of divine liquor, gaining another powerful ally.
At this point…
"All the big and small troubles that have occurred recently are finally resolved."
Stretching as he walked, Renjiro reflected, "The traps I expected to set were already successfully laid using the War Game today. Now I just have to wait for the other idiots to fall into them… phew~"
He yawned.
Then…
"Compared to these minor matters, tomorrow's 'date' is going to be the real exhausting part."
Approaching the abandoned church, he muttered to himself, "Thankfully, Bell will be coming along. Maybe… I can find some unique ways to have fun."
His lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"Hehehe~"
=======
Later that night, as Renjiro returned to his room at the Maria Orphanage to rest…
"Bring me that man from the Frigg Familia."
This was the Orario southern district, Pleasure Quarter, at the Ishtar Familia headquarters, on the top floor of the central tower.
In other words: the daily residence of the goddess Ishtar.
Currently, the brown-skinned goddess had summoned all the high-end combatants in her familia.
Among them were:
The Lv.5 captain with a blessing, the infamous "Androctonus" toad woman—Phryne Jamil.
The Lv.4 vice-captain, male attendant Tammuz Belili.
And a group of Lv.3 Amazonian warriors led by Aisha Belka.
"And that man can use all kinds of magic, so he will likely be extremely difficult to deal with. We cannot treat him as an ordinary adventurer."
"Also, he must be captured alive, so…"
Ishtar's eyes narrowed.
"Just in case, bring along Haruhime as well."
"Remember, wait until he enters a dungeon to act. Don't let members of other familias see this."
With the team acknowledging her commands…
"The third adventurer capable of summoning Primordial Spirits…"
Ishtar puffed a smoke ring from her pipe.
"This man, I must have him."
"He will be the key to bringing down Freya."
======
Meanwhile, as the Ishtar Familia clearly continued down their path of self-destruction…
At the Freya Familia's headquarters, an emergency meeting was convened around a table.
Initially, the group merely followed Lumine's arrangements to exchange confidential intelligence each day.
But when Lumine's "serious matters" were finished…
"Speaking of which, Freya-sama is going out shopping with the Frigg Familia's main goddess tomorrow."
Lumine had thought she was just making small talk to ease tension at the meeting.
Yet Ottar and the others immediately grew even more serious.
It was clear this was what they considered the real business.
For a moment…
"Who else will accompany them?"
Hedin asked, his voice unusually serious.
"Uh~ there's also one member from the Frigg Familia. His name: Bell Cranel."
"Nope, not enough."
Allen frowned and interrupted.
"How could a mere Lv.1 rabbit possibly protect that lady's safety?"
…..
Completed version available on [P]atreon.[c]om/Veltoria [remove brackets]