Chapter 8: The Loki Familia Mobilizes
The King of Orario hung his head in shame at her words.
Yet his shame stemmed from failing his goddess's expectations, not from being suppressed by an unknown minor god.
As a warrior, Ottar personally held deep respect for the openness and boldness in Asmodeus's final words...
While the atmosphere around Keyaru stagnated in reflection, the rest of Orario was anything but calm...
Especially at Twilight Manor in the northernmost part of Orario.
This famous base of the Loki Familia was now mobilizing in an orderly manner.
Led by a golden-haired pallum, armored adventurers gathered one after another according to the Loki Familia's emergency protocols.
"Faster!"
"We cannot rule out this being Evilus's call to arms!"
"As adventurers of the Loki Familia, bearing the name of valor, charging at the forefront is our undeniable duty!"
Standing on the high platform of Twilight Manor, the golden-haired pallum struck the ground fiercely with his spear, radiating an imposing aura. Beside him, a dwarf exuding a strong sense of security and a green-haired elf whose beauty rivaled that of a god both wore expressions of concern.
However, compared to the grave demeanor of the three key members of the Loki Familia, the two Amazon sisters appeared far more composed...
The older Amazon sister, whose chest was notably ample, gazed with starry eyes at the golden-haired pallum as he delivered the mobilization speech, her intense stare fixed on him from her position by the fountain at the entrance of the Loki Familia.
"Miss Tione! This is no time to be daydreaming!"
"The lunatics of Evilus are about to attack!"
"They've already infiltrated the village and successfully sent a god back to heaven!"
Near the fountain, a cute little elf with golden-yellow hair trembled uncontrollably, hugging her knees in fear.
She—Lefiya, a novice!
This was her first time facing such a large-scale crisis!
Overwhelmed by panic, the young elf clung tightly to the leg of a passing golden-haired girl, seeking comfort.
"Miss Ais!"
"Am I going to die?"
"I heard at the academy that those Evilus members are all expert killers!"
The princess of the Loki Familia, a Level 5 adventurer known as the Sword Princess—Ais Wallenstein—tilted her head slightly as she observed the terrified state of her new friend, Lefiya.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you, Lefiya!"
"Wah... Miss Ais!"
The golden-yellow-haired elf was so moved she nearly burst into tears, nuzzling against Ais's leg. This display earned a disdainful sneer from Bete, a first-class adventurer known as the "Fenris," who stood perched on a tree beside the fountain.
"Small fries will always be small fries!"
"If you're this scared, why not just stay behind?"
"After all, the old elf hag will spoil you anyway!"
Faced with Bete's sharp tongue, Lefiya didn't dare retort. Fortunately, Tiona, the younger Amazon sister, spoke up with clear dissatisfaction:
"Stupid mutt, cut it out!"
"Lefiya's just a rookie—you're being too harsh!"
Insulted as a "stupid mutt," Bete's ruggedly handsome face darkened. Just as he prepared to unleash a verbal assault on the flat-chested Amazon, a green-haired elf silently appeared behind him, holding a staff.
"Old elf hag, huh..."
"I've told you before, Bete—I'm still very young!"
A violent strike from the staff slammed into the werewolf's head, sending the previously arrogant Gale Hound tumbling from the tree like a rotten persimmon.
Truly worthy of the title Nine Hell—a Level 6 adventurer and currently the strongest mage in Orario!
"Lady Riveria!"
Upon seeing the elven princess, the young elf clinging to Ais's leg hurriedly released her grip and stood at attention, flustered yet respectful...
Riveria, with her flawless features, sighed at the sight of the junior she held in high regard in such a state.
"There's no need to force yourself, Lefiya!"
"To be honest, even I, Finn, and Gareth are uncertain about this operation..."
"The sudden return of a god was already unsettling enough, and to make matters worse, Loki has disappeared at this critical moment. We still have no idea what happened or which deity was sent back!"
"Considering all this, I believe this operation is extremely dangerous and could very well result in actual casualties! Speaking from personal concern, I genuinely hope that promising but still inexperienced juniors like you, Lefiya, would remain within the Familia..."
After speaking, the princess of elves fixed her intense gaze upon Lefiya.
The golden-haired fairy trembled slightly before shifting her wavering eyes toward Ais beside her.
Amazing... Miss Ais shows not a hint of hesitation!
Overwhelming fear made Lefiya want to retreat, but remembering Ais's earlier promise to protect her, the young elf's resolve grew stronger.
"No!"
"I want to go, Lady Riveria!"
"Even the Level 1 members of our Familia show no fear... I cannot back down either!"
"After all, I'm a top-tier Level 2 adventurer about to advance to Level 3. Please rest assured, Lady Riveria!"
The green-haired elf stared at the less-than-confident elf girl, keenly noticing her stealing glances at Ais from the corner of her eye.
Was this trust in Ais?
Couldn't this also be considered a valuable quality?
Riveria's stern expression softened, even breaking into a smile.
"Well done, Lefiya!"
"Now then, I shall announce the notice brought by Finn!"
"Team one: Me, Lefiya, Ais, and Tiona!"
"Team two: Bete, Finn, plus Tsubaki who's on her way!"
"Team three: Tione, Gareth, plus Shakti who's arriving soon!"
"Our three teams, combined with the remaining elite forces of Ganesha Familia, will advance simultaneously toward the location of the god's return from four directions!"
"Any questions, everyone?"
After understanding the team assignments, the werewolf Bete, who had struggled to rise from the ground, revealed a pleased smile.
"Then let's hurry up and begin, ol'... Lady Riveria!"
Retracting her icy gaze from Bete, the dignified elven royal tapped her elven staff worth hundreds of millions of valis.
"Everyone, get ready!"
"Move out!"
...
The unrest in Orario and the anxious cries of the citizens were clearly heard by Ryuu and Keyaru, who had just been freed from the basement.
Looking at the massive crater formed on the ground due to the return of the god Asmodeus, Keyaru couldn't quite describe what he was feeling.
It was as if some so-called promise had given him a stronger sense of belonging to this world.
Something inside him was fervently surging, that yearning sensation almost sprouting like branches...
"Mr. Keyaru..."
"I don't know how to comfort you after losing your Patron God right now, but I think we should hurry and escape while Lady Freya hasn't changed her mind!"