Despite accepting the request, Loki didn't act immediately. She went back to Twilight Manor to pick up the golden-haired Ais, and the two headed to the Starry Garden.
Loki stood outside the courtyard and shouted, "Astraea! I've come to play!"
Astraea opened the door, a look of surprise on her face. "Loki? How rare of you to visit."
Loki laughed it off. "My Ais-tan has been out of it lately. I had to take her out for some air, and this was the only place I could think of."
"So this is the world-renowned Sword Princess," Astraea said, looking at the "airheaded" Ais. She was as beautiful as a goddess, with an innocent charm that made people want to protect her.
"Lady Astraea... I was disrespectful to Mr. Roy the other day. I came to apologize," Ais said with a bow. Under Riveria's tutelage, she had realized her mistake. An adventurer's secrets are their life; prying into them was a dangerous taboo.
"It's alright. Those kids don't mind much," Astraea comforted the girl. Ais looked at the gentle Goddess and felt as if she were seeing a reflection of Riveria—a kind, motherly figure.
"Come in for some tea," Astraea invited.
"Hehe, Astraea, your 'Justice' is as big as ever," Loki said, her eyes wandering toward Astraea's chest with a lewd grin. What was blocking her vision? It's too magnificent!
"Loki, you haven't changed either," Astraea smiled back. Loki looked down at her own chest—so flat she could see her toes—and felt as if she had been struck by an arrow. She suspected Astraea had a hidden "black-bellied" devilish side, but she had no proof.
"Where are your kids?" Loki asked, pivoting the subject.
"Lyu is replacing magic stones in the manor's devices. Daphne and Cassandra are training in the Dungeon."
Loki went silent for a moment, then said softly, "It must be hard... after what happened." A Familia wipe was no joking matter. If it had happened to her, Loki suspected she would have spent her days drinking or fled back to the Heavens.
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Starting with an Elf (315 Chapters, Ongoing)
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Astraea beamed with pride. "We're managing. Those kids are strong; even if they fall a thousand times, they'll stand back up."
"Yeah, 'children' are better than us in that regard," Loki agreed. Gods were eternal but flawed. Some would even commit "suicide" out of boredom because they'd just be reborn in ten thousand years. "By the way, where's that Justice Sapling kid?"
Astraea remained unruffled. "You know how it is. He's at that age."
Loki stared at Astraea for a few seconds, then smirked with a "boys will be boys" expression. Half an hour passed, filled with laughter—Loki was a "clown," after all, and she knew how to keep Astraea entertained.
In reality, invisible blades were clashing between the two Goddesses. Even Ais sensed the tension. Facing Astraea's perfect defense, Loki found it difficult to bait out any useful info. But Loki's skin was thicker than a castle wall; she wasn't leaving without an answer.
Finally, Astraea cut to the chase. "Loki, stop testing me. Why are you really here?"
"Hehe, it's nothing major. You heard about the Freya Familia getting beaten up the other day, right?"
"I heard," Astraea nodded. Even if her follower didn't do it, she knew it was related. She had been shocked herself; that boy really had the guts to take on the strongest Familia alone.
"Freya is fuming. She asked me to investigate suspicious people. She's pushing the dirty work on me. So annoying!"
"So you suspect us?"
"No, no! I just came to play. This is just a formality," Loki laughed.
Astraea's eyes turned cold. A formality? An investigation is an investigation. But because their Familia strengths were unequal, Loki had the "right" to ask. Loki stayed until dusk, and everyone in the Astraea Familia passed her "test." Lyu, Daphne, and Cassandra were clearly unrelated to the events of that night.
That left only Roy.
"Lady Loki, Miss Ais, good evening," Roy said, yawning as he stepped out of his room, looking exhausted. He greeted them both. The golden-haired girl nodded, a flicker of battle intent in her eyes.
Loki is hunting for the truth! Would you like me to continue with Roy's "interrogation," or see how he plays off his tired state?
Roy was desperate to avoid the challenge. He was the type of person who wouldn't wake up early without a profit motive. He had sparred with Riveria once just to learn her magic, but today there was no gain in fighting. As far as he was concerned, Ais could get lost. Just because she was beautiful didn't mean he wouldn't strike back if pushed.
Loki looked at Roy, who had dark circles under his eyes, and said with a pained expression, "Kid, you need some self-control. You're young; don't ruin your health."
"Thank you for your concern," Roy replied, feeling bewildered but polite enough to thank her.
"What a lovely scent... is that orchid perfume?" Loki asked, sniffing the air.
"It's a perfume I intend to gift to Lady Astraea. I was just testing it on myself first," Roy answered.
Loki nodded. Astraea's gentle temperament paired perfectly with orchids. "You've got good taste. Are you interested in Astraea? I can give you some 'intimate' intel on her." The playful Loki was easily distracted, momentarily forgetting her mission.
Roy's eyes lit up. Go on... tell me more about the intimate details.
"Ahem!"
Astraea let out a sharp, unfriendly cough, and the air in the room suddenly turned icy. Roy and Loki jumped like startled hamsters, their gazes becoming instantly clear and serious.
Loki regained her composure, her face turning solemn. "Roy-kun, what have you been up to these past few days?"
Roy's brow furrowed.
"Don't try to distract me or lie," Loki said with a smile, though her slit-like eyes opened slightly to reveal blood-red pupils that seemed to pierce through his soul. "A God will see through it instantly."