Such a direct question from a God was a massive problem for anyone. Lies would be seen through. You couldn't even joke your way out of it; if you had nothing to hide, you'd deny it. Being evasive only proved you were guilty.
Loki's tone might have sounded playful, but there was a hidden killing intent, like a sword held at Roy's throat. Depending on his answer, the Freya Familia might decide to crush the Astraea Familia. One seed of doubt and they would be flattened by the juggernaut of the strongest Familia.
The hall fell silent. Astraea, Lyu, and Ais all watched Roy. Daphne and Cassandra, sensing the suffocating atmosphere, exchanged terrified looks.
Under everyone's gaze, Roy spoke: "Since I reached Level 3, I've been in the Dungeon these past few days to get used to my new power. Why do you ask, Lady Loki?"
Silence followed. Loki's brow quirked. No lie detected. She pressed further: "Did you go to Daedalus Street?"
Roy shook his head. "No."
Still no trace of a lie. Loki's brow knitted together. Could it really have nothing to do with this kid? Did that bitch Freya really send me here on a wild goose chase just to mess with me?
"Lady Loki, what exactly are you implying?" Roy asked, his expression shifting to one of annoyance.
Loki's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately changed her face to a grin. "Just a joke! Don't mind me, Roy-kun!" She apologized profusely and pulled Roy into a corner, whispering a few of Astraea's "little secrets" to pacify him.
The suspicion on the Astraea Familia was completely cleared. Loki led a dejected Ais away.
Astraea looked at Roy in amazement. How did he do it? She didn't believe for a second that the incident had nothing to do with him, yet even she couldn't detect a lie. His words were purer than gold.
Astraea dismissed the girls. "Alright, everyone, back to your business."
Daphne and Cassandra breathed a sigh of relief and fled the hall. Lyu, however, gave Roy a long, deep look. Her blue eyes detected something strange—Roy was acting far too "honest" today.
Astraea approached Roy. "How did you manage that?"
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Danmachi : Starting with an Elf (342 Chapters – Ongoing)
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Loki's insight was terrifying; not even other Gods could hide secrets from her. For Roy to successfully deceive her was a feat that surpassed the Gods.
"My Lady, what are you talking about?" Roy asked, his eyes clear and innocent.
Astraea huffed. Still acting?
In that moment, Roy's exhausted eyelids closed, and his head slumped into the Goddess's ample embrace as he began to snore.
This plan had begun a day ago. While Syr was being hounded by the Gods, Roy had already returned to Orario. He had left all his supplies from his spatial ring with Kaede as a thank-you. He wasn't worried about Kagome; the well worked on her own power of will—the jewel was just a medium.
He felt a bit guilty for "coercing" a legendary item from a middle-schooler, but he promised himself he'd help her out when Naraku showed up later. The rewards would be worth it.
Back in the present, Roy had hidden in an alley before going home, listening to the rumors. The mystery Level 7! The defeat of the strongest Familia! Shocking news: Syr Flova is actually Freya!
The city was in an uproar. Roy smirked; his plan had worked perfectly. Freya's "City Girl" game was dead. But the real trouble was coming. A furious Freya would scour the city for the one who exposed her.
He, "Justice Sapling," was just a Level 3. He looked nothing like the Berserker who defeated Ottar. But Freya had tried to set him up recently; even if she didn't know he knew, she would investigate him. He had to stay ahead of her.
Roy didn't go straight home. He donned a black cloak and navigated the alleys toward the Soma Familia's territory, just a few kilometers from the battlefield of Daedalus Street. He had to be careful.
Fortunately, half the city was out investigating the Level 7 Berserker. Dark Sects, merchant spies, and thugs were all out in the alleys. Roy passed several people wrapped in cloaks just like him. They simply assumed he was a fellow spy. You have your KPIs, I have my OKRs—everyone's working for a brighter future.
Roy slipped into the Soma residence. The security was pathetic; the residents were mostly drunk. Using his Level 3 agility, he bypassed the Level 1 fodder and slipped into the Captain's private bedroom. He waited while studying the Shikon Jewel.
Half an hour later, a refined but slightly effeminate middle-aged man in glasses entered. It was Zanis Lustra, the Level 2 Captain of the Soma Familia, titled "The Wine Steward."