Chapter 36: The Fall of Loki, the Rise of Hestia(Updated)

It was one day after meeting the remnants of the Loki familia, and I was currently in my mansion, hosting some very special guests: Riveria Ljos Alf, Ais Wallenstein, Tiona Hiryute, Lefiya Viridis, and Bete Loga. Their presence here could be attributed to two reasons. The first—and most important for them—was what I had whispered to Riveria after exposing Loki: "Ais is dying." The second reason tied to Loki himself—or rather, his absence. Last night, after the exposure, Loki fled the scene, wearing a rope around his neck as a disguise. But how could I simply let him escape? I sent a mental message to Sub-Zero, instructing him to finish Loki off—not just physically, but with a special poison designed to destroy his soul over time. By now, Loki was no longer in this plane of existence.

With Loki gone, his familia dissolved, leaving its members up for grabs. By revealing Ais's condition to Riveria, I secured these five individuals for myself—if my plan worked. As for the rest of the strong members from Loki's familia, they scattered to other powerful familias like Freya, Takemikazuchi, and Ishtar.

As I served drinks to my guests, I speculated about their motivations for being here. Riveria, undoubtedly, came because of what I told her regarding Ais. Ais, naturally, accompanied her. Lefiya and Tiona, being close friends with Ais, would follow her anywhere. And Bete? I always suspected he harbored feelings for Ais and would tag along with the others. Now, sitting before me were one Level 6 adventurer, three Level 5s, and one Level 3—a significant boost to my familia if they joined.

Sora: "Welcome, everyone. What brings you here today?"

Riveria: "Despite what you did yesterday—destroying my familia—it was Loki who initiated the conflict, and you merely revealed the truth. However, there is something else... What you said yesterday concerning Ais—that she is dying—I'd like you to elaborate."

Upon hearing this, everyone tensed, including my own familia members. All eyes turned to me, waiting for an answer.

With a serious expression, Sora: "Miss Riveria, before I discuss this matter further, you cannot expect me to help people I barely know without something in return."

This drew irritated and angry looks from the former Loki familia members and Bell—but not from Riveria, Ais, or my familia members. Bete stepped forward, his voice laced with hostility: "Look, pal, you'll tell us what you know, or there's going to be trouble for you!"

Before Riveria could intervene, I unleashed my aura, fixing Bete with a cold stare. "Watch your words, boy. Many have suffered far worse for less." He choked, struggling to breathe, until Riveria interceded.

Riveria: "Sora-sama, I apologize for my friend's rashness, but I ask that you forgive him."

I released my aura, adopting a calm demeanor once more. My gaze shifted to Ais, whose eyes held no fear—only admiration and a burning desire to grow stronger like me.

Riveria: "May I know what you want in exchange for your help?"

Sora: "I'll be honest with you, Miss Riveria. I only assist those I consider family. Strangers are none of my concern."

Realizing the implications of my words, the former Loki familia members exchanged glances, ultimately deferring to Riveria. After a moment of silence, she spoke: "Despite your claim about Ais having a problem, this isn't enough for us to make such a life-altering decision as joining an unknown familia and unfamiliar people."

I smiled. "Well then, let me address that concern." Turning to my familia, I said, "Everyone, give me your adventurer cards."

They complied, even my Shadows, for whom I had created fake Level 9 cards listing them as part of the familia. I presented the cards to Riveria and her companions. Each took a card, their eyes widening in disbelief. They struggled to speak, except for Ais, whose heartbeat quickened with every glance at the cards.

Bete: "These can't be real!"

Lefiya: "This must be a dream…"

Tiona: "Hey, Ais, slap me."

Riveria: "How is it that I've never heard of your familia?"

Sora: "We've kept a low profile, but you've certainly encountered our work. Look at your current gear—the emblem of the blacksmith on it. Allow me to introduce Shiro, the one who forged what you're using right now."

Their shock deepened as they regarded Shiro with awe. His armor and weapons were legendary, akin to introducing cars in a world of horses. Yet, despite his fame, neither his face nor the familia behind him had ever been publicized. This revelation left them stunned.

I gave them a few moments to process everything before answering their questions. Eventually, Riveria spoke: "Sora-sama, my team and I would like to request joining your familia—if you'll have us. We are a group, so accepting one means accepting all of us."

Her phrasing suggested uncertainty about whether I truly wanted all of them—and whether I'd accept Bete after his earlier behavior. Noticing her intention, I smiled. "As the captain of the Hestia familia, on behalf of everyone here, I welcome you all into the familia." I nodded to Hestia to proceed.

Hestia stepped forward: "Welcome, all. I am Hestia, the goddess of this familia—and your goddess from today onward. Please, all the girls follow me to a private room so I may grant you my Falna. As for the boy, stay here for now."

They followed Hestia, leaving me alone with Bete—which suited me fine, as he needed to learn a lesson before fully integrating into the familia. I dismissed everyone to their daily tasks, keeping only Lili behind. Standing up, I said, "Lili, Bete, both of you follow me to the garden."

Once in the garden, I addressed Bete: "Lili is currently the weakest member when it comes to combat skills—excluding Bell—and she's Level 4. The two of you will fight to determine your ranking within the familia."

Bete looked puzzled. "What do you mean? Of course, I'm stronger! I'm Level 5. Look at her—can she even fight? Isn't she a supporter?"

I sighed at his arrogance and ignorance. "We'll see, Mr. Bete." Leaning toward Lili, I whispered, "Break every bone in his body. I'll fix him later." She nodded, a smile spreading across her face as she prepared to teach him a lesson. I positioned them ten meters apart.

Sora: "Ready?" They both nodded and assumed battle stances—Lili with her katana, and Bete with his twin short swords.

Sora: "Begin!"

Both dashed forward. Bete fought half-heartedly, underestimating Lili, while she calculated which bones to break first. When their weapons clashed, Bete was pushed back, smashing into the mansion wall. The protective runes on the wall rebounded him to where he started. Lili met him mid-air, striking him in the stomach with the full force of her katana and sending him crashing into the wall again. Without the runes, the wall would have crumbled upon impact. Looking at him, I saw numerous broken bones and a fainted Bete, still alive only because I continuously healed his internal injuries.

"Lili, enough," I called. She stopped and returned to my side.

I approached Bete, healing him as I walked, and woke him up. Standing over his prone form, I looked down into his eyes and said, "I hope that taught you that your attitude will get you killed. I don't tolerate such arrogance here. Had you fought seriously instead of looking down on your opponent, you might have fared better than becoming a ragdoll. Am I clear, Mr. Bete?"

He nodded. I signaled Igris to take him inside. "Hmm, being a captain is hard work. Let's go save Ais."

Back inside, I met with my new members—all except Bete, who needed rest. Hestia tried to say something while glancing at Ais, but I already knew what she wanted to convey. I signaled for her to sit quietly.

Sora: "Once again, I welcome you all. Now, let's address Ais's issue. Over the years, you must have noticed her lack of emotions, except when it comes to battle or growing stronger. Additionally, she seems unable to understand others' emotions. You've accepted this as normal, but have you ever questioned why?"

Everyone nodded guiltily, though Ais quickly reassured them it wasn't their fault and that she bore no ill will toward them. Ignoring their reactions, I continued: "During Ais's mother's tragic death, Ais lost control of her magic. Most people in such situations either explode or go mad. However, Ais is different. Her magic stems from spirit magic—wind, to be precise. In an attempt to save her, the contracted spirit sealed itself and Ais's emotions, entering a slumber. It hoped that when Ais calmed down and was rescued, someone would unlock the seal, restoring everything to normal. But that didn't happen. And it's Loki's fault."

I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "I'm certain Loki never showed you Ais's status screen, did he?"

They shook their heads or replied with a firm "No." Hestia's eyes widened in realization. "That piece of shit god! I'll kill him!"

Riveria asked, "What do you mean? Please explain."

Sora: "Don't worry about him, Hestia—I've already dealt with him. You see, most gods or goddesses would have unsealed the spirit's seal, allowing Ais to live a normal life. But that bastard saw an opportunity. The longer the seal lasted, the more Ais's body and soul absorbed the contracted wind spirit's power to function. This granted her immense combat prowess and accelerated leveling—but at a cost. Ais is only fourteen yet already Level 5. However, the continuous absorption drains the spirit's power faster than it can replenish itself in its slumbering state. Eventually, the spirit will die out entirely, taking Ais's emotions and will with it. With each battle and level-up, the absorption worsens, making her increasingly unstable. That's why Ais grows more detached from emotions and willpower over time, driven solely by the instinct to fight and fulfill her goal of killing the Black Dragon. Loki wanted his personal, beautiful, and powerful adventure doll."