Returning to Base

As Althea anxiously checked on Ais, her sister's unconscious form lying on the ground, she was unaware of Riveria's attentive gaze.

The seasoned adventurer had been watching the entire battle unfold, and the sight of the two young girls effortlessly dispatching the horde of goblins left her stunned.

The sight of the two young adventurers effortlessly dispatching the horde of goblins had shaken Riveria to her core. It defied her expectations and challenged her preconceived notions about their capabilities. She had underestimated them, and now she had to reflect on that fact.

"I never expected them to handle the goblins with such ease," Riveria mused to herself, her voice filled with a mix of shock and admiration. "These children are far more capable than I gave them credit for. They've come a long way."

Shaking off her astonishment, Riveria approached Althea, who had finished her examination of Ais. Concern etched across her face, Riveria inquired, "How is Ais? Is she alright?"

Althea, always one to add a touch of playfulness to her words, replied calmly, "Oh, Ais is just taking a little nap, courtesy of the goblin encounter. Don't worry, she'll wake up in time for dinner."

Riveria nodded, understanding the lighthearted tone in Althea's voice. She trusted that Althea would take care of her fellow adventurer. However, her attention was momentarily diverted when Althea handed her an object—a small tooth.

Confusion crossed Riveria's face as she examined the tooth in her hand, unsure of its significance. "Whose tooth is this?" she questioned, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of bewilderment.

Althea couldn't help but smugly smile as she pointed towards Ais, who lay unconscious on the ground. "Oh, that tooth? It belongs to our dear Ais, courtesy of one very persistent goblin. Looks like she really knows how to leave a lasting impression!"

Surprised by the revelation, Riveria's usual calm demeanor momentarily faltered. However, she quickly regained her composure, her voice steady as she responded, "I see. Ais never ceases to amaze me with her tenacity, even in battle. Let's ensure she receives the proper care she needs."

With that, Riveria gently picked up the unconscious Ais and carried her on her back, securing her in a comfortable position.

The weight of responsibility settled upon her shoulders as she prepared to bring the two young adventurers back to the surface, away from the dangers of the dungeon.

Walking together in the direction of their Familia's base, the duo embarked on the familiar path. Althea's steps were filled with a renewed determination, while Riveria's steady presence offered solace and support.

They knew that, as members of the Loki Familia, they would face many more trials and adventures together.

----------------------------------------

"Gyahahahahaha!"

The boisterous laughter of Loki, the goddess of the Familia, echoed through the captain's office as she held the cute little baby tooth in her hand. She couldn't contain her amusement at the sight of Ais losing a tooth.

"Ah, Ais, using so much strength that you lose a tooth. That's rich!" Loki exclaimed, her laughter punctuating her words. "Well, I suppose it makes sense for a seven-year-old girl like you."

Finn, the captain of the Loki Familia, smiled with chagrin from behind his desk. He watched as Loki rudely kicked her feet up onto his desk, still clutching her stomach from the excessive laughter.

Several minutes ago, Riveria had returned with Althea and Ais, bringing them to the captain's office so she could report on the children's remarkable performance in the dungeon.

However, when Loki heard about Ais losing a tooth, her curiosity got the better of her. She persistently asked if she could see it, which led to her current fit of laughter.

Ais, feeling a tinge of embarrassment, blushed and avoided making eye contact with anyone in the room.

On the other hand, Althea, growing annoyed with Loki's hysterical laughter, couldn't help but make a sarcastic comment. "Oh, Loki, your laughter is like music to my ears. So delightful."

Loki retorted, playfully mocking Althea. "Ah, Althea, always the queen of wit. I can't help but admire your sharp tongue."

Not one to back down, Althea shot back, her annoyance evident in her voice. "Well, I'm glad my sarcasm can brighten your day, Loki. Wouldn't want you to miss out on any laughter."

Unfazed by the banter, Loki turned her attention to Ais, her mischievous grin widening. "Come on, Ais, smile and say cheese! Let me see that cute little gap-toothed smile of yours."

"I don't want to," Ais replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Annoyed by Loki's insistence, Althea couldn't resist throwing a quip to defend her sister. "Oh, Loki, don't worry, we can arrange a private comedy show just for you. No charge."

Loki responded with a playful smirk. "Oh, Althea, always the jester. You never fail to entertain me."

Meanwhile, Ais, feeling uncomfortable with the attention on her, turned away and headed towards the door in silence. Observing her sister's discomfort, Althea quickly decided to follow suit and join Ais.

Their exit was swiftly halted by Loki, who blocked their path with a lecherous grin. "Leaving so soon? But the fun has just begun."

Ais spoke up firmly, "I'm leaving."

Althea agreed, her voice filled with determination. "Yeah, we're leaving."

"Not a chance! Gareth," Loki declared, snapping her fingers.

Gareth, the dwarf standing next to Finn, sighed and approached Ais and Althea. With surprising strength, he effortlessly lifted the two children as if they weighed nothing more than feathers.

Ais demanded to be let go, her voice tinged with defiance. "Put me down!"

Althea protested angrily, her frustration was evident. "Loki, this isn't funny anymore. Let us go!"

"Bwahahaha! I'm the goddess here!" Loki declared, watching with amusement as Ais and Althea squirmed in Gareth's grasp, desperately trying to escape.

Without wasting a moment, Loki launched her attack. In a calculated manner, she tickled Ais and Althea alternately, skillfully avoiding any perverted locations.

"~~~----Ngh?!" Ais reacted to Loki's sudden assault, a mixture of surprise and laughter escaping her.

Althea, caught between amusement and irritation, angrily protested about the places Loki was tickling her. "Loki, seriously?! Can we keep it PG, please?"

Loki, unfamiliar with the concept of PG, replied to Althea's words with confusion. "What does PG even mean? Anyway, Ais, open wide! Let's take a look of that adorable gap!"

Without hesitation, Loki continued her tickling assault, her fingers relentlessly attacking Ais and Althea's stomachs. Resistance was futile, and within seconds, the two sisters couldn't help but burst into exclamations of laughter.

"Sto- Gyahahaha! Stop it! Ahahaha!" Ais pleaded through her laughter, struggling to catch her breath.

"Hahahahaha! Why me!? Hahahaha!" Althea joined in, her laughter mixing with her inquiry as to why Loki was targeting her.

Meanwhile, Riveria placed a hand on her cheek, trying to hide her amusement, while Finn's familiar exasperation appeared on his face. The scene before them was a mixture of chaos and hilarity.

Ais and Althea blushed bright red, tears streaming down their eyes from the uncontrollable laughter. They obediently opened their mouths wide, allowing Loki to get a closer look.

Loki peered into Ais's mouth and noticed the gap where the upper molar next to her canine had fallen out, leaving her gums partially visible. Her eyes lit up with excitement and delight.

"Oh, what a precious little gap you have there!" Loki exclaimed gleefully, her voice filled with genuine delight. "I must cherish this tooth forever!"

After her guffaws had died down, Loki carefully wrapped the tooth in a scarf, treating it with an almost ceremonial reverence as if preparing it for the afterlife. Her mischievous antics momentarily replaced by a sense of solemnity, she held the scarf-wrapped tooth close to her heart.

Soon, the laughter subsided, and the room returned to a state of calm. Ais and Althea gradually composed themselves, their golden eyes burning with determination. With a shared understanding, they closed in on Loki with astonishing speed, launching a coordinated leg sweep.

""Hmph!!"" Ais and Althea shouted in unison as their legs swung in a synchronized motion, aimed directly at Loki.

"Gugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!" Loki's shriek echoed through the room as the swift and powerful kicks connected with both of her shins. Pain surged through her body, and she rolled on the floor, clutching her injured legs.

Witnessing the scene, Riveria and the others tried their best to suppress the headaches they felt coming on. The sheer force and fury behind Ais and Althea's kicks were enough to send tremors through the room.

"Really, Loki, must you provoke them like that?" Riveria chided, her voice tinged with both amusement and irritation.

Finn sighed as he rubs his temples. "This is going to be a headache to deal with."

Gareth simply shook his head, his expression a blend of resignation and slight amusement. "Goddesses and children... They certainly know how to keep things interesting."

Fueled by their anger, Ais and Althea paid no heed to Loki's writhing form on the floor. As their ears flushed red with fury, the two sisters left the room without so much as a second glance.

The air crackled with their determination, and it was clear their focus had shifted toward their next objective.