The Enchanting and Divine Encounters

After contemplating Loki's enigmatic words, Althea was left with a whirlwind of thoughts, her mind searching for meaning in the cryptic message.

The confusion lingered, but Loki's comforting hand on Althea's shoulders brought her back to the present moment.

"Nevertheless, everyone yearns for a brighter tomorrow. They strive with all their might to make it a reality," Loki calmly reassured, her voice carrying a glimmer of hope.

Althea furrowed her brow, attempting to unravel the layers of Loki's profound statement.

What did it truly mean for everyone to seek a better future?

How did it relate to the essence of children and the world they inhabited?

Before Althea could delve further into her thoughts, Loki's finger pointed towards a particular direction. She followed the gesture, her eyes drawn to a modest food stall.

The savory scent of potatoes wafted through the air as a young girl skillfully prepared the delectable treats.

The sign next to the stall proudly displayed the name "Jyaga Maru Kun" in ancient Koine script.

"Let everyone have delicious food so that they can smile! The bundle of joy that makes every mouth in the city water, Jyaga Maru Kun!... That's how the jingle goes, I believe," Loki exclaimed, reciting the jingle with a mischievous grin.

""Jyaga Maru Kun?"" Ais and Althea exchanged puzzled glances, unfamiliar with this recent addition to the city's culinary landscape.

"It appears to be a newcomer. You haven't heard of it, have you, Aisuu? Althy? Let's give it a try," Loki suggested, leading the sisters towards the stall with an air of anticipation.

After Loki placed her order, the tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked potatoes permeated the air.

In no time, three servings of Jyaga Maru Kun were handed over to Loki, who graciously exchanged a gold coin and expressed her gratitude.

With a warm smile, she passed two servings to the sisters, who eagerly accepted them, their eyes filled with wonder.

Althea scrutinized the flattened potato snack before her.

It boasted a crispy outer coating, expertly fried to perfection. The exterior retained its piping hot temperature, releasing an alluring fragrance of potato entwined with the scent of oil. Anticipation mounted as she held it in her hands.

Without hesitation, she took a resolute bite, and an explosion of flavors ignited her senses.

"---!!"

The taste burst forth, the harmonious blend of oil and potato dancing upon her taste buds. In sheer astonishment, her eyes widened, and an expression of pure delight adorned her face.

In that fleeting moment, Althea's heart was captivated by the irresistible charming taste of the delicious potato treat.

And thus, this humble encounter marked the young girl's initiation into the wondrous realm of Jyaga Maru Kun's irresistible delights.

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"So, how is it, you two? Do you like the taste?" Loki asked the two sisters, having bought them their third serving of Jyaga Maru Kun.

"This is the best food I've tasted so far!" Althea exclaimed. her mouth full as she enthusiastically devoured the potato pastry. Her small mouth made her resemble a squirrel nibbling on a treat.

Loki purchased one last puff for herself as they strolled into Central Park. Ais and Althea were familiar with this route, often using it as a shortcut.

With their potato treats finished, the two sisters looked around at the familiar scenery when suddenly...

"-I AM GANESHAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

""?!""

A deafeningly loud voice shattered the peaceful afternoon calm. Ais and Althea frantically scanned their surroundings, trying to locate the source of the booming voice.

Their attention was drawn to a crowd gathering on the east side of the plaza.

They observed the throng of people surrounding a vehicle much larger than a carriage, with a suspicious-looking God with an elephant face striking a pose atop it.

Strangely, as the lavishly decorated vehicle approached, the crowd erupted in cheers.

Ais and Althea, caught off guard by the spectacle, found themselves behaving rather suspiciously in their confusion.

"Ganesha, you idiot... Buying a whole float just to cheer up scared children? How much did that thing cost? He's a special kind of stupid," Loki muttered to herself, observing Ganesha's followers pulling the float with tears streaming down their faces, forcing smiles as they tried to maintain a long-term perspective.

Could their Familia's savings even cover something as extravagant as that? It seemed highly unlikely.

"What is that? Is it a monster?" Ais asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"No, Ais. It looks more like an overly dramatic circus act!" Althea replied, her eyes wide with bewilderment.

"Circus act?" Ais questioned, still trying to make sense of the unusual sight before them.

Though the sisters' confusion was understandable, Loki desperately tried to calm them down. She knew that Ais was on the verge of drawing her sword, but the goddess intervened just in time, preventing any hasty actions.

The majestic float, carrying the charismatic elephant deity, continued its enchanting dance around Babel, gradually drawing closer to the bewildered trio of Loki and the two sisters, who were still caught in the web of their confusion.

"---I! AM! GANESHAAAAAAA!!!--Hmm?!" Ganesha's booming voice echoed for the twenty-seventh time, until he suddenly caught sight of them and gracefully leaped off the float.

"Hup!"

""?!""

Ganesha's agile landing brought him before the two sisters and their goddess, accompanied by thunderous cheers from the surrounding crowd.

"Loki! Splendid work yesterday! I was utterly thrilled by the outcome! Allow me to express my deepest gratitude!" Ganesha exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with acknowledgment.

"Don't thank me. Direct your words of gratitude to Finn and the others. And perhaps find a less alarming location for your exuberance. You're unsettling Aisuu and Althy," Loki replied, her voice tinged with a touch of exasperation.

"Oh, so you two must be the fabled Doll Princess Duo, huh?!" Ganesha exclaimed with infectious enthusiasm, leaning down to observe the sisters.

Tall, muscular, and adorned with his distinctive elephant mask, Ganesha exuded a commanding presence.

Ais stood frozen in awe, while Althea's face lit up with enthusiasm as the fervent god flashed them a thumbs-up and a warm smile.

"I am Ganesha! Delighted to make your acquaintance!" Ganesha proclaimed with a vibrant energy.

"And I am Althea! Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ganesha!" Althea responded, her voice brimming with genuine enthusiasm.

"Muhahahaha~!" Ganesha's laughter filled the air, carrying a contagious joy as he listened to the young girl's wholehearted greeting.

With a graceful "hup," he gracefully hopped back onto the float, ready to resume his grand procession.

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As Ganesha and his entourage departed towards the Pleasure District, the sisters found themselves in the aftermath of the encounter, each processing the event in their own way.

"Alright, let's continue," Loki beckoned to the sisters, prompting them to follow. Together, they embarked on their journey through Central Park, the bustling surroundings enveloping them. But amidst the bustling crowd, fate had another encounter in store for them.

"Oh? Isn't that Loki?"

"Why, yes, it is. It's been quite some time."

Two goddesses who had recently departed from Babel crossed paths with Loki, their eyes lighting up with recognition.

"Oh? Fei-Fei! And Demeter!" Loki exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth and familiarity.

For Ais and Althea, it was their first encounter with these goddesses. One possessed short crimson hair, while the other boasted bouncy honey-colored locks. The former sported an eye patch over her right eye, adding a hint of mystery, while the latter's most notable feature was her generous bosom.

Curiosity sparked within Loki as she inquired, "What brings y'all here?"

"I'm on my way back to my shop, and Demeter is engaged in food distribution," the crimson-haired goddess explained.

"Hey, Loki. Are these children part of your Familia?" the voluptuous goddess inquired, her eyes shifting towards Ais and Althea.

"Indeed, they are! Allow me to introduce you! This here is Aisuu, and that one is Althy. They are our newest members, super rookies with a promising future ahead!" Loki introduced with enthusiasm, her words carrying a sense of pride. "Aisuu, Althy, meet Fei-Fei and Demeter!"

"Come on, Loki. At least tell them my actual name," the crimson-haired goddess interjected, a hint of playfulness in her voice.

Closing the distance, she directed her attention towards Althea. "You must be Althea Wallenstein, right? I've heard about you from Tsubaki."

Althea maintained her calm demeanor, meeting the goddess's gaze steadily. "And you're Hephaistos, correct? She also spoke of you," she replied, acknowledging the goddess's identity.

A glimmer of delight sparked in Hephaistos's crimson eyes. "Oh? So, you've heard about me? That's wonderful. Tsubaki mentioned that you possess a knack for striking deals."

With a sense of pride emanated from Loki, she interjected, "Of course, she does, Fei-Fei! Althy here is a remarkably witty and clever girl!"

Hephaistos nodded, acknowledging Althea's capabilities, and then turned her attention to Ais. "And you must be her sister, Ais Wallenstein, right?"

Ais, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, mustered a hesitant response. "Y-yes, that's correct."

Hephaistos smiled warmly and continued the conversation. "So, how's the sword that Tsubaki made for you?"

Ais's face lit up as she spoke with genuine enthusiasm. "The sword is amazing! It's incredibly light and durable. It has greatly improved my combat abilities."

"Fufu, that's good to hear," Hephaistos giggled lightly, pleased with the positive feedback.

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Meanwhile, Demeter examined the two sisters closely, seemingly intrigued by their reputation as the Doll Princess Duo and their exploits as adventurers.

"Althea Wallenstein... Ais Wallenstein... the Doll Princess Duo? You're..." Demeter's voice trailed off as she crouched down, studying the sisters intently.

Confusion began to cloud the sisters' minds when, suddenly, fwap — Demeter wrapped them both in a tight embrace.

""?!""

"Awwww, you two are so cuuute~! Even more beautiful than any doll!" Demeter exclaimed with genuine delight, her hug enveloping the sisters.

"Ah, yeah... D-Demeter? Aisuu and Althy are going to suffocate, so maybe... Wait, my energy's fading fast. At this rate, I'm gonna die!!" Loki protested, her voice strained as she struggled.

Caught between Demeter's ample bosom, Ais and Althea found themselves trapped and confused.

The situation overwhelmed Loki, causing her to stumble back with blood trickling from her mouth, rendering her unable to effectively intervene.

Hephaistos watched with a wry smile, enjoying the spectacle.

Despite their futile attempts to escape, Ais and Althea could only remain bewildered, trapped within the embrace of those voluptuous mountains.

"I'll bring you the next batch of vegetables and fruits, Loki, as thanks for always protecting the city," Demeter offered, her voice warm and appreciative.

"Oh, really? Thanks! Althy will appreciate those! But I don't know if Aisuu will like them," Loki responded gratefully.

"Is that so? Well, Ais, if you don't eat everything, you won't grow as big as your sister, you know?" Demeter teased, her words laced with affection.

"~~~~~?!" Ais uttered, taken aback by the comment.

Meanwhile, a muffled laugh escaped Althea, finding humor in the situation despite being smothered by Demeter's gigantic breasts.

'Gods are mysterious beings,' the thought echoed in the sisters' minds as the scent of nostalgia filled their nostrils, leaving them unable to resist.

So many unfamiliar gods—weird, strange, beautiful, affectionate—gathered here in Orario, the center of the world.

Through firsthand experience, the sisters learned the diverse and enchanting nature of the deusdea, forever shaping their understanding of this extraordinary realm.

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Concurrently, atop the highest floor of the towering structure, a silver-haired goddess sat in contemplation.

From her vantage point, she watched the golden-haired girls as they engaged with the other goddesses below.

"Oh my~ It seems Loki has acquired two new additions," the silver-haired goddess murmured, her voice laced with intrigue, as she elegantly raised a glass of wine to her lips.

As she observed the two girls, she saw beyond their physical appearances, delving into the depths of their souls. A smile formed on her enchanting face, reflecting a genuine interest.

"Oh, this one possesses a blindingly golden spirit... so sharp and radiant. And as for this one... her brilliance surpasses even that... Her soul brims with boundless potential..." she murmured softly, captivated by what she discovered.

However, the vermilion-haired goddess sensed the silver-haired deity's gaze and looked up, her narrow eyes narrowing even further. It was as if she was silently warning the alluring goddess that she was aware of her intentions.

'If you try anything funny, you won't get away with it,' the unspoken message seemed to convey.

"I suppose I won't be stealing them," the silver-haired goddess shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She smiled once again, acknowledging the presence of the goddess she had known for ages.

"Besides, I have no interest in mere swords," she remarked, taking another sip from her glass of exquisite wine. "Although... the other one does pique my interest."

With a tantalizing hint of mystery, the fifth goddess remained engrossed in her thoughts, contemplating the path that lay ahead.