Chapter 104: Deal Struck

"If we consider it from this angle, I don't think even Captain Finn would have much of an objection, right?"

Finn was silent for a moment.

Indeed, it was only natural for someone with that kind of talent to continue awakening special magic and skills. As long as those new abilities demonstrated exceptional potential, forming an alliance wouldn't be a loss at all.

"And Captain Finn, don't overlook my value."

"While my personal abilities aren't as rare as that Adventurer's, from a commercial standpoint, the Rune Stones I create will inevitably become essential items for many Familias in the future."

"As far as I know, Loki Familia has always been delving into the Dungeon. In that case, my Rune Stones should be quite useful, don't you think?"

Finn's eyelids twitched slightly. Having used Rune Stones himself, he knew perfectly well just how effective they were—perhaps even more so than "Level Boosting" in certain aspects. After all, magic like "Level Boosting" naturally came with limitations, but Rune Stones had none. Anyone could use them.

Moreover, the enhancement effects were incredibly powerful.

In Finn's mind, even if he couldn't acquire an Adventurer with "Level Boosting," securing a deal for Rune Stones was absolutely necessary.

"Also, Captain Finn, there's one thing you must confirm."

"We are Hestia Familia."

That sentence made Finn pause briefly. He then quickly glanced at Loki, who sat silently at the center, and gave a wry smile as he lowered his head.

Yes, the fact that they were Hestia Familia was something that needed to be clarified first.

'It's precisely because the other party is Lady Hestia that he made such a decision.'

'Loki must have already resolved to agree to every condition before we even got here.'

Finn understood that this deal wasn't particularly disadvantageous for their side—it just came with certain risks.

But with those risks came corresponding benefits for the Familia.

Although Hestia Familia would also have to pay a certain price, Finn knew that cost was practically negligible for them.

An exchange of intel and Rune Stones had catapulted Hestia Familia to a whole new level.

This deal was simply too cheap.

Still, Finn had to admit that the partner and the content of the deal were both extremely appropriate.

He looked up at the younger party before him.

Those crimson eyes held no emotion, as if everything had been sealed away deep inside.

'Looks like I really can't underestimate any new Adventurers.'

He'd been thoroughly outmaneuvered, and Finn had no way to vent his frustration.

But after swallowing that bitterness, he knew that from this point on, his Familia would begin to advance in great strides.

Realizing Finn had no intention to argue further, Loki lifted her head and glared unhappily at the smug little shorty sitting across from her.

"Shorty, go ahead and gloat all you want!"

She glanced at Hestia's child, and a pang of sourness welled up in her heart.

Just one outstanding kid, and all the fame she'd built up over the years had been snatched away in an instant.

And the person who finalized the deal in the end—was herself.

Loki couldn't bring herself to say anything. All she could admit was that the shorty's child was just too good.

"Guess I lost today."

Even as one of Orario's Twin Kings, Loki couldn't turn a blind eye to such a benefit—especially when the feast had already been placed right before her.

The scent was so tempting, she nearly drooled.

In the end, Loki couldn't resist. She opened her mouth and took the bait.

"Haha~ Well, what can I say? My Bell is just that exceptional!"

At this point, Hestia's pride was practically bursting—her nose seemed ready to tilt to the heavens.

Even though the outcome had been a win-win for both sides, everyone present knew who walked away with the real bargain.

From start to finish, Bell had taken full control of the negotiation.

He played each trump card so deftly that Loki was left reeling, ultimately forced to accept the meal served right to her lips.

And what did Bell pay in return as the orchestrator of this entire deal?

It was just intel on Sanjouno Haruhime—nothing his Familia could've acted on anyway.

The Rune Stone trade wasn't free, of course. Payment still had to be made. After all, Hephaestus was involved—there was no such thing as a free lunch.

So, in the end, Bell secured both stability for himself and sustainable growth for his Familia without truly sacrificing anything.

What Bell had lacked from the start wasn't the chance to become stronger—it was the time needed to build up that strength.

Now, he'd earned exactly what he needed: a stable environment for growth.

Loki was well aware of how exceptional Hestia's child was, but she no longer cared.

Aside from being completely outplayed and losing to the shorty, her Familia would definitely benefit greatly from this exchange.

Still, seeing that self-satisfied grin on the shorty's face made Loki itch with irritation.

So her gaze shifted to the shorty's child.

"Shorty, your kid hasn't been an Adventurer for long, right?"

"So what?"

"Hmph, so what, huh?"

Loki grinned slyly.

"Your child isn't still Lv. 1, is he?"

That line made Hestia's expression freeze for a moment—but she recovered almost instantly.

"You think just anyone can grow as fast as your Sword Princess?"

"Bell has been training hard, constantly pushing himself in the Dungeon. But no matter how much effort he puts in, there's only so much someone can grow in less than ten days."

"Besides, my Bell has a unique magic that lets him rapidly increase his 'Status'. So yes, he's still a developing, entry-level Adventurer."

"Or are you trying to tell me, Loki, that there's someone who can reach Lv. 2 in under a month?"

"If such a genius really existed, I'd love to meet them."

'Tch. Didn't take the bait.'

Loki had figured there was no way the shorty's kid had actually broken through the Lv. 1 barrier and reached Lv. 2.

After all, the record for the fastest level-up in Orario was still hers.

Leveling up to Lv. 2 within a month of becoming an Adventurer?

Even Loki didn't believe something so ridiculous.

The whole thing was just a bluff to shake the shorty—but unfortunately, she wasn't falling for it.

...

(60 Chapters Ahead)

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