Chapter 86 - Demeter’s Invitation

There was a long silence.

"So…"

"Raven, would you like to join my Familia?" Demeter asked softly, gently stroking his head with a smile.

Faced with an invitation from this voluptuous goddess—

If Raven had met her on his very first day after being transported to this world,

he might have seriously considered it.

But…

Now that Goddess Hestia already had a place in his heart,

there was no way he could betray her.

"I'm sorry… I don't want to abandon Goddess Hestia."

Without hesitation, Raven politely but firmly declined Demeter's offer.

"I see… That's fine, then."

Her reaction wasn't one of surprise.

It was almost as if she had expected this all along.

Her eyes curved gently as she continued to affectionately pat his head—

like a mother lovingly caressing her own child.

Her touch was skilled, warm… and full of tenderness.

Raven couldn't help but be enchanted by it.

Demeter radiated such a gentle and soothing presence, it calmed him to the core.

With his head nestled in that soft warmth, Raven began to feel drowsy.

"My, my… tired already?"

"Mm…"

"Then why not come nap in my room? I have a waterbed—super comfy~"

Demeter's eyes sparkled with mischief, her smile carrying a deeper implication.

Wait…

What was this situation again?

Was she inviting him to sleep… on her bed?!

Actually…

That didn't sound so bad…

But—

He suddenly remembered his appointment with Airmid tonight.

Snapping back to reality, Raven quickly sat upright, shaking off the drowsiness.

"Um… Lady Demeter, it's getting late. I should head back."

"Oh my~ Not going to stay and sleep?"

Raven gently pulled away from her voluptuous embrace.

"Maybe next time, I'll come try out that famous waterbed of yours."

"Fufu~ You're welcome anytime~"

Demeter's smile lingered, her voice tender and kind.

To be honest—

Raven's rapid rise had genuinely piqued the goddess's interest.

Leaving the House of Harvest, Raven headed straight toward North Street.

"Lady Demeter really is quite wonderful…"

He recalled how, in the original story, she was used and manipulated by Dionysus.

His eyes flickered with thought.

When the time comes… I'll make sure to save her.

…

"Miss Airmid, you're early?"

Raven's eyes scanned over the poised and graceful Airmid.

"Not at all, I just arrived as well."

Standing with her back straight, hands delicately folded in front of her,

Airmid had changed out of her usual Familia uniform.

Tonight, she wore a pure white one-piece dress.

Her collarbones were elegantly exposed,

and her long, shapely legs accentuated her mature charm.

The exposed skin was so fair and smooth, it almost glowed.

"You look beautiful tonight."

Unable to resist, Raven gave her a sincere compliment.

"N-Not really…"

Airmid looked away, cheeks lightly flushed with pink.

"Shall we go then? What's the plan?"

Her rosy lips parted slightly.

"Let's have dinner first."

"Alright… Where to?"

"South Street. The entertainment district."

Raven blinked for a moment, and Riveria from the Nine Hell suddenly came to mind.

I wonder how Riveria and Ais are doing on their expedition right now…

According to the timeline from the original story,

they should be around the 50th floor of the dungeon by now.

Since Raven hadn't disrupted too many key events—

Most of the story was still proceeding as it did in canon.

That said—

He fully intended to rewrite the future of the Loki Familia's expedition arc.

In the original story—

When they reached the 60th floor, Ais was devoured by a corrupted spirit,

causing the entire expedition to fall apart.

Now that he was here—

Raven wouldn't allow something like that to happen again.

"Raven?"

Airmid gently raised a delicate brow, softly calling out to him.

Snapping out of his thoughts, he replied,

"Oh—sorry. Let's go."

"Oh, and just call me Raven from now on."

"Okay."

A warm smile appeared on Airmid's face.

"Then… you should call me by my name too."

"Airmid Telsanares?" Raven teased with a faint smirk.

"It's just Airmid."

Watching her puff her cheeks slightly in protest, Raven chuckled aloud.

"Honestly, Airmid, you're really adorable."

"A-Am I?"

"You're also… really handsome."

This was her first time going on a date with a guy,

so naturally, Airmid was a little flustered.

"Oh, and Raven—congratulations on your divine title."

"Heavenly Demon Lord…"

"It sounds… kinda terrifying, doesn't it?"

She awkwardly tried to change the subject, clearly still nervous.

"Haha, is that so?"

"Are you afraid of me, then?"

Hands behind his head, Raven casually glanced her way.

Airmid looked straight ahead, her voice soft and clear like water.

"No."

"You're… the kind of guy people feel safe around."

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