Riegel bears a somewhat similar feature to Ais.
In essence, there's a faint translucent light in their eyes.
Despite Riegel's purely black eyes, starkly different from Ais's captivating golden gaze, others couldn't see any resemblance. But as they looked at each other like this, if a third party observed, they would find that their eyes were strikingly similar.
All possess a subtle transparent brilliance.
They all carry an air of indifference.
And... a determination not easily detected by outsiders.
As involved parties, Riegel and Ais were stunned as they locked eyes.
Because they also discovered the striking similarity in each other's eyes, creating a momentary déjà vu as if they were seeing someone else and their own eyes reflected in a mirror.
This déjà vu sensation kept them both inexplicably gazing at each other, as if they had forgotten others around them, unable to look away or speak for a long time.
In the end, Riegel was the first to break this strange state. Under Ais's gaze, he nodded and paid respect to the other party. Then he turned around and helped carry the items brought back by the expedition team.
Ais looked at Riegel like this, her translucent golden eyes flickering slightly.
"Miss Ais?"
A sudden voice awakened Ais.
It was an Elf girl standing behind Ais, more like a follower than a companion.
The elf girl tied her long camellia-colored hair into a long ponytail hanging down her back. Her ears, as thin as leaves, protruded from the hair on both sides of her face.
"Lefiya..."
After reacting, Ais unconsciously called the elf girl's name.
"Yes." Lefiya nodded repeatedly but asked with a hint of fear and confusion, "What did you see?"
"I..." Ais was about to answer but was interrupted by another girl who jumped onto her back.
"I saw it!"
The lively voice belonged to Tiona, an Amazoness of the same age as Ais and an executive of the Loki Familia, a Level 5 first-class adventurer.
"Ais just saw that guy! Hehehe!" Tiona teased first, then looked towards Riegel with hesitation and said, "Who is that guy? Seems like I've never seen him before."
"Idiot." Tione seemed interested in the topic. She folded her arms, glanced at the busy Riegel, and said uninterestedly, "Because he's someone we've never met, a newcomer who just joined."
"But he helped move the goods." Lefiya held her staff and couldn't help but glance at Riegel, whispering, "Because he helped, and he's still in our base camp, is he a newcomer?"
"That's right!" Tiona said with a suddenly realized expression, "The newcomer is still a guy. Loki hasn't recruited a new male member for who knows how long."
"Don't you know Loki's preferences? What she likes most is cute and pretty girls, okay?" Tione pursed her lips and said, "On the other hand, Ais, are you actually paying attention to the new member?"
Lefiya next to her suddenly nodded enthusiastically, giving Riegel a somewhat stern look for some reason.
Ais didn't notice it; she just remained silent under the continuous verbal attacks from everyone, while her eyes continued to gaze at Riegel's back, unaware of what she was thinking.
This appearance made the twin Amazoness sisters exchange glances.
"This is the first time I've seen Ais like this." Tione was surprised and sneered, "Could it be that our doll-like princess has finally reached this age?"
"How delightful it would be if everyone knew?" Tiona said innocently, "Especially Loki and Bete, hehe."
Tiona's voice successfully drew the interest of those present.
"Hey, stupid Amazoness, what's your plan for me again?"
The Werewolf youth, Bete, glared at Tiona.
"Just a little!" Tiona stuck her tongue out at him and said, "If I don't tell you, I'll make you depressed to death, hum!"
"This stupid Amazoness..." Bete suddenly looked unhappy.
Just as they were about to quarrel, Garetg separated from Finn and Loki, who were talking, and shouted to everyone.
"Stop fooling around, get in and bathe, then sleep. There's someone waiting behind you to use the bathroom!"
The leader's scolding made everyone stop and quickly enter the tower, taking the time to clean up and rest.
Only Ais remained standing there, causing Riveria to slowly approach.
"What's wrong?"
She spoke seriously, but her gaze on Ais was gentler than on others. It seemed like she wasn't looking at a junior from the Familia but more like she was looking at her own daughter.
"...Nothing."
Ais chose not to express her feelings; she also didn't look at Riegel, who was busy again. After answering briefly, she turned around and left.
Riveria looked at Ais's back with a hint of tenderness in her eyes, then shifted her gaze to Riegel.
"The newcomer...?"
Riveria pondered.
No one knew that everything happening here was being observed by her.
"Did you spot that man's presence so quickly?"
Loki observed calmly but felt an inexplicable joy in her heart.
"Loki?"
Finn, who was talking to Loki, looked at her as she suddenly fell silent and called her.
"Sorry, sorry, my attention was diverted for a while." Loki regained awareness, smiled broadly, and said, "Handle your own affairs first, have a good rest, and discuss other matters tonight."
"Okay." Finn nodded and said, "Then I'll go in first, and I'll take care of the loot tomorrow."
"Go ahead." Loki waved her hand and dismissed the leader and her first child.
After all the expedition members entered the base camp, Loki grinned and shouted at Riegel.
"Kid, come back this evening and don't cause too much trouble!"
The shout from behind made Riegel pause for a moment.
He knew that Loki was preparing to fulfill her promise from last night and introduce him to the "teacher."
"I know."
Riegel could only suppress a few thoughts in his heart and cancel his plan to descend a few more floors in the dungeon today.
...
Time always passes very quickly.
As the day begins to darken again, Orario once again welcomes adventurers who have safely returned from the dungeon and civilians who have completed their daily tasks.
It seems that only at this moment do people blend without considering status or racial differences, filling the streets with a lively and relaxed atmosphere.
And undoubtedly, this atmosphere is strongest in the Twilight Mansion right now.
Perhaps because the expedition members have returned, the Loki Familia has become more lively compared to two days ago, and the atmosphere is very active.
Initially, at this time, the Familia should start reaping the rewards after the expedition.
Although Finn, the captain, considered the hard work of the expedition and the well-being of the Familia members, he decided to handle the loot tomorrow, but it's only natural to deal with things other than loot at the moment.
For example, many Familia members are eager to find Loki to improve their skills, to see how much they've grown during this expedition, and whether they can accumulate valuable experience points for advancement.
Unfortunately, Loki seems to be in no mood to handle that matter today, displaying her whims as a god and postponing the task of updating abilities.
"Let's talk in two days!"
Loki just said this to the powerless Familia members who had to comply.
Fortunately, after the expedition, the next primary task for the Familia is dealing with the loot. There are only a few other tasks that need to be completed, so everyone has some rare free time before the next expedition, with many not in a hurry.
In such a situation, a group of leaders and Familia members gathered.
"It seems everyone has rested well. I'm relieved."
Loki observed the mental state of the first-class adventurers in the Familia and nodded satisfactorily.
In this regard, Bete seemed slightly unhappy.
"What's actually happening? You suddenly called all of us here!"
Bete seemed to complain about disrupting his schedule, but his eyes kept glancing at Ais's side, and his tail wagged, proving that he had a dual attitude.
"Actually, calling all of us here together is very rare."
Tiona held one of Ais's arms affectionately, secretly making Bete jealous.
"I thought you would only ask the captain and the others to come and talk." When Tione said this, she changed her tone and said, "I don't care, as long as the captain is there, I'll be there."
Regarding the bold statement from the Amazoness sister, Finn could only look helpless.
Riveria also shook her head and sat beside Ais, waiting for Loki to speak.
"What happened that made you call all the members here?"
Gareth stroked his long beard, looked at Loki, and asked.
Among the audience, only Ais remained motionless from start to finish, sitting silently.
In this manner, Loki placed her hands on her hips and spoke with a proud expression on her face.
"Don't worry." Loki said, "I just want to introduce a restless troublemaker to everyone."
As these words came out, everyone was surprised.
"Introduction?"
Suddenly, everyone became even more confused.
Who allowed the shadowy goddess to take it so seriously and gather all the members and leaders?
They all became curious.
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