Bab 31: Loki Familia Executive Meeting

On a narrow plot of land stands a large building with a flag adorned with a cute clown motif fluttering in the wind.

Several tall towers overlap and support each other, with the central tower being the tallest. This is the headquarters of Loki Familia, commonly known as Twilight Manor.

"You're not lying, right? Tiona, you're not joking about this? Aiz is in love? It's hard to believe."

In one of the women's dormitory rooms, the speaker is an Elf with jade-colored hair tied in a ponytail down to her waist.

She is Riveria Ljos Alf, one of the three senior executives of Loki Familia and also the vice-captain, a Level 6 adventurer with the alias Nine Hell.

Sitting across from her is Tiona, who is telling her surprising news.

"I knew you wouldn't believe it. I wouldn't believe it myself if I wasn't there. Riveria, have you ever seen Aiz blush in front of a man?"

"Never. Aiz is not good at expressing her feelings."

"At that moment, Aiz was fixated on that man! She even took the initiative to introduce herself to him!"

"It's hard to believe... It's impossible for Aiz to do something like that."

Having raised Aiz since childhood, Riveria knows her well. She thinks everything Tiona is saying is too far-fetched.

"Believe me, what I'm saying is true! Aiz seems to like that man!" Tiona insists, trying to convince her that she's not lying.

"Charlie Avalon huh... A new member of the Aphrodite Familia." Riveria furrows her brow.

According to Tiona, Charlie was seen walking alongside Aphrodite. That's why she concluded that he was a member of the Aphrodite Familia.

If that's the case, Riveria won't allow Aiz to get close to Charlie.

The Elf race highly values honor and morality. In her eyes, not a single member of the Beauty Goddess Familia has morals. They have been corrupted by the Beauty Goddess.

Having treated Aiz as her own daughter, Riveria will not allow her to associate with Charlie no matter what.

"I need to confirm this directly with Aiz."

Unable to ignore Tiona's words, Riveria intends to go to Aiz's room. But when she opens the door, she finds a woman with cat ears and a tail standing in front of her room.

The Cat People is named Anakitty Autumn, or often called Aki. A Level 4 adventurer with the alias Alkat.

"Aki, what are you doing?"

"Sorry to disturb you late at night, Riveria-sama. Captain Finn asked me to call you to his office. Oh, Tiona too."

Aki adds after seeing Tiona behind Riveria.

"Eh? I'm also called? The captain doesn't usually call us late at night. Maybe he's asking about the preparations for the expedition three days from now?"

"Stop guessing, we'll find out when we get there. Thank you, Aki."

"See you, Aki."

Then, Riveria and Tiona walk together to the office located in the tallest tower.

"Captain, we're here~"

Without knocking, Tiona enters the room cheerfully.

"Wow, turns out it's not just me and Riveria who are called."

She is surprised to see several people already waiting in the room.

Aiz Wallenstein sits on the sofa looking slightly dazed, her expressionless face making it difficult for others to know what she's thinking.

There is also a Werewolf with a grumpy expression as if everyone owes him money. His name is Bete Loga, a Level 5 adventurer and his alias is Vanargand.

An Amazoness whose facial features are 80% similar to Tiona, except her hair is left long and her chest size is larger than Tiona. She is Tiona's twin sister, Tione Hiryute, a Level 5 adventurer with the alias Jormungand.

A short, old man with a thick beard and muscles, showing typical Dwarf characteristics. His name is Gareth Landrock, a Level 6 adventurer with the alias Elgarm.

Lastly, sitting in the main seat, a short man with long messy blonde hair and blue eyes with bright skin color. He may look like a 10-year-old child, but in fact, he is 40 years old. The reason he looks like a child is that he is a Pallum race. His name is Finn Deimne, the captain of Loki Familia, a Level 6 adventurer with the alias Braver.

Everyone present is an executive of Loki Familia.

"Sorry for calling you all while you were resting."

Seeing Riveria and Tiona arrive, Finn apologizes with a gentle smile.

"Tch, I hope this is not something trivial."

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Bete crosses his legs and looks like a troublemaker.

"Bete! Watch your behavior in front of the captain!"

Finn is someone Tione likes, and she is annoyed by Bete's rude behavior.

"It's okay, Tione. Bete is always like this."

Finn raises his hand, stopping Tione who wants to punch Bete.

"Yes, captain~"

Tione's fierce demeanor disappears momentarily with just one command from Finn.

"So, what's the important matter that you gathered us all for without waiting until tomorrow?" Gareth asks curiously.

Under everyone's gaze, Finn stops smiling and puts on a serious expression.

"This evening, there was a newcomer from outside who caused a stir in Orario."

Riveria and Tiona exchange glances, vaguely guessing the identity of the newcomer being referred to.

"Oh, what kind of person can cause a sensation?" Gareth asks, stroking his thick beard.

Orario is the center of the world, no wonder every day there are always newcomers coming to join the Familia.

"According to reports, it's a young man around 16 to 17 years old, he came with Aphrodite-sama."

"Tch, most likely just a handsome man picked up by Aphrodite outside Orario. That's not important at all. If that's all, I'm not interested in hearing about it."

Hearing that, Bete loses interest, stands up, and prepares to leave the room.

"Everyone outside the gate saw him arrive flying." Finn casually remarks.

Bete's footsteps stop.

"Flying?!"

"Is that true?"

"As far as I know, only Asfi from the Hermes Familia can fly."

Gareth, Riveria, and the others are surprised to hear this information. Only Aiz seems unfocused as she recalls Charlie in her mind.

"This is annoying."

Abandoning his intention, Bete sits back on the sofa, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Mhmhhh... Captain, is the young man named Charlie Avalon?"

Raising her hand, Tiona hesitantly asks.

"How do you know his name, Tiona?"

Finn and the others look at Tiona in surprise.

"Charlie Avalon..."

Aiz reacts upon hearing that name.

"In fact, I and Aiz met him on the street when buying jagamarukun. It wasn't me who asked for his name, but it was Aiz."

"Is that true, Aiz?"

Finn and the others' reactions are greater than before. Especially Bete, who likes Aiz.

"Mm." Aiz nods.

"Ahem, let's set this aside. There is a more important issue regarding Charlie Avalon. Can you guess which Familia he is from?"

Setting aside his curiosity about Aiz's abnormal behavior, Finn addresses the main topic.

"Isn't it obvious? He's under Aphrodite, so he must be a member of the Aphrodite Familia." Bete says loudly.

"Hmmm... Because you asked this, does that mean he's not a member of the Aphrodite Familia?" Riveria realizes the meaning behind the question.

"As expected of you, Riveria. You guessed correctly. Charlie Avalon is a member of the Hera Familia." Finn says seriously.

"..."

The revelation surprises everyone present.

The Hera Familia, the strongest Familia alongside the Zeus Familia for nearly a thousand years. If it weren't for the failed expedition against the One Eyed Black Dragon, it wouldn't be Loki Familia and Freya Familia's turn to rule Orario.

All the executives of Loki Familia personally participated in the expulsion of the Hera Familia and Zeus Familia. That's why everyone's reaction is too exaggerated.

"Does this mean the Hera Familia has returned to Orario?" Gareth asks in a deep voice.

"No, according to Aphrodite-sama, Charlie Avalon has a Skill that allows him to update his status independently. He came to Orario without his goddess accompanying him." Finn explains.

"Is there such a Skill?" Tione is incredulous.

"It's possible. It's likely a Skill inherent to Charlie Avalon after Hera-sama bestowed him with Falna." Riveria answers calmly.

"The topic of this meeting is how we should treat Charlie Avalon. On paper, the Hera Familia and Loki Familia are enemies due to past events." Finn asks everyone.

"What level is he?"

"Level 1."

"Then there's no problem. He's just a weakling, not worth paying attention to. Let's ignore him, if he dares to cause trouble, I'll beat him to death."

Knowing the other party's level, Bete doesn't consider them in his eyes.

"Although Bete's words are harsh, I agree with him. Charlie Avalon is only Level 1, he can't do anything to Loki Familia. On the contrary, if we do something to him, people will look down on us for oppressing weak adventurers." Gareth says casually.

"Does anyone have a different opinion?"

"..."

Seeing everyone agreeing, Finn concludes this topic.

"Our approach to Charlie Avalon is to ignore him. As long as he doesn't cause trouble for us, we won't do anything to him."

Everyone agrees with this decision. Then, they all disperse.

"Aiz, wait. There's something I want to talk to you about."

"???"

"Follow me."

Aiz obediently follows Riveria to her room.

The topic of conversation is somewhat sensitive. Riveria doesn't want anyone else to know about it. Especially if Bete finds out, he might rush to meet Charlie and start a fight.