Capítulo 64: [64] My Aiden is Mine!
This is why Loki is so confident; she's not afraid of Aiden refusing. As long as he still yearns for power, he'll waver sooner or later.
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Loki and Finn stepped out of the Twilight Manor.
At this hour, with the sun yet to rise, Orario was still asleep. The magical street lamps cast their glow, and only a few people dotted the streets... early risers among adventurers or those in the food industry. Bracing against the cool breeze, Loki yawned, "Hah... it's been a while since I woke up this early."
"Well, it's a kind of sincerity, isn't it?" Finn chuckled, holding three grimoires as they walked side by side.
They crossed the Northern Street and passed through Amor Square.
Before long, with the sunrise painting everything in golden hues, Loki and Finn arrived at the doorstep of Hestia Familia's residence.
"So, this is the new home of the chibi penniless goddess?" Loki smirked mockingly as they entered the courtyard.
"Right here." Finn pressed the doorbell.
At this moment, Aiden, who had just finished reading Golden Wind and was about to review Stardust Crusaders, had only recently fallen asleep. Even Hestia, who planned to start working today, was still in the embrace of slumber.
Five minutes passed, and still, there was no sign of anyone answering the door.
"Have they not woken up yet? The chibi penniless goddess is truly as lazy as ever." Loki couldn't resist her jabs at Hestia.
"Perhaps they celebrated their level up late last night and overslept." Finn speculated, silently grumbling that if it weren't for recruiting Aiden today, he wouldn't be up so early either.
Ten minutes later, still no response.
Fifteen minutes...
"It seems they're having a party..." Finn could only chuckle wryly, simultaneously halting Loki, who seemed about to shout.
*Ding-Dong* *Ding-Dong* *Ding-Dong* *Ding-Dong*
In her slumber, Hestia vaguely heard a sound... a crisp sound, a sound that rudely woke her from her dream. She rubbed her eyes, yawned, and slowly sat up, then glanced at the alarm clock on her bedside table. "Hah... who's that, so early? Is it someone from Hephaestus Familia delivering a sword?"
With that thought in mind, Hestia suppressed her drowsiness and lifted the blanket, getting out of bed to open the door.
Entering the living room, Hestia yawned and grumbled, "Hephaestus is really something, sending her children over so early. Even Aiden-kun hasn't woken up yet at this hour."
"Coming." A slow set of footsteps gradually approached.
Hestia opened the door, greeted by a figure even shorter than herself, a young boy with golden hair and a handsome face, carrying a stack of thick books... indeed, shorter than the 140cm chibi goddess.
"You... you are..." Hestia rubbed her eyes in disbelief as she looked at the young boy before her.
This young boy was none other than Finn, who smiled, "Hello, Hestia-sama."
"You... you are Finn, the Braver from Loki Familia? Hello." Hestia's drowsiness dissipated by half.
"Oh, it's the chibi penniless dwarf." Loki chimed in from the side, grinning slyly.
"Loki, what... what are you doing in my house?" Seeing the familiar figure towering over her, the vast plain of unwavering flatness, and the mocking Kansai accent, Hestia instantly snapped awake. She wrinkled her nose, clearly displeased.
"Is there a reason I can't come? Besides, I'm here to fulfill a bet. What's wrong? Not welcoming? If you're not, then we'll leave." Of course, Loki couldn't openly admit she was here to poach Aiden. She narrowed her long crimson eyes and taunted.
Mocked by Loki, Hestia's face contorted in irritation, but she stood her ground. She knew, without a doubt, that Loki was her enemy. From a long time ago, Loki had always targeted her.
The reason was simple. Hestia was well aware she possessed something Loki envied and resented... something Loki didn't have.
This was the irreconcilable class conflict between the haves and the have-nots.
Hestia glanced at Finn, who looked helpless beside her, holding the three books. As she fully woke up, her mind started to work. Fulfill the bet? It sounded nice, but essentially, it meant admitting defeat. It seemed Loki was aware of the news, but why did she come here? And why bring her captain along so early? Couldn't she just send a higher-level adventurer? It didn't make sense. There must be some conspiracy.
Hestia stared daggers at Loki, her mind racing. Then, she decided to play along, mimicking Loki's mocking tone as she smiled and said, "Oh, so you're here to pay up the bet? Looks like you also know Aiden-kun has leveled up. How about that? My first child has surpassed your so-called genius, Walen whatever."
Pausing for effect, Hestia continued, "You've worked hard, huh? Coming so early to deliver three grimoires. I was wondering if some shameless god would default on the bet."
Upon hearing Hestia's mocking words, Loki's expression changed, but she restrained herself and replied with a sly smile, "Oh? Who's the shameless god? I don't recall. Anyway, I've brought the bet early in the morning. Isn't that enough?"
"Well, you could have just given it directly to me, and I would've handed it to Aiden-kun." Hestia mimicked Loki's manner, with a smile.
The implication was clear: Give me the stuff, and you can leave. You're not welcome here.
"Oh, dear, we've brought the bet over so early in the morning, stood here for so long, and not even a glass of water. Some gods, perhaps accustomed to being poor, not only lack decent attire but also basic courtesy. This won't do. How can you lead the children as the core of your familia like this, Hestia?" Loki insinuated, fully aware of the situation. However, she wouldn't let Hestia have her way.
Hestia, who heard her answer, felt something was off, very off. Her expression shouldn't be like this, and why was she so eager to come in? Although her familia was indeed wealthy, ignoring three grimoires was unusual, especially since she lost to her Aiden. Even if she planned to default, she wouldn't be surprised. Something was definitely wrong.
Hmm... she must be plotting something.
'Could it be, could it be that she's trying to abduct Aiden-kun? Hmph, my Aiden won't be swayed by you.'
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