"Ahahaha… this is interesting. What a show,"
After Arthas's successful kiss and departure, a red-haired woman with narrowed eyes from the Loki Familia poured herself a drink, speaking in a strange dialect.
"Usually, it's Ais-chan being confessed to in public. This time, it's Riveria-chan. Surprising."
"Goddess-sama, that doesn't make me feel any better,"
Riveria Ljos Alf sighed helplessly, looking at her mischievous Goddess.
The red-haired woman with narrowed eyes was Loki, the Goddess leading one of Orario's largest and strongest Familias.
"Well, being confessed to should be a happy thing. It shows Riveria-chan's charm hasn't faded,"
Loki said with a chuckle, downing a drink, then showing a strange expression.
"That kid… he's Hestia's Familia member? Hestia, that idiot, actually found a Familia member? Surprising."
Muttering to herself, she seemed to make a decision, raising her glass towards Riveria Ljos Alf.
"That's settled, Riveria. Accept his confession, play with his feelings, make him completely devoted, dependent on you, then spectacularly dump him!"
"Goddess-sama, please! What are you saying?!"
Riveria Ljos Alf looked exasperated. Was this another leftover problem from the God Realm? Why use such a shameful method for revenge?!
Playing with someone's feelings… Even as a joke, Goddess-sama, that's too much!
"Hey, Bete's gone, how long are you planning to stay on the floor?"
As Loki caused a commotion at the table, someone noticed Bete hadn't gotten up.
Even if he'd passed out from drinking and anger, he shouldn't be lying there for so long.
The Loki Familia member reached to help Bete, but recoiled instantly from the piercing cold.
"What's wrong with Bete?"
A young-looking boy from the Loki Familia asked. Though appearing young, he was the Familia's leader, sharp and perceptive.
His age was far greater than his appearance; despite his youthful looks, he was over forty.
"Captain Finn… Bete… Bete is freezing cold!"
The adventurer stammered. A simple touch felt like being frozen solid; the chill hadn't subsided.
"Hmm… what's going on?"
Loki, the Goddess, stopped drinking and examined Bete.
The beastman lay unconscious, his face terrifyingly pale, covered in a thin layer of frost.
Loki frowned, touching Bete's hand. The frost spread like a venomous snake, and she quickly withdrew her hand.
"Magic… ice magic!"
Riveria Ljos Alf, recognizing the situation, frowned and immediately cast a healing spell.
"Wh… why isn't it working?!"
To her surprise, her magic was ineffective. The healing magic vanished upon contact, as if absorbed.
"Don't act rashly, Riveria Ljos Alf. This magic is strange; it absorbs mana to grow stronger!"
"What… when did Bete get hit?!"
The Loki Familia members were confused. Their expedition hadn't encountered any ice-type enemies, and Bete hadn't fought any powerful ice mages.
Could an ice mage secretly attack Bete in front of so many powerful Level 5 adventurers in Orario?
As the Loki Familia members were at a loss, Riveria Ljos Alf noticed Ais Wallenstein was gone.
Where did Ais go? Could it be…
Riveria Ljos Alf remembered that only Arthas, who had slapped Bete, had the opportunity to attack him.
How… she hadn't sensed any mana fluctuations, and… Arthas was indeed Level 1.
Even a genius Level 1 couldn't harm a Level 5 like Bete.
Regardless… Ais must have discovered something; otherwise, she wouldn't have left silently. Let's find Ais first.
Riveria Ljos Alf silently stood up to leave.
"Wait, Riveria Ljos Alf, where are you going?"
"To find Ais. She might have discovered something."
Riveria Ljos Alf said, and everyone noticed Ais Wallenstein's absence.
"Wait, I'll come with you. Watch Bete; don't move him!"
Instructing her Familia members, Loki followed Riveria Ljos Alf out of the tavern.
They might not know what happened, only that Bete had been attacked, but Loki saw a familiar shadow in the frost on Bete—someone who shouldn't exist in Orario.
"How… this shouldn't be…"
Chasing after Riveria Ljos Alf, Loki looked at her hand; a thin layer of frost was slowly spreading across her fingertips.
Only one Goddess in the God Realm could do this—the Goddess of Ice and Snow, Freya.
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