Ottar's arrival successfully stopped the enraged Allen, bringing the battle to an end.
Under the latter's furious gaze, Eiji followed Ottar into the luxurious mansion and met with Freya.
"I'm surprised you came looking for me here."
Freya sat on a fur-lined sofa, watching Eiji with amusement.
"To avoid being discovered by your Familia members, haven't you always only sought me out at the Tower of Babel?"
That was true. Eiji had never once visited this mansion, known as the "Battle Wasteland."
Because this was the stronghold of the Freya Familia. As a member of the Loki Familia, it was inherently inappropriate for him to come here. If discovered, rumors of betraying his Familia would likely spread.
So even when he couldn't hold back, he would only go to the Tower of Babel to discuss the art of singing with Freya.
The Battle Wasteland? This was undoubtedly his first time here.
"This time, I want to borrow the strength of your Familia."
"Oh?"
"I want to level up quickly, so I'd like your Familia members to train me."
"Have you spoken to Loki about this?"
Freya arched her delicate brows, a captivating smile blooming on her enchanting face.
"No."
Eiji guiltily averted his eyes.
"Hehe, I'd love to see Loki's reaction when she finds out about our relationship."
Freya's face was full of mischief. "Fine, I can order Ottar and the others to train you. As for payment... you can offer yourself!"
She leaned forward, revealing a deep cleavage, her seductive gaze teasing Eiji's heart.
"No going back tonight."
"Such a good deal?"
Eiji immediately straightened with reverence.
The two shameless individuals quickly reached an agreement.
Under the murderous glares of the onlookers, Freya led Eiji into her room, and soon, high-pitched moaning could be heard.
Starting the next day, Eiji became a permanent fixture at the Freya Familia.
Fortunately, Eiji's addiction to leveling up was already well-known throughout the Loki Familia. As an executive, no one questioned his absence for days, so suspicions weren't raised.
...
Meanwhile, the Familia War between the Apollo Familia and the Hestia Familia proceeded smoothly.
Eiji didn't intervene directly but provided Bell with some subtle assistance behind the scenes. After a wave of commotion swept through Orario, the Familia War concluded with the Hestia Familia's victory.
"How boring. The Apollo Familia's captain and upper-tier adventurers all had urgent matters and didn't show up? That's just too convenient."
"This was the least interesting Familia War ever!"
But the gods were utterly disappointed.
None of the Apollo Familia's upper-tier adventurers, including the Level 3 Hyakinthos, appeared on the battlefield. Even with the siege-style format, they easily lost to the Hestia Familia, which outnumbered them several times over.
Many speculated that the Hestia Familia had used some underhanded tactics to secure the win. However, since the rules of the Familia War didn't prohibit such methods as long as they were within bounds, the gods couldn't complain.
Compared to that, they were more concerned about how the Hestia Familia had managed it. But when Bell was pressed for answers, he remained tight-lipped, refusing to explain even when his own goddess asked.
"Mr. Eiji, thank you so much!"
Once again at the Hostess of Fertility, Bell expressed his gratitude with utmost sincerity.
"No big deal. Just don't forget the condition you agreed to."
Eiji, draped in his cloak, gave him a meaningful look.
'How about handing over your goddess to me?'
He really wanted to say that, but after some thought, he reluctantly gave up.
He was a pure love warrior, after all—no NTR nonsense here.
What?
You say I didn't follow that rule when it came to White Spear Lady?
Sorry, who are you talking about? Do I know her?
"Really, you just want to take a look?"
Accompanying Bell was the red-haired young man Welf, who pulled out a magic sword with a puzzled expression.
It was something he had specially prepared for the Familia War. Due to recent events, he had abandoned his previous stubborn principles and was now willing to forge magic swords for his comrades.
But he still couldn't understand Eiji's request. After helping them so much, asking for a few custom-made magic swords wouldn't be excessive—so why just a look?
"Relax, that's all I'm asking for. No need to forge anything else for me."
Eiji reached out and ran his hand over the magic sword, sensing it carefully before handing it back to Welf with a casual air.
"If you ever forge an even better magic sword in the future, just let me see it again. Think of me as a magic sword enthusiast."
'What a strange guy.'
Welf was baffled.
But despite his confusion, he readily agreed.
The request was too easy. If it meant building a connection with Orario's top-tier adventurer, why not? Especially since Eiji had done them a favor.
After parting ways with the two, Eiji left the Hostess of Fertility.
"Hmm?"
On his way back to the Freya Familia, Eiji suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise.
"Am I being followed?"
His intuition told him the person tailing him was likely quite skilled—they had been following him since he left the tavern.
Was it because of the magic sword?
Unlikely. He hadn't taken it. If someone was after the sword, they should've targeted Bell and Welf instead.
After a moment of contemplation, Eiji abruptly changed direction and strode toward the Tower of Babel.
The pursuer quickly followed.
Soon, they all entered the Dungeon.
Once inside, Eiji didn't linger on the upper floors. With practiced ease, he made his way to the 12th floor.
"Come out."
Standing in the misty grasslands, Eiji turned around and cast a cold glance behind him.
"Hmph, so you did notice us after all."
A tall, striking beauty emerged from the mist.
Red hair, ample curves, tanned skin—an Amazon.
"Argana of the Kali Familia."
Eiji nodded in understanding. "You said 'us,' so you're not alone?"
"Me too."
Another beauty stepped out from the mist.
Red hair, exceptionally ample curves, tanned skin—an Amazon.
The sisters both fixed him with scorching gazes, each looking like they wanted to devour him whole. No doubt, they were just more admirers drawn in by his looks.
"Bache. Should've guessed it was you two."
Eiji shook his head. "No, I'm afraid it's not just the two of you, is it?"
As soon as he finished speaking, over a dozen figures emerged from the surrounding mist one after another.
Each of them wore extremely revealing clothing, their brown hands gripping various weapons, their faces filled with tension and hunger as they stared at him.
"I recognize you."
Eiji suddenly turned to look at a black-haired Amazon beside him.
"Aisha Belka, Level 3, with the title 'Beauty and the Brave.' You were among those who came to corner me last time. But aren't you a member of the Ishtar Familia?"