News that Loki intended to move against Evilus had already spread through their ranks that very same day.
"Is that so?"
Thanatos wasn't particularly surprised when he heard it.
Their repeated provocations had clearly pushed that woman over the edge.
Back in Tenkai, that madwoman's frenzy had been something no god wanted to witness—for at that time, Loki was truly the most deranged of them all.
So her reaction now wasn't strange in the least.
"Let her do as she pleases. Our situation in Orario is already at its limit. Cross that line, and it will be open war with Orario. But this isn't the right time to start one."
Thanatos was also aware of the matter concerning the Spirits.
To be honest, he found himself agreeing with Loki's reasoning. After all, no matter how vicious gods fought each other, they would never actually kill one of their own.
Even if they wanted to, they didn't have the power to make it happen.
'This smells like a ploy to sow discord.'
That was the first thought Thanatos had upon hearing the report. But the fact remained that they had lost contact with the Spirits' guardians, and that alone was troubling.
If it really was an emergency, the timing felt far too convenient.
And the break in communication had occurred before Ikelos's death, which made it all the more suspicious.
Thanatos also knew well that the Spirits had more than enough reason to do such a thing.
Their hatred of the gods spared no one. To them, it didn't matter which deity it was—so long as they were a god, vengeance would be exacted.
Their current alliance was nothing more than a temporary convenience.
It existed only because they shared a common enemy: the Familia Gods of Orario.
But the moment that premise shifted, allies would become enemies.
'...No, the Spirits cannot be trusted.'
'Whether this is Orario's scheme or not, the Spirits themselves are the true danger. If the premise wavers even a little, they'll turn on us immediately.'
He couldn't say for certain that the premise had already changed, but Thanatos felt it best to remain cautious.
And since Evilus as a whole had shown no reaction, the blame for the god-slaying fell squarely on their shoulders.
Of course, the sharper minds in Orario knew full well this likely wasn't Evilus's doing. In fact, they suspected it was far more in line with the accursed Spirits who despised the gods.
As for Evilus, they quietly shifted their previously ambiguous relationship with the Spirits, beginning instead to closely watch their movements.
In this climate, the whole of Orario seemed calm, like the still surface of a lake without the faintest ripple.
If anything, under the relentless flood of rumors and information, the city only grew quieter.
But what lay beneath that surface was anyone's guess.
Those who dared look deeper would see it clearly: beneath the calm waters lay a smoldering volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.
...
Noon.
At the corner of Daedalus Street, the Hostess of Fertility once again welcomed two goddesses.
"...Tch. What do you want now, you lovestruck fool?"
Loki sipped at her tea, half-lidded eyes fixed on Freya across the table.
"You're a little fiery today, Loki."
Freya, however, simply studied her with curiosity. Others might not have noticed, but she could sense it—today, Loki carried an unusual irritation.
"Whose fault do you think this is?"
"Huh? If you mean me, I don't recall causing you any trouble lately."
"...Forget it. It only has a little to do with you."
So it was that kid.
Freya, realizing the truth, couldn't help but grow curious.
But Loki had no intention of explaining—she was still caught up in her own mess of feelings about that boy.
"So, what do you want from me this time?"
"Of course, to reach that child through you."
"...I knew it."
Loki had already guessed before Freya even arrived, but hearing it outright still left her exasperated.
She had been agonizing over that kid herself, and now Freya expected her to be the bridge between them?
Irritation flared in Loki's chest, souring her entire expression.
"Why should I help you with that? It has nothing to do with me."
"...Ah~"
Freya clearly caught Loki's reaction, and her smile deepened just a little.
Most gods were mischief-seekers, and Freya was no exception.
As the goddess who governed "desire," she was keenly sensitive to emotions like this. She could clearly feel the "displeasure" hidden in Loki's words.
"You weren't like this before."
"Hah? I was always like this!"
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Loki's voice jumped a pitch higher.
But that only made Freya all the more interested.
"When you were upset before, you never shouted like this. You're like a cat—get startled, and all your fur stands on end."
The hell? You're comparing me to an animal now?
The vein on Loki's forehead throbbed violently, her irritation spiking even further.
"Bell."
Loki flinched, her gaze darting awkwardly from side to side.
That reaction wiped the smile from Freya's lips. She had only tested the waters by saying the boy's name, but Loki's sensitivity went far beyond what she expected.
"Loki... I never thought even you would be drawn to that child."
"W-Who! Who said that!"
She tried to drown it out with volume, but Freya could see through her panic better than anyone.
Freya kept her eyes fixed on Loki, staring so intently that Loki herself began to squirm before Freya finally sighed and looked away.
"I knew that child would attract the gods' attention, but I didn't expect even you to be pulled in."
The words grated on Loki's ears.
"But it's no wonder. That child really is exceptional."
Though she disliked admitting it, even Freya couldn't deny that the boy's brilliance naturally drew the eyes of the gods.
And with Loki having spent far more time with him than she had, it was inevitable she'd end up caught by his pull.
'Still not enough contact,' Freya thought with a quiet sigh.