"..."
His gaze lingered briefly on Loki-sama, and Bell's thoughts paused for a moment.
She was dressed in a crimson evening gown, her hair carefully styled and pinned up with a hairpin, and even her perpetually narrowed eyes were open. In this state, Loki-sama did look somewhat like a proper goddess.
"So, you dressed up so splendidly today just to go watch a show at the Grand Casino?"
"Is there a problem with that?"
Loki lifted her head proudly, without the slightest hint of guilt.
"Are you always this carefree?"
"Tch! Do my children really need me to fuss over them right now?"
"Ais still needs time to grow—she's nothing like you, you weirdo. Finn, Riveria, and Gareth aren't going to make much progress anytime soon either, and they've always been reliable. Even without me saying anything, they'll keep themselves in check."
"The others all started from nothing and grew step by step. Right now, they're just waiting for Evilus to make a move. What exactly do you expect me to do?"
Hearing Loki-sama's words, Bell finally understood.
Truthfully, the most driven member of Loki Familia was the 'Sword Princess.'
But now, because of a promise she made with her parents, the 'Sword Princess' had deliberately slowed her own growth, turning instead to help her companions improve their strength. With the most competitive one easing her pace, naturally the others slowed down as well.
The rest of Loki Familia each had their own talents and were walking different paths of growth.
Naturally, everyone adjusted their pace instead of just charging forward blindly.
"Since you're free, is that why Freya invited you along as a kind of restrictor?"
"What do you mean restrictor? Have you ever seen such a beautiful restrictor?"
As she spoke, Loki raised her head proudly, like a phoenix in full display.
To be honest, when it came to looks, most gods had stunning beauty, and Loki-sama was no exception. Her appearance was flawless—striking enough to leave anyone impressed.
Even Bell was no different.
"Loki-sama, your looks are absolutely perfect."
"See? I knew it!"
Bell's words made Loki's tail practically wag in delight.
As a deity, she might not have unshakable confidence in every area, but when it came to her appearance, she was definitely a beauty.
"But..."
"Stop! If you're about to mention my figure, shut up. I said face, not figure."
That single "but" immediately told Loki that whatever Bell was going to say next wouldn't be flattering.
Praise she could accept. Negative remarks, however, were outright rejected.
At that, Bell could only shake his head slightly.
"I'm not talking about your figure, but your aura."
"Aura?"
Loki looked down at her crimson gown. It was extremely expensive—shouldn't it at least help bring out her aura?
"Is there something wrong with my aura?"
"Well... how should I put it? Your aura doesn't really fit with this style of dress. I think masculine clothing would suit you better and bring out your aura more."
"...Damn it!"
Loki couldn't hold back and burst out.
He started by talking about "aura," yet somehow it still came back to "figure"?
"..."
"Loki-sama, it's almost time for our appointment."
"You... you're trying to drive me insane!"
Loki glared fiercely at Bell, his face full of calm certainty, while hers flushed bright red with anger. At a loss for words to retort, she could only shoot Bell another furious glare before turning away and stepping into the spatial rift behind them.
On the other side of the rift lay a secluded, quiet spot.
Parked just outside was a carriage.
The carriage itself was ordinary enough, but the one inside it was anything but.
"You've arrived."
As the rift opened and figures emerged, the person seated within turned her gaze toward them.
The Goddess of Beauty's smile remained, though a faint trace of disappointment flickered across it when she saw Loki step out first.
But when the figure behind appeared, the radiance in her smile returned in full.
Before she could speak, however, the carriage door swung open.
The one who entered wasn't Bell at the back, but Loki storming in ahead with a furious expression.
Bang!
"Go. Drive the carriage."
Still seething, Loki gave Bell no chance to speak, leaving him outside with nothing but the driver's seat.
Bell, left standing there, only shook his head slightly. He didn't really dislike Loki-sama's straightforward temper.
'Still, that gown really doesn't match her aura.'
He muttered the thought inwardly before climbing up to the coachman's seat.
Extending his senses, he quickly locked onto the Grand Casino, their destination for today.
Even before setting off, just by focusing on the casino's location, Bell could already feel the heavy, overwhelming desire radiating from that place.
'Casinos and the Pleasure District... never short of people looking to vent their desires.'
'Freya may have dragged me out here, but that place could actually serve as a practical testing ground.'
Bell had yet to put the "Seven Deadly Sins" skill to use in a real battle. If this place was suitable for trying it out, he didn't mind giving it a shot.
Inside the carriage, the two goddesses sat facing one another, their gazes locking.
As the carriage began to move, Freya shifted her eyes toward Loki sitting across from her, a touch of helplessness in her expression.
"Loki, do you really have to be so hot-headed?"
"That's because you don't know what that brat said about me!"
The memory of it still had Loki fuming.
What did he say? Freya instinctively glanced down, and then—yes, she could guess why Loki was so furious.
"...Damn it!"
Catching Freya's glance, Loki felt a wave of frustration.
Why did everyone always end up staring at her figure when she was angry?
Even if her figure wasn't as perfect as some other goddesses', it wasn't like she had nothing at all. It really made Loki feel as if the whole world was out to get her.
...
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