By now, Renjiro finally understood why both Freya and Loki considered Hephaestus the ultimate good person… or rather, good goddess.
I mean, look at her. Not only had she let her so-called bosom friend mooch off her home with free food and lodging for over three months, but even now, when that same friend had hit rock bottom outside, she couldn't bear to see her freezing and starving, so she lent her twenty thousand valis.
Honestly, if Hephaestus weren't worried about Hestia sinking further into a life of dependence, with zero concept of money and maximum laziness, she might've thrown a few million her way without a second thought.
After all, in the original future path, she even handed over the legendary Billion Valis Blade.
And as for that so-called IOU… Come on, who lends two hundred million without even setting a final repayment deadline?
"Feels like Hephaestus isn't so much Hestia's best friend as she is her mom."
"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing."
Renjiro (Aether) and Lumine shared the thought silently.
Not far away, Hestia was already skipping off happily with the coin purse, probably treating Hephaestus's 'Remember, this is the last time I'll help you' as nothing but background noise.
Last time, huh? Su~ure.
"Let's go too."
"Yeah, we've already wasted some time."
Shaking their heads, they left along with the other curious onlookers who had gathered for the spectacle.
Eating their Fried Potato Balls, the pair continued on toward their true destination, the Twilight Manor.
================
About ten minutes later…
"There it is."
Renjiro (Aether) murmured as the tall building came into view.
No wonder it was on par with Freya Familia. The scale of the Twilight Manor was in no way inferior to the Folkvangrs.
At its grand front gate, two human adventurers stood guard with long spears.
As the siblings approached,
"Please halt."
One guard raised his hand politely.
"This is the residence of the Loki Familia. Outsiders may not enter casually."
"If you have business here, or a prior appointment, please state your purpose."
Polite enough.
Renjiro (Aether) nodded, replying evenly:
"Please inform them that Aether and Lumine, siblings of the Freya Familia, have come to visit. We should count as having an appointment."
At once,
The two guards exchanged startled looks.
When they turned back,
"Aether and Lumine? You mean the Twin Stars who leveled up to Lv.2 in just a week?"
Hearing that,
"We'd appreciate your help."
Renjiro responded courteously. After all, he and Lumine would soon be joining their expedition team into the Dungeon's depths. Best to start off on good terms.
"Please wait a moment."
After a brief discussion, one guard stayed behind while the other hurried inside.
Before long, he returned.
"My apologies for the wait, honored guests. Loki-sama and the Captain have been expecting you in the meeting room. Please follow me."
"Much obliged."
Renjiro gave a small nod, then glanced at Lumine.
"Let's go."
"Mm."
To onlookers, they looked every bit the inseparable siblings. Both their bearing and appearance drew inevitable stares.
In fact, the guard still at the gate found his gaze lingering on Lumine's back long after they had disappeared inside.
"She's beautiful… just like Miss Ais."
================
The Twilight Manor, home of the Loki Familia, was essentially a grand castle.
Led by their escort, Renjiro (Aether) and Lumine reached the door of a guest meeting room near the top floor.
The man raised his hand to knock,
But a lively voice spilled through the door first.
"Eh? Why can't I go greet them? They leveled up to Lv.2 in just one week! I'm super curious, okay? Ais, you're curious too, right?"
Renjiro and Lumine exchanged a glance, while their escort gave them an apologetic smile.
As an adventurer of the Loki Familia, he knew exactly who was speaking inside.
And the reason she hadn't been allowed to greet them was… well…
"You idiot, Tiona! If you go blabbering like that, what if you give them a bad impression?"
A sharp elder sister's scolding followed.
"These are guests even the Captain holds in the highest regard. If you screw this up, I swear you'll regret it. Do you hear me?"
"Hmph. They're just a couple of newly minted Lv.2s. Do we really need all of us here?"
"Bete, don't you dare talk like that when they arrive."
"Tch."
"And Tiona, watch what you ask. Their secrets are likely Familia-classified."
"...Okay."
KNOCK KNOCK.
The escort decided he couldn't delay any longer. Who knew what other juicy comments would come next?
Instant silence.
Then,
"Come in."
The voice was calm, mature in tone, though still carrying a hint of youth.
"Excuse us."
The escort opened the door, stepping aside.
"Captain Finn, the honored guests have arrived."
"Thank you, Litch."
That steady youthful voice again.
"You may go."
"Yes, sir."
The escort left, signaling for Renjiro and Lumine to enter before quietly shutting the door behind them.
================
Inside,
"Oh, so you're the, "
DUANG!
A tan-skinned girl had barely stepped forward when a sharp flick to the forehead stopped her in her tracks.
The culprit? Another tan-skinned woman standing beside her.
Their faces bore a strong resemblance, clearly sisters.
From their appearance and build, unmistakably Amazons.
Though… when it came to figure, the difference between little sister and big sister was, well… extreme.
"Why'd you do that, Tione? That really hurt!"
The flat-chested Amazon rubbed her forehead, which had just endured a Lv.5 flick that would've exploded an ordinary skull like a watermelon.
Yet she only grimaced and complained:
"I was just trying to, mmph!"
Her big sister promptly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Ahahaha, my apologies, my little sister can be a bit rude."
Tione smiled awkwardly, her grip a little too firm as Tiona started rolling her eyes.
Meanwhile, a green-haired elven woman with regal bearing sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Utterly embarrassing.
Thankfully,
"It's fine, really. Our personalities are pretty laid-back too. No need to be so formal."
Renjiro (Aether) said with a slight twitch of his lips.
As for Lumine…
The moment she had stepped inside, another girl with golden hair and golden eyes had locked her gaze on her.
Unblinking.
Expressionless.
Almost too expressionless.
==========
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