Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Is this Familia legit?

“Hum hum hum hum… Ais charcoal, as energetic as ever with her sword practice~ Let me sneak over there…”

The two had just entered the mansion when a figure came running down the stairs with a clatter.

She shook her crimson hair, her narrow eyes curved into crescents, muttering to herself about something, her attention completely unfocused on her surroundings. She didn’t even notice the two people standing right in front of her.

Only when she was mere steps away from Izay and the doorman did she finally snap back to reality and notice them.

“Divine Lady, I greet you.”

At that moment, the doorman suddenly stood up straight and bowed deeply to her.

This woman, who had been bouncing down the stairs, was none other than a deity, and the head deity of this Familia—Loki.

“Oh? Isn’t that Simon? What’s the matter? Standing at the door like that, and with a stranger no less?”

Simon, the name of the doorman.

Even if they were part of her Familia, Loki wouldn’t forget someone’s name so easily.

But right now, compared to Simon, Loki was more interested in the stunned Izay standing beside him.

“Divine Lady, this young man wishes to join the Familia. His name is… uh…”

He had wanted to introduce the newcomer to his deity, but suddenly, Simon hesitated—he realized he didn’t even know Izay’s name yet.

“Ize, my name is Ize Alward. It’s an honor to meet you, Goddess Loki.”

Izay smoothly introduced himself, bowing slightly towards Loki.

“Oh? Someone wishing to join the Familia? The Guild sent a message yesterday saying someone had signed up for that old announcement we posted long ago. So it’s you, huh?”

With a curious gaze, Loki squinted her eyes slightly open, revealing her crimson divine eye.

“Blond hair, blue eyes—you’re quite handsome, I must say. Not bad to look at, but… there’s no trace of divine blessing on you? Young man, care to explain?”

Many deities, depending on their domain and power, have different abilities when they descend to the mortal realm.

For instance, the Goddess Freya has eyes that can pierce through souls, and even without divine energy, she can still emit a certain level of ‘Charm’ authority.

Hephaestus, the God of Forging, possesses forging techniques that reach the ‘Divine Realm,’ creating equipment that greatly benefits his Familia, making them one of the richest factions in Orario.

Loki, the Goddess of Trickery, doesn’t have much advantage in these aspects compared to the others.

However, simply detecting whether someone has received divine blessings or not is something she could easily do.

Here stood Izay, someone without any divine blessing, signing up to join Loki’s Familia as a supporter. This situation piqued Loki’s interest slightly.

“As you see, I’m a complete newbie. I just arrived in Orario yesterday. No divine blessings, no Familia affiliation—because I wanted to join Loki’s Familia, I used a little trick to come see you~”

Though prepared mentally to be found out, being seen through instantly still made Izay chuckle wryly.

He confessed everything honestly, not intending to lie in front of a deity anyway.

After some time, having listened to Izay’s honest confession, unlike Simon whose expression now resembled looking at a hero, Loki smiled approvingly and nodded.

“Good job! Didn’t expect a total rookie, eh? Smart kids are personally my type, and your looks pass muster too~”

Since Loki is the Goddess of Trickery… using a bit of cunning around here isn’t frowned upon; rather, depending on her mood, it might even be a plus.

And today, she’s in a pretty good mood~

By the way, is this Familia even serious?

Why does joining a Familia involve checking someone’s face?

Deep down, Izay felt like throwing up a槽but was temporarily restrained by reason.

“So what’s your reason for wanting to join my Familia? If your answer satisfies me, then I’ll accept you!”

In truth, Loki had already made her decision.

This question was merely asked with a teasing intent.

Isn’t bullying rookies a tradition?

“My reason? Well, it’s because… I feel like I might get along well with you, Divine Lady~ In all sorts of ways.”

Izay had initially intended to give a proper response, but during their mutual gaze, he caught the unhidden mischievous glint in Loki’s eyes and immediately changed his words, addressing her directly as “Divine Lady.”

“In all sorts of ways?”

Unexpectedly, Loki was momentarily taken aback by his reply.

“Yes, in all sorts of ways.”

Izay nodded seriously.

In a sense, Izay and Loki shared similar thoughts.

They were both proper individuals~

To put it bluntly, who joins a Familia because it’s powerful? (Tactical lean.jpg)

Isn’t it all about the cute girls in the Familia…

Right now, a proper person meeting another proper person should lead to tears of joy!

Upon hearing this, Loki narrowed her eyes again, treating Izay’s vague statement with unexpected seriousness.

For some reason… this guy seemed to have something to say…

What exactly was he hinting at? Why did he smell like a fellow kindred spirit?

“Still, Izay, that’s not really an acceptable answer, is it?”

From the side, Simon, who had been quietly playing the role of a wallflower, couldn’t help but speak up.

Even though Lady Loki’s personality was very casual, there was no way she’d let such an answer slide, right?

Looks like this kid was going to lose this golden opportunity handed to him!

Just as Simon was concluding this in his mind, events began to unfold in a direction he couldn’t comprehend.

Loki looked thoughtful for a moment, then suddenly seemed to let it go.

“Well, I shouldn’t pretend to be deep-thinking right now. After all, you’re bound to be part of my Familia eventually, no need to dwell on it. You’re Izay, right? I hope we truly get along well~”

Loki’s current behavior left Simon with a question mark hovering over his head, while Izay saw it as her giving up on thinking altogether.

Then she walked forward with a carefree smile, “That’s settled then! From now on, you’re officially part of our Familia! It’s been a while since we’ve had a new member!”

She kept patting Izay’s shoulder while laughing freely, looking exceptionally cheerful.

Ever since descending to the mortal realm, Loki, as a deity, had become much gentler and more laid-back.

According to the evaluation of a certain old acquaintance goddess, she had “become like a minor character.”

However, this easygoing and unconcerned nature forged the familial atmosphere within Loki’s Familia.

“Such an honor~”

In response, Izay laughed along.

The notification floating in the lower-left corner of his vision—”Mission completed, rewards distributed”—made his mood equally pleasant.

“Simon, go spread the good news! We’ll have a welcome party tonight. I’ll take Izay to complete the ceremony first!”

With a wave of her sleeve, Loki pulled Izay and started walking toward her Divine Room.

At the entrance of the mansion, Simon’s expression went from confusion, to speechlessness, and finally ended with a somewhat helpless smile.

“Lady Loki is… as casual as ever…”

Such a significant matter as joining a Familia was decided so easily with just a few words.

But Simon understood—it had a lot to do with Izay’s clean background.

Had Izay possessed divine blessings, Loki definitely wouldn’t have been so lenient, after all, Familias also engage in political maneuverings.

But Izay didn’t.

So joining the Familia became entirely dependent on the deity’s will.

One could say, the moment Izay met Loki, the deal was half done.

But a welcome party…

Simon’s lips curled into a slight smile.

If Izay showed unsatisfactory talent after the ceremony, he would have to enjoy mocking him thoroughly.

Congratulations, another recruit for Loki Familia’s gatekeeping team!

Gee gee gee gee gee gee～