Chapter 233

Chapter 236: The Longer You Tolerate It, The Madder You Get (Please Subscribe!)

On the streets of Central Square, both adults and children were happily enjoying the festival. Central Square was already one of the liveliest areas in Orario, but now it was even more bustling. Everywhere you looked, there were crowds of people and street vendors.

Besides the common folk, adventurers scattered around the edges of various streets, completely detached from the festive atmosphere, waited for the “New Year’s Market” to officially begin. They were ready to snatch up their coveted high-grade equipment on this day, staring at the weapon stalls with a gaze as fierce as wild beasts’.

“There are even more people at the festival than I imagined… I’m a bit surprised…”

“The festival only happens once a year; it would be strange if there weren’t many people.”

Following behind Loki and Refia, Finn couldn’t help but marvel. Meanwhile, Riviria beside him looked at him with a peculiar gaze, as if saying, “Isn’t this obvious?” making the guild master feel slightly embarrassed.

“Everyone is really enjoying the festival…” Refia smiled faintly as she returned with Loki carrying some snacks. In the end, that shopkeeper still gave Loki a discount, selling the grilled squid in tears.

It had to be said, Loki truly had her own set of skills when it came to bargaining. Even Riviria’s originally sky-high priced staff was bought by her at the lowest price.

She might have a talent for this.

“… Hmmmmmm, as expected, this grilled squid is delicious, Refia has great taste~ But for some reason, something feels off…”

After taking a bite of the grilled squid, Loki frowned and looked around, as if they were missing something?

Hearing this, Riviria glanced around their traveling group.

After a while, Mama-san suddenly realized.

“Hold on? Where did Ais go? Weren’t you together?”

“???”

“Isn’t Miss Ais always following us…?” Realizing this late, Refia stopped mid-sentence and froze. No, it seemed that Ais disappeared when they went to buy grilled squid!

“Lost…!? Is this how it unfolds!?”

“If we look for her, we should be able to find her. Speaking of places Ais would go—”

…

“Hmm, hmm… Ah~”

Ais was eating.

The girl looked rather delighted, walking along while grabbing a fried potato ball from the paper bag in her hand and putting it into her mouth.

Brought out by Loki to participate in the New Year’s market, she was now wandering alone among the roadside stalls.

Unaware that she had lost track of her companions, the girl was determined to eat every single fried potato ball store in the city during the holiday.

“Sweet yam flavored potato balls… I thought it was an unconventional method, but it tastes pretty good… Hmm!”

After eating the limited-edition potato balls sold during the New Year’s festival, Ais couldn’t help but exhale contentedly.

However, at that moment,

Two figures passing by caught her attention.

“… Huh?”

Is that Izay? And a Goddess?

Accurately identifying the figures ahead, Ais blinked in confusion, holding the potato ball in her mouth, regaining her senses after a while.

What’s going on with those two? Walking together alone. Moreover, they’re holding hands…

As if they were a couple?

The sudden image captured by her eyes made Ais freeze.

While she didn’t understand why she froze, the two figures took advantage of the moment and walked further away.

At the same time, a noisy call came from behind.

“Ais-chan~!”

Turning around at the sound—there were Loki and the others who had come looking for her.

Finn stayed behind with Tione and Tiona, Riviria, Loki, and Refia came to search for Ais.

“Miss Ais, you ended up at the fried potato ball stall, as expected~ What happened earlier? You seemed to be frozen in place?”

“Izay…”

In response to Refia’s inquiry, Ais paused for a moment before softly speaking.

“Izay? Didn’t he say he had plans today? Did you see him?”

“Hmm… He… was walking with an unfamiliar Goddess.”

—!?

Instantly, Loki slightly opened her narrow divine eyes, and Riviria’s delicate pointed ears twitched.

They seemed to have heard something worth noting…!

Ais didn’t hide anything from the three, recounting everything she had seen.

“Walking… with an unfamiliar Goddess! Holding hands with an ambiguous atmosphere!? How shameless…”

Just imagining the scene described, Refia couldn’t help but cover her face, her ears turning red.

“Let me guess! Ais, was that Goddess with light blue hair?”

Loki revealed a cunning smile, sharp as ever, sensing something.

“Hmm.”

“Ohohoho～～This just got interesting! Ais, which direction did Izay and the Goddess go!?”

“Hey, Loki! Are you planning to spy on them?”

“How can you say that? Mother. This is called reasonable supervision!!”

Directly rebutting Riviria’s comment, Loki maintained an expression of righteousness.

“One of my Familial Groups is having intimate contact with another deity! As the main deity, isn’t it reasonable for me to take a peek? Yes! That’s not unreasonable!”

You’re just giving yourself an excuse for your gossiping heart! Riviria could clearly see through Loki’s intentions.

But seeing through it was one thing, stopping the deity from acting on her thoughts was another~

Moreover… She was somewhat curious about this matter too, yeah, just a little.

…

Izay’s location was on the main street of the South District.

Among the eight avenues of Orario, the northern area belonged to residential zones, the west was predominantly adventurers, and the east had factories and forging shops.

In comparison, the southern bustling area showcased more of Orario’s local customs. Naturally, the festive atmosphere was the most intense, making it the liveliest place.

Izay and Artemis were playing together in the southern district, with Izay guarding the Goddess as they strolled through the crowded streets, sharing some trivial anecdotes.

The crowded festival crowd made it difficult to move forward, so the two occasionally rested on park benches.

During this rare time, Izay and Artemis fully enjoyed the fun brought by the festival.

“Mm… Let’s rest for a bit. I feel like I need to restrain myself…”

Sitting on the bench, Artemis gently pushed away the snowflake cake Izay offered, patting her small belly.

“Does Artemis-sama need restraint? Aren’t deities supposed to never gain weight?”

Upon hearing this, Izay felt somewhat amused.

Immediately, he received a glare from the Goddess.

“Eating or not getting fat is one thing, but being full is another. I ate a bit too much just now! If I eat any more, I’ll be stuffed.”

“Ah, that’s true. You were eating quite joyfully just now.”

“Izay, you’re annoying! It’s just that I rarely get the chance to taste Orario’s delicacies, so I ate a little extra!”

“Hmm hmm, I understand.”

Upon hearing this, Izay nodded but wore an expression of disbelief.

A little extra? No problem with that.

You understand nothing!

Artemis wanted to say this directly upon realizing Izay’s attitude.

But considering the many people around and the subtle prying gazes, mindful of her image, she restrained herself.

Slightly pouting, she swelled her cheeks and glared at Izay, noticing his teasing expression, and the phrase “the longer you tolerate it, the madder you get” floated through her mind.

Then… she placed her hand on Izay’s waist～