Chapter 345 - Like Argonaut
"Hestia, your kid's got a screw loose. Even if you want a War Game, why pick a first-class Familia like Ishtar?" Loki said, her tone certain
"Hestia, your kid's got a screw loose. Even if you want a War Game, why pick a first-class Familia like Ishtar?" Loki said, her tone certain, before looking at Hestia with mock pity.
"I thought you'd have a good run, but looks like you'll be exiled from Orario soon."
She clearly doubted Mahiro's chances.
"You're wrong, Loki," Finn said. "Even against Ishtar, Mahiro's not without a shot."
"Are you joking?" Loki's eyes widened, floored by Finn's uncharacteristic optimism.
A lone Level 2 against a first-class Familia with a first-class adventurer and multiple Level 2 and 3s? Even a record-breaker like Mahiro seemed outmatched.
"Against our Loki Familia, if Mahiro isn't swarmed by our first-class adventurers at once, he could take us all down," Finn added, stunning Loki further.
"Is your brain broken, Finn?" she said, though she knew Finn wasn't one for baseless claims. Once might be a fluke, but twice demanded attention.
Finn glanced at Mahiro, seeking permission. Mahiro shrugged, unbothered.
"When Mahiro was on the 37th floor, he soloed the Floor Boss Udaeus—and killed it in one strike," Finn explained.
"What?" Loki's jaw dropped, a gurgling sound escaping her throat.
"We saw it ourselves," Riveria confirmed.
"Hell of a fight," Gareth added. "Never thought Udaeus could be taken by one person."
"Tch," Bete muttered, grudgingly. "I'll do it someday."
"A Level 2 killing a Level 6 Floor Boss with one hit?" Loki said, reeling. With multiple witnesses, she couldn't doubt it.
Glaring at Mahiro, she snapped, "What's wrong with you? Even with rare skills, that's absurd."
Mahiro met her gaze, pausing for effect. "Not telling," he said coolly.
Loki nearly choked. "Bastard!"
"Hestia, what kind of luck did you stumble into?" Loki whined. "You came to Orario with nothing, and you snag this kid?"
Hestia crossed her arms, smirking proudly, basking in Loki's envy.
"But Mahiro, you already applied for a War Game against Apollo this morning," Hestia said, concerned. "No need to challenge Ishtar too."
Mahiro had shared his plan with her, and knowing Apollo's nature, she supported it.
"You're taking on Apollo too?" Loki said, incredulous.
"Kid, you're a trouble magnet. But if you just want peace for your goddess, Apollo's enough. No need to poke Ishtar."
"Mahiro…" Ais said softly, her eyes fixed on him.
"Apollo's a second-rate Familia," Mahiro said dismissively. "They won't make the impact I need. I want a first-class Familia to cement Hestia Familia's name."
Ais' gaze softened, touched. She believed Mahiro was provoking Ishtar for her sake.
After a brief pause, Mahiro added, "Plus, I want to save this fox girl."
"There's more to her, isn't there?" Finn said, catching the subtext.
"If she stays with Ishtar, she might die," Mahiro said, sighing. "I can't ignore that now that I've met her."
"Your character…" Finn said, shaking his head. "Helping without expecting anything in return…"
"It's like a novel hero," Finn added.
"Like Argonaut?" Tiona piped up.
In Orario, novels were scarce, but heroic tales thrived. Even Finn, ever stoic, had read them.
"With that strength, you've got hero potential," Finn said, smiling.
"High praise from the Brave himself," Mahiro chuckled.
Ais' eyes, watching Mahiro, swirled with admiration, expectation and a deeper unspoken emotion.
"Enough mutual flattery! What's the deal with this fox girl?" Loki demanded, her curiosity itching.
Hestia looked at Mahiro, intrigued.
"Speaking of, Hestia, isn't there a shinto God in Orario?" Mahiro asked.
"You mean Take?" Hestia said.
"Takemikazuchi," Loki clarified.
"That's him," Mahiro nodded, recognizing the shinto name. "Talk to him later, Hestia. I'll explain then."
Loki fumed, her curiosity stoked then dismissed. "You're infuriating!"
"Since you've decided, the fox girl's yours," Finn said to Mahiro. "If this escalates to a War Game, we can't help directly, but we'll cheer you on."
Small conflicts allowed Loki Familia intervention, but a War Game was a private matter between Familia, leaving them no standing to interfere.
"Your support's enough," Mahiro said, smiling.
"Finn, Loki, I…" Ais stepped forward, hesitating.
"You want in on the War Game?" Finn asked, reading her intent.
"Yes," Ais said, her eyes unwavering, brimming with resolve. "I caused this. I can't let Mahiro face it alone."
Finn sighed. "You won't back down, even if I say no?"
"Yes," Ais said firmly. "I won't."
"Ais, you…" Loki started.
"I'm not giving up," Ais cut in. After a moment, she added, "You won't stop me this time."
Finn and Loki exchanged stunned glances, recalling how they'd once teamed up to keep Ais from Mahiro.
Seeing Ais' earnest determination, Mahiro couldn't help but smile.
Why was she so endearing?
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(A/N: hi..)