As Yuji walked along with the Loki Familia, he took in all the sights along the way. A faint hint of excitement stirred in his chest from the novel looking world, things he had only seen on tv now come to life.
The city was surrounded by a sturdy, circular wall. He could see the edges of them beyond the roof tops of the medieval looking buildings that encompassed the architecture of the city.
Looking at the walls, one would think it was designed to stop attacks coming in from the outside. However, the walls of Orario held a different purpose, it was built to contain the monsters that emerged from the giant breach in the ground. They were built during the Ancient Times before Babel was constructed.
With Babel at its center and symbol, the city had become a thriving metropolis.
He saw a great deal of adventurers walking by, from and to the Dungeon. Numerous restaurants and bars were slowly starting up to prepare for the nightlife in the city, letting returning adventurers relax and let off some steam. Humans and Demi-Humans, people of all walks of life gathered together to their favourite tavern, drinking and living it up side by side.
Sometimes, the one odd deity would also get carried away and join them with jugs of either liquor or ale in their hands. In these places, race and allegiance mattered little where people could just enjoy another's company.
This formed only a small part of Orario, and of the wider world as a whole.
The streetlights began to illuminate the city, powered by magic stone lamps that kept the city alive with activity at all times.
"Finally home…"
Tione let out a sigh of relief.
In the city's northern district, just off the main road, one long tall building stood above the rest.
It was composed of a line of dark red towers that stood like spears above the city. The structure itself looked like flames when the sunlight hit it at just the right angle. The flag of the Loki Familia flew far above atop the highest tower, its red color matching the architecture.
This was Loki Familia's home, Twilight Manor.
"Ahhh, so tired. Forget a steak, I'll eat an entire cow."
"I want a shower. As soon as possible."
"Ahaha…"
Lefiya awkwardly laughed as the Amazonian twins let out sigh of relief.
Yuji took in the sight of the large building in front of him. His senses told him that something strong resided inside, and it was moving rapidly towards the group.
The expedition had carried all of their gear from the Dungeon to their home, up to their front gate.
Two guards stood in front, a man and a woman, who saluted them as they approached.
"We're home. Please open the gate."
They nodded at Finn and pulled open the large iron fenced doors.
The plot of land that their mansion was situated on was long but very thin when construction first started. So the Familia's solution? Build up.
This also meant that the front lawn was rather narrow, forcing the members of the Familia to use up their space as efficiently as possible to grow a wide variety of flowers and plants.
Finn led his allies through the gate, nodding towards Yuji to follow inside with them. It was the least they could do for the help he provided to them in the Dungeon.
"You guys sure know how to live it up." He couldn't help but comment at the extravagant looking mansion."
"But it's home, isn't that right?"
"Yes, it is…"
Tiona nudged Aiz who nodded with a faint smile on her face as she felt the familiar breeze flow through the property and ruffled her hair.
As they all stepped into the premises of the mansion past the gate, the large wooden doors of the mansion swung open.
"Welcome hooooooome!!"
A figure rushed out of the building to greet the adventurers, short light red hair tight into a high pony tail shook from side to side, and a slightly masculine (tomboy?) looking woman charged headfirst towards the spot Aiz and the other girls were gathered and speaking with.
Showing themselves to be First Class Adventurers, Aiz, Tiona and Tione easily dodged the incoming hug… except for Lefiya.
"Eh? Wha? Eeeeek!"
She was quickly caught in the embrace and fell back onto the ground, the Goddess's hands worming its way around the elf's body.
"Y'all made it back okay?! Gah! It was too quiet around here!!"
"Loki, we suffered no casualties on this expedition. But we didn't explore new floors either. I'd like to discuss it with you further."
"Nnn, okay then. Welcome back home, Finn."
"Thank you, Loki."
The woman, Loki, pulled her head away from the elf girl beneath her and flashed a bright, heartfelt smile at the Pallum.
"We also have our friend here to thank. Without him, I fear the worst could've happened." Finn stepped aside, revealing Yuji's hooded figure from behind as more adventurers moved back to reveal him to Loki.
She curled an eyebrow looking at the man opposite of her, her eyes glancing at the other members of the expedition. She could see they all held gazes of gratitude towards him.
Yuji stepped forward and lowered his hood, looking at the Goddess in front of him, who was laying on top of a flustered and blushing Lefiya.
"It's an honour to meet you, Loki. My name is Yuji Itadori."
He introduced himself, a friendly smile on his face.
Loki stood up and patted herself clean before walking up to him. The size difference was palpable, with Loki's height barely reaching the man's chest.
She stared up at him with her closed eyes for a moment as Yuji observed the Goddess in front of him.
He could tell she possessed immense power deep within her core, but it was heavily suppressed, probably due to the restrictions they were placed with.
However, what he took note of the most was the aura that surrounded the deity, making her seem like a trustworthy parental figure.
He had seen that within her gaze when she first rushed out to greet her Familia… but that image quickly crumbled down after she tackled Lefiya and groped her.
"She may be a Goddess but… She has rather particular tastes in women." Raul whispered to Yuji, and although Loki noticed she didn't care.
"I'll have to thank you then… How are ya with drinking?" Loki said, a flash of light glinting in her eyes as she stared at Yuji. She had a feeling that he would make a great drinking partner, with plenty of stories to talk about.
After all, she was a Goddess that has lived for over a millenia, so she could tell from the way he carried himself as well as the gaze in his eyes that he was far older than what his appearance gave away.
"I've drank here and there, but I can't get drunk."
"Oho? I'll take that as a challenge then." Loki smirked before opening her arms wide, "Welcome to Loki Familia's Twilight Manor, you're welcome to stay over for the night."
"Haaa, I can finally take a bath~" Tione muttered as everyone began to disperse and walk into the building.
Loki's grin was ever wide as members of her Familia walked around her to go inside. Loki might be respected, but she wasn't worshipped with absolute reverence and esteem, something she wholly enjoys.
As they all walked inside, Loki stood outside watching and counting everyone, Yuji coming to stand next to her.
"You know, I personally scouted every member of my Familia. I treat them like my family, so seeing them all come back safely is the biggest reward I could receive." Loki quietly spoke to Yuji, no pretense or a mask set up. She felt Yuji was someone who might be able to understand her a little more than most people.
"... And when they don't?"
Loki looked at him from the corner of her eyes, before slapping his back, "As long as the great Goddess Loki lives on and remembers, they will forever live on. That's the price you pay for joining my Familia."
"Quite the greedy trickster Goddess, aren't you?"
"If you're complimenting me, thanks, but I'd rather much be with my girls. Aizzzz, come here~"
She ran back inside, chasing after Aiz who was now full on sprinting away inside the manor, leaving Yuji to let out a quiet laugh before strolling inside.