"So, are you really okay?"
After Hera left, Zeus asked.
He wasn't as attached to Vesta as Hera was, but he cared for him in his own way. Setting aside the fact that the boy was an insurance policy for the future, any child of his subordinates was practically his own child as well.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Really? She blasted you clear across the room, and you're seriously saying you're fine?"
"What got blown away wasn't me, but the hesitation inside me. Honestly, I feel like I should be thanking her."
"...I see."
Zeus thought to himself that this kid was truly insane.
Well, all adventurers were a little crazy, regardless of their rank, so perhaps this was the most normal thing about him.
"Fine, if you say so. So? What are you going to do now?"
Zeus was more than willing to take him into his own Familia if that was what he wanted.
The whole "otokonoko" thing was a joke... well, it wasn't *really* a joke, but he had no intention of forcing the issue.
*If I push him a little, I bet he'll come around anyway.*
Vesta looked like the type who had a hard time refusing people; if Zeus hinted at it enough, the boy would probably end up cross-dressing on his own. That wasn't a problem.
Anyway, that was the "favor" he had offered with those thoughts in mind, but...
"I'm sorry, but... for now, there is something else I want to do."
"Is that so..."
A gentle, but firm refusal.
Apparently, despite his soft appearance, he had a surprisingly resolute side.
*He's nothing like his parents.*
For the son of that hopeless fool to be this steadfast, Zeus was once again convinced that the world was full of mysteries.
After their brief meeting, Vesta hurriedly left the home and headed for the underground church.
Zeus let him go without another word. It was clear that Vesta still felt awkward being around him.
"Hmm..."
Watching Vesta's retreating back, Zeus fell into deep thought.
While Vesta had been unconscious, Zeus had used a Status Sheet to check his status, hoping to clear up a few questions.
Though he hadn't shown it, Zeus's mind had remained unsettled ever since.
"Is this another unknown of the Lower World...?"
The "unknown of the Lower World." It was Zeus's favorite phrase, but he had once again realized that the unknown did not always point to something good.
Whether he knew Zeus's inner turmoil or not, time passed relentlessly.
The day of the expedition arrived.
*
"Ahh, thanks a bunch for taking Finn's request!"
"No, I'm doing this because I want to."
With so many adventurers away on the expedition, the Loki Familia home was nearly empty. I had accepted Finn's request and would be staying here until his party returned.
Ais seemed like she wanted to join the expedition too, but unfortunately, the scale of the operation was too large for a Level 1 like her to step into. Though, to be fair, I had once joined a similar fray back when I was Level 2.
*No, that was a fake.*
Compared to the original, that version was infinitely weaker. Besides, Lefiya was there too. The situation was entirely different now.
"Ais was happy to hear you'd be staying at the home too."
"Yay!"
"Look at that."
Ais made a V-sign with her fingers while making a strange little sound.
*Wait, is that the mythical giraffe?!*
It was a peculiar gesture, but combined with her small, childlike hands, it felt strangely cute.
The only problem was her completely blank expression, which made the disconnect absolutely absurd.
"What... is that gesture?"
"A top-class welcoming greeting taught to me by Loki. Yay."
"Puhuhuhuhu..."
Once again, Ais held up the V-sign with that odd chant. Loki, clearly delighted, began snickering under her breath as she watched Ais.
...It seems Loki had "Loki'd" again. No wonder Ais ignores her words in the future.
"Lady Loki, please don't teach Ais weird things..."
"Weird...?"
"What's weird about it?! What's wrong with something this cute?!"
At my words, Ais looked confused, while Loki shouted back—though her eyes were clearly laughing.
Watching them, I realized I was probably going to be emotionally drained for a while.
I already felt exhausted.
*
"Is that the brat Finn mentioned?"
"Oh, Noir, you're here."
The man who spoke to Loki while pointing at Vesta, who was with Ais in the garden, was Noir.
He was one of the three longest-serving adventurers in the Familia.
Finn had told him that someone would be staying at the home to look after Ais during the expedition, but to Noir, having a complete stranger with dirty boots step into their sanctuary was not a pleasant prospect.
"Well, I get how you feel, but... don't say that to his face, all right?"
Loki knew Noir was blunt, but she also knew he truly loved the Familia, so she could tolerate his attitude. However, this was a different matter. She had no intention of letting personal feelings interfere with Ais's safety.
"Hmph. I'm not stupid enough for that."
"...Well, I suppose you do know better than I do."
Despite his rough edges, Noir was a veteran. He could gauge another person's skill at a glance.
*Finn... where in the world did he find someone like that?*
To Noir, Vesta was a complete anomaly.
Just from watching him spar with Ais, Noir noticed there wasn't a single opening in his movements or even his breathing.
He looked like a somewhat mature boy, but his poise and precision were those of a top-tier adventurer. That gap triggered Noir's instincts to be on guard.
*...Well, if Finn said he was fine, then I guess he's fine.*
The reason no one voiced their suspicions about Vesta was likely due to Finn's reputation.
Outside the Loki Familia, he might still be growing, but within the Familia, Finn's word alone carried absolute weight.
Still, it was impossible not to be curious. The fact that he was assigned to guard the youngest member, and was even provided room and board, felt strange.
The one who asked was odd, but the one who accepted was equally strange. Noir was convinced there had to be some hidden motive.
"What hidden motive?"
"That's..."
"If there isn't one, then don't go looking for trouble where there is none. He's a good kid."
That was Loki's honest conclusion after observing him. She had no solid proof, but she just felt it. Such divine intuition might seem trivial, but it often served as the ultimate compass for guiding the children of the Lower World.
It was the same now. Noir, despite his decades of experience and adventurer's instincts, tended to trust divine intuition above all else.
*That's what makes him different from Finn~*
Noir was a veteran, but that was exactly why Finn was the captain. Of course, Finn being a founding member and her first child played a part, but the most important factor was his fierce independence.
Well, being *too* independent could be a problem, but it was far better than being too obedient—whether for the Familia or for Loki personally.
*...Well, looks like I won't be bored for a while.*
She had thought she'd be bored with so many members gone, but a perfect new toy had just arrived.
Not only was he one of that brat's children, but he looked like a total pushover. She decided she would mess with him relentlessly and squeeze every bit of fun out of him.
Heh-heh-heh-heh, Loki let out a disgusting, perverted cackle.