"Well... that should be enough, correct?" Damien placed the massive pile of coins onto the meeting table with a heavy thud.
Loki and the others stared at it in shock. Gold coins spilled across the surface, gleaming under the torchlight. The amount was staggering—enough to fund Orario's rebuilding several times over.
Loki turned to him, her jaw slightly agape. "More... this is more than enough."
"Good. Very good." Damien leaned back, a satisfied grin on his face. "I met your friend... Odin. Apparently, he is the patron god of Altena."
Loki's expression shifted instantly, her amusement replaced by disgust. "My friend? Oh, please. Absolutely not. That bastard is truly vile. No one would ever call a being like that a friend."
Freya's voice was cold, her golden eyes hardening. "No matter what he tells you, never trust him. Simple as that. If Odin says snow is white, he is lying."
Damien raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the venom in her tone. "You really... hate that guy, huh?"
He grinned at her.
Loki burst out laughing. "Yeah... she and him have quite the long history, eh?"
"Oh, spill the tea for me, Loki," Damien said, leaning forward.
Loki's grin widened. "Well... those two were betrothed to be married. Right, Freya? He was your first Odr, correct?"
"Silence!" Freya's face flushed with fury. "He was NOT! He never will be! I will kill him myself!"
Loki waved a hand, still laughing. "Yeah, see, her realm and his realm suggested a joined unity with their marriage as a centerpiece. Then he attacked her way before they could get married—trying to steal her divinity." She shook her head. "That old bastard was always something."
She paused, her expression growing serious.
"But I admit, Freya is right. There is a saying in our Pantheon in Heaven—the only peace we will ever know is when Odin is dead."
"Fortunately for the realms, that happened, and we all descended," Loki added.
Damien nodded slowly. "So from what I can gather, he is one of those shitty gods you talked about before, correct?"
"Oh, he is like top three. If not one," Loki said.
Damien smiled. "Well, we will deal with him when that time arrives. Anyways, Altena won't be a problem....probably ever again. Rakia is under new management. And the Empire... well, in a year's time, they will either be my people, or all dead. Depends on a certain little girl."
He stood up, stretching his arms.
"So for now, Orario should focus on itself. Restarting the adventuring business, and... well, go back to normal."
Loki tilted her head. "What about you? Going back into the dungeon to conquer it?"
"Me? No." Damien shook his head. "I have fought enough. I think I will take a week off. Relax. Have lots of sex."
He grinned, then his expression softened.
"But first, I have a probably very angry goddess waiting for me at home. A very good girl who needs my emotional support." He turned toward the door. "So good luck with whatever you do, Loki."
He left the meeting room, the sound of his footsteps fading into the corridor.
...
Entering his own home, Damien knew the rocket was coming. But it was still painful.
Hestia's foot was planted directly into his face, sending him smashing into the wall. Before he could recover, she jumped to hug him, her small body trembling with emotion.
"YOU FOOL!"
He hugged her back, his arms wrapping around her tightly. "I'm... sorry," he managed, his voice muffled against her shoulder.
"You should have come to me first," she cried into his chest, her tears soaking through his shirt.
He smiled and held her closer, allowing her to release everything she had been holding in. "I know. I'm sorry. I just..."
"I understand." She wiped her tears, then grabbed his cheeks, forcing him to look at her. "I understand. My child is not just mine anymore. He is a god now. A hero. A soon-to-be king and savior of our world. So I understand."
Her voice cracked.
"But I cannot help but feel sad... knowing that you do not need me anymore."
Damien hugged her harder, his voice fierce with conviction. "No. Quite the opposite, actually. I need you even more now, Hestia. I cannot lie to myself. Truth is, with all the death, all these battles, all these wars I wage... no matter how strong I become, every time... I wish I could just be in your arms. Forever."
She smiled, holding him closer. His face was pressed between her massive breasts, and he felt her heart beating against his cheek.
"Maybe I am wrong," she whispered. "Maybe you are still my child."
He smiled against her skin. "Always."
After talking it out with Hestia—and some fun time together—Damien went to the dorms of the Loki Familia. He knocked on the door to Ais's room.
She opened it.
She stood there, looking at him. Her golden eyes were tired, uncertain. Then she moved forward and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
He held her, slowly brushing her hair. "How have you been?" he asked softly.
"I do not know," she replied.
She had achieved her purpose. The One-Eyed Black Dragon was dead. The reason she had fought her entire life was gone. And now, she did not know what to do with herself.
"Damien..." Her voice was small, fragile. "What do I do now?"
He smiled and kissed her head, then gently raised her face to meet his eyes.
"Whatever you want, Ais." His voice was warm, patient. "If you wish to retire, I will not stop you. I love you in whatever state you are in. If you wish to stop fighting, then do it. The choice is yours. No one else's."
"But..." She looked down. "All I know is how to fight."
"Then learn something new," he said gently. "Whatever you do, I will support it. And no matter what you choose, I will be there for you."
"No..." She looked up, her eyes burning with a new kind of fire. "I want to be there for you too. I want to continue standing by your side. Fighting more battles with you. I cannot leave you to fight alone."
Damien studied her face. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Her voice was steady, certain. "I want to be by your side. Your second in command. Your blade. If not for you, I would never have achieved my purpose. So now, my purpose is yours. Whatever you do, wherever you go..." She took a breath, her eyes locking onto his. "I, Ais Wallenstein, swear to be with you."
Damien had never seen Ais speak so passionately before. Her words carried a weight that moved something deep inside him.
He smiled.
"I love you."
Her expression softened, and a small, genuine smile crossed her lips. "Me too, Damien. I love you too."
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