Loki Familia — Twilight Manor, Library
After returning to the familia, Alicia reported everything that had happened in the Dungeon today to Riveria.
Riveria was genuinely surprised to hear they had run into Qianshuo and Heith—what a coincidence, that both children had entered the Dungeon on the same day.
But as Alicia continued, a complicated emotion surfaced on Riveria's exquisitely beautiful face.
She had anticipated something like this might happen, yet Lefiya's condition was even worse than Riveria had imagined.
What Riveria hadn't expected at all, however, was that Qianshuo… had guided Lefiya so well—leading her toward confronting her inner struggle and overcoming that shadow in her heart.
Riveria couldn't help but feel astonished.
That child named Qianshuo… was unexpectedly attentive—unexpectedly… gentle.
Kind.
Brave.
Clear-headed.
And genuinely caring toward a friend.
Those were the qualities Qianshuo had displayed.
It was hard to imagine that someone like Hedin—given his temperament and personality—could produce such an outstanding disciple. Riveria hadn't seen that coming.
But then again… perhaps she'd been unfairly ruled by her own preconceptions.
Qianshuo was Qianshuo.
Hedin was Hedin.
Even if they were master and student, they couldn't simply be lumped together.
After all, everyone had their own nature and disposition.
"So it seems Hedin truly has taken in an extraordinary disciple."
Riveria closed the book in her hands and sighed softly.
"I thought Lefiya would need time—slowly adapt, slowly step out of that shadow… but now it seems she won't have to."
At first, Riveria had been worried about Lefiya's mental state—otherwise she wouldn't have arranged for Alicia to take Lefiya into the Dungeon to acclimate.
But now, the problem appeared to have been resolved.
And Lefiya had even gained a very good friend.
"That child really is impressive," Alicia said. "And Heith said the goddess Freya values him highly."
Remembering Heith's words—Freya will be angry—Alicia's tone carried a trace of disbelief.
Even though she wasn't part of Freya Familia, she understood Freya's personality well enough.
"Is that so… Then we'll have to take this seriously."
Riveria sounded surprised, her expression turning thoughtful.
But for now, at least, letting Lefiya become close with Qianshuo was the right call.
It would also help ease tensions between Loki Familia and Freya Familia.
After all, the two great familias carried a shared "mission"—
To stand where Hera Familia and Zeus Familia once stood, and challenge the greatest of the Three Great Quests:
The world-destroying One-Eyed Black Dragon.
Only a small number of people knew the truth of that matter, and Riveria was one of them.
That was why the Guild had always worked to maintain and soften the relationship between Orario's "Twin Kings"—
Because what it feared most was the two sides tearing each other apart, bleeding away Orario's top-tier combat strength through mutual slaughter.
"Qianshuo…"
Riveria recalled the day she had met the boy at the Guild—those eyes, calm as still water.
…
The moon, half-veiled behind broken clouds, cast a hazy, mysterious glow.
Even after the rain, the night remained heavy with dark clouds, as though the city had been wrapped in the deep gloom of the ocean floor.
The streets that were usually brilliant—like a jewelry box overturned—were dimmer tonight; fewer magic-stone lamps were lit, and the cheerful noise of crowds was nowhere to be heard.
From atop a towering white wall, the silver-haired goddess looked out over Orario.
At the center of the city—on the highest floor of Babel Tower—
Freya stood before a seamless expanse of enormous glass, listening as Heith reported Qianshuo's performance in the Dungeon.
When she heard Qianshuo had encountered Lefiya and even teamed up with her, Freya's delicately shaped brows lifted slightly—an unmistakable hint of displeasure.
"He teamed up with a rookie from Loki Familia?"
Freya's voice carried no obvious emotion.
"Yes," Heith answered honestly. "Riveria's disciple. Her name is Lefiya."
"An elf?"
"Yes."
Freya said nothing.
She stood before the window, gazing at Orario's nightscape. In the glass, her reflection appeared faint and blurred.
An elf girl.
The same age as Qianshuo.
Taken in by Riveria as a disciple.
"How interesting…"
The corners of Freya's lips rose—but there was something in that smile that even Heith couldn't read.
"Lady Freya?"
"It's nothing." Freya turned around, her tone returning to its usual languid ease. "Continue."
Heith continued reporting Qianshuo's performance—his combat, his composure, and the way he guided Lefiya through her fear.
As Freya listened, the smile on her face deepened.
Gentleness, is it?
She remembered Qianshuo's black eyes—clean, as if they had never been claimed or stained by anyone.
That gentleness had been given to Lefiya.
But in the end…
Freya lowered her gaze. Her lashes cast a small shadow across her cheek.
That gentleness would belong to her alone.
"This child… is unexpectedly gentle…"
Freya left the window and reclined lazily on a chaise.
Qianshuo's performance could be said to be within her expectations—yet at the same time, it still surprised her.
And it made her realize something:
Qianshuo was growing.
Growing toward the kind of "partner" she envisioned.
That was exactly what Freya wanted to see.
She wanted to personally raise and shape the child she cherished most—her Odr.
After Heith left, Freya returned to her bed.
She hugged her blanket tightly, her moist eyes shimmering with a seductive glow, the air itself seeming to turn languid and sweet around her.
She recalled that day—
The moment she had been disappointed, ready to leave because she believed Qianshuo's soul was hopelessly muddied…
And then, in utter desperation, that light had burst forth.
Countless sword-lights gathering into a single, piercing edge—
Freya had lived for untold ages.
She had seen the most brilliant souls, and she had seen the dullest.
She had thought she'd grown immune to every form of "beauty."
But in that instant—
Her heart had skipped.
It was a strange feeling.
And in that moment, a thought had risen inside her.
After parting with Ali, that long-dormant sensation had flared back to life.
It made her whole body tingle; her lower abdomen tightened faintly; a rapturous sigh slipped from deep in her throat.
An ugly, mortal kind of desire flashed through her mind—
The urge to possess him completely.
This was a goddess's purest desire.
Gods were endlessly curious about the unknown.
And at the same time, another wish bloomed quietly in Freya's heart—pure as a small white flower.
What color will Qianshuo become next?
Can he keep that sword-light shining like this?
And most importantly—can he fulfill his true wish?
Freya's lips curved into a shape no one had ever seen before.
She'd already "messed up" once when facing Ali—because she moved too quickly, causing him to feel too much reverence toward her.
But the partner Freya sought was never meant to be one-sided worship.
Now, it was as if Freya had truly fallen into love.
From the bottom of her heart, she wanted the boy to shine even brighter.
This time, she decided, she would restrain a little of her divine arrogance.
For now, she would quietly watch Qianshuo's growth—
Though from time to time, when the itch became unbearable, she might still… nudge things with her own hands.
But slowly.
Slowly.
She would come to understand him.
And draw closer, step by step.
Because Freya believed that even these efforts—so unnecessary to a god—were the necessary road toward fulfilling her true wish.
"Qianshuo… I hope you are the partner I've dreamed of for so long."
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