The atmosphere in the Demeter Familia's living room was so heavy it felt almost solid.
"How about Loki?"
Astraea's voice broke the silence.
Genichi immediately raised an eyebrow, surprise flashing through his eyes.
Loki?
That Goddess of Deception and Trickery?
He had thought their dealings were already over. He had assumed that once she got what she wanted, she would disappear from his life and have no reason to involve herself with him again.
But the completely natural way Astraea brought her up made him realize he might have been wrong.
"In any case, go find Loki and explain the situation to her."
Astraea's voice was calm, yet carried a firmness that allowed no argument.
"Then Loki can help you bring Freya over."
Genichi stared at her suspiciously.
"Why do I get the feeling you're deliberately trying to send me to Loki?"
Astraea smiled without answering.
It was a faint smile, but there was something meaningful behind it.
Of course she wasn't going to admit that she was doing it on purpose.
Loki might always act as though she didn't care about anything, but Astraea knew her better than that.
Genichi was about to say something else when Artemis stood up, walked behind him, placed both hands against his back, and began pushing him toward the door.
"Go."
Her voice was soft, but the command in it left no room for refusal.
Genichi was shoved right out of the Familia home. He stumbled a couple of steps before regaining his balance.
He turned around and stared at Artemis's calm face.
His mouth opened as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.
All he could do was shake his head, sigh, and turn toward the Loki Familia's headquarters.
The Loki Familia's home, Twilight Manor.
Genichi stood before the main entrance and stared at the tightly shut iron gates for a moment.
Then he stepped forward and knocked against the heavy metal.
A deep sound echoed from the gate.
A young adventurer opened it. The instant he saw Genichi, surprise flashed across his face.
"Genichi? What are you doing here?"
Genichi looked at him calmly.
"I want to see Loki."
The adventurer hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Please wait here. I'll go inform her."
He turned and hurried back into the manor, his footsteps echoing across the stone floor before gradually fading into the distance.
Genichi waited at the entrance, his fingers lightly tapping against his side in a steady rhythm.
He could feel people watching him from all around.
Loki Familia members hidden out of sight, adventurers responsible for security, curious and wary gazes fixed on him from the shadows.
Genichi ignored all of them and simply stood there waiting.
A few minutes later, the adventurer returned.
A female elf followed behind him.
She approached Genichi, gave a slight bow, and spoke in a gentle, courteous voice.
"Lord Genichi, please follow me. Lady Loki is waiting for you in the executives' meeting room."
Genichi nodded and followed her into Twilight Manor.
They passed through a long corridor and rounded several corners before finally stopping in front of a room.
"Please enter."
Genichi stepped inside.
It was a modestly sized meeting room with a rectangular table at its center. Deep red velvet covered the tabletop, where several documents and pens had been neatly arranged.
Several oil paintings hung from the walls, depicting glorious moments from the Loki Familia's history: expeditions into the Dungeon, battles against monsters, and victories over powerful enemies.
Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting broken patterns of light and shadow across the floor.
Loki sat at one end of the table with her legs crossed, holding a glass of red wine in one hand.
She wore a dark formal dress, her long hair spilling loosely across her shoulders. Light makeup adorned her face, making her look more refined and composed than usual.
When she saw Genichi enter, the corner of her mouth curved upward into a meaningful smile.
"Well, well. What wind blew you over here?"
Her tone was light and teasing.
"I thought you'd forgotten all about me after getting that Authority."
Genichi sat down across from her.
He didn't bother with small talk.
Instead, he immediately explained everything Ishtar had done.
How she had used her Charm to affect all of Orario.
How she had altered everyone's memories.
How she had made everyone believe Genichi was a member of the Ishtar Familia.
His voice remained calm, as though he were simply reciting a sequence of facts, but Loki could hear the coldness beneath that calm.
By the time he finished, the smile had disappeared from her face.
Her brow furrowed, and anger flashed in her eyes.
Her fingers tightened around the wineglass until her knuckles turned white.
"I knew it."
Her words came out through clenched teeth.
"I knew there was no way you'd actually joined that bitch Ishtar's Familia."
"No wonder everything's felt wrong these past few days. Every time I thought about you, something about my memories felt off."
Her eyes narrowed.
"That bitch actually used her Charm to tamper with my memories?"
Loki took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, but the anger burning in her eyes refused to fade.
Over the past several days, every time Genichi crossed her mind, the thought that he belonged to the Ishtar Familia had surfaced automatically.
It had always felt wrong.
Like a thorn lodged somewhere deep inside her, irritating her every time she touched the memory.
Now she finally understood why.
There was nothing wrong with her own memory.
Ishtar had forcibly rewritten it with her Charm.
"No problem."
Loki set down her wineglass.
Her voice was calm again, but the firmness behind it was unmistakable.
"I'll handle Freya."
Genichi looked at her in surprise.
"You're sure?"
Loki nodded.
"I'm sure."
"That bitch messed with my memories. You think I'm going to let that slide?"
"I'll bring Freya over for you. Besides, it'll be worth it just to let her see what Ishtar looks like now."
A malicious smile slowly spread across Loki's face.
There was no way she would pass up this opportunity.
Not because of Genichi.
Ishtar had crossed one of her boundaries.
Loki was the Goddess of Deception and Trickery, and the patron goddess of the Loki Familia. There were plenty of things she could tolerate.
But someone reaching into her head and tampering with her memories was another matter entirely.
That was a challenge to her authority.
A slap in the face.
An insult to her dignity.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Genichi stood and looked at Loki.
"I'll head back and wait for your news."
Loki waved a hand.
"Go on. Leave Freya to me."
Genichi turned and headed for the door.
Just before stepping out, however, he stopped and glanced back.
"Loki."
"Hm?"
"Thanks."
Loki froze for a moment.
Then a faint smile appeared on her face.
There was relief in it, a trace of gentleness, and something else that was harder to put into words.
Genichi nodded, opened the door, and walked out.
His footsteps echoed down the corridor, gradually fading away.
Loki remained seated, staring in the direction he had left for a long time.
Then she raised her wineglass and slowly took a sip.
The wine slid down her throat, carrying a trace of heat, a hint of bitterness, and a faint sweetness she couldn't quite describe.
"Ishtar..."
She murmured the name softly, a cold edge entering her voice.
"Just wait."
"You'll find out what regret really means soon enough."
Loki took a deep breath, stood, and left the meeting room.
(End of Chapter)
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