Danmachi: Strongest Familia

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Even though the 'battle' had just ended, there wasn't a trace of fatigue on his face. 

Men must never show weakness—especially at moments like this. 

Demeter didn't even have the strength to argue. 

All she wanted now was to find a quiet place to sleep, and she was certain she'd have a pleasant dream tonight. 

Seeing her intent, Sol grinned knowingly. With the sound of water splashing, he scooped Demeter into his strong arms. 

"Come on, let's move on to round two!" 

"Aren't you tired?!" Demeter exclaimed, panicking as she struggled weakly. But her current strength was no match for Sol. 

"That's the point. A man's endurance is just as important as his strength," Sol declared with a hearty laugh. 

Under his boisterous laughter, the utterly powerless Demeter was carried into the lounge like a string of oversized dolls.

Tonight would be yet another sleepless night for everyone in the Demeter Familia. 

However, Sol was clearly too pleased with himself, forgetting that today was not like the past. 

His Familia's expedition team had returned, and many people were waiting for him at home. 

As the head of the group, Riveria had waited for him at the gate the entire night. 

Meanwhile, the ever-vigilant Quinn dared not let her guard down. 

The situation became clearer when Alfia mentioned that a similar incident had occurred during their previous expedition. 

Watching Riveria's expression grow darker by the minute, Quinn quietly moved her partner, Valor, a little farther away. 

Even though she wanted Valor to deliver the news, Riveria's sharp gaze left her no chance to act. 

"Sol-sama, you'd better start praying for your own safety…" Quinn muttered. 

---

"Life has dreams, and each one is unique..." 

When Sol finally returned to the Familia at noon the next day, he was immediately blocked at the gate. 

Standing there, fuming, was none other than Riveria, whose anger was palpable. 

No one dared to approach, not even to watch the drama unfold. The only spectators peeked from a distance, careful not to be caught. 

"Yo, Riveria! Why are you standing in the doorway?" Sol greeted, attempting to play dumb. 

Riveria wasn't falling for it. She knew all of Sol's tricks by heart. 

As long as she refused to engage, he couldn't manipulate her. 

"You still remember where your home is? I thought you'd been picked up by some kind-hearted girl." 

"Hahaha, is there anyone more warm-hearted than you in my Familia?" 

"Where were you last night? I couldn't find you, and neither could Astraea-sama." 

"I was discussing some matters with Demeter." 

"Discussing matters? All night long? Then tell me, what was so important? I'd love to hear it!" 

"Well, I made significant progress last night! I gathered a lot of energy in one go," Sol replied, his face still wearing a wide grin. 

Riveria's simmering resentment didn't seem to affect Sol in the slightest; his smug demeanor remained firmly in place. 

Riveria's expression darkened as she glared at him. "You don't seriously think I'd believe this nonsense, do you? If you're going to make excuses, at least try to come up with something remotely believable." 

"I'm not lying," Sol replied, tilting his chin upward with pride. "Lately, the divine power flow has been way too slow, and no one has dared to challenge me. So, I thought of a creative solution: borrowing a bit from the goddesses." 

Riveria's sharp green eyes narrowed, her tone laced with both disbelief and exasperation. "You're saying you've been... doing that just to quietly siphon their divine power?" 

"Exactly!" Sol grinned as though he'd just shared a brilliant idea. 

Riveria's face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. She pressed her fingers to her temple, trying to process his audacity. "You bast... Is it really worth tarnishing the family's image for something like this?" 

"I can't help it," Sol replied, his tone shifting to mock helplessness. "Life's tough, and I have to make ends meet. Besides, it's just a service fee for my hard work!" 

"Service fee..." Riveria muttered in disbelief. "If this gets out, the familia's reputation will be in shambles." 

Riveria inhaled deeply, attempting to suppress her rising frustration. "Next time, I'll bring back more magic stones. Just don't resort to... this sort of thing again." 

"Of course, of course," Sol said quickly, nodding along. Whether he meant it or not was another question entirely. 

But deep down, Sol couldn't help feeling a surge of satisfaction. As dubious as his methods might be, the results spoke for themselves. Just from Freya and Demeter's "visits" last night, the divine power he absorbed far surpassed anything he'd ever gained from magic stones. 

The quality of divine power was simply on another level—so much so that he regretted not figuring this out sooner. "Ah, missed opportunities," he thought with a smirk as he strode into the lounge, his mind already wandering to his next steps. 

For example, when he woke up next to Demeter at noon today, he noticed the news that Demacia was completely completed!

"After all these years," he mused, his steps quickening, "it's finally finished." 

What excited him even more was the revelation that two hidden champions had emerged in the process: Kayle and Morgana! 

"Angels… or rather, fallen angels," Sol mused with growing anticipation. "Not quite gods, but close enough." 

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning: A Pantheon!

If he could gather divine beings like them and form a Pantheon under his leadership, he could break free from the guild's meddling entirely!

Eyes alight with excitement, Sol rushed out of the lounge, his heart racing with the prospect of building something far greater than he'd ever imagined. 

"This... this could change everything," he whispered to himself.