Fairy Tail: Igneel's eldest son in Anime Multiverse

"To celebrate my child's return from the expedition, cheers!" Loki sat in a chair in an extremely boisterous posture, raising his glass and shouting loudly.

Everyone raised their glasses together, and the atmosphere instantly became lively. Even Charles cooperatively raised his glass.

For the Loki Familia to have delved all the way to the 58th floor was already quite the accomplishment. Most importantly, everyone returned safely, which was certainly something to celebrate.

Free meals were always a wonderful thing, and Charles naturally wouldn't miss out on such an opportunity.

Of course, Charles also noticed that Ais seemed somewhat absent-minded the entire time, most likely because of what had happened earlier.

Just like in the original storyline, Ais had saved the protagonist Bell Cranel on an upper floor. Before she could say anything, the little rabbit had fled in panic.

Ais had probably noticed the rabbit to begin with because the desperate situation he was in when cornered by the Minotaur reminded her of a similar experience from her childhood.

What troubled her was that when her father had saved her, it had given her a sense of peace and encouragement—but now, she had frightened that young boy away.

What she didn't know was that it was simply the boy's shyness. In truth, he had already begun to yearn for Ais, who had appeared before him like a hero out of a story.

And by coincidence, that very boy was currently sitting not far away at the bar counter.

Charles glanced at Ais, then at the rabbit's back, quite content to enjoy the drama unfolding. But soon, Charles's good mood was spoiled.

Because Bete—this guy… got drunk! And when Bete got drunk, his foul mouth escalated to a whole new level.

Whether or not he recognized the rabbit sitting at the bar was unclear, and nobody knew what he was thinking, but the things he started saying became increasingly vile.

"Hey Ais, why don't you tell us about what happened before?

You know, that time with the Minotaur that escaped on the way back? You took down the last one on the fifth floor, right? The one with that tomato-brat beside you!"

Tiona chimed in, "That Minotaur was one of those that fled from the seventeenth floor, right?"

Face flushed red, Bete laughed and said, "Exactly! Miraculously made it all the way up, floor by floor, to the upper levels. And there was this rookie adventurer—obviously brand new, pathetically weak!

He got cornered against the wall like a rabbit, shaking like a leaf, it was hilarious!"

Loki, clearly interested, asked, "And then? Did you guys save him?"

Bete slammed the table and said, "At the last second, Ais sliced that Minotaur to bits. The brat got covered in stinkin' bull blood and turned into a big red tomato.

Hahaha! Ais, don't tell me you did that on purpose!"

The stupid mutt Bete was completely drunk by now, and didn't even notice that Ais's expression had already changed.

Ais saw her younger self in Bell, recalling that most precious time in her life. Bete's insults toward the rabbit made Ais extremely displeased.

Bete had no idea when to shut up and went on, "Then that tomato-brat screamed and ran off. Our princess here scared off the very person she was trying to help!!!"

Everyone laughed, those who didn't know the full story just thought it was adorable how Ais had scared off another adventurer.

Leaning back in his chair, Bete said, "Man, it's been a while since I saw someone that useless. Just watching him made me uncomfortable!"

Everyone knew Bete's personality, so even if he went a bit too far, no one said anything.

Suddenly, Bete's gaze fell on Charles. Charles was slowly sipping his drink, and when he heard Bete's words, he gave him a scornful look. That look was immediately caught by Bete.

Bete already had issues with Charles to begin with, and now that he was drunk, he couldn't suppress his dissatisfaction anymore.

He staggered over to Charles and slammed his palm down on the table in front of him, making the plates jump.

"Hey! You got a problem with what I said, huh?!"

Charles had no intention of engaging with a drunkard and replied perfunctorily, "Sure, everything you said is right."

Charles's dismissive attitude only further enraged Bete, who reached out to grab Charles by the collar.

Charles frowned and caught Bete's wrist, saying, "You're drunk."

Bete shook off Charles's hand and snarled, "Are you lecturing me? Who the hell do you think you are?!"

Riveria could also tell Bete was losing control and said, "Bete, that's enough!"

But Bete turned back and said, "Shut it. Stay out of this, noble elf lady."

Then he turned back to Charles and said, "Why don't you tell me what makes you worthy of Ais's attention? Weaklings like you have no right to stand next to the Sword Princess.

You think just because you made a pact with a spirit, that gives you status?!"

As soon as Bete said that, everyone's expressions changed.

The other patrons of The Benevolent Mistress and the regular members of the Loki Familia all looked stunned.

An adventurer forming a pact with a spirit, like the heroes of old, was explosive news—enough to shake all of Orario.

But the executives of the Loki Familia, and Loki herself, looked furious.

"What a damn idiot!" Tione even cursed out loud.

Exposing someone's personal information was a huge offense.

Especially since Charles had shown his spirit's power to help them, trusting they'd keep it a secret. Now Bete had ruined that, surely bringing trouble to Charles.

This was practically biting the hand that fed them—and could even damage the relationship between the Loki Familia and the Hephaestus Familia.

Zard was also attending the celebration. Though straightforward by nature, even he could predict the aftermath.

He was shocked that Charles had managed to form a pact with a spirit, but as a fellow member of the Familia, he was more concerned about what would happen to Charles now.

So he stood up and said, "Loki-sama, I'll explain this to Hephaestus-sama later. There's no point continuing this party. We'll take our leave."

The blacksmiths who came to the celebration all stood up as well, preparing to leave.

Naturally, Charles was extremely upset, especially when Bete reached out again to push his shoulder.

Charles no longer held back. He grabbed Bete's wrist and, with an over-the-shoulder throw, flung him across the room.

Even though Bete was drunk, his reflexes remained. He rolled and landed on all fours. Now he looked like a wild beast, eyes red, lunging toward Charles.

To Charles, the drunken Bete was full of openings.

He stepped forward, palm under Bete's chin, lifting him completely off the ground. Then he turned and slammed his elbow into Bete's gut.

Bete dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach. Charles's strike wasn't enough to injure, but it felt like all his organs had been crushed.

"You bastard!"

Gritting his teeth through the pain, Bete shouted. He had a certain skill, one not really useful in the Dungeon.

Its name was "Howl Under the Moon," allowing him to beastify and boost all his stats under moonlight. His hair began to rise as he activated the skill.

Finn and Gareth appeared beside him, left and right. Gareth grabbed Bete's arm, and Finn slammed Bete's head to the ground.

"Finn, old man, let me go!"

As Bete continued to struggle, Finn said sternly, "Enough! Bete, how much more shame are you going to bring to the Loki Familia?!"

Finn's rebuke instantly sobered Bete, who then realized just how stupid he'd been.

He looked up and saw the complex expressions on everyone's faces.

The anger of the Hephaestus Familia's blacksmiths, Loki's bitter smile, the worry of the Loki Familia members… and the indifference on Ais's face.

Seeing Bete calm down, Finn let him go. But Bete didn't get up, remaining on the ground like a man defeated—ready for someone to shovel dirt over him.

Finn smiled wryly at Charles, about to say something, but then Charles walked over. Finn instinctively stepped in front of Bete, worried Charles might strike again.

But Charles waved his hand and said, "I just want to say a few words."

Seeing Finn still alert but letting him pass, Charles didn't mind. He turned to Bete and said, "You have no right to judge anyone else's life—not another adventurer's, and certainly not Ais's."

With that, Charles left The Benevolent Mistress without waiting for any reaction from Bete. Zard and the other blacksmiths followed him, leaving behind a silent Loki Familia in the banquet hall.

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