The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

Hestia spoke with a slight tremble in her voice, her tone tinged with sorrow.

She didn't even fully understand what she was feeling. Logically speaking, even though Yoru was her Familia member, they had only spent four days together at most.

But maybe… it was because she had been alone for so long. Suddenly, someone needed her. She had a family now—someone she could rely on, someone who relied on her.

And now, after just four short days, that family of hers was about to be stolen away by another woman. No matter how she tried, she just couldn't accept it.

"It's only natural for Yoru to fall in love with someone. But he and Riveria? That's impossible. As members of different Familias, it's forbidden for them to be romantically involved. Loki, you know that better than anyone."

Hestia's voice was resolute. Loki paused for a moment, then narrowed her eyes.

"Well, you're not wrong. I wouldn't allow any of my girls to be with someone from another Familia either. But… if this kid joined our Familia, there wouldn't be any problem at all, right?"

She spoke with a teasing smile and gave Yoru a pat on the shoulder as Hestia's eyes widened in shock.

"So, what do you say? This is an invitation from the most powerful goddess in all of Orario—the great Loki herself. If you join my Familia, then being with Riveria would be totally legit. You could even live together if you wanted!"

"Lady Goddess, please have some restraint. You haven't considered my opinion at all, have you? Besides, openly trying to poach someone right in front of their own goddess…"

Riveria sighed helplessly. While poaching talented adventurers wasn't unheard of, doing it in front of the person's current god was... bold, to say the least. Then again, Riveria knew Loki was just trying to provoke Hestia on purpose.

And judging from Hestia's reaction, Loki had definitely succeeded. She clung tightly to Yoru's arm, clearly terrified that he might abandon her for Loki's offer.

"What are you so worried about? There's no way I'd abandon you, Hestia. You're important to me… you're family."

Yoru's warm voice cut through her panic, and as she felt his hand gently patting her head, Hestia nearly burst into tears on the spot.

"See? There's no way Yoru would leave me just because of some other girl. So give it up, Loki! Yoru's not like those shallow adventurers!"

Hestia's fear wasn't unfounded. After all, it wasn't uncommon for adventurers to leave their current Familia for a more powerful one. People always sought better environments and better resources.

Take Loki Familia, for example—Orario's most elite group. Anyone who joined them would gain access to abundant resources, training from top-tier adventurers, and the chance to fight alongside beauties like the Sword Princess or the Nine Hells. And eventually, those women would seek partners too—naturally, the most eligible choices would be their fellow Familia members.

Or look at Hephaestus Familia, famous for crafting weapons even the gods admired. Joining them meant receiving powerful equipment that could greatly improve your survival chances in the Dungeon.

Compared to such elite groups, Hestia was just a poor, unremarkable goddess living in a rundown church, struggling to get by.

She had been rejected countless times when searching for Familia members on the streets. So when Loki made that offer, it was only natural for Hestia to feel anxious and insecure.

"Don't look at me like that… You really think I'd stoop to poaching your kid? I was just testing him a little."

Loki shifted awkwardly under Hestia's glare, scratching her head and turning away.

"But I'll admit, you've found quite the gem, Hestia. Seriously, how did someone like you get to him first? If it had been me, not only would I have a ridiculously promising new recruit, but Riveria's love life would be all set too."

"Obviously! My Familia is the best in all of Orario!"

"Lady Goddess, please stop joking around at my expense already. Can we just move on to the real issue?"

Riveria sighed, thoroughly exasperated. She urged Loki to stop fooling around and focus on why they were really here.

After all, Bete's condition was serious. If they didn't find a way to undo the frostbite soon, it could leave lasting damage.

"Oh, right! I nearly forgot!" Loki suddenly clapped her hands. "Hestia, your child ambushed one of mine. I need an explanation!"

Hestia blinked in surprise and turned to Yoru.

She couldn't believe it. Yoru was only a Level 1 adventurer. How could he possibly ambush one of Loki's elite?

"What happened? What did Yoru do?"

"I'll explain."

Riveria stepped in, recounting the events that had taken place at the tavern.

"Hm… Honestly, I think Yoru did the right thing. That foul-mouthed guy needed to be taught a lesson. But seriously, Loki—what's wrong with your people? He's a Level 5, and he got smacked down by my Yoru and didn't even move afterward?"

"I'll deal with Bete later. But first, I need your boy to undo that ice spell. If it's not removed soon, he might not recover. That was no ordinary frostbite—it was on par with Tione's strength. I was shocked when I saw it."

"Even if we're talking about some powerful freezing magic, why are you coming to us? And anyway, Tione left Orario a long time ago, didn't she? Don't tell me you think Yoru was the one who froze him."

Hestia tilted her head in disbelief.

Loki nodded solemnly.

"That's right. All the signs point to your Yoru being the one who did it."

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