The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

2/5

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By the time Yoru and the others returned to The Benevolent Mistress, the once-bustling tavern had grown quiet, with only a few patrons remaining.

It seemed the sudden downpour had sent many adventurers home. Of course, the real reason was likely the sudden incident involving the Loki Familia. Not wanting to get caught up in it, most adventurers had wisely chosen to leave.

The summer night after the rain was cool and refreshing, but both Riveria and Aiz involuntarily shivered the moment they stepped inside the tavern.

The temperature was abnormally low—so much so that it defied common sense.

"You're back? Bete's condition is critical. He might not hold on much longer."

Surrounded by the members of the Loki Familia was the beastman youth, already covered in a thin layer of frost. It was clear that his body was gradually transforming into a statue of ice.

"Lady Loki, have you found a way to save Bete?"

"Of course I have. Kid, it's on you now. You do understand the consequences if you can't save him, right?"

Loki spoke as she gestured for Yoru to step forward. Hestia, meanwhile, clenched her fists nervously.

No matter how poor her relationship with Loki might be—whether it was banter or sarcastic jabs—they were always light-hearted at the core. But once it involved the death of a Familia member, that crossed the line into something no joke could excuse.

A Familia was like family. If a member died, it would become a grudge that could never be undone.

Can Yoru… really save him?

Hestia watched with worry, not feeling too optimistic. But just as Yoru approached, something strange began to happen.

The tavern, previously chilled to a shocking degree, slowly began to warm up. It returned to a more normal, comfortable temperature.

Loki narrowed her eyes, intrigued as she watched Yoru. She couldn't figure out how he was suppressing the intense cold.

Soon, Yoru reached the source of the chill—Bete, lying motionless with his eyes shut.

He didn't do anything dramatic. All he did was gently grasp Bete's hand—and with that, the frigid aura around Bete began to dissipate before their eyes.

"Oh… A magic-absorption constitution. How fascinating."

Loki murmured softly. Yoru's constitution was the bane of any mage—someone who could absorb any magic-based phenomenon with ease and convert it into his own power.

"Riveria, you'd better be careful. If you do end up with him, you'll be at his mercy whenever you're together."

"Lady Loki! Why are you saying such weird things again? Weren't you just against us being together a moment ago?"

"Oho… So you do want to be with him, Riveria."

"Th-that's not it! I-it was just a hypothetical—hypothetical, okay?!"

Riveria looked like she was about to cry again, helpless in the face of her goddess's constant teasing.

"…He should be fine now."

With the frost completely gone and the tavern's temperature restored, Yoru stood up and made his announcement.

"Truly, thank you, adventurer—for saving Bete despite everything."

"It's nothing. I only did it because Riveria asked me to."

Yoru shook his head and replied softly, drawing gasps from the Amazonian twin sisters.

This guy… is seriously sly.

Riveria bit her lip in frustration. She had only said she forgave Bete, not that she was asking for help. So when did that turn into a request?

"Oh well, everything's fine now. Let's call it even, shall we? How about some food and drinks? My treat!"

Seeing that Bete was no longer in danger, Loki quickly reverted to her cheerful self. She glanced smugly at Hestia and grinned.

"It's a rare opportunity, you know? Eat whatever you want!"

"Thanks for the offer, but I just came from a banquet, so I'm not really hungry right now."

"Oh… Someone actually invited you to a banquet? That's a surprise."

"Hmph. There are plenty of things about me that would surprise you."

Hestia huffed, clearly displeased. The two goddesses seemed ready to start bickering again, but perhaps sensing the inappropriateness of doing so in public, they merely exchanged glances, let out matching hmphs, and turned away from each other.

Though Bete was out of danger, he still wasn't in good shape. It would take time and rest for him to fully recover.

Once the Loki Familia left, the tavern fell into complete silence. The staff had already begun their closing preparations.

"Well, we're off. And hey, brat! Keep your filthy hands off Aiz-chan! As for Riveria… well, that depends on your skills. If you can win her heart, maybe I wouldn't mind gaining a son-in-law."

"Lady Loki!!"

Riveria's mortified shout was accompanied by a heavy, unnatural thud.

"Ohoho… Riveria, since when did you start using violence like Aiz-chan?"

"Even a gentle high elf has limits, Lady Loki. Some things simply can't be tolerated."

Her soft voice drifted into the distance. Yoru let out a small sigh as he watched the three of them leave.

Standing off to the side, Hestia sniffled slightly, her gaze complex as she stared at Yoru.

So tell me… what's so great about that woman, anyway…?

"Sorry for leaving earlier without paying. Here's the money for the meal."

Yoru approached the counter where the proprietress and Syr stood, handing over his coin pouch.

"It's fine, it's fine. As long as you remembered, that's all that matters. Young people, huh? I get it."

The proprietress chuckled warmly as she weighed the heavy pouch in her hand.

"…Sorry, Syr. We were supposed to have dinner together, but everything ended up like this."

"It's okay… I should be congratulating you instead—for finding someone you care about."

Syr gave a strained smile, clutching the hem of her skirt tightly, trying her best to keep her voice from trembling.

"Yoru… seeing you pursue the one you love so passionately… it really is admirable."

"It's all thanks to you, Syr. If you feel that spark… then don't let it slip away. Be bold. Confess. Or else… you might end up just a passerby."

Yoru gently patted Syr's head as he said this, his voice warm and sincere.

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