The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

3/5

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The avenue was alive with noise and excitement, filled with jubilant voices.

It was around nine in the morning—while most adventurers were still deep inside the dungeon, East Main Street was already packed with civilians, a sea of festivity.

Countless food stalls lined the road, either down the center or to the sides, sending savory aromas and the sizzle of grilled meat into the air. The entire street had been adorned with streamers and beautiful flowers, giving it a more vibrant and elegant look than usual.

Above the heads of passersby fluttered colorful banners strung across the road. The designs alternated between fierce monster silhouettes—like snarling lions—and the elephant-headed emblem of the Ganesha Familia.

Beastkin children with flushed cheeks tugged excitedly at their mothers' hands, while the sound of footsteps from the dense crowd seemed to carry an extra bounce. The sunlight above shone brilliantly, as if celebrating the occasion itself.

At that moment, East Main Street was completely bathed in the atmosphere of a grand festival.

The crowd was slowly but steadily streaming toward the massive coliseum on the eastern edge of the city.

A pair of silver eyes observed it all from above.

On the second floor of a café facing the avenue.

Inside the warmly decorated, wooden-themed shop, a woman sat alone by the window, quietly watching the crowd flow beneath. She wore a dark blue cloak to conceal her pale, flawless skin, so as not to attract attention with her beauty—though of course, that was a futile effort.

A single piece of cloth couldn't possibly hide such divine beauty.

Proof enough: even with her hood pulled low over her face, all the gazes in the café converged on her. Whenever her slender fingers slid over her cup, or the graceful lines of her jaw peeked out from beneath the hood, a collective breath was drawn. Many were so captivated they forgot the passage of time.

Without doing anything at all, she effortlessly ensnared the hearts of everyone present—Freyja, the goddess of beauty. And yet, she simply stared out the window, her gaze quiet and patient.

The people of the lower world filled the street below… so many children.

Humans, beastkin, dwarves, elves—people of every race crowded the avenue. Here and there, one could spot the occasional adventurer blending in among the citizens.

Freyja's eyes scanned every face with great intent, as though searching for someone.

That was when a creaking noise interrupted her thoughts.

The sound of footsteps on wooden flooring—more than one person approaching.

She looked away from the street and toward her approaching guest.

"Oh? Have I kept you waiting long?"

"Not at all. I just got here."

The goddess gave a faint smile beneath her hood to the casually greeting figure who raised a hand in greeting.

Unlike Hephaestus, whose fiery red hair was striking and sharp, this person's hair was a softer, dusty rose. Tied back loosely, she wore a worn-out shirt and pants, giving off a slightly disheveled, masculine vibe.

"You don't look too well. Something bothering you?"

It was unusual—Loki, who almost always had her eyes narrowed in amusement, now wore a rare neutral expression. What looked normal on anyone else seemed oddly out of place on her.

"Ugh, don't ask. I just got shown up by a brat."

As Loki pulled out a chair and sat down with a grumble, Freyja simply smiled as if amused, her expression unconcerned. The atmosphere between them was that of long-time acquaintances.

"Oh? Which Familia could possibly ruffle our dear Loki-sama's feathers like that? Now I'm curious."

"Who else? That brat from Hestia's Familia."

"Oh… the one who confessed his feelings in public while still just a Level 1?"

"So even you've heard about that?"

"Of course I have. The love story between a Loki Familia adventurer and an outsider—how could such dramatic gossip not spread like wildfire throughout Orario?"

"Tch… people really do love to talk."

Loki muttered irritably. Though she meant to brush it off like a joke, hearing it come from Freyja made it feel strangely unsettling.

"That brat—I was being nice, you know. Offered to have Riveria teach him magic, and he just turned me down! Said something about wanting to earn the woman he loves with his own strength. Who the hell does he think he is?! My kids aren't so easy to win over, you know!"

Loki's frustration bubbled over as she grumbled, while Freyja chuckled softly like a gentle listener.

"By the way… when will you introduce her to me?"

"Huh? You still need an introduction?"

"Well, it is technically our first time meeting."

Alongside Loki sat another figure—a golden-haired, golden-eyed girl with a sheathed sword strapped to her side. Even Freyja, the goddess known as the most beautiful among gods, had to narrow her silver eyes to look at her.

At first, the girl had seemed a little unsure due to her goddess's words, but upon hearing Freyja speak about her, she turned in mild surprise.

"Well, fine. She's Ais from my Familia. That enough? Ais, don't be fooled by her—she may not look it, but she is a goddess. Say hello."

"…Pleased to meet you."

The Sword Princess. Freyja quietly mouthed the title beneath her breath as she observed the girl before her.

Ais Wallenstein. The most renowned female swordswoman in the Loki Familia—among the gods, her name was often brought up in conversation. Her fame and feats had spread far beyond Orario.

Her delicate, almost fragile features made her seem entirely unsuited for the dangerous life of an adventurer. Anyone meeting her for the first time would never guess she'd carved her way through countless monsters.

This human girl with fine, graceful features quietly obeyed Loki's prompt to sit down beside her.

So adorable… and now I see why Loki fell for her.

Their eyes met—gold and silver.

Ais retained her usual stoic, emotionless expression and bowed politely.

Freyja smiled at how her appearance contrasted so sharply with her fearsome nickname.

"May I ask why you brought the Sword Princess along today?"

"Ufufufu…! You really don't get it, do you? It's a festival! I plan to enjoy a full-blown, lovey-dovey date with my dear Ais!"

Loki let out a lecherous laugh, loudly announcing her intentions.

"…Tch. She just got back from an expedition. If I left her alone, this little princess would've dashed right back into the dungeon."

"She'll never take a break unless someone forces her to relax."

Loki reached out and gently patted the girl's head. Ais lowered her gaze in reluctant admission, letting the goddess do as she pleased.

Seeing the warmth in those red-tinged eyes, and remembering how wild Loki had once been in Heaven, Freyja couldn't help but feel… she really had changed.

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