"Negotiations and Exposure"
As one of Orario's strongest Familias, the Loki Familia's headquarters were anything but modest.
The Twilight Manor—home to Orario's two queens.
A goddess, dressed in men's clothing, her eyes narrowed to slits, approached with a swagger. Only Loki, with her flat chest, could move so brazenly through the Twilight Manor.
With a resounding thud, Loki threw open the meeting room doors and strode inside.
"My, my, Hephaestus, it's rare to see you here!
On second thought, you're not here to chase me for payments, are you? Even my drinking money's been confiscated by Riveria to pay off debts—I'm broke!"
Hephaestus, seated in the meeting room, placed her teacup down. "Rest assured, I'm not here to collect debts."
Loki sat opposite Hephaestus, visibly relieved. "Good! My children are on an expedition; if you were to demand payment now, I'd be utterly defenseless."
Hephaestus ignored Loki's theatrics. "So, the Loki Familia's finances are still precarious?"
At this, Loki's face clouded with worry, and she began to complain. "Our Familia isn't like yours; you don't earn money, you practically steal it!
The children need equipment for the expedition—weapons, armor, potions, those outrageously expensive magic swords—and the expedition's profits don't even cover the costs."
Hephaestus understood; Loki's complaints were a thinly veiled criticism of her high prices.
Loki wasn't exaggerating; as one of Orario's strongest Familias, the Loki Familia was perpetually in debt.
The Hephaestus Familia (for equipment), the Dian Cecht Familia (for potions), and others were all creditors.
The Loki Familia is purely an exploration Familia; their income comes solely from defeating monsters in the Dungeon.
Even ordinary Dungeon dives require extensive preparation; their actual profits are minimal.
Furthermore, the Familia's children are notoriously irresponsible; even indestructible weapons end up needing frequent repairs. It's a miracle they manage to save anything at all.
This expedition was even more expensive, pushing the Loki Familia further into debt.
Hephaestus sighed. "Stop acting, you know I'll give you a discount on this bill!"
Loki's narrowed eyes crinkled into a triumphant smile.
Hephaestus had known Loki for eons; she understood the goddess perfectly.
The Loki Familia's plight was genuine, but Loki was definitely not as distraught as she portrayed; she was simply trying to garner sympathy.
However, Hephaestus didn't mind a little leniency; she allowed her old friend this small victory.
Clearing her throat, Hephaestus stated, "I'm not here for idle chatter; I have serious business."
Loki, despite her usual flippant attitude, sat up straighter, sensing Hephaestus's seriousness.
"My child encountered Revis of the Alecto Familia in the Dungeon…"
Hephaestus recounted Drake's encounter with the Dark Faction, his post-battle discoveries, and her resulting suspicions.
As the goddess leading Orario's strongest Familia, Loki was far from the frivolous figure she presented.
Loki, the goddess of trickery, was far more cunning and calculating than Hephaestus. She understood the immense implications of this news.
"Are these Dark Faction fellows trying to spice up our lives by jumping out to cause trouble?" Loki asked with a mischievous grin.
Hephaestus took a sip of tea. "Be serious; the Dark Faction isn't here to play games.
If you're careless, you could end up being returned to the heavens, and that would be truly embarrassing."
Loki laughed. "You underestimate me! I'll handle this; I'll investigate and get back to you immediately.
However, my children are on an expedition; the investigation will have to wait until their return."
Hephaestus waved her hand dismissively. "Suit yourself, but if you need any assistance, don't hesitate to ask!"
At this, Loki's narrowed eyes widened; she was about to speak when Hephaestus added,
"But the bill still needs to be paid."
Loki's eyes instantly narrowed again, a look of displeasure on her face. "Hephaestus, you're so stingy!"
Hephaestus harrumphed. "That's the result of my child's hard work; giving you a discount is already more than generous!"
With Hephaestus's firm stance, Loki had to abandon her hopes of a free pass.
However, a peculiar smile spread across Loki's face; she leaned closer. "You haven't mentioned this to Freya, have you?"
Hephaestus glanced at Loki, sighing wearily. "You're just as difficult as ever!"
The Dark Faction's reappearance; Hephaestus seeking help is perfectly reasonable. What's unusual is that Hephaestus's first call was to the Loki Familia, whose elite members were on an expedition.
Orario's other queen had no such plans.
Hephaestus looked at Loki. "To be frank, I'm uncertain about Freya's stance. We're still in the investigation phase; I can only rely on you for now."
Freya, the goddess of beauty, was, like Loki, a close friend of Hephaestus in the heavens. But even then, Hephaestus couldn't fully understand her friend's true intentions.
Even Loki, who delighted in instigating wars between gods, seemed less dangerous than Freya, in Hephaestus's estimation.
Loki chuckled, offering no response. The goddess was being deliberately evasive, raising the topic without elaborating.
Hephaestus, unwilling to engage further with Loki's manipulative nature, stood. "That's settled then; I'll leave it to you."
As Hephaestus started towards the door, Loki's voice stopped her.
"Wait, Hephaestus, you're hiding something! Like the identity of the member who survived the encounter with Revis. Or rather, the child who defeated Revis!"
Hephaestus paused, a wry smile playing on her lips.
She had deliberately downplayed Drake's role in her narrative, yet Loki had still noticed.
It was understandable; most of her high-level adventurers, who are also skilled blacksmiths, were currently on the Loki Familia's expedition.
The sudden emergence of someone capable of venturing into the lower levels and defeating Revis was bound to raise suspicions.
Hephaestus turned to Loki, her eyes blazing with intensity.
"Loki, that child is from my Familia. If you harm them, I won't hesitate to act, even against you."
Loki crossed her arms, feigning trepidation. "Don't be so serious! I was merely curious."
Hephaestus didn't believe a word; she gave Loki a pointed look. "Remember my words."
With that, Hephaestus left.
Once Hephaestus's back disappeared down the corridor, Loki's feigned fear vanished completely.
"It seems Hephaestus has a new outstanding child. How incredibly intriguing!"
Stepping outside the Loki Familia's territory, Hephaestus looked back at the Twilight Manor's entrance, letting out a long sigh.
She had anticipated revealing Drake's existence, and her choice to approach Loki instead of Freya was partly due to this.
Loki, at least, possessed a degree of restraint; even if suspicious, she wouldn't act recklessly. She couldn't guarantee the same from Freya.
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