Knock knock knock!
Just as Riveria was pressing Loki relentlessly, the sudden knock at the door came to Loki's rescue.
"Mama, someone's here! Someone's here!"
What a shame.
Riveria knew she had almost cornered Loki completely, just one step away—but that final push had slipped away.
There was nothing she could do. As much as she understood what was happening, the moment had passed, and the conversation couldn't continue.
"Wait a moment."
Riveria got dressed, gave a pointed glance at the visibly guilty Loki, and quietly stepped outside.
Who dares interrupt me now?
She looked at the person at the door—and upon seeing his face, paused for a moment. A strange feeling welled up in her chest.
"Sorry to bother you, Riveria-sama. I'm just a little nervous about tomorrow's expedition..."
"Hmm, that's completely normal. Are you new?"
"Yes, I just joined the Familia a few days ago."
A rookie, huh.
Riveria frowned slightly, thinking it over. But seeing how anxious and stiff the boy was, her expression softened.
"It's natural to be nervous before your first expedition. But remember, your job as a newcomer isn't to charge ahead. Focus on getting used to the Dungeon's environment. Don't be reckless—those who get swept up in excitement are the ones the Dungeon eats alive."
"Y-Yes! Riveria-sama!"
The boy was so nervous he could barely speak clearly, his entire body tense with unease.
Definitely a rookie.
Caught between excitement and fear about the expedition—it was a familiar sight.
Riveria knew a few words wouldn't calm him down, so she simply hoped he'd adjust quickly once inside the Dungeon.
"Do your best. After your Status Update, make sure to get some sleep. We've got an early start tomorrow."
"Y-Yes, Riveria-sama!"
Riveria stepped aside, watching the boy stiffly walk into Loki's room, then shook her head with concern.
"Rookies like that are always the ones to worry about."
With that, she left the doorway.
...
Inside, Loki eyed the boy with open curiosity.
"You little brat... You actually used my Authority."
The boy who had been stammering a moment ago was now perfectly calm, his expression unreadable—even as Loki-sama addressed him directly.
"Loki-sama, please don't make it sound like I can casually wield a god's Authority. I'm just a regular adventurer. What I used just now was nothing more than a minor deception."
"And besides... shouldn't you be thanking me for helping you out?"
"Bullshit!"
Loki completely dismissed his polite tone. He'd used her Authority to get Riveria off her back—and she was supposed to be grateful for that?
"Still, even if you didn't deceive the world, the fact you could manipulate my Authority to that extent is... impressive."
The boy just smiled and threw the question back at her.
"Then, Loki-sama... could you deceive the world?"
Loki rolled her eyes at him.
"Why would I bother with something that troublesome?"
Deceive the world?
What, does he think having Authority means doing whatever you want?
Gods' Authorities are fragments of the world itself. How could a god use the power granted by the world... to trick the world? That's just absurd.
"Even if I removed the seal on my divine power, I wouldn't go around deceiving the world. The only result would be the other gods dragging me away in chains."
"Tch... I was hoping Loki-sama might use her Authority to change Nine Hell's mindset."
That comment earned him an immediate, mocking glare from Loki.
"Are you kidding me!? I raised that kid myself, and you think I'd use my Authority to change her mind? What do you take me for—some kind of lowlife who cheats to get her way?"
The boy, completely unfazed by Loki's sarcasm, anger, and underlying hostility, countered calmly:
"Then what if, by using your Authority, the 'Sword Princess' and 'Nine Hell' ended up at your side every day, dressed in revealing outfits, living in pure indulgence?"
"..."
Loki's mind instantly conjured the exact fantasy he described. For just a moment, her resolve wavered.
But she quickly snapped out of it and rejected the notion with righteous indignation.
"Don't be ridiculous! I wouldn't stoop so low as to manipulate people with my Authority."
She shut her eyes in frustration. The way her fists clenched showed just how much willpower it took to keep herself in check.
With a small smirk, the boy pulled out a tissue and held it out.
"Loki-sama, maybe wipe your nose first—looks like you're losing control."
Flustered, Loki instinctively touched her nose—only to find a streak of blood.
Are you kidding me!?
Damn it, it's all Ais and Mama's fault for being so damn sexy! How the hell am I supposed to resist that!?
After rationalizing it away, she snatched the tissue, tore it in half, and stuffed both pieces into her nostrils.
Once the nosebleed was under control, she visibly calmed down. Still, the alluring image lingering in her head made her sigh with longing.
If only that day could actually come...
Loki's heart stirred with a hint of anticipation—but even more with helplessness.
Riveria and Ais guarded against her like hawks. She used to get away with a little flirting, but now she couldn't even sneak a whiff of that "soup."
"Alright, brat. What're you doing here this late? Don't tell me you came to catch up."
Thanks to the tissue plugs, her voice was thick with nasal congestion, and she was obviously struggling to maintain some semblance of dignity.
Not that the boy cared—he already had a very clear picture of what Loki-sama was really like.
"Naturally, it's part of the plan. I came to invite you to the Hestia Familia to watch the show. But since our Familia's territory is now technically 'outside the world,' I thought I'd prep a separate spatial coordinate just for you."
"...Outside the world, huh..."
Loki's expression twitched.
She looked up at the boy standing in front of her. As much as she disliked his style, there was no denying it—this kid had the power to flatten every Adventurer in Orario.
"You... you really think of everything."
When it came to chasing girls, even Loki had to admit—this brat was bolder than she was.