"You're really fast."
Loki's tone carried thinly veiled irritation.
Standing across from her, Bell looked helpless.
"Loki-sama, it's because you moved too quickly."
"How is it my fault? You let Hephaestus stay, but not me."
"Loki-sama, do you really want to live at our place?"
"Not at all!"
Loki answered without the slightest hesitation, then tilted her head toward the sky at a 45-degree angle, looking thoroughly put out. "If I had to live with that shorty, she'd never stop mocking my figure. Why would I willingly put myself in a position to get teased by Hestia about my body?"
Bell couldn't figure out what mood Loki-sama was in to make such a request, so he decided to ask.
"Since you know Goddess-sama will mock you, why do you still want to stay with us?"
"Nonsense! Hephaestus is staying here—why can't I?"
Loki rolled her eyes. If Hephaestus could live here, why was it a big deal when it was her turn?
"Besides, those lunatics have been getting more active in Orario lately. I need a place to lie low."
With her putting it like that, turning her down any further would seem heartless.
After a brief pause, Bell chose not to refuse her outright. After all, Orario had been unstable lately.
"Please, come with me."
Trailing behind Bell, Loki's lips curled into a small smile. That went smoother than expected.
Bell led Loki into the treehouse.
Inside, the two goddesses were lounging in the living room in their nightgowns, sipping drinks. The stack of empty plates on the table showed they'd been at it for a while.
"Ugh… I won't be able to see Bell-kun for a long time after today."
Sipping her low-alcohol fruit wine, Hestia grumbled, clearly in low spirits.
"This is an expedition, and it's a crucial one for Bell. He'll face a lot, but it's also a chance for him to grow. What we need to do now is avoid adding to his burdens."
The wine wasn't strong, but it had still flushed Hephaestus's face. Without her mask, she radiated a mature charm most goddesses lacked.
"Yes, I know."
Hestia wasn't just being childish—she only acted that way when it was allowed. When the situation called for it, she was perfectly serious.
But after that brief moment of composure, she slumped into the sofa.
"But when will Bell-kun be back? It's our last chance before the expedition, and I wanted to dote on him a bit."
Yeah... she really wanted to spoil him...
As Hephaestus thought about all the recent happenings in the house, a faint glimmer of moisture welled up in her eyes.
"Click!"
At that moment, the sound of the door opening immediately drew the attention of the two goddesses.
"Bell-kun is back!"
Hestia's eyes lit up instantly, and even Hephaestus's gaze rippled with a flicker of emotion.
But the voice that followed from the direction of the entrance made them both freeze in place.
"Whoa! Last time I came here it was still a mess—I didn't expect this floor to actually look like a proper big tree now."
The moment they heard that voice, both of them paused, then quickly composed themselves and tried to calm their emotions. Not long after, Bell entered, leading a visibly curious Loki.
When Hestia and Hephaestus spotted Loki, she also noticed them.
A glance at the wine glasses and the stack of empty plates on the table made it obvious they had been drinking.
Then, noticing the faint pink flush on their faces and skin, along with an unusual air about them...
A very distinct sensuality.
Right then, Loki felt like she was seeing Riveria with flushed cheeks after drinking—except, even drunk, Riveria would never let her get the upper hand.
Of course, the two in front of her weren't any easier to deal with.
That shorty didn't have much in the way of physical power, but her words could cut deep—especially when it came to body shaming. If she came out with something like "Loki, are you jealous?"—especially with that little sneer of disdain—Loki felt she'd break on the spot.
Better not get wrecked just trying to fish for benefits.
Naturally, Loki wouldn't dream of trying anything with Hephaestus either.
At the very least, Loki didn't think her bones could survive a punch from Hephaestus.
Just picturing either of those scenes made Loki's eyelid twitch violently. She immediately abandoned any thoughts of messing with them.
Neither Hestia's biting remarks nor Hephaestus's fists were something she could handle.
"Loki, why are you at my place?"
Hestia didn't bother hiding her irritation at being interrupted.
"Don't play dumb! Hephaestus and I are both your partners—why does only Hephaestus get to live here? Are you playing favorites?"
Catching the sour tone in Hestia's voice, Loki, who never let herself get pushed around, fired back without hesitation.
"Huh?"
Hestia blinked, clearly still catching up with the topic shift.
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying you want to move in here too?"
"Obviously. I'm your partner, remember? We're allies. What's the problem if I move in too?"
Loki puffed out her chest, speaking with full confidence.
And honestly, she wasn't wrong. As a partner and ally, there was nothing unreasonable about her moving into Hestia's place.
That alliance had brought Hestia and Bell a lot of benefits—wasn't it only fair to give a little back now?
But Hestia just stared at Loki with a blank expression.
"You're not just saying this because you saw Hephaestus living here and want a spot for yourself, are you?"
"You're using that bandit logic of yours—'I might not need it, but I can't let it go,' or something like that?"
...Well, damn!
Loki's face twitched several times. How the hell did that shorty see through her so easily?
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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