""Soma Familia?""
Alice and Hestia both turned to look at Hephaestus with puzzled expressions after hearing her words.
"Mhm." Hephaestus nodded. "The Soma Familia. Three days ago, they started massively selling this kind of... comic? All throughout Orario."
"Don't be fooled by how thin this little booklet is, its price isn't cheap at all. This tiny volume costs a full thousand valis. And right now, sixty percent of Orario's population has bought one. Hestia, you can imagine just how much profit that generates."
"Originally, I thought you, Alice, had authorized the Soma Familia to sell these, since you have that Pallum from the Soma Familia in your home. But now, it seems there's some kind of problem."
A wry smile appeared on Hephaestus's face.
"So, that tomboy Loki hasn't done anything about this? She's the most likely one who drew this thing. There's a high chance it was stolen by the Soma Familia. Is she just letting it slide?"
Hestia frowned.
Even though she and Loki were archenemies, Hestia also had great faith in Loki's capability to get things done.
If Loki hadn't lifted a finger, Hestia absolutely refused to believe it.
But now, with Hephaestus even calling Alice over, it was clear Loki hadn't acted. And if she hadn't acted, there must be a reason.
Hearing Hestia's question, Alice also looked at Hephaestus with confusion.
Loki had mentioned the comic project to her before, but neither she nor Loki had ever considered the Soma Familia as potential partners.
Seeing the questioning looks from Hestia and Alice, Hephaestus shrugged.
"Nothing to be done. Hestia, didn't you just say Alice is going on the expedition with the Loki Familia the day after tomorrow?"
"These past few days, everyone in the Loki Familia, from top to bottom, has been busy training to improve their basic abilities."
"And Loki herself has been updating her children's statuses from morning till night, completely swamped. It's highly likely she doesn't even know about this whole situation yet. I guess the Soma Familia seized this exact opportunity."
Alice's tone carried a hint of displeasure. "Then, aren't the people from the Soma Familia afraid of the trouble Loki's Familia will bring once they're free? And this book features a story about me and Loki. If I found out, I'd definitely come after them too."
"True." Hephaestus nodded in agreement. "But Alice, if I hadn't told you, when do you think you would have found out?"
Hearing this, Alice's frown deepened.
Three days ago, this booklet with her and Loki's story started selling all over Orario. And in three whole days, not just her, but even Lili and Hestia had remained unaware. Something was definitely up.
"Information about you, Alice, is pretty transparent in Orario right now. The Soma Familia has been selective in their sales; they haven't approached anyone connected to you."
"It's the same with the Loki Familia. Plus, the Loki Familia is about to head out on an expedition. By the time Loki finds out and wants to deal with them, she'd have to wait for the main expedition force to return."
Alice picked up where Hephaestus left off. "And by that time, the market in Orario would already be saturated. The Soma Familia could have even spent all the money they earned, since Soma's wine is a huge money sink, right?"
"At that point, even if the Loki Familia comes knocking, they won't care. It's like 'a dead pig isn't afraid of hot water.' The Loki Familia can't just wipe them all out. At worst, it would lead to a Familia War, but the god Soma could simply refuse the war game."
After saying this, Alice let out a soft sigh.
"It seems I need to have a good talk with Lili to understand this Familia better. Up until now, the Soma Familia never bothered me, so I never paid them any mind. But now it seems this Familia is even more detestable than the Apollo Familia."
It was rare for Alice to feel such disgust towards an entire Familia.
When it came to the Apollo Familia, it was ultimately Apollo's own problem. But as for the Soma Familia... ever since she saved Lili back then, Alice had a pretty good idea of the general character of its members.
"If one god isn't enough, then let's bring in another," Alice said, her voice calm.
Hearing Alice's words, Hestia and Hephaestus both frowned simultaneously.
"Alice, there's no need to be that harsh."
"That's right, Alice-chan. That guy Soma is just a fool. You could easily disband his Familia, but there's no need to send him back to Heaven."
Hestia and Hephaestus tried to dissuade her.
For the immortal, deathless gods, being forcibly returned to the boring, monotonous Heaven was the most severe punishment possible.
Hearing their pleas, Alice looked at them, confused. "When did I say I was going to send the god Soma back?"
"Alice-chan, your words just now certainly sounded like that's what you meant," Hestia said, puzzled.
"I know the difference between the god Soma and Apollo. So don't worry. Even if I take action, the most I'll do is break up the Soma Familia. I won't send Soma back."
"The actions of the Soma Familia and the Apollo Familia are on completely different levels. If I really sent their god back to Heaven just for selling a doujinshi about me, my life in Orario would probably become very difficult afterwards."
Alice explained this to the two goddesses.
"Besides, Loki and I still plan to sell our own comics. In a way, the Soma Familia has actually done me a favor this time. Even though I'm furious they made money off me, there aren't any specific rules against it in Orario."
"Sixty percent of Orario has already read this story about me and Loki. And from what Lady Hephaestus says, it seems those people were quite pleased with it."
"If I were to send the god Soma back over this, that sixty percent of the population would probably hold a grudge against me. I don't have the power to withstand the resentment of sixty percent of the city."
Hearing Alice's reasoning, Hestia and Hephaestus grew even more confused.
"Then what do you plan to do, Alice?" Hestia asked, looking at her quizzically.
A slight smile touched Alice's lips. "Hestia, how would you like to add another member to your Familia? Right now, your Familia has two warriors and one mage. What if I gave you a supporter?"
"Don't tell me...?"
"Indeed. It's time to resolve Lili's situation."
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