Though they were just comic books, they still counted as literary works, and in this world, the promotion of such works fell almost entirely to bards.
Before Loki started drawing these comics, the literary scene had been completely dominated by heroic epics. Even Loki's own comics were just wish-fulfillment fantasies—clichéd stories about Loki playing the hero and rescuing herself.
But this new form of graphic storytelling, especially with a famous figure like Loki as the protagonist paired with the recently renowned Alice, sparked people's curiosity. Their love story in the comics tapped into a voyeuristic fascination, making everyone eager to see what it was all about.
Dealing with the Soma Familia should have been straightforward.
But a good pretext was needed. If Alice simply sent Soma back to Heaven for selling stories about her, the other gods would worry—would she start expelling deities over any trivial matter in the future?
Yes.
Trivial matters.
Loki's picture book was precisely that—a trivial matter. Gossip about celebrities was everywhere, not just in Orario, but across the entire world.
Almost every god had similar stories circulating about them. It's just that none had spread as rapidly or widely as Alice's comic.
Of course, Alice wasn't angry merely because the comic had gone viral.
The core issue was this: the comic was drawn by Loki, and the Soma Familia—through some means—had gotten their hands on it and made a fortune selling it.
That was what infuriated Alice. If Loki's comic was to be sold, it should be the Loki Familia profiting from it. What business did the Soma Familia have getting involved?
Truthfully, the Loki Familia were the best suited to deal with the Soma Familia.
Since the comic had likely been stolen from the Loki Familia in the first place, it would be perfectly reasonable for them to seek redress.
Unfortunately, the Loki Familia was currently busy preparing for an expedition.
Every member had been spending their days deep in the Dungeon, staying from dawn till dusk, returning only to update their Status, rest, and then dive back in the next day after recovering.
So, despite the comic's explosive popularity over just three days, the Soma Familia—by deliberately avoiding the Loki Familia—had managed to keep them in the dark.
But secrets never stay buried forever.
That the Soma Familia had kept it hidden for three days was already quite an achievement.
Alice learned about the comic from Hephaestus, and Loki, in turn, found out from Riveria.
The expedition was set for the day after tomorrow.
Tomorrow was reserved for final preparations and rest, so tonight, Loki found herself with some free time.
As for the other members of the Loki Familia, while they were grinding in the Dungeon daily, the upper echelons like Riveria hadn't ventured into the lower floors.
Being Level 6 already, floors before the 40th or 50th offered them no real growth. So during this period, Riveria and the other executives had been focused on expedition logistics, not dungeon crawling.
With all preparations complete, Riveria decided to spend some time at the Visché Café in southwestern Orario.
Just as she was sipping her coffee, a bard in the café began performing—recounting the story of Prince Loki rescuing Princess Alice.
Why was there a bard in a café? Because the music and tales they shared brought the customers joy.
As Riveria listened, she grew increasingly puzzled. After speaking with the bard, she managed to acquire a copy of Loki's comic.
Now, she was confronting Loki for confirmation.
After three exhausting days of non-stop updating her children's Statuses, Loki had been looking forward to unwinding with a nice drink at the tavern, finally free from work.
That was when Riveria showed up with the comic.
"So, this picture book is your masterpiece, Lady Loki?" Riveria asked, her expression perfectly calm.
Under that gaze, Loki broke out in a cold sweat.
"Mmm... I drew it. Can't a girl have her fantasies?" Loki took the book, wondering how Riveria had found it—she'd hidden it so carefully.
But right now, damage control was key.
"Riveria, you absolutely must not tell Alice-chan about this, understand?!" Loki pleaded nervously.
Hearing this, Riveria sighed.
"Ah... Ais and Lefiya just returned from visiting Alice. They're with Finn now, discussing inviting Alice to join the expedition. If all goes well, Alice will be coming over the day after tomorrow."
"Eh? Alice-chan is coming out!?" Loki stared at Riveria in shock.
"Yes." Riveria nodded. "And if you think you can keep her from finding out about this comic, I'm afraid that's impossible."
"Huh? Why? Sure, you found mine, but if you keep it quiet, Alice-chan won't know, right? Wait... this book..."
Loki frowned, suddenly noticing the book in her hands felt wrong.
The binding was off, too. The quality and craftsmanship were far inferior. She knew her own work—this wasn't her original.
A bad feeling began to dawn on her.
"Riveria, where did you get this book?" Loki asked, brow furrowed. "Please don't tell me you found it in the hidden compartment of my desk."
"No. I bought it off the street," Riveria replied flatly.
Hearing that, Loki's slit eyes flew wide open.
"Bought it off the street!?!" she yelled, stunned.
"Yes." Riveria nodded. "The Soma Familia has been selling them for three days. By now, probably over half of Orario has a copy of the comic you drew."
"Why?!"
If being discovered by Riveria had been embarrassing, this news made Loki genuinely angry.
"Who was it?! Does anyone know who gave my comic to the Soma Familia?"
Riveria could feel the heavy, oppressive aura radiating from Loki. She was clearly furious.
And as for Loki's question... Riveria did know.
"I know. What do you plan to do? There's a hundred percent chance it was someone from your own Familia," Riveria said, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"What do you think? Of course, that person must bow and apologize to Alice!! And I need to apologize too, for using her as the main character without permission."
Loki's words were filled with sincere remorse.
But then, she froze.
"In that case, Loki, you'll need to apologize to Alice twice," Riveria said, looking straight at her.
"Huh? Twice?" Loki stared back, her expression shifting uneasily. "Don't tell me it was me?"
"Yes." Riveria nodded.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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