Chapter 44: The Goddesses in Opposition

The Assembly of Gods.

This meeting is held only once every three months in the Labyrinth City of Orario.

Because only gods attend, this meeting is reverently referred to as the Assembly of Gods by the people. However, in reality, for the gods, it is merely a gathering to alleviate boredom and seek entertainment.

Initially, it was just a casual gathering of idle gods chatting about trivial matters to pass the time. As more gods began to participate, the scale of the gathering grew larger. Over time, the nature of the gathering changed, transforming into an event where gods share the latest information from the lower world, exchange opinions on managing their Familias, and even collaborate with the Guild to make decisions that can influence the entire Orario.

Thanks to this, any matters discussed and decided upon at the Assembly of Gods, whether good or bad, have a significant impact on the entire adventurer community and the Labyrinth City.

This is the reason Loki's mood is so terrible.

After all, no one knows better than Loki what kind of topics a god, who is more capricious and eager for entertainment and excitement than anyone else, might bring up in a setting where rhetoric can be freely employed.

Just like right now.

"Come on, don't be so mean, Loki."

"We just want to know about the new member in your Familia."

"Isn't everyone talking about it lately?"

"Did your guy really go from 1 to 4 in just over a month?"

"What method did he use?"

"Tell us, will you?"

"Sure, sure."

The gods, who seemed to have been eagerly awaiting this moment, sat in their respective seats, their gazes fixed on Loki with intense excitement, surrounding her spiritually.

Seeing these gods, who looked like they had found some amusement, all showing their ugly faces, Loki's expression turned visibly sour.

She is naturally proud and happy about her child's achievements.

In a different setting, she wouldn't mind having a few drinks and boasting about Rikugou, praising him as the world's favorite and the hero of fate, making others envious and admiring.

But here, if she did that, it would only backfire.

These gods, who crave the unknown and entertainment, would not hesitate to do something she least wants to see when she is most proud.

Gods are such beings that even a fleeting thought can lead to action, potentially causing chaos in the entire Orario.

Therefore, Loki is not only in a terrible mood but also has a very poor expression.

"What's the matter? Isn't it normal for my child to be successful?" Loki glared around the room, her eyes fierce. "Are you planning to play tricks behind my back? Go ahead if you want to die!"

The notorious ferocity of the evil god Loki, known in the heavens, made many of the gods, who had been excited, suddenly sober up and quickly avert their gazes.

Joking, this is Loki, one of the main gods of the strongest Familias in Orario.

If she is truly angered, and her Familia retaliates, even some of the larger Familias would suffer significant losses, or even be expelled from Orario.

Gods cannot use their divine powers in the lower world, but the stronger and more numerous the members of a Familia, the greater their influence in the human world. If it comes to a conflict or even a war between Familias, few in Orario could stand up to Loki's Familia.

Thus, the gods are somewhat intimidated by Loki.

Many of the gods began to look down, no longer pressing the issue.

Of course, there are gods who are not afraid of Loki.

"Don't be so angry, Loki, this is a rare gathering, after all?"

A voice like silver bells suddenly echoed in the hall, making the gods look entranced.

Especially the male gods, all of them looked dazed and infatuated.

Loki's heart sank, knowing the most troublesome figure had arrived.

It was the goddess of beauty, Freya, sitting opposite Loki, her status clearly significant, as if they were facing each other in a standoff.

"Freya?" Loki's face was full of displeasure. "What are you, a love-struck fool, doing here?"

Hearing this, the goddess of beauty smiled, making the air in the hall seem sweeter.

"I haven't been here in a long time, so I suddenly felt like coming to see." Freya smiled at Loki. "Of course, I am also interested in the new member in your Familia who has been causing a stir."

"That's really not necessary." Loki said bluntly. "Aren't the men you keep in the Battle Wilderness enough to satisfy you?"

Despite being insulted, Freya was not bothered.

"It seems you are quite worried about that child." Freya said with a radiant smile. "Why don't you introduce him to me?"

"Ugh." Loki finally showed her true colors as an evil god.

She and Freya are old acquaintances.

Even before the gods descended to the lower world, they often interacted in the heavens.

However, it would be hard to say their relationship was good.

They had cooperated and appeared intimate in front of others.

They had also been enemies, engaging in a fierce battle.

Now, their Familias are among the strongest in Orario, known as the dual kings of Orario, both rivals and enemies.

In this situation, Loki clearly understands what the goddess Freya is up to.

Without a doubt, she has her eyes on Rikugou.

Although it's not yet certain, once this love-struck goddess sees Rikugou, things could spiral out of control.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Loki, rarely showing her true nature as an evil god, revealed her ferocious side.

"—"

The atmosphere in the hall froze, becoming incredibly oppressive.

The gods fell silent, lowering their heads, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.

Especially when they saw Freya's smile growing even more intense, their hearts began to race.

This is a true battle of the gods.

The gods couldn't help but think excitedly.

"Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight"

This is true schadenfreude.

However, while some gods relish the chaos, others find such conflicts tiresome.

"Alright, Loki, Freya, this is not the place for your arguments. Calm down."

The one who spoke with a weak voice was a goddess with fiery red hair and a crimson dress, sitting not far from Loki.

The red-haired goddess was no less beautiful than Loki, and even compared to Freya (the goddess of beauty), she was not far behind, though a patch over her right eye slightly marred her beauty.

The sudden intervention of the one-eyed red-haired goddess indeed eased the tension between Loki and Freya.

To explain why—

"Since Hephaestus has spoken, I have no choice but to comply." Freya shrugged. "I don't want my children to be unable to buy the best equipment in the future."

The red-haired goddess was indeed Hephaestus.

The main god of the strongest blacksmith Familia in Orario, the goddess of forging in mythology, was present here.

"What, so you're here, Fifi." Loki grinned at Hephaestus. "I heard you're taking care of that lazy, poor little god. I thought you wouldn't come."

"Don't mention it." Hephaestus sighed. "I'm starting to wonder if I should have helped her in the first place."

"It's not too late, Fifi." Loki smirked. "Just kick that lazy, poor little god out and let her fend for herself."

Hephaestus was actually somewhat tempted.

It's not that she is heartless, but the lifestyle of her god friend has become so degenerate that she can't bear to see it. Otherwise, the iron god, known for her resilience and hard work, wouldn't be so frustrated.

Should I just kick her out?

Hephaestus began to seriously consider it.

Seeing this, Loki's eyes darted around, seemingly thinking of ways to add to the trouble.

Unfortunately, there are more important matters at hand.

This is why Loki, despite knowing she would be attacked, endured the discomfort and came here.

"It seems you have no other business." Loki slapped the table. "If so, let's start awarding titles to the upgraded children."

Yes, awarding titles.

This is one of the segments of the Assembly of Gods, held every three months, and a significant event in the lower world.

Anyone who has been promoted to a higher adventurer rank, whether the lowest 2 or the highest 7, will have their name mentioned here and be granted a unique title by the gods.

For example, Aiz's title is "Sword Maiden."

For example, Raphi's title is "Thousand Elf."

Originally, Rikugou should have received a title when he reached 2, but since the Assembly of Gods is held every three months, and Rikugou reached 2 before the assembly, it was temporarily postponed.

Until now, over a month later, the Assembly of Gods is officially convened, and Rikugou has already reached 4. This is unprecedented.

Thinking about this, the gods were filled with emotion.

When Loki's "Sword Maiden" reached 2 at the age of eight in just one year, all the gods were amazed.

That growth rate was already quite abnormal, causing a stir not just in Orario but worldwide.

Now, there is someone even more extraordinary.

If this person were not in Loki's Familia, the gods would have already rushed to the child's side without hesitation.

Now, the parent (main god) of that person is here, baring her teeth at everyone like a dog.

"Let me make it clear, if anyone dares to give a ridiculous title, don't blame me for getting angry."

The evil god's threat made the gods quickly put on serious faces and think carefully.

Only Freya, looking at the ferocious Loki, slowly curled her lips.

Her expression was both beautiful and terrifying.

New book, seeking support! Seeking recommendations! Seeking collections! (*^▽^*)

(End of Chapter)