Instead of loosening, Demeter's hold only tightened.
Seriously?! I just came along to accompany Astraea to a goddess gathering, how did it turn into… this?!
His internal complaints spiraled into chaos.
Is this goddess insane? Who meets someone for the first time and uses a… a "face cleanser" as a greeting?!
His lungs began to burn.
I can't breathe!
From the corner of his eye, he could feel the stares gathering around them. Some looked awkward, others amused and maybe, just maybe, a few were tinged with envy.
Finally, salvation came in the form of brisk footsteps from the stairs.
"Demeter, you bastard!" A sharp, impatient voice rang out, followed by the sound of a single foot hitting the floor with force.
Loki appeared from behind the agriculture goddess, one eye twitching dangerously. Without hesitation, she brought her fist down with a solid thunk onto Demeter's head.
"Quit pickin' people up without warning."
"Ow."
Demeter let out a surprisingly cute yelp, blinking as if only now realizing what she'd been doing. She reluctantly loosened her hold, freeing the two captives.
Akira stumbled back several steps, gasping for air. His face was flushed, a round red mark evident on one cheek. His eyes were still unfocused, as if his mind had been knocked right out of him.
He turned instinctively toward Astraea, silently seeking reassurance. What he got was a gentle, almost serene smile from his goddess. But in her calm gaze lingered an unmistakable glint, one that silently promised: We'll be having a little talk when we get home.
Akira paled instantly.
Demeter, however, merely chuckled apologetically. "I'm so sorry, I couldn't help myself when I saw such cute children."
The gleam of fondness in her eyes hadn't faded in the slightest.
Ais, now free, quickly retreated behind Akira like a startled kitten. She peered cautiously around his side, as though afraid the "big cow" might try to smother her again. Compared to this, even Alise's occasional overenthusiastic hugs seemed tame.
After finally calming down, Akira gave a small nod to show he wasn't bothered.
"Um… it's okay, Demeter-sama. Just… please don't hug us like that next time."
That was a lie. Of course it's okay to do it again.
Demeter clasped her hands in front of her chest, eyes squinting with a delighted smile.
"Ah, that's good."
'Can't hug him right away, but that means I can hug him later, right? He's such an enthusiastic child.' She thought happily.
Then, as if she suddenly remembered, she added, "Oh, by the way, thank you for your help that day, Akira."
Bowing slightly, she glanced at Ais, who was quietly clutching Akira's clothes beside her. "And my lovely Ais, thank you so much for your help as well."
Akira scratched the back of his head awkwardly and gently nudged the silent Ais forward.
Ais simply nodded and replied softly, "Yeah."
Looking at the goddess who was incredibly different from Loki's teasing demeanor, she wondered quietly if Akira might like her more if she were that much older. After all, he seemed to be very fond of Demeter.
Ais lowered her gaze to her own chest, which still felt flattened from before, and a little relief settled over her.
"Wow! You're seducing my little princess again." Loki suddenly appeared, grabbing Akira and yanking him forward, then ruffling his hair without care.
Akira immediately grabbed Loki's arm that was wrecking his hair, pulling hard and pressing it down.
"It hurts, sorry, sorry!" Loki's voice was frantic as she patted Akira's back, begging for mercy.
This kid shows no mercy on me at all.
Seeing that, Akira finally let go, a small smirk forming on his lips.
I can't handle that cow goddess, but you, the washboard goddess?
Loki rubbed her sore arm, muttering softly, "You're such a ruthless boy. No mercy for women at all."
"Then you have to be a gem first, you drunken 'uncle'." Akira shot back casually, then suddenly covered his mouth.
Oops, he got too close to this idiot, and forgot other people were here.
Loki's narrowed eyes snapped wide open in anger. She jumped up, ready to pounce. "Well, you little brat! How dare you say that to me? I'll teach you a lesson."
Rolling up her sleeves, she charged forward again.
Astraea quickly stepped in, chuckling softly. "Alright, alright, stop causing trouble. It'll be dark soon if you keep this up."
Loki relaxed back into her usual carefree posture but kept glaring at Akira with a muttered, "If it weren't for Astraea's sake…"
Freya covered her lips and smiled. "Loki, why get angry at a child? You really lack manners."
Her gaze flicked to Akira's purple eyes, and a strange emotion flashed within them. This special child's soul radiance is becoming increasingly incomprehensible.
She wanted a bright soul, a pure white one.
The child before them shone like brilliant, colorful light. Stars twinkled within, a comet-like streak with a dozen tiny "tails" circling it. It was like gazing into a vast, deep starry sky, freeing and peaceful, yet humbling in its enormity.
If he weren't already part of her friend's familia, she might've tried to snatch him away herself.
Freya knew well her own weakness, the collector's greed. But when the urge arose quietly, she suppressed it.
This is not the soul I want.
"Hm?" Akira lifted his head, noticing the gaze locked on him.
Why is this idiot staring at me like that?
As his level rose, his body improved in every way. Therefore, memories long tucked away began to surface. He recalled that Freya could see the very essence of a soul, its radiance. And the nymphomaniac goddess in front of him preferred pure white souls as her partners.
Seems like this explains it.
His familia members know his affairs. He had come from a different world and had been shaped by vast data. He definitely didn't have a pure white soul.
If anything, his aura was yellow or maybe pitch black.
Freya caught Akira's glance, his black pupils holding an inexplicable pull. Yet she looked away quietly, a faint elegant smile curving her lips, distant and unreadable.
"Well, I still have things to attend to. I'll be going now."
"Go, go." Loki waved dismissively, her expression full of disdain.
Astraea smiled gently, her warmth like spring sunshine, putting everyone at ease.
She nodded slightly. "Well, it's time for us to leave."
"Okay, we'll talk again next time, Astraea, Loki." Freya said with a soft smile.
"Let's go, Demeter, Hedin."
Freya took Demeter's arm with a graceful and natural motion.
Demeter blinked in surprise, then her face lit up with a bright smile as she leaned comfortably against Freya, their closeness obvious.
As best friends, Freya had no intention of letting Demeter return to her manor outside Orario so late in these turbulent times. With evilus ready to strike and the journey home uncertain, she wanted Demeter to stay somewhere safe.
Alongside them was the silent blond elf guard who had stood quietly in the background.
Watching the trio leave, the remaining four also stepped out through the gate together. After all, their paths lay the same way.