"Don't worry, your company is always welcome, Alise."
Tiona cheered, raising both arms in the air with her usual bright energy.
However, in stark contrast to the lively exchange between Tiona and Alise, Tione was staring at Lyra with dead, unblinking eyes.
"Hey... I heard you're no longer chasing after the Captain. Is that true?"
Tione questioned, stepping right into Lyra's space with her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
Once upon a time, both women had been infatuated with Finn, viewing each other as fierce rivals in love.
Given Tione's volatile temperament whenever the Pallum was involved, their past encounters had been anything but friendly.
Lyra looked up at Tione with total composure.
In the past, she would have either ignored Tione or thrown out a sharp, irritating jab just to mess with her.
"Rest easy... I'm not after the Braver anymore."
Lyra said softly, closing her eyes with a serene, contented smile.
"I've found someone else."
Tione raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Lyra from head to toe.
Then, her hostile glare instantly transformed into a triumphant smirk as she patted Lyra on the shoulder
"Glad you finally realized I'm much better suited for the Captain than you!"
'Hehe... What fantastic news!'
Tione cheered internally.
'With one less competitor, my odds with the Captain just skyrocketed! Not that she stood a chance against me anyway!'
Lyra read Tione's expression like an open book and simply shook her head in amusement.
Off to the side, Lili looked around the room in quiet disbelief.
'I can't believe so many famous figures are gathered in one place... Back when I was just a lowly supporter in the Soma Familia, I never imagined I'd be standing in the same room as people like this.'
'It just goes to show how incredible Mister Judas's influence really is,'
Thinking of the black-haired boy that she admired so much, Lili looked left and right, trying to find him.
"Um… Miss Tiona, where is Judas?"
Lili asked Tiona, who seemed the most approachable out of everyone in the Loki Familia.
"You're looking for Judas? Don't worry, he will come."
Tiona replied as she turned towards her.
It was then that a new group of guests arrived through the door, guided by a member of the Loki Familia as he welcomed them respectfully.
"Artemis!"
Hestia shouted, waving her arm when she saw her best friend enter wearing a beautiful cyan-colored dress.
"Even the Artemis Familia is here, huh?"
Tsubaki commented as she saw a group of women enter the party.
After a few minutes had passed, Airmid, Eina, and a few others eventually arrived.
Even members of the Hermes Familia had appeared.
…
Up on the second-floor balcony overlooking the ballroom, Loki stood alongside Finn, Riveria, and Gareth.
"Why on earth did you guys have to invite that shrimp?!"
Loki whined, glaring down at Hestia.
"Tsk... Look at her, stuffing her face with my food in my house without a care in the world!"
Hestia was currently chatting with Artemis while her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel's, crammed full of party hors d'oeuvres.
"It was Judas's decision."
"He handled the invitation list himself. Just bear with it for one day, Loki."
Finn replied with a wry, helpless smile.
"Looks like nearly everyone has arrived. Shouldn't we kick off the festivities?"
Gareth asked, stroking his thick beard.
"We can hardly begin when the person whose birthday we are celebrating isn't even present."
Riveria noted, her sharp eyes scanning the room below.
"Oh, right... Where is the lad? I haven't seen him all day."
Gareth realized, looking around as well.
"Ahaha..."
"Let's just say Judas is currently occupied... with a rather persistent goddess."
Finn chuckled with a touch of schadenfreude.
Loki let out a cackle, while Riveria and Gareth exchanged bewildered glances, waiting for an explanation.
…
As for Judas, right now, he was holding a present while a luxurious carriage was parked in front of him.
"My Odr-ah, I mean, Judas."
Freya corrected herself with her signature graceful smile.
"Even though I didn't receive an official invitation... I still wanted to personally deliver the gift I prepared for you."
"I see... Thank you for the present."
Judas said, accepting the gold-wrapped gift.
Standing beside Freya was Horn, who had been glaring daggers at Judas the entire time.
Freya offered one last radiant smile before turning on her heel and stepping into her carriage, her hips swaying rhythmically with natural charm.
'Huh… I thought she would be trying to insist on joining the party.'
Judas thought with a raised brow as he watched her sit down in her carriage.
However, Horn, who had been glaring at him this whole time, abruptly pulled something thin from her cloak and thrust it out toward him.
"Here! Just take it! And... happy birthday!"
She blurted out, her face burning red.
Judas froze for a second, surprised by this development.
After all, almost every interaction he had with Horn was just her looking like she wanted to stab him to death.
In the end, Judas silently accepted the gift, just as Horn instantly spun around and practically dove into the carriage to hide her embarrassment.
"Happy birthday... my dear Judas. And good luck in the War Game."
Freya's melodic voice echoed from within as the carriage finally rolled away.
'Ah shit… the party.'
Judas thought as he realized the time.
Realizing how late it was, he sprinted back into Twilight Manor, quickly adjusting his hair and collar before making a smooth entrance into the main hall.
With Judas's arrival and Loki's booming declaration, the party officially commenced.
Judas moved through the venue, chatting with guests who lined up to offer their congratulations on his 16th birthday.
When the topic inevitably turned to his upcoming War Game against Ishtar, he casually gave them the gist of what had transpired.
Eventually, Eina and Misha approached him with sincere, emotional expressions.
"Judas… we just want to say… thank you for avenging Rose."
Eina said as she bowed her head, while Misha also expressed her gratitude.
"But to think you even went as far as declaring a Wargame… hehe… when Rose wakes up and hears about it, I bet her face would go as red as her hair."
Misha said with a grin, giving Judas a thumbs-up.
Judas let out a light chuckle in response before Artemis suddenly walked toward him.
"Hey…"
Artemis said, her eyes turning into crescent moons as she smiled upon seeing him.
"Hey."
"I heard you have been doing really well."
Judas replied, returning the smile.
"Not as much as you... congratulations on ranking up to Level 4."
Artemis said, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"Thank you."
He took the time to catch up with her, and after conversing with Artemis for a while… he learned that the Artemis Familia had been staying at an inn while gathering enough valis to purchase a new home in the North District that they had their eyes on.
Judas also found out that the house was located just a few blocks away from the Twilight Manor.
"Belle, I heard you guys had recruited quite a few people into your Familia."
Judas questioned as he turned towards Belle.
"Hehe… that's right. Along with the completion of the new mansion, we also managed to recruit 10 new members into the Hestia Familia."
Belle said with a proud smile.
"It's no longer just the two of us. We finally feel like a proper familia!"
Lili added, her chin held high with equal pride.
"Umm... Judas-dono? Could we speak with you in private?"
A feminine voice called out from behind.
Judas turned to see Mikoto and the rest of the Takemikazuchi Familia standing together, looking visibly anxious.
He could tell what was on their minds.
'It must be because of Haruhime, right?'
It was around this time that the Takemikazuchi Familia would have discovered Haruhime's whereabouts in the Pleasure District.
"All right… let's go."
Judas said before excusing himself as he led the Takemikazuchi Familia onto a balcony.
After arriving, he turned towards them and signaled for them to talk.
In the end, Mikoto took a deep breath and gathered the courage to speak, staring straight into Judas' eyes.
"Um, Judas-dono… about the Wargame… I know that you and the Ishtar Familia are not on good terms and that we have no right to meddle in your business… but…"
Mikoto bowed her head low.
"If you see a Renard from the Ishtar Familia, her name is Haruhime. If you see her, please don't hurt her… she is a gentle girl and a childhood friend of ours."
Ouka, Chigusa, and the others bowed alongside her as Mikoto explained the details.
She told him that Haruhime had been a noble girl in the Far East, but she had secretly played with Mikoto and the other children from Takemikazuchi's shrine.
Eventually, Haruhime disappeared from their lives after being disowned and sold away.
When they found out about Haruhime's circumstances in the Pleasure District, where she was forced into prostitution, Mikoto and the others were hit particularly hard and couldn't help but feel sorry for her situation and want to save her.
They thought about buying her back, but they knew that a Renard was a rare race and highly valued, and would most likely cost them a fortune.
With their Familia's financial situation, it would probably take a long time before they could pool enough money to get her back.
That's when they got the idea of asking Judas for help when they received the invitation to his party, and it was half the reason why they were here.
"I know we are being selfish… but please, save our friend. We beg of you."
It was then that Takemikazuchi himself stepped forward, bowing his head to Judas.
"Of course, we aren't going to selfishly request something without giving something back in return."
"My Familia may not be wealthy nor influential… but in terms of martial arts, I am second to none. If you want, you can come by our home and I will provide lessons to the best of my ability."
Takemikazuchi declared smoothly.
Judas paused as he looked at them.
He was already planning to save Haruhime anyway, but hearing Takemikazuchi's words caught his interest.
As the God of War and Martial Arts, Takemikazuchi, who had lived for millions of years, was probably the most skilled close-combat fighter in both Heaven and the Lower World.
Although he already had Alfia, who had taught him close-quarters combat before, even she, despite being known as the Monster of Talent, could not compare to a god who had spent millions of years honing his skills.
With the body of an ordinary person, Takemikazuchi could defeat even Level 3 adventurers through sheer technical mastery alone.
"If you went out of your way to say that, then I have no reason to refuse."
A collective sigh of relief washed over the Takemikazuchi Familia, and they bowed again in deep gratitude.
With that settled, Judas stepped back into the party.
The celebration continued smoothly until he suddenly sensed a strong presence nearby.
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