Judas, who was having a conversation with Belle and the others, abruptly turned his head when he sensed something.
"Judas? Is something wrong?"
Belle asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"No, it's just that there's something that needs my attention. I'll be right back."
He said to them.
"Oh, alright—"
Artemis blinked as she watched him disappear from her line of sight, moving so fast that even with her huntress eyes, she couldn't track his movements.
'He's so fast!'
This caused everyone to widen their eyes in surprise.
Even Tiona and the other first-class adventurers present had only caught a glimpse of him before he seemingly vanished into thin air.
'Looks like he's gotten even stronger since last time.'
Tiona thought, her fists itching with renewed excitement.
While this was happening, Judas was standing on the rooftop of the Twilight Manor, his gaze fixed on a silver-haired woman whose back was turned towards him.
"My disciple… it seems like you've gotten much stronger."
Alfia commented as she turned around, looking him up and down as if studying him.
"I don't know the specifics, but it seems like the original power you had when I first saw you in that carriage has returned."
Judas, who had been about to take a step forward, paused at her words before letting out a chuckle.
"I see… so you also noticed."
'First Loki and now Alfia…'
Judas thought as he resumed walking until he stood beside her.
"You have quite the nerve."
Alfia said, her tone suddenly turning cold.
"To have the gall not to give your own master an invitation when you gave one to Belle and the others…"
She didn't ask anything further about his regained strength or the upcoming Wargame he had gotten himself into.
After all, the fact that she hadn't received an invitation was far more important to her.
Judas offered a wry smile, recognizing that she was both teasing him and genuinely upset.
"I just figured you disliked loud gatherings. Given your... sensitivity to noise."
He said, scratching his nose as he looked slightly off to the side.
"Hmph!"
Alfia gave a cold snort.
"Since it's your birthday, I'll let you off the hook for your insolence. Take this."
"As your master, it would be embarrassing if I couldn't give anything to my disciple on his birthday."
"Receive it with gratitude."
She added before shoving the present she was carrying into his chest rather forcefully.
"Oof!"
Judas took a half-step back to absorb the impact, catching the gift in his hands.
"Thanks...?"
He looked down at the package.
The box was slightly crushed from her forceful delivery, though the wrapping paper had been applied with meticulous neatness.
'It feels strangely light, though.'
Judas thought, before raising his eyes back to her.
"Should I open it right now?"
He asked, curious about what kind of gift Alfia would give him.
"Do whatever you want."
Alfia replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.
With that, Judas pulled the ribbon and began carefully unwrapping the box
While Alfia stared off into the distance with her eyes closed as usual, trying to act nonchalant.
However, Judas caught her eyelids twitching slightly as she peeked at him out of the corner of her eye.
But he didn't call her out on it.
Deciding not to tease her, he opened the lid to reveal the contents inside.
'Hmm, bracelets?'
Judas thought as he saw four slender, silver bands sat neatly fitted within a foam lining.
At first glance, they looked ordinary, but Judas immediately identified them as high-grade magic items.
He picked one up between his fingers and inspected it.
"Mind telling me what these do?"
He asked.
Alfia finally dropped her unbothered facade and turned to meet his gaze.
"It's a training bracelet, a magic item… It was something my captain and a few others in my Familia used to wear during their training sessions."
"Try pouring your magic into it and see what happens."
She explained, a rare flicker of nostalgia softening her expression.
Alfia didn't need to say anything more. From her words, Judas could already guess what would happen.
'So it's that, huh? A classic shonen training item.'
Judas thought with a light smile as he quickly slipped one onto his wrist.
He levitated into the air, not wanting to damage the roof they were standing on, before pouring more than half of his magic power into the bracelet.
He avoided using the mana from his magic core, fearing that the item might break just as Járnglófar had. Instead, he used the magic power from his Mind.
In an instant, Judas felt his wrist grow heavy, as if he were lifting an entire mountain.
He nearly faltered for a split second before regaining his balance.
'Although I'm only using the raw stats from my Falna right now, I can't believe I'm already struggling just to lift my arm.'
Judas thought as his arm trembled under the weight. He then reduced the output to ease the burden a little before putting another bracelet on his other wrist.
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
He threw a few practice punches into the air, testing them out.
"Looks like someone is having fun."
Alfia remarked as she looked up at him with a satisfied smile.
However, she quickly let out a fake cough when she realized what she was doing.
"Ah, right. Thanks for the present. I appreciate it."
Judas said, hovering lightly above the roof.
"I am glad it meets your standards. Now that you have received your gift, I shall take my leave. I have no desire to see your face for the next few days."
Alfia replied as she turned around to leave.
"You're not coming inside? Belle and the others are here, you know?"
Judas offered.
"They can enjoy themselves without my presence. Besides, it is far too noisy in there."
'Weren't you just upset a minute ago about not being invited?'
Judas thought as he watched her walk toward the edge of the roof.
"Oh, one last thing. Good luck in your Wargame. As my disciple, you'd better not embarrass me by losing."
That was the last thing she said before her figure vanished.
Judas shook his head with a faint smile before returning to the party inside, where the festivities continued until late evening.
…
Ishtar stood on her high balcony, looking down at the grand altar under construction in the central courtyard of Belit Babili.
A triumphant, cruel smile spread across her face as she monitored its progress.
It was nearly complete... once the Killing Stone was secured, the ritual could begin.
'Judas Spade... You arrogant brat. You have no idea what I have prepared for you.'
She mused, her grin widening.
'I will make you crawl on your knees.'
Imagining the arrogant boy beaten, broken, and bloodied at her feet sent a shiver of raw excitement down her spine.
It was enough to turn her on.
'It was surprising... a mere Level 3 displaying the strength of a high-grade Level 7. He is a monster among monsters... but he is not unbeatable.'
Although she knew Judas was strong, he shouldn't be stronger than the entire Freya Familia by himself.
And with the Killing Stone ritual remaining a secret, she believed her children would be able to catch him off guard and tear him apart with proper strategy.
'Ah~ I cannot wait…'
With a flushed face, she pressed her legs together and called for her vice-captain, Tammuz, so they could spend the night together in intimacy.
She remained blissfully unaware that Judas, as a reincarnated person, already knew about the Killing Stone ritual.
During their encounter, when Judas raided their home, he had been holding himself back immensely.
Otherwise, Belit Babili would have been blown off the map and turned into a demolition site.
This was why Ishtar had mistaken the strength he displayed back then for his full power.
The sounds of her moans echoed through the night air... perhaps ignorance was exactly what she needed before facing the overwhelming stress that awaited her in the near future.
…
"Ah… Orario… to be back once again."
Hermes declared, tipping his wide-brimmed hat back as he gazed up at the Tower of Babel.
'Now then... straight to the Pleasure District we go!'
They had just exited their carriage and passed through Orario's gates after a long journey.
"Asfi, you go back to base. I will deliver the package myself, as per my client's request for utmost secrecy."
Hermes instructed, stretching his arms before turning towards Asfi.
"If you say so, Lord Hermes."
Asfi replied, bowing.
Just as she turned to depart, a figure materialized beside Hermes out of nowhere, a heavy hand clamping firmly down on the god's shoulder.
Asfi's eyes widened... her hand instantly flew to the hilt of her weapon, only to be stopped when an invisible force locked her in place before she could even clear the sheath.
"Calm down… it's me."
Hearing the familiar voice, Hermes slowly turned his head and saw a pair of purple eyes staring at him.
"Hermes… let's have a chat."
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