"You've already met them?"
"Right after we confirmed the Leviathan's remains, those Man-eating Flowers appeared."
"Sigh... Then ye must've seen Tiona and Tione as well...."
"We'll begin a full investigation as soon as the sun rises tomorrow."
".....Wait."
"Hmm?"
As if sensing something, Akumo began to lay out the hypothesis he had formed for Loki and Riveria.
"The ones I encountered were Argana and Bache—Level 6 powerhouses."
"If they purely desire strength, and specifically the growth of Tione and Tiona, there's no reason for them to seize control of Melen."
"And if rumors of Man-eating Flowers are prevalent enough to reach us, it means they've been appearing frequently regardless of location."
"However, the town I saw looked far too peaceful, excluding the threats from the sea."
"Under the circumstances, there is an entity who knows of the flowers and is keeping them hidden. The Kali Familia merely intervened in that situation."
Listening to Akumo, Riveria nodded, her own mind connecting the dots as she prioritized the targets for their investigation.
"In 그 case, we must start by investigating the city's officials."
"Exactly. The Guild branch manager, the town head, and...."
"Even Njord."
"....Yes, we'll have to look into him as well."
Doubts grew heavier at the mention of Njord's name. The Njord Riveria knew was a benevolent God who cherished his children and the people of the lower world alike.
"I'll go talk to that Njord fella meself. Akumo, keep yer guard up and watch for any clashes. Riveria-tan, investigate those city officials."
"Understood."
"I will do so."
After Loki finished organizing their tasks, Akumo escorted them back to their lodgings.
"Hmm....."
'They were beautifu—'
"Ahem!!"
'Another battle looms....'
As the image of the beautiful sight he had witnessed earlier momentarily flickered in his mind, Akumo cleared his throat to regain his composure. He soon drew Balmung.
As if anticipating the coming conflict, the blade of Balmung gleamed intensely under the moonlight, and with that, the night passed.
**
The following day.
The Kali Familia began to maintain a conspicuous presence throughout the town.
BOOM—!!!!!!
"..."
'Is it Argana...? Tione is being pushed back.'
THWACK—!!!!!
"Since they've issued such a blatant declaration of war, I'll have to leave the proper investigation to Riveria and Loki."
Predictably, Argana and Tione clashed immediately. Tione struggled against Argana, who was not only Level 6 but also specialized in the art of slaughter.
"I heard ye've become a serpent just like me?"
"Don't you dare group me with the likes of you!!"
CRACK—!!!!
"!?"
'An opening!'
CRUNCH—!!!!!!!
Tione managed to endure Argana's onslaught, but she ultimately took a direct hit while trying to protect a nearby child.
"Ye've grown stronger, yet weaker at the same time."
"Urgh...!!"
"Do ye still harbor the guilt of killing Seldas?"
"....!!!!"
As if that name had ignited Tione's fury, the two were about to clash again when—
Shiver!
"This is!"
'That presence I felt yesterday....'
Whoosh—!
"....It seems the time isn't right just yet, Tione."
"..."
Before Argana could even finish her sentence, Loki approached them, radiating a powerful, imposing aura.
"Ye lot have rampaged a bit too much. Can't be havin' that now."
'If they go any further, even Akumo will step in. That'll only cause unnecessary chaos.'
"You speak the truth. Both of you, cease this at once."
Simultaneously, Kali intervened to restrain Argana, stepping out from a building.
"It is our first meeting. I am Kali."
".....Loki."
"Your fame has reached even my Telskyura. You are quite the formidable deity."
"Cut the chatter. I'm the parent of those kids ye've been lookin' for."
"I am aware, however...."
Kali remained unfazed by Loki's pressure, exchanging words with her calmly. Then, she tilted her head curiously before speaking again.
"Was Loki a male God?"
Snap!
"I'm a Goddess!!! A gor-ge-ous Goddess!! I've even had it certified by a real handsome man myself!!"
'That little shrimp MK.2...!!!!'
"Hooh... Did you bribe him?"
"You lit—"
"Tione, Tiona, it has been a while."
"Don't you dare ignore me!!!!!"
Lightly brushing Loki aside, Kali glanced briefly at the twins before disappearing back into the building. Her face wore a suggestive expression she couldn't quite hide.
"....It's almost time to move."
**
Step, step—
'To the eye, it looks like the very definition of a peaceful village.'
"A lot of trouble is about to start happening soon, isn't it?"
Lefiya, who was investigating the city streets, scanned the scenery of Melen with lamenting eyes.
"We'll leave the mayor's house to Ais-san and the others. Let's investigate this surrounding area."
"Ah! Yes."
While she was doing so, a young girl approached her.
"Um... big sister."
'An Amazon...!?'
"What is it?"
'No... I don't feel a Falna.'
Lefiya was momentary wary, but she quickly lowered her guard after realizing the girl's aura was that of an ordinary person.
"Are you an adventurer from Orario, sister?"
"Ah... yes! Why do you ask?"
"Well... I was playing where I usually do, but I heard a strange sound coming from inside...."
"...! Where is that?"
'A clue...!'
"Into that alleyway over there, then straight back!"
"..."
'I have to check this out...!'
Ultimately, after consulting her companions, Lefiya followed the child into the alley.
"By the way... what is your name? I'm Lefiya."
"Chandy."
Shiver!
"Something is... here!"
That child was the same being who had used that very trick on Akumo. It was 'Kali' of Telskyura.
Lefiya had no way of knowing this, of course, but she realized something was wrong from the unknown gaze and chilling sensation pressing down from above. She tried to respond with magic immediately, but—
THUD—!
"Gasp...!?"
Collapse—!
"Lefiya!!!!?"
Due to the overwhelming difference of being Level 6, she was knocked unconscious by a hand-chop to the neck from Bache.
Step—
"Great Gods like Zeus or Odin, and even some other deities, can conceal their Divine Will."
"There are those who blend in with humanity that way, both in the past and present."
"Of course.... that too is nothing more than play."
"I was a little surprised. Child of Loki."
Lefiya's consciousness faded as her companions were also subdued in an instant.
".....Come out."
Thud!
"If you're making such a blatant declaration of war.... are you truly prepared to die?"
"Hooh? Do you think my followers will lose?"
Sss—
Akumo, who had been hiding his presence, revealed himself, standing in front of Bache as she attempted to abduct Lefiya.
However, Kali laughed at his words, her aura turning cold as she displayed her confidence.
'Sigh... Even if I told them the truth here, Telskyura wouldn't give up...'
"Go ahead and take her then. You'll be able to see it for yourself soon enough."
"You will be coming as well, won't you?"
"You already know the answer. Why ask?"
"Heheh! In that case, I shall have things prepared...."
Laughing, Kali left the area along with Bache, who was carrying Lefiya. And then....
Rumble—!!!!
"Right... Good... With this, you're the ones who've declared war...."
Cr-cr-crack!
"It's been a while since I've had to fight rough."
**
"Loki!! Lefiya has been...!!"
"Huh?"
Loki was stunned by the sudden news of Lefiya's abduction. She immediately rushed to the injured members and asked for a status report.
"Forgive me, Loki... We were beaten..."
"We were suddenly ambushed by the Kali Familia... It must have been that Level 6 we met before....!"
"It's fine. How bad are yer wounds?"
"They hurt like hell... but we won't die..."
"Got it. Leave the rest to me."
After hearing from her followers, Loki slowly stood up and headed somewhere.
"Loki..!! The kids are hurt, are you oka—"
Shiver—!!!
"...!!"
"That damn brat.... She's gone and picked a fight with us, has she?"
Step, step—
"Fine then.... I'll send ye lot off personally..."
Loki turned toward a certain alley and spoke.
"Akumo."
Step—
"Go and bring Lefiya-tan back without a single scratch on her."
"I don't care if ye tear that whole place down in the process."
"....What about Tione and Tiona?"
"Look after them too, if ye can."
'So much for avoidin' this mess...'
Receiving his Patron Deity's order, Akumo tightened his grip on Balmung and vanished in an instant.