Chapter 360 - CH. 370: Folkvangr
Chapter 360 - CH. 370: Folkvangr
The magic stone lamps lit up the streets. Most adventurers celebrated their dungeon spoils while some indulged in their sorrows. Asahi and Loki, of course, didn't give a single dime worth of attention to anyone as they discussed things about the dungeon. Loki wanted information on the dungeon, so he revealed everything he knew until the 77th floor.
"How much do I owe ya now?"
"You owe me your body," Asahi said and gently nudged her. "When do I claim my debts?"
"That's a tough question," Loki recalled the pleasure he gave her in Hephaestus's workshop. "I can give ya valis if ya need."
"I'll have to refuse then. I have Astraea to financially support me."
He could earn millions of valis with the magic stones in his rings. The Guild will go bankrupt if he dumps his inventory.
Astraea nodded without hesitation. "Your expeditions have earned a lot of valis."
(My love, you got another goddess as your sugar mommy.)
'You admit you're my sugar mommy.'
(I… I can't deny it.)
Seeing the jovial mood of the group, Hephaestus didn't bring up the apology or her scars.
Soon, they arrived at the venue. The ancient palace had luxury befitting for the Goddess of Beauty.
"So this is Folkvangr. Not bad actually." Asahi gave a nod in appreciation. "Since Freya doesn't spend much time here."
The doors slowly opened as Ottar and a girl dressed in tight robes came out. Her long gray hair flowed down till her lower back, also covering the right side of her face. Asahi might have taken her as a shy girl if not for her intense glare.
"You're Asahi," Helen said, her tone brimming with sheathed fury. "Lady Freya isn't here."
Ottar deadpanned at the girl. "Helen, you're going against Lady Freya's orders."
The girl, Helen, clicked her tongue in annoyance before she stomped her way inside. She barely took a few steps before an invisible force pulled her back.
"I haven't met you before." Asahi spun Helen with telekinesis. "Care to talk about this unreasonable hate?"
Helen glared at him with wide eyes. "You… you changed Lady Freya. She doesn't pay attention to us anymore."
"Huh? Why are you blaming me for your eccentric goddess's change?" Asahi was baffled by her illogical excuses. "Throw your goddess in some basement if you don't want her to change though."
"Our goddess used to be as free as the wind. It's because of you she began searching for her Odr. Her destiny… I'll kill you." She pulled out a dagger from her pocket and lunged at Asahi. "Die."
Helen's hand froze before she stabbed his chest. Her entire body froze in time except for her eyes filled with killing intent.
"Damn lass," Loki cursed Helen. "You're barking up the wrong tree."
Asahi unwound her fingers around the dagger. "You just tried to assassinate your goddess's guest." He pressed the flat side of the dagger against her cheeks. "Ottar, what's your excuse?"
Ottar clenched his fists as he tried to come up with an excuse. His fists might be the strongest in the Familia, but he could never beat someone with words.
"Asahi Marikawa." Freya's voice echoed in the hallway. "I'll take responsibility for her actions… can you please let her go?"
Defiance wasn't the only thing in Helen's eyes as panic surged through her. Not only did she fail in her attempt, she implicated her goddess with her actions.
"I did this out of jealousy," Helen said. "Lady Freya isn't involved in any way."
Asahi found her loyalty admirable, but it didn't excuse her attempt to kill him. Well, she couldn't kill him even if he hit him all day long. After all, she was about as strong as a level 2 adventurer. The weakest adventurer in Astraea Familia was a level higher than her.
Astraea and Hephaestus said nothing, letting him decide Helen's fate.
"Asahi, I know nobody here can harm you," Freya replied. "Please just treat this as Helen's special greeting~."
Ottar remained calm despite Freya acknowledging Asahi to be stronger than everyone.
Loki instantly glanced at Asahi. "Does she know?"
"Looks like it." Asahi slipped the dagger in Helen's pocket and patted her cheeks. "I'm letting it slide because of your goddess. If you try it again, well, we all know what will happen."
Helen gritted her teeth as she nodded and darted through the hallways.
"This way." Ottar gestured as he turned around and walked back in.
Asahi shrugged and followed Ottar. Loki tugged at Asahi's sleeve as she whispered, "I never saw that girl in Freya Familia."
Loki could name every beautiful female adventurer in the town. Yet, she never came across this girl in her lifetime. "She ain't registered in the Guild."
"I haven't heard of her either." Hephaestus frowned as she thought of the girl's hatred for Asahi. "She won't settle down so easily."
"She won't try anything soon," Astraea said. "Will she?"
"We will see."
He still didn't understand a yandere mindset despite having a couple of yandere lovers.. Helen seemed like a yandere, except it stemmed out of loyalty instead of affection, or a mix of both.