While Sona was still speaking, Ais had already turned around with a surprised expression, not expecting that she hadn't made any good impressions on Kisuke. And not just her, everyone from the Loki Familia were also not expecting Kisuke's description of Ais being an annoying brat.
But after Sona ended her words, no one could say a word for a minute or two. Soon, Ais turned around again and before she left, she said, "Thank you for telling me this... I'll start thinking from now on."
Tiona and Tione first looked at Riveria and the latter nodded before the twins went after Ais.
Loki, on the other hand, never removed her gaze from Sona and waited for Ais to leave before asking with a serious expression, "It's as if Kisuke knew a great deal about Ais-tan, huh... And why does it sound like he cares a great deal about her? Is he targeting Ais-tan, too!? As long as I'm here, I won't allow it! Ais-tan is only mine!"
Sona thought for a bit before deciding to throw another bait. But before she spoke, she first glanced at Bete.
"Huh?", Bete let out a sound of confusion, but Loki immediately got what she's getting at, "Bete, return for now."
"But-", Before he could finish his sentence, however, Loki looked at him with a smile, "We've already seen what we wanted to see so everything's fine now."
"What is fine? How could everything be fine?"
Chuckling, Loki replied, "Despite how you look, you're actually the most open-minded out of them so I know you already accepted the existence of the Xenos. Since you're already satisfied, return for now and wait with Gareth. Though be careful of those sniffing Gods, especially Hermes and Dionysus."
Bete looked at her smug face and clicked his tongue, "Tch... Fine."
After he left and she made sure that he wasn't going to hear any of her words, Sona finally continued, "Of course he doesn't look that way at her. Kisuke is indeed concerned about her, but only because someone named Aria asked him to take care of her and he promised to do something."
"What!?", Loki stood up from her seat and almost slammed the table. Out of all the revelations today, this is what surprised her the most as it concerns her precious child, "How!? When!?"
But Sona just shrugged her shoulders, "He just mentioned it in passing so all the details you want are with him."
Loki gritted her teeth and sat back down before asking, "What else did he say regarding Ais?"
Sona pretended to think for a bit before saying, "Now that I think about it, he mentioned this several times. He said that as she is now, only a bad ending awaits her."
Loki's brows furrowed deep, 'What does he mean when he said only a bad ending awaits her? Does he know more than old Zeus?' Loki already realized it but she already fell into Sona's hand and she knew the primary reason why. It was because she and her group didn't have something that every child in the Lower World had. The innate fear and helpless acceptance that the Deities are superior and no child could go against them, 'As expected, I can't treat them like all the children in the Lower World.'
Loki tried to probe Sona a few more times, but it was just a fruitless effort so she immediately gave up. The topic then returned to the Xenos and Hestia told Loki all the information she received from Ouranos regarding them.
After arranging the information they had and Loki cursing Ouranos a few times, Finn suddenly proposed cooperation with the Xenos to tackle the common problem they had, the man-made Dungeon Knossos.
But instead of agreeing, Sona pointed him to Ouranos' right-hand man, Fels.
Knowing their next destination, Finn decided to leave without meeting the other Xenos staying with Hestia and the rest. In any case, seeing Tanis, although not in the situation they were expecting, was already more than enough.
Meanwhile, Loki decided to remain and Finn only agreed when Medusa suddenly entered the room and proposed to take her home safely.
With just Loki, Sona and the other girls decided to return to their activities and left the Goddesses on their own since it seemed that Loki wanted to talk alone with them.
As for the contents of their talk, it was mainly about Kisuke and what he wanted to do. Hestia also revealed to Loki that although Kisuke had a plan, she was not aware of it and he gave the girls the reins and freedom to do whatever they wanted.
The report for that day ended there.
"Looks like Sona managed to guess what you wanted and made it easier for you.", Yoruichi commented, "She's really too good for you."
Kisuke giggled and said, "I won't deny that I'm one lucky guy."
But before Kuroka could play the next report, familiar faces entered the establishment, "This is the place I'm talking about! It's quiet, secretive, and the sweets are good." The Pallum girl of the Astraea Familia, Liz, explained to her fellow comrades.
As they entered the cafe, the first one to notice the waving Kisuke was Astraea, "Oh. What a nice coincidence."
As Astraea pointed at them, her children also realized their presence and approached the group, "It's nice to see everyone again. Are you already feeling well?"
"Thanks for the concern, Astraea-sama. I'm feeling much better now. Why don't you join us and share your stories? Well, if you don't mind, that is."
"Sure! That would be fun. If you also don't mind, we'd like to hear about the circulating rumor that your group defeated the Surtr and returned with its horn!" The Captain, Mildred immediately asked the master for permission to move the table which was instantly approved.
With drinks and sweets in the middle, the two groups started talking and telling stories of their adventures. From Astraea's side, it was about how they reduced the number of monsters around the villages that were recently being neglected by other Mercenaries and from Kisuke's side, their adventures through the deep floors.
As they happily chatted with each other, Kisuke's receiver suddenly started glowing, signifying that an emergency call was initiated by Serafall.
Without minding the others, Kisuke immediately touched the orb and a small hologram of Serafall appeared, "What happened?"
"Hmm... I'm not sure if this is an emergency or not, but since it seems that you're pretty close with that Elf, I decided to call you. Apparently, Ryuu Lion was suspected of murder on the 18th floor and others are out for her blood. Most likely that she's also in danger since she was supposed to join in on the operation against Knossos."
But before Kisuke could reply, someone else jumped in front of him and faced Serafall, "Ryuu Lion!? Are you talking about the Ryuu Lion of Orario!?"