--- Ren's POV ---
Upon arriving at the Loki Familia manor, we headed towards a meeting room where the rest of the members had gathered. It appeared that Finn had something to address before we could go rest...
"Welcome back, both of you," he greeted us with a warm smile.
I noticed that several other members were present, although not everyone. Thankfully, Bete was absent, but the sight of that elf, Lefiya, was still an annoyance to me.
What a hassle.
I understood that she was a dear friend of Ais, so I bit my tongue and refrained from expressing my irritation.
It seemed that Ais' presence alone had a calming effect on her, preventing any arguments about our earlier interaction.
As Finn spoke, addressing us both, I responded with a nonchalant shrug, "Yeah, I mentioned before, did you have time to discuss what's next? I suppose hiding my existence wouldn't serve any purpose; it would only create more trouble, right?"
I didn't care much about revealing my name or "level". It held little significance anyways.
"We did have a brief discussion while you were away," Finn replied. "While nobody doubts you anymore, Ren, some members are concerned about Ais. They may feel like you're taking her away from them... As for the public, we'll register you as a new first-class adventurer, level 6. But I advise you to avoid training Ais openly, as anyone can see that you're not truly at that "level"."
As Finn mentioned the concerns of some members, I noticed a determined gleam in the elf's eyes.
How amusing. She thinks she can separate us when she couldn't even handle a harmless white rabbit.
She's delusional.
"I see. Well, I have no intention of stealing Ais from anyone. She has her own life, and I respect that. As for what others think of me, it doesn't concern me in the slightest."
I glanced at Ais, and she returned the gaze. She knew that her opinion was the only one I cared about.
Her gaze swiftly darted away, a delicate blush adorning her cheeks.
Unable to resist, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips...
It seemed this interaction irked the bothersome elf, who sought to draw Ais into conversation while pointedly disregarding my existence.
Wouldn't it be satisfying to deliver a slap akin to Seiya's¹⁷ on Rosalie's cheek?
...I must admit, the thought brings a certain amusement.
Regrettably, such an action was currently out of the realm of possibility.
...I chose to ignore her childish games, directing my attention back to Finn, the captain of this Familia.
"Do you have any expeditions planned in the coming days?"
Knowing what was soon to occur, I anticipated his response.
"No, not at the moment. It's almost time for Rakia to attempt an invasion on Orario, and the Loki Familia must participate in repelling them."
Rakia's recurring invasion was a constant nuisance. Despite knowing their chances of success were slim, Ares, the stubborn God, insisted on such futile attempts.
While I didn't particularly care about Rakia, there was one event I needed to prevent—the capture of that chibi Goddess.
If she were captured, Ais would rush to the white rabbit's aid. Although I could accompany her and confront Bell Cranel, it would be more efficient to eliminate any attempts to capture Hestia in the first place.
Allow me to be your knight in shining armor, Hestia Familia.
Ares would soon realize his misfortune for having me in this world.
Perhaps in some distant parallel universe, he had conquered Orario, and the Ares Familia had grown to become the unrivaled powerhouse. But that was not the reality of this world.
"I understand. Let me offer my assistance as well. I won't reveal my true appearance and can easily infiltrate the enemy camp to... deal with them," I proposed.
However, Ais glared at me with disapproval, and I reconsidered my initial intention to exterminate them all. If she didn't want me to kill them, then so be it. I respected her wishes.
Finn appeared surprised by my words, his expression questioning my well-being.
...Just because Ais occupied my every thought didn't mean I intended to be constantly by her side.
She was a capable woman, not a helpless child in need of my constant protection.
Even though I longed to remain by her side indefinitely, I understood the importance of her independence.
Ais deserved the freedom to spend time with others, engage in conversations, and savor the joys life had to offer.
While our connection was undeniable, I believed it was crucial for her to have personal space and experiences.
I am not a dependency she needs to grow accustomed to but rather a source of comfort, security, and, most importantly...
Love.
Amidst these complex thoughts swirling within my cyan eyes, Finn seemed to grasp the essence of my sentiments and nodded in understanding.
"Very well. Just remember not to be too ruthless or kill them unnecessarily. They are, after all, nothing more than fools" he remarked dismissively.
It was akin to avoiding the act of crushing an annoying bee, recognizing its potential to produce honey.
Indeed, the Rakia invasion had its own advantages for Orario. The grand spectacle of their forces marching towards the city's borders struck fear in the hearts of the locals as if they anticipated a prolonged period of war.
Imagine their expressions when they witnessed those same troops returning defeated and battered.
In their eyes, Orario would shine like a precious pearl, inspiring countless young adventurers to embark on their own quests.
Even if a few of these locals reached level 3 and began bringing valuable spoils to the Guild, it would already contribute a substantial sum of money while fulfilling the desires of the Gods for strong and capable "heroes".
In the end, it all boiled down to benefits.
...Not that I minded any of it, considering the Loki Familia would likely reap their fair share from the spoils of this "war".
Following the conclusion of our discussion, the members of the Loki Familia, including Ais, were dismissed. However, the persistent presence of that bothersome elf compelled me to gently nudge her aside, allowing me to bid my angelic counterpart a restful slumber before the wasp resumed her place.
Even in that fleeting moment, I caught Ais' lingering gaze upon me.
...The sheer fury etched upon Lefiya's face brought a smile to my face.
You can choose to relinquish your futile efforts, resign yourself, or dare to incur Ais' wrath. The decision is yours.
After their departure, only Finn and I remained. He informed me that a room had been prepared for my use, although I had no intention of utilizing it.
Since my arrival in this world, it was imperative for me to explore every nook and cranny of this city, to familiarize myself with its nuances beyond the confines of a mere novel.
I sought to ensure that nothing eluded my scrutiny.
"...It appears you have little intention of availing yourself of that room. Just be sure to return before Ais awakens. Who knows what thoughts might consume her if she believes you have disappeared indefinitely?"
I exhaled a sigh, longing to inquire as to why she would entertain such thoughts, yet voicing such a question eluded me as I explained my intentions to him.
He simply nodded in acknowledgment, bringing our conversation to a close as he departed first.
---
17: Seiya and Rosalie. Characters of "Cautious Hero". It's a really fun anime, packed with some serious moments as well. Check it out.
Author's Note:
I can proudly announce the discord server is done! If you want to join, I left a link in the synopsis of the novel, but I'll also leave one in the comments just to make everyone notice I have a Discord server!
So, it will be used for questions, suggestions, discussion, and also to make you, the readers, vote! I am already on my way to doing my first poll, so if anyone wants to vote, feel free to join!