On their journey back, Tiona was incredibly excited, enthusiastically taking the lead in slaying any monsters that blocked their path. With each monster she killed, her smile grew wider and she kept counting the numbers out loud.
"25~ 25~!" Like now, she hummed, indicating she had defeated 25 monsters on their way back.
Her strange behavior caught everyone's attention. It was understandable to be excited, but why count the monsters out loud after each kill?
Aston was somewhat speechless at Tiona's antics, thinking she might be overly excited.
"Tiona, what's going on with you?" Tione, concerned about her sister, approached Tiona and asked gently.
"Oh, nothing, nothing. I'm just curious to see how many monsters I can kill on the way back," Tiona responded, realizing her behavior might have seemed odd. She quickly made up an excuse, but then a thought struck her.
"Can Tione also sign a contract with the Faction Card?" she pondered internally. "With Aston's ability, I can level up quickly. Can Tione also benefit from this boost?"
She decided to ask Aston about it later, also considering it for Ais, who was always seeking ways to become stronger. Tiona, having benefited herself, didn't forget her sister and her close friend Ais.
"That's good, as long as you're fine," Tione replied, relieved to see Tiona acting more normally.
Tiona didn't continue her previous behavior, and the group resumed their journey.
After a few hours, they returned to the surface. It was still early evening. Aston took out the magic stones from his system space and handed them to Tione to exchange for valis, while the rest of the group waited outside.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Tiona pulled Aston to a corner, under the surprised gaze of Ais and Ryuu.
"What's up?" Aston asked, puzzled about being led to the corner.
"Hey, Aston, can Tione and Ais also sign your Faction Card?" Tiona revealed her intention.
Hearing this, Aston shook his head, denying Tiona's request. "Sorry, Tiona, the number of slots for this ability is limited, and I can't just give them away. Only members of the Hestia Familia, and you, because you're my woman, have received it."
The Faction Card slots were scarce, and Aston had offered one to Tiona because she was now his partner. He was generous to his partner, willing to share what he had unconditionally. However, for others, he wasn't ready to extend that level of generosity, even if Tione was Tiona's sister and Ais was her close friend.
"That's a pity. I should have realized. Such a powerful ability must have its limitations," Tiona said regretfully, then pondered. "But because I'm your woman, you shared this ability with me. If Tione and Ais were also in the same position, could they share it too?" An unconventional idea popped into her mind.
Tiona didn't mind Aston having other women. As an Amazoness, her culture admired strength, and they revered the powerful. After Aston single-handedly defeated Balor, he became a revered figure in her heart. Moreover, Aston's status as an "ancient hero" was a significant bonus. She didn't think such a person like Aston would fail to attract others' attention.
In their current team, besides her sister Tione, who was just emerging from her crush on the Captain, both Ais and Ryuu harbored special feelings for Aston due to various reasons.
They just weren't as forthright as Tiona, who openly pursued and expressed her affections for Aston.
"I could find an opportunity to discuss with Tione and Ais and see if they're willing," Tiona thought. "If they agree, they could also get stronger along with me."
Loki would definitely be furious if she knew Tiona's thoughts, accusing her of seriously deviating from the path. Not only did she willingly join Aston, but she was also planning to bring along her sister and her beloved Ais. "This girl is completely off the rails," Loki would think.
"We should head back. Tione has finished exchanging the valis," Aston said, breaking out of her thoughts.
"Oh, okay, let's go," Tiona responded upon seeing Tione signaling them from the Guild's entrance.
After dividing the valis, the group left the Guild together. However, Aston felt somewhat helpless along the way. That familiar intense gaze was upon him again. He wanted to ask Freya how she managed to conceal her gaze so well that even the four Level 5 adventurers close to him didn't notice it.
Under that intense scrutiny, Aston parted ways with the group at a crossroad and headed towards Hestia Familia's new residence.
Meanwhile, atop the Tower of Babel, Freya stood with a glass of red wine in her hand, expressionless. "This child is getting too close to Loki's kids," she mused.
"Ottar, arrange to warn Loki's children," Freya ordered.
"Yes, Lady Freya. I'll make the arrangements immediately," Ottar responded respectfully and then left the room.
"You can only by mine, Aston," Freya murmured to herself after Ottar's departure, gently swirling her wine glass before drinking it all in one go.
***
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