Aston didn't expect that a simple shopping trip with Eina would lead to an encounter with Ais. In a clothing store, they saw Loki and Ais; it appeared Ais had been dragged out by Loki.
Ais stood there passively as Loki enthusiastically selected clothes, occasionally holding up a dress in front of Ais to gauge its fit.
When Aston and Eina entered the store, Ais immediately sensed Aston's presence and looked over. Loki, following Ais's gaze, saw Aston and Eina and cheerfully greeted them.
"Hey Aston, Eina-chan."
As Aston and Eina approached, Aston felt a bit puzzled by Loki's reaction. He wondered if Ais and the others hadn't told Loki about his solo battle and victory over Balor. Given Loki's character, Aston assumed Loki would have shown more curiosity or concern upon seeing him if she had known about the battle.
Aston's gaze shifted to Ais, full of questions, but Ais just tilted her head cutely, which made Aston slightly smile and decide not to press further.
"Loki-sama, Ais-san, good morning," Eina greeted respectfully.
"Aston," Ais said, acknowledging him before she also nodded to Eina, a brief acknowledgment between acquaintances.
"You all seem quite familiar with each other," Loki observed. "Are you here to shop for clothes too?"
"Yeah, Aston needed some new clothes, so I brought him here. Also, Loki-sama, I've joined the Hestia Familia now," Eina explained.
"Really, Eina-chan? You joined that little goddess's Familia?" Loki responded with mild surprise. "That's interesting. If Riveria knew you were thinking of joining a Familia, she would've definitely invited you to join the Loki Familia."
Eina was a descendant of the maids who had come with Riveria from the Elf Kingdom. Riveria had always said she'd help Eina if she decided to become an adventurer.
Unexpectedly, Eina joined Hestia's Familia instead of Loki's.
"I'm really sorry, I'll personally apologize to Riveria-sama," Eina said, slightly embarrassed. Riveria, the royal princess, had promised to help Eina grow if she ever decided to become an adventurer. Joining Aston's side without a word seemed somewhat ungrateful to Riveria's kindness.
"It's fine, Riveria isn't petty," Loki reassured her. "If you're not happy in Hestia's Familia, you're always welcome in the Loki Familia."
Aston, hearing this, half-jokingly said, "I'm right here, you know. Isn't it a bit rude to be poaching my Familia member in front of me?"
Loki nonchalantly replied, "Does it matter?"
Finding Loki's response amusing, Eina smiled awkwardly.
Loki then turned to Eina, "You're helping this youngster shop for clothes, right? Let me help too."
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Eina replied, "I can't make that decision."
"It's up to you," Aston said casually. He didn't mind others choosing for him, considering Loki's apparent good taste in fashion for Ais.
Just then, Demeter approached them with a gentle voice. "May I join in? I'd like to pick something for Aston too."
Surprised to see her there, Loki asked, "Demeter, what brings you here?"
"Demeter-sama, good morning," Eina greeted. Aston, meanwhile, just quietly observed.
Demeter, smiling, responded to Loki's curiosity and then softly asked Aston, "May I? Aston?"
"Do I have a choice?" Aston asked in return.
"No," Demeter replied with a light smile.
"Then that's it," Aston said, rolling his eyes.
Observing their interaction, Loki stepped in between them, looking at them curiously. Eina, standing beside Aston, also looked surprised.
"It's nothing," Demeter said, still smiling, giving nothing away. Aston remained silent as well.
Loki, now even more intrigued, decided to investigate further later.
Soon, Aston became a human clothes hanger, as everyone began trying different outfits on him, constantly changing his look. Aston proved to be a natural model; everything looked good on him, regardless of the style. Even Ais, usually indifferent, couldn't help but join in the fun.
Eventually, Aston had to intervene to stop them from buying out the entire men's section. By the time they finished, it was already past 3 PM, and Aston was carrying bags full of clothes.
After shopping, Aston and Eina said goodbye to Loki, Ais, and Demeter on the street.
"Come and visit me sometime," Demeter invited as she left.
"If I have time, I might," Aston replied. Before she left, he leaned in and whispered a warning about Dionysus to her. Demeter just smiled faintly and nodded before departing.
Loki, watching them, commented, "There's definitely something going on between you two." Aston ignored him and left with Eina.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious mansion, a male adventurer in a black uniform approached a red-haired man wearing a laurel crown, handing him a paper.
"Apollo-sama, this is the newly promoted adventurer for your review," the adventurer said respectfully.
***
600 power stones = 1 extra chapter
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