"Whaaaat~?!"
Staring at Loki in astonishment, Hestia watched with satisfaction. For centuries, she had wanted to witness that expression on Loki's face, and now she had achieved it.
Loki, however, didn't divert her gaze from Hestia; she was genuinely surprised.
"Champion? What's that?"
"Is it some tournament title?"
Looking at each other, Tiona and Tione asked the dumbfounded Loki. Still, Loki ignored them.
Eina was also puzzled; she didn't know what a 'Champion' was, but judging by Loki's exaggerated reaction, it seemed to be a significant deal.
Aiz was in the same boat; she didn't know what a 'Champion' was. However, the title brought an invisible, powerful pressure that furrowed her brow.
Hephaestus, equally baffled as Loki, looked at Hestia with great astonishment.
"Hestia... You."
Pointing with a trembling finger, Hephaestus struggled to speak. After all, if what Hestia said was true, then becoming the most powerful family in Orario wouldn't be an exaggeration; becoming the most powerful family in the world would be more appropriate.
"You're lying! Chibi, you're a liar!"
Shaking her head vehemently, Loki refused to believe her. After all, a 'Champion' was so rare that Loki had only known one in millions of years. She knew well what a 'Champion' was capable of, and the mere recollection sent shivers down her spine.
"Hump! I guess the truth is too much for a flat-chested like you."
"You!"
Turning her head slightly annoyed, Hestia didn't bother with Loki anymore. She had spoken the truth; whether Loki believed it or not was up to her.
Loki, however, just gritted her teeth.
"Hmp! I'll see for myself then... Tiona, Tione, Aiz, let's go."
Turning around without looking back, Loki strode away, refusing to stay a minute longer in that place.
"Wait for me, Loki!"
Swiftly following was the trio. However, before leaving, Aiz gave a meaningful look to Hestia. Her curiosity was piqued; now she wanted to meet this 'Champion.'
Watching the group leave quickly, a bitter smile formed on Hephaestus's face.
"Hestia..."
"What? You don't believe me either, Hephaestus?" Looking at her with a furrowed brow, Hestia was upset.
"No... I believe you."
Quickly denying her words, Hephaestus sighed.
"It's just that a 'Champion' is not someone tied to a God."
This was the key part; after all, a Champion is loved by the world. It's a being that carries victory on its shoulders, someone whose power can even surpass that of the Gods. It's someone too grand for a God to have in their family.
This is why Loki didn't believe Hestia because a 'Champion' was too rare, too strong, too significant, and, of course, someone who had saved a world.
"I know, but believe me, Hephaestus, I have a child like that."
Letting out a tired sigh, Hestia shrugged. She saw the look in Hephaestus's eyes—tenderness and clear longing, as if her lover had gifted her a beautiful diamond while proposing marriage.
"T-This... Hestia-sama... Can we continue?"
Scratching her cheek, Eina didn't know what else to say. She had overheard their conversation, and from what she gathered, this news would bring chaos to all of Orario.
"Of course!"
Looking again at the forgotten Eina, Hestia responded with a smile.
"Hmp! Cursed chibi!"
Even with gritted teeth, Loki couldn't help but curse Hestia. She was furious because, if what the 'Chibi' said was true, then she had nothing to boast about. No matter how powerful Aiz was or what potential she held, in the face of a 'Champion,' even a legendary hero would have to admit inferiority.
Because a Champion knows no bounds.
"So... What is a 'Champion'? Could you tell us, Loki?"
Hands behind her head, Tiona asked while blinking several times. Like everyone else, she didn't know what a 'Champion' meant, but seeing Loki so angry, she knew it couldn't be something insignificant.
Glancing at Tiona for a moment, Loki sighed.
"I suppose there's no harm if you know."
Shaking her head, Loki began to recall various things from the past. For gods, Champions were living legends. With a hand on her face, Loki looked at Aiz, who was staring intently. Tione also watched, but unlike Aiz, who was hungry for knowledge, Tione was merely curious, like any other adventurer.
"To begin with, what do you think of heroes?"
Listening to these words, the trio couldn't help but exchange glances.
"A hero is someone who has written their own legend, brave and kind."
"A hero is someone who saves people."
"They are powerful."
Agreeing with Tiona's responses, Loki was satisfied.
"Good. What you said is correct. Now, think of the most powerful hero you can imagine, anyone, just think of it."
"Hmm~"
Tilting their heads, the three girls soon recalled a legend, of a certain silver-haired boy.
As for Aiz, she also thought of a very special being, one that made her eyes widen.
"Now, multiply that hero you thought of by 1000, and that's a 'Champion.' Someone whose existential value is equal to or greater than a thousand heroes."
"Eh?"
Opening their eyes in shock, the trio looked at Loki, who now had a bitter smile on her face.
"Impossible! Does someone like that even exist?"
"Exactly! That's impossible!"
Shaking their heads, Tiona and Tione stared at Loki.
"I know, but it's true. Although they are very, very rare, they exist. Now understand? A Champion is not just about power or goodness. A Champion never loses; they cannot lose. When everyone else fails, they won't. They are the last defense of the world, growing without limits, surpassing even the powers of us gods."
Swallowing hard, the trio listened attentively to Loki's words, unable to help but be amazed. Someone who cannot lose is impressive on its own, but Champions being the last defense of the world; a Champion who loses means a destroyed world.
"So... Hestia-sama... Does she have someone like that in her Family?"
With trembling words, Tione now understood why Loki and Hephaestus reacted that way. Although she didn't want to believe it, it was Loki who spoke those words.
"I don't know, but..."
With a sigh, Loki turned her head with a furrowed brow, looking at the already distant guild headquarters.
"If it's true, then Orario will enter chaos. With their presence, many gods will be jealous. Having this legendary being is enormous, and perhaps the most powerful family belongs to that Chibi."
Looking also toward the distant guild headquarters, Aiz engraved Loki's words in her mind.
('Champion')
A deep longing emerged within her. With just those words, she was determined to meet this legendary being.
Loki's words were right; after all, several adventurers overheard their conversation with Hestia. So, the news that Hestia had a 'Champion' in her family spread quickly to all the families in Orario, even to that goddess in the Babel tower. Orario had descended into chaos, yet the Champion was still not present.
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*Author's Note: Phew, this is just a small foreshadowing of what's coming in Danmachi.*