Chapter 144: Misjudge!
In the end, Luke finished his dinner amidst the awkward atmosphere.
He had intended to ask Mama Mia what she thought about Ottar's upgrade.
But their inexplicable looks made Luke feel uneasy.
The strange atmosphere quelled his curiosity, and Luke quickly finished his meal, paid the bill, and left the tavern.
"What exactly did I say wrong?"
Walking down the street, Luke was still pondering over what had just happened.
Everything was fine until he was suddenly scrutinized by them.
Perhaps he had unwittingly said something offensive.
"It would be bad if I inadvertently caused a conflict with the Freya Familia."
"I should go back and talk to Finn about it; let him think about it."
However, despite his words, Luke had no intention to return to Twilight Manor now.
Taking advantage of the lingering daylight, Luke, now full and satisfied, decided to check out the Miach Familia's shop first.
The unexpected encounter before dinner had made Luke somewhat concerned about the current situation of the Miach Familia.
"Sure enough, they are no longer here."
Upon reaching the northwest street, Luke easily found Miach Familia's former shop.
Indeed, it once belonged to Miach Familia.
The potion shop in front of him, now with its sign removed and doors sealed, was once operated by the Miach Familia as the 'Blue Pharmacy.'
"This is really..."
Luke shook his head.
He now had no choice but to return to his Familia residence and inquire about Miach Familia's whereabouts tomorrow.
...
The next day, in the morning.
Luke stood in front of a small shop.
He did not expect to find the new Miach Familia's location so easily.
The decline of Miach Familia had been known for some time, not common knowledge but still recognized by many.
With a little inquiry, Luke found the new 'Blue Pharmacy.'
A very small shop, incomparable to their former potion shop.
The store was not open; Luke guessed it might have something to do with what god Miach said about taking care of the wounded last night.
Knock, knock, knock!
Without hesitation, Luke walked forward and knocked on the door.
"Coming, just a moment."
Miach's voice came from inside the door.
Creak!
Soon, the door was opened, and Miach's voice followed.
"Sorry, we are not open yet; we don't have any potion available for sale... Hm? Luke?!"
"..."
"Sigh, why did you come here?"
"My hint last night should be clear enough..."
"Well, when something happened to the store I regularly visit, I was a bit concerned."
Luke smiled at Miach.
"Aren't you going to let me in?"
"Miach-sama, do we have a visitor?"
While Luke and Miach were talking, a weak voice came from inside the shop.
Hearing this voice, Miach paused for a moment, then turned to Luke and said:
"Fine, come in."
...
Just as Luke followed Miach into the shop.
Elsewhere.
In a secluded teahouse, the two most influential goddesses of Orario met quietly without anyone's knowledge.
"What shenanigans are you up to this time?"
"Are you eyeing someone's child again, expecting me to turn a blind eye?"
"Really, can't you ever stop causing trouble?"
Loki sat on a chair, sipping her tea and complaining to Freya sitting opposite her:
"You really are a lovesick goddess, Freya!"
"Well, I think I'm quite picky."
Freya didn't mind Loki's 'slander' at all and just smiled lightly in response.
"Cut the crap, think of all the trouble you've caused me over the years."
"So, whose child are you interested in this time?"
Loki seemed to recall the various troubles she had to clean up for Freya over the years, appearing slightly annoyed as she gulped down a large mouthful of tea.
"This time, it seems to be your child."
Spurt!
Tea sprayed out halfway, and the rest nearly choked Loki to death.
After patting her chest forcefully, Loki put down her teacup angrily and said to Freya:
"You know, that's not the kind of joke to make; you nearly choked me to death!"
"But I am not joking."
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere suddenly dropped to a freezing point.
Loki slightly opened her eyes, which she had been squinting all along.
In a colder tone than any member of her Familia had ever heard, she asked Freya, "Are you trying to start a war, Freya?"
"Hehe, it's been a long time since I've seen that expression on your face, Loki."
"In these past few years, you've acted like a side character, making me worry whether the children from the lower realms had dulled your edges."
"It seems I was worried over nothing."
Freya didn't show a cold expression like Loki did, but continued to smile charmingly.
However, an aura no less intimidating than Loki's emanated from her.
Gods are not allowed to use their powers in the lower world, but their aura is not within the scope of limitation.
This safeguard also protects the gods' own safety.
Without their divine powers, their divine aura might lose some lethality, but it still retains a significant deterrent effect.
Under the deterrent of divine aura, few mortals in the lower world dare to attack a god.
As the divine presence enveloped the surrounding, panic gradually spread around them.
Suddenly, the rapidly escalating tension dissipated, and Freya's light laughter followed.
"Don't worry, I didn't plan to start a war with your Familia."
"Calling you here was exactly for a discussion."
Hearing Freya's words, Loki's face gradually softened.
However, she was not willing to compromise on the issue of her Familia members.
"There is no room for discussion on this matter; if you dare to take someone from me, be prepared for all-out war."
After saying this, Loki paused.
After several hesitations, she still asked Freya with a troubled expression:
"So who exactly are you interested in?"
"I have already rejected you regarding Finn, and you said you were not interested in the others in my Familia before."
"Why would you make such a request now? Is it a new member of my Familia who joined recently?"
"Heh, can't really say it's a new member anymore."
Freya smiled, finding Loki's reaction interesting.
Indeed, even she didn't expect to change her mind one day.
It was really strange and interesting.
"It's your Familia's 'Sword Master' Luke Ashburn."
"Huh???"
Freya's words shocked Loki.
'I won't take action, because I have no interest in a boring 'sword'.' Loki remembers something Freya said.
"That's what you told me personally!"
"Are you trying to tell me that you misjudged him initially?"
---
Read more than 25 chapters in advance, with pictures, to enhance your reading immersion:
patréon.com/tom22
Replace "é" with "e" on your web browser.
---
For Audiobook:
youtube.com/@animefic22
---
(Please vote for more chapters! If this fanfic gets more than 700 powerstones, then I will upload bonus chapters! Also, don't forget to leave a review and comment below.)