Eiji left the tavern with a heavy expression.
He had postponed learning the art of charm, citing the upcoming expedition as the reason. Thanks to that, he didn't have to make an immediate decision.
"You seem quite taken with him."
Watching Eiji's retreating figure, the tavern owner let out a light snort and turned her gaze to the goddess beside her.
"Do I?"
Freya didn't seem to care.
"You're not usually this invested. I guess the unattainable always stirs the heart."
The owner looked rather amused. She glanced at Freya and added, "Besides, you were laughing so freely earlier. When was the last time you laughed like that?"
Freya paused.
When was the last time she had laughed so unreservedly?
She couldn't remember.
Her life was filled with collections—people who never demanded anything from her, never dared to anger her, and always obeyed her every word. She was the queen who ruled over everything.
Come to think of it, when was the last time she had been so openly angry?
Freya fell into deep thought.
It wasn't until the owner pointed it out that she realized, after just a few hours with Eiji, she had experienced emotions like anger and joy—feelings that were both unfamiliar and yet strangely familiar.
"I really can't let him go so easily…"
Freya murmured to herself, her tone becoming increasingly alluring.
***
"Eiji, where did you go? Why were you gone all day? Did you go back to the dungeon? Didn't they say you shouldn't be doing strenuous exercise right now…"
As soon as he returned to the familia, Tiona rushed over, bombarding him with questions and concern.
"Sorry, Tiona. I need some time alone."
Eiji shook his head, gently pushing Tiona away, and retreated to his room.
"What's wrong with him?"
Tiona looked puzzled.
His demeanour was clearly different from usual. His distracted and conflicted expression was written all over his face, as if he had suffered a great blow—no, more like he had encountered some kind of setback. But that didn't quite fit either… It was hard to describe.
Eiji was facing the biggest dilemma since his rebirth.
Even in the harsh environment of his childhood, Eiji had persevered and improved himself. But now, he found himself torn, unsure of what to do.
"Are you troubled?"
It was morning again.
While practicing her swordsmanship, Ais noticed that Eiji wasn't giving her the usual guidance. Instead, he was sitting on a bench, his expression heavy, as if pondering the meaning of life.
She thought about it and decided that since Eiji had helped her so much, she should return the favour. With the intention of easing his worries, she approached him.
"Ais, if gaining a powerful ability required paying a heavy price, do you think it's worth it?"
Eiji suddenly threw out a deeply philosophical question, much like the wealthy benefactor from his past.
"Doesn't becoming stronger always come with a price?"
Ais tilted her head, her golden hair swaying.
"Let me be more specific… For example, what if the price was turning into a man? Would you still be willing?"
"That sounds like a good thing?"
Ais actually seemed excited.
"?"
Eiji was stunned.
"My status, I don't know if Loki told you, but my Strength and Endurance are stuck at D-rank. If I became a man, I'd probably excel in those areas."
Ais gently touched her slender arm, her expression tinged with regret.
Ah, I see.
Because she was female, Ais wasn't naturally strong or durable, and her proficiency in those areas was capped at around D-rank. That's why she thought becoming a man would be an improvement.
From this perspective, Ais was clearly speaking purely from the standpoint of becoming stronger.
"Your resolve is stronger than mine."
Eiji sighed, conceding defeat.
"?"
"Never mind, it's my problem. Don't worry about it."
Eiji shook his head.
Ais didn't quite understand.
Riveria often said that while Ais was strong, she lacked common sense and had a somewhat "airheaded" personality.
What should she do in this situation?
Ais recalled how Riveria handled things.
Then she reached out and placed her hand on Eiji's head, gently stroking it.
"?"
"Whenever I'm troubled, Riveria does this to me…"
Ais's face turned slightly red.
For some reason, when Riveria patted her head, she felt calm. But when she did it to Eiji, her heart raced, and she even felt the urge to run away.
"Oh, uh, thanks."
Eiji awkwardly thanked her.
Back in the day, his senior sister Touka often patted his head too, so he wasn't particularly averse to it. It was a gesture of care and affection.
Don't ask which head—it would ruin the mood.
Creak, creak, creak!
From behind the fountain came the sound of someone grinding their teeth. The wolfman's silver fangs were clenched so tightly they creaked, and his eyes were as wide as saucers.
Don't you get tired of sneaking around every day?
After finishing her sword practice, Ais quickly headed to the bathhouse.
Eiji remained on the bench, continuing to ponder life while waiting for the dinner bell. He still had nothing to do today and needed to recover his drained body. Otherwise, it would be a joke if he slipped and died during the expedition.
"Hey!"
As Eiji sat there lost in thought, a cold voice called out from behind.
He looked up.
The white-haired wolfman approached with a fierce expression.
His eyes were bloodshot, clearly under severe stress. He leaned forward, exuding an intimidating pressure.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but don't think you can string along both that dumb Amazoness and Ais! You'd better make a decision soon, or don't blame me for being rude!"
Oh ho!
You little (stupid) cutie (idiot), coming to pick a fight with me when I'm already in a bad mood, huh?
Eiji took a deep breath.
He glanced around.
There were quite a few people watching him and Ais practice, and most of them were girls.
Every morning, most of the girls in the familia would get up to secretly watch the courtyard. It seemed to have become a tradition in the Loki Familia.
Good.
Let me show you what it means to lose your right to court anyone!
"Stop asking me, Bete! I really don't know how to cure impotence!"
Eiji suddenly shouted.
"???"
"???"
"???"
From behind the fountain, the rooms in the spire, the shade of the trees, and the busy kitchen, a flurry of question marks popped up.
"Wait, Bete's impotent?"
"Wait, Bete can't perform?"
"Wait, Bete has nothing?"
"...Huh?"
Bete let out a confused sound, utterly stunned.
As the girls emerged from all directions, whispering and casting strange looks at him, he suddenly realized what was happening. His face turned deep purple, his eyes bulged, his features twisted, and his expression became utterly ferocious.
But Eiji had already disappeared without a trace.
Only Bete remained, trembling with rage, his entire body consumed by fury.
"Grrrrrr—!!"
***
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