Chapter 15: the links between us

After all these events, calm had returned to the city. The fight between Thor and Freya had been settled, with a most unexpected result, forcing the goddess to return to business as usual to ensure that her defeat did not dent her influence too much. However, she still had to do something very important.

That morning, Ryuu was surprised to find a letter in her room. Who had put it there? Certainly not someone from Thor's familia, so someone had taken advantage of the morning's reduced activity to put it on her bed.

There was no sign of the sender on the envelope, so she resolved to open it and find out who wanted to send her a message. The letter was from Syr. She hadn't seen her since Astraea's return, her goddess had forbidden her to return to the Hostess until she had checked a few things first. And at the goddess' pleading look, she had agreed to trust her. She loved everyone at the tavern, but Astraea was her goddess, her connection to her was different.

Syr's letter was rather short, she ask to meet her that evening, at the top of the old church in the 7th district, telling her that it was very important. This place had a lot of meaning for her. It was there that Syr had really given her a taste for life, where she had shown her that her struggle had not been in vain. A place that was only theirs.

Ryuu hesitated for a long time to tell Astraea, but she wanted to see Syr again so much that she didn't want to risk being refused. It would be easier for her to just get yelled at by her goddess once things were done.

The beautiful blonde elf slipped out of the house during the evening. She was discreet enough for that and the only one who might have noticed something, Ekkrit, was still in the hospital of Dian Cecht.

It didn't take her long to reach her destination. The old church was empty, as usual. What is the point of maintaining places of worship? In an age when the gods walked among mortals, there was no longer any need to pray to them. When she reached the large terrace at the top, she saw a figure.

Ryuu!

It was Syr's singing voice, expressing the sincere joy of seeing her best friend again. To the elf's surprise, the human was dressed quite differently from what she knew. She had neither her waitress uniform nor her white dress, instead she was dressed in a strange black cloak that completely concealed her body. Only she didn't have time to think about it any more, because she jumped into her arms for a warm embrace which she returned. Syr was one of the few people Ryuu would accept physical contact with.

I missed you so much!

I missed you too, Syr.

The two young women parted and the ash-haired waitress took two steps back. Her smile seemed strangely sad.

By the way, Ryuu. Do you remember this place?

How could I forget? This is where you helped me understand that I belonged somewhere.

I still mean what I told you then. We are at peace because of people like you and your goddess and I am grateful.

I know you are.

Five years have passed since then. I had come to think that our life in the tavern was eternal, the more time passed, the more natural it seemed to me to have you by my side.

Me too, Syr. Lady Astraea's return took me by surprise and I must admit that I am still struggling to put everything back together in my head. But I haven't forgotten you. Mia, Chloe, Lunoire, Anya and the others. They are people who are very precious to me. And you, Syr, are my best friend.

Ryuu was the one who took the initiative and took Syr's hands in hers, offering her one of her rare smiles. But Syr quickly lost hers, before letting go of the elf's hands and stepping back a little.

Yes, I too have come to understand that you are my best friend. It took me a long time to understand how precious our bond was. Like many, I waited for you to move away before I realized it. And to understand that this friendship cannot continue on a lie.

Syr... What lie? What's the matter? I can see something's bothering you.

The lie is me Ryuu. The young woman you call Syr Flova is a lie in itself.

You mean... that's not your real name? But that doesn't matter, after all, at the tavern, we all have our...

Syr then interrupted her by putting a finger on her lips. Ryuu was imagining so many things. Syr was hiding her true identity, was she a princess from a faraway land? The daughter of a powerful criminal or a famous adventurer? A survivor of a fallen familia like that of Zeus or Hera?

It's very complicated and words will not suffice. I promised Astraea that I would show you the truth. But Ryuu, whatever you find out, my friendship for you is real and sincere.

The poor elf didn't understand anything anymore, she could only watch her friend step back, then, under the soft light of the moon, see her body glow slightly before transforming. Only a few seconds later. It was no longer Syr before her, but a shape she could only recognise. Long silver hair, penetrating purple eyes and a body to die for, impossible not to guess despite the black cloak she was clad in.

Fre... ya?

Yes Ryuu. After all these years, I'm finally talking to you as myself. This time, no more lies.

To say Ryuu was shocked was a perfect understatement. She was far beyond that. Her best friend was actually the goddess Freya, her mind was going to need time to accept this information, and then just start processing it.

At Thor's manor, Astraea was entering Ryuu's room. She had knocked on the door, but her children had not answered, so she had entered. Nobody was in the room, the window was open and a letter was lying on the bed. Astraea read the contents and saw Syr's signature. She then realised that Freya had started to move. Would she respect the request of the goddess of justice? That remained to be seen. But there was nothing she could do about it, it was up to Ryuu to face this reality. The bond between Syr and Ryuu belonged to them alone.

That was why she hadn't said anything, least of all to Thor. His relationship with Freya was strained enough as it was for her to add fuel to the fire. The goddess took the only chair in the room and sat on it, waiting for her captain to return.

Syr is... Freya... I mean... the real... Freya?

Yes, Ryuu's brain was still calculating.

I think I'm the only one like me. the goddess said, attempting a little humor.

I... I need to sit down. said the elf whose cottony legs she felt could no longer support her. The latter let herself fall against the wall. Worried, Freya put a hand towards her, but hesitated and stepped back.

I'm sorry Ryuu, I know this must come as a shock to you.

It's not a shock at this point! exploded the elf who had jumped to her feet, obviously the victim of a whirlwind of emotions she could no longer handle. You are Freya! Freya is Syr! How? How am I supposed to...

I'm sorry, really.

How am I supposed to believe everything that's happened those last few years? This friendship, my feelings. Wait a minute! Did you...

No! said the goddess, who understood what she meant. I have never charmed you. I am incapable of doing that when I am Syr.

But why does Syr exist? Is this another twisted game of the gods?

Syr is... a way of seeing the world. By becoming Syr, I become an ordinary young woman, well, almost ordinary, I talk and interact with people a little more... normally. Syr can go where Freya can't and do what Freya can't do. At least not without starting a riot. But... it's true that she was originally a means of distracting me first.

That day in the alley, was that calculated?

No, I really found you by chance, even though I recognised you straight away.

Why did you save me then?

For several reasons. I would be lying if I said that entertainment was not a factor. But it is also true that I was grateful to Astraea and the sacrifice of your sisters in arms, taking you in was a way to pay a certain debt. And also out of compassion, when I saw you in that alley, wounded, with a blank look in your eyes, my heart had already accepted the fact that I wouldn't leave you there.

And... Mia?

She knew all along. You already know she's my former captain, that was part of the conditions for letting her retire from the familia. I was financing her settlement as a bonus, in exchange for her accepting Syr's presence and taking in anyone I asked her to. No one else knows about this. Please don't blame her, I'm the one who forced her to be silent.

Ryuu remained silent, not sure what to think. Freya seemed sincere in her words, but the fact that she was a manipulator was well known.

Of all the people Mia sheltered at the Hostess of fertility, I always felt much closer to you. For a while I even thought that you were the soul mate I was looking for. Many times I was tempted to tell you everything, to make you part of my familia and to do everything to clear your name. I always took what I wanted, but with you I could never bring myself to do it, I loved the life we had far too much, until your departure made me realise how much I really loved it. But... even for the gods, dreams come to an end.

Your... soul mate?

With all this, Ryuu didn't know what to think, she felt like she had a thousand questions, but couldn't think of a good one, so she asked the only one that came to her mind.

The one who will be my eternal companion, a pure and special soul who will truly complete me. I have been looking for it for so long.

But... you're Freya, you can just snap your fingers and have as much company as you want, right?

No, Ryuu. I'm a goddess of beauty, all I have to do is snap my fingers and everyone will come crawling to my feet and do my bidding. If I really charmed you, Ryuu, you wouldn't ask any questions, you'd be faithful to me and as an elf as you are, you'd be dying for me to make love to you right here. There's a difference between devotion and love.

I... don't really understand.

In my lifetime, many people have loved me, but none in the way that really thrilled me, none who ever lit up my soul for real, no matter how much love I offered them in return. But this time, I may have finally found it.

Maybe? So you're not sure. What if... it just doesn't exist?

Ryuu was then surprised to see an expression of fear and... despair on the goddess' face. Either she was doing a comedy act worthy of the greatest actors, or she was really sincere.

I beg you Ryuu, don't say that. If that were the case, then it would mean that I would be doomed to be forever alone.

Something struck Ryuu's mind. Freya may have been Syr, but she was getting things from her friend. For a brief moment, the goddess had allowed her to see her weaknesses. Perhaps Freya was under the curse of her own nature. She was a goddess of beauty, capable of making anyone crawl at her feet. But deep down, she felt terribly alone. Blind devotion is not really love. Besides, it must have been difficult for her to live with the question of how much of her charm affected the relationships with each person. In this case, Syr's existence took on a different meaning.

But for tonight, she already had too much information to digest.

I... I have to go, I need to calm down and think about it.

I understand. I only ask you one thing Ryuu. Please, don't say anything to anyone.

She didn't even know if anyone would believe her anyway. The elf took two steps towards the exit, before stopping and speaking again, but without looking at the goddess.

I don't have... time to work at the tavern anymore. But if two of us disappear, Mama Mia will be in trouble. Syr... should go back to work. And maybe that way, I can come to her more easily when I've sorted out my feelings.

I understand. Good night Ryuu.

The elf said nothing more and left, hoping that the coolness of the night would help her to see things more clearly, but it was not easy. As for the goddess, she felt that it had gone better than she had hoped.

She had hoped that Ryuu would eventually come back to her, but talking to her had indeed taken a weight off her shoulders. She could now devote herself fully to her projects concerning Bell. Projects that would require Syr's existence. She then realized that if Ryuu left the tavern, Syr would probably become useless sooner or later. But she would see that in due time.

Ryuu returned to the Thunder Hall as she had left, discreetly and through the window. In her room, she found her goddess. Astraea got up from her chair, but said nothing. She could see perfectly well the lost expression on her daughter's face and the emotions that swirled behind her gaze.

So the goddess did the only thing she could, she opened her arms wide and welcomed the poor elf into her embrace, allowing her to empty the overflow of emotions she had. One hand affectionately caressed her back and the other her head. This almost maternal gentleness did her the world of good.

It was late when she went to the baths in the house. At this hour she was alone, most had retired to their rooms for the night or had gone out to enjoy their evening.

Ryuu had hoped the hot water would help her, but her mind was still struggling to process what she had learned a few hours earlier. Even though Freya had tried to reassure her about some things, this new information forced her to reconsider the last five years of her life.

She was brought out of her reverie by the sound of someone undressing in the next room. Mei had spent the evening training, the fight between Ekkrit and Allen had motivated her to make more progress, but she hadn't seen the time pass and that was why she was so late arriving at the baths. When she opened the door, she immediately noticed Ryuu's presence and stopped short.

Oh, sorry, I didn't know you were here. I'll let you finish.

The shivati knew that elves had a particular relationship to nudity and physical contact in general. They were said to be modest at best, uptight at worst. And she also knew that Ygannea was an exception among the elves.

No, it's okay... you can stay. The elf said to her, surprising herself a little.

In fact, she realized that she had never been interested in the members of Thor's familia. They were the ones who had saved her goddess and brought her back to the city, the ones who had raised the funds to allow them to start over, to end her bounty. She owed them so much and she hadn't even made the effort to really care about them. So it seemed right to not throw the captain of this familia out of her own baths. And strangely enough, she didn't feel like being alone, to the point that it was beyond even her modesty.

After washing herself, Mei let herself fall into the bath with a sigh of pure happiness, before turning her gaze to Ryuu.

You look like you've had a rough night.

The usually stoic elf let out a small cynical laugh.

If it had only been rough...

Do you... want to talk about it?

No... well... I don't know.

She had promised Freya not to say anything and would keep her word, the time to take stock and the rivalry between the goddess of beauty and the god of thunder was complex enough as it was. Still, she felt that talking with someone like Mei, with whom she had less of a connection, might be easier.

Let's just say my relationship with a friend is... complicated right now. I feel totally lost.

I see. Does she blame you for anything?

No. Actually, I'm more likely to blame her.

And... is that the case?

I don't know... not really.

Well, you don't seem to hate her that much after all. There are few bonds that can't be mended, they can change, they can fade, but if they're not totally broken, there's always something you can do. Maybe not thinking about it too much is also a solution. Overthinking about it won't necessarily help. Sometimes it's better to let time do its work.

Ryuu remained silent, thinking about what this unexpected advisor had just told her. She was at least right about one thing, only time would allow her to take stock and know how she fell about Syr.

You are probably right. Thank you, Mei.

You're welcome. The human answered with a big, warm smile.

They stayed like that for a good ten minutes more in silence. Ryuu tried to relax and Mei enjoyed her bath. Finally, they concluded at the same time that it was time to get out.

As soon as she was out of the bath, Mei, a bit tired, didn't pay attention and stepped on something slippery that made her fall on her feet. And yes, even a level 6 adventurer could still have this kind of accident, the falna didn't protect from everything.

Raaaa! I told Cayope and Vasati a hundred times to put away their soaps!

Are you alright?

Ryuu approached Mei again, but fate, as well as the little problems of the young women of the familia in putting things away, played a nasty trick on them. In an improbable sequence, Mei skidded on a soap bar again, which was thrown under Ryuu's foot, who missed her landing and fell on Mei.

And as fate fate decided to play a joke on them, it was at this moment that Astraea arrived in the baths.

Ryuu, I wanted to tell you...

But the goddess was cut off because of what she saw. Ryuu was lying on top of Mei in an extremely ambiguous position. Their legs were intertwined, each with a thigh against the other's crotch, their chests were crushed together, their faces were terribly close. And in an elven instinct coming from the depths of his subconscious, Ryuu had grabbed the human's wrists to pin them to the ground so that she wouldn't touch her.

Except that from the outside, it just looked like Ryuu had jumped on Mei and tackled her to the ground for, well... some fiery play exclusive to women's baths.

~Sorry for the disturbance~ the goddess then said in a singsong, amused voice. She was surprised that her precious daughter was able to be so bold, and that she was obviously AC/DC. But after such an emotional evening, perhaps this was the way she had found to take her mind off things.

Once in the hallway, the goddess clasped her hands together as if praying and looked up to heaven.

Ha, my dear Alise, our little Ryuu has grown so much... in so many ways.

In the baths, a certain elf's face was as red as a tomato and when she finally realised the position she was in, she jumped to her feet, mortified by what had happened.

I'm so sorry!

Don't worry, I'm not going to make a fuss over this. The only ones responsible are the two messy ones who never tidy up their stuff.

By the gods! How am I going to clear up this misunderstanding with Lady Astraea? And one more problem was added.

By simply being honest. Otherwise... there is another way. Make sure that the misunderstanding is no longer a misunderstanding. The shivati then winked at her with a mischievous and knowing look.

Uh... no thanks. But wait, did you swing...

THAT way? Yes. But relax, I'm not going to do anything to you. You know, I understood that you'd rather, let's say... having some rabbit.

The blonde elf felt her ears rise to a very high temperature and when she started to deny it, the human cut her off.

There's no point in denying it, several of us have noticed it. Except for the main person concerned, of course. Besides, here's a good way to take your mind off it, go and catch him tomorrow and take him out on a date, it can't hurt you. On that note, good night.

The human simply said, leaving the elf to her thoughts. The elf was beginning to appreciate this human, a little strange, but who had a deep kindness. The door slowly opened again, revealing Mei's face.

But, if you're interested in my proposal, you can always join me in my room.

Go to sleep!

The next day. Shops selling magical items were rare, but in a city like Orario, one could easily find several. It was in one of them, the Laughing Grymalkin, that two elves crossed paths. One was a woman with long green hair and a regal bearing. The other was a more buxom beauty with long, ice-coloured hair.

Each was immersed in her research, looking at the many books that were lined up on old wooden shelves. Their fingers brushed against each other as they raised their hands at the same time to the same book.

"Ho!" they said in unison, so engrossed in their search that they hadn't noticed the other's presence.

Excuse me. Ygannea began, out of politeness.

It's nothing. Riveria replied. Neither of them could criticise the other when they were both so immersed in their research.

It seems that the same book interests us.

Indeed.

And there was only one on the shelf. The two women were not alone, however. Ygannea was accompanied by Arrauth, the young half elf of her familia, who was carrying a small wooden box in which there were already some of the magician's purchases. As for Riveria, she was accompanied by Alicia, a golden-haired elf who was unfailingly loyal to her. It was the latter who spoke.

If there is only one copy, it would be polite to let Lady Riveria buy it.

Why is that? Thor's elf replied, rather surprised by such a reaction. She had no intention of arguing over a book, but she was still going to dig a little deeper to understand the young elf's behaviour.

Out of respect for Lady Riveria, of course! She is a high elf, a princess of royal blood, she is Lady Riveria Ljos Alf, so act accordingly!

The principal concerned said nothing, somewhat jaded by this kind of overreaction. It seemed to her that she would never escape her blood. She loved Alicia, but her loyalty was sometimes... overwhelming.

I don't see anything relevant in what you're saying. Ygannea replied calmly, cutting off Alicia's voice.

As for my origins, I consider myself first of all a mage of Crystal City before being an elf. So I come from a city that is not under the authority of Ljos Alf family, so she is not my princess. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but by joining the Loki familia, you gave up all your royal titles and privileges.

She finished her sentence, this time addressing Riveria, the first person concerned, who did not take the blue-haired elf's words badly, as she had simply stated the facts.

No, but... Alicia tried, before someone else abruptly spoke up again.

Well, that's enough, you're annoying everyone with your nonsence! said Arrauth, who had been silent until now.

Excuse me! I don't allow you!

I don't care about your permission! Always the same thing with the elves, always acting as if you were superior to everything and everyone.

Arrauth! said Ygannea, trying to calm down her companion. Only, the fight had started and it was going to continue.

Shut up, you half-blood! You've obviously only taken on the coarse traits of humans, and all their lower instincts, I bet.

Ha! stop pretending you're as pure as you claim, elves are perfectly capable of having the same urges as humans and it's even more dirty and hypocritical of them.

The two magicians saw the situation getting worse, and they had to calm down quickly.

Arrauth, that's enough! she said, stepping between them.

But, Yga...

Ygannea may have been an elf, but it seemed that he respected her.

Would you please take my purchases home? And take the opportunity to calm down a bit. She complemented her words with a motherly caress on the young man's cheek.

Tss! He said nothing more and left. For her part, Riveria had turned to Alicia with a disapproving look.

Alicia, that was out of line, try to contain yourself a little in the future.

I'm sorry, Lady Riveria.

The two magicians then looked at each other, a little embarrassed that their companions had allowed themselves to get into such an argument. Eventually their attention returned to the book of discord and Riveria tried to bring the conversation back to something more interesting.

So... are you interested in Master Uvras' theory of runic magic too?

A very innovative approach if ever there was one, there are few copies of his writings outside the Crystal City. I was lucky enough to read several before I left.

It's interesting, so...

The poor Alicia soon felt left behind as the two magicians began a lively, passionate, but technical conversation.

Half an hour later, the two elven magicians were sitting at a café and continuing their conversation over tea. The third elf served as a decorative green plant. Riveria hadn't really approached Ygannea during the evening Thor's familia had spent at Twilight Manor, if only because she'd mostly been watching Aiz and Lefiya, before she'd had to spend half the night looking for Tiona and pulling her out of the goddess Hestia's home. She had felt the magical power of the other elf and was happy to finally have a conversation with her.

An extremely rich conversation, not only was Ygannea very erudite and could hold a very thorough discussion about magic with her, but the fact that she didn't treat her as a higher existence felt good. Only Hedin had spoken to her as an equal, but only because the former elf monarch also considered her a princess.

But with Ygannea, she really felt that she was just a magician, an adventurer, that this barrier between her and the other elves did not exist. After another sip of tea, Thor's magician looked at the third elf who was doing her best to contain her boredom and spoke again with a slightly sadder air.

I am so sorry about Arrauth. I hope you'll excuse him, he has... his own circumstances.

Please, let's forget it. Riveria replied politely, even if she was a little curious. The half elf's animosity seemed strong and she wondered where it could have come from.

Seriously, what is this guy's problem? Alica grumbled to herself. She was normally much more gentle and understanding, but the young man get under her skin like never before, and even the big eyes Riveria gave her didn't shut her up.

Ygannea let out a long, sad sigh and feeling she could trust the high elf, spoke up.

His problem... is that he is the child of a rape.

The other two elves' eyes widened and they looked horrified at what Ygannea's few words implied.

And before you give me the line we've heard a hundred times before about the poor elf girl who was taken advantage of by vile humans trapped in their lower instincts, let me tell you that you'd be very wrong. It was her mother the human. A poor peasant girl who was once captured by a noble elf who enjoyed hunting humans for fun, under the pretext of racial superiority or something like that. The poor girl was tortured, raped, but managed to escape before he killed her.

And suddenly a lot of things became clearer. With such a family history, all the things Alicia had said must have seemed terribly hypocritical to the half elf.

But, the poor girl had brought back a "gift" in her womb. She gave birth and tried to raise the child out of compassion. Only her son reminded her of the horrors she had suffered. Arrauth spent his childhood being beaten by his mother, who gradually sank into alcohol. And as he got older, he became more and morephysically like his father, so it got worse and worse. When he was fourteen, she tried to cut off his ears, and that's when he left home and ended up on the street. When we met him a few months ago, he was a hungry little slacker with no hope for the future.

Alicia suddenly felt bad, she knew she had crossed the line, and Ygannea drove the point home.

That's why, young lady, you should be more careful before judging people, especially when you don't know where they come from and what they have been through.

She didn't answer her and just thought about her mistake. Riveria was a little more pensive and Ygannea offered her a gentle smile.

I'm sorry if I spoiled the mood a bit with this story.

It's nothing, don't worry.

Lady Riveria, the golden-haired elf began. I... I need to go.

No problem, see you later, Alicia.

And the young elf greeted the two magicians before leaving. For her part, Riveria was pensive and thought that sending a letter to her father wouldn't be a bad idea, so that he could check out what some of the nobles were doing as a hobby. She had little hope that it would do any good, but it didn't cost her anything to try.

After this somewhat sad interlude, the two magicians resumed their conversation about how hard it was sometimes to look after the youngest members of their familia. For both were equally maternal. Soon the conversation became lighter and more relaxed, the laughter, at first discreet, became more and more assertive as they shared stories about Mei and Aiz.

Puberty and "women problems". Then began Ygannea.

A real comedy. Aiz came to me completely terrified, convinced that she was badly hurt, and in pain. She gave me the biggest crying fit and panic attack I've ever seen from her, all in the middle of the night, when everyone was exhausted after returning from a big expedition to the Dungeon. I had to be quite diplomatic that night.

I suppose. When it happened to Mei, she was convinced that she had been wounded by an invisible enemy and grabbed her sword before slashing randomly all over the place in the void. Ekkrit almost lost an arm before she could be calmed down.

The two elves burst out laughing. If these situations were not necessarily very funny at the time, with hindsight, they became nostalgic memories that were best taken lightly.

I don't know if the fact that these two became good friends so quickly is a good thing or a sign of impending disaster. said the blue magician.

I think we're not done having cold sweats with them... replied the green one.

And both of them sighed as they imagined what their adopted daughter/sister would do next.

As for the two young women concerned, they were actually together. They had met on the ramparts where they were training. Now that Mei was level 6 too, she had almost become a partner at the level of the blonde swordswoman.

Aiz remembered their friendly match when they had met and relished the fact that the shivati finally had the stats to really keep up with her at her level. She felt stimulated, it had been a long time since a training session had given her so much pleasure.

When she trained Bell, she enjoyed it, but she was in the role of mentor and the ambiguous feelings she had for the boy made things more complicated. Her training with Ottar had been intense, but she had not enjoyed it. First of all, because it was motivated by something very serious, and also because it reminded her of the personal debt she owed Freya.

But with Mei, she felt free. A swordswoman, like herself, with whom she could perfect her technique, and whom she liked. She didn't know why the friendship with Mei had developed so quickly, but relationships between people are sometimes mysterious.

Still, their training was very intense, two level 6's facing each other, it made sparks fly. And this ended up displeasing the neighbourhood, which they understood when a firm and authoritative voice was heard.

You two! That's enough!

And within five minutes, the two women were sitting in seiza, being reprimanded by Shakti Varma, the captain of the Ganesha familia. Taking the city's law and order to heart, she had come as soon as she heard about the mess the two young women were making on the ramparts. They hadn't realised it, but they were the noisy type, and this had attracted the attention of the local residents, who feared that a bad blow would blow a wall off their houses. And with their level 6 forces, it wouldn't take them long to ravage an entire neighborhood.

Sorry, Ankusha. Aiz simply said.

Isn't that a bit excessive, just for two friends practicing? Mei replied, her tone a bit more jaded at the blue-haired woman's rigidity.

Rules are rules, Asgard Jenta, you are disturbing the neighbourhood.

You're so rigid, frankly. No wonder you're still single when you're already thirty-*bip* years old.

Among the other members of the Ganesha Familia who were currently accompanying their captain, several swallowed and one of them had a horrified face worthy of Munch's Cry. Was this girl unconscious? She had just uttered the forbidden number!

Anyone who knew Shakti Varma would say that she was a very calm woman, able to keep her cool even in the worst of situations. However, there was a line that should not be crossed, even with her.

Die... she whispered softly, her eyes dark. Mei hadn't heard what she'd said, but she could feel her murderous aura all the same.

DIE YOU BITCH! the usually calm captain of the Ganesha familia shouted as she cocked her spear for a strike.

Oops! said the shivati as she realized the catastrophe she had just unleashed. Let's get out of here!

She then grabbed Aiz's wrist and dragged her after her in a desperate flight from the vindictive Shakti, now in a state of rage, who was herself being chased by members of her familia trying to calm her down.

There followed a chase, half on the ramparts, half on the surrounding rooftops, with a seething Shakti and an Aiz who didn't quite understand what was going on.

There's no need to get so upset! shouted Mei, without stopping. Even if you're approaching for*bip*, it doesn't matter, there are plenty of people who like MILFs!

Who like what? asked the blonde with her ingenuous look.

JUST DIE! The blue-haired woman shouted.

I'll explain it to you one day, Aiz dear. For now, let's try to escape Ankusha's nervous breakdown. Mei replied as a spear was thrust into a building next to her.

Fortunately for them, the two swordsmen were level 6, which allowed them to escape the level 5 captain. The latter pursued them for a good twenty minutes before losing their trail. However, her fury had not subsided and the other members of her familia were vey cautious not to fan it further.

Find these two and bring them back to me alive... I'll pulverise them myself.

Farther down a small alley, a voice from nowhere was heard as the Ganesha familia guards finally moved away.

It's okay, they're gone. Mei said as she removed a strange black helmet that had made her invisible. At her side, Aiz did the same. A third person appeared, a beautiful young woman with azure hair and eyes, wearing glasses that gave her that strict teacher look.

Thank you Perseus. Aiz said soberly, while Asfi sighed in annoyance.

Seriously, be more careful in the future, Asgard Jenta. Everyone here knows that Shakti Varma's age is an absolute taboo.

Yes, I went a bit overboard on that one. I'll send her something to apologize when she calms down. Anyway, I'm impressed, a helmet that makes you invisible is so great. I didn't expect to meet the famous Asfi Al-Andromeda today. Your reputation as the best designer of magical items in our time is well deserved.

Thank you, replied Asfi, used to this kind of compliment. She didn't have a big head, but she did know the value of her own work, if only because it represented a large part of her familia's income.

But I wonder what you're doing in this godforsaken alley.

Strangely, the captain of the Hermes Familia suddenly looked embarrassed, which only made Mei even more curious.

Nothing... really... some private business, It's all.

Except that her awkward look suddenly made her much more suspicious and Mei, with her temper, wasn't going to let go of her so easily, even if she had saved her ass.

Nothing illegal at least? Mei said as she approached her with an inquisitive look. Her god had warned her about Hermes' tendency to skulduggery.

No, not at all! It's just that...

Taking a step backwards, the blue beauty had hit a wooden box lying around and a small box fell out of her cloak. A small wooden box that Mei picked up first, under Asfi's terrified look at the idea of her getting to know its contents. And curious as she was, the shivati opened the box, saw its contents and violently closed the lid, while Asfi, who was naturally quite calm herself, suddenly had a red face. Aiz, who had not had time to see, broke the silence.

What is it?

To her surprise, her friend turned to her and began to stroke her head affectionately.

I'd love to answer that question, but you're so cute that I want to preserve some of your innocence.

Aiz was all the more curious, but the way Asfi looked away, she would get no more answers from her. Silently, Mei handed the box back to her.

Well... I guess there must be customers for that too.

And before the conversation could continue, Asfi was called out by a hooded woman who waved to her. She then gave her the small box in exchange for a large Valis purse, before the mysterious buyer quickly disappeared.

Wait, was your customer an elf? Mei asked with a very surprised look on her face.

Please, since I just saved you from Shakti's wrath, could you in return avoid asking questions about my business, or even forgetting everything?

And at the puppy-dog look Asfi gave her, Mei didn't have the heart to tease her further. She could always buy her a drink later and get her to talk one way or another. As for Aiz, she puffed out her cheeks, sulking at not having been taken into her confidence.

Since his fight in the arena against Allen, Ekkrit had not yet left Dian Cecht's hospital, Airmid was refusing to let him leave until he had purged his body of all the combat drugs he had taken to hold out against the Vana Freya.

Still, the healer had been impressed by the nezu's resilience, anyone else would have died or been severely damaged by everything he had ingested. He would get over it, but between the ingested products and the injuries, he would not be in top shape for a while.

It was with a pleasant surprise that he received a visit from someone who was not from his familia. Bell had just finished with the dungeon for the day and while Welf, Lili, Mikoto and Haruhime were off doing other things, he had taken the opportunity to make a diversion and visit the man who occasionally served as his teacher.

It was really impressive in the arena, managing to defeat the Vana Freya...

A word of advice, don't try to imitate me on this one. As you can see, I'm paying dearly. If my god continues to put me in such situations, I'm going to ask him for a bigger risk premium.

The two laughed quietly at the nezu's joke, who was trying to hide the trembling of his hands so as not to worry the boy too much.

The hair trick, on the other hand, I really wasn't expecting.

Ha! That? It's mostly a psychological weapon, actually.

What do you mean? asked Bell curiously. Ever since he'd met him, the nezu had never ceased to surprise him.

It's true that it's a pretty solid material if it's used well. But the aim was above all to surprise the opponent. Honestly, who would expect to be strangled with hair? When the opponent realizes this, there is a very good chance that he will let the surprise get to him, even for a short time. But that brief moment of hesitation can make all the difference. That's what gave me the advantage over the Vana Freya at that moment. If I had used rope, the psychological effect would not have been the same. Well, it mostly works the first time, once the trick is out, it doesn't have the same impact. So don't feel obliged to go and ask the women in your familia for locks of hair.

Bell laughed nervously, because deep down the idea had crossed his mind.

By the way, could you do me a favour Bell?

Of course, I'd be happy to.

The leather bag in the corner has my armour in it, could you take it to the two craftsmen who made it for me? I think it needs some repairs.

No worries, I had to come and see them, they made something for me too.

I thought so, that's why I'm asking you.

The door to the room was then opened and Airmid entered the room.

I'm sorry Mr Cranel, but visiting hours are over for today.

Oh? No worries, I'll go. The young man got up, took the things Ekkrit had asked him to bring and greeted everyone before leaving, leaving the nezu alone with the human.

I'm sorry to put you to so much work, Miss Teasanare.

No, it's more like I should be apologising for... all this.

Even though Thor had an agreement with Dian Cecht, Ekkrit was still a nezu. His room was the furthest away from the others and Airmid was the only one to take care of him, even doing the work normally done by other members of the familia.

Don't apologise, you can't do anything against centuries of prejudice. I'm already glad you're taking your work to heart with me, other healers would have kicked me out long ago, Thor threats or not.

It's not my place to judge my patients, and you are by far one of the most reasonable ones I've had.

Most of the adventurers were either hotheads who tried too hard and didn't listen to her, or smooth talkers who tried to impress her. By contrast, the calm of the nezu was relaxing.

In my stuff there is a small bottle with a blue label and a clear liquid, please take it.

Not quite understanding what he wanted, the healer complied anyway and rummaged through the nezu's belongings until she found it.

What's that?

It's for you. It's a compound to put on the skin to remove odours. I'll give you a tip on nezu physiology, we are also therianthropes, and we too have a keen sense of smell. And Mei tends to use a very distinctive fragrance on nights when she's out having fun.

Airmid quickly did the math in her head and turned tomato red when she realized what the nezu was implying.

I promise I'll keep this to myself. It's not like I haven't known this girl for over eight years.

The young woman managed to mumble a very vague thank you before leaving the room, leaving the nezu alone with his thoughts. He hated to sit on the sidelines like this, but he knew that he too needed to rest if he was to be fully effective in the future.

Bell had just finished the errand Ekkrit had asked him to run, causing both craftsmen to faint at the state of the almost new and already half-destroyed armour. He had retrieved his own order and was walking quietly.

Bell Cranel.

The young man stopped and turned around when he heard his name. In the crowd he saw the person who had just called him. A young woman, wearing a long black outfit, with a closed face, she had long dark grey hair, which masked part of her face, including one eye, and the other had reflections oscillating between grey and silver. He could search his memory, but he was pretty sure he didn't know her.

Uh... yes, it's me.

I have a message for you. The young woman, who hadn't even introduced herself, said soberly, which didn't help the poor boy much.

A message? Erm... very well.

Bell thought she would either give him a verbal message or a letter. And since she didn't seem aggressive, he wasn't particularly on guard. So he was caught completely off guard when she approached him, took his face between her hands and sealed their lips together.

Completely shocked and frozen in his mind, he was unable to comprehend what was happening, even when her tongue found its way to dance with his, offering him a long, sweet, passionate kiss. When his mind finally recovered from the shock of the surprise, she released him and he fell on his buttocks, for his legs had just given out on him. Without a word, still with that closed face, she walked away and disappeared into an alley.

Bell struggled to his feet, not quite understanding what had just happened. Turning around, he noticed that his friends were nearby and had seen everything that had happened. Mikoto's eyes were round, Welf was grinning at him, Haruhime looked like she was on the verge of tears and Lili had a horrified look on her face. It was the prum who reacted first, breaking into a sprint and jumping up to grab Bell by the collar.

Master Bell! What have you done? Why did you kiss that girl! Do you even know who she is!

But, but, but, she's the one who has... and I don't know who she is, Lili, I swear!

It's Horn, from the Freya familia! The attendant of the goddess, the Nameless!

I don't know her!

You're hitting on Freya familia's women now? You want us dead Master Bell?

Lili, please calm down!

But it was a waste of time, and the poor young man wasted a monstrous amount of time trying to calm the prum down and make sure Haruhime didn't break down in tears. This unfortunately prevented him from going after Horn and demanding explanations.

It was fortunate for the latter, who was not far away. She had ducked into an alleyway and tried to keep a straight face. But as soon as she was alone, her cottony legs could no longer support her and she collapsed to her knees, her cheeks flushed and her breathing gasping.

The bond between her and Freya could be modulated in intensity at the goddess' whim. The goddess had probably watched the whole scene with her divine mirror and amplified the bond to the maximum at the moment of the kiss, allowing her to savour it as if she had given it herself.

But on the other hand, Helun could feel Freya's current state, which she guessed must be "very happy". At least, that was what the state of her body was telling her, and the fact that she was going to need to change her underwear. She had to draw on all her willpower to do something about the temptation she felt, otherwise she would have taken Bell with her and done a lot of indecent things to him in that alley.

Horn hated it, she had become unable to discern her feelings from Freya's. She was in love with Bell, but she didn't know which part was hers and which part was from her beloved goddess.

Still, she managed to regain enough composure to return to the home of her familia, where she was instructed to go immediately to Freya for her report. As soon as she entered her goddess' room, the latter grabbed her wrist without a word and threw her onto the bed before standing over her and kissing her passionately.

Freya had every intention of capturing everything Bell had left on Horn's lips. She just hoped that Freya would think to cut the link between them, otherwise the situation promised to be strangely narcissistic.

Elsewhere that evening, it was another member of the Freya familia who was out, but not in the same mood. Covered in bandages, his body still sore, Allen was sitting on a roof. His defeat at the hands of a nezu supposedly weaker than him had stuck in his craw. However, his goddess had made it clear: no revenge or stupid acts.

But that was not what interested him tonight. Her observation post was close to the Hostess of Fertility. Only, Syr wasn't working tonight, so it wasn't for protection that he was there. It was another young woman who attracted his attention, a Cat People like himself, a small, very mischievous brunette.

The cat was still haunted by the end of his fight, on the verge of death, it was the image of his sister that had come to him. Why? He had disowned her, they had no connection. So why had what might have been his last thoughts turned to her? Because she was his only blood relative? That didn't explain everything.

But more importantly, he didn't know what he should do. If he went down to her now, it would only lead to an awkward situation where neither of them would really know what to say. So here he was, like an idiot, secretly watching his own sister, watching her go about her life in a playful way, and slapping down an overly drunken customer who had tried to put his hand on her ass.

When the man in question was thrown out by Mia, Allen decided to follow him, it seemed he had found a perfect way to vent his frustration of the last few days.