How do I keep getting myself into these situations? Kano thought to himself. It seems that everyone wants a piece of me…

…that is not a good thought to have whilst surrounded by four Amazonian women. I think they have mind-reading powers. Kano continued and stopped once he felt their stares on him. His walking stick tread upon the ground in even intervals. "So, what would you have done if I resisted?"

"Knocked you out, probably would have had some fun," Samira said bluntly.

"Aphrodisiacs, then," Kano mused, freaking the hell out internally. To say that she was going to…use him…so callously, it disturbed him. He felt his hand tighten on his staff. "You certainly have your moments, brute." Lena, again the observant one, noticed.

Truly, she was fascinated that he had such a good grip on his emotions. She likes this one…but not as much as she loooovveesss Bete Loga! Her goofy smile as she thought of her eventual beloved prevented her from hearing the next part of the conversation.

"The fuck did you call me?" She said as she gripped his collar.

Kano let his senses reorient before speaking, "Have I struck a nerve? Your hands have tainted the blood of innocents, remove them."

Samira looked ready to shred this kid a new asshole but Aisha's word stopped her, "He is not to be harmed, Lady Ishtar's order. Do you wish to face punishment for provoking him?"

"Not provoke, observe. My sense of smell is heightened due to my loss of sight," he claimed, one hand on his aid while the other stayed at his side. "I didn't want to bring it up but that smell is prudent around here which is quite concerning for someone who doesn't venture this way," Kano explained calmly.

Meanwhile, internally, he really wanted to escape. Why can't anything be normal? Oh wait, there are Gods involved…well shit. "Keen nose," Sharay muttered.

"That is probably from the virginities of the new workers being taken. A little blood gets in places," Aisha explained. "Samira, set him down, Lady Ishtar is not patient when we have what we need." The woman was interested in his deductions. Again, she had to give him credit where it is due. He's someone who has slipped under every deities' radar up until two days ago. How no one forced him into a Familia baffles the elder Amazon. "Just make sure that he does not fall into that toad's hands."

The byplay confused Kano but decided against asking. Judging by the vitriol in Aisha's voice, this 'toad' must be quite the annoyance. He also noted that she wasn't telling him the full truth about the blood. After all, he should keep his ability to sniff out lies and half-truths close to his chest.

People don't realize that sometimes their voices often reveal their true motives or nature despite the acts they put up. No, Kano is not a God, being able to detect lies. It's not perfect but he estimated that around eighty-five to ninety percent of the time, he can detect when someone was telling the truth or not. If he knew the person, then it was a one hundred percent chance he could tell if they were lying.

Lena easily wanted to make friends with this boy, who happens to be a year older than herself. "So, can you tell us about yourself?"

Kano inclined his head again after being set on the ground, "Besides what you already know? Not much."

"Aww, don't be like that~!" Lena cheered, resisting the temptation to scoop the boy in a hug. It looked like he needed it.

Aisha and Sharay found some amusement in Lena's antics. The former was thinking of that idiot fox and her antics. Sharay was busy eyeing the blind boy, trying to find his motives.

That got cut short when Samira announced, "We're here." It was more for Kano's benefit.

As much as the boy wanted to turn off his senses, he knew that doing so would put him in a precarious position as if he wasn't already in one.

Unlike Freya, who he asked to charm him, Ishtar will not be as kind if push comes to shove. However, she doesn't know about his abnormality. He hopes that she leaves him alone on it. Kano was not able to take in his surroundings like a normal person. So Lena took to the job, explaining what the building looked like in somewhat in-depth detail.

The name of the home was Belit Babili. The walls were aligned with purple curtains that hung the ceiling down to the floor. There was a staircase that had two sides to it like the ones in those royal story books. In between the two was a statue of Lady Ishtar in all her glory and that really meant in all her glory. Past that were the rooms for the ladies of the Berbera. Sharay filled in that no one was allowed to bring one of their customers into their personal rooms.

Kano figured it was for Familia secrets and such, and was given that confirmation after expressing the question. Continuing on, the higher rooms were for executives and the throne room for Ishtar. According to Aisha, the walls have wavy intricate designs that mean something special to Ishtar. The blind boy kept his thoughts to himself for now. No need to kick the hornet's nest willy nilly.

That's for later.

The sounds of a large door opening reached Kano's ears, and the many voices on the inside. Many were wondering who the fresh meat was and who was going to get 'first dibs'. Someone having their way with him unsettled him greatly, especially since no one would believe him.

His hand gripped his aid, making his knuckles go white again. Despite how calm he looks, he was far from it. If anyone saw, they did not comment. He felt the aura of the Goddess before even hearing her voice, "So…this is him?"

"Yes, Lady Ishtar," Aisha said, bowing slightly before her Goddess. "One Kano Yamabe without a scratch, as requested."

"Bring him closer," she ordered. The brown-eyed, purple-haired Goddess wore next to nothing except a few strips of cloth close around her breasts and what may as well be a thong. Kano knew Amazons wore little clothing but there at least had to be some limit, you know?

Kano's feet didn't want to move from their spot, and that was thanks to his fight or flight instinct. All he wanted to do was run. He didn't feel safe here. A hand, one he recognized as Lena's, linked gently with his free arm, "I got you." Lena's voice floated nearby. "She won't bite, probably."

"You need to work on what you call encouragement," Kano dryly remarked, not even turning her way. "But thank you…for not drugging me."

"Of course!" She chimed, the bubbly girl smiled wide, something Kano felt she was doing based on the tone of her voice. "You're not Bete Loga, so you are not my man."

Normally, most guys would be insulted that they were just told that they never stood a chance with a girl. Thankfully, Kano was not like most guys and he felt as if his heart was already drawing closer to someone else.

Ishtar's aura was in front of him, snapping him out of his short yet sweet reverie, alongside the smell of smoke and incense. "So, you're the one that has ruffled Orario's feathers, so to speak. I must admit, I am curious how you did not fall onto anyone's radar until now."

"I do one thing and I set off a chain reaction because that's how the world works. Guess I have to go hide in the hidey hole I made," Kano lamented with a tidbit of sarcasm and truth. Said hidey hole was secret.

Ishtar seemed to have found this funny, the decorative jewelry donned on her person jolted with each laugh. Kano found himself comparing the laughs between the two Goddesses of Beauty, and found that neither ranked higher than the other. "Well, that's what happens in Orario, young one. But a hidey…hole? That's not a term I've commonly heard before."

He felt a hand travel down his neck, reaching the Adam's Apple, before trailing down his neck. Chills erupted on his skin, his previous and potential statements halting, "I ask that you stop t-touching me."

His voice echoed in the tall room. The dome-like ceiling with a large window out in front of her throne allowed her to overlook the entire RLD. He couldn't just slap her hand away. Instead, he gently grabbed her hand and brought it away from his neck, the tingles spreading up his arm. That same feeling with Freya was present once more.

The stutter in his voice made Ishtar grin wider, allowing him to bring her hand away. "Oh?" She looked into his eyes, not being able to see the true color of them saddened her marginally but she continued, "I've heard that you've been in contact with someone."

Blunt sarcasm came easily, "I've been in contact with lots of someones, Lady Ishtar, you will have to be more specific." Kano knew one day that it would get him into far greater trouble. That was evident by Ishtar's hand returning to his chin, her grip not gentle in the slightest. And so she reveals her true nature.

"My mistake, little Kano," she said 'sweetly' while her tone suggested she wasn't a fan of sarcasm. "Are you going to see Freya anytime soon?"

"What I do is not a concern of yours, Lady Ishtar. I came here because I would rather not cause problems with Familias, yours or anyone's. Most Gods are also a part of the idea of acting before thinking. So, if I refused to come willingly, I would be here unwillingly." His murky eyes blinked. "But since I know you won't let me leave without answering, yes. Yes, I met with Lady Freya. No, we did not discuss you or any Familia business."

"What did you discuss?" She pressed.

Kano, already knowing lying was out of the question, "An outing. She wished to spend time with me for reasons that as a unblessed mortal, I do not understand. Should you ask anything else, I refuse to answer. Take the information you got from it and stew over it, Lady Ishtar. I don't know what business you and Lady Freya have with one another but keep a blind, unblessed civilian out of it."

He's not wrong in any sense but even Kano admits that it could have been worded better. Familia politics were something that he was better off not knowing. Kano was Orario born and bred. His parents lived here in the city before they peaced the scene. Politics in Orario are cutthroat, either you learned how to work the system or you were swallowed up by larger predators, meaning other Gods.

"Look at me, Kano~. Look and feel blessed.~" Ishtar's deeper tone compared to Freya's was like comparing the sky to the earth. Two different tones, and two different vibes. Letting the charm enter, he just let her roam about.

The women in the room were a little thrown off, knowing that Ishtar charming someone was common but charming a blind guy? That was where they were confused.

Ishtar felt that Kano was not under her thrall, even feeling that he tried to accept it. "What are you?! A mortal who can resist divine charm?! You even tried to accept it!" This got shocked gasps from the Amazons present. Kano didn't know how many there were but there must have been over fifteen present. She gave the order to Aisha and Samira to restrain him. Her nails, which were painted to match her hair, came back slightly red. She was gripping his face too tight and in her anger scratched him.

Kano felt the sting on his face before hearing what was said. His heart was pumping blood like it was going out of style. When Aisha and Samira put their hands on him, he started to freak out. He was not an adventurer—obviously—but the fact was that this meeting was turning pear-shaped so fast was making his composure wither. "To answer you, I don't know. Lady Freya tried too. It didn't take." Was hoping that I would be able to hide that fact. If…no no not if, when this gets out, I'm sure that the drive to 'recruit' me will be at an all-time high. Why didn't I just leave that alone?

"Really, she tried to charm you as well and it failed?" Ishtar asked incredulously, noting the fact that he was attempting to struggle but only kept his hands on his walking stick. There wasn't much he could do at this point.

"That's right," his answer was clean, empty of lies.

Ishtar hummed to herself, "Perhaps I've acted too hasty…this time. Do you know why she favors you?"

Kano blinked, more terrified at the fact that Ishtar's tone went back to like nothing ever happened than the question itself. "Nope. Now, can I go and get my face healed since you ended up drawing blood?"

Ishtar looked at her nails, seeing the truth staining her fingers, as Lena offered to get him a potion, "I can get you a low-grade potion to close those!"

"Respectfully, Lena, I'm not touching, eating, or drinking anything that is handed to me here. Rumors don't exactly paint the RLD in a good light, so as far as I know, they could be laced with something."

Aisha's voice spoke up now, "No, they aren't. Any potions we get are from Dian Cecht's Familia store. They all come with seals before being opened. Sharay, get one and let him feel what that means." Even though they were keeping Kano restrained, he wasn't trying to escape. They would let go but Ishtar didn't give the word.

Well, at least they were being considerate but Kano envisioned this encounter going far worse than it has, feeling his heart rate slow, the blood going away from his ears, "You are aware that I still don't trust you all, right?"

"We know," Ishtar said, and again, her words say one thing but her tone says another. Kano would rather be home and waiting out for the festival. "I hope to dissuade that line of thinking, girls, release him." Kano felt his arms return to his sides, his aid still in hand. Both hands gripped the staff with what amounts to a crushing force. "Where did you get your aid?"

"Hmm?"

"The stick you always carry, even now," Ishtar commented. "Come to think of it, you have yet to let go of it."

"Last thing I have from my parents," Kano shrugged, hearing Sharay's footsteps come from his left. "Not to mention, having it relaxes me."

"May I have your hand?" Sharay asked in her rough Koine accent. Kano switched the aid from his left to his right and put out his hand, palm-up. Something was put in his hand, a thin glass cylinder. "Close your fingers around the top, the part furthest away from you." Kano followed the instructions and felt a solid seal around the lid, indicating that this was a non-tampered potion.

"Okay, I was wrong, my apologies for assuming such a thing," the blind boy admitted his folly. "How much does this usually cost? I don't know the whole adventurers' market for everything. I usually have no need for these."

"One thousand valis," Sharay explained. "Others are easily fifteen times more. This one is more for surface-level cuts. Death by a thousand cuts is how some people die."

Kano nodded, noting how expensive potions can get based on that small expo alone. "Has anyone told you that your Koine is improving, Lady Sharay? You must practice quite a bit."

The woman's tone quickly turned bashful, "N-No…thank you."

Kano quickly undid the seal, "Lady Ishtar, I'm going to use this and I shall pay you the one thousand valis that this costs, is that acceptable?"

"The payment is unnecessary," the Goddess replied.

"I insist because there's one thing I learned in seventeen years, Lady Ishtar. Nothing in Orario is free. So understand that I will be giving you a thousand valis in some way, shape, or form, my blindness be damned," Kano said firmly as he downed the potion, feeling a tingle on his face. He could do nothing about the unseen blood that trickled down his neck and on his clothes.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small sack of jingling coins. He swung it around for a few moments before tossing it in the general direction of Ishtar's voice. He heard someone catch it, "Now, if that is all…Lady Lena, could you kindly escort me to the entrance?"

Ishtar did not want him to leave just yet. She wanted him in a more permanent manner. Truthfully, she felt it wasn't about one-upping that whore but because this mortal was providing something interesting.

A challenge.

Ishtar likes challenges.

"What you would say if I-"

"No," his answer was quick, having heard that same tone countless times over the past day. He quickly came to realize that tone and shut them down before they could even get the sentence out. "Don't ask, I don't need it. Now, I'm asking you if I may leave because if I left now, it would be rude and my parents raised me to be at the very least cordial with those that I speak to."

The dark-skinned Goddess hummed, holding the bag of valis he threw at her, "They did a fabulous job. What would it take for you to reconsider?"

"Nothing will, Lady Ishtar. I don't want a Falna," Kano said, closing his eyelids, and breathing to keep himself composed. "I am also fully aware that you could potentially keep me here until I say yes but there would be problems if you did. No, I am not threatening you but if I miss my outing with Lady Freya, you will probably be the first place to look."

While the mention of Freya pissed Ishtar off, he was right. He wasn't trying to be mean about it but the fact remains. "Lena, escort him out," Ishtar commanded, "I have gotten what I needed, return to your duties, ladies."

"At once, Lady Ishtar!" Lena's bubbly voice shouted. "Yo, Kano, can I link with your arm?"

Kano was pleased that she seemed to understand that he wanted to be asked if someone could touch him. He wasn't against touching someone but knowing that someone was going to was nice. The aid ended up in his left hand as he turned toward her voice, holding an arm out. "Oh, and for what it's worth, Lady Ishtar…I do believe that you are both beautiful in your own ways. You have the sound which links to a wild side of a woman but Lady Freya has the prim proper side. Again," Kano beseeched, "this is not me saying who is prettier or superior because I'm not one to judge. People have different tastes, that is all. Personally, I believe you both are misunderstood. Perhaps, one day that can change."

At this, Lena gently linked with him and started walking. The words affected everyone in the room. "My, what charisma," Ishtar purred. Perhaps, she has misunderstood this mortal. She'll also have to keep an eye on him. The Goddess began to understand why he was talked about so much in the past two days. And he's been here the entire time? For the past seventeen years, and no one noticed? A real shame he won't join any Familia. That might be in his best interest. The number of War Games waged just for him if he got some skill or magic that would benefit a Familia…

The last time someone did that, they went back and forth until the person in question just left Orario and never returned. Ishtar didn't keep track of them that much.

While Ishtar is a Goddess of Fertility, she and Freya have much more in common, that being the domain of War. While waging war would be fun, it would not be worth it for one mortal, a blind one at that.

Aisha, wondering why Ishtar didn't force him to stay, asked her, "You didn't make him stay, why?"

Ishtar only stood from her throne and walked away, Tammuz—her valuable aide—followed after her. That left Aisha, Samira, and Sharay to wonder what Ishtar's answer was. They wouldn't ever find out.

The leader of the Berbera decided that she wanted to visit the little fox. After all, preparations still had to be made, even if she didn't want to make them.

Lena was curious about Kano, she wouldn't deny that. Ishtar surprised her the most. Despite being all happy and bubbly, she was more than aware of her patron Goddess' distaste for Lady Freya. "Thank you."

His thanks certainly came out of the blue, "For what?"

"Guiding me. This is admittedly unfamiliar territory to me. I remember the paths I usually take because I've tread on them so often," the blind boy said, turning to look at Lena. She had to admit, he was cute. She probably would go after him if her heart and instincts weren't already set on her future hubby. "Right now, you're about the only person I have some semblance of trust to, well, you and Lady Sharay. The reason is from what you stated prior, you already have a man in mind; therefore, I'm out of the question and can give you that little bit of trust."

Truthfully, this was the first time anyone ever said that someone trusted her and meant it. Unseen to him, her cheeks flushed a bit but she banished those thoughts because Beta Loga will be the father of her future children! "T-Thank you. C-Could I ask you to trust me for just a bit longer?"

Kano's eyebrow raised on instinct, "Sounds suspicious but I would be a hypocrite if I said no. Is there someone you want to see?"

"Yeah, the most innocent and adorable girl ever. Have you ever see- I mean heard of a fox girl?" Lena asked, cursing herself for making such a slip-up.

Kano wasn't bothered by it, or if he was, he didn't show it. "…I think? My parents tried to teach me all about the world in case I ever ran into someone like them. They covered the general races and such but never went too in-depth. Why?"

Lena's eyes lit up, "Oh, Haru-Haru will love you! Come on!" She started walking at a speed that he struggled to keep up with.

"H-Hey! Unblessed, remember? You're crushing my arm!" Kano grit his teeth as she started skipping along. Except skipping along felt like a two hundred meder sprint. Kano was in shape but he was not benefitting from a Falna unlike Lena.

"Oops, sorry Kano!" Lena stopped, rubbing a hand on her head. "Haru's room isn't too far away."

Kano rotated his arm before allowing Lena to continue guiding him. The air was gething cooler which meant the sun was going down. He would rather not walk home in the dead of night. Most won't care if they rob a blind person. Hell, he could probably die tonight if that happened. Shaking off the thoughts, he continued to memorize the way they walked compared to what he had already. He didn't plan on becoming familiar with these paths but right now, he needed to be.

Lena ushered him into a small building that matched the rest of the district. It happened to be one street off the main road of the RLD. "I have one question, Kano?"

"Hmm?" He hummed his ascent to the question.

Lena's face twisted a bit, wondering if she should really ask this question. "Do you know how to smile?" Kano paused, drumming his fingers on his aid. Lena took this as him being upset, "I'm sorry! I knew it was insensitive and I still asked, please don't be mad b-but you look nice if you smiled a bit more!"

She slapped a hand over her mouth, gauging his reaction.

"I haven't had much to smile about recently…well, except for someone," at this, Kano's lips turned into that small smile. Now that he thought about it, he wondered how her Dungeon trip was going. Mikoto seemed like a strong-willed warrior, at least the way he heard her carry herself.

Lena lowered her hand from her mouth, "It seems like you have someone in mind…?"

"I…don't know what to call it, she was the first person who threw me completely off my game," Kano admitted softly, at least in a way that he didn't expect.

Lena let the topic go, and the orange-clad Amazon knocked on a door, "Haruhime, are you in there?"

A soft voice answered, "Yes, Lady Lena."

Kano's head shot to the door, having heard the pain in her voice. He didn't act because he could be wrong but this pain was deep-seated. Maybe not as much as Lady Ais but this was something that changed her life. "Alright. Listen, Haru, I have a guest with me. No, he's not a client and he is blind. If you don't want him to come in, just say the word."

The tone in which Lena talks to Haruhime was different from how she talked to everyone else. Kano deduced that Lena must treat her like a little sister or something akin to it. "He can…enter."

The blind boy fully expected to be turned away, not that he would fault her. He would just ask to be led out of the district. "Lady Haruhime…your name means…Spring Princess…fitting for a voice as soft-spoken and as gentle as the spring breeze." He heard a gasp but made no moves to enter the room, despite hearing the door creak open. "It also seems like I've left my manners somewhere else, my name is Yamabe Kano. Forgive me, I hear a Far Eastern dialect undercoating your voice, Lady Haruhime, so I shall introduce myself as such."

The lovely fox girl with glistening blonde hair and emerald eyes blinked, wondering how he knew that. "My name is Sanjouno Haruhime, Sir Kano."

"No no, none of that, if I didn't allow her to call me that, then nobody will," Kano firmly denied the 'Sir' title.

"I apologize, Sir Kano, but I cannot call you by just your given name." Haruhime said, feeling meek.

Kano heard the hurt in her voice and the gripping fear…"If it makes you happy…then I shall acquiesce, Lady Haruhime."

"Do you ever wonder if you're going to charm someone with how you talk?" Lena asked with a harsh mocking tone.

The boy took one louder step forward, showcasing that he was going to enter the room but back off if need be. For someone who can't see, he can read a room based on voice. She didn't feel safe. "Truthfully, I'm being respectful of the people around me. Her voice also shows that she was brought up in a formal manner, similar to her Majesty."

"Her Majesty?"

"Lady Rivera of Loki Familia, Lady Lena," Kano said, then explained why he was able to detect this specific facet of Haruhime's voice. He heard light swishing around her. "You also mentioned she's a fox?"

"Renard," Haruhime gently corrected.

Kano's eyes widened, "What are you doing in Orario?" He asked softly. "Apologies, that's breaching topics none of us feel comfortable discussing. Maybe I should see if I can talk to Mikoto after they return from the Dungeon."

"You saw Lady Mikoto?" Haruhime's voice shot up to an unprecedented level of excitement. Her questions came rapid-fire, "What about Lady Chisuga and Sir Ouka? Are they well? Are they safe?"

Lena's jaw metaphorically hit the floor, having seen and heard the most emotion out of Haruhime in the few years she was here. She missed Kano inclining his head back out the door. He turned back before she could notice.

"Yes to all," Kano started. "They are currently away from their home but if I happen to cross paths with them, do you want me t-"

"No, that will be unnecessary, Sir Kano," the girl's tails stopped their motion. She was seated on the bed in the middle of the room, the decor vaguely resembled the Far East with few personal items. This was Haruhime's personal room. "They should not know of me."

The blind boy thumbed his aid, "B-But aren't they close to you? With how you sound, you must miss them immensely."

The girl smiled at him, even if he couldn't see it, he would be able to hear it, "It is better that they are unaware. I'm not worthy to see them after everything." Kano did not agree with that but said nothing. Lena was observing the entire thing and her gaze flickered back and forth like one would watch a debate.

"So, you want me to keep quiet about it?" He finally asked, taking a small step forward. This entire time, he never moved more than three steps into the room. The door was directly behind him. Haruhime told him yes to his inquiry. "Very well. I don't like it but I will respect a maiden's word. I offer you this piece of advice: Take the friends you have and cherish them, it's something you cannot take for granted." Haruhime looked away with a complex look on her delicate face. Lena wanted nothing more than to cuddle with her. Kano had asked to finish being escorted out. "If we cross paths again, Lady Haruhime, I hope you will think about what I've said. I will not break my word. If it's one thing I still have, it's a sense of goodwill and honor…as cheesy as it sounds."

"…I will, Sir Kano," she eventually responded.

Lena led Kano out of the room and finally made it to the entrance. Once more, she missed him looking over in a specific direction. He was more than aware that Aisha was lurking nearby. "I just hope she follows that advice for more than just her sake. Be the one to teach her that."

"What are you talking about?" Lena asked.

Kano let out a small smirk, "Just musing aloud to whoever might hear me." It wasn't a lie. "Or I could be praying to someone, who knows?"

Lena's giggles carried them to the entrance of the RLD. "Hopefully, the next time we meet, it isn't for something like this."

"I…wouldn't mind that," Kano agreed before walking away from the entrance, with much to think about. However, the festival was coming…well Monsterphilia but it's just another festival to him. He felt the crustiness of his neck and frowned. Lena and Haruhime didn't mention it but didn't seem to be freaked out by it. Kano will count his blessings on that one.

Walking along the roads of Orario was like a valis coin, there were two sides to it. One way was the safe route, feeling confident in the notion. The other side of it was deadly and the fact that no one else was in Kano's hearing distance concerned him.

He continued to move along the main paths of the road, taking the correct ones back to his room. Kano then paused as he was about to enter a side street that would take him three blocks closer to his place of rest. "Who is hiding out there?" Kano asked aloud. His ears heard the faint rustling of fabric and the soft clinking of footsteps. The presence was still there but was drifting away from him.

While it was on his mind when he arrived home, he was too tired from today's events. He set his aid against the wall, locked the door, cleaned himself up because the blood dried against his skin, and promptly fell asleep. He felt that his days were only going to get worse. All these Gods are slowly creeping into his life and that was a small problem.

They all wanted him in their Familia.

He didn't want to be and one day they might not accept that as an answer.

...

Alright, I'm 100% aware that Ishtar is OOC BUT, Kano brought up a good point. Since Freya already knew that he was there; if he doesn't show up for their outing—read: date—then the destruction of the RLD might happen a lot sooner. MumFrey shall reign supreme.

The Haruhime scene was actually not my intention. I wanted to go into Monsterphilia but Lena wanted Kano to meet the beautiful Fox girl. The fact that Lena mentioned he was blind also helped assuage her wariness. By the way, Lena is underrated as a character, like Tiona but just has that aura of silliness to the point of endearment.

...wait...that makes them the same...fuck it, we roll with that. But now, Kano has more than one important Goddess watching him, as if he didn't have enough already. You thought it was bad now? Just wait until a certain orange-haired pervert gets involved. (Not Lefiya.)

I was originally going to have Ishtar keep Kano hostage but my previous point contradicted this.

First chapter update of 2023, and while I did discontinue Delicate Balance—the story that signified my entrance to the Fandom—I DO have plans to revamp it. There, it's confirmed. Once I finally get that Tales of Royalty Chapter finished, I shall make a similar announcement there.

Peace. Hope 2023 goes better than 2022.