The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

2/5

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Hestia's reaction to Lili joining the Familia was… strange. Yoru couldn't really tell whether his goddess was happy or not. But after accepting Lili, Hestia pulled the girl aside, and the two of them whispered in private for quite a long time.

No one knew what they talked about, but they seemed to get along reasonably well—well enough that Yoru let out a sigh of relief.

Now that made three people in the Familia. They were one step closer to making Hestia's name known across the world.

Dungeon exploration was also back on track, and Yoru's dream of saving enough to buy a home was getting closer by the day. Each morning, he would spend time bonding with Riveria, teasing Ais a bit, and then head to the Dungeon. Yoru thought this peaceful routine would continue indefinitely—until that day arrived.

Today, the Loki Familia would be departing again for a Dungeon expedition. Since it would be the last day to see them for a while, Yoru had gotten up especially early. He arrived at their meeting point around 4 a.m.

But instead of finding Riveria or Ais atop Orario's city walls—he found the goddess Loki herself.

So I've been found out, huh?

Oddly enough, he wasn't surprised. Maybe deep down, he had always expected this.

Loki wasn't stupid. Of course she had already noticed something strange about the child she valued most. She had probably stayed silent for this long in the hope that Riveria would come to her senses and end the inappropriate relationship on her own.

"I don't think I need to explain why I'm here today, do I?"

Gone was her usual carefree air. Loki stared at Yoru with uncharacteristic seriousness.

"…Yeah, I figured as much. I wanted to talk to you about this, too."

Yoru rubbed his nose and smiled faintly.

"I just don't get where your confidence comes from. Did you really think I'd approve of your relationship with Riveria?"

Loki narrowed her eyes, a chilling pressure radiating from her entire being.

"You have two options. One, leave Hestia Familia and join ours. If you do that, no one will object to your relationship. In fact, I'll even personally witness your wedding to Riveria!"

"And the second?"

"The second? Leave Riveria. Never see her again."

Loki's voice was cold and final.

She had hoped Riveria would have enough sense to end things before it got serious. But clearly, the high elf had already fallen, and fallen hard—something Loki hadn't anticipated.

Part of her cursed whatever strange charm this boy had, while the other part was relieved that at least Ais hadn't been drawn in. Still, she had rushed over to deliver her ultimatum in person. This relationship had to end—no matter what.

"Well? What's your decision? If you're willing to join the Loki Familia, I'll gladly welcome you."

Yoru shook his head lightly.

"That choice isn't even on the table—you know that better than anyone."

"…Yes, I suppose so. I apologize."

To Yoru's surprise, Loki actually apologized. But it was clear what her attitude meant: this wasn't a request—it was a warning. He had to leave Riveria.

"Very well. Since you refuse to join us, I ask that you never meet with Riveria again."

"I refuse."

Yoru's firm and immediate answer nearly made Loki explode on the spot.

"Do you not understand the situation?! Just because I'm being polite doesn't mean you should take this lightly! I'm not asking you—this is a warning!"

"So what?"

"You bastard! Do you want me to declare a War Game against the Hestia Familia?! I'm telling you, I could wipe your Familia off the map with a single word!"

"…A War Game?"

Loki's angry threat triggered a thought in Yoru's mind. Of course he knew what a War Game was—a battle sanctioned by the Guild, where two Familia agree on rules and fight under the witness of the gods. The conditions for victory are negotiated between both parties.

"I won't accept. I don't want to force Riveria to leave the Loki Familia through something like that. Her feelings for the Loki Familia are just like mine for Hestia Familia. I would never make her choose between the two."

His quiet words made Loki's nose practically twitch in frustration.

"You little bastard! You talk like you've already won! You really think you can defeat our entire Familia on your own in a War Game?!"

"Do you even know what four Level 6 adventurers means?! We've got four! Four Level 6s! Do you understand what kind of power that is?!"

"I don't."

Yoru answered honestly with a simple shake of his head.

"You… You arrogant little brat! If you really dare go through with a War Game, I guarantee my children will crush the Hestia Familia. We'll erase your goddess's name from Orario and send her packing back to Heaven!"

"And like I said—I don't want to make Riveria leave your Familia that way."

"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!"

Loki was about to lose her mind. It was like talking to a brick wall.

"If you're going to be this stubborn, then don't blame me for being merciless! Prepare yourself—the Hestia Familia will face the Loki Familia in a War Game!"

She threw down the ultimatum and stormed off—but barely took a few steps before Ais jumped down from the city wall and locked her into a chokehold.

"I thought we agreed you'd talk things out nicely. This is what you call talking nicely?"

Ais grumbled, dragging the flailing goddess to the ground.

"I was calm! But that guy's a total bastard! What the hell else was I supposed to do?!"

Loki screeched and thrashed in protest. Meanwhile, with a heavy sigh, Riveria floated gracefully down from the city wall.

"…Riveria."

Seeing the woman he loved appear, Yoru called out her name gently.

"…Sorry, Yoru. We… should part ways. That's what's best—for both of us."

Riveria lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes, and spoke with cruel finality.

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