Is it really okay to leave this matter to Loki?
Takatsuki didn't know.
Can humans and monsters coexist peacefully?
Takatsuki believed it was possible, but for many people in this world, it was unacceptable.
Not to mention the war between humans and monsters tens of thousands of years ago, even now, people are constantly battling the monsters in the Dungeon, which were suppressed by the gods.
However, Takatsuki had no other choice. Instead of being made an enemy by the Loki Familia due to concealment, it was better to lay his cards on the table and divert the trouble.
Evidently, his 'frankness' also caused Loki to shift her target to Ouranos.
Loki knew Takatsuki's little scheme, but with the magnanimity of a god, she allowed him this minor bit of cunning. Because compared to the petty schemes of the children in the lower world, she cared more about this event that could potentially destroy Orario's current rules.
Loki immediately took two LV6s to see Dionysus, leaving Takatsuki free to move as he pleased.
Takatsuki had no intention of staying overnight or going with them. Just as he was about to leave, Ais and Lefiya blocked his path.
"Um, Mr. Takatsuki, was everything you said earlier true…?"
Lefiya asked Takatsuki for confirmation, a bit incredulously. She had wanted to ask earlier, but refrained from speaking due to her god's presence.
"Of course, can I lie in front of a god?"
"Ah, that's not what I meant, it's just…"
Lefiya clutched her staff in frustration: "Coexisting with monsters… I can't accept that…"
"Me too."
Ais nodded in agreement with Lefiya, then looked at Takatsuki: "Monsters are our enemies."
Takatsuki sighed and said to Ais, "Ais, do you remember the question you asked me a month ago when you came to my place after a mission?"
Ais nodded.
"Then how did I answer at that time?"
Ais was silent for a moment before speaking: "You said that whether something is a monster is not determined by its appearance or birth. Even a monster born in the Dungeon, if it has a kind heart, can be called a human. Conversely, a person with a beastly heart is nothing more than a monster in human skin."
After speaking, Ais looked at Takatsuki, the past month having made her almost forget this matter: "What you said then, was that about Xenos?"
"Of course, did you not encounter Xenos in the Dungeon when you asked me that question?"
Ais shook her head: "It was the first time I heard of a talking monster."
"Well, never mind. In any case, I hope you can distinguish Xenos from ordinary monsters."
"Although they have the appearance of monsters, they are fundamentally different. We don't need to coexist with monsters, but we should not draw our swords against beings who mean us well and are willing to communicate."
Ais thought for a while and then suddenly said to Takatsuki: "Teacher, what if the other party has a human appearance and a monster's magic stone, but can communicate?"
"…"
Takatsuki didn't know what Ais was referring to, but that didn't stop him from imparting his values to her.
"Will that person you're talking about hurt you?"
Ais nodded.
"Will he hurt your family and friends?"
Ais nodded again.
"Will his actions disrupt Orario's stability?"
This time, Ais hesitated and thought for a while before nodding.
"Then he is your enemy. Show no mercy. Even if he isn't a monster, treat him as one."
Hearing Takatsuki's words, Ais fell silent.
Ais still seemed to have many things to ponder, and Lefiya didn't stop Takatsuki from leaving.
Takatsuki returned to the Hearth Manor earlier than expected, so early that no one else had rested. The moment Takatsuki opened the door, he saw everyone looking at him simultaneously.
"Uh, didn't I tell you to rest first?"
By the time, it was already well past resting hours, but no one had gone to bed.
"How could we possibly sleep in this situation! How did things go?"
Kiana asked Takatsuki, holding Nana in her arms on the sofa. The Dragon Girl seemed to be dozing off due to the late hour, lying in Kiana's arms like a child.
"Takatsuki-kun, you weren't hurt, were you?"
Mei walked over, took the coat Takatsuki had taken off, and asked considerately.
Takatsuki thanked Mei and said.
"I wasn't hurt, and no fighting occurred. Loki is now aware of the full story. I've asked her to inquire about the specifics from Ouranos. As for the other god, Dionysus, Loki has gone to persuade him. I'm not familiar with that god, so it's better for her to go."
Loki was far more skilled at wordplay than he was.
"Dionysus, huh?"
Hestia heard the familiar name and thought for a moment: "It's a good thing you didn't go. If possible, I wouldn't want you to interact with him."
"Hmm? Why?"
Hestia explained, "Although it's not good to speak ill of other gods, since Takatsuki-kun asked, I'll briefly explain. Dionysus always made me feel very scary when he was in Heaven."
"And he once plotted to make gods kill each other. In that regard, he's somewhat similar to Loki."
"Perhaps that's why the two of them are familiar with each other."
Is he really that kind of god?
Takatsuki thought for a moment and found no clues or memories of this god in his mind. He didn't even know of this god in the mythology of his own world.
However, he still trusted Hestia's intelligence. Although this loli god often acted unreliably in daily life, she could be completely trusted in crucial matters, and her intuition was extremely sharp. Takatsuki felt that if this were a novel, this guy was very likely to be a villain.
I'll pay attention to it later, Takatsuki thought, then said to the others.
"Since that's the case, let's not worry about it. Let's talk about Nana now."
For the members of the Hestia Familia, the Dragon Girl sleeping soundly in Kiana's arms was clearly more important than an unfamiliar god.
"Mmm…"
Nana slowly woke up, seemingly sensing the gazes that converged on her with Takatsuki's words.
"Bronya thinks Nana's identity is too sensitive. If she's discovered, we might be ostracized by this city."
Seeing the topic shift to Nana, Bronya finally voiced her long-standing concern.
"But Bronya, Nana is just a child. If we don't protect her, she will surely be killed by those adventurers."
Although they had only known each other for a few hours, Mei, seeing Nana, this innocent 'child,' experienced a burst of maternal instinct and instinctively wanted to protect her.
"Exactly! Bronya, you're too heartless. And didn't Takatsuki say earlier that the monsters in the Dungeon would also attack Nana and the others?"
Kiana, seeing Mei siding with her this time, immediately became emboldened. Or rather, even if no one supported her, she wouldn't just give up on taking care of Nana. Given Kiana's temper, she might even take Nana and go live outside by herself.
"Bronya isn't saying not to protect her, it's just that we must hide her well."
Fu Hua spoke at this point: "Bronya makes a lot of sense. While we can keep Nana, we must ensure she isn't discovered. Nana's features are too obvious. Although there are fewer people around our Familia's residence, there's still a risk."
"For this, Takatsuki, you must have a way!"
When in doubt, find Takatsuki—this had become Kiana's instinct.
Just like a certain elementary school student in a children's cartoon who yells for Doraemon whenever they encounter a little difficulty.
Looking at Kiana, who was holding a curious Nana and leaning close to him, Takatsuki rubbed his temples helplessly.
"Not tonight. Let's deal with this tomorrow…"