Having accepted Freya's investigation request, Loki did not act immediately. Instead, she returned to her own Twilight Manor and brought along the golden-haired beauty, Ais.
The two arrived at the Stardust Garden, travel-worn and dusty.
Loki stood outside the courtyard, shouting loudly: "Astraea, I've come to play!"
Hearing the voice, Goddess Astraea opened the gates, a hint of surprise appearing on her face. "Loki, how rare of you to come visit me."
Loki laughed and brushed it off. "My little Ais has been out of sorts these past few days. I had to bring her out to clear her mind, and after thinking it over, this was the only place."
"So this is the Sword Princess renowned throughout the world." Astraea's gaze shifted to the naturally airheaded golden-haired beauty, clicking her tongue in admiration.
A visage comparable to a Goddess's, adorable and dazed, evoking tender affection.
"Lady Astraea, I was far too rude to Mr. Roy the other day. I've come to apologize." Ais lowered her head. Under Mama Riveria's guidance, she had come to recognize her mistake.
An adventurer's information was top secret to their Familia.
Her unauthorized probing into another's secret to rapid growth was undoubtedly dancing on the blade's edge. Mainly because she had never encountered such a situation before.
"It's fine. Those children don't mind much either." Astraea comforted the dejected girl.
Ais gazed at the gentle and considerate Goddess Astraea, as if seeing Mama Riveria's phantom upon her—a kind mother figure.
"Come in and have some tea first." With that, Astraea brought Loki and Ais inside.
"Hehe, Astraea, your 'Justice' is still as grand as ever." Loki stared at a certain part of Astraea, a lecherous grin spreading across her face.
What was blocking her vision?
Too magnificent!
"Loki, you haven't changed much either." Goddess Astraea smiled faintly.
Loki looked down. Flat enough to see the floor. It was as if she had been struck by several arrows, her heart deeply wounded.
Loki seriously suspected Astraea possessed the attributes of a black-hearted little devil, but she could find no evidence.
"Where are your children?"
Loki changed the subject, blood and tears streaming down her face.
Astraea answered: "Ryuu is replacing the magic stones in the mansion's equipment. Daphne and Cassandra are training in the Dungeon."
Loki fell silent, speaking faintly: "It must be hard, after all, encountering such a thing—"
The annihilation of a Familia. Even Loki could not joke about such a matter.
Putting herself in those shoes, Loki estimated she would spend her days drowning in alcohol, or simply return to Heaven.
Astraea spoke with pride: "Barely managing to hold on, but those children are all strong. No matter how many times they fall, they will stand again."
"Yes, the children of the lower world far surpass us in this regard." Loki understood deeply. Gods were eternal and immortal, yet their personalities held all manner of flaws.
Some Gods would even commit suicide when in a bad mood. After all, they would reincarnate after tens of thousands of years. To them, it was merely the blink of an eye.
"By the way, where is that sprout of justice lad?" Loki's gaze swept across the empty hall.
Astraea remained composed. "You know, that child has also reached that age."
Loki stared at Astraea for several seconds, immediately understanding something, a mischievous little expression appearing on her face. An adolescent boy—understood, understood.
After nearly half an hour passed, laughter had not ceased in the mansion. Loki, nicknamed "The Fool," naturally amused Astraea until her mood was cheerful and relaxed.
Astraea covered her mouth, giggling without stop.
In truth, invisible sharpness clashed between the two Goddesses, sparks flying intensely.
Ais could even sense something amiss. Faced with Astraea's watertight defense, Loki also found it extremely thorny. Verbal inducements yielded not a single useful piece of information.
But compared to Loki, whose skin was thick as a city wall, Goddess Astraea still fell into disadvantage. Without giving an explanation, it seemed the other party would not leave.
Astraea made it clear: "Loki, no need for further probing. What have you come here for?"
Having reached this point, there was no need for concealment.
Loki grinned: "Actually, it's nothing much. Astraea, you know what happened the day before yesterday, right? The Freya Familia got beaten up."
"I know."
Astraea nodded. How could she not know? Even if it wasn't her own Familia's doing, they could not be entirely uninvolved. She had been frightened that day.
Going to confront Orario's strongest Familia single-handedly—that child truly dared to play dangerously.
"Freya was furious and pushed the troublesome matter onto me to investigate suspicious personnel. Despicable!"
"So you suspect us?"
"No, no, no. Just came to play, and incidentally going through the motions." Loki smiled.
Astraea's phoenix eyes turned cold. Pretty words, but an investigation was an investigation. However, the strength of their respective Familias was unequal. The other party had that qualification.
Loki stayed until twilight. Every member of the Astraea Familia passed—Ryuu, Daphne, and Cassandra had nothing to do with the incident the day before yesterday.
That left only one person: Roy!
"Lady Loki, Miss Ais, good evening." Roy appeared weary, yawning as he emerged from his room, greeting the two.
The naturally airheaded golden-haired girl nodded lightly, a trace of blazing fighting spirit flashing in the depths of her eyes.
Roy avoided this at all costs. He was not one to rise early without profit. Last time, he wanted to learn Riveria's magic, so accompanying her for a fight was acceptable.
This time, without benefits, then the farther the better. Don't think that just because you're pretty, he wouldn't dare to strike.
Loki examined Roy with his two panda eyes, her expression troubled: "Young man, you must practice moderation. At your young age, you can't ruin your body."
"Thank you for your concern."
Roy found it inexplicable, yet still had to express thanks.
"How fragrant. Is that orchid perfume?" Loki sniffed the scent on Roy.
Roy answered: "Perfume I prepared as a gift for Goddess Astraea. Testing it on myself first."
Loki nodded. Astraea's gentle temperament paired with orchid perfume was indeed most fitting.
"You've got quite the eye. Are you interested in Astraea? I can share some private information with you." The playful Loki immediately changed the topic, even forgetting her original purpose.
Roy's eyes lit up. Come, come—let's focus on that private information part.
"Ahem! Ahem!"
Astraea's voice turned unfriendly with two coughs. The surrounding air seemed to grow cold.
Roy and Loki were like startled hamsters, shuddering all over, their gazes becoming clear and pure.
Loki put on a jokingly serious expression: "Little brother Roy, what have you been doing these past few days?"
Roy furrowed his brows.
"You can't dodge the question or lie, you know. Gods can see through it at a glance." Loki spoke with a smile, her perpetually narrowed eyes opening slightly. Her crimson pupils gazed at Roy, as if capable of seeing through this youth's heart.