Ais showed a delicate and breathtaking smile. This simpleton loli did try to look at the girls. My quick headpats forced her to forget everything about the dragon. I didn't want the loli to become sad or go berserk over a dead dragon.

  Finn still looked at Aimi cautiously. Well, at least someone had a good head on their shoulders to not mess with a yandere.??

  "Ais, let's meet later."

  She adorably tilted her head. "Uh… surface together?"

  She made me want to walk my way out of the dungeon. Urgh… why are lolis so adorable? I don't want to expose my teleportation ability to Loki this early. I could imagine her snickering while requesting me to drop her Familia on certain floors.

  (I can teleport other girls, but please don't ask me to teleport males.)

  'Never.'

  (Thanks.)

  "Lefiya, you wanna come too?"

  The elf lowered her head, her cheeks flushed to the max. Still, her fingers pinched Ais's blue cloth hanging from her skirt.

  I glanced at Finn. "I'll drop off Ais and Lefiya at your base."

  I can have a chat with Loki about Ais while I'm at it.

  Finn moved his eyes from Aimi and looked at Ais, who lightly nodded at him. "Okay."

  I turned to the girls. Shiori sneakily clicked photos of Rika and Saeko posing on the dragon.

  "Girls, take the magic stone. We're traveling back."

  "Alright."

  Packing up the stuff, we left Finn and walked into the passage leading up. The turtle monsters acting as the platform made my eyes twitch. I skewered them as soon as one appeared, leaving Ais and Lefiya confused. The loli asked about the blue-haired girl (Rini), which I answered vaguely. I should bring Rini back here. Though, right now, she was going through her puberty phase.

  I covered the distance to the surface in a few hours. Parting with the girls at the dungeon entrance, I strolled towards the north holding Ais's hands and the bashful elf walking beside her.

  As we passed by the markets, Ais suddenly stopped. Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky as she looked at the stalls lined up on the streets. The spicy smell of the Jagamarukun wafted in the air.

  I smiled and bought one for everyone. Taking a note to buy more on my way back, I stuffed my stomach.

  Loki's home was a few seconds walk from here. Damn, Loki sure built a decent mansion in such a small land. With multiple towers, it seemed more like a mini castle than anything. Even Apollo Familia paled in comparison, though I still preferred the homely vibes of Astraea's home.

  Two cute dog-eared girls welcomed us at the door. They only glanced at Ais and let us in. Ais tugged at my hand and walked a step ahead as though saying 'Follow me!'

  I chuckled and followed her into the mansion. Not many presences around, barely ten. They were in the dungeon, so it made sense.

  Shatter! I turned around to the noise. Loki stood there with a broken wine bottle near her legs. Her blue tight tube top stuck to her chest, showing her lack of breasts, and black short spat that snugly hugged her lovely curves. Her usual smile was absent from her face, instead, a gloomy aura swirled around her.

  "My Aissu brought a man home."

  Ais looked at Loki and shook her head. "Asahi… Onii-san."

  "I didn't wanna believe the rumors flying around… but you're truly the gigolo that charms innocent maidens."

  My cheeks twitched at her almost believable acting.

  "L-Loki-sama, Asahi-san isn't a bad guy."

  "Look, even the quiet Lefi is defending ya. How far do ya want to tear my Familia?"

  I walked up to Loki and flicked her forehead. "Shut up for a second."

  "Ouch!"

  She stopped her act at my glare.

  "Can't even take a joke," she grumbled. "Aissu, Lefi, ya two can rest. Lemme talk with Asahi."

  Both girls nodded and walked away. Loki pointed to a room and with a broad grin. "Bedroom or kitchen?"

  I grinned at her open seductions and reached out to her shorts. "How about here?"

  She slapped my hand and clicked her tongue. "Come with me."

  She led me into a well-furnished room with stacks of papers, the books in the bookshelf, and the bundles laying around—everything filled the room with an odd sweet room as if it was a library.

  Loki went ahead and grabbed a chair from the group of chairs situated around a round table. Even it had dainty scrolls wrapped with cords.

  At Loki's gesture, I grabbed a seat. Loki crossed her arms on her waist and frowned. "Tell me, oh mighty demigod, what do ya want to do with my Aissu?"

  "Huh?" I tilted my head. "I just like her."

  "That's all?"

  "You think I'll harm a cute girl like Ais?"

  She glared at me sharply before shaking her head. "That little girl's head works in'na very simple way. Once she sets her mind on something, she'll even go to hell to finish her objective."

  "Become stronger and take out the black dragon," I said. "That's not a healthy mindset if I say so."

  Loki propped her hand on the table and leaned her chin on her palm. "Ya even get the whiff of her goal… ya keep givin' me reasons to not let her get attached to ya."

  I gave a friendly smile. "That's up to Ais, isn't it?"

  "Nope. It's up to that woman," she said and pointed her finger behind me. "Aissu mother!"

  I turned around to find Riveria standing at the door, frowning at Loki's words.

  "Loki-sama."

  "Sorry, kay. Your fault for eavesdroppin' on us."

  "I came here to report the expedition. We harvested the Monster Rex on the 37th floor."

  Monster Rex on the 37th floor. I'll get it when it spawns next time.

  "What about Amphisbaena?" Loki asked. "Did that damn dragon spawn on time?"

  Loki's question prompted Riveria to look at me.

  I turned my head and let out a low whistle.

  "……"

  Loki's speechless expression was cute.

  ***

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