155 Chapter 155 – Freya’s confession
Becoming a member of the Hestia Familia somewhat out of the blue, Haruhime felt a complex mix of emotions.
However, thinking back to what Aston had explained to her on the way back, Haruhime felt it wasn't so bad after all.
In the Ishtar Familia, she could only be chased around as a combat prostitute accompanying guests (in reality, she always fainted at the sight of people, and it was Aisha who took over), whereas the Hestia Familia offered a much better place, especially with Mikoto there.
Most importantly, the leader of the Hestia Familia was so charismatic.
Sneaking peeks at Aston, the Haruhime was inwardly thrilled, her tail wagging excitedly.
However, no one present paid much attention to her state.
At this moment, Aston was answering questions from Finn and the others.
They were curious about what made the Ishtar Familia provoke the Hestia Familia, leading to such a large-scale mobilization by the Hestia Familia, a you-die-or-I-die kind of retaliation.
"How should I put it? Today, I went down to the dungeon, and members of the Ishtar Familia attacked me. It seems they were sent by their goddess to kidnap me, but I defeated them. Then, I used a special communication artifact to inform Hestia.
"Hestia got angry and directly came over with Eina and others, saying she wanted to destroy the Ishtar Familia, sending Ishtar back to heaven," Aston shrugged his shoulders, explaining.
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized.
The Hestia Familia, now a renowned major Familia in Orario, naturally couldn't ignore such provocation. After all, there was an attempt to kidnap their Familia head; how could there be no response?
If it were their Loki Familia, they would also retaliate in the same way.
"Ha, did Ishtar have a death wish, attacking you!" Loki, upon hearing Aston's explanation, exclaimed with a bizarre expression.
She really couldn't fathom just how foolish Ishtar must be to do such a thing.
It's one thing to attack a regular member of a Familia, but to go after the Familia leader? That's just asking for trouble.
The Familia leader, aside from the Familia's deity, represents the face of the Familia. Attacking the Familia leader is basically a declaration of war.
A fight to the death kind.
"Well, who knows?" Aston spread his hands, smiling.
He certainly wouldn't tell Loki that he orchestrated the whole scenario, leading Ishtar into a trap.
After all, Ishtar was in cahoots with the dark faction, and unlike Dionysus, who could provide him with a Fallen Spirit clone that granted enormous experience points upon being killed.
Therefore, this person really doesn't need to be spared for being an eyesore.
Even if Aston hadn't set a trap for this individual to fall into, in order to deal with Freya, this individual would have eventually taken action against Aston. After all, with some effort, one could still uncover Freya's interest in certain individuals.
Just like Hermes in the original story.
Hermes had a way of knowing some special information. In the original story, Ishtar's action against Bell, besides Bell being immune to her charm ability, was also due to Hermes' betrayal.
Without Hermes telling Ishtar about Freya's interest in Bell and her constant attention to him, Ishtar would not have acted against Bell, asking Aisha and her group to bring Bell over.
Whether to act sooner or later, it's all the same; it's better for Aston to take the initiative and send Ishtar back to heaven directly.
Incidentally, it also allows for the early recruitment of Haruhime into the Hestia Familia.
The Uchide no Kozuchi ability is something Aston himself is very interested in.
After all, it's a magic that can forcibly increase one's level of strength by one level, regardless of the Falna level.
Moreover, the stronger the user of this magic, the longer the effect lasts, and the shorter the interval between uses.
The sooner Haruhime is brought into the Hestia Familia and nurtured, the better.
"Let me answer that question for you, Loki," Aston didn't say, but someone else was ready to provide Loki with an answer.
Under everyone's gaze, Freya, with a seductive smile, gracefully approached.
"Hmm? What does this have to do with you?" Freya's words made Loki very defensive; even without the fine details, everyone could sense Loki's internal reaction.
"Ishtar has always wanted to replace me, willing to use any means."
"And I happen to care a lot about Aston."
"This must have caught Ishtar's attention, so she wanted to take Aston back as a way to threaten me," Freya explained with a smile.
"I see, so you're the cause of all this."
"So, Aston became an unwitting victim in this?" Loki nodded understandingly.
"Well, yes," Freya admitted with a charming laugh.
Aston, listening to their conversation, felt delighted inside.
After all, he was the mastermind behind this, and Ishtar is still in the dark about it.
"Aston, long time no see," After explaining to Loki, Freya then turned her attention to Aston, greeting him with a smile.
"Really? Have we met before, Freya-sama?" Hearing this, Aston showed a puzzled expression.
Although Aston had met Freya in her Syr form many times, he had never seen Freya in this appearance.
Hearing this, Freya's expression stiffened momentarily.
She had indeed forgotten that she hadn't met Aston in this form.
However, Freya wasn't flustered and maintained her seductive smile.
"Although we haven't formally met, I've always been watching you from the shadows; it's just that you weren't aware," Freya said.
"How about it, Aston? Are you interested in joining me? I will shower all my affection on you." With composed ease, brushing aside the awkwardness, Freya gazed intensely at Aston, her voice slightly excited.
This scene, observed by Riveria and others, led to an exchange of glances, each noting the oddity in the others' eyes.
However, none spoke up, quietly watching how things would unfold.
Since the incident involving Allen and the Loki Familia's battle with Ais and the others, they were aware that Freya might have set her sights on Aston.
Freya's interest in certain adventurers had happened several times before, but she always remained behind the scenes, effortlessly making Ottar and others smooth things over and bring her chosen ones into her Familia.
This direct expression of her intentions towards Aston was a first.
They were curious to see how things would develop.
Aston was somewhat taken aback by Freya's approach.
He genuinely didn't understand why Freya would suddenly confess her feelings.
Was she planning to use her charm as in the original story, intending to enchant all of Orario and forcefully make a move?
At that moment, Aston became highly vigilant.
If Freya did indeed proceed, Aston was ready to seek Hestia immediately to prepare for the activation of the Protective Fire.
As troublesome as that might be, it seemed the only course of action against Freya's charming abilities.
After Freya's confession, seeing the unmistakable wariness in Aston's eyes, her expression stiffened again.
Taking a deep breath, Freya calmed her emotions and resumed her seductive smile.
"Sorry if my sudden confession startled you, Aston," she said.
"I have no ill intentions; I merely wish to dote on you."
Aston: "..."
'And that's supposed to be without ill intentions!'
