Chapter 158 – Gathering

In the Hearth Manor Hall, Loki, with arms crossed and legs propped up, lounges on the sofa and casually mentions, "Well, little one, since Freya has made such a statement, it means she's serious and won't rest until she has you. You should be careful. She might even resort to force."

As an old rival, Loki knows Freya well and kindly warns Hestia, given the alliance between Hestia's and Loki's families.

"Indeed, given Freya's character, if she's declared her intent, she'll surely follow through," Hephaestus agrees, nodding from another sofa.

"Better stick with Aston for now," suggests Miach, seated next to Loki.

Besides Hephaestus, Demeter and Takemikazuchi are also present, Demeter sits next to Hephaestus, and Takemikazuchi next to Miach.

Hestia and Aston sit across from Loki, surrounded not just by these deities but also by a family member from each deity's Familia, gathered at Hestia's Hearth Manor Hall after leaving the Ishtar Familia to discuss Freya.

Except for Demeter and Takemikazuchi, the others form an alliance, and Hephaestus's suggestion wins unanimous agreement.

Everyone shares the concern that Freya might directly target Hestia, a deity, which isn't against the rules. If Hestia is forced back to heaven, everything would be over.

"Ah, I'm not worried about that at all," Hestia dismisses their concerns. "Even if Ottar himself attacks me, I'll be fine. I'm more worried about Freya targeting other members of my Familia."

This concern causes even Loki to frown, acknowledging the complication.

Everyone else was no exception because this indeed was the second most significant issue at hand.

The primary concern was Hestia's safety. If Hestia's safety could be ensured, then this second issue became the next focus of concern.

The gods fell into deep thought, but after a long period, they couldn't come up with any viable solutions.

The best solution seemed to be a War Game to decide the outcome, but Freya had already rejected this approach, complicating matters further.

Apart from a War Game, the only other option seemed to be a direct confrontation, akin to what Hestia's Familia did to the Ishtar Familia today. However, such an approach was clearly impossible without a valid reason. Ouranos wouldn't stand by and allow two major Familias to engage in such conflict, depleting Orario's valuable resources, especially with a Familia as prominent as Freya's.

Ouranos had previously mediated when Freya's Familia nearly caused the death of the Soma Familia's members, nearly leading to a battle between Loki's and Freya's Familias.

Hestia's Familia's actions today, however, were justifiable. They had learned from Aston about Ishtar's collusion with the Dark Faction. Hestia had even visited the Underground Altar to explain the situation to Ouranos, submitting evidence brought back by Aston. As a result, Hestia's Familia faced no punishment, and Ishtar's return to heaven was a consequence of her own actions.

The dark dawn period years ago had caused significant harm to Orario, killing many adventurers with potential and those who had already matured, much like the Astraea Familia, which lost almost all its level 4 adventurers to the Dark Faction's schemes, leaving only one survivor.

Orario now has zero tolerance for the Dark Faction, ready to eliminate any signs of collusion with all its might. It was rumored that the Ikelos Familia was recently eradicated by an unknown adventurer at Ouranos's behest due to its collusion with the Dark Faction, wiping out the entire Familia. Ikelos was expelled from Orario forever, never to return.

Ishtar's collusion with the Dark Faction was akin to seeking her own demise. Fortunately, the Ishtar Familia was unlike the Ikelos Familia, where the combat followers acted on Ishtar's orders rather than on the whims of a rogue captain, acting independently of their deity, Ikelos, and taking matters into their own hands.

Otherwise, Ishtar Familia's combat followers wouldn't have escaped unharmed. The best outcome for them would've been expulsion from Orario, unlike now, where they were merely disbanded and still allowed to operate within Orario.

Although Ouranos doesn't permit actions that deplete Orario's vital forces, everyone feared Freya might disregard the rules and act against Ouranos's will.

"I'll just stick with them for a while," Aston suggested calmly, offering a solution. "With me around, even if Freya does try something, it won't succeed."

Hestia's safety wasn't a concern; the worry was for the Familia members who hadn't fully grown. By accompanying them, Aston could ensure their safety.

"It seems we have no other choice," Finn replied, supporting Aston's suggestion. "Loki Familia will also have Ais and the others join you, making Freya Familia think twice."

Aston's proposal was the simplest and most ideal solution under the circumstances. However, to be safe, Finn decided to have Ais and her group accompany Hestia Familia, signaling to Freya Familia that Hestia and Loki Familias were united. Hestia Familia, already formidable, would be even more so with Loki Familia's support, making even Freya Familia hesitate.

"We have no other option," Loki admitted, showing agreement.

Everyone concurred that this was indeed the best approach.

"By the way, Hephaestus, I need to discuss something with you," Aston mentioned.

"What is it?" Hephaestus inquired.

"About an expedition."

"Alright, come find me tomorrow then."

After enjoying a meal prepared by Aston's clone in Hearth Manor, the gods departed.

In the office of Hestia Familia's captain within Hearth Manor, Aston and Hestia were discussing further plans.

"Aston, have your clone forge a few of those magic swords we sold to Loki Familia before."

"Okay."

"Previously, we didn't forge them because elves dislike magic swords, and Hestia Familia didn't need them. Plus, I didn't want our members to rely on magic swords. But now, we can't afford such concerns. Forge a few more for Eina and the others to use."