Chapter 33 The Trickster Goddess

=Orario Sewers=

With the help of Judas, the Loki Familia easily found traces of Evilus and is now on hot pursuit. It was to be expected, that Judas easily divined where they were. He was pretending to be a well-experienced mercenary with great tracking abilities. A jack of all trades. He's trying to sell himself to Loki. Of course, all of this is part of the "plan".

Of course, the Evilus cultist, despite being hounded by the Loki familia. is still putting up resistance. Sadly, they're fighting level 5 adventurers. Judas almost clapped at their blind fanaticism that drives these crazy bastards.

"They will break soon," Judas mumbled in the air.

"You think so, kid? I think they still have a little fight in them. Crazy little bastards."

Judas recognized the voice, it was both the most annoying and cutest voice he had heard. It was Loki-sama. Judas still looked at the goddess out of respect. In all of Orario, other than Hestia, if he had to choose who he respects the most, it was Loki.

Loki practically builds her own familia from the ground up with her own hands without cheats. Unlike a certain goddess who has "special eyes". Loki's main strength is her persistence and perception. Loki will never give up, and she will also easily see through others. The Goddess of Beauty likes to mold heroes, but Loki likes to look for diamonds in the rough.

"So what are you up to kid? standing here, looking there, doing nothing probably up to no good? Making evil plans? Why don't you help out like the two cute kids?"

Judas understood what was implied. The Goddess of Tricks had seen through him. But is willing to play along. After all, what Loki likes the most is seeing through its end. Loki doesn't understand the "plan." she knows something is going to happen, but is prepared to see through it.

Judas is, of course. Going to play along. He just needs to act aloof.

"Loki-sama. I'm just a humble merchant, it was thanks to you that I could get a lifeline for our small merry band of lost children." Judas said hurt.

"Hmmm... Now that I think about it, we haven't got to know each other well. Why don't you tell me about yourselves? Let's start with "Silent Hill Town" I've never heard of it, and I asked around. No one seemed to know such a town?" Loki said.

"Of course Loki-sama, I shall answer your doubts truthfully."

Loki is obviously looking for answers and is probing. All could Judas say was to tell the "truth". Of course, by truth, Judas meant to lie through his teeth shamelessly. Judas had already made a setting for "Silent Hill Town", originally it was, Hidden Leaf Village. But he had to make some adjustments thanks to Hephaestus intervention. 

"Silent Hill Town?... I was born there. I don't the history of it, but that is a place where Guardians are born, but also miserable wretches that are constantly fighting against threats and madness..." Judas pretended to have a look of nostalgia. But in truth, he's just trying to remember the plot of LOTM and Silent Hill.

Loki's eyes focused, trying to imagine such a place as Judas began explaining. Judas is skilled, and so are his two companions. A place that breeds these skilled titleless level 2 adventurers must be in such a miserable state. But what could threaten such a place? And who are the gods in charge of such a place? It's not like Orario where they have the threat of the dungeon. From what Loki hears, it sounds like a lawless place filled with bastards like this guy.

Loki began connecting the dots. Patches seem to be good at tracking, Vi is good at sniping, and Jack is good at ambushing. They were either bounty hunters or well-trained assassins. A secret place related to an organization or familia these three run away from?

Loki concluded, that these three were runaways. Otherwise, why do the other two refuse to talk about Silent Hill Town? And why does this bad guy look like he feels hurt thinking about it while hiding details? Silent Hill Town seems to be a lawless who-knows-where town.

Patches said that they were having deals with Evilus. But how would those crazy bastards that scatter like rats have a run-in with this cautious adventurer? Either Silent Hill Town is related to Evilus and these three were tasked by someone to deliver goods to Evilus. Imagine meeting these rats out of tens of thousands in Orario, impossible unless it was planned!

"That's it! I understand now!." Loki said nodding her head in approval

"Huh!? what!? I mean, of course, Loki-sama! I'm glad you finally understand!"

Judas was confused, he was just happily explaining the setting of the mid-century Victorian town era when this Goddess seemed to understand something. What kind of fantasy did she think? Ahem?

"There's still something I feel I don't quite get!" Loki announced.

"Loki-sama, I'm here to answer all your questions as thanks for your familia's help." Judas.

"For some reason, the moment I laid eyes on you. Did I hate you? This is the first time this happened, I have never hated any mortals before in this way. You're different, something is definitely fishy with you. " Loki said in a serious tone.

Judas felt his dangerous senses scream within him and it was telling him "Do not lie!". Loki is finally seriously testing him. One misstep or he might die? he looked around, and he noticed someone was watching intently, somewhere, with a swindler's empowered intuition. He realized it was the Elf Princess Riveria, ready to move at a moment's notice!

"I have a special skill... it's called, Apostate..." Judas said it's better to lay this one down. Judas pathway's motto is after all. When it's most dangerous, it's better to run away or grovel on your knees.

Loki then put her hand in her mouth and started laughing.

"Ohohohoh! I knew it! You were special the moment I saw you! So that's why! HAHAHAHA. Apostate? a super skill that no one with the right mind could have! Such a devious child. Such Such a pitiful child. Tell me, which bastard of a god made you have such skill? I'll kill him myself and explain the skill in detail."

As expected, gods are not to be trifled with. Judas felt the danger went away and felt relaxed again. Tricking the goddess of tricks isn't easy after all.

"It's a skill that makes gods hate me..." Judas said...

"And?" Loki said teasingly

"It also allows me to damage their divinity..." Judas said defeatedly.

Loki nodded approvingly. Who would in their right mind would have such skill in this day and age? Only one unique madman would have it. But Loki found the man. What did this poor child go through to have such skill? And Loki wants to hear the words from the person himself. So she teasingly asked.

"So, do you hate gods?...No...Do.You.Hate.Me?" Loki said mischievously.

But this time, Judas answered truthfully. Without lies. And only truth.

Riveria was watching intently from afar when she saw her goddess' face turn into a tomato. Riveria couldn't help but blush as well. Riveria started hyperventilating secretly and squealed silently by saying "What a beast." repeatedly. She heard what the bald man said clearly. It reminded her of the beginnings of cheesy romance novels that she likes to read. To think her goddess would actually get a chance encounter.

Loki's face was red from embarrassment. Her shocked lips blossomed like roses. Her heart pounded like crazy. This was the first time she had heard such a thing said truthfully to her.

Judas' words reverberated through her mind.

"Out of everyone in Orario. I think I like Loki-sama the most, she's beautiful and very intelligent."

Suddenly, rounds of cheering could be heard. It was clear that the overdone fight was over. Evilus finally relented and retreated leaving the "goods". 

"Ku-kuheum! I'll check on the brats for now... S-see you later baldy!" Loki tactically retreated.

"Of course Loki-sama." Judas smiled back

Judas might have lost the battle. But at least he won the war.

---Line Break---

Night time:

Judas and co, along with the Loki Familia and Hephaestus Familia are celebrating. They all headed to Hostess Of Fertility. Judas was staring at the door. Wondering if he should go in. Right now, he's not wearing anything that could hide his spirituality. He'll most likely not get recognized by you-know-who. The chances are 50/50. This day has been filled with gambling. Is the life of a thief pathway filled with gambling? 

Judas' questions were answered when he heard a voice from behind.

"Onii-san? What are you doing? Why don't you go in?"

It was Syr Flova. From the looks of it, she doesn't recognize him. But also seemed inquisitive. Judas connected it to the fact that he was a beyonder.

"Sorry, you're right little girl. I'll go in now."

Judas felt relief. At least she won't trouble him now.

---line break---

Chapter END

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