Chapter 166 – Demeter’s cry for help

Just as he finished speaking, Aston paused upon seeing Demeter sitting inside.

"It seems something bad has happened."

"You've become so haggard in just a few days." Aston remarked lightly, observing Demeter's pale face, then walked over and sat opposite her.

Demeter, at this moment, had lost her usual gentle demeanor, instead appearing deeply distressed and pale, clearly indicating her poor state.

"I apologize, I did not heed your warning," Demeter said with a resigned smile, looking up at Aston seated across from her.

Aston remained silent, understanding from Demeter's indirect explanation what had happened to her.

The only warning Aston had given Demeter was to avoid excessive contact with Dionysus, the god of wine. Given Demeter's current state, it was likely she did not heed this advice and, driven by curiosity, delved into Dionysus' affairs, now facing the consequences.

Aston remembered that in the original story, Demeter investigated Dionysus after noticing something off about him. When Dionysus found out, he threatened her using the lives of the members of the Demeter Familia, even confining some of them in the man-made Labyrinth of Knossos.

Demeter had disregarded his warning and acted on her curiosity.

This is a case of curiosity killing the cat. Without actively seeking him out, the Demeter Familia wouldn't have been involved in this situation. Even in the future event, it would have been the same. As an agricultural Familia, not a combat-oriented one, the Demeter Familia wouldn't normally be involved in Orario's affairs.

However, from the condition of the Familia member earlier, it seemed that the Demeter Familia hadn't been fully controlled by Dionysus yet.

"What's the situation now?" Aston stood up, approached Demeter, and gently placed his hand on her head, soothing her before asking.

"Dionysus must have realized that I was investigating him."

"Yesterday, the Familia members I sent to investigate him died. I can't sense their blessings anymore."

"This morning he came to me, brought his followers to kill several of my Familia members as a threat, and warned me not to make any moves."

"Dionysus said he would come tonight to take some of my Familia members away, forcing me to comply."

"He even forbade me from leaving the manor today and prohibited any member of the Demeter Familia from entering Orario."

"His Familia is very powerful. The Demeter Familia simply cannot resist. I've even begun to despair."

"When I sensed your presence nearby just now, I had a member of my Familia invite you over." Demeter quietly explained.

"I see. So, it's not the worst situation yet."

"Don't worry, leave this matter to me." Aston spoke gently, taking the issue upon himself.

His sudden arrival outside Orario turned out to be quite timely.

Otherwise, after tonight, things would become more troublesome.

Although Aston had only known Demeter for a month, their relationship was quite good, true friends in spirit.

Demeter truly cared for her friends, though perhaps a bit excessively at times.

A few days ago, when the Hestia Familia clashed with the Freya Familia, and not knowing the true strength of the Hestia Familia, Demeter, concerned for Aston, accompanied Loki and others to the Hearth Manor to discuss countermeasures because of her worry for him.

"Thank you."

"But, what should we do?" Upon hearing Aston's words, Demeter's complexion slightly improved, then she immediately asked what should be done.

She could sense that the elf accompanying Dionysus was very strong. Although unsure of the exact level of strength, Demeter believed the elf to be at least first-class level.

The Familia members she sent to investigate Dionysus included a level 3 and several level 2s, rare combatants within the Familia.

Yet, last night, she felt the connection to their blessings sever and disappear in an instant.

This means they were all instantly killed in a moment.

Instantly killing several adventurers, including those of level 3, is something not even a level 4 could achieve, only a level 5 possesses such power.

"It's okay, I'll stay here tonight, waiting for them to come." Aston said with a smile.

Although he hadn't thought about coming into contact with Dionysus so soon, with things developing like this, Aston didn't mind making contact.

However, the contact wouldn't be with Dionysus but with her subordinates.

"Is it okay?"

"If it's dangerous, don't do it." Demeter said worriedly.

Although she wanted to protect the members of her Familia, Demeter also didn't want to bring danger to Aston because of this matter.

"It's fine, this is not a big deal for me." Aston slightly shook his head, ruffled Demeter's head, and reassured her with a smile.

Then, Aston bid farewell, preparing to leave.

"Alright, I'll go get ready, and I'll be here tonight."

"Thank you, Aston." Demeter said with a slight bow.

Aston nodded slightly, then used spatial teleportation to leave, heading directly back to Orario.

Before leaving, Aston placed a spatial mark on Demeter, making it easier for him to come back tonight.

"He disappeared just like that, is this a spatial skill or magic…" Watching Aston's figure suddenly vanish, Demeter was somewhat surprised, murmuring softly.

Then, Demeter's face became worried again.

"Aston, I entrust everything to you."

The members of her Familia she sent out were all dead, and she couldn't find any evidence. Otherwise, she could have handed over the evidence to Ouranos to deal with Dionysus.

Without evidence, even if she knows the situation about Dionysus, it's useless.

The priority now is to protect the members of the Familia from further deaths.

Then, slowly figure out a way to deal with Dionysus, trying to convince Ouranos to believe and investigate Dionysus.

And now, not daring to gamble with the lives of her Familia members, she could only rely on Aston.