Danmachi: Strongest Familia

(Please add it to your Library! Please send Power Stones! Thank you! 

For more chapters, visit my patreon.com/LazySeeker)

---

"Who else would pull such childish pranks but you?" 

"Huh... childish, you say?" Sol frowned in mock offense, reaching out to lightly pinch Astraea's cheek in retaliation. 

"Personal attacks already? Aren't you supposed to be the goddess of justice?" he teased, shaking his head. 

"But I still like it," Astraea replied, her expression soft as she looked at Sol with a warm smile. She made no effort to resist his playful gesture, which only unsettled him further. 

Damn, when did she start playing along like this? 

"Anyway," Astraea said with a sly tilt of her head, "can you explain to me what this smell is on you? It's… strange. A bit like Demeter, and a bit like Freya." 

Sol froze, his playful demeanor faltering. 

Damn it. Why did I rush over here without cleaning up first? 

Freya's scent... mixed with Demeter's... and whatever lingering aromas came from the garden. Now, it's blended into some unrecognizable mess, and she's noticed. 

"I, uh… I was with both of them earlier," Sol said, doing his best to sound casual. "You know how crowded those gatherings are. Their scents must've mixed with everyone else's." 

He tried to brush it off, his tone laced with half-truths. 

Astraea narrowed her eyes slightly, her suspicion evident. Sensing trouble, Sol quickly changed the subject. 

"So, what's happening here? Why's it so lively?" 

"Loki and Hestia are fighting. Their relationship really is good," Astraea replied, deciding to go along with the diversion. 

"I wouldn't exactly call that a good relationship..." Sol muttered under his breath. 

His gaze turned toward the commotion, where Loki had grabbed Hestia by the face, lifting her clean off the ground with the ferocity of a war goddess. 

Hestia flailed and struggled, but she couldn't escape Loki's iron grip. 

Wait... why is Loki so ridiculously strong all of a sudden? Sol thought, dumbfounded. Did she somehow turn her frustration into raw power after being mocked by Hestia? 

And Hestia isn't exactly light... given those two, uh, "weights" she's carrying. 

After shaking Hestia a few more times, Loki finally threw her to the ground, much to the delight of the onlookers gathered around. 

Without acknowledging the snickering crowd, Loki turned stiffly and began walking away. 

Her retreating figure radiated an awkwardness that almost made Sol feel bad for her. Almost. 

"Well, I'll give her credit. Loki actually pulled off that low-cut, backless dress. It's, uh... ambitious," Sol murmured, his gaze following her. 

The dress, clearly high-end, seemed out of place on Loki. Her slender figure didn't quite fill it out, giving the impression that something wasn't quite right. 

What happened? Did she run out of her usual men's clothing or something? 

Obviously dressed more revealingly than Freya and the other goddess present, but there is no way to attract the attention of the male gods, and the people who are tightly wrapped are more attractive than her.

What a sad truth.

"Maybe she just wants to show off in front of Hestia—that dress looks quite expensive," Asteria remarked, clearly reading Sol's thoughts.

"Honestly, it's obvious she doesn't have the qualities to back it up, yet she still clings to external trappings to elevate herself. Isn't that just setting herself up for humiliation?" Sol added, his tone sharp and mercilessly.

What others dared not say, he spoke without hesitation. 

Loki Familia? His familia's strength had already far surpassed their rivals. 

Mid and low-level adventurers didn't matter in this equation. 

The number of LV5s and LV6s in Sol's familia had overtaken Loki's, and with their LV7s and LV8s, the gap between the two familias was insurmountable. They were no longer in the same league. 

Sol's voice carried loudly, easily reaching Loki, who hadn't gone far. 

The small figure turned back in a fit of anger, her sharp gaze locking onto Sol as though ready to devour him. Yet, despite her fury, Sol's face remained utterly indifferent.

"Oya, isn't this Sol?" Loki's sharp voice cut through the air, her tone dripping with mischief as she turned her attention to him. "Didn't you just head out happily with Freya? And it's over already? Could it be that your body is failing you after coming to the lower world?" 

Her piercing gaze flicked toward Astraea, who stood calmly beside Sol, but the mischievous smirk curling Loki's lips hinted at an incoming barrage. 

"I'm in excellent health, thank you," Sol retorted smoothly, his tone steady but edged with irritation. "I'd be fine for days and nights, Loki, so stop spewing nonsense. Freya and I merely went out to discuss something important!" 

Loki's grin widened, clearly enjoying her provocation. 

She doesn't even care about decorum, Sol thought, irritated. Does she have to stir up trouble so casually? He had worked to steer the conversation away, only for Loki to drag it right back. 

"I know," Astraea chimed in, her serene smile directed at Loki. But unbeknownst to Sol, her slender fingers had snuck to his side, pinching the soft flesh of his waist with surprising force. 

The sudden pain made Sol's expression twist, though he quickly bowed his head, capturing Astraea's mischievous hand with his own before the situation worsened. "Spare my skin," he muttered, his voice low. "Pinch me again, and I really won't survive." 

Loki, oblivious to their silent exchange, continued her attack. "Then what about you and Demeter? I suppose you were just 'talking' the entire afternoon, too?" 

"Of course," Sol shot back, his lips curling into a sly smirk. "Unlike you, Loki, I don't make a fool of myself in public. Speaking of which, running around with a flat chest like yours and trying to show off in front of Hestia? Now that's self-inflicted humiliation." 

The jab struck home. Loki's smirk vanished, replaced by a furious snarl as she lunged at Sol, her teeth bared and claws ready. 

Unbothered, Sol casually raised his hand, effortlessly catching Loki's head mid-charge. "To the corner with you, flat-chested menace!" he growled, the veins on his forearm bulging with restrained force. 

With a flick of his wrist, Loki was sent hurtling through the air like a javelin, landing with an unceremonious splash in the fountain at the center of the venue. The startled gasps and murmurs of onlookers were met with Sol's complete indifference. 

"Honestly," Astraea sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Can't you be a little more friendly?" 

"Friendly? With her?" Sol scoffed, his irritation resurfacing. "That woman's always scheming after the girls in my familia! Do you think I'd just stand by and let her? She dares to target my children—my beautiful children! No, Astraea, I won't play nice with her." 

His voice carried a simmering anger, the memory of Loki's meddling reigniting his frustration. Sol considered his familia sacred ground, and anyone who dared trespass would face the full brunt of his wrath.