LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 112 – Familiar Faces.
When we arrived at the banquet, we were greeted by stares from many people. I recognized most of the people there, but there were some "extras" that I didn't remember existing.
They were characters who were not important to the story. So I ignored them and paid attention to just a few people: Loki and her familia members and Takemikazuchi and his familia members, especially Mikoto.
And there was also Freya, who was a little way off, talking to some other people. She hadn't seen us yet. She was wonderful, probably one of the most beautiful Goddesses in danmachi.
But she is treacherous. I must treat her as an enemy, at least until there are indications that the story has been changed.
Oh, and I cannot forget Hermes. Asfi accompanied him.
They were the first people we talked to as soon as we entered. Even though I hadn't met him, Hermes knew me very well.
"I'm only at level two yet. I don't know if I'll be able to move up in level anytime soon. It's hard." I answered Hermes' question.
"I'm sure you'll be able to level up in no time. You are part of Hestia's Familia; doesn't that make you special? Both you and Bell have broken records." He was wearing a friendly smile the whole time.
"Yes, that's right. However, Bell can level up easier than I can. He has an interesting skill."
"Hmm..."
"But it's better not to talk about it. How are you finding this feast? A little bad, isn't it?" At my question, Hermes took a look around him. The only person near us was Asfi, but she was silent.
Bell had disappeared, and Hestia was standing beside the table, devouring a large amount of food. She shouldn't do that. It even looks like she is starving. Haa~~ But I'll ignore that.
"Yes, a little." Hermes looked with his sharp eyes towards Freya, standing on the other side of the hall. The woman was looking directly at me.
I could feel a chill in my stomach, her gaze penetrating my body. Yes, I was feeling fear just by looking at her. I turned my face away and avoided looking into her face, but then I noticed that she was coming closer.
Hermes continued with a smile, and Asfi spoke something in his ear.
"I have to go now, have fun." Hermes walked away along with Asfi. I sighed and looked back. Freya was already quite close. She was walking elegantly.
Behind her were some members of her Familia. They all looked at me as if I were some enemy.
"You must be the new member of the Hestia Familia." She gave a warm smile.
"Yes, my name is Luan."
"Luan? I see." Freya looked at me as if she was analyzing every detail in my body. Again I felt that chill in my stomach. "How would you like to go to my Familia?" Freya asked me directly.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did she make this proposal in the middle of the banquet? Freya would certainly not be a person who would do this in the novel.
She was looking at me with desire. She was trying to win me over here. I'm sorry, but I don't want to deal with you now. "I have to decline this proposal. I'm sorry about that, Goddess." I gave a smile, trying to remain calm.
I took a sip of the wine I was holding and continued to look into Freya's eyes.
"I see. Think about it a little better." Freya walked past me, and I could feel her hand touching me. If I had been more of an idiot, I would have fallen for her charm and gone after her.
But I know who she is—an obsessive woman.
'I hope she doesn't become obsessed with me like with Bell. I don't want a "flea" stuck on me.' I gave a smile and finished my wine. It was pretty tasty.
"Luan, what did that woman say?" Hestia approached soon after, carrying a plate of snacks in her hand.
"She didn't say anything much. She just came over to greet me. Since I had never seen her, she wanted to know me."
"..." Hestia looked suspicious and annoyed as she looked at Freya. Freya then looked at her and smiled, making Hestia even more irritated. But I wasn't going to let anything happen between them. I put my hand on Hestia's head and called her away.
I was thinking about what I should do now.
"Where is Bell?" I asked Hestia.
"He was right there a little while ago."
"I see. I'll look for him. Stay here and eat as much as you want."
"I'll enjoy it a lot!"
"Just don't overdo it." I placed my cup on the table and then walked through the banquet while being watched by many people. I kept my composure and acted as if I didn't care.
I looked around for Bell but could not find him anywhere. I concluded that he was probably somewhere isolated because he was nervous about asking Ais to dance.
He also had quite a hard time in the light novel.
'Ais is right there. Should I take that opportunity? Besides, Tiona keeps staring at me fiercely, which will eventually get Loki's attention.' Fortunately, she was too distracted to notice.
Okay, here we go. Sorry Bell, talk to you later.
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As I approached, Loki turned to look at me, suspicious. But she just turned around and ignored me. Unlike her, Tiona and Ais were willing to talk to me. Especially Tiona.
She tried to hug me, but I signaled her not to do that in this place.
"How are you? I miss you." Tiona said. She took care that no one listened. Even Ais couldn't hear.
"I'm good, and you? How is Ais after that dinner?"
"She doesn't seem so suspicious of you. We'll be able to hang out together more often from now on."
"I see. That's good." I approached Ais, and she stared at me without sketching any expression. I could ask her to dance with me.
