Chapter 869 An Offer that can’t be Refused
Yoruichi, Serafall, and Riveria reappeared in a certain private storage room that the former two had rented, "Where are we?"
Yoruichi opened the metal doors, revealing the scenery outside, "The 10th floor of Babel."
"By the way, it looks like you had a bit of trouble before leaving. Is everything alright?" Serafall asked curiously.
Riveria answered Serafall by shaking her head with a wry smile, "Not at all. I think it's a good instance for retrospection. Thanks to this, the Loki Familia may prosper for many more years to come."
"If you're saying that, it looks like things aren't looking so good for your Captain."
"He's amassed so much pride that it's already hurting him and those around him."
Riveria followed Yoruichi and Serafall towards the top floor where Loki was currently staying with Freya. With a set of knocks, the door was immediately opened by Freya in her nightgown. Surprise was very apparent on Freya's face when she saw their late-night visitors, "Why hello~. Come in."
Yoruichi led the group and entered, "Sorry to bother you this late at night. Is Loki around?"
Hearing the visitors, Loki also came out in her pajamas while carrying a bottle of wine, "Who is it? Wait... Riveria? What are you doing here? Did a problem come up?" she asked with obvious concern.
Riveria sighed at seeing Loki's appearance and couldn't help but say, "Loki... Did you use most of your time drinking?"
Seeing her reaction, Loki was able to feel relieved, "Of course not. This thing couldn't make me drunk. It's cold here so something to warm up is nice. Why are you all here anyway?"
Freya clapped her hand to gather their attention, "Let's not talk here. I'll prepare some drinks, so let's head inside."
.
.
.
"So that's what happened, huh... Looks like his worldview has deteriorated way quicker than I thought. I apologize on his behalf. I already knew that this would eventually happen to him due to how things are progressing, yet I've done nothing to address it." Loki leaned back as she took a deep breath of cold air.
After taking a sip of wine, Yoruichi replied, "Isn't this fine? You can't treat them like a baby all the time. If he can't realize this by himself, he'll just destroy himself in another way if you're to tell someone as old as him off. While you Gods are wise, it isn't wise to share any of it to those undeserving."
Freya chuckled, "I agree. But his case isn't exactly a rare one, nor does it deserve any further action. I'm curious, though. Do you really want to discard your current strength just to train? To anyone else hearing this, it's a nonsensical and insane idea."
Riveria smiled in return, "Please, Freya-sama. You know how much merit this could give me. As long as I can get past the mental barrier, it's already a big step forward."
Yoruichi and Serafall's plan had already changed, so the former explained, "I'm sorry, but resetting your level may not benefit you for your Magic Power control."
Riveria panicked and thought she was doing something wrong, "W-what? But why?" The main cause of her concern was because she didn't know why they still brought her up if there'll be no benefit in what she's about to do, 'Are they going to force me into it for some other reason?'
Yoruichi and Serafall understood her alarm, "There isn't going to be any benefit regarding that, but there's something else entirely that you won't be able to refuse."
It was Yoruichi's turn to be confused at Serafall's words but she didn't interrupt her.
"But before I explain that, Kisuke actually wanted to test a certain type of long-range Teleportation Magic, and we figured that Ria-tan could do the honor due to several reasons."
While Riveria was confused, Loki and Freya's expressions became serious and alert. Knowing where they came from, they became interested in this long-range Teleportation Magic, "Go on." Loki answered for Riveria.
"First is because she's a local. It worked out for us who came from that place, so we'd like to see if there's going to be a problem if it's the other way around. The second is because she's willing to reset her blessing. Since none of us actually had any sort of blessing when we came, we want to reduce any variables that might cause an accident. If possible, we'd like you to have your Falna removed..." Serafall then saw how both Loki and Riveria frowned and shrugged her shoulders, "But that's actually impossible, isn't it?"
Riveria strongly nodded, "Of course. Transfering is one thing, but removing the Falna itself is seen as an act of betrayal for a God's favor and trust. I'm not going to do that to Loki-sama."
"Ria-tan~!" Loki jumped happily and attempted to hug Riveria, but her face was grabbed by the latter, not allowing her to come any closer, "Don't call me that!"
Serafall ignored their antics and went on, "Finally, Loki-chan and Ria-tan are trustworthy enough."
Riveria and Loki stopped to look at Serafall. Since Riveria doesn't know anything, she didn't know the real value of this trust. Loki, however, knew how heavy this was and went back to her seat before letting out a short breath, "I'm flattered, but to make things clear, as long as I'm not forced to choose, I won't be taking anyone's side."
To Yoruichi and Serafall, that was more than enough. The fact that she actually could take the neutral side already gravitated her to their side. Though they won't be saying any of that to her.
Freya had stayed quiet the entire duration of this discussion because regardless of her will, she already had no choice. This was the gamble she accepted when she made the choice of attaching herself to Kisuke with her life as collateral.
"And? What are these other benefits you're talking about?"
Serafall didn't say anything, instead, she took out what seemed to be a silver ceremonial dagger and gave it to Riveria. Riveria absentmindedly received the dagger and inspected it. For a ceremonial dagger, its design was quite simple, but it radiated a unique and complicated signature of Demonic Power. However, what caught Yoruichi's attention and surprised her was the insignia engraved on its handle. The House of Sitri's insignia, "You... Could it be..."
Riveria and Loki were also surprised, but it's because of Yoruichi since it isn't every day that something could shake her.
Serafall didn't address Yoruichi's curiosity and instead continued explaining, "Taking this dagger would grant you some of my authority and resources within the Sitri Household. You may use that as you please, but the real benefit for you is that this will grant you access to Grauzauberer's main library, the biggest Magic library that has recorded almost all systems in the world. Not only that. As a Magician organization, you may find help from mentors there if there's something you can't understand and if you're lucky, Mephisto-chan may even take an interest in you and instruct you... And if you're really, really lucky, he may even allow you into his personal library. Though only Advanced and Forbidden Class Magics are in there so you won't really need them at your level."
"By the way, when she said some of her authority within the Sitri House, it actually meant that you may utilize their private army numbering in the tens of thousands if you have a good reason and the head of the House, her father, approves of it. Oh, and their weakest soldier is around Level 3 or 4. As for the resources, not just ingredients and tools for making things, you're also allowed to take a weekly allowance that's equivalent to 5-6 times Loki Familia's expedition budget." Yoruichi supplemented with a grin.
Riveria almost dropped the dagger, but thankfully, she managed to properly hold onto it. However, her hands were now trembling and the seemingly light dagger just became ten times heavier, "W-what?"
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