Chapter 332 Judas Makes A Promise To Ais

In the Loki Familia's private training grounds, the rhythmic clash of steel echoed through the air.

Two blurred figures moved in a flurry across the courtyard, sparks cascading off their weapons with every strike.

Several craters and patches of cracked concrete could be seen scattered across the area.

"Ais, are you still mad at me?"

Judas questioned with a wry expression, wielding a spear as he continuously parried Ais' attacks.

She continued to swing her sword relentlessly, showing no signs of slowing down.

On the outside, Ais maintained her usual doll-like composure, but Judas didn't miss the faint pout on her lips as she executed dozens of blinding sword thrusts in a fraction of a second.

"Hmph."

Ais puffed out her cheeks further, her attacks suddenly doubling in speed.

Judas let out a light sigh.

As expected, when the War Game between him and the Ishtar Familia was officially announced, quite a few members of the familia had been upset... especially Ais, Tiona, Alicia, and the rest of the girls.

It wasn't because Judas was causing trouble for the familia or anything like that.

Rather, it was because of the way Judas had excluded them from participating in the Wargame.

It gave them the lingering impression that Judas felt he didn't need their help.

Simply put, they wanted to fight by his side, but they had been denied the chance.

It was only after Finn called an emergency assembly to explain the full strategic scope of Judas's plan... and after Judas apologized to them directly... that they finally understood and let the issue rest.

Still, there were quite a few who wanted to vent their frustration, with Ais going out of her way to ask Judas for a sparring match, which led to this situation.

In the end, after a couple of minutes, Ais had finally calmed down.

The match ended inconclusively, though the contrast between them was unmistakable...

Ais stood catching her breath, sweat glistening on her forehead, while Judas looked completely composed.

The gap in their strength was clear.

"Here, drink some water."

Judas said, handing her a leather canteen.

Ais nodded, taking it and taking a quiet sip.

There was a moment of awkward silence between them, with Judas looking the other way while Ais took a deep breath and gathered the courage to speak.

"I'm sorry for overreacting... I don't know what came over me."

Ais murmured, keeping her gaze lowered.

"You don't have to apologize for anything. I understand why you felt that way."

Judas said as he looked at Ais.

When they first met, the two of them were around the same height, but now, she was a forehead shorter than him.

Looking down at her, Judas gently rested his hand atop her golden hair.

At the sudden touch, Ais jolted in slight surprise, but she didn't pull away.

Instead, she subtly leaned into his hand.

'It feels nice and warm.'

Ais thought as heat slowly made its way to her face.

"After we deal with Evilus… I am planning to take on the One-Eyed Black Dragon and finally complete the Three Great Quests."

Ais's eyes widened, her head snapping up to meet his gaze.

"Ais… when the time comes… I want you and everyone else on my side. Let's avenge your parents together."

Ais felt her body tremble, and tears began to pool at the corners of her eyes.

Unable to contain the surge of emotion, she leaned forward and rested her forehead against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"Y-Yes..."

Ais choked out, her voice barely above a whisper.

Throughout their match, she had been fully aware of reality.

Despite Judas not revealing his full strength, she could see that he had gotten overwhelmingly stronger again, completely leaving her behind in the dust.

'Only a few months ago, we fought on nearly equal footing...'

Had this been the old version of herself, she undoubtedly would have succumbed to panic and self-loathing, berating herself for her weakness and recklessly throwing her life away in the Dungeon to catch up.

But thanks to her affection for Judas, the suffocating black flames of vengeance that had consumed her for years had waned.

Although they had not completely disappeared, they no longer took up her thoughts.

'That's right… if it's him… he can do it… no… we can do it.'

She already imagined it… Judas and her, standing side by side, facing the Ancient Black Dragon together, with the rest of the Familia standing behind them.

For the first time, she imagined a future where she could finally fulfill her wish of slaying the One-Eyed Black Dragon that took her parents away from her.

'And then… and then…'

Maybe, just maybe, she would finally gain the courage to finally speak out about how she feels.

A deep blush burned across her cheeks.

'Judas... thank you.'

Ais thought, quietly nuzzling deeper into his chest.

…

A day had passed.

The Twilight Manor was filled with an atmosphere of celebration.

Guests arrived in succession through the manor gates, carrying gifts with them.

As one of the top Familias in the city, any major event hosted by the Loki Familia naturally became the talk of the entire city.

When some people asked about what was going on, they finally found out the reason.

The Loki Familia was celebrating Veneratus Est's 16th birthday.

This instantly sparked people's interest.

Between the recent War Game declaration against Ishtar and the legendary reputation Judas had built since stepping into the spotlight as an adventurer, he was already being regarded as a rising legend.

There were quite a couple of people who tried to enter the party.

But those without formal invitations were promptly turned away at the gates by armed guards.

"Woooah, so this is what the manor of the Loki Familia looks like."

Mikoto exclaimed in awe, taking in the grand architecture.

"Just this single reception hall is bigger than our entire home."

Ouka noted, glancing around.

"To think we'd receive an invitation for our savior's birthday..."

Chigusa remarked in her usual quiet, gentle tone.

The members of the Takemikazuchi Familia, having just passed through the manor doors, couldn't help but marvel at their surroundings.

"Oh? Take, is that you?"

Takemikazuchi turned his head when he heard someone call out to him and spotted three familiar goddesses standing next to each other.

"Hephaestus, Hestia, Astraea... you're all here as well."

Takemikazuchi greeted, walking over with a polite smile.

While the deities gathered to chat, Mikoto and her companions drifted off to inspect the elaborate decorations.

Spotting Belle, Welf, and Lili nearby, Mikoto made her way over.

"Belle-dono, Welf-dono, and Lili-dono… good afternoon."

Mikoto greeted respectfully.

"Ah! Mikoto-san, how are you?"

Belle replied with a bright, welcoming smile.

"I am doing fine, Belle-dono, but I heard about the conflict you guys had with the Apollo Familia. I am glad that it was resolved."

Mikoto replied.

"Heh… those bums from Apollo got nothing on us… they weren't a problem at all. Even their captain with his weird chin couldn't beat Miss Belle."

"Because of that, our Familia's fame has risen, and there are plenty of people who want to join us."

Lili boasted, puffing out her chest with a smug grin.

"Ahaha..."

Belle laughed dryly, scratching her cheek at Lili's boastfulness.

"Oh yeah, I heard that your Familia is doing a mass recruitment event. I wonder how that is going?"

Welf asked with genuine curiosity.

"Oh? Is Welfy boy thinking about abandoning ship for the Hestia Familia?"

Before Welf could react, a heavy, muscular arm wrapped tightly around his neck, pulling him into a headlock.

"Gagh!"

Welf choked out, straining his neck to see Tsubaki grinning down at him.

"C-Captain..."

Welf wheezed.

Tsubaki tightened her grip playfully before raising her free hand to greet the others.

"Yo!"

"Miss Tsubaki."

Belle acknowledged warmly.

"It's an honor to meet the famous Cyclops of the Hephaestus Familia. My name is Mikoto, of the Takemikazuchi Familia."

Mikoto said with a bow.

"You can just call me by my name. You don't need to be too formal with me."

Tsubaki waved off casually.

She then looked back down at Welf, her eyes narrowing in mock suspicion.

"Now then, let's talk about you betraying our goddess."

Tsubaki teased.

"C-Captain, I was just-sh ash-king. Pleash, let me go."

Welf said with difficulty as his cheeks puffed up from the way Tsubaki's arm was locked around him.

"Hmm… is that so?"

Tsubaki thought as she tapped her chin, looking into Welf's eyes as if trying to see if he was lying.

"Well alright, I believe you."

She released him, and Welf stumbled back, coughing as he greedily sucked air back into his lungs.

"Tione, Lefiya, Ais... look! It's Tsubaki and Miss Argonaut!"

Everyone turned to see Tiona waving excitedly from across the hall as she approached alongside her group.

"Oh, it's you guys. We haven't seen each other since the expedition, but I see you are doing well now that you are Level 6."

"It seems I have been surpassed, huh?"

Tsubaki chuckled, eyeing Tiona up and down.

"Hehe, thanks! But I'm sure it won't be long until you hit Level 6 too, Tsubaki!"

Tiona replied with her signature beaming smile.

"Hmph."

Nearby, Lefiya's expression instantly soured the moment her eyes landed on Belle.

"Hey, that elf is giving you the stink eye. What did you do?"

Welf whispered, leaning toward Belle's ear.

"That's just... Miss Lefiya being Miss Lefiya."

Belle replied with an awkward, helpless smile.

"It looks like quite the crowd is gathering over here... Mind if we join in?"

Alise's voice chimed in with cheerful energy as she led the rest of the Astraea Familia over to join the gathering.

---

+15 chapters at patreon.com/drdedot