Cliche Chapter 369-370: Attempt

“That’s the whole story…” Astraea sipped on her tea, which had gone cold after sitting on the table for minutes.

Grayfia’s face broke into a smile as she put down her mug. She got up and silently took the mugs from the two goddesses sitting across her. “I’ll make more.”

She had toned down on her housework duties after Nao’s constant reminders. Nao and Rini took over the duties, giving her more free time than she was accustomed to. So when the opportunity came for a tea party, she joined Astraea in a heartbeat.

Hephaestus snatched back the cups from a creepy smiling Grayfia. “We don’t—”

Loki pinched Hephaestus’s hand and slipped the cups to Grayfia. “Please, Maid-sama. I never drank something like… what even in this beverage?”

“Coffee. It’s very common in My Lord’s hometown.”

“I see. I see. It makes me more energetic than tea.”

Grayfia hurried to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Hephaestus assumed a serious expression, only for Chiaki to scratch her head and ruin everything.

“Not now, Chiaki.”

“Un.”

“Astraea, I don’t understand Freya’s goal in inviting you and Asahi.”

“She wants to charm Asahi,” Loki said with a shrug. “I can see it from miles away. How can ya not?”

“Will it work on Asahi?” Hephaestus asked. “Ishtar couldn’t do anything to him, so we shouldn’t worry on that part.”

“We gotta worry about the aftermath,” Loki said as she poked Chiaki, who peeked her head out of Hephaestus’s air. “Freya is a loony. She won’t stop at anything to get what she wants.”

Loki couldn’t count how many times Freya got away with her offenses, just because of her ability to charm anyone. If she couldn’t charm Asahi, she might either become crazy to get Asahi or ruin him.

Grayfia’s return made Loki grin and forget everything. The serious air in the room dispersed just like that.

Hephaestus glanced at Astraea, who happily chatted with Grayfia. “Aren’t you worried about what could happen tonight? Freya might attack you...”

She felt afraid to think about going back to Heaven, where her life was as monotonous as it could get.

“I’m not,” Astraea said as a smile of pure joy lit up her eager face. “Asahi will be with me there.”

Astraea’s smile dissipated Hephaestus’s concerns.

“Say, Astraea.” Hephaestus narrowed her single eye, her face taking on a solemn expression. “Do you think… Asahi has a sex divinity like Freya?”

Astraea tilted her head. She had no idea why Hephaestus asked this question at a time like this. She couldn’t connect the dots, nevertheless, she answered, “He has EX-Rank Charm development ability. I don’t think he has sex divinity. He still hasn’t touched me that way…”

Astraea giggled, seemingly flustered to bring up the topic before others.

“Look at Astraea. So cute, so precious,” Loki grinned and turned to Hephaestus. “Fei Fei, ya think a man with sex divinity can hold back for so long?”

Loki wasn’t clueless like Astraea. She could see Hephaestus doubting Asahi.

“My Lord doesn’t have any divinity,” Grayfia revealed after cross-checking her facts with Klyscha. “He might get one soon.”

“But… he has charm,” Hephaestus replied, sounding unsure of her words. Seeing Astraea confused, she shut her eyes and sighed. “I thought Asahi seduced you for fun... and that he would discard you later...”

Loki couldn’t help but snicker. She hadn’t seen Hephaestus going out of her way to criticize someone for a long time.

“Fei Fei, ya are a dumbass.”

Hephaestus blankly stared at Loki.

“Yes, a big dumbass.”

“...”

“I can’t blame ya ‘cause ya never found someone who loved the true you.” Loki grinned ear to ear. “I don’t need some divinity to see their feelings for each other.”

“Hephaestus, you were worried about that?” Astraea asked as she giggled. ”Sorry, it wasn’t my intention to laugh. Hephaestus, it’s nothing like you imagine. Asahi and I have a very… caring relationship. The other day he took me to meet his sister in his world.”

Hephaestus looked over to Grayfia, who covered her smile with her hand.

‘I was wrong,’ Hephaestus thought with a wry smile. Others’ laughter didn’t matter to her as long as Astraea didn’t suffer in the future.

“I’m sorry for doubting your lover.” Hephaestus scratched her cheeks. “Even if I was looking out for you, it doesn’t excuse my attitude towards him. I should probably apologize to him.”

“You don’t need to,” Astraea denied her as she rubbed her mug with her thumbs. “If you really feel sorry then let Asahi heal your eye…”

She had to bring this sensitive topic up at some point. Otherwise, all of Asahi’s hard work would be for nothing.

Hephaestus unconsciously touched her eyepatch. “Heal my eye? Is it possible?”

“Asahi can do it. He’s been learning some new skill ever since I asked him.”

Hephaestus stared at Astraea, stunned by the truth. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

She had been thinking of Asahi as a bad guy, while he was working on a skill to heal her scars. Her heart was overwhelmed with guilt.

Grayfia leaned forward and cupped her face in her hands. “Then don’t say anything. My Lord will take care of it.”

“Ya should give it a chance,” Loki said. “If it’s Asahi, he might accomplish it.”

“O-Okay.” Hephaestus caved under the hopeful eyes of three women. That didn’t stop the tiny hope from rising in her chest. “I’ll pay him… No, I’ll make a defensive armor for him.”

“He doesn’t need one though,” Grayfia muttered to herself.

Alise and Ryuu joined them. Kaguya dragged the television into the room. The light from the sky faded as they were engrossed in the wonders of anime.

Asahi returned to find the comical scene of three goddesses and a fairy lazing about on the couch. He expected Astraea and others to be watching anime, not Loki and Hephaestus.

“Astraea, it’s time for our free dinner.”

“Asahi-kun,” Nao walked over to him with droopy eyes and hugged him. “Have fun out there. I’m gonna rest early.”

With a kiss on his cheeks, she left the room.

Loki got up and tidied her clothes. “It’s night, huh. I was havin’ fun. Fei Fei, let’s go with him. I wanna see Freya’s strategy.”

“She did say Asahi could bring his lovers...” Hephaestus folded her arms on her chest and sighed. “She won’t let us in.”

“Why don’t you two become my lovers for the night?” Asahi suggested with an innocent smile. “It’s not hard.”

“Temporary?” Hephaestus gave him a skeptical stare. “Why does it sound wrong?”

“‘Cause it is.” Loki subjected him to her piercing gaze. “Fake lovers ya mean?”

Asahi blinked his eyes innocently. “Yes. Fake. You’re welcome if you want to be the real deal.”

Hephaestus gave a polite smile. “I’m fine with being fake.”

Freya won’t try anything extreme with their presence. Even Freya won’t be able to handle the wrath of her rival Familias.

“Ready then?”

***

The magic stone lamps lit up the streets. Most adventurers celebrated their dungeon spoils while some indulged in their sorrows. Asahi and Loki, of course, didn’t give a single dime worth of attention to anyone as they discussed things about the dungeon. Loki wanted information on the dungeon, so he revealed everything he knew until the 77th floor.

“How much do I owe ya now?”

“You owe me your body,” Asahi said and gently nudged her. “When do I claim my debts?”

“That’s a tough question,” Loki recalled the pleasure he gave her in Hephaestus’s workshop. “I can give ya valis if ya need.”

“I’ll have to refuse then. I have Astraea to financially support me.”

He could earn millions of valis with the magic stones in his rings. The Guild will go bankrupt if he dumps his inventory.

Astraea nodded without hesitation. “Your expeditions have earned a lot of valis.”

(My love, you got another goddess as your sugar mommy.)

‘You admit you’re my sugar mommy.’

(I… I can’t deny it.)

Seeing the jovial mood of the group, Hephaestus didn’t bring up the apology or her scars.

Soon, they arrived at the venue. The ancient palace had luxury befitting for the Goddess of Beauty.

“So this is Folkvangr. Not bad actually.” Asahi gave a nod in appreciation. “Since Freya doesn't spend much time here.”

The doors slowly opened as Ottar and a girl dressed in tight robes came out. Her long gray hair flowed down till her lower back, also covering the right side of her face. Asahi might have taken her as a shy girl if not for her intense glare.

“You’re Asahi,” Helen said, her tone brimming with sheathed fury. “Lady Freya isn’t here.”

Ottar deadpanned at the girl. “Helen, you’re going against Lady Freya’s orders.”

The girl, Helen, clicked her tongue in annoyance before she stomped her way inside. She barely took a few steps before an invisible force pulled her back.

“I haven’t met you before.” Asahi spun Helen with telekinesis. “Care to talk about this unreasonable hate?”

Helen glared at him with wide eyes. “You… you changed Lady Freya. She doesn’t pay attention to us anymore.”

“Huh? Why are you blaming me for your eccentric goddess’s change?” Asahi was baffled by her illogical excuses. “Throw your goddess in some basement if you don’t want her to change though.”

“Our goddess used to be as free as the wind. It’s because of you she began searching for her Odr. Her destiny… I’ll kill you.” She pulled out a dagger from her pocket and lunged at Asahi. “Die.”

Helen’s hand froze before she stabbed his chest. Her entire body froze in time except for her eyes filled with killing intent.

“Damn lass,” Loki cursed Helen. “You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

Asahi unwound her fingers around the dagger. “You just tried to assassinate your goddess’s guest.” He pressed the flat side of the dagger against her cheeks. “Ottar, what’s your excuse?”

Ottar clenched his fists as he tried to come up with an excuse. His fists might be the strongest in the Familia, but he could never beat someone with words.

“Asahi Marikawa.” Freya’s voice echoed in the hallway. “I’ll take responsibility for her actions… can you please let her go?”

Defiance wasn’t the only thing in Helen’s eyes as panic surged through her. Not only did she fail in her attempt, she implicated her goddess with her actions.

“I did this out of jealousy,” Helen said. “Lady Freya isn’t involved in any way.”

Asahi found her loyalty admirable, but it didn’t excuse her attempt to kill him. Well, she couldn’t kill him even if he hit him all day long. After all, she was about as strong as a level 2 adventurer. The weakest adventurer in Astraea Familia was a level higher than her.

Astraea and Hephaestus said nothing, letting him decide Helen’s fate.

“Asahi, I know nobody here can harm you,” Freya replied. “Please just treat this as Helen’s special greeting~.”

Ottar remained calm despite Freya acknowledging Asahi to be stronger than everyone.

Loki instantly glanced at Asahi. “Does she know?”

“Looks like it.” Asahi slipped the dagger in Helen’s pocket and patted her cheeks. “I’m letting it slide because of your goddess. If you try it again, well, we all know what will happen.”

Helen gritted her teeth as she nodded and darted through the hallways.

“This way.” Ottar gestured as he turned around and walked back in.

Asahi shrugged and followed Ottar. Loki tugged at Asahi’s sleeve as she whispered, “I never saw that girl in Freya Familia.”

Loki could name every beautiful female adventurer in the town. Yet, she never came across this girl in her lifetime. “She ain’t registered in the Guild.”

“I haven’t heard of her either.” Hephaestus frowned as she thought of the girl's hatred for Asahi. “She won’t settle down so easily.”

“She won’t try anything soon,” Astraea said. “Will she?”

“We will see.”

He still didn’t understand a yandere mindset. Helen seemed like a yandere, except it stemmed out of loyalty instead of affection, or a mix of both.