The Frenzied Freya Familia

Hearing Bete's whispered inquiry, Finn adjusted his stance slightly without changing his expression, his lips moving almost imperceptibly.

"Members of other familias came to us for help earlier, claiming that members of the Freya Familia had forcibly broken into their homes."

"I originally intended to decline, as I had no desire to come into direct conflict with the Freya Familia."

"However, Riveria could not set her mind at ease seeing her kin in distress; she wanted to go and check on them to ensure they weren't harmed."

"She herself was well aware that clashing with the Freya Familia was ill-advised."

"Considering Riveria's status as royalty and her role as a mage, I judged that her presence would not escalate the situation too severely."

"So, I granted Riveria's request."

"What about the other members above Level 2? And Ais and those two idiots?" Bete asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hearing this, Finn's brow furrowed.

"That is exactly where the problem lies."

"After Riveria left, more people kept coming to us for help, all due to the Freya Familia's influence."

"The commotion they were causing grew increasingly chaotic. Realizing something was wrong, I sent scouts to gather information and ordered Ais and the others to remain at our headquarters to prevent any accidents."

"But halfway through, an elf ran in claiming that Riveria was locked in battle with the Gulliver Brothers and in critical danger."

"Before I could even finish hearing the report, that child Lefiya had already bolted out the door."

"Thinking of the strength of the Four Flame Gold Warriors, I ordered Ais and the others to provide support."

Finn rubbed his thumb, which was throbbing with a dull ache.

"I simply hadn't expected the Vana Freya and Ottarl to show up at our doorstep, demanding to enter our headquarters to find someone."

Gareth, standing to the side, hoisted his Greatshield and rested his hand-axe against it, taking over the conversation from Finn.

Finn offered a wry smile at his words.

"What are you stray dogs whispering about? Get lost and stop blocking the path." Allen arrived behind Ottarl, shouldering his long spear.

"You damn cat, I'm going to tear that mouth of yours to shreds." Bete, who had been contemplating how to deal with Ottarl, felt his temper flare at Allen's words.

Ignoring Bete, Allen looked at the towering figure before him and curled his lip.

"You're dragging your feet, you bastard. If you can't do it, step aside and let me handle it."

"You cannot," Ottarl replied curtly.

"Huh? What did you say, you son of a bitch?" Allen's face twisted into a snarl, his cat ears suddenly standing straight up.

"It seems not only is your mouth useless, but your ears are just ornaments too. You stinking cat!" Bete mocked, watching Allen get triggered by Ottarl's single sentence.

"You stray dog..."

Just as Allen was about to retort, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a brilliant light in the distance.

Everyone present turned to look in the same direction.

Flashes of multicolored light erupted repeatedly, and two tall figures could be seen leaping through the air, dodging incoming attacks in a somewhat disheveled state.

The people present were all formidable adventurers, and the figures in the sky were clearly visible against the backdrop of the light.

The golden-haired figure held dazzling lightning in his hand, while beside him, a man with dark skin raised his staff-sword.

Watching the two figures leap and land, Finn's expression grew increasingly grave.

"The Black and White Knights? It seems you really have mobilized your entire force."

"Do you intend to declare war on the entirety of Orario?" he demanded of Ottarl.

The Black and White Knights were a duo composed of the wielder of the White Spirit Wand and the wielder of the Black Spirit Sword.

Both belonged to the Freya Familia, were Level 6 adventurers, and were skilled elven magic-swordsmen.

"The Goddess gave no such order. This is our own action," Ottarl replied calmly to Finn.

"Weak words. And what if we did declare war?"

"We'll turn all of Orario upside down, find the Goddess, and tear the sinner who took her to pieces," Allen said dismissively, his tone arrogant.

"Boasting about taking on all of Orario. You're nothing but a stinking cat with a sharp tongue. It's laughable."

Bete's words had barely faded when a cold glint flashed in Allen's eyes.

He hurled the spear in his hand toward Bete, his body hunched low as he followed in the wake of the wind-tearing weapon.

Gareth reacted quickly, planting his Greatshield in front of Bete.

The spear struck the shield and spun upward; Allen followed closely behind, stepping onto the edge of Gareth's shield to vault into the air and catch the deflected spear.

He soared over Gareth and threw it at Bete once more, but Bete, having recovered his senses, dodged aside and kicked the spear away.

Allen landed behind Gareth and grabbed the leg Bete had yet to retract, preparing to exert force.

Seeing Bete suppressed from the side, Finn decisively thrust his spear toward Allen.

At that moment, a Greatsword suddenly flew in and knocked Gareth back; his retreating form was about to collide with a spear tip protruding from behind.

Seeing the spear about to pierce Gareth, Finn had no choice but to drive his own spear downward, pinning it into the ground.

The tip missed Gareth's body, while the shaft halted his backward momentum.

Observing the situation around him, Allen's lips curled into a savage grin.

Looking at the Bete he had seized, he gripped the man's ankle and spun half a circle, hurling Bete away.

"Before I slaughter this stray dog, finish them off quickly. For the sake of our great Goddess!"

After throwing these words at Ottar, Allen, his eyes brimming with murderous intent, lunged at Bete.

The area in front of the Loki Familia's headquarters was once again split into two battlefields.

Ottar did not respond to Allen's words, merely advancing a few more steps toward the entrance of the Loki Familia.

Bete, having just landed after being thrown, looked up to see Allen's hateful face inches from his own, grinning down at him.

Liber hurried toward the direction of his Familia.

The surrounding streets were growing increasingly chaotic; he saw many members of the Freya Familia rushing into nearby shops, grabbing clerks to interrogate them before tearing the stores apart in a frantic search.

Their faces were twisted with rage and panic, their actions hurried as they hunted for something.

Watching these Freya Familia members grow increasingly violent, causing widespread disorder in the vicinity, Liber furrowed his brows, his expression icy.

His heart grew heavy with worry for his Familia.

Turning a corner, he was suddenly blocked by a fully armed member of the Ganesha Familia.

"Please, do not proceed any further."

The well-equipped Ganesha member urged the stopped Liber.

"What is happening up ahead?"

Liber looked toward the flashes of light erupting in the distance, the continuous sounds of clashing steel and shouting filling the air, and asked with growing anxiety.

"High-level adventurers are engaged in battle ahead. Do not go any further, lest you be caught in the crossfire."

The man explained patiently.

Hearing this, Liber ducked under the man's outstretched arm and bolted toward his Familia's base.

"Hey! Don't—"

Watching the figure charging toward the battlefield, the man prepared to give chase and stop Liber.

He was about to move when his companion restrained him.

The man looked at his companion, who was shaking his head, with a look of confusion.

His companion sighed helplessly: "I don't know what madness has gripped the Freya Familia tonight, but they are practically at war with the Loki Familia. We must not get involved and cause even more chaos in the city."

Hearing this, the man hesitated, looking at the figure disappearing around the corner, before sighing and returning to his post.

Liber sprinted, turning several corners before the scene of flashing blades and steel came into view before his Familia's gate.

Before he could even approach the entrance, he saw a familiar figure hurtling toward him.

He turned and dodged, watching as Bete landed on the ground in a sorry state.

"Damn it!"

Bete scrambled to his feet, preparing to charge back in, when he saw Liber standing before him and barked.

"Get lost, small fry! This is no place for you!"

Not far away, the cruel expression on Allen's face shifted slightly; his nostrils flared, and his look changed to one of surprise.

Confused by the current situation, Liber was just about to ask Bete what was happening when he saw Bete's eyes widen in shock as he lunged toward him.

At that moment, a strange voice reached Liber's ears.

"Have you seen that person?"

Hearing the voice ring out right beside him, Liber whipped his head around, only to see a strange cat-person male suddenly appear behind him.

The man was reaching out with his right hand, clawing toward his face.