Danmachi: God of Heroes

Note, I edited Chapter 3 a few days ago to add some content referenced in this chapter. If you haven't read it, you may not understand some of Xander's comments.

—-

Xander gathered them at the table in the headquarters. Lili and Veldrin watched him intently as he rested his elbows on the wooden surface.

"Well, it's time we talked seriously about the Soma familia."

Lili gulped. She hadn't left the headquarters in days for fear of being found, and now Xander was saying they would face the problem head on.

Veldrin crossed his arms. "Do you have a plan?"

Xander nodded. "Yes. We're going to force Zanis to act personally. And for that, we need you, Veldrin, to cause a big problem."

The elf raised an eyebrow. "What kind of problem?"

"You are going to defeat as many of Soma's adventurers as possible. In public. Without killing them, but leaving them bad enough for everyone to talk about."

Lili looked at him in surprise. "Xander wants Veldrin to directly attack the Soma familia? Won't that make them come with more people?"

"Exactly," Xander replied with a smile. "But that's the catch. If Veldrin keeps defeating his members again and again, people will start to wonder why the Soma Familia is losing to a single adventurer. It will damage their reputation, and reputation is everything to Zanis."

Veldrin tilted his head in thought. "If Soma doesn't intervene, Zanis will be the only one who can do anything. If he doesn't act, he will lose all authority over his own familia."

"Exactly." Xander pointed at the elf. "If we do this right, Zanis will be forced to handle the problem himself. But he can't just send more subordinates, not after you've humiliated so many. His only option will be to challenge you to a duel."

Lili opened her eyes in fear. "A duel against Zanis?"

"Yes. Zanis will find a place with no witnesses and tell you something like, 'If you think you can challenge the Soma familia, prove it in a real fight. ' And he will probably bet Lili as his prize. 'If you win, we leave her alone. If you lose, she comes back to us. '" Lili clenched her fists tightly.

Veldrin smiled confidently. "And that's where I take it out."

Xander nodded. "Without Zanis, the Soma familia will collapse into chaos. Lili will be free, and no one will come after her again."

There was a moment of silence.

Lili looked at Xander and then at Veldrin. Her friends were willing to do all of this for her. Finally, she took a deep breath and nodded.

"So… let's do it."

Lili frowned upon hearing the plan.

"But what if Zanis doesn't propose the duel? He doesn't seem like someone who plays fair."

Xander propped his chin on one hand. "Good question. If he doesn't propose, Veldrin will have to."

Lili shook her head. "Lili thinks that is highly unlikely. Zanis is no fool. If he sees that Veldrin is defeating all of his adventurers, the most logical thing would be to ambush him or use other underhanded methods, not accept a fair duel."

Veldrin nodded. "He's right. If Zanis doesn't take the initiative, and I challenge him, he might try a trap."

Xander sighed and smiled with a hint of amusement. "Well, yes. We can't expect Zanis to play fair. But in the end, he'll have to face you, one way or another." Lili crossed her arms, still unsure.

"Listen," Xander continued. "Zanis needs to maintain his hold on the Soma Familia. If we leave him with no options, he'll eventually have to expose himself. It doesn't matter if it's a duel or a trap, the important thing is that Veldrin has a chance to finish him off."

Veldrin shrugged. "So if he doesn't challenge me, I challenge him… and if he tries to play dirty, I just outplay him."

Xander smiled. "Exactly."

Lili sighed, still nervous. "Lili still thinks it's risky…"

Veldrin crossed his arms. "Xander, I think we should talk to the Loki Familia."

Xander clicked his tongue. "Loki? After what he did to me? He had me waiting ages to get down to Genkai for a fucking joke."

Veldrin nodded. "That's exactly why. If he really wants to make it up to you, he can do this for us. The Loki Familia is one of the most influential ones, and if Zanis agrees to the duel, someone will have to supervise him so he doesn't cheat."

Xander sighed. "So you're going to use his guilt to my advantage, huh?"

Veldrin smiled slightly. "You said he never made up for it. Well, here's his chance."

Xander thought for a moment before letting out a snort. "Fine. We'll see if Loki actually feels guilty or if he's just laughing in my face."

Lili tilted her head. "What if he laughs?"

Xander smiled sharply. "Then I'll remind him that I'm the God of Heroes. And heroes know how to get revenge."

Veldrin and Lili set off, disappearing into the streets of Orario. Meanwhile, Xander took a different route, heading for Twilight Manor.

The elf walked with his hands in his pockets, with Lili at his side, who was still frowning.

"Lili still thinks Zanis won't agree to a duel, even with the Loki Familia supervising."

Veldrin nodded. "He probably won't… but he can't just stand there doing nothing either. If we corner him far enough, he'll have to move."

Lili glanced at him. "Does that mean Lili will have to watch Veldrin get into more fights?"

He smiled slightly. "It's part of the plan."

The little girl clicked her tongue, but didn't say anything else. She didn't like the idea, but she understood that there weren't many options.

As they disappeared into the crowd, Xander continued on his way with an expression somewhere between amused and annoyed.

"Loki… you better not waste my time."

Xander stood in front of the massive entrance to Twilight Manor, where two Loki Familia guards blocked his way with a firm glare.

"No one enters without permission from our superiors."

Xander sighed, crossing his arms. "What a welcome… Is this how they treat an old friend?"

The guards didn't even flinch. "Rules are rules."

The god smiled in amusement. "Then why don't you call Loki? Say that Xander, the God of Heroes, is here on important business."

One of the guards raised an eyebrow. "And what business would that be?"

Xander shrugged. "Something to make up for some minor problem from a few centuries ago."

The guards looked at each other, somewhat confused, but finally one of them sighed and disappeared into the mansion.

Xander rested a hand on his hip and looked at the other guard with a confident smile. "How long do you think it will take?"

The adventurer just snorted, but didn't answer. Xander simply stood there waiting, relaxed, certain that Loki wouldn't ignore him.

The door to Twilight Manor opened and Riveria stepped out with her trademark unfazed expression. Her gaze fell on Xander, studying him closely.

"I knew I recognized that presence…" she murmured calmly.

Xander smiled lightly. "I'm glad to know I'm memorable."

Riveria didn't respond to the joke. "I remember seeing you when I brought your drunken adventurer to the inn. I didn't expect you to come here."

Xander shrugged. "Well, I guess that didn't leave the best impression. But I'm here today on a more serious matter."

Riveria crossed her arms. "What business?"

Xander smiled mischievously. "Let's just say Loki owes me one… and I want to collect on that favor."

Riveria raised an eyebrow. "Does Loki owe you something?"

"Well, rather, he made me wait for centuries in Genkai for no reason. You could say that's a small compensation."

Riveria sighed. "Okay. Follow me, but I don't promise anything."

Xander followed her with a confident smile.

As they walked through the halls of Twilight Manor, Riveria kept a steady, calm pace, her hands clasped behind her back. Xander, with his relaxed demeanor, followed her unhurriedly, glancing at the imposing architecture of the Loki Familia home.

"Your adventurer… Veldrin, right?" Riveria asked without looking at him.

Xander smiled slightly. "That's right. What's the point of the question?"

Riveria continued forward before answering. "Ais told me about him."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Saying more than two sentences about someone? It must have been something important."

Riveria sighed. "She mentioned that he protected her in the Dungeon when she insisted on continuing to hunt monsters. According to her, he stood in the way of an attack that would have hit her."

Xander chuckled. "Yeah, his usual stubborn self. I told him he didn't have to, but oh well… that's Veldrin."

Riveria nodded slightly. "He seems like someone with a strong sense of duty. But also with little regard for his own safety."

Xander clicked his tongue. "Oh, definitely. Did you know he took on an infant dragon and defeated it?"

Riveria paused for a moment and looked at him with a slight frown. "That can't be true. A level 1 shouldn't—"

Xander raised his hands in a carefree gesture. "I saw the growth of his Falna with my own eyes, I am inclined to believe him. He even sold the magic stone at the Guild. Everyone saw it."

Riveria was silent for a few moments before continuing to walk. "If that's true, then his growth is… unusual."

Xander smiled mischievously. "He is. And now he's messing with the Soma familia."

Riveria sighed. "I'm not surprised. With that mentality, he'll soon find himself in even bigger trouble."

Xander laughed. "Yeah, but that's why I'm here. To make sure that those problems have witnesses."

Riveria didn't respond immediately, but Xander could see a slight smile on her face. "We'll see what Loki says."

As Xander walked alongside Riveria through the halls of Twilight Manor, a golden figure appeared in his field of vision. At first, he barely paid attention to it, but then his gaze locked on it… and his mind went blank.

Hair as golden as the sun, eyes as golden as amber… The air around him seemed different, as if the entire world had stopped just for him to process what he was seeing.

Ais Wallenstein.

The name had seemed like a coincidence when he first heard it. But now, seeing her in front of him, he understood that it wasn't just the name. It couldn't be.

Because she… was identical.

When Xander watched Genkai from Tenkai with his mirror, there was one thing he could never understand. Albert Waldstein had fallen in battle, and his story had become legend… but neither his wife, Aria, nor his daughter, Ais, were anywhere to be found.

No matter how hard he tried to find them, no matter how hard he searched every corner of the world with his mirror, he never found a single trace of them. It was as if they had completely disappeared from history.

And now, here she was.

Xander had initially thought her name was just a coincidence. But upon seeing her in the halls of Twilight Manor, he froze. The girl's appearance matched Albert's daughter too closely.

The same face. The same look.

The weight on his chest grew heavier. This couldn't be a mere coincidence. But then, what did it mean? How had Ais gotten here? Why had he never been able to see her from Tenkai?

Riveria glanced at him, noticing his reaction, but Xander just gritted his teeth and looked away. He had no answers.

So she did the only thing she could do at the moment: keep quiet and move on. But in her mind, the questions kept spinning.

What really happened to Aria and Ais after Albert's death?

Xander swallowed his questions and continued walking behind Riveria. This was not the time to stop. His priority was to speak to Loki and ensure that the Loki Familia oversaw the duel with Zanis.

But in his mind, the questions kept beating strongly.

"After all this time… how is Ais here? How did she end up in the Loki Familia?"

He had no answers, but he knew one thing for certain now: later, he would find a way to find out.

When Xander and Riveria reached the door to Loki's room, the elf knocked calmly.

"Loki, it's important."

There was a brief silence before the door opened just a few inches. Loki peeked in, saw Xander, and without hesitation, slammed it shut.

"It´s not."

Riveria sighed and crossed her arms. Xander, for his part, smiled in amusement.

"Loki," the elf insisted more firmly.

An exaggerated groan was heard from the other side before the door swung fully open. Loki looked at them in mock exasperation.

"Okay, okay, come in. But if this is nonsense, you owe me a drink at the tavern."

Xander walked in calmly, followed by Riveria. Loki plopped down on her couch, stretching out nonchalantly.

"So, Xander, what brings you here? Here to show off your new familia?"

Xander shrugged with a casual smile. "Actually, I wanted to ask you a favor."

Loki raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A favor? And what could the incredibly busy and wonderful Loki do for you?"

Xander leaned back in a chair, still smiling. "Supervising a duel."

Loki cocked her head. "A duel? Between whom?"

"The leader of the Soma familia, Zanis Lustra, and my captain, Veldrin."

Loki clicked her tongue. "Hah, that sounds fun… but why should I get involved?"

Xander looked directly at her. "Well, I thought we could call it a… compensation."

Loki blinked. "Compensation? For what?"

Xander smiled with an air of false innocence. "Oh, it's nothing big. It's just that a certain red-headed goddess told me centuries ago that my turn to descend to Genkai was near. And it turns out I wasn't even on the list."

Loki was silent for a few seconds before letting out a nervous laugh. "Did you take that seriously?"

Xander brought a hand to his chest in mock surprise. "Shouldn't I have?"

Loki looked away uncomfortably while Riveria sighed in resignation.

Xander continued in a relaxed tone. "I'm not asking you to take sides or do anything complicated. Just ask your familia to act as a supervisor to prevent cheating."

Loki watched him silently for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "Hmph… how annoying."

Xander smiled knowingly. "Come on, you'll have fun watching Zanis get put in his place, too."

Loki snorted, but then smiled mischievously. "Alright, alright. I guess I can accept… but only because I like the idea of watching that guy get beaten up."

Xander let out a light laugh and shook his head.

"I suppose with this I can forgive you a little…" he said in a carefree tone, but with a hint of sincerity. "After all, you were one of the few who took the trouble to visit me while I was isolated in my domain. I appreciate that."

Loki blinked, somewhat surprised by the sudden seriousness in his voice. She then smiled smugly and pointed at herself with her thumb.

"Of course, I'm a top-notch goddess, what did you expect? I wasn't going to let you rot up there."

Xander rolled his eyes, but the smile remained on his face.

"But I still didn't like the joke," he added dryly.

Loki laughed and patted him on the back.

"Come on, admit it, it was a little funny."

Xander narrowed his eyes. "I wasted centuries waiting for something that was never going to happen."

Loki shrugged, still smiling. "Well, you're here now, aren't you? And you even got yourself an interesting group."

Xander sighed and shook his head. "You're impossible."

Loki laughed again. "And you are too spiteful." Then he extended her hand. "But we are good, aren't we?"

Xander looked at her for a few seconds before accepting the shake with a slight smile.

"We're good… for now."

Riveria, who had been standing silently at the side of the room, watched the exchange with a neutral expression, but her eyes reflected a slight glint of satisfaction.

"How nice that you reconciled," she commented in her usual calm tone.

Xander glanced at her.. "Make no mistake, this doesn't erase what she did." Loki crossed his arms with a smirk. "Oh, come on, Xander, admit it. You missed me." Xander snorted but didn't respond, which only made Loki laugh harder.

Loki leaned back in his chair, looking at him with a smile. "Well, that's done, we'll help with the duel."

Xander nodded, satisfied. Then, instead of leaving immediately, he stayed where he was, looking around the room.

Loki cocked his head. "Is something wrong?"

Xander shook his head, crossing his arms. "Nah, just… it's been a while since we spent any time together."

Loki blinked before letting out a laugh. "Wow! Who would have thought? Xander, the god of heroes, wanting to hang out with me?"

Xander rolled his eyes. "Don't get too excited. I'm just saying that, all things considered, it's weird being in the same room without you wanting to prank me again."

Loki put a hand to her chest, feigning indignation. "How cruel! As if all I do is annoy you." Then she smiled. "But yes, I suppose it's been ages since we've really talked."

Xander plopped down in a chair across from her. "Let's take advantage then. It's not every day I'm in the mood to put up with you."

Loki chuckled. "You're right. So tell me, how has your time in Orario been? Aside from wanting to take apart an entire familia."

Xander shrugged. "Interesting. Between training Veldrin, dealing with Lili, and watching this town continue to be a mess… I can't get bored."

Loki looked at him with a curious look. "I can tell you care about that girl. It's not common to see you so involved with mortals."

Xander sighed, leaning his elbows on the table. "Maybe. But that doesn't mean I'm going to get too attached."

Loki smiled mischievously. "Sure? Because I think you already did."

Xander didn't answer, he just looked at her with a neutral expression. Loki laughed and poured himself a glass of wine. "Well, I'm glad you're having fun. Orario needed someone like you to make things more interesting."

Xander took the offered glass and raised it slightly. "To old friends, I guess."

Loki smiled. "For old times sake."

minutes later

Loki was already visibly drunk, a goofy grin on her face as she swayed in her seat. Xander, on the other hand, remained unfazed, though his patience wore thin with each attempt by Loki to get too close.

"Xaaander~" Loki drew out his name as she tried to launch himself at him with open arms. "Give me a huuuuuuug~!"

Xander sidestepped it with a slight movement of his chair, causing Loki to nearly fall face-first into the table. "Loki, keep your distance."

Riveria, who had been watching everything from the side of the room, sighed wearily. "I knew this would happen…"

Loki sat up, resting his chin on the table and looking at him with narrowed eyes. "You're a bitter man."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Am I bitter because I don't want to be hugged by a drunken goddess? Yeah, right."

Loki puffed out her cheeks and then turned to Riveria, pointing at her with her finger. "Riveria! Xander doesn't like me!"

Riveria closed her eyes patiently. "It's not that he don't like you, Loki, you're just drunk."

"Exactly!" Loki slammed her fist on the table, as if she had discovered a great secret. "I'm drunk. So you should take advantage and hug me while I'm still affectionate."

Xander shook his head. "No, thanks. I can live without that experience."

Loki pouted and tried to hug him again, but Xander simply put a hand on her face and pushed her back with ease.

Riveria sighed again. "I think that's enough alcohol for today."

Xander looked at the table, littered with empty glasses. "Yeah, definitely."

Loki dropped his head onto the table, muttering something about how unfair the world was. Xander, not losing his composure, crossed his arms. "Is she always like this when she drinks too much?"

Riveria looked at him with a resigned expression. "Yes. And you only made things worse by staying here."

Xander sighed. "Well, I guess this is my punishment for centuries of waiting."

Riveria frowned as she took in the scene. Loki was no stranger to this kind of behavior when she drank too much, but what caught her attention was that she was acting like this with Xander.

"But there's something strange…" she muttered to herself, but loud enough for Xander to hear.

He looked away from Loki, who was still trying to cling to his arm without success. "What thing?"

Riveria crossed her arms, eyeing Loki suspiciously. "Loki usually only acts like this with girls, even when she's sober."

Xander raised an eyebrow and looked at Loki, who currently had her head resting on his shoulder with a goofy smile on her face.

"…Curious."

Riveria sighed and rubbed her temples. "I speak from experience."

Xander looked at her with a hint of amusement. "So you were a victim too?"

Riveria narrowed her eyes. "Several times."

Xander smiled slightly. "Well, it looks like it's my turn now."

Riveria shook her head. "That's the strange thing. Loki doesn't usually do this with men. Not even when she's drunk."

Xander glanced sideways at Loki, who seemed to have abandoned his attempt to hug him and was now just mumbling something about how warm his shoulder was.

"I don't know if I should be flattered or worried."

Riveria sighed. "Both."

Riveria sighed tiredly as she watched Loki continue to cling to Xander, although no longer trying to hug him.

"Even when she gives up on physical attempts, she continues to bother me in other ways," she said, crossing her arms.

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah?"

Riveria nodded with a resigned expression. "He's been calling me 'Mom' lately."

Xander blinked and looked at Loki, who, with a sleepy smile, muttered, "It's just that Riveria acts like a mother to everyone here~"

Riveria closed her eyes for a moment, as if gathering patience. "She tells me that every time I scold her or get her out of trouble."

Xander smiled in amusement. "I can't say he doesn't have a point." Riveria glared at him, but he just shrugged.

Loki, meanwhile, laughed to herself. "Mama Riveria~" she crooned, earning an even longer sigh from the elf.

Xander sighed, but couldn't stop a small smile from appearing on his face. Even though he knew Loki was drunk, there was something about her carefree, playful attitude that he found… endearing.

He wasn't stupid, he understood that Loki was a natural trickster and that in any other context she would probably be laughing at him. But in this state, with that relaxed expression and that genuine laugh, it was hard not to feel a little infected by her energy.

"Wow, so the great Xander has his weak point too," Riveria commented with some sarcasm, noticing the change in his expression.

Xander clicked his tongue, looking away. "Don't call me like that."

Loki, still half leaning on him, grinned from ear to ear. "Eeeeh~ Do you even like me, Xander~?"

Xander sighed tiredly, but instead of pushing her away, he patted her head as if she were a rambunctious child. "I'm just saying, it's hard to hate you when you act like this."

Loki chuckled softly, closing her eyes as if enjoying the gesture. "See, Riveria~? Xander loves me~"

Riveria rubbed her temples. "Just because you're drunk…"

Xander shook his head, but he didn't stop smiling. Though he wouldn't admit it out loud, there was something charming about Loki's genuine, carefree attitude, albeit fueled by alcohol.

Xander looked down at his glass as Loki continued to babble happily against his arm.

He really acted like a jerk when he was in heaven.

Kaelos constantly complained about his attitude, calling him stubborn, arrogant, a fool who refused to look beyond his own perspective. Nyara, with her infinite patience, tried to advise him more times than she could count. But he would not listen.

In the end, everyone gave up.

Except Loki.

She kept coming. And coming.

No matter how much he ignored her, how much her presence annoyed her, how much he pretended not to care about her attempts to wake him from his slumber… Loki always returned, with a mocking smile on his face, as if nothing could discourage her.

Xander exhaled slowly. And what did he do? He rejected her over and over again, treating her like a nuisance rather than someone who, perhaps, actually cared about him.

And now here he was, laughing and drinking with her as if the centuries of distance had never existed. As if he had never ignored her.

She tightened her fingers around her glass. "Loki…"

She raised her head, still with the sleepy and relaxed expression from the alcohol. "Mmm~?"

Xander looked at her for a moment and then just shook his head, taking a sip of his drink.

"…Nothing. Forget it."

Riveria raised an eyebrow at him, but said nothing.

Xander allowed himself a small smile. Guess he did owe her a little after all.

Xander stopped resisting.

Xander looked down at Loki, who was still leaning against him, mumbling something unintelligible as she patted his chest.

He was definitely acting like a jerk in heaven.

…

Veldrin walked with Lili through the streets of Orario, the little prum clinging to his side, hiding her face with her hood. Although she tried to remain unnoticed, her nervousness was evident.

"Lili, calm down. Acting like that will only draw more attention."

"Lili can't help it… she knows they're looking for her."

Veldrin sighed. He couldn't blame her. It hadn't been that long since the last incident, and the Soma familia had enough members in the city that meeting them was only a matter of time. And, as if fate wanted to test his patience, just then he heard a mocking whistle.

"Well, well… if it isn't the little traitor."

Lili froze, and Veldrin turned his head slowly. A pair of adventurers wearing Soma familia emblems had stopped a few meters away, mocking smiles on their faces.

"What? Are you hiding behind others now? Or is that elf your new babysitter?"

Veldrin narrowed his eyes, his hand resting on one of his glaives. Lili barely whispered: "Veldrin-sama…"

He didn't reply. He just looked at Soma's adventurers and smiled coldly.

"I don't know about you, but you just did me the favor of saving me the effort of looking for you."

The adventurers paused for a moment, confused. Then, one of them laughed.

"Oh yeah? What are you going to d—?"

He didn't finish his sentence. Veldrin was already moving.

With a firm footing, he propelled himself towards the nearest adventurer, who barely had time to raise his sword in defense. Veldrin's glaive struck with brutal force, sliding down the opposite edge of the blade and pushing it to the side. Before his opponent could regain his balance, he twisted his wrist and drove the back of the weapon into his stomach. The impact sent him flying back into the wall with a muffled groan.

The other two did not hesitate to pounce on him.

One wielded a pair of daggers, his speed augmented by some kind of reinforcement. He moved quickly, with light steps, trying to flank him. The other, a heavier swordsman, went straight for the attack with a downward slash.

Veldrin tilted his head, missing the sword's slash by inches. He felt the breeze of steel pass by his ear before spinning on its axis. His glaive moved in a low arc, slicing through the air where the swordsman had been a second before. Veldrin jumped back just in time, but it knocked him off balance.

The dagger user took the opportunity and lunged quickly, seeking to open a wound on his side.

But Veldrin had already anticipated it.

He raised his other glaive in a fluid motion, intercepting the daggers with a sideways blow. The impact caused the adventurer to drop one of them. Before he could react, Veldrin swung his weapon around and slammed the end of the handle into his jaw.

There was a crunch. The man fell backwards, stunned.

The swordsman, seeing that his companion had been felled in a matter of seconds, gritted his teeth and redoubled his offensive. He attacked with fury, launching a flurry of slashes that Veldrin deflected with calculated movements. The sound of clashing metal filled the alley.

Veldrin waited for the right moment.

When the swordsman put too much weight into a horizontal strike, Veldrin slid to the side and let him pass by. Then, with a quick movement, he spun his glaive and struck the back of the swordsman's knee.

The man fell to his knees with a grunt of pain.

Veldrin looked down at him, resting one of his glaives on his shoulder. "Do you still want to fight?"

The adventurer gasped, a bead of sweat running down his temple. Then, with a curse under his breath, he dropped his sword.

Veldrin smiled. "Good thinking."

He turned to the rest of the defeated. Some were moaning on the ground, others were simply groaning in pain. He hadn't needed to kill them. They didn't deserve it… yet.

Lili, who had been watching everything from behind, slowly emerged from her hiding place. Her eyes shone with admiration and a hint of relief.

"Are you done?" he asked in a low voice.

Veldrin nodded, twirling his glaive between his fingers before resting them both on his back. 

"It wasn't even fun."

Lili looked at the fallen adventurers and sighed. "Lili believes that the Soma familia will not stop here."

Veldrin smiled with a hint of excitement. "I hope not."

Veldrin and Lili moved quickly through the streets of Orario, avoiding the busiest routes as they scanned the surroundings for their target. They were no longer waiting for the Soma Familia to find them; they were now the ones doing the hunting.

Lili, her small figure hidden under a hooded cloak, kept close to Veldrin. Her eyes scanned every corner, looking for any insignia or pattern that would give away Soma's adventurers.

"Lili never thought we would do this…" she muttered under her breath.

"What? Go after them instead of waiting?" Veldrin smiled in amusement. "You said yourself that they wouldn't stop. If they're going to keep coming, we might as well make sure they learn their lesson first."

Lili gulped. She knew he was right, but still, the thought of actively confronting her former familia made her nervous.

They walked on to a small tavern in a side alley. Lili recognized the place instantly.

"There…" he whispered. "This place is where some of them usually gather."

Veldrin didn't say anything, but his expression hardened. He pushed the door open confidently, entering as if the place belonged to him.

Inside, the tavern was half full. Several adventurers turned to look at the newcomer, but their gazes turned to recognition and hostility when they saw Lili behind him.

One of them, a man with a large scar on his chin, stood up with a smirk. "Well, well… look who we have here." His eyes landed on Lili with a mixture of mockery and disdain. "We were wondering how much longer you were going to keep hiding, Lili."

Lili felt a chill, but she forced herself to stand firm. "Lili is not hiding from you."

Veldrin let out a dry laugh. "How cute. Do you like to play bullies? Because I would love to play with you."

The atmosphere in the tavern changed in an instant. The Soma familia adventurers stood on guard, their hands slowly approaching their weapons.

Veldrin smiled with a spark of excitement in his eyes. "I like that."

The silence in the tavern grew thick, tense. All of the Soma Familia adventurers were assessing the situation, their gazes shifting between Lili and Veldrin. They weren't sure what was more surprising: that the little prum had returned after escaping, or that she was accompanied by someone who clearly had no intention of negotiating.

The scarred man was the first to break the stillness. "Do you know what you're doing, elf?" His voice held a hint of mockery and menace. "You're not in the Dungeon. You can't just fight without consequences."

Veldrin cocked his head, amused. "Interesting. Tell me, when you attacked Lili on the street, did you worry about the consequences?"

The man clicked his tongue, but before he could respond, another of the adventurers stood up. This one was younger, but his expression was full of confidence. "If you think you can just come here and threaten us, you're fucking wrong."

Veldrin smiled. He hadn't come to talk.

Before the young man could react, Veldrin moved. He didn't draw his glaives; he didn't need to. His right hand shot forward like lightning, catching the adventurer by the face and lifting him off the ground with a single hand.

The sound of the impact against the wall echoed through the tavern. The young man groaned in pain, trying to free himself, but Veldrin had him easily held.

The tavern erupted into chaos. Chairs flew, adventurers pulled out their weapons, and some patrons fled the scene.

"Son of a—!" The scarred man unsheathed his sword and lunged at Veldrin.

But the elf was already on the move. He threw the young man into a table and spun on his heels to avoid the slash that was headed straight for his neck. With impressive fluidity, he blocked the next attack with his forearm and then struck the man in the stomach with his elbow, making him recoil with a violent cough.

Another adventurer tried to attack him from behind. Veldrin, without looking, leaned to the side and kicked a chair at his legs, making him stumble before landing a blow straight to his jaw that knocked him out immediately.

Lili had stepped back, watching with a mix of shock and adrenaline. She wasn't used to someone fighting for her like that.

The Soma Familia adventurers faltered. Within seconds, Veldrin had already incapacitated two of them without even using his weapons.

The elf smiled in amusement. "That's all? Come on, I was expecting more resistance."

The dwarf tavern owner hit the bar so hard that even the drinks in the mugs trembled.

"Damn bastards! Get out of my tavern! All of you!"

The Soma adventurers grunted, but didn't dare argue. With looks filled with fury and shame, they began to leave the tavern, gathering those still on the ground.

Veldrin sighed, looking at Lili with an expression of feigned innocence. "What a pity. Just when the night was getting interesting."

Lili snorted. "Lili thinks Veldrin is doing this on purpose."

The elf smirked. "Me? Never."

The two of them walked out calmly, following Soma's adventurers outside. The night breeze greeted them, along with the murmur of the city going about its normal life.

One of the adventurers, the one with the scar on his cheek, turned sharply, clenching his fists. "You think you're pretty clever, huh?"

Veldrin shrugged. "No. But I do know that there are no rules out here anymore."

The Soma people looked at each other, their wounded pride demanding revenge. "Kill him!"

The first one lunged forward with a dagger in his hand, trying to stab him in the side.

Veldrin moved with insulting ease, knocking the attacking arm aside with a twist and, in one fluid motion, driving his elbow into the man's stomach. The adventurer doubled over with a stifled gasp before falling to his knees.

The others did not stand still. Two came at the same time. One with a club, the other with a short sword.

Veldrin let the club-wielding man strike first. He dodged the blow by ducking his head by inches, then grabbed the attacker's arm and yanked him hard, spinning him into the air before slamming him into the ground.

The one with the short sword tried to take advantage of the distraction to cut Veldrin from behind.

Mistake.

With a swift twist, Veldrin caught his attacker's wrist and twisted his arm into a painful lock.

"GAAH—"

With a quick movement of his leg, Veldrin swept him away and dropped him back onto the ground.

The last two backed away. The scarred one trembled with fury. "You're a fucking monster!"

Veldrin smiled at him. "You barely notice?"

The adventurer pulled a potion from his belt, but before he could open it, Veldrin was already upon him. He snatched the potion from him and tossed it over his shoulder. "No."

With a single blow to the chest, she sent him flying into a pile of boxes.

The last adventurer looked at the scene, then at Lili, who was watching him with her arms crossed and a superior expression.

"It's not worth it…" he muttered before turning and running.

Veldrin sighed, shaking his glaives clean.

Lili smiled. "Lili thinks Veldrin was too kind."

"I'm in a good mood."

He turned to see the unconscious people on the ground.

"We should go before the dwarf comes after us with a club."

Lili frowned. "I don't want Veldrin to get hurt because of these idiots."

Veldrin smiled slightly. "I don't want to be hurt either. So don't worry too much."

She sighed. "I'm just saying, if you collapse, I'm going to drag you to Xander and force you to rest."

He gave a slight laugh. "Now that would be humiliation."

Lili smiled. "Then you better take care of yourself."

Veldrin didn't reply, but ruffled her hair gently before continuing to walk.

Lili and Veldrin walked away from the tavern after leaving Soma's adventurers on the ground, some unconscious, others too sore to move.

"Now we just need to find Zanis…" Veldrin muttered, crossing his arms.

Lili clenched her fists. "He won't show himself that easily. He always hides behind others, manipulating from the shadows."

"Yeah, he doesn't seem like the type to get his own hands dirty." Veldrin sighed. "But sooner or later he'll have to do something. Either he sends us more trash or he tries something else."

"He will." Lili looked suspiciously at the street, as if Zanis might appear at any moment. "He always finds a way to profit from everything."

"Then it's just a matter of waiting." Veldrin smiled slightly. "We'll see who gets tired first."

…

Xander leaned back on the couch, letting out a sigh as he watched Loki. Somewhere in the night, between giggles and drinks, she had fallen asleep, still with a slight smile on her face.

"It always ends like this," Riveria muttered, sitting across from him with her arms crossed.

Xander glanced at her and smiled. "Are you speaking from experience?"

Riveria sighed. "More than I would like."

For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them. The tavern was quiet, and although Xander was still feeling the effects of the alcohol, his mind was clearer than expected.

"Do you have a moment?" he asked suddenly.

Riveria raised an eyebrow. "Depends on what it's for."

Xander let out a light laugh. "Nothing dangerous. Let's just… talk a little."

Riveria looked at him carefully, as if trying to assess his intention. Finally, she nodded.

"You said you barely know me," Xander began, leaning his elbows on the table. "But you've seen enough to get an idea, right?"

Riveria nodded slowly. "You are different from other gods, that's for sure. Less… controlling."

"Is that good or bad?"

"It depends on the perspective."

Xander smiled. "I guess so."

For a moment, he seemed to debate internally, but then he continued.

"My familia isn't big, but I don't want it to be just a group of adventurers under my blessing. I want us to be something more… a real familia."

Riveria looked at him with interest. "Not many gods think like that. For most, their families are just an extension of their own influence."

Xander nodded. "I know. But I… well, let's just say my story in heaven wasn't exactly the best."

Riveria didn't respond immediately, waiting for him to continue.

"I always thought that being a god meant simply observing and guiding from a distance. Not interfering too much, not getting too involved. But there was someone who kept insisting that this was nonsense."

Riveria glanced briefly at the still sleeping Loki. "Let me guess."

Xander let out a soft laugh. "Yeah… though I didn't listen to them back then. Kaelos complained about my attitude, Nyara tried to give me advice… but I just ignored them. In the end, they all gave up."

"Except Loki."

Xander nodded. "She kept coming back. No matter how many times I avoided her."

Riveria crossed her arms. "That sounds like her."

Xander was silent for a moment before speaking again.

"It took me a while to realize it, but she was right. You can't build something real without getting involved." Riveria looked at him with a neutral expression, but there was a spark of understanding in her eyes.

"And what do you plan to do with that knowledge?"

Xander smiled slightly. "I'm still figuring it out."

Xander pretended to stretch, letting out a soft sigh. "By the way, that blonde girl… Ais, right?" Riveria nodded naturally.

"She seems pretty quiet. Has she always been like this?" he asked in a casual tone, as if the question was just out of passing curiosity.

Riveria looked at him for a moment before answering. "Yes, Ais doesn't talk much. But she is strong and determined."

Xander smiled slightly. "Huh… How old is he?"

"Nine."

"Wow." Xander propped his chin on one hand. "He looks like someone who's seen too much for his age."

Riveria did not immediately respond.

Xander let the silence settle before continuing, keeping his tone light. "Have she always been with the Loki Familia?"

Riveria glanced at him, noticing the interest in her question. "Why so interested?" Xander smiled calmly. "Can't I be curious about a girl with that kind of gaze?"

Riveria kept her expression neutral, but her silence spoke for itself.

Xander didn't press the issue. He already had enough information: something in that girl's history wasn't being talked about openly. And that last name… it wasn't a coincidence.

Riveria finally broke the silence. "She hasn't always been with us."

Xander raised an eyebrow in interest, but didn't press. He just nodded with an understanding expression. "I figured as much."

Riveria crossed her arms. "If you're really curious, it's best to ask Loki directly."

Xander let out a light laugh. "Maybe I will… when I'm not snoring on the table."

Riveria sighed, glancing at Loki, who was sleeping with his mouth slightly open and his face pressed against the wood. "It always ends like this."

Xander leaned an elbow on the table and watched her with a relaxed expression. "It must be fun having a goddess like that."

"It depends on the day."

Xander smiled, but his mind was still elsewhere. That girl… it can't be a coincidence.

He decided not to bring up the subject any further for now. There was no need to raise suspicions. Besides, he had other more pressing concerns… like that issue with the Soma familia.

"Well, I think it's time to wake up the boss before she starts drooling on the table," he commented, giving Loki a gentle nudge.

Riveria sighed. "Good luck with that."

…

Veldrin looked at Lili seriously, crossing his arms. "You should go back to headquarters. I'm going to do something dangerous."

Lili frowned. "Are you sending me back again? I don't like this, Veldrin."

"This is not an argument. I don't want you to expose yourself any more than necessary," he said firmly.

Lili looked at him suspiciously. "If it's that dangerous, wouldn't it be better if someone covered you?" "Yes, but not you," Veldrin replied bluntly.

Lili pressed her lips together, feeling frustration rising inside her. "I'm not a burden."

Veldrin leaned towards her a little. "I know. But this isn't about whether you can fight or not. It's about there being limits to what I'm willing to risk."

Lili looked down for a moment before looking back up. "I don't want you to do this alone." Veldrin gave a slight smile. "I'm not alone. Just trust me."

Lili wasn't convinced, but she knew she wouldn't change his mind. After a moment's hesitation, she muttered, "You better come back in one piece."

Veldrin ruffled her hair with one hand. "I don't know what I would do if you weren't here to scold me."

Lili pouted and punched him on the arm. "I'm not playing."

Veldrin smiled and set off. "See you at headquarters."

Lili watched him walk away, frowning. "I don't like this."

Veldrin knew he had to move discreetly. If he was going to do something risky, he couldn't afford to be easily recognized.

First, she headed to a second-hand clothing store in a quiet alley. There were cloaks hanging in the entrance, and after a brief look, she found one long and thick enough to cover her hair and body without attracting attention.

"Good choice," the old shopkeeper muttered as he took the coins from Veldrin.

Without wasting any time, he left the place and walked several streets before stopping at a small stall selling accessories for adventurers. Among the items were bandages, gloves, and cloth masks to cover the face from the dust of the dungeon.

He picked up a black one with white swirling patterns.

"Necessary for the dungeon, huh?" the vendor commented without giving it much importance.

Veldrin just nodded, paid, and calmly walked away. When he was in a secluded spot, he put on his mask and pulled up the hood, making sure his hair and ears were completely hidden.

Okay. Now, let's get to work.

Veldrin couldn't just walk up to the roof of a building. Although the darkness of the night offered him some cover, he didn't want to risk someone seeing him climbing and raising suspicions.

He walked through the streets with a relaxed pace, as if he had no particular goal. He found a three-story building close enough to the wall of the Soma familia headquarters and entered an adjacent alley.

Okay, this will do.

He made sure no one was watching and, with a quick push, he placed one foot on the wall and jumped up to grab a ledge. He used the strength of his arms to pull himself up, his movements fluid and silent. He climbed up onto a balcony and from there, he pulled himself up to the roof of the neighboring building.

Still missing.

The ideal rooftop was on the other side of the alley, a little higher. He ran without making a sound and, at the last moment, jumped with precision. He grabbed the edge with one hand and easily pulled himself up, landing in a stable position on the rooftop.

From there, he had a clear view of the Soma familia castle. Now, he could plan his next move.

Here is the correction with the dialogues in the format you prefer:

Veldrin looked at the Soma familia castle from his position on the rooftop. The wall surrounded the headquarters like an impassable barrier, with guards patrolling at regular intervals. He couldn't simply scale it without being seen.

"I need a distraction. Something big enough to divert the guards' attention, but not so big that it puts the entire familia on alert."

His eyes scanned the area. There were several taverns and businesses nearby, but causing trouble there might draw the Guild's attention. However, further down one of the side streets, he saw a supply cart with barrels of wine.

"That will do."

He slid across the roof, descending as nimbly as he had ascended. He moved through the shadows until he reached the alley where the cart was. There was no one watching it, and the horses were tied to a nearby post.

He pulled out a small dagger and cut one of the straps holding the barrels together, leaving it barely attached. Then he walked to the back of the cart and pushed hard.

The barrels began to move slowly, until the broken belt came loose completely.

"Damn!" a man shouted from across the street as the first barrel hit the ground and broke, scattering liquid everywhere.

One after another, the barrels rolled, crashing against the walls and spilling their contents. The horses, frightened by the noise, began to neigh and move restlessly, attracting the attention of the nearby guards.

"What the hell is going on here?!" one of the Soma familia guards exclaimed, rushing towards the scene.

Veldrin didn't wait to see the full response. With the guards distracted, he moved quickly towards the castle wall. With his hood pulled tight and his mask covering his face, he made sure he wasn't seen before climbing up one of the less guarded sections.

Every move was calculated, every grab precise. He climbed with the dexterity of someone who had done it many times before, and in a matter of seconds, he slipped to the other side, falling silently into the garden of the Soma familia headquarters.

The first step was done. Now, he had to find Zanis.

Veldrin moved through the shadows of the garden, keeping close to the bushes and avoiding any areas lit by the torches. The distraction at the entrance continued to cause a stir, causing several Soma Familia adventurers to come and go, some curious, others concerned about the commotion.

"I can't risk attracting attention. If anyone notices a stranger hanging around here, it's over."

His gaze swept over the castle structure. Most of the entrances were guarded, and he couldn't just slip through a door unnoticed. He needed something less obvious.

Then he saw it. A slightly open window on the second floor, probably to air out one of the rooms. It wasn't the most convenient entrance, but it was his best option.

He waited for the right moment. A group of adventurers hurried past, talking amongst themselves about the disaster outside. As soon as their voices faded away, Veldrin ran towards the castle wall.

He took advantage of the reliefs of the stone to propel himself, climbing with fluid and precise movements. His fingers found the edge of the window and, with a slight effort, he slid into the room.

The interior was dim. It looked like a warehouse, with boxes and barrels stacked against the walls. There was no one inside.

"Okay. Now I have to move carefully."

He cautiously opened the door, peering into the hallway. From there, he could hear footsteps and voices coming from inside the castle. He pressed himself against the wall and crept forward, looking for a way to the balcony where Soma used to be… and, more importantly, where he would find Zanis.

Veldrin knew that the interior of the castle would be even more difficult to traverse undetected. More corridors, more adventurers, more risk. He couldn't rely on darkness and stealth alone.

"I need a plan… something to distract them enough so they don't notice my presence."

He looked back at the window he had entered through. From there, he could see part of the courtyard, where several adventurers were still coming and going. If he could cause another distraction outside, there would be fewer eyes watching inside the castle.

He pulled a small rock from his kit and threw it accurately at a pile of boxes on the other side of the garden. The sound echoed through the night, and soon voices could be heard.

"What was that?"

"I don't know, I'll check."

Two adventurers stepped away from the entrance, allowing Veldrin to move more freely. Still, it wasn't enough. He needed something bigger.

He crept down the hallway, moving in a crouched position. Just as he was about to turn a corner, he heard footsteps approaching. He had no time to retreat, so he quickly hid behind a large, decorative suit of armor.

An adventurer walked slowly past, holding a lamp in his hand. He stopped right in front of him, looking around with a frown.

"If he stays any longer, I'll have to knock him out…"

But before that was necessary, a shout from the courtyard caught the man's attention.

"Hey! What happened here?"

The guard clicked his tongue and walked away, quickening his pace. Veldrin took the opportunity and continued forward.

Now, closer to his goal, he had to find a way to get to the balcony without attracting the attention of the guards patrolling that area.

Veldrin moved with precision, always sticking to the shadows. The castle structure had several corridors that opened onto the courtyard, meaning that any false move could be seen by the guards posted on the walls.

When he reached an intersection, he crouched behind a pillar and watched. A pair of adventurers patrolled the hallway, walking in opposite directions before turning around in sync. "I can't just run around. I need another way."

He looked up. The ceiling of the inner corridors had support beams. If he could climb up without making a sound, he could move unnoticed.

He waited for the exact moment when the guards turned around and, with a quick jump, grabbed hold of one of the beams. He pushed himself up with his arms and legs until he was positioned on it, pressing his body against the wooden structure.

From his elevated position, he slowly advanced, making sure not to creak the wood. He looked down. One of the guards had just then stopped below him.

"If you look up, you will see me."

But the adventurer just stretched and huffed in boredom before continuing with his routine.

Veldrin took the opportunity and kept moving until he reached the point where the hallway ended in a large archway that overlooked the inner garden. From there, he could see the balcony that led to Soma's room. And, as he expected, Zanis was nearby, chatting with some adventurers.

"Perfect. Now I just have to get the message across without the rest finding out."

He carefully climbed down, holding on to a ledge so as not to make a sound as he fell. Then he flattened himself against the wall and stood still, studying the situation. He couldn't just approach Zanis without raising suspicion.

Then, he noticed a small table with scrolls and ink near a side door. He slid over to it and quickly wrote a message on a piece of paper:

"Zanis, come to the balcony. Urgent matter."

He folded it and waited for the right moment.

When one of the adventurers called out to Zanis from across the courtyard, Veldrin took advantage of the moment he turned around to launch the message. The note fell soundlessly at his feet.

Zanis raised an eyebrow, noticing the paper. He looked around suspiciously and picked it up discreetly. His eyes scanned the message, and though his face remained neutral, Veldrin could notice a slight change in his posture.

Zanis glanced sideways at the balcony, then let out a sigh and muttered something to the adventurers before slowly walking away.

"Well… now we just have to hope he doesn't decide to bring company."

Veldrin moved again, moving forward to hide in the shadow of the balcony and wait for Zanis to arrive.

Zanis read the note once more and let out a low, arrogant laugh.

"Does anyone want to talk to me privately? How interesting."

He folded the paper and put it in his pocket without haste. Then, without even bothering to hide it, he walked straight to the balcony.

Veldrin, still hidden in the shadows, watched him approach with the same confidence he always had. He didn't call out to anyone, nor did he try to be discreet. In his mind, no one would dare attack him inside the Soma familia headquarters.

The elf smiled slightly behind the mask. "Perfect."

Zanis reached the edge of the balcony and looked around with a bored look. "Well, I'm here now. Who's got the balls—?"

He didn't finish his sentence. Veldrin stepped out of the shadows in one fluid movement, and before Zanis could react, one of his glaives appeared in his hand, the blade pressed against the man's neck.

"Let's talk." Veldrin's voice was low, firm.

Zanis didn't even blink. Instead, a confident smile appeared on his face.

"Oh, this is interesting." His eyes scanned the masked man calmly. "You hide behind a mask, infiltrate the headquarters of one of Orario's largest families, and point a gun at me on MY balcony. Do you have any idea how many ways I could get you killed for this?"

Veldrin didn't respond. He simply pressed the glaive a little further, just enough to make Zanis feel the sharpness on his skin.

"He talks too much."

Zanis clicked his tongue, but his relaxed posture did not change.

"Okay. What do you want?"

Veldrin opened his mouth to respond, but in an unexpected move, Zanis fluidly twisted his body, trapping Veldrin's arm in a lock and pulling the glaive away from his neck.

The elf was forced to drop his weapon and step back just in time to avoid a blow aimed at his side.

"Do you think I'm not used to dealing with people like you?" Zanis shook his neck with a mocking smile. "If you were really that good, you would have killed me before I spoke."

Veldrin didn't respond immediately. He regained his posture, now looking at Zanis more seriously. He wasn't just a coward hiding behind Soma; he had skill.

Zanis snapped his fingers and leaned against the railing casually.

"So, Masked One, what's next? Are you going to try to kill me again? Or are you finally going to tell me what the hell you want?"

They were now on equal terms. The hunting game had changed.

Veldrin showed no reaction to Zanis's mockery. Instead, he simply adjusted his posture and spoke in a firm voice.

"I want a meeting with Soma."

Zanis blinked before letting out a laugh. "You? A meeting with Soma? What do you think this is, a royal audience? Why on earth would I do something so absurd?"

Veldrin was silent for a moment before stepping forward. His presence, even masked, felt heavier. "Because if you don't, what happened with your men in the tavern will only be the beginning."

Zanis's face darkened. "Hmph… So you're the one responsible for that massacre? I can guess why you're here." He crossed his arms, assessing Veldrin with a more calculating gaze.

"Let's say I accept. What do you want from Soma?"

"That's between him and me."

Zanis snorted. "My, my. Very mysterious… Okay, I'll consider it."

Veldrin clenched his fists. "You have no choice. Do it."

Zanis stared at him, and for the first time, a slight tension crossed his expression.

Veldrin noticed the lack of immediate response. Zanis didn't look particularly intimidated, nor did he seem to take him completely seriously. The conversation wasn't going in the direction he wanted.

So he decided to change his focus.

"I see. You're not interested in negotiating." Veldrin crossed his arms. "Then let's make it more interesting. A duel."

Zanis raised an eyebrow. "A duel?"

"If you win, I will give you 1.2 million valis."

Zanis looked down for a moment, clearly tempted. "1.2 million…" he muttered, as if testing the sound of that number on his tongue.

Then she looked at him suspiciously. "And if you win, what do you want?"

"A meeting with Soma. No interruptions. Just that."

Zanis narrowed his eyes in thought. "1.2 million valis… Don't take me for an idiot. No one offers that amount for a simple duel if they aren't sure of winning."

Veldrin smiled beneath his mask. "Does that scare you?"

Zanis grunted. "Hmph… Very well. But not now."

"When then?"

"Tomorrow night. At a place of my choosing."

Veldrin watched him silently for a moment. If he agreed, it would give Zanis time to plan something, but it would also allow him to prepare.

"Alright."

Zanis smirked. "I hope you bring the money. I won't let you see Soma if you don't."

"Don't worry. I won't need to lose to see it."

Zanis gave a low laugh before turning around. "We'll see you tomorrow then. Don't be late."

With that, she walked away, leaving him alone in the darkness of the castle.

…

Veldrin closed the door of the headquarters calmly, feeling the accumulated fatigue of the entire night. He barely took a couple of steps when he heard the hurried sound of small feet running towards him.

"Veldrin!"

Lili stood in front of him with a frown, examining him up and down with worried eyes.

"Are you hurt? Were you hit? Were you followed? What took you so long?"

Veldrin raised an eyebrow at the flurry of questions, but couldn't help but smile slightly. He removed his hood and mask, leaving them on the table.

"I'm fine, Lili. I didn't get a scratch."

Lili looked at him skeptically, as if she expected him to collapse at any moment from some hidden injury.

"Sure? You're not lying to me, are you?"

Veldrin let out a sigh and bent down a little to look into her eyes. "Sure. I promise."

The prum puffed out her cheeks, arms still crossed. "Lili isn't convinced."

"What do you want? For me to examine myself right here to prove it?" he said with amusement.

Lili snorted and shook her head. "Just… don't do anything crazy. If something happens to you, Lili—" She bit her lip, not finishing her sentence.

Veldrin saw the genuine concern in her eyes and felt a slight regret. He knew Lili cared more than she let on.

"I'm going to be okay. Trust me."

Lili looked down, then sighed. "Fine… but I want to know what happened."

Veldrin stood up straight and stretched a little. "Zanis agreed to the deal. We'll fight tomorrow night. Plus I offered him something he couldn't refuse."

Lili looked at him in disbelief. "Don't tell me that—"

"Yeah. I bet 1.2 million valis."

Lili put her hands on her head. "WHAT?!"

"1.2 million valis?! Are you crazy?!" Lili almost screamed, looking at him as if he had grown two heads.

Veldrin shrugged, removing his gloves and leaving them next to his hood. "It was the only way to get Zanis to agree without thinking too much. He's not going to turn down an opportunity like that."

"Of course he won't refuse her! He's a greedy swindler who would sell his own mother for money!"

"Exactly."

Lili blinked. "…What?"

Veldrin smiled slightly. "He won't waste the chance to get that amount. He won't cheat, because if he does so in front of Soma, he'll look like a coward. He's too confident in himself, so he's giving me the advantage."

Lili frowned. "What if you lose?"

Veldrin looked at her as if she had said the most absurd thing in the world. "I won't lose."

Lili sighed, rubbing her face with both hands. "Lili wants to trust you… but it's a lot of money." "Trust."

The prum watched him silently for a few seconds, then looked away. "You better."

Veldrin smiled and walked into the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of water.

"Lili."

She turned around.

"I'm going to need you to be in the crowd tomorrow when the duel happens. Watch Zanis, Soma, everyone. If something doesn't fit, I need you to notice it."

Lili nodded slowly. "I will."

Veldrin was in the headquarters room, calmly sharpening one of his glaives. Lili sat on the couch, drumming her fingers against her knee, visibly restless.

The door swung open, and Xander walked in with his typical relaxed smile, but his eyes were sharp. "It's done."

Veldrin looked up. "Loki accepted?"

"Of course. I couldn't resist a show like that." Xander plopped down into an armchair, but his posture wasn't one of someone completely unconcerned. "He'll be in the audience tomorrow with some of his kids. He said he wouldn't lift a finger if things got out of hand, but I know when someone's lying."

Lili frowned. "That doesn't sound very reassuring."

"The important thing is that supervision is assured." Xander leaned an elbow on the back of the chair and looked at Veldrin seriously. "Are you sure about this? Zanis is not like the bullies in his familia. Not only is he strong… he's also the kind of person who would do anything to win."

Veldrin tested the edge of his weapon with his thumb and nodded. "I know."

Xander was silent for a few seconds before smiling, but this time there was no trace of mockery in his expression. "You have guts. It's what I like most about you."

Lili snorted, but her expression showed slight concern. "You better."

Xander leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment. "If something goes wrong… I won't sit back and do nothing."

Veldrin raised an eyebrow. "I thought the idea was for Loki to supervise to avoid trouble."

Xander stared at him. "Yes. But there's a difference between letting you fight your own battle… and letting you die for it."

The elf didn't respond immediately. Xander wasn't the type to impose his will on others, but at that moment his tone was non-negotiable.

"I trust you, Veldrin." Xander stood up, wearing that same relaxed smile as always. "Just remember that bravery doesn't mean carrying everything alone."

Veldrin watched him for a moment before putting the glaive back into its sheath. "See you in the morning."

Xander watched him disappear down the hall. Then he turned to Lili. "What do you think?"

Lili shook her head. "Lili doesn't want anything bad to happen."

Xander sighed, his gaze growing more somber. "Yeah… me neither."

Xander settled back in the chair, watching as Lili continued to stare down the hall where Veldrin had disappeared. Her small hands clenched the hem of his robes, her lips pursed in a worried frown.

"Don't worry so much, shorty." Xander ruffled her hair gently, causing the prum to nearly jump in fright. "Veldrin is stubborn, but he's also strong. He wouldn't let a guy like Zanis defeat him."

Lili didn't move away completely, but she didn't smile either. "Lili knows that… but she still doesn't like it."

Xander looked at her for a moment before extending an arm. "Come here."

The prum hesitated for a few seconds before moving closer, allowing Xander to wrap a single arm around her and pull her into his side. It wasn't something that happened often, but when Lili was really worried, she didn't refuse his company.

"I know you're scared." Xander's voice was softer now. "Not just because of Veldrin, right?"

Lili pursed her lips, but nodded in the end. "Zanis is… dangerous. Always has been."

Xander held her tighter. "Listen, Lili. No matter what happens tomorrow, no matter how this duel ends… you're safe. I promised you that, remember?"

Lili looked at him, her big eyes reflecting a mix of vulnerability and determination. "Lili wants to believe in that…"

Xander smiled, resting his chin on his own hand. "Then just let us prove it. You're not alone, little one."

For a while, neither of them said anything else. Lili just laid there, feeling Xander's warmth beside her, and for the first time all night, her breathing became a little calmer.

Lili looked down, her voice barely a whisper. "Why are you helping me?"

Xander raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. "What are you talking about? I thought that was already clear."

Lili tightened her grip on the hem of her robe. "It doesn't make sense. Lili isn't strong, nor special… she's just a useless prum that no one wanted."

Xander clicked his tongue and, without warning, tapped her forehead with his knuckles. "Hey, shorty, don't talk nonsense."

Lili rubbed her forehead with a pout. "Ouch! Why did you do that?"

Xander sighed and leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms behind his head. "Because you sound like someone who gave up on herself. And I don't like that."

Lili looked at him in confusion.

Xander turned his head to her, his expression more serious. "Why am I helping you? Because rescuing the helpless is what heroes do. If I see someone caught in a storm, I'm not just going to ignore them and go on my way." He paused for a moment and exhaled with a bitter smile. "Or at least… I'm not that kind of person anymore."

Lili looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Xander rested an arm on the back of the chair, his gaze lost in the ceiling. "Before I came down… I wouldn't have cared. I was just another god, watching from above as mortals struggled and fell. It wasn't my problem."

Lili frowned. "But you changed."

Xander looked at her and smiled. "Yes. Meeting Veldrin, meeting you… it made me realize that I want to be someone different. Not just a god who watches from afar, but someone who is here, with you. If a god of heroes can't help those in need, then I don't deserve that title." Lili felt a lump in her throat.

Xander smiled a more relaxed smile and ruffled her hair. "So stop thinking you don't deserve it. I told you before, little one: you're one of us."