Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?

"Loki, you know about him?"

"What god doesn't? That shut-in?"

Loki looked exasperated just at the mention of him.

"Soma was always holed up at home back in Tenkai, never going out except to gather ingredients for his brewing. And even then, he didn't care about anything else."

"After descending to Genkai, that behavior only got worse."

"With his divine power sealed, he couldn't gather ingredients himself anymore, so he made his children do it."

"He doesn't care about anything beyond that. As long as they bring back enough materials for his wine, he gives them a portion of his Divine Wine. Of course, for him, it's just a way to clear out the excess."

"Even he knows that if he wants his kids to keep working hard, he has to give them something in return. So every time, he hands out some Divine Wine as a reward."

"But his brewing is too damn good. Even if the wine itself doesn't have any special effects, the kids down here can't handle the 'intoxication' it brings. They all end up addicted, like they're hooked on some drug."

That's what really left Loki speechless about him.

'Seriously? You can't just make something the kids in Genkai can actually drink as a reward? What's the point of showing off your damn brewing skills?'

Though these were words she'd once thrown at Soma herself, knowing him, she figured he never took them seriously.

So, her attitude toward Soma was simple—she couldn't be bothered.

After all, they weren't her kids being ruined by the wine. Why should she get involved?

Besides, she knew full well that even if Soma got smacked around a few times, he wouldn't change. Unless someone could completely flip his worldview, that shut-in was never going to change.

"Your kin was lucky to survive and grow up in that shut-in's Familia."

"If she had been a bit less lucky, she might've ended up sold for cash."

Loki didn't sugarcoat it. She said it outright—and that possibility made Finn even more disturbed.

He rubbed his forehead, trying to calm himself down.

Once he managed to settle, he realized that maybe the girl had been right to come to him.

This wasn't something a helpless girl from the Soma Familia—drifting like duckweed—could handle alone.

"This is even worse than I imagined."

Loki sighed and gave a small nod.

"If she's really that shut-in's kid, then yeah... it's bad."

"So, your kin came to you for help, and you pulled some strings to get her out?"

Finn shook his head slightly. That's what he had assumed at first.

"That's what I thought too... but all she wanted was for me to bring her to Soma."

"Huh!?"

Loki's eyes widened in disbelief.

"That kid actually thinks she can talk that stubborn shut-in into changing?"

"There's no way! If Soma could be talked into anything, he wouldn't still be a shut-in!"

To Loki, getting Soma to yield was almost impossible. Then, she finally caught on.

"Ah, so that's why you called me out."

At that, Finn's expression shifted into one of apology.

"Sorry, Loki. I don't know Soma's personality firsthand, but based on what she described, it's clear that words alone won't change his mind."

"I can't look after every Pallum out there... but when one comes to me because they're fighting to survive, I just can't turn them away."

Loki didn't mind. Finn rarely ever asked for help, so she wasn't going to let this chance slip by.

Sometimes, she had to show off a bit as a Familia God—otherwise, her own children might start thinking she was useless.

"Well, once or twice is fine. It's not like you come to me often."

"And besides... I'm kind of curious about this fellow Pallum of yours."

Finn gave her a look that said, "Figures." He wasn't surprised. If anything, that was exactly the kind of thing he expected from Loki.

Honestly, Finn also admired the determination that girl had shown.

Her past mistakes didn't matter. True resolve was what it took for a Pallum to rise up—and help others do the same.

Finn had long realized that it meant nothing for him to stand alone. He had to help others in their race rise up with him. Only then could they truly expand and grow as a people.

And the resolve he saw in that Pallum girl gave him a flicker of hope.

"Come on. Let's go meet your kin."

Loki snapped Finn out of his thoughts and led the way outside the annex.

In the courtyard, Liliruca had been quietly sitting on a bench. When she saw Braver-sama return—this time with a red-haired girl by his side—she quickly stood up.

Even the most clueless adventurer would recognize her. The one standing beside Finn was a god—one who reigned over Orario itself. The Familia God of the Loki Familia: Loki-sama.

Loki naturally took note of the Pallum girl's behavior and formed a slight impression of her.

"Hello, Loki-sama."

Liliruca gave a respectful bow. She knew exactly who was worth showing deference to.

"You're the girl from the Soma Familia?"

"Yes."

"Damn... can't believe you survived in that shut-in's Familia."

It was a blunt way to start things. In the past, those words might have stung Liliruca deeply.

But not anymore.

She took a small step back, then looked up. There was no fear in her eyes.

"So Lili is grateful that God-sama allowed her to live."

"I don't know what happened back then, but Lili believes it was thanks to God-sama showing mercy that she made it to this world at all."

Liliruca understood this clearly. She hated the Soma Familia with all her heart—but she couldn't bring herself to hate the god behind it.

"But Lili wants to live. That's why she wants to leave the Familia."

"Oh?"

Looking at the girl before her, Loki suddenly noticed a spark of light.

'Even in darkness, this kid is pulling herself out of it. Isn't this what they call a ray of light in the abyss?'

'This is bad. I really want to take this one in.'

Loki's choice in children was always spontaneous—just like the mischievous god she was.

She wasn't like a certain pretentious type who could "see the colors of people's souls." But she did have an eye for spotting someone with that special spark.

'Finn, you jerk. You totally knew I'd be drawn to this kid, and you still brought me here.'

But in the end, she wasn't upset about it.

A kid like this—shining despite everything—definitely hit her right in the sweet spot.