Chapter 46: Let's Have Barbecue Tonight

"Whoa, it's teeming with adventurers and gods outside today! What should we do, Astraea-sama?" Alise exclaimed as she stood at the window, her eyes scanning the bustling scene beyond the front door. Clusters of figures moved to and fro in front of their home. Among them, Alise even recognized a few familiar faces. Watching them, Astraea let out a helpless sigh and said, "It seems Akira's talent really is something that draws attention, whether we want it to or not." "Not to mention, his rapid level-up within three months couldn't possibly go unnoticed by the gods. I'm sure many of them have already figured out his actual level up time." Astraea gave Alise a gentle pat on the shoulder and added, "Go on, try to convince them to disperse. We don't need a crowd forming at the gates of the Astraea Familia. Unless you're planning to start a war game?" Still holding onto Astraea's sleeve, Alise looked up and asked, "But why did you agree to Akira's request to alter the official level up date, Astraea-sama? Isn't that kind of... unnecessary?" "I couldn't refuse him." Astraea said with a soft chuckle. "Lately, he's been hard to turn down." "Ahhh! Astraea-sama, you're so mean! You spoil Akira way too much! I'm jealous. I've decided—I'm sleeping with you tonight!" Alise clung to her arm and pouted playfully, her voice dripping with mock indignation. "Haha, says the girl who pampers Akira just as much." Astraea smiled wryly. Just then, she stepped forward, facing the gathering outside with a serene expression. "Everyone." "Please don't gather in front of our home like this. It causes trouble for my children. Would you kindly disperse?" Her voice carried the divine calm unique to one who upheld justice. Hearing her speak, and realizing that a goddess herself had come out to address them, most of the onlookers exchanged sheepish glances and began retreating, murmuring apologies. Still, a few voices rose in protest. "Astraea, can't we at least get a peek at the super rookie?" "Yeah, yeah, just a glimpse and we'll be gone!" With a slightly regretful smile, Astraea responded, "Akira entered the dungeon yesterday to adjust to his newfound strength. He's not home at the moment. I'm afraid there's nothing for you to see here." She added meaningfully, "But he's a member of Astraea Familia. You'll see him in action soon enough." The crowd, sensing her subtle hint, finally relented and trickled away. Only a few familiar gods remained behind—Loki, Hermes, and Ganesha. "Well, aren't you going to invite us in for a chat?" Loki asked casually, already striding up to the door with Ais in tow, without even waiting for an answer. Astraea let out a sigh and helplessly said, "Come in, everyone." After greeting them, Alise took their respective familia members—Asfi and Adi—over to Ryuu's room, giving the gods space to speak freely. In the main hall, the four gods settled into their seats, their attention turning to a single topic: Akira. "I am Ganesha!" Ganesha suddenly declared. "You're too loud!" Loki snapped. "You scared my Ais." She swatted at his bulky arm, only to recoil and clutch her hand. "Damn it, that hurt!" Astraea, calm and composed, lifted a teacup and took a slow sip. She asked, "So, what exactly do you want to ask? Let me say this first—I won't reveal anything specific about Akira." "Oi—then why are we even here? Isn't that exactly what we came for?" Loki slammed the table, clearly displeased. The teacup on the table trembled from the impact. Hermes said with a frown, "Loki, can you not shake the entire table? It's ruining my tea experience." Crossing her arms with a huff, Loki dropped into the sofa, green with envy. "Tch. She's too lucky. First a familia full of pretty girls, now a freak who leveled up in a single month. I was this close to launching a war game to steal them." Astraea raised an eyebrow but remained serene. "I'll take that as a compliment for my child, Loki." Hermes chimed in, folding his hands together in mock prayer. "Astraea, are you sure we can't meet the newest member? He's probably still inside the base, right?" "I do want to show him off." Astraea admitted with a wry smile. "But he's been holed up in his room working on something since yesterday." She offered a sincere, apologetic bow. "It'd be rude to interrupt him." Just as Loki was about to make another remark, the door to the hall creaked open. A half-elf burst in without knocking. Akira strode in confidently, holding a black-framed necklace above his head like a trophy. "Astraea-sama! Everyone! I did it! I really am a genius!!" He didn't even glance at the room's occupants. Instead, he turned around dramatically, arched his back, and shouted toward the hallway. "Let's have a barbecue tonight!!" Then Akira turned back around—only to be met by the dumbfounded gazes of four gods. The room plunged into silence. Astraea rubbed her forehead in exasperation. The other three gods simply stared. Bang! Akira dropped to the floor with a thud, face flushed red. Silently, he picked up a cloth bag stuffed with necklaces and slapped it over his face. Then, like a defeated caterpillar, he began crawling backward toward the door with his feet, dragging his body in shame. Loki's laughter exploded. "So this is the super rookie, huh?! What a riot! Hahaha!" Even Ais couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from twitching upward. Hermes and Ganesha? They didn't hold back. Their laughter echoed through the hall, with Ganesha's booming voice making the floor vibrate. Astraea sighed as she watched the pitiful scene. "Akira, come over here a moment, will you? Let me introduce you properly." Still red-faced, Akira stood up with forced composure. He fetched a chair, placed it beside Astraea, and sat down stiffly. With a calm tone that belied his inner chaos, he said, "Hello, Loki-sama, Ganesha-sama, Hermes-sama. I'm Akira." Only Hermes and Ganesha gave nods in response. (End of Chapter) Read 40 Advanced Chapters on patreon.com/astralicity