Looking Forward to Another World Chapter 4: You Are My Child

It remained uncertain if it was mere chance, but this new world mirrored the main one, currently caught in the throes of summer.

The city's vibrant energy amplified the summer heat, making it feel even more intense than in the original world. Riezel, navigating the throng of people and the constant calls from vendors lining the bustling streets, moved with the relaxed air of a traveler, mingling with the locals.

'It appears language barriers pose no significant challenge for me.' He confirmed this thought by observing the storefronts, the signboards adorning each stall, and listening to the ceaseless sounds around him.

Regardless of whether it was the main world or this one, the spoken and written languages differed from what he had learned in his past existence. Yet, he found himself effortlessly understanding the local tongue and deciphering the written words, a fact that held his attention for a considerable period.

In the main world, this was easily explained by his assimilation of the original owner's memories, which naturally included language comprehension. However, the same ability manifesting in this new world sparked his curiosity about its underlying cause.

'Could this be the effect of the Dimensional Magic Cube?' Riezel could not pinpoint any other plausible explanation.

The Dimensional Magic Cube, with its extraordinary capacity to transmute powers across dimensions, might very well possess the capability to facilitate language acquisition from various worlds for its wielder.

Thanks to this unexpected linguistic fluency, after a brief period of exploration and interaction with several locals, he had a general understanding of his current location.

'As I suspected, this is indeed the Labyrinth City, Orario.' Labyrinth City, Orario.

This city, the primary setting of the original narrative, held a profoundly special and vital significance. Constructed atop an immense subterranean labyrinth, it acted as a colossal lid, effectively sealing the 'Dungeon' below and preventing the egress of its monstrous inhabitants.

The very presence of the Dungeon and its denizens drew countless races to this metropolis, all seeking adventure and the thrill of the unknown, thereby establishing it as the preeminent urban hub above ground.

Consequently, it was regarded as the world's epicenter for adventuring, commerce, entertainment, and conflict, attracting a vast array of skilled individuals, shrewd merchants, and even divine beings.

'This situation is exceptionally favorable,' Riezel mused, nodding internally.

'With the Dungeon situated here and an abundance of monsters ripe for subjugation, I can achieve the most rapid growth possible once I receive a blessing from a God.' Furthermore, as the central stage of the original story, the presence of numerous familiar characters, plot points, and elements meant he, privy to the unfolding narrative, could leverage his foreknowledge for both evident and subtle advantages.

'My most immediate objective must be to promptly secure a Familia to join...' Riezel began to contemplate.

A Familia was essentially a developmental organization and a familial structure established by Gods for their own diverse objectives. These Deities bestowed the power of 'Falna' upon mortals, enabling them to transcend ordinary human limits and attain abilities far surpassing them.

Those who received 'Falna' became 'children of the God,' integrating into that God's Familia. They operated according to the Familia's directives, providing the necessary resources for their collective sustenance and the continued operation of both the Familia and their God.

In essence, it was a symbiotic relationship built on mutual benefit and interdependence.

Naturally, mortals varied in strength, and so did Familias. Despite the fundamental equality of blessings granted by any God, differences in management philosophies and operational strategies led to significant disparities in the strength, influence, and standing of various Familias.

Some Familias were nascent or struggled financially, rendering them relatively weak. Conversely, others flourished with vast memberships, becoming formidable entities that consolidated diverse talents and resources.

Certain Familias were primarily established for commercial pursuits, their members possessing limited combat prowess. Some even operated beyond Orario's confines, functioning similarly to sovereign nations.

These distinctions represented only the basic differences.

A more profound examination would necessitate factors such as the founding God's personality, the internal dynamics of the Familia, and the presence of any detrimental influences.

Joining a God who viewed their Familia and its members merely as a means to accumulate wealth or as simple playthings would essentially spell the end of one's aspirations. After all, most Gods in this realm voluntarily relinquished their divine authority upon descending to the mortal plane, often prioritizing pleasure and amusement above all else.

Therefore, the selection of a Familia demanded meticulous consideration and judicious judgment.

'If my memory serves me right, the most formidable Familias in Orario are Loki Familia, Freya Familia, and Ganesha Familia, correct?'

The designation of a Familia was intrinsically linked to the deity who founded it. For instance, the Loki Familia owed its establishment to Loki, the renowned God of Mischief from Norse Mythology. However, in a twist from the original myths, the Loki of this realm was a goddess.

As Riezel recollected the details from a long-forgotten text, he meandered through the city streets and found himself in a location that felt strangely familiar. Just off the main thoroughfare, a structure far grander and more imposing than its surroundings loomed into view. A collection of towering spires interlocked, evoking the image of a sword mountain, with a banner strikingly displayed atop the central spire.

The banner bore the image of a clown, its jovial smile seemingly directed at the populace below, an undeniably eye-catching emblem. The peculiar similarity of the building and its flag caused Riezel to halt his progress.

'Loki Familia, is it?'

The clown banner, unmistakably the insignia of Loki Familia, one of Orario's most formidable Familias, signified that Riezel had unexpectedly stumbled upon the headquarters of a major power.

'Could this be... destiny?'

===

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Orario was bathed in the warm hues of the evening sky. Individuals concluding their daily labors and adventurers returning from the depths of the dungeon traversed the streets with a blend of weariness and contentment, ushering the city into the embrace of the night.

"Hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~"

In a quiet street corner, illuminated by the fading twilight, a woman with long, loosely tied crimson hair and half-closed eyes ambled along. Her demeanor was elegant yet possessed a disheveled charm, and despite her refined features, she carried an aura of carefree indifference.

Her casual humming eventually ceased as her attention waned.

"Ugh, how dull~ I've wandered all day and found absolutely nothing entertaining."

The woman grumbled, her voice carrying a surprisingly grounded tone.

"All the youngsters are out on their expeditions, and barely a handful remain at home. And they all claim to be busy with something, refusing to come out and join me for some fun."

"That's not even the worst of it. I ventured out myself, hoping for some amusement, but those fellows who usually jump at the chance for a party seemed to have taken some odd tonic. Not a single one has appeared today."

"Dull, just utterly dull~!!"

"Aah~ I wish I could play patty-cake with some cute girls and enjoy some sweet moments with Ais."

Striding with a swagger, the woman continued her plaintive monologue, her remarks bordering on the unsavory, prompting passersby to instinctively give her a wide berth. Oblivious to the subtle ripple her words caused amongst the crowd, she let out another sigh.

"I suppose I'll just head home for a drink. If my timing is right, everyone should be returning soon. I can manage for a few more days, at least."

With that declaration, the woman turned down a side street away from the main bustle and arrived at the sword mountain-like edifice—Twilight Manor.

Upon the uppermost spire amongst the cluster of towers, a flag bearing the image of a clown continued to flutter in the breeze.

"Hmm?"

Abruptly, the easygoing woman halted her steps.

There was no specific reason for it.

It was simply that, at the manor's main gate, an individual was standing.

'A human boy?'

The woman identified the person's race and gender, and her habitually narrowed eyes widened slightly. Within them, a rare, exceptional brilliance, uncharacteristic of a mere mortal, began to gleam. This was especially true when she observed that the boy had clearly noticed her as well. Yet, he remained by the gate, his gaze locked with hers. His posture was unwavering, a sight that instantly captivated her interest.

'I see... Is he waiting for me?'

In a flash, the woman seemed to perceive the boy's underlying motive, and she erupted into unrestrained laughter. Her smile, echoing the whimsical grin of the clown emblazoned on the flag atop Twilight Manor, lent an inexplicable allure to the moment.

'How intriguing...'

When a sentiment like this stirred within the woman's heart, the subsequent course of action was all but inevitable. The allure of something interesting, coupled with a desire to draw closer, was the very essence of divine nature. Weary of the celestial existence, they willingly bound their divine essence to seek amusement in the mortal realm, roaming freely like commoners.

The woman—or rather, the Goddess—fully embodied this characteristic, walking directly towards the human boy.

"Hey there, kiddo, what are you doing here all by yourself?"

The Norse Goddess—Loki—addressed the boy, who had just arrived in this world that very day, standing casually at the entrance to her Familia's domain.

In response, the boy offered a serene and unwavering smile.

"I have nowhere to go."

That was the boy's simple reply.

Uncomplicated and direct.

While it was not a particularly commendable situation, the boy's demeanor was remarkably composed, almost detached from his own dire circumstances. But Loki perceived that he spoke the truth.Even with her Arcanum sealed, the Goddess, who had endured for innumerable ages, possessed divine insight and wisdom enough to decipher matters mortals deemed unfathomable. This profound understanding made it nearly impossible for mortals to conceal anything from her perception. "You wish for me to accept you?" Loki's smile grew more pronounced as she posed the question. "Yes," the boy affirmed directly. "Excellent!" Loki exclaimed with unreserved delight, her grin unwavering. "From this moment forward, you are my child!" Was this merely a fleeting impulse of the Goddess, or did a more profound intention lie beneath? This remained unknown. Only one fact was absolutely certain: Riezel had officially become a member of the Loki Familia. All of this transpired in mere moments.