My Family in the Novel?

Getting back to the bedroom where Louise and the other girls were sleeping, I gently placed the sleeping Liliana on the side of the bed, making sure she was secured safely so she wouldn't fall.

Fortunately, the bed was quite large, so there was no problem with her being placed just behind Ana. In fact, even if I jumped into the bed, there would still be enough space for me to move around properly.

It was just that big. Did Sis and the others purposely make it this way? If so, how thoughtful of them.

"Un… ah!" Hearing Liliana's slight whimpers as her brows twitched, I walked closer to her and put my finger on her forehead, lightening the pain she was feeling. The amount of information passing through her brain was enough to paralyze a normal person in the first place.

Carefully observing her face, I could see the tension slowly easing away. Her breathing became more even, and the slight frown on her face began to smooth out. I stayed by her side for a few more moments, ensuring that she was truly comfortable and no longer in distress.

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the bedside lamp casting a warm, soothing light. Louise and the other girls were peacefully asleep, their gentle breaths the only sound breaking the stillness of the night. I took a moment to appreciate the calm atmosphere, a stark contrast to the chaos and danger we had faced earlier.

Considering her reaction, I realized that the same method I used with Aria was still a bit too much for Liliana, especially since this was the first time she had ever experienced something like this.

Unlike Aria, who had once been exposed to Dad's energy, for Liliana, the foreign divinity entering her soul was probably akin to a needle piercing directly into her heart.

Although it was beneficial for her to learn about everything this way, seeing her in pain like that didn't sit well with me, so I made sure to slow down the process instead.

As I got up, I looked at the four girls. If I wanted to, I could probably just forcefully wake them up right here and now. I wanted to hear their natural voices, especially Louise, Aria, and Ana. But I held back, knowing it wasn't the right time yet.

Until all this chaos is over, until I make this world into a paradise where their safety is guaranteed, I won't do something that would surely endanger their lives. It might seem manipulative and forceful, but… this is all for their sake.

The moment they find out about what's happening in the world right now, surely they would try to help me in any way they can. And I can't have that... I can't have what happened to Elena happen again. That's why I'm sorry, everyone, but right now I need all of you to sleep for the time being.

I looked at Louise, Aria, Ana, and Liliana, their faces serene and innocent in sleep. Each of them was so precious to me, and I had to protect them, even if it meant making difficult decisions.

The world outside was in chaos, dangers lurking at every turn, and I couldn't afford to be distracted by my fears for their safety.

For now, I needed to focus on the task at hand.

The responsibility of ensuring their safety and the mission to bring about a better world weighed heavily on my shoulders.

I couldn't let my emotions cloud my judgment or my resolve.

With one last, lingering glance at their sleeping forms, I turned and walked out of the bedroom. The hallway outside was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the warmth and comfort of the room I had just left. As I closed the door behind me, I steeled myself for what lay ahead.

In the quiet of the night, with the world outside in turmoil, I vowed to do whatever it took to protect them.

They were my family, my reason for fighting, and I would not let anything happen to them.

Even if it meant making difficult choices, even if it meant keeping them in the dark for a little while longer, I would bear that burden.

"Zinng!"

Appearing with light golden sparkles above me, Loki greeted me with his usual grin.

"So, how was it? Did you enjoy yourself?" he asked.

"Yes…" I responded, though I wanted to deny it. The truth was, I had enjoyed the thrill of battle and the sensation of taking away those angels' lives. Killing and consuming their souls was a dark pleasure I could not ignore. It was a far cry from the human I once was—truly, I had changed.

"Looking at your reaction, you really did, huh? Hehehehe," Loki chuckled. "Even for us gods, wreaking havoc like this without any repercussions from the laws of causality is very rare. So you should enjoy this moment of war."

I nodded at his advice. Bound as I was to the rules of the divine and the universe, I knew that once this war was over, the laws of causality would prevent me from interfering with the mortal planes any longer.

"By the way, a word of advice from your one and only reliable little Loki… It would be best to make children with your loved ones now. Trust me, the moment this war ends, the amount of restrictions placed on you will be quite daunting. Even sex is sometimes prohibited," he said as he came closer and whispered in my ear.

The thought of such restrictions made me pause.

Loki's advice, while unexpected, was rooted in the strange and often harsh realities of divine existence. The freedom we had now, in the chaos of war, was fleeting.

"The laws of causality prevent sex? Since when was that the case?" I asked, incredulous.

"Hehehe, you don't look like you believe me. You can go ask your aunt and sister about it, and they would give you the same answer," Loki said, his grin widening.

'Is that true, Sis?' I reached out mentally to my sister.

'Yes... but it is rather rare for those sorts of restrictions to happen. I believe among the many gods of Earth, only Aphrodite was placed with such a restriction….'

'Is that so...?' I pondered her response.

So, do I have no choice but to impregnate all my lovers now to avoid the risk? No... that couldn't be the case. Since it was rare in the first place, I don't think I need to worry about it that much... right?

"Kekekek…"

"Why are you laughing?" I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.

"N-nothing…" Loki said, trying to hide the smirk on his face.

So, this guy was just messing with me, huh? What did I expect from the god of mischief, anyway?

"Loki, you never fail to play your tricks," I said, shaking my head.

"Oh, come on, it's all in good fun! But seriously, you should consider what I said. Even if the restrictions are rare, you never know what the future holds."

I sighed, a mixture of annoyance and contemplation. Loki had a point buried somewhere in his mischief. The unpredictability of divine rules and the aftermath of the war meant I needed to think ahead.

"Alright, Loki. I'll keep it in mind," I replied, though I was still skeptical.

Ignoring his antics, I grabbed hold of his shoulder and flicked his forehead.

"Ow! What was that for?" Loki exclaimed.

"You're annoying," I replied flatly.

"I know I'm annoying, but you don't have to resort to violence…." he said, tears welling up in his eyes. I had forgotten that I now possessed super strength, and seeing a gigantic red bump forming on his forehead made me realize I needed to be more careful with my actions.

"So, what exactly did you come here for, Loki?" I asked. Although he was a very random guy, I didn't think he would just come to this place for no reason.

"Oh yeah, that's right… Your aunt asked me to inform you about our new allies, and you shouldn't go away from the castle for the time being until their arrival."

"Allies?" I was taken aback. Since when was our family going around making allies? From what I knew, we didn't exactly need other gods to help us beat the goddess's pantheon. Except for very rare exceptions like Loki, our entire family alone was enough to take care of most pantheons of gods out there.

"Yes, allies," Loki confirmed, his tone turning more serious. "The situation is more complicated than you think. The war has brought unexpected challenges, and even your family, powerful as they are, can benefit from strategic alliances."

I pondered his words, realizing there might be more to this war than I initially understood. The thought of needing allies was both unsettling and intriguing. Who could these new allies be, and what role would they play in the unfolding conflict?

"Who are these allies?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"You'll find out soon enough," Loki replied with a cryptic smile. "Just stay put and wait for their arrival. Your aunt will explain everything."

I sighed, knowing that getting a straight answer out of Loki was nearly impossible. Still, his visit had given me a lot to think about. If our family was seeking allies, it meant the stakes were higher than I had realized.

"Alright, I'll stay put," I agreed, though reluctantly.

"Hehe, I know that look, but don't get it wrong. We're not making alliances with other gods or pantheons. Instead, we're seeking out the powerhouses of this world," Loki explained.

Powerhouses? Does he mean higher races like dragons, elves, etc.?

"Right now, your aunt has successfully made a proper alliance with the vampires. Their representative should arrive at the castle in a few days, so don't go out, got it?" Loki said casually, proceeding to eat a golden lollipop he created.

"Okay…" I nodded at his words. Although I didn't think the vampires would be as cooperative as the demons, they had their own uses as well. Now that I think about it, the war that was happening—although portrayed as a holy war across the entire continent—was, at the end of the day, just another pinpointed fight between the angelic army and the demons, with humans being threatened in the middle of it all. In other words, it was a battle of gods on a chessboard, with mortals playing and suffering because of it. Is Aunt planning on using the vampires as extra pieces, perhaps?

If so, that's pretty much like her.

Reflecting on the dynamics of this war, I realized how intricate and strategic Aunt's moves were. She wasn't just playing defensively; she was building an alliance of powerful beings to shift the balance in our favor. The vampires, with their unique abilities and strengths, could be a significant asset.

"Loki, do you know why Aunt chose the vampires?" I asked, curious about the specifics.

He shrugged, twirling his lollipop. "Vampires have their advantages—immortality, strength, influence over the night. Plus, they've got their own scores to settle with the angels. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."

That made sense. The vampires had always had a tense relationship with the celestial beings, often clashing in the shadows of history. This alliance could provide them with an opportunity to strike back against a common enemy.

As Loki finished his lollipop, he gave me a sly grin. "Just remember, alliances like these are built on trust and mutual benefit. Keep an eye on the vampires, but also show them respect. They're not our enemies in this fight."

"I know…"

"Ah, also, Adrian…" Loki suddenly clapped his hands, manifesting a small, holographic screen in front of him.

Inside the projection was a birdcage as large as multiple mansions, surrounded by a swarm of angels. In the distance, a gigantic figure that seemed to be a god loomed over the scene.

"What's that?" I asked, curiosity and a hint of dread creeping into my voice.

"Hehehehe, we found it… Elena's cage…." Loki said with a mischievous grin.

Hearing his words, a smile spread across my face instinctively. The mere mention of Elena brought a rush of emotions—hope, anger, determination.

"Tell me more," I demanded, my voice tinged with urgency.

Loki's grin widened as he began to explain. "Elena's cage is a highly guarded prison designed by the gods to contain beings of immense power. It's fortified with divine magic and surrounded by an elite guard of angels. The god you see in the distance is likely the Warden, a deity whose sole purpose is to ensure that nothing and no one can break in or out."

My mind raced as I processed the information. Elena, my dear fiancé, had been kidnapped and is now imprisoned in this fortress.

The sight of the cage and the angels patrolling it filled me with a burning desire to free her.

"How did you find it?" I asked, my eyes locked onto the holographic screen.

Loki chuckled. "Oh, you know, a little trickery here, a bit of espionage there. The angels are so busy fighting this war that they let their guard down just enough for us to discover this little secret hehehe~"

I nodded, appreciating Loki's resourcefulness. "Do we have a plan to get her out?"

"Not yet, but now that we know where she is, we can start working on one," Loki said, his tone turning serious. "It won't be easy. The cage is heavily guarded, and the Warden is no pushover. We'll need a detailed strategy and the right allies to pull this off."

"I'll do whatever it takes to get her back," I said firmly.

Loki nodded; his usual playful demeanor momentarily replaced by genuine resolve.

"I know you will. And I'll help you every step of the way. But we need to be smart about this. Rushing in without a plan will only get us killed."

I nodded at his words…. 'Elena just little bit more and you'll be free…. And I swear I will kill every last one of those doves that's surrounding you.'