Point of View: Ryuu Lion
The silence that followed the god Ellen's departure was almost as heavy as his presence. Ryuu clenched her fists, trying to control the anger that still burned in her chest. That god's words resonated in her mind like an annoying echo that refused to fade.
"What is your definition of justice? If you don't have an answer to that... the justice you refer to is a twisted thing that is worse than anything any evildoer can imagine."
Ryuu shook her head forcefully. No. That god was wrong. She knew why she fought. She knew what justice meant to her and her companions. It wasn't self-satisfaction. It was...
"Lion."
Maryuu's soft voice pulled her from her thoughts. Ryuu blinked and realized she had been staring at the ground, lost in her musings.
"Yes?" she responded, trying to keep her voice neutral.
Maryuu gave her an understanding look. "Come on. There are still people who need our help. Especially those with cursed weapon wounds."
Ryuu nodded, grateful for the distraction. She was right. This wasn't the time to immerse herself in dark thoughts. There was work to be done.
The next hour passed like a blur of activity. Ryuu concentrated on using her healing magic on those who could still be saved, while Maryuu did the same beside her. They had already healed most people thanks to Jaune's help, but there were still those who were trapped in rubble.
They also stabilized those with cursed weapon wounds until Airmid Teasanare's arrival, which was a welcome relief. The young silver-haired healer, known as Dea Saint for her extraordinary ability to heal even the most serious wounds, immediately got to work with the cursed weapon victims.
Ryuu observed with professional respect while Airmid worked. Her hands moved with surgical precision, her magic flowing steadily and controlled. Unlike the general healing that Ryuu and Maryuu could provide, Airmid possessed a special gift for counteracting the effects of curses.
"Dia fratel," Airmid sang, her voice clear and melodious. A green magic circle glowed at her feet; this magic enveloped several people in a greenish glow. A man whose leg had been pierced by a cursed sword began to heal. The necrotic flesh began to regenerate slowly; the wound that could have been fatal and affected the person's life ceased to be so in a few minutes.
Ryuu allowed herself a small sigh of relief. Thanks to everyone's combined efforts, especially Jaune Arc's early intervention, the number of fatalities had been significantly less than it could have been.
Jaune Arc.
The blond knight's name returned to her mind. Ryuu bit her lower lip, guilt twisting in her stomach like a snake. She had lost control. She had struck someone who was only trying to help. Someone who...
"Don't blame yourself so much, Lion," Kaguya said, approaching her with her usual serene expression. "That guy has a ridiculously strong barrier. You barely scratched him."
"That's no excuse," Ryuu murmured, lowering her gaze. "I lost control. I could have killed him if he had been a normal person."
Kaguya sighed. "You're right. It was reckless. But you already apologized, and he forgave you. There's no point in flagellating yourself over it now." She paused. "Though I admit that god is particularly irritating. Even I felt like hitting him."
Despite her somber mood, Ryuu felt her lips curve slightly. Coming from Kaguya, that was almost a confession of vulnerability.
"Still," Kaguya continued, crossing her arms, "I have to admit that knight boy is impressive. Facing Arachnia, being new to Orario... that takes guts. Or stupidity. Possibly both."
"Bravery," Ryuu corrected softly. "It's bravery."
Kaguya raised an eyebrow. "Already defending him? Well, well. The knight gentleman must have made a good impression."
Ryuu's cheeks flushed slightly. "It's not that. I'm just being fair."
"Mmm," Kaguya looked at her with amusement. "If you say so."
Before Ryuu could respond, Alise approached them, her expression still serious but with a touch of relief.
"Girls, good work. Thanks to our combined efforts, we were able to minimize casualties." She looked around. "Airmid-san is finishing with the last critical cases. Once she's done, we should—"
"Astraea-sama."
Everyone turned at the sound of the familiar voice. Ryuu felt her heart lighten at seeing her goddess approaching, her expression worried but relieved to see them all unharmed. Beside her walked another female figure that Ryuu recognized.
"Dia-sama," Maryuu murmured with surprise.
The goddess Dia was a gentle and maternal presence, known in Orario for her work with orphans. Her long black hair framed a face of serene beauty, and her green eyes shone with concern and relief.
"My girls," Astraea said, approaching quickly. Her dark blue eyes seemed like the depths of a starry ocean as they scanned each one, verifying that none were injured. "Thank the gods you're all okay."
"Astraea-sama," Alise smiled, bowing respectfully. "I'm sorry to worry you. The attack was sudden, but we managed to respond quickly."
Astraea nodded, but her eyes rested on Ryuu for a longer moment. Ryuu felt that her goddess could see directly into her soul, perceiving the emotional turbulence she was trying to hide. But Astraea said nothing, simply giving her a reassuring smile before turning to Dia.
"Dia, these are my daughters," Astraea introduced with pride. "Alise Lovell, my captain. Kaguya Goujono, my vice-captain. Ryuu Lion, Lyra, Maryuu Reage..." She continued introducing each of those present.
Dia bowed her head gracefully. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I've heard much about the Astraea Familia and your dedication to justice."
"The pleasure is ours, Dia-sama," Alise responded with a warm smile. Then, her expression became curious. "If it's not indiscreet, what brings you here? I didn't know you had a Familia in Orario."
A shy expression crossed Dia's face. "Ah, well... that's because technically it's very recent. In fact, I came to look for my new child. I was wondering if you had seen him. His name is Jaune Arc."
The effect was instantaneous. All of Astraea's girls tensed, exchanging surprised looks.
"Jaune is your child?" Lyra asked, her eyes widening. "A blond knight who is a bit tall?"
Dia blinked, surprised. "Yes, that's him. Do you know him? Is he okay?" Concern tinged her voice. "When the attack began, he insisted on going to help. I gave him my Falna just before he left, but I haven't heard anything from him since then."
"That's what he told us," Kaguya nodded. Then she put a hand on her chin. "He must have updated his Falna today and just before the attack—honestly, you're lucky nothing happened to you."
"We're not that close to the attack, so there was no problem, but..." Dia confirmed, before stopping and looking at the girls' faces. "Why? Did something bad happen?"
"No. Nothing bad," Alise rubbed the back of her neck, a smile of admiration curving her lips. "Dia-sama, if it hadn't been for Jaune... who directly faced Arachnia. One of the level 5 executives of Evilus. Things would have escalated for the worse."
Dia's face paled. "What? But he—"
"He's fine," Alise hastened to add, raising her hands in a placating gesture. "In fact, he's more than fine. He managed to keep Arachnia occupied long enough for us to arrive as reinforcements. He saved countless lives."
"And then," Maryuu continued, her voice tinged with amazement, "he used his strange ability to heal dozens of people. Even those of us who were exhausted, he completely revitalized us."
Dia brought a hand to her chest, her eyes shining with tears of relief. "So... he's okay? Where is he now?"
"The last time we saw him," Kaguya said, her tone dry, "he was having a charming private conversation with a certain problematic god."
Astraea frowned. "What god?"
"Ellen," Ryuu spat, unable to contain the disgust in her voice.
The goddess Astraea sighed, shaking her head before smiling ironically, while the goddess Dia only looked confused.
"Ellen?" Astraea repeated, her expression becoming curious. "The black-haired god with closed eyes?"
"The same," Alise confirmed with a sigh. "He appeared after the attack, helped a bit, and then... well, proceeded to be as provocative as always."
"I haven't met him personally, but after they told me, I investigated a bit, and according to reports, Ellen has a habit of meddling where he's not called," Astraea murmured, her brow furrowed. "And of asking questions that destabilize people." She looked at Ryuu with understanding. "Did he bother you?"
Ryuu tightened her jaw. "He questioned our justice. He said that everything we do is for self-satisfaction. That our justice is something twisted."
Astraea sighed deeply. "Most gods are like that, Ryuu. Always trying to force people to question their beliefs. Some do it for fun, others out of curiosity." She put a hand on Ryuu's shoulder. "Don't let his words disturb you, Ryuu. He doesn't understand what true justice means. Not like us."
Before Ryuu could respond, Dia spoke, her voice concerned. "But why would Ellen want to talk to Jaune? He barely arrived in Orario today."
"Probably for the same reason he bothered us," Kaguya said with a snort. "That god has a sickening obsession with interrogating people about their beliefs."
"Or," Celty intervened thoughtfully, adjusting her glasses, "maybe he saw something in Jaune-san that intrigued him. After all, it's not every day you see someone face a level 5 being new to the city."
Lyra nodded. "And that magical shield of his would definitely call attention. Not to mention that strange healing ability."
"Healing ability?" Dia commented to herself, blinking. Of his abilities, it wasn't one she remembered, but from what little she knew, many abilities can be like that and have branches of the same.
"Among other things," Alise said with a smile. "His ability is quite versatile. He can strengthen, heal, and restore people's energy. He did it with all of us after we exhausted some of our energy fighting."
Dia remained silent for a moment, processing the information. Ryuu could see the conflicting emotions on the goddess's face—relief that her child was okay, pride in his actions, and concern about what having such power might mean. Above all, in a dark time where calling attention can be both good and bad.
"And are we sure he's level 1?" Astraea asked, her tone carefully neutral. She was curious, but she wasn't going to insist on the matter.
"In fact," the goddess Dia confirmed. "Jaune had no blessing before today."
That surprised all the girls, who were about to deny their goddess's affirmation of level 1. Ryuu was very surprised after all. How is it possible for a level 1 to stand up to a level 5? Even with Jaune's abilities, it was practically impossible.
A heavy silence fell over the group with disbelief.
Kaguya was the first to speak. "Wait, seriously?" She didn't want to contradict the goddess Dia, but that statement was almost impossible to believe. "After all, a Level 1 could never face a Level 5."
Alise scratched her chin while nodding with disbelief and surprise. "If it's true. Then we've found a good ally for our situation—it's like one of those stories when people didn't need God's blessing."
Everyone understood the implications. A level 1 who could keep pace against a level 5, even if briefly, was unprecedented. Adding to that, his unique abilities...
"He's special," Dia said softly, breaking the silence. "From the moment I gave him my Falna, I could feel it. Jaune is... different. He has great potential." She paused, biting her lip. "Although I can't share the details of his Status, I can tell you he will be important. For Orario. For all of us."
Astraea nodded slowly. "Then it's good that he came to help us—every ally in this fight is important. But we must keep in mind that if Evilus finds out about a level 1 with such potential..."
"They'll hunt him," Kaguya finished somberly. "Like they did with many other people."
A chill ran through Ryuu as she remembered those incidents caused by these vile beings. Evilus showed no mercy when it came to eliminating potential threats. Most were hunted in the dungeon, which is why people feared even entering it.
"Then we won't let that happen," Alise declared firmly. "Jaune helped us today. It's only fair we return the favor."
The other girls murmured their agreement. Even Kaguya, who rarely showed such commitment to strangers, nodded with approval.
Dia smiled, tears of gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you. All of you. You don't know how much this means to me."
Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice called their attention.
"Lady Dia?"
Everyone turned to see Jaune approaching. He looked tired but unharmed, his armor still stained with dust and debris from combat. In his hand, he carried something—it appeared to be a small leather bag.
Ryuu felt something in her chest lighten at seeing him. He was okay. Despite everything—facing Arachnia, healing dozens of people, dealing with Ellen—he was standing and walking.
"Jaune," Dia ran to him, stopping just before hugging him, remembering they had barely met. Instead, she scanned him up and down with worried eyes. "Are you okay? Were you hurt?"
Jaune gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Dia-sama. A bit tired, but nothing serious." His eyes rested on the Astraea girls, and his smile widened. "We meet again. I hope you're all well."
"You should worry more about yourself, knight gentleman," Kaguya said with a mocking smile. "You're the one who was fighting against a level 5 psychopath."
Jaune laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, well... someone had to do it. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time I've fought against someone who far surpasses me."
Seeing the confusion and curiosity, Jaune explained. "Where I come from, there are also conflicts. Once, I fought against a scorpion Demi-Human along with my team and Ruby. If it weren't for Ruby's uncle, who saved our lives, I wouldn't be here to tell about it."
Celty, who knew all existing races, looked at Jaune with confusion and intrigue. "I've never heard of a scorpion-type Demi-Human. What was it like?"
Jaune crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Well, he was exactly like humans, just with a scorpion tail. Oh, and the stinger was poisonous. Anyway, Tyrian was a complete psychopath and a religious fanatic. As dangerous to deal with as this Arachnia, if not more," Jaune commented, remembering the madman's Semblance. At least Arachnia couldn't penetrate his aura.
Tyrian may not be as intelligent as Arachnia, but he's definitely not a fool, after all. You don't get strong just by being crazy. Jaune briefly wondered what would happen if these two met.
Lyra looked at him with a questioning eyebrow. "A person as dangerous as Arachnia? How is it we haven't heard of him?"
Jaune shook his head. "I come from very far away, so it's natural you haven't heard of him. Even then, anyone who faced him received the death penalty, since the dead don't create rumors. We only knew him because he was after my friend."
Ryuu saw how several of her friends had various questions, but seeing Jaune's expression, they came to the assumption that it was a delicate topic and it was better not to address it—after all, he barely knew them. Ryuu wanted to give him some words of support, but before she could, Alise acted.
Alise approached, her expression curious, and skillfully changed the subject. "And what about your conversation with Ellen-sama? What did you talk about?"
Jaune's expression became more ironic, between amused and exasperated. "He talked about the same thing as with Ryuu. He asked me why mortals throw themselves into danger despite the chances of death."
"And what did you tell him?" Ryana asked with genuine curiosity. Jaune looked at her with curiosity since he hadn't spoken with her until now.
Jaune shrugged. "That each person has their own reasons. Some out of duty, others for love, some for redemption..." His voice faded for a moment. "We all have our motives."
Kaguya snorted. "That god is obsessed with those philosophical questions. As if he had nothing better to do."
"Actually," Jaune said with an ironic smile, "he seemed particularly obsessed with justice. Or at least, with questioning the concept of it."
Dia blinked, confused. "Justice? Who exactly are you talking about?"
Jaune looked at Dia with surprise. "You don't know the god Ellen, Lady Dia?"
"Well, I heard about him once, but I didn't give it importance," Dia admitted. "I don't usually interact with gods outside my circle, so I don't know anything about him. Why? What happened?"
Jaune briefly explained the encounter with Ellen, how the god had questioned Ryuu about justice, and then had taken him to a private conversation about the same topic.
"I see," Dia murmured, her expression worried. "I suppose this Ellen is going to earn a reputation for being... provocative. I hope he didn't bother you too much."
"Not really," Jaune said honestly. "Though I understand why Ryuu got so upset. His questions are designed to make people doubt themselves."
Ryuu felt her shoulders tense involuntarily. Jaune noticed and gave her an understanding look.
"If I may comment," Jaune continued, looking directly at Ryuu, "I don't think what you do is self-satisfaction. And I definitely don't think your justice is twisted."
Ryuu blinked, surprised. "Eh?"
"Ellen was wrong," Jaune said firmly. "Yes, it's true that helping others makes us feel good. But that doesn't mean it's the only reason we do it. The real question is: would you do it even if it didn't make you feel good? Even if it were difficult, painful, and no one thanked you for it?" He paused. "And something tells me your answer would be yes."
Ryuu's heart beat strongly in her chest. Jaune's words resonated deeply within her, dispelling the doubts Ellen had planted.
"I... thank you," she murmured, lowering her gaze.
Alise smiled widely. "Well said, Jaune. So, what did you tell Ellen when he asked you about justice?"
Jaune thought for a moment. "I told him that the concept of justice depends on each person. There's no universal definition." He stopped, choosing his words carefully. "For me, justice is following your own moral compass. Acting according to what you believe is right, even when it's difficult. Even when you're afraid."
"And what is right for you?" Ryuu asked before she could stop herself.
Jaune looked at her, and Ryuu saw something dark and painful in his blue eyes. "Protecting those who can't protect themselves. Giving them hope when they've lost it. And..." his expression hardened, "stopping those who would deliberately cause suffering."
"But to achieve any of those things," he continued, "you need strength. Ideals without power to back them up are just empty words. And power without ideals is tyranny." He clenched his fist. "A balance between both is needed."
Astraea nodded with approval. She gave him a sweet smile. "A wise answer. Too often, people focus only on one or the other."
"Although," Kaguya added in her usual dry tone, "that's still quite naive. Like Lion, you seem like the type who would throw yourself into fire for a stranger without thinking about the possible consequences."
Jaune looked directly into her eyes, and Ryuu saw the absolute determination in his gaze. "I would," he said simply. "And I'd die for it if necessary."
An uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Even Kaguya seemed briefly disconcerted by the conviction in his voice.
"Although," Jaune added quickly, "I have no intention of dying. I still have many things to do." His gaze drifted into the distance, and Ryuu saw something—pain, anger, determination—pass across his face. "I have promises to keep. People I wish to protect. And..." his jaw tightened, "pending accounts to settle."
The air around Jaune seemed to change for a moment, becoming heavier, darker. Ryuu felt a chill run down her back for an instant, the same instant that Jaune's hard gaze lasted. Ryuu wondered to herself about that gaze full of anger. And what could have caused it.
It wasn't momentary anger, like the one she had had a few hours ago, but rather it seemed something more personal and deeper than she believed.
Before anyone could comment on the tense moment, a new voice interrupted.
"Excuse me."
Everyone turned to see Airmid Teasanare approaching, her long silver hair shining softly under the light of the setting sun. Her expression was tired but satisfied, and her purple eyes reflected the relief of a job well done.
"I finished healing all the people with cursed weapon wounds," she announced, discreetly wiping her hands on her dress. "Fortunately, thanks to the early intervention, we were able to save everyone who arrived in time."
Astraea smiled with genuine relief. "Airmid-san, thank you for your hard work. Without your help, many of those people wouldn't have survived."
Jaune stepped forward, his expression becoming somber. "I thank you too," he said, before lowering his gaze. "And... I'm sorry. For not having healed all the people with cursed weapons—if I had been able to heal them all, then maybe you wouldn't have had to work so hard. Maybe we would have saved more people."
The silence that followed was heavy. Ryuu saw how Jaune's fists tightened, his knuckles turning white under his gloves.
Dia immediately put a hand on Jaune's shoulder, her touch gentle but firm. "Jaune," she said in a soft voice but full of conviction, "you did more than enough. Thanks to you, many people are alive and healthy. Without your intervention, the casualties would have been much, much worse."
Jaune said nothing for a moment, only nodding thoughtfully with a furrowed brow. Ryuu could see the internal conflict in his eyes—the battle between gratitude for having saved lives and the guilt of not having been able to save more.
Finally, Jaune shook his head, as if physically discarding those dark thoughts. He turned to Airmid with a more composed expression, though Ryuu could still see the weight in his eyes.
"Excuse me," Jaune said, offering a small smile. "I haven't introduced myself properly. I'm Jaune Arc of the Dia Familia."
Airmid bowed her head politely. "Airmid Teasanare of the Dian Cecht Familia. The pleasure is mine."
"Are you okay?" Jaune asked, his tone genuinely concerned. "You must have used a lot of energy healing so many people."
Airmid blinked, surprised by the question. Most people assumed healers simply did their job without considering the cost to themselves. "I'm fine," she responded after a moment. "Just a bit tired. Nothing a good night's rest can't fix."
Jaune extended his hand in a handshake gesture. "Still, let me do something to help."
Airmid hesitated, looking at the extended hand with uncertainty. It wasn't common for strangers to offer help so directly, especially to someone they had just met. But there was something in Jaune's sincerity that made her trust him.
Slowly, she accepted his hand.
The effect was instantaneous.
Airmid gasped when a comforting warmth flowed through her. It was like immersing herself in a hot bath after a cold day, like the embrace of a loved one after a long separation. She felt how fatigue dissipated from her muscles, how her mind cleared from the fog of exhaustion, how her Mind reserve filled like a dry well receiving fresh rain.
Her body glowed with a soft light blue glow, and for a moment, Airmid felt like she could do anything.
Jaune released her hand after a few seconds, and the glow gradually faded. Airmid looked at him with wide eyes, her mouth slightly open in shock.
"I'm sorry," Jaune apologized immediately, misinterpreting her expression. "I should have asked first before using my ability, so at least you would have been prepared. It's just... well, I don't like seeing people exhausted when I can do something about it." He commented, lightly scratching his cheek.
"No, no," Airmid shook her head quickly, finding her voice. "It's okay. It's just that... what was that?" Her professional curiosity as a healer was activated. "I felt like my Mind recharged, and not only that. All my fatigue disappeared. It's as if I had slept eight full hours in just a few seconds."
The Astraea girls who had been observing in silence began to comment.
"It's always impressive to see it," Kaguya said with a mocking smile. "The knight gentleman's ability is quite impressive."
"And convenient," Lyra added. "Imagine having that on a long dungeon expedition. You'd never have to worry about running out of energy."
Celty approached, adjusting her glasses with academic enthusiasm. "If it's not indiscreet, Arc-san, I have some more questions about your ability." She stopped, biting her lip. "Though if you prefer not to answer, I understand perfectly. I know abilities are sensitive information and—"
"Relax. I already said I don't mind," Jaune interrupted with a reassuring smile. "Ask whatever you want."
Celty blushed slightly at his willingness, but continued. "You mentioned before that you can amplify people's souls. But what exactly does that mean? Is it similar to reinforcement magic? Or is it something completely different?"
Jaune thought for a moment, trying to find the right words. "It's... difficult to explain. It's not magic in the traditional sense. It's an ability—something innate to me. Basically, I can strengthen a person's essence, what you call soul, I suppose."
"When I do that," he continued, "I temporarily improve all their capabilities. Their strength, speed, endurance, healing speed, and even their mental energy." He paused. "Though I have to admit that replenishing someone's energy to maximum has a small cost."
"A cost?" Airmid asked, her expression becoming concerned. "Does using it hurt you?"
"Not exactly," Jaune hastened to clarify. "It's more like... when I completely recharge someone's energy, I use part of my own energy to do it. The more exhausted the person is, the more energy I have to use."
The girls exchanged concerned looks.
"But," Jaune added quickly, seeing their expressions, "that's not a problem because I can also recharge my own energy."
To demonstrate his point, Jaune closed his eyes and concentrated. His body began to glow with that characteristic whitish-golden glow, more intense than when he used it on others. The girls watched fascinated as the glow completely enveloped Jaune for a few seconds before fading.
When he opened his eyes, he looked completely renewed—any trace of tiredness had disappeared.
"See?" he said with a smile. "No problem."
"Amazing," Celty murmured, her eyes shining with scientific curiosity. "So you can use it unlimitedly? There's no limit?"
Jaune scratched the back of his neck with some embarrassment. "Well, there is a limit. If I use too much energy too quickly, I can run out temporarily. And when that happens..." he grimaced, remembering the times his aura had broken, "let's say I become vulnerable until it recharges naturally."
"I see," Celty nodded, processing the information. "So it's similar to Mind in that sense. You have a finite reserve that can be depleted if you're not careful."
"Exactly."
"And you don't require chanting?" Airmid asked, still fascinated. "I didn't hear any verbal activation."
"No," Jaune confirmed. "As I said, it's not magic. It's an ability. I don't need to use Mind or sing any spell. I just need to concentrate and... well, do it."
"Incredible," Airmid murmured. "A healing ability that doesn't require Mind. That makes you invaluable in massive emergency situations like today's."
Jaune shrugged, clearly uncomfortable with the praise. "I just do what I can."
Celty opened her mouth to ask another question, but then stopped, her cheeks tinting red. "Ah, I'm sorry. I'm asking too many questions again, aren't I? Excuse me, Arc-san. Sometimes I get too excited when I find something interesting and—"
"It's okay," Jaune interrupted with a soft laugh. "I really don't mind."
"Well... in that case," Celty adjusted her glasses, recovering some composure, "are there any restrictions on who you can affect?"
"Until recently, I needed physical contact," Jaune explained, remaining silent for a while before continuing. "But today I discovered that my ability... I suspect it evolved, thanks to the Falna. Now I can use it at a distance as long as I can 'connect' with the person." He made a vague gesture with his hands. "It's hard to explain. It's as if I could feel an invisible thread connecting me to people, and once I establish that connection, I can channel my energy through it."
"Fascinating," Celty murmured, her eyes practically glowing. "An ability that can evolve. I wonder if—"
"Celty," Kaguya interrupted with amusement, "I think you've interrogated the poor guy enough."
Celty blushed deeply, realizing she had been bombarding Jaune with questions. "Ah! I'm very sorry, Arc-san. I didn't mean to be so intrusive. It's just that your ability is so unique and—"
"Really, it's okay," Jaune reassured her with a genuine smile. "I'm glad I could explain it. Though" he looked toward the horizon, noticing how the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in oranges and reds, "I should go soon. I still have important matters to discuss with Lady Dia."
He turned to the Astraea girls, bowing slightly in a gesture of farewell. "Thank you all for your help today. It was an honor to work alongside you."
"The honor was ours," Alise responded with a bright smile. "Thanks to you, we were able to save many more lives than we could have alone."
"And," Kaguya added in her usual dry tone, "at least you proved not to be completely useless for being a level 1."
"Kaguya!" Maryuu scolded her, though she couldn't hide a small smile.
Jaune laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Ryuu, who had been observing in silence during most of the conversation, finally spoke. "Arc-san," she said, capturing his attention. "Be careful. Orario can be... dangerous for those who stand out too much."
Jaune looked at her, and Ryuu saw understanding in his eyes. He knew what she was referring to. "I'll keep that in mind," he responded seriously. "Thank you for the warning, Ryuu."
"Until next time, Jaune," Astraea bid farewell with a maternal smile. "And please, take care of my friend Dia. She has a very kind heart, but sometimes she's too trusting."
"I will," Jaune promised.
Airmid also said goodbye with a bow of her head. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Arc-san. I hope we can work together again in the future."
"The pleasure was mine, Airmid."
With one last wave, Jaune and Dia began to walk away. Ryuu watched them leave, noticing how Dia talked animatedly with her new child, her hands gesturing enthusiastically as she probably explained about his new life in the Dia Familia.
Jaune listened attentively, nodding occasionally, but Ryuu could see that his thoughts were elsewhere. There was a tension in his shoulders, a stiffness in his posture that spoke of deeper concerns.
"I have promises to keep. People to protect. And... pending accounts to settle."
Those words resonated in Ryuu's mind. Whoever the person Jaune was looking for was, whatever the pending account he needed to settle was, it was something that consumed him. Ryuu vaguely recognized that feeling. Though not so much that it overwhelmed her.
"Well," Airmid said, breaking the silence, "I should go too. I must report to Dian-sama about what happened today."
"Thank you again, Airmid-san," Astraea said. "Your help was invaluable."
Airmid shook her head modestly. "I only did my duty as a healer." She paused, looking in the direction where Jaune had disappeared. "Though I must admit Arc-san is interesting. His ability could revolutionize the way we handle massive emergencies."
"If he survives long enough to perfect it," Kaguya muttered somberly.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Everyone knew what she was referring to. A level 1 with so much potential would be a priority target for Evilus.
"I'm sure Jaune can take care of himself," Alise declared firmly. "I think he's one of those people who are too stubborn to die. Not to mention, he's strong, and with abilities like his, they put him at a great advantage against his opponents."
The other girls nodded in agreement.
Lyra nodded. "Not to mention he has that barrier, which we know nothing about."
Airmid said goodbye with one last bow before departing. The Astraea girls remained in the area, waiting for the arrival of the Ganesha Familia to give their official statements.
Ryuu sat on a piece of rubble, looking at the damaged streets that were now being cleaned by recovery teams. The event that was supposed to bring joy and hope to Orario had ended in tragedy. But thanks to the combined efforts of many, especially a blond knight who had thrown himself into danger without hesitation, things could have been much worse.
"What are you thinking about, Lion?" Maryuu asked, sitting beside her.
"About Ellen," Ryuu admitted after a moment. "About his questions about justice."
Maryuu grimaced. "That god has a particularly cruel way of asking questions."
"I still think he's wrong to think that about us, about me... Though a small part of me can't help but think he wasn't completely wrong," Ryuu said softly. "We do feel good when we help others. We do get satisfaction from it."
"But that's not the reason we do it," Maryuu insisted. "We're not like he suggested. We don't help people just to feel superior."
"I know," Ryuu nodded. "But his words... made me question briefly. What is really my definition of justice? You know? I couldn't help it."
"And did you find an answer?"
Ryuu thought about Jaune, about his words about following your own moral compass even when it's difficult. She thought about how he had said that justice requires both ideals and the strength to back them up.
"I think so," she finally said. "I fight because there are people who can't fight for themselves. I fight because someone must do what's right, even when it's difficult. Even when there's no reward." She paused. "And yes, it makes me feel good to be able to help. But I would still do it even if it didn't. Because it's the right thing to do."
Maryuu smiled. "That's a good answer, Lion."
"You think so?"
"Yes. And I think Astraea-sama would be proud to hear it."
As if summoned, Astraea approached them, her expression gentle. "What are you talking about, my girls?"
"About justice," Ryuu responded. "And about why we fight."
Astraea sat beside them, looking at the darkening sky. "It's a question we must all answer for ourselves," she said wisely. "There's no universally correct answer. Each person must find their own truth."
"And what is your truth, Astraea-sama?" Maryuu asked with curiosity.
Astraea smiled. "My truth is simple. I believe every life has value. I believe in giving people the chance to choose their own path. And I believe those who have the power to protect must use it to defend those who can't defend themselves." She looked at her daughters with pride. "And I see that same belief in each of you. That's why I'm so proud to be your goddess."
Ryuu felt warmth fill her chest. The doubts Ellen had planted didn't disappear completely, but they felt more manageable now.
The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted the moment. A large group from the Ganesha Familia, the "police" of Orario, as Ryuu sometimes jokingly called them, approached the area.
"Astraea Familia," the group's captain greeted them, a robust man with a badge identifying him as high-ranking. "Thank you for your assistance in controlling the situation. We need all of you to give your statements for our report."
"Of course," Astraea responded, standing up. "My daughters will cooperate fully."
The following hours passed in a series of tedious but necessary interviews. Each of the girls had to relate their version of events, describe the Evilus members they had faced, and provide any information that might be useful.
While waiting for her turn, Ryuu observed her companions. Alise talked animatedly with one of the officers, probably exaggerating her own contributions to make the story more dramatic. Kaguya gave her report with cold efficiency, without unnecessary embellishments. Lyra gestured dramatically while explaining something, probably the battle with the Evilus members.
Finally, it was Ryuu's turn. The officer who interviewed her was a serious middle-aged man who took meticulous notes.
"Lion-san," he began, "can you describe your version of events?"
Ryuu kept her account concise and factual, omitting her internal conflicts but making sure to mention Jaune's crucial contribution.
"A newcomer," the officer muttered, raising his eyebrows. "And you say he kept Arachnia occupied?"
"Yes," Ryuu confirmed. "His early intervention prevented many more casualties. Without him, the situation would have been significantly worse."
The officer noted that carefully. "And this person, Jaune Arc, where can we find him?"
"He's from the Dia Familia," Ryuu informed. "He just arrived in Orario today."
"Interesting," the officer murmured. "We'll definitely want to talk to him, too. Thank you for your cooperation, Lion-san."
When all the interviews were finished, the moon had already fully risen, bathing Orario in its silvery light. The damaged streets looked even more desolate under the night light, the shadows making the rubble look like crouching monsters.
"Well," Alise said, stretching, "I think we all deserve a good rest. It's been an incredibly long day."
"I agree," Astraea said. "Let's go home. Tomorrow we'll discuss today's events in more detail and plan our next steps."
As the group began walking back to their home, Ryuu stayed behind for a moment, looking in the direction where Jaune had disappeared.
Arc-san, she thought, something tells me your help will be important in our confrontation against Evilus. I'm not sure why, but I have that feeling about you.
Because Ryuu had seen that look in his eyes. That mixture of determination and hatred. She wondered what could have caused such hatred in someone as gentle and kind as him. Ryuu frowned.
The bastards can't stop ruining what they touch. She thought with disgust.
"Lion?" Alise's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Are you coming?"
"Yes," Ryuu responded, hurrying to catch up with them. "I was just thinking."
"About the knight gentleman," Kaguya said. It wasn't a question.
Ryuu didn't deny it. "It's strange. We barely know him, but I feel I can understand him somehow."
"It's because you have a way of thinking that can become similar," Astraea said wisely. "The difference between you is that Jaune seems to carry a weight on his shoulders. I'm sure his desire for justice is genuine, but it seems he moves forward partly out of revenge. The line between both can be very thin."
Ryuu clenched her fists. "Do you think he'll cross that line?"
"That," Astraea said, "will depend on him. And on the people around him. The people who care about him can be the anchor that keeps him on the right side of that line."
"Let's hope he never crosses it. The only thing I can do is support him. After all, I want to help him," Ryuu murmured. She wanted to help him partly out of shame for having hit him and partly because he was a kind person. After all, if he was willing to sacrifice himself for people even though they were strangers, the least she could do was prevent him from falling into a deep abyss.
Astraea smiled, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Exactly, my dear girl."
As they continued walking toward their home, Ryuu reflected on the day's events. It had begun with hope—a charity event meant to bring joy to Orario. It had ended in chaos and blood, but it had also revealed unexpected allies.
Jaune Arc.
A level 1 who had faced a level 5 without hesitation. A stranger with unique abilities and a clearly painful past. A knight with noble ideals, but also with a thirst for revenge.
What kind of person will you be, Arc-san? Ryuu wondered. Her curiosity about him increased, but this was something only time would tell.
But Ryuu was sure of one thing: Jaune Arc would change Orario. And she was sure it was for the better—his presence would be significant. After all, if he told the truth, he came on behalf of the school district. And if he came from there, it meant he was someone trustworthy.
And as the Astraea Familia finally arrived at their home, Ryuu made a silent promise. If Jaune began to lose himself in darkness, she would be there. Not to judge him, but to remind him that there is light even in the darkest moments.
After all, someone had done the same for her once. Remembering the day she was almost kidnapped, the day she met Alise.
It was the least she could do.
.
.
.
Timeline - 4 Days until the Great Feud.
.
Author's note: After so long, I hadn't updated because I had writer's block, not to mention my computer is super messed up and barely lets me write for a couple of hours before crashing. But being honest, most of the time I was busy with my studies—that combined with writer's block and PC failures didn't make me want to write, but here we are. And by the way, I almost have the next chapter ready. Expect it soon.
By the way, did you like the chapter? If you want to support my writing and help me continue, you can do so at ko-fi.com /paxkun12. Any support is very valuable to me and will help me a lot. This is not an obligation, and all my chapters and stories will always be free to read. Though your support will motivate me a lot, not to mention that if you want me to update any particular story, I'll do my best to do so. Everyone is welcome to enjoy it. PDT: Each donation will go toward the computer.