The atmosphere at Empyrean Citadel was serene, a rare tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of Orario.
A gentle breeze softly rustled the leaves, producing a soothing sound. The scent of freshly bloomed flowers mingled with the clean air, creating a harmony that made anyone present feel drowsy and tempted to fall asleep.
And that's exactly what happened. Perhaps due to exhaustion after an intense training session, Charlie had unknowingly fallen into a deep sleep in his folding chair.
On the well-maintained green lawn, Est rode atop the White Tiger, now grown to the size of a normal tiger, darting around with agility and enthusiasm.
On the terrace, Aishia sat in a chair, occasionally popping a cookie into her mouth, enjoying an afternoon snack. Across from her, Astraea sat gracefully, reading a thick book, her face radiating calm.
Closing the book in her hands, Astraea sipped her now-cooling tea. The peace she felt was so profound that she couldn't help but recall the days when Astraea Familia still existed.
"Haa… I wonder how Ryuu is doing now. I hope she's no longer blinded by hatred."
The image of a naive, blonde-haired elf flashed in her mind. Astraea could only pray that Ryuu was living well, finding the same peace she felt now.
Thanks to the one-way mirror barrier Charlie had set up around Empyrean Citadel, outsiders saw only a prearranged illusion—a beautiful, uninhabited garden. In contrast, those inside the Citadel could clearly see the situation beyond the perimeter fence.
Astraea watched the passersby. Given Empyrean Citadel's proximity to Babel Tower, most were clad in armor and carried cold weapons, indicating their profession as adventurers.
Shifting her gaze from the street, Astraea glanced at Charlie, sleeping soundly. She recalled the extraordinary swordsmanship the young man had practiced.
"Since the gods descended and spread their blessings, the children of the lower world have relied heavily on Falna instead of honing their techniques, making heroes with exceptional skills like those of ancient times exceedingly rare."
"On the other hand, despite his rapid level-up progression that even broke records, Charlie isn't like other adventurers who rely solely on Falna. Moreover, he's a genius among geniuses."
"Becoming stronger doesn't happen overnight; it's the result of talent, hard work, sweat, and blood accumulated over time. Having great talent only means you start higher than others."
"If only I had met him earlier…"
The murmur slipped from her lips, a faint but sincere regret.
How could Astraea not recognize Charlie's extraordinary nature?
Though she hadn't known him long, she admired his kind, humble character paired with unexpected strength—perfectly aligning with her personal preferences.
Unfortunately, there's no such thing as "if" in this world.
"Hera truly found a gem."
Knowing Hera, Astraea was shocked to learn she had accepted a man into her Familia. After all, both of them had built female-oriented Familias.
Hera's decision to take in Charlie, a man, was an anomaly that only highlighted how exceptional the young man was.
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The sun began to set on the horizon, painting the sky with stunning hues of orange, red, and purple.
The golden light of dusk flooded the Labyrinth City of Orario, casting a final warmth before nightfall. Birds flew back to their nests, their silhouettes dancing in the sky.
Outside the city gates, farmers in tattered clothing, hoes slung over their weary shoulders, trudged back from the fields beyond Orario. Their faces were smudged with dirt and sweat, yet a simple satisfaction shone in their eyes. They had completed their day's work, ready to rest at home.
In contrast, the scene around Babel Tower was far grimmer. Adventurers gradually emerged from the gaping Dungeon pit beneath the tower, a source of livelihood and a deadly abyss.
They looked exhausted, some limping with crudely bandaged wounds, their faces covered in dust. Not all adventurers returned safely.
Though adventuring was a lucrative profession without the strict requirements of other skilled trades, it was highly dangerous.
In fact, adventurers died in the Dungeon every day, whether due to monster attacks or even from other adventurers.
Every adventurer who returned safely knew they could easily have been among those who didn't.
That evening, Empyrean Citadel received three guests—more precisely, a god, a goddess, and a human woman. They stood before the grand gate, waiting patiently.
*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*
The sound of knocking echoed clearly in the tranquil dusk. The one knocking was a god wearing a distinctive feathered hat—Hermes.
Beside him stood a goddess with a blue ribbon, Hestia, and a human woman with aqua-blue hair and glasses—none other than Asfi.
Soon after, the door was opened by a beautiful girl with peach-colored hair, Aishia.
"A Spirit?!"
Hestia exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the girl.
"Oh, right, this is Hestia's first time seeing a spirit, isn't it? Quite a normal reaction." Hermes chuckled, amused by Hestia's shock. He knew Hestia was a new goddess in Orario, so this was a novel experience for her.
"What's your business?" Aishia asked in a flat tone, showing none of the usual reverence given to gods.
"Is Charlie home?" Hermes got straight to the point, his smile still bright. "We have something to discuss with him."
"Come in."
Nodding, Aishia opened the door wider, letting the three guests enter and closing it gently behind them.
As Hestia and the others stepped inside, their eyes immediately fell on an unexpected sight. There, seated gracefully on a sofa, was Astraea.
"Astraea? What are you doing here?!"
Hestia was shocked again, this time seeing an acquaintance in the residence of Hera Familia.
"Hestia? Hermes? An unexpected combination." Astraea replied, a friendly smile on her face. "As for your question, Hestia, I live here."
She glanced briefly at Hermes, knowing he likely had a hidden agenda behind this visit.
"So you're living here… Isn't it improper for a goddess to stay at another goddess's Familia headquarters?"
"Hestia, we have important business." Hermes interjected gently, stopping Hestia from probing further into Astraea's sensitive personal matters.
"Oh, right." Hestia nodded, realizing the situation.
Compared to Bell's safety, her curiosity about Astraea's choices was far less important at the moment.