"[—Cycle Summon]"
With Raven's clear voice, a pitch-black magic circle lit up.
From it, the figures of ten girls gradually appeared.
"These are… the seniors?!"
"Th-this… this can't be real!"
Cecil stood up in shock, her face full of disbelief.
"Alise, Kaguya, Lyra, Neze, Neun, Astaire—"
"Liana, Celty, Iska, Maryuu…"
"Everyone—!"
Astraea, her gentle smile lost, covered her mouth in stunned disbelief.
"Awaken."
Raven willed it silently, releasing the mental seals on them.
"R-Raven… L-Lady Astraea?"
The first to awaken, Alise, opened her green eyes slightly wider.
Their gazes met.
And in that brief moment, countless emotions passed silently between them.
"Lady Astraea—!"
The others, overjoyed, also cried out in unison:
"We've come to see you!"
Cecil stood frozen, unable to process what was happening.
Ryuu smiled softly.
"All right, I know you have a lot to say."
"Take your time and reunite with Lady Astraea properly."
Raven couldn't help but smile as he watched tears well in the goddess's eyes.
It had been five years.
A full five years.
And now, the once-lost warriors of the Astraea Familia—her brave girls of justice—had all returned.
Astraea, stunned, felt a single nostalgic tear fall down her cheek.
Her nose burned, her throat choked up.
She knew this wasn't a dream or a memory—it was real.
She never imagined...
That she'd see her beloved children again.
This—this was her Familia.
The famed Astraea Familia of Orario.
Back then, their reputation had been on par with the Loki Familia and Freya Familia.
Memories long buried surged to the surface in an unstoppable tide.
Tears streamed freely down the goddess's cheeks.
The scene was...
Like a mother seeing her children return after years apart.
Alise, Lyra, Liana, and the others rushed forward and hugged their goddess tightly.
Letting their beloved mother feel their warmth once again.
It was a long-awaited embrace.
A reunion filled with joy.
Back then...
They had left without even a proper farewell.
And as Ryuu begged, blinded by revenge—
Astraea, worn down by exhaustion, grief, and disappointment, quietly left Orario.
The lonely goddess wandered far, enduring pain and isolation.
...
Now, the reunion was heartwarming beyond words.
While they basked in their emotions—
Raven quietly walked up to Cecil and gently patted her shoulder.
Ahem ahem…
"Let's talk. I'd like to discuss something with you."
Cecil snapped out of her daze and nodded.
Without disturbing the reunion upstairs, they moved to a quiet room on the second floor.
Outside, night had already fallen.
"Ever thought about moving to Orario?"
Raven didn't bring up his summoning magic. He went straight to the point.
He was genuinely interested in this 17-year-old blacksmith girl.
If he could get them to return, they would become the most loyal allies to his faction.
In other words—
Raven hoped they could become an affiliate of the Hestia Familia.
And since the canon didn't include Welf in this version, Cecil could take his place as their weapon maker.
"Eh?!"
Cecil's eyes widened as she let out a long gasp.
"M-Mister Raven… are you serious?"
Raven looked at her calmly:
"I'm not joking."
"You're Level 3, right? I can boost you up in no time."
As for Lady Astraea?
She seemed like a reasonable goddess.
And with Alise, Kaguya, Lyra, and Ryuu vouching for him, she'd surely agree.
So really…
The only obstacle left was this new captain.
If she agreed—
Then the entire Astraea Familia could return to the Dungeon City of Orario.
And their base, Hearth Manor, was more than large enough to house 500 or 600 people.
In the spacious backyard—
Raven had already built two luxurious three-story villas just in case.
That way, they wouldn't run into housing issues even if their Familia grew rapidly.
Worst case scenario—
He'd just spend his own money and negotiate with Guild official Royman to reacquire Twilight Manor.
That old base was also in the southwest district—right near Hearth Manor.
"Wait… power boost?"
Cecil looked puzzled, momentarily stunned.
"Yup."
"Let me put it plainly—I'm basically a walking cheat code."
Raven laughed casually.
Seeing her fall silent, he added:
"My Familia's long-term goal is to slay the legendary dragon of the end."
"And right now, we're in the middle of major development. That's why I want your strength."
When Ryuu had explained his background to Astraea earlier—
Cecil had also learned that Raven was the leader of the Hestia Familia, known as the Heavenly Feather Demon Lord.
Famous for leveling up at lightning speed—reaching Level 4 within a single month.
She didn't doubt his claims at all.
To be honest—
As a native of Zolingen, Cecil had always dreamed of seeing the outside world.
Especially the Dungeon City, known as the center of the world.
If possible, she'd love to become an adventurer.
Instead of living in this sword-making city where thick smoke choked the skies…
Where all she did every day was forge weapons—and then forge some more.
"All right."
"Take us with you to Orario."
Cecil smiled and agreed.
Raven's eyes shone with satisfaction, and he smiled back.
"No problem."
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PS: They'll be heading back to Orario soon. Thank you so much for the huge wave of votes, everyone!
Sorry for the delays today—life got in the way. I'll start with 3 updates tomorrow, I promise!
Lastly, please vote and send some flowers, dear readers!
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