In truth, this city's environment wasn't very good—the air pollution was quite severe.
When they first arrived, Raven could clearly see from above the countless chimneys of workshops, all belching black smoke.
The sound of hammering rang incessantly throughout the streets—you could hear it no matter where you walked.
The city's noisy and industrial atmosphere was completely different from the Magic Kingdom and Orario.
The locals made their living forging equipment, and Raven could understand that.
But in terms of prosperity?
The Magic Kingdom took first place, followed by the Dungeon City.
Compared to those, this City of Forging was significantly behind.
Now that Ryuu had returned—
It was time to bring Goddess Astraea back to Orario as well.
Originally, she had relocated here just to oversee the forging of new weapons for Ryuu.
Astraea had been certain—
When Ryuu completed her long journey and found her answer to justice,
The awakened elf would surely need new strength and starlight.
So she had requested help from a blacksmith born here—Cecil—
And welcomed her into the Familia.
Soon after, they gathered in the not-so-large mess hall of the base.
All eighteen people squeezed around the table, creating a warm and boisterous atmosphere.
The delicious food prepared by Ryuu's juniors was full of delicacies:
Abalone, lobster, scallops, sea cucumbers—you name it, and it whetted your appetite at a glance.
Astraea, exuding her gentle motherly aura, smiled from ear to ear,
Her face always radiating a warm and elegant presence.
The natural affection she emanated made it seem like she could never get angry.
She watched over her children with soft eyes, studying each of their faces.
Even though she knew that Alise, Kaguya, Lyra, and the others hadn't truly "revived"…
Just being able to spend time with them again—that alone was enough.
Ryuu also explained her decision to transfer to the Hestia Familia.
As for that—
Astraea believed it was fate, written in the stars, and thus accepted Ryuu's choice.
"Raven…"
"I heard from Leon that you passed through the Magic Kingdom?"
That question came from Liana, who was born there and couldn't help but be curious.
Seated beside Ryuu, Raven chewed on a piece of abalone and explained:
"Yeah. Originally, I planned to shop till I dropped—
But in the end… it turned into a zero-cost spree."
In truth, Altana, the Magic Kingdom, was a very powerful nation.
Even though Liana was a capable mage, she'd been considered below average back in her homeland.
Still, her mastery of magic exceeded that of even Ryuu and Celty,
And she had personally taught Ryuu the technique of parallel chanting.
"Zero… cost?"
"There's something like that?"
Cecil was stunned.
Raven swallowed another bite before continuing:
"Well, it's a long story…"
"It's not like I wanted things to go that way."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Kaguya, eyes squinting with mischief, flashed a wicked grin.
The others leaned in with curiosity.
Even Goddess Astraea batted her eyes at him several times.
One could say—
The things Raven had done in the Magic Kingdom were unimaginable to any justice-bound Familia.
"…Ryuu, why don't you explain it to them?"
Raven gestured.
There was no denying it—
Altana was indeed a strong country. Most mages there were already Level 2,
And their elite commanders were typically Level 3 or 4.
After a while…
Once Ryuu had finished recounting the events, everyone looked completely stunned.
"So that's what the Magic Kingdom's like…"
Liana, surprisingly calm, offered a wry smile.
Even though they were a justice-oriented Familia, they weren't blindly naive.
Raven's retaliation had merely returned the favor in kind.
He wasn't the type to go around looting, burning, or killing the innocent.
"Raven, do you really plan to go to war with the Loki Familia and Freya Familia?"
Astraea changed the subject.
She already knew that Alise, Kaguya, and the others had reached top-tier adventurer status.
Their combat power—
Could rival the two ruling factions of the city.
"Yes."
"My Familia is still small. I can barely gather ten people right now."
"That's why I want to expand—
To absorb strong allies and build the world's most powerful Familia."
"And then, we'll conquer every floor of the Dungeon—
Until we challenge the legendary Black Dragon."
This ultimate quest—one that had persisted for over a thousand years—
Was Raven's final goal.
The very dream that all adventurers of the world longed to fulfill.
"But…"
"Even the mighty Zeus Familia and Hera Familia were crushed by the Black Dragon…"
Cecil said hesitantly.
And she wasn't wrong.
Those ancient factions were arguably the strongest in human history.
But before the Black Dragon?
They were crushed like stray dogs.
That wasn't slander—it was fact.
The Calamity Dragon represented a despair unlike any other.
So it was no surprise that Ryuu's juniors—
Felt fear and unease in the face of such an incomprehensible threat.
"Don't worry. Just believe in me."
"I can even summon members of those two strongest Familias using magic."
In front of Goddess Astraea—
Raven laid everything bare, revealing his trump cards.
With this knowledge—
The girls could at least find confidence to stand their ground.
As the juniors stared in wide-eyed shock,
Alise placed her hand on her chest and declared with a radiant smile:
"Don't be scared, everyone."
"Thanks to Raven, I've been revived, and I'm stronger than ever!"
"I'll lead us to victory against the Black Dragon—yes, I will!"
"Hey hey hey."
"You idiot captain—aren't we relying on Lord Raven to kill that thing?"
Kaguya sighed and shook her head.
Raven chuckled and corrected them:
"No no, you've got it wrong."
"It's not just me—it's everyone's combined strength."
"You are my power too."
"And that's why…"
His gaze shifted toward the goddess.
"Goddess Astraea… I want your strength."
"Of course."
Astraea smiled warmly and agreed.
"Now then… what would you like me to do?"
What should she do?
Of course—Raven would rely on the passive effect of his "Chaotic Dance of Demons" skill:
The fourth passive—when sharing a room with a goddess,
There's a chance to gain divine power, permanently enhancing his magic.
By drawing out Astraea's divine essence,
He could strengthen his own magic potential.
Of course…
He couldn't let the girls know about this.
He'd have to explain everything privately to the goddess herself.
That gentle and noble Goddess of Justice…
Surely—
She wouldn't refuse, right?
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