Lili didn't show any particular fear toward the Ganesha Familia, who were responsible for maintaining the peace in Orario. They generally had a positive image among adventurers.
The real issue now was underestimating the consequences of the Soma Familia's downfall.
Even Shakti, the captain known as the "Staff of the Elephant God," had come to the central plaza. She raised her head to look at the blue-haired woman walking toward her.
Her well-defined and elegant face bore a serious expression.
Even without considering her rank or strength, just meeting Shakti's gaze gave Lili a sense of pressure. But as long as she stuck to claiming ignorance…
Maybe she could buy Liang Yue some time?
"Captain Shakti."
A member of the guard unit accompanying Lili spoke respectfully, "This is the last remaining supporter of the Soma Familia—Liliruca."
Shakti gave a small nod, her gaze fixed on the slightly flustered Lili.
She had just returned from an expedition in the dungeon. From the looks of it, she already knew about the fall of the Soma Familia. The truth was likely close at hand.
But thinking about her god Ganesha's orders made her inexplicably frustrated.
She waved off her Familia members who were standing watch: "Continue maintaining order in Orario, especially monitoring any remaining movements from the dark factions."
With the others gone, Shakti once again scrutinized the small Pallum girl standing before her.
"Liliruca. Who is truly responsible for the destruction of the Soma Familia?" she asked, arms crossed, voice calm but expression indifferent.
"I'm just an ordinary supporter."
"Captain Shakti, your question seems a bit redundant." The pressure was certainly real, but Lili had long been tempered by working in low-ranking adventurer parties.
Her nerves were solid. Facing the questioning, she tilted her head slightly.
She smiled gently and asked in return, "Besides, Lady Shakti, didn't Lord Soma tell you I already left the Familia?"
"Or do you believe someone like me, who has no combat ability, could pull off something like that?"
"Leaving the Familia doesn't erase the deeds you've done in the past."
This was the worst-case scenario Shakti had anticipated—the supporter Lili completely denying any involvement. Unless there was solid evidence pointing to her...
It would take a long time to get anywhere.
Still, she didn't let it go. Her tone turned direct: "Based on the clues we've gathered so far, you were long oppressed by your Familia members."
"You're the prime suspect in the destruction of the Soma Familia."
"I even have reason to suspect you of colluding with the remnants of the dark factions. Please come with me to the Ganesha Familia headquarters."
The arrest went smoother than expected.
Mainly because Lili knew very well that, in front of a Level 5 adventurer, she had no chance of escaping. Before leaving the plaza with Shakti…
She removed her grayish-brown cloak's hood, revealing a youthful yet lovely face.
The girl's gentle smile was paired with words that struck at the heart: "Lady Shakti, does the Ganesha Familia, charged with maintaining order, also handle reports from common adventurers?"
"..."
"Or is it that reports submitted by adventurers about extortion and blackmail by Soma Familia members weren't considered worthy of action?"
Shakti's steps faltered, though she quickly regained her composure.
That wasn't a valid justification for a massacre. She wanted to explain that Orario had many incidents to deal with—but the words wouldn't come out.
If only the Astraea Familia were still around...
Silent, she finally gritted her teeth and said, "I'm truly sorry for the mistreatment you endured in the past—but what you did this time went way too far!"
For Hestia, nothing made her happier than Liang Yue returning safely from a dungeon expedition, updating his status, and spending time alone together.
But even though it was just another status update…
She couldn't shake a strange, heavy feeling in her chest. Liang Yue had actually followed her advice, based on what a "proper god" would suggest.
That should've made her happy—but she hadn't fully considered the risks.
Liang Yue heading into the dungeon alone might've put him in serious danger. And that was something Hestia absolutely couldn't accept.
She had already prepared the blank parchment and silver needle.
Though hesitant, she decided to postpone her warnings. She'd tell him after the status update was complete.
"Liang Yue-kun, let's update your status!"
Seeing Hestia's radiant smile as she sat on the bed, the excitement Liang Yue had felt after leaving the dungeon started to fade.
Nervousness took its place.
He hadn't come home last night after exploring the dungeon—and his gentle goddess had gotten that anxious over it.
He didn't even want to imagine how she would react if she found out about the Soma Familia massacre.
Standing up from the couch, Liang Yue took off his short-sleeved shirt.
Lying face down on the soft bed, he didn't forget to express gratitude: "Alright. Sorry to trouble you, Lady Hestia."
"…"
There was no reply.
Straddling his back, Hestia was unusually silent. She pricked her finger with the silver needle.
As divine blood dripped onto his back, a soft glow appeared once more.
The previous stat values, obtained from intense training, were wiped away. In their place, new ones reflecting his recent activity were etched onto the parchment.
Liang Yue
Level: 1
Strength: S911 → SSS1297
Endurance: S970 → SSS1293
Dexterity: S903 → SSS1289
Agility: S955 → SSS1299
Magic: I0
Development Ability: None
Magic: None
Skill: Sword Soul Power
For most adventurers, even having one stat reach "S" rank was a rarity—proof they had the potential to become a hero.
But Liang Yue hadn't even updated his status yet and was already far beyond what most adventurers could hope to achieve.
Even though she had mentally prepared herself, Hestia couldn't stop her expression from falling apart the moment she saw the results.
Her trembling finger paused over the number of "S"s.
Three.
And not just any three—Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, and Agility—all of them had reached the theoretical maximum of the Falna system!
There was nothing wrong with the blessing system.
Liang Yue's "vessel" was simply unlike anything ever seen. Perhaps even ancient heroes wouldn't compare.
"I... I really picked up a monstrously talented child for my Familia…"
Hestia's voice trembled. Noticing Liang Yue turning his head with a hopeful look, she didn't get off him just yet.
She instead slid forward and sat on his lower back.
Handing him the freshly updated parchment, she spoke excitedly: "Liang Yue-kun, your current stats…"
"You've already reached the very limit of the status system!!"
"Mm."
"That's… that's something to celebrate!" At least Hestia thought so. But seeing Liang Yue's calm demeanor, she was confused.
Why did it feel like he had something on his mind?
Blinking, she asked innocently, "Umm… you're really not surprised?"
"I expected this."
"Since my stats hit the cap, please help me undergo a level-up, Lady Hestia." Liang Yue smiled as he made the request.
Wanting to feed Hestia's emotional expectations—
He suddenly hesitated, a weird expression appearing when the topic of "surprise" came up. "Actually, more than that… I have a surprise of my own…"
"I want to tell you."
A surprise.
A heartfelt surprise, prepared by a beloved Familia member. Hestia's bright smile grew more excited.
Before starting the level-up—
She bit back a grin and snuck in a suggestion: "After you level up, how about we relax a bit? Maybe… go on a little date, just the two of us?"
"Mhm… that kind of surprise sounds lovely!"
—
But.
When Hestia was about to begin the level-up and saw the most recent feat Liang Yue had accomplished, her bright smile completely froze.
"Accomplished the annihilation of a Familia—even when outnumbered by multiple Level 2 adventurers."
"...?"
"Umm… Liang Yue-kun."
The girl blinked repeatedly, her smile turning stiff. She spoke in a trembling voice:
"Th-the surprise you mentioned earlier… don't tell me it's this?"
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