"Alise, are you sure we should trust him?"
Kaguya questioned. Although they were saved by him just now, it didn't mean they were naive enough to place their trust in a complete stranger.
"Kaguya, was I ever wrong?"
Alise replied, still smiling.
"Yes, many times."
Kaguya answered with a straight face.
"We don't really have a choice, do we?"
Lyra said with a shrug.
"And besides, I don't think this barrier can hold much longer."
Facing the Juggernaut's relentless assault, the barrier was reaching its limit.
"Everyone, in position."
Alise commanded, her expression hardening.
Hearing their captain's words, the surviving members of the Astraea Familia steeled themselves as well.
『Physical Boost』
『Strengthening Magic』
The instant the barrier shattered, everyone scattered in different directions.
Shocked by the sudden surge in their abilities, the girls couldn't help but glance toward the hooded man.
"Two more no-chant spells? Is he a mage on par with Nine Hell?"
Lyra speculated, but cursed the next second when the Juggernaut lunged at her.
"Just my luck!"
While sprinting, she tossed several bombs at the pursuing creature.
The Juggernaut roared, but the bombs barely scratched it, making Lyra grit her teeth.
"Over here!"
Kaguya and Ryuu charged with their swords.
Faced with simultaneous attacks, the Juggernaut abandoned its pursuit of the pink-haired pallum and swiped its claws toward the far-eastern swordswoman.
"Watch out!"
Ryuu shouted.
"Agaris Alvesynth!"
Covered in flames, Alise dove from above, stabbing the monster in the head before it could reach Kaguya.
The Juggernaut wailed, thrashing wildly as it tried to shake Alise off.
"Arvelia!"
An eruption of flames engulfed the beast, its shriek growing louder as its magic-reflecting armor shattered.
"Alise!"
The girls screamed when the Juggernaut's claws struck Alise, splattering blood everywhere.
"Now..."
Alise's weak voice cut through the chaos.
The sound of thunder reverberated, stirring the hearts of all who heard it.
Above them, the masked figure floated in the air.
Lightning coursed along his arms as the silhouette of a colossal beast manifested behind him.
『Wrath of the Celestial Titan』
His figure blurred, and in the next moment, a devastating boom echoed across the entire floor.
"Such a powerful spell..."
Ryuu whispered in awe. An intense light flashed, yet she didn't look away for even a second.
"A combat mage with instant casting... He might be more terrifying than Nine Hell."
Lyra admitted, squinting with her one remaining eye as she witnessed the spectacle.
Kaguya stayed silent, but her trembling fingers betrayed her emotions.
Alise felt her heartbeat quicken.
When the light faded, the masked figure stood in the center of a crater, the Juggernaut obliterated without a trace.
"Hahaha, I thought we were going to die."
Lyra finally released the tears she had been holding back.
"We did it."
Ryuu whispered. Her legs gave out and she collapsed to the ground.
The rest checked their injuries, clinging to one another as relief washed over them.
They had survived an ordeal they were certain would claim their lives.
"I'm glad we made it out alive but..."
The air grew heavy as they remembered the comrades they had lost.
"I knew a day like this would come. I thought I was ready."
Their voices trembled despite their efforts to remain strong.
The Astraea Familia had been nearly annihilated.
Alise, Kaguya, Lyra, and Ryuu.
Only 4 out of 11 survived.
They wanted to mourn their fallen comrades, but forced back the tears threatening to spill.
They still had things to do.
The man whose identity remained hidden only glanced at them before flying away.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Alise noticed and immediately leapt after him despite her wounds.
『Heal』
A soothing green light enveloped her body, closing her injuries.
"At least tell me your name!"
She shouted, not even realizing she had just been healed.
"Judas. My name is Judas."
He left those words behind and vanished into the shadows.
Alise stood frozen, staring into the direction he disappeared.
Silence fell as the Astraea Familia looked to one another in confusion.
Finally, Alise bowed toward the place where he had vanished.
"Thank you for saving us... and I hope we meet again."
It sounded like the cliché tale of a hero swooping in to save the day, yet this single event changed everything.
The Present.
Judas awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling.
"Where am I?"
He sat up, noticing the bandages wrapped around his right arm.
"Oh, you're awake."
A feminine voice entered his ears.
He turned to see a woman with long silver hair and purple eyes step into the room, closing the door behind her.
Airmid Teasanare, known as the Silver Saint.
Orario's greatest doctor, and a member of the Dian Cecht Familia.
"You really went wild in the dungeon, huh."
Airmid said, removing the cast from his arm.
"How long was I out?"
Judas asked.
"Three days. You were out cold for three whole days."
Airmid replied calmly, though her eyes flicked toward him to gauge his reaction.
"I see."
Judas closed his eyes and responded evenly.
"You're not surprised?"
Airmid raised a brow at his lukewarm response.
Judas didn't answer right away. Instead, he inspected his condition.
'My magic circuits are a mess, and the flow of mana inside me is chaotic.'
He had pushed himself to the limit in that battle, and the price was steep.
His gaze fell to the visible scar across his mana core, and he sighed.
'Thankfully, it hasn't shattered and can be repaired. But this fracture... it's going to be difficult.'
Closing his eyes, he attempted to circulate his magic.
His mana core flickered weakly, only to collapse, sending a sharp ache through his chest.
'Great. I can't even cast a single spell now.'
He exhaled heavily and opened his eyes.
"Finished thinking in silence?"
Airmid's voice broke his thoughts.
"I apologize."
"No need. You've just gone through hell. Take it easy."
She waved her hand dismissively as she jotted notes onto her clipboard.
"You're clear to leave now. Your goddess is waiting just outside."
"Thank you, doctor."
"I'm only doing my job. My name is Airmid Teasanare. Come to me if you get hurt again in the dungeon."
She smiled faintly.
Judas bowed his head before leaving the room.
"So that was the Great Savior who caused such an uproar in the city, huh?"
Airmid muttered to herself.
"Judas! You really did it this time!"
The moment he stepped out, Judas was pulled into a tight embrace by Loki, who shouted at the top of her lungs.
"When I first heard the news, I didn't believe it at first. But to think the kid I randomly picked up turned out to be this amazing!"
Loki beamed, snuggling him like a teddy bear.
"Goddess Loki, let go."
Judas tried pushing her away, but she clung on tighter.
"Goddess Loki, the boy was just discharged. Please take it easy on him."
Airmid said as she emerged behind them.
"Heya, Airmid. Thanks a bunch for patching him up."
Loki still refused to release Judas, even pinching his cheeks.
"It was no problem. It's my duty to care for my patients."
Airmid replied, though her gaze lingered on Judas.
"Be careful next time. And... thank you for saving my familia members."
She bowed her head.
"I don't deserve your gratitude."
Judas lowered his eyes, guilt weighing on him.
He knew he was the true reason the incident had happened.
"Don't be humble. Reckless, yes, but you saved countless lives."
After bowing once more, Airmid turned and left the Twilight Manor.
"Tsk. Look at you—already popular with the ladies."
Loki teased, though when Judas gave no reaction, she coughed awkwardly.
"Oh, right. Almost forgot. Judas, after your little adventure, plenty of people wanted to meet you. I shooed most away since you were hospitalized, but a few... well, I couldn't turn them down. You'll probably want to meet them soon."
She glanced out the window.
"Of course, that decision is up to you. Your health comes first."
Judas followed her gaze and spotted several familiar figures waiting outside the gate.
'They seem familiar... where have I seen them before?'
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(A/N: Leave a review if you enjoy the story, we are only 1 away from getting a webnovel rating.)
+15 chapters on p2treon.com/drdedot