"Astraea Familia?"
Jeanne's eyes lit up. She paid the fruit vendor, hugging a paper bag full of oranges, then stepped aside with Lucas to lean against the wall.
Up ahead, a crowd had gathered around some kind of commotion. Curious, she asked, "Is that the Familia that serves the goddess Astraea—the one who rules over justice?"
Lucas peeled an orange as he replied, "Yeah. They're one of the main forces keeping order in the city."
"So, kind of like the Ganesha Familia and the Guild officials?" Jeanne pressed.
That question made him pause. He thought for a moment before carefully answering, "Hmm… not exactly. The Ganesha Familia—under Lord Ganesha, the so-called —aren't just adventurers. They're also officially recognized as the city military police."
"You could say they're an official law enforcement branch that works directly with the Guild."
"As for Astraea Familia, they're more like… volunteers who maintain order on their own initiative. Half-official, half-independent, maybe even collaborators depending on the situation." He hesitated, then added defensively, "That's just my guess, though."
Still, the thought lingered in his mind. Does the Guild pay them at all? Or are they really doing this for free?
If it truly was volunteer work—no pay, no reward—then he had to admit, he'd respect the hell out of that.
Because he sure as hell wouldn't do something that thankless for free.
Then again, thinking about Astraea's divine will, he shook his head with a snort.
What am I even thinking? he thought wryly. I've got a pile of my own problems. Why am I worrying about someone else's?
Jeanne, meanwhile, watched the Astraea Familia members mediating the dispute. Her expression softened, eyes distant.
…Doing good without asking for anything in return?
Lucas caught her expression out of the corner of his eye and instantly understood.
That was exactly how she had once lived—and it had led her straight to the stake.
But he wasn't dumb enough to say that out loud.
"Lucas," Jeanne murmured, "if it were you… what would you do?"
He didn't even hesitate. "In this cruel world? Ideals come second. Profit comes first."
She fell silent. Old memories flickered through her mind like a lantern slideshow. He wasn't wrong. People couldn't afford to be too idealistic.
You had to consider every angle—especially when other people's interests were on the line.
Seeing her lost in thought, Lucas let it drop and turned to the vendor.
"Hey, these oranges are great. Never had this kind before—new variety?"
"You've got good taste, kid!" the merchant said brightly. "They're Lady Demeter's latest success. Just started hitting the market this season. Want another bag? Prices'll shoot up next month!"
"huh?" Lucas couldn't help but grin.
"Sure. Pack me another."
"That'll be 850 Valis."
"Thanks."
---
A short distance away, the Astraea Familia had already diffused the argument. The crowd began to scatter.
Jeanne, however, had lost her enthusiasm for browsing.
"Done shopping already?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah."
"Alright, then. Time for business."
Reality, however, had other plans.
Inside the Demeter Familia shop—
"What?! Five thousand Valis for a five-kilo bag of rice?!" Lucas gawked at the price tag. "It was two thousand less than a month ago!"
He looked utterly betrayed.
The shop clerk, someone he knew well, gave him a sympathetic look. "Sorry, Lucas. Lady Demeter didn't set that price—it's the market. You get what I mean."
Lucas's gaze swept over the shelves. His eyelid twitched. Every brand of rice—every single one—was over three thousand now.
Even the cheap local rice was two thousand. What the hell is happening?!
Then it hit him. Wait… could this be fallout from the Evilus activity? Maybe the big traders caught wind of something and started hoarding supplies…
That thought made his stomach drop. Smart people moved fast in this world. Without his own "cheats," he'd be left in the dust.
He sighed, staring at the ridiculous price tags, then clenched his jaw and paid anyway.
Spending 200,000 faris on two 50-kilogram bags of rice and two bags of flour.
They stocked up on meat, eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables, spices, and butter before heading home, arms full.
At least they'd be set for a while.
"Those prices were insane…" Even Jeanne, who wasn't exactly a numbers person, looked stunned.
"The Demeter Familia's stuff is always top-notch," Lucas muttered, hauling the rice. "Quality's amazing, nutrition's perfect… but damn, that markup hurts."
He winced at the memory of paying for it—but as a proud foodie, he told himself it was worth it.
---
"Finally home."
They dropped the bags in the courtyard and collapsed at the stone table with glasses of water.
Between the ingredients, clothes, and equipment, they'd burned through almost a million Valis in a single day.
After leaving the market, they'd hit the tailor's to get Jeanne new casual clothes, training gear, and a battle outfit. Then the Blue Pharmacy to restock potions, and finally TOOL, the general store, for adventuring supplies.
Nearly wiped out Lucas's savings—but worth every coin. Once they started raiding the Dungeon together, their income would skyrocket.
Gold wasn't gone. It had just… changed form.
---
By the time they got home, their bodies were fine, but their minds were exhausted. Dinner was simple, plans for eating out postponed indefinitely.
Afterward, they sprawled across the living room—Jeanne on the couch, Lucas on the floor—basking in the quiet hum of evening.
"I like the sound of summer rain," Lucas mused, staring at the ceiling. "But without a fireplace crackling, it feels like something's missing."
Jeanne cracked one eye open. "You like rainy days and fireplaces?"
"Of course. Every autumn, I start hoping for snow so I've got an excuse to light one." He said it with total seriousness.
Jeanne turned on her side, propping her head up with one hand. A few golden strands of hair fell across her cheek as she smiled. "Didn't expect you to have such a childish side."
Usually, Lucas struck her as composed and reliable—but right now…
"Childish, huh?" Lucas's gaze darkened, suddenly playful. His eyes roamed over her.
"How about I show you something manlier, then? Try on that battle outfit we bought earlier. Let's make sure it fits—and check the tailor's craftsmanship while we're at it."
"…"
Jeanne might've been innocent, but she wasn't an idiot. She saw right through him.
He just wanted to see her in the outfit—and was pretending it was for "quality inspection."
Her cheeks warmed. "W-What's so interesting about a battle outfit anyway…"
"Jeeaaanne~," Lucas drawled.
"…You're impossible," she muttered, voice barely above a whisper. "Fine… I'll do it."