"Um... Captain Hayasaka, you don't have to do that. Lord God hasn't done anything wrong."
Seryu, still holding Koro, saw Lin Feng's wounded and pitiful expression. As his Knight of Justice, she immediately stood in front of him, ready to argue with the Familia Captain. Seryu! You truly are my Seryu! I will definitely give you something good later.
"Little Ai, I think you don't need to be so strict. Everyone's rooms were already prepared."
Megumi Katou also stepped forward to voice her opinion.
"It's alright, everyone, it's a small matter. You can still come to my room if you need anything; it's just up and down the stairs, very close."
"Thank you for the help, Little Ai, but this might hurt the Lord God's feelings."
Saeko Busujima's voice drifted in from the hallway leading to the rooms. When she arrived behind Hayasaka Ai, she bent her knees slightly, letting a warm breeze tickle Hayasaka Ai's ear.
"Eek!"
Hayasaka Ai jumped, tickled by Saeko Busujima speaking near her ear. She quickly took two steps forward and glared back at her in playful complaint.
"Hmph! Fine, so be it. Saeko-chan, let's go upstairs."
Since Saeko Busujima herself had said so, Hayasaka Ai could only cast a glance at the two of them, along with Seryu and Megumi Katou. How dare everyone in this room side with Lin Feng! Curses.
"Lin Feng-kun, Hayasaka Ai only did this so Saeko-chan could integrate more quickly. Please don't..."
"It's fine, Little Megumi. I understand Little Ai's personality."
Lin Feng, as the Familia God, naturally didn't mind these small things. Furthermore, Hayasaka Ai was a lovely girl who was cold on the outside but kind on the inside. She wouldn't hold a grudge over this; that would make her a petty person.
"The rest of you go back and rest quickly. We have to go back to the Dungeon tomorrow. The Apollo Familia hasn't started their counter-attack yet."
Lin Feng casually patted Megumi Katou's head and spoke to the remaining three girls.
"Lord God, justice is on our side! We will definitely win!"
Seryu, holding Koro, radiated an aura of pure justice, as if the Apollo Familia had committed some heinous crime. As for this matter, most of the Familias in Orario commit things that cannot be brought into the open. Since no one exposes them, the Adventurers' Guild generally turns a blind eye.
"Go rest quickly! We still can't take action against them for now."
It was only after Lin Feng urged them that the three girls finally went back to their rooms one after another.
However, at this moment, Hayasaka Ai came downstairs. She was wearing the simple, dress-like pajamas she had bought in this world, as there weren't many other options.
"Little Ai..."
"My Lord God, is there anything else you need me to do?"
Hearing Lin Feng's call, Hayasaka Ai slowly moved toward him from the staircase, asking.
"Little Ai, that outfit looks great. I like it."
No beating around the bush! This is what a Lord God should do.
"!!!"
Hayasaka Ai seemed shocked by Lin Feng's words. She instantly looked up and turned to look around, relieved that the other girls were not around. But when she thought about what Lin Feng had just said, her cute, fair face instantly turned red. In all her years, no boy had dared to say something like that to her. And the person in front of her was not just some ordinary person, but a true Lord God—the one who had summoned her from that world. He had given her an opportunity to completely escape the restraints of the Shinomiya family, speaking with absolute power.
In the past half a month, she felt her strength visibly increase almost every night after her Status was updated. According to the memories in her mind, the boost gained from upgrading to Level 2 would be even greater. It was because of this that Hayasaka Ai worked hard every day, leading and commanding everyone in the Dungeon battles. She knew that the girls summoned by Lord Lin Feng all had their own unspoken difficulties, their own heartfelt wishes, and their own goals—to protect someone, or to truly live for themselves. Thinking of this, Hayasaka Ai slowly lifted her head. Her sapphire-like eyes had a few twinkling specks, shining with a peculiar light.
"Lord God... Thank you for your help, for allowing me to grow so quickly."
Hayasaka Ai was no fool. Going from nothing to this in half a month, in a city with so many Gods and their Familias—she had never heard of anyone having a growth rate as fast as theirs.
"Little Ai, I know you've worked hard. You've done a lot for Lady Kaguya. Focus on gaining strength here."
Lin Feng also looked into Hayasaka Ai's eyes. At this moment, she was completely different from her usual self—a little vulnerable, seemingly wanting someone to lean on. He slowly reached out and gently wiped the tears from her smooth cheek.
"Little Ai, you've been working hard."
The next morning, Lin Feng, still in his room, heard some noise outside.
"Captain Hayasaka, is Lord God not awake yet?"
It was Seryu's voice, still naturally cheerful, but mixed with concern for Lin Feng.
"Mmhmm, I've already knocked a few times and heard no reaction inside. He should still be sleeping."
Hayasaka Ai's expression and tone were somewhat stiff, completely unlike her usual demeanor. Megumi Katou, standing behind Seryu, noticed Hayasaka Ai's odd behavior instantly—something must have happened! Could it be... could it be that Hayasaka Ai slept in this room last night?! Megumi Katou saw what Hayasaka Ai was wearing; it was still the same pajamas. This was totally unlike her previous self, who would always put on clothes first before coming out to brush her teeth and wash her face.
"What happened?"
Bang, bang, bang!
"Lord God, wake up! I'm counting to three, and then I'm coming in!"
Everyone usually ate breakfast together these days. Moreover, even if Lin Feng wasn't going into the Dungeon today, he needed to accompany them to the Adventurers' Guild. After all, the newly summoned Saeko Busujima had not yet been registered at the Guild. Otherwise, she would be an unregistered adventurer in Orario, and if caught, the Familia would be fined a large sum. While the Guild does not restrict adventurers who are not part of a Familia from entering the Dungeon, they strongly recommend joining one. After all, people who can grow stronger without relying on the Falna are extremely rare.