The crescent moon sank in the west, and the morning sun had yet to show itself. The howling wind echoed through the city like a mournful cry.
"Bell, you've grown again."
Hestia had just finished updating the boy's status. In only two days, every one of Bell's abilities had increased.
"Don't worry about me, Goddess-sama."
Bell gave her a gentle smile and brushed his hand through her long black hair.
"Mm… Was I really that obvious? And I'm not a kid, so don't try to brush me off like that!"
Hestia puffed her cheeks but didn't pull away from his touch.
She looked up at the sky as if sensing that lingering sorrow. "Bell, this journey is bound to be harsh. Promise me one thing—if you run into a monster you can't beat, just run, okay?"
"Yeah. Of course."
Bell answered without hesitation.
Liar.
Hestia blinked. He probably knew it was a simple lie. No matter the situation, Bell always put the present moment first. If Hestia were caught under a monster's claws, even if he had no chance of winning, he would rush forward without a second thought. The goddess understood that, which was exactly why she couldn't confront him about it.
"Bell, when you come back, let's go on a date."
Hestia tried her best not to let the worry show on her face. This was a decision Bell had made himself. Not just for Astraea, but also for Ryuu, who had fought at his side so many times. No matter what Hestia said, she couldn't sway Bell's resolve.
She had wanted to go with him, but a god's fighting ability was nearly nonexistent. If she were taken hostage, she would only cause Bell trouble. And if she used her divine power, she'd be sent back to Tenkai immediately, stripping Bell of his current combat strength. So Hestia chose to trust the only member of her Familia.
"Eh? Goddess-sama, aren't you against harems? Going on a date with me might look pretty bad, don't you think?"
Bell tried to soften the mood.
"That's totally different! And this isn't the time for that, you idiot!"
Hestia was always the one whose emotions Bell had to soothe.
She rolled her eyes, then smiled. "If you can bring Astraea home, I'll definitely support you."
The goddess who governed justice and order was, in some ways, even more stubborn than Hestia. But no matter what, Hestia refused to let tragedy repeat itself. If it was her pride and joy—her own Familia member—he would surely save everything.
Unfounded trust. Unreasonable faith.
That was exactly how deeply Hestia cherished the boy standing before her.
"Goddess-sama, are you serious?"
Bell picked up the thread.
"Well… of course… Astraea, she..."
Hestia hesitated as memories of that gentle, upright, and noble goddess resurfaced.
"I… I think I'll pass after all!"
If Loki were here, she'd probably say Astraea was just too feminine...
"Can't you at least tell me what Astraea-sama looks like?" Bell teased.
"No idea, no clue—I've forgotten everything!"
"Eh—"
Amid the lively back-and-forth between god and child, the first rays of sunlight spilled into the chapel.
…
"Ryuu, resting is important too."
Syr stared blankly at the resolute elf girl. Ryuu's heart, she suspected, had already flown all the way to Sword Smithing City Solingen.
That was where Astraea currently resided, far from here.
Bell had gone over every piece of intelligence and concluded there was still time before the tragedy struck, so he sent Ryuu back to the dorm to rest.
But she couldn't sleep at all.
Astraea's face overlapped with memories of past tragedies, turning into nightmares that gnawed at her heart.
At Bell's request, Syr had stayed with Ryuu through the night.
Only after her friend arrived did Ryuu finally manage to fall asleep.
"...The debt I owe Cranel-san is truly impossible to repay."
Aside from the details of last night, without Bell's insight, Ryuu would never have known Astraea was being targeted.
The boy never asked anything of her. Instead, he volunteered to head to Sword Smithing City Solingen to help resolve the incident.
And that was exactly why Ryuu found the debt impossible to repay.
Syr giggled. "If you feel guilty, why not act a little spoiled with Bell? If Ryuu blushes while flirting, Bell would fall instantly."
"T… That kind of thing is absolutely impossible!"
Ryuu rejected her friend's outrageous claim without hesitation.
"Eeh—" Syr stepped closer, leaning in mischievously. "Let me tell you a secret: Bell likes older blonde Elves."
"Why are you telling me this? And I already knew that!"
Ryuu frowned as she stepped back shyly.
"You knew?" Syr narrowed her eyes.
Oh no.
Ryuu instantly realized she'd slipped.
"Well… actually…"
"When did you find out?!"
"Ugh… please spare me, Syr!"
"What are you two yelling about so early in the morning nya?!"
Outside the tavern dormitory, the girls' playful voices woke the rest of the staff.
A moment later, like falling dominoes, even more noise and laughter rippled through the building.
…
"Work outside the city is your specialty, so I won't try to keep you."
Having just finished processing intel through the night, Asfi personally came to see Laurier off.
"These are all the intelligence reports related to Sword Smithing City Solingen. I hope they're useful."
As the Captain of Hermes Familia, she offered blessings on behalf of their unreliable Familia God.
"Thank you! I'll do my best!"
Laurier's level wasn't high, so she would likely become a burden in combat.
But her Magic was invaluable for gathering information.
So Laurier resolved to offer her strength to the boy on this journey.
…
"Bell Cranel, I never expected you to volunteer to head for Sword Smithing City Solingen—and all because you've taken a liking to Goddess Astraea?"
Finn overheard Bell and Hestia's playful chatter and joined in jokingly.
"Finn-san, please don't tease me."
Bell had chosen those words hoping his Familia Goddess would stay cheerful and keep smiling.
"Back to business. I've looked into the matter, and frankly, it's complicated."
Finn touched his fingertip to his tongue before continuing. "Considering the previous incidents, the chances of this being a decoy are very high."
By targeting Goddess Astraea far from the city, if Loki Familia or Freya Familia sent their main forces out, Orario's overall combat strength would be weakened. Besides a simple diversion, the possibility of a trap set to strike when the enemy grows weary couldn't be ignored.
"I understand. With the red-haired woman incident still unresolved, if Loki Familia step in, they'll very likely walk straight into an ambush."
Bell kept his tone calm. Factions were moving beneath the surface like dark currents, impossible to distinguish ally from enemy. This matter could only be entrusted to people they truly trusted.
Finn nodded. "Seeing how clearly you've thought this through puts my mind at ease. We can't assist directly, but there's someone who's been worried about you all this time, Bell Cranel. If you don't mind, please take her with you."
"..."
Lefiya peeked out from behind a tree.
"I—I wasn't worried at all?! And why say it like a request? 'If you don't mind'... it sounds like I'm the one being taken care of!"
"Lefiya-san? A Mage as strong as you is more than welcome."
Bell's party lacked high-burst firepower, and Lefiya filled that gap perfectly.
"Strong… you don't have to put it like that… I just happened to be free… and everyone really wanted to help, so they asked me to go in their place…"
Lefiya stammered, flustered.
"That's how it is. Her level isn't that high, so even if she moves on her own, it shouldn't cause any problems," Finn explained.
Loki Familia had a close relationship with Astraea. If not for the recent incident with the red-haired woman, even Finn himself would have wanted to go to the goddess's side. The others felt the same. The justice that once spread its wings still lingered in every one of their hearts.
"Goddess Astraea is someone worthy of respect. I leave her in your care."
Finn bowed solemnly, promising that Loki Familia would watch over Goddess Hestia and keep an eye on the situation with the Viola monsters.
"May your journey be safe."
With those final words, Finn sent them off.
With Lefiya joining the group, the appointed time had come. And on this day when the whole world seemed to mourn, they set out on their journey.