The wind rustled through the treetops. The forest seemed to wail, carrying with it a chilling, uneasy air.
Astraea stood just outside the courtyard, quietly gazing into the distance.
"Astraea-sama, are you worried about them? If you need support, I can head out right away."
Following the goddess's orders, Cecil had distributed the Wind Magic Swords to the rest of the members. Every one of those swords had been forged by her own hands, accumulated over the years. Even members of lower level could display tremendous power with them.
"No. Leave everything to that boy."
Astraea refused the request for reinforcement.
"But he... I understand…"
Cecil still didn't agree with the boy's approach. She had joined Astraea Familia because she was drawn to the Goddess of Justice. They were supposed to be like a spear that pierces through malice, not stand still and rely on their goddess's protection.
As a smith, Cecil was still immature. She wanted recognition — to prove herself with results. Astraea understood her youthful impatience and had always indulged her.
But that boy was different. Despite being around the same age, he possessed a surprising maturity. Cecil couldn't explain the change in the goddess — it felt like love at first sight. After just a brief private talk, Astraea trusted him completely. And that made Cecil jealous.
"Astraea-sama, why do you trust that boy so much?"
Without realizing it, Cecil's doubts finally burst out.
"Because…"
Just as the goddess began to answer—
The air shifted.
"?!"
"A monster is charging in!!"
The lookout shouted.
"That's… a Viola?! Astraea-sama, please take shelter at once!"
Cecil tightened her grip on her iron hammer and dashed toward the gate.
The yellow-green monster barreled forward, toppling trunks and crushing branches with terrifying force.
"Loose!"
The squad member in charge, staring at the monstrous creature, made the decision instantly.
Arrows shot through the air — arrows that had brought down countless monsters before — only to be stopped cold by the Viola's tough outer hide.
"It… it didn't slow down at all?!"
Cecil froze for a heartbeat, stunned by its overwhelming destructive power.
They couldn't even estimate the Viola's level. But one thing was certain: they were enemies far beyond anything the current Astraea Familia could handle.
"They're coming!"
"Three… six… ten of them?!"
"Don't engage up close! With that kind of power, one hit will kill you!"
Ignoring arrows and trees alike, the Viola crushed everything in their path, jaws gaping as they rapidly closed in.
The Astraea Familia realized instantly just how wide the gap in strength was. But even before such despair, they didn't lose their fighting spirit.
"Hold them back with the magic swords!"
Cecil rushed to the front, swinging her magic sword at the massive monsters barreling toward them.
A violent wind swept across the battlefield. A concentrated blast of air lifted soil from the ground and slammed it against the Viola.
"It's working?!"
The huge tentacles tried to push through but were forced back by the raging wind.
The others followed her lead, maintaining the defensive line with their Wind Magic Swords.
But the wind couldn't cover everything.
With a deafening crash, one Viola smashed straight through the wall...
"No?!"
"Ulanda!"
Before the terrifying monster, a young girl stepped forward.
"Open, my vengeful passion."
After a short chant, Ulanda drove a black magic fragment, shaped like a wooden stake, straight into her own chest. As an unremarkable Lv.1 in Astraea Familia, this was the only magic she knew.
Ulanda envied the youth even more than the Captain did.
How could their goddess—so pure, righteous, and gentler than anyone in existence—trust that boy?
Astraea Familia had never had a single male member before!
Not only did she meet with him alone, she even allowed him to stay in their home, and at night, she'd meet him in the courtyard in what looked like a secret rendezvous.
Even though she was the one who had been spying and was in the wrong, Ulanda, who loved the goddess deeply, was consumed by jealousy toward the boy. That feeling hardened into pain, stabbing at her chest.
The next moment, the monster froze in place, unable to move.
"It hurts so much~ I absolutely… won't forgive… that bastard!"
Enduring the agony, Ulanda bound the final Viola in place.
The storm and her pain held the line.
But time marched on, and her magic was reaching its limit.
"I… I can't hold it much longer!"
"Stay with us!"
"Cecil, my magic sword is out!"
"Mine too!"
"We have to buy Astraea-sama time!"
Just as the frontline was about to collapse, the goddess stepped forward with her slender sword in hand.
"You've all done well. Go back and rest."
"...?!"
"Astraea-sama?!"
"Are you… going to use divine power?!"
The members were stunned.
Their magic swords were on the verge of breaking, just like their hearts.
Contrary to what many believed, Astraea was a goddess with exceptional swordsmanship.
Her Familia had grown so much thanks to her instruction.
But this situation had already gone beyond anything training could overcome.
A real crisis.
A dead end with no escape.
Only divine power could defeat these monsters.
Astraea lifted her sword and stepped forward with unwavering resolve.
"I'm sorry…"
If she used divine power, Astraea would be forced back to Tenkai.
For her children now, and for Ryuu who had waited so long, it would be a heartbreaking farewell.
For some reason, Astraea thought of that boy.
His [confession] surfaced in her mind.
"Astraea-sama, even though those of the lower world cannot assassinate a God, Evilus might command monsters to attack."
Bell had once seen the red-haired woman manipulating Viola.
The enormous sum given by the fake casino owner had an unknown purpose.
For an assault, simply buying weapons made little sense. Monsters were far more plausible.
So Bell told Astraea everything.
"For your safety, please leave Sword Smithing City Solingen."
"..."
After a moment of silence, Astraea refused.
"If I flee, then where will the darkness and malice hanging over this city go?"
The Evilus preparations were thorough.
The moment they realized a goddess had escaped, the entire city would become the target of their retaliation.
Astraea's justice wouldn't allow her to run.
"If we reach the point of no retreat, I will use divine power to protect the children."
The goddess stated her resolve.
Even if it made many cry, she would not allow tragedy to happen.
Facing her unwavering determination, Bell looked into her starry eyes and spoke his [confession].
"Astraea-sama, I heard about the tragedy from Ryuu-san."
"Whether it's the girls who sang of justice, or the goddess who led them, I truly love you all."
"This feeling came even before love at first sight, and after meeting you, it has only grown stronger."
"I love you, Astraea-sama—your justice, your beauty. Will you entrust them to me?"
"If you leave together, I swear I'll stake my life on minimizing casualties."
Astraea froze at the sudden confession.
Not a single word from the boy held any trace of falsehood.
It was the first time she had received such pure affection.
Even though he already had a girlfriend, nothing in his voice carried impurity.
Pure affection.
A unique sense of justice.
Astraea felt both surprised and sorrowful.
Bell Cranel, I cannot accept your confession.
To sacrifice oneself to save others—that is the Justice the Astraea Familia has always upheld.
The trolley problem.
People of the Lower World love to debate this topic, and Astraea had once discussed it with another God. If you don't pull the lever, five people will die; if you do, only one will. Even Astraea, Goddess of Justice, had no clear answer to this dilemma.
But the choice was now in front of her.
Her own child had once made a decision like this, and Astraea would never allow that will to be stained. Besides, as a Goddess, she cherished the children of the Lower World and could not bear for anyone to die because of her.
So Astraea rejected the boy's confession and chose to become the sacrifice herself.
The magic sword shattered. The Viola climbed over the wall, lunging toward her with ravenous, murderous intent. Astraea couldn't remember what the boy said after that. It must have been something unbearably sad...
Just as the Goddess tightened her grip on her slender sword, ready to call upon the Arcanum that symbolized grief and farewell...
The bell rang.