While Astraea and Maria had their final chat, Roland slipped outside to set up protective magic circles around the church to keep the children safe.
When it was time to leave, the whole orphanage stood at the gate waving. "Big brother Roland, come play again soon!" the girl with the doll cried. "Good luck adventuring!" a boy shouted.
Roland walked backward, waving vigorously. "I will!"
In just half a day, Roland had built a deep bond with the kids. Astraea noted that he seemed to have a natural gift for being liked by children.
Leaving the dim alleys of Daedalus Street, the sky opened up into a brilliant blue. Moving from the ruins of the slums to the bustling East Main Street, the contrast was sharp—the air was filled with the sounds of commerce and laughter.
Astraea, standing out like the brightest star in the night sky, drew envious gazes from passersby. She gently hooked her arm into Roland's.
"What are your plans now, Roland?"
"Would Lady Astraea like to go on a date with me?" Roland was about the same height as the Goddess. He tilted his head to see her heart-fluttering eyes under her long lashes.
"A date? If the other gods see us acting so close, they'll gossip endlessly. Don't you usually find that kind of attention a hassle?" Astraea teased, poking his arm.
Roland patted her hand. "If you hadn't insisted on that 'Convert' setting for my status, I wouldn't be this high-profile anyway. Since things are already like this, might as well embrace it."
"Besides," he added, "gods and their children are close all the time. Who cares?"
"Hehe, even my fellow gods aren't this close with their children... well, except for the weird ones," she chuckled.
"Let's not talk about those nonsense things," Roland said, pointing to a cafe with excitement in his eyes. "Let's try that place. I've never had coffee in this world before."
He gently unhooked his arm and took her hand instead, leading her toward the cafe. Astraea felt the warmth of his palm and smiled helplessly. "Alright, alright, don't rush. I'm not going to run away."
She squeezed his hand tighter, feeling the warmth. "Roland."
Roland slowed down and turned to her. "Yes, Lady Astraea?"
After a moment of thought, the Goddess stepped closer and whispered in his ear, "For this date, you don't have to use honorifics. Just call me by my name."
When they began using names, it was no longer just a meeting between a god and a follower—it was a date between lovers.
Roland looked at the slightly shy Astraea with a grin. "I understand... Astraea."
The cafe was nearby. It was a charming place with green vines climbing the wooden doors and a cozy, artistic interior. They sat at a bar-style counter.
After enjoying delicious coffee and desserts, they left to the warm farewell of the shopkeeper.
"I didn't realize coffee and sweets could be made like that. I'll have to try making them for everyone next time," Astraea said, reflecting on the recipe the shopkeeper had shared. Shopkeepers usually guarded their secrets, but Astraea's natural aura made people want to be close to her.
------------------------------------------------
Make this Valentine's special.
Join our Patreon family and enjoy 15% OFF.
Available starting today!
https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Danmachi : Mage's Infinite Journey (168 Chapters – Ongoing)
------------------------------------------------
They spent the rest of the day wandering the streets, watching performances and trying street food. Every time Roland bought a snack to try, Astraea would take a playful bite when he wasn't looking.
"This is delicious too, Roland!" she'd say with a grin.
Roland would laugh and bite into the same spot, teasing the slightly wide-eyed Goddess. "Heh, it really is delicious, Astraea."
"My little boyfriend is a pervert, isn't he? You deserve a scolding," she joked, lightly bumping her head against his.
Looking at the sky, which was now a deepening shade of orange-red, and hearing the bells from the clock tower, the pair realized their date was nearing its end as they strolled through the North Main Street, not far from home.
In the warm, amber glow of twilight, a gentle breeze brushed past Astraea's face, her walnut-brown hair shimmering as if dusted with starlight. She spoke softly, "It seems our first date is coming to a close. However, as a first date, today's time has left me incredibly satisfied and happy."
She gazed at Roland with eyes like a starlit sky, a faint, heart-fluttering smile gracing her lips. Roland looked back, a brilliant grin on his face. "Astraea... I'm so glad you liked it. I'll remember this date for the rest of my life."
"Ah, wait a moment. I'll be right back."
Roland turned toward a flower shop he often passed after adventuring. He stepped inside and scanned the rows until he saw a small flower with golden-yellow petals surrounding a dark, raised purple-brown center. Instinctively, he felt this flower was perfect for Astraea.
"Boss, I'll take a few of these," Roland said, pointing to them.
The shopkeeper glanced at the figure waiting outside. Although he couldn't see her clearly, her unique presence was undeniable. He smiled and asked, "Are these for your Goddess? Is just a few enough?"
Roland nodded. Flowers with petals this large didn't look right in massive bunches; a few were plenty. The shopkeeper nimbly trimmed the extra leaves from the stems so they wouldn't compete with the petals for water, then carefully de-thorned them and wrapped them into a bouquet before handing them to Roland.
After paying, Roland stepped outside to Astraea and handed her the bouquet. "Goddess, please accept these."
"I don't actually know what species they are, but I have a feeling they suit you perfectly."
Astraea took them with both hands, lightly inhaling the scent—a faint aroma reminiscent of jasmine and roses. Holding the flowers in her right hand, she hooked her left arm through Roland's as they walked toward the Manor of Stars.
"Do you really not know what these are, Roland?" the Goddess asked curiously.
Roland thought for a moment. "They look a bit like sunflowers, but not quite."
Astraea smiled, providing the answer. "These are called Black-Eyed Susans. Though the name sounds a bit strange, they carry a beautiful meaning in the language of flowers. Do you want to know what it is?"
Roland nudged her arm playfully. "Goddess, stop being a riddler. Just tell me."
"Take a guess. If you get it right, I'll give you a reward," Astraea teased gently.
"Is it about love?" Roland guessed, knowing most flowers were.
"That's one part of it. Can you guess the rest?" The Goddess looked at him expectantly.
Roland thought for a long time but couldn't find the words. He eventually shook his head. Astraea gently took his arm and pointed it toward herself. "What do you think of when you see me?"
Like a bolt of lightning hitting his brain, Roland whispered the answer: "Justice? Lady Astraea."
A look of pure delight bloomed on Astraea's face. "Correct! You're very sharp, Roland."
Though Roland felt the hint was a bit too obvious, he grinned. "Heh, that's just my love for you. We're invincible because our hearts are one."
The Goddess poked his forehead with a slender finger. "Silver-tongued."
"Indeed," she added. "Their language is generally considered to represent fairness and justice, believing in one's love, and a unique, singular devotion."
Roland didn't say another word. He simply gripped her hand tighter, letting his feelings flow through his palm. Feeling the warmth, Astraea looked at him sideways, thinking to herself: This flower's meaning is the perfect reflection of the love between us... Picking these specific flowers means you must have a fated connection with me.