In the main street leading to the Tower of Babel, a massive crowd had gathered, their faces brimming with excitement.
They were here for one reason alone... to witness the return of the Astraea Familia from their expedition.
"Oh! Look! They're here!"
"The ladies of justice!"
"Is that Scarlet Harnel at the front?"
"This is my first time seeing them... they're just as beautiful as the rumors say!"
"Kaguya-sama! I came all the way from the Far East just to see you at least once!"
Surrounded by cheers and admiration, Alise couldn't help but puff out her chest proudly.
"Hehe... look at all these people. They're practically here just to see me."
She said with a smug grin.
"Ugh... I can't wait to finally sleep in a real bed."
"It's been way too long."
Lyra groaned, stretching her arms with a thoroughly exhausted expression.
"Speaking of rest. I'm looking forward to soaking in a hot spring. I can finally sit down and relax."
Kaguya added calmly, her eyes closed.
Still basking in the crowd's attention, Alise turned toward one of the lower-ranked members.
"Hey! Wave the flag properly," she ordered.
"Let everyone know that we... the proud knights of justice... have returned!"
The member holding the banner gave a wry smile, well aware of their captain's fondness for showmanship.
Even so, she lifted the flag high and waved it proudly.
Satisfied, Alise nodded before drawing her sword and pointing it skyward.
The crowd erupted even louder.
Despite the scratches on their armor and the rough state they were in after delving deep into the dungeon, the brilliance and beauty of the Astraea Familia had not diminished in the slightest.
"Welcome back, Alise... everyone."
The familiar feminine voice cut through the noise like a gentle bell.
For a brief moment, the Astraea Familia froze.
Then, almost in unison, they turned their heads.
The crowd parted instinctively, creating a clear path as Astraea walked toward them, her presence calm yet unmistakable, a soft, motherly smile resting on her lips.
Just a step behind her was Judas, hands tucked into his coat.
"Goddess."
Alise was the first to react, her eyes widening slightly before lighting up.
"I am proud to say that we are back from the expedition, safe and sound."
"Although there were some injuries, thankfully, there were no casualties."
She added with a wide smile that showed off her white teeth.
"That is good to hear."
Astraea said before pausing, her gentle gaze sweeping over her children.
"Everyone... all of you did great."
Astraea said as her eyes curved into a crescent moon.
The words of their goddess caused every member of the Astraea Familia to smile, their hearts feeling lighter... as if they had been praised by their own mother.
All the fatigue and exhaustion from the long dungeon dive seemed to melt away, washed clean by her presence alone.
"Thank you for your kind words, Lady Astraea."
Kaguya said respectfully.
"To receive praise from our Goddess... even facing the dangers of the dungeon, it's worth it."
Alise added, before her gaze shifted to the boy standing behind her.
"Judas... did you miss me that badly that you came running the moment you heard about my glorious return?"
Alise said as she flicked her hair aside, a teasing grin on her lips.
"Oh?"
Judas replied, arms crossed.
"And what would you do if I said that was the case?"
At that, Alise visibly flinched, a hint of red blooming across her cheeks.
"Ahaha... I-Is that so? I-I suppose it would be natural for you to yearn for a beautiful girl like me..."
She said, stammering as she hastily turned her gaze away.
"...R-right?"
Her voice trailed off, far less confident than it had been moments ago.
"Captain, not gonna lie... that was really weak sauce coming from you."
Lyra commented, shaking her head.
Kaguya opened one eye, clearly struggling to keep her composure.
Though she tried to remain stoic, the faint twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed her amusement.
"Hey, Kaguya! I can see you trying to hold back your laugh!"
Alise snapped indignantly.
Judas, meanwhile, tilted his head.
"You're the one who brought it up."
"I just answered honestly."
He added with a shrug.
After all, it was technically the truth—he really had come here after hearing that they'd returned from their expedition.
Alise's face burned an even deeper shade of red.
"T-That's not fair!"
Alise protested as she spun back toward him.
"You're not supposed to agree so casually!"
A few chuckles rippled through the Astraea Familia.
"Heh... she walked right into that one."
Lyra muttered with a grin.
Even the other members of the Astraea Familia began whispering among themselves.
"Wow... I've never seen the captain this flustered before..."
"Right? To think the always-positive, confident, free-spirited, prideful captain could be reduced to this with just a few words... that Judas... do you think the captain—"
The sentence trailed off, but everyone present understood the implication.
"H-Hey! What are you guys implying!?"
Alise snapped, pointing at them with her index finger.
While all of this was happening, Kaguya stepped closer to Judas, her gaze slowly moving over him from head to toe.
"You seem stronger than before."
She said, her dark-pink eyes boring into him.
Judas wasn't surprised that Kaguya had noticed.
When someone ranked up, the change wasn't always visible on the surface, but the presence they carried... the weight of their existence... became sharper, denser.
To a seasoned adventurer like her, it was impossible to miss.
"Did you... recover your original strength?"
Kaguya asked.
Judas shook his head.
"I reached level three while you were away."
He replied calmly.
Kaguya nodded at first, then froze.
Her eyes snapped open a heartbeat later as the words finally registered.
"...Level three?"
She repeated, blinking several times.
"Did I hear that right? You're a level three now?"
Lyra chimed in, staring at him as if he were some kind of anomaly.
"Well... if it's you, I suppose that's only natural."
Kaguya said after a brief pause, quickly regaining her composure.
None of them even considered the possibility that he was lying.
They accepted his words without hesitation.
Because unlike their captain, Judas wasn't the type to boast or exaggerate about himself.
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