"What exactly is 'justice'?"
In a distant, hazy memory, a so-called evil god once asked him this very question.
At the time, how had he answered…?
He couldn't recall.
Or perhaps: he simply didn't want to remember.
Now…
Inside the artificial labyrinth Knossos, in one of the control rooms, Renjiro's ally Lumine addressed the red-haired woman, Revis.
The question might have seemed strange to an outsider, yet for a moment, Revis froze.
Then…
"I don't know. Who's that?"
Her cold words echoed in Lumine's ears.
"Is that so? I see…"
Lumine seemed to have understood what answer Revis was willing to give.
Alise Lovell, also called the Scarlet Harnel, had shone during the Seven Days of Death uprising as a remarkable adventurer and leader of the Astraea Familia.
She was also one of the most respected figures for Ryuu Lion, recognized as the "big silly elder sister" by her entire familia.
Although at the time of her "sacrifice" at the hands of Juggernaut, a few years ago, her only Lv.4, her familia—the Goddess of Justice's group—had long helped the powerless, correcting injustices for ordinary people and saving many families.
Thus… her name was known widely, if not throughout the entire Underworld, then at least within the circles of Orario.
Those she had helped remembered her with gratitude.
Those whose plans she had ruined remembered her with resentment.
So…
The very answer "I don't know" already said a lot.
Moreover…
Her willingness to answer at all also revealed much.
Normally, an indifferent response is what one expects from someone uninformed.
Therefore…
"Sigh~"
Lumine let out a long breath.
She reached a cruel conclusion: "You… must absolutely not meet Ryuu in your current state."
"Sorry."
The blonde-haired girl in a white dress slowly raised her right hand, gripping the sword in her palm. The tip pointed at the "monster" before her.
"Today, I have to kill you here."
Her white dress gradually darkened to a muted tone.
"Farewell, former 'hero of the common people.'"
======
At the same time…
Outside Orario, in the opera kingdom of Meilstora.
"Today, even though 'our side' is busy with a large-scale operation, I'm the only one not participating… sigh~"
The golden-eyed, blonde-haired youth, Aether, sat alone at an outdoor table of a casual café in the capital, sipping a popular beverage.
He had been traveling for several days and had already visited the headquarters of the Aphrodite Familia.
Unfortunately, it was deserted. A local neighbor said: the beautiful goddess had taken her "dolphins" (pets/members) out to play.
Where? Who knows.
Recently, Aether had been in constant remote contact with Lumine, and she repeatedly sent Mona to perform divination and location tracking.
The results… were useless.
Simply put, Mona's divination—though a ridiculously powerful ability—becomes less effective the larger the existence or influence of the target, and the less data available.
For example: the Daedalus Eye could be located easily because its existence is small and confined to a single building—the God Tower of the Ishtar Familia.
But Aphrodite…
Even if a little scatterbrained, she was still a god.
She constantly wandered and was currently not even in the opera kingdom.
Her followers, due to Falnas, also had enormous causal connections, making tracking her nearly impossible.
Renjiro knew that if he—or anyone else—spread a rumor that Aphrodite was an ugly, arrogant goddess, she would appear immediately in a flurry of pride.
But then asking for her help would be a real hassle.
This goddess was notoriously capricious.
Though she wouldn't kill innocents like Ista, she often ignored those with no personal grievance—even those who had helped her.
She would only assist occasionally, and then very begrudgingly, insisting on maintaining her pride and tsundere attitude.
In short: offend her, and run. She might retaliate with uncontrolled charm.
Even flattery didn't work: calling her "the most beautiful in the world" simply reinforced her sense of entitlement.
Gods are truly troublesome.
Aether rubbed his forehead in frustration.
"Fine… I'll just ask that old god Ouranos for information."
"I've been out this long without results; wandering more is just a waste of time."
"Maybe I should just teleport back to join the fun?"
He pondered this internally.
Suddenly…
"Huh?"
A friendly female voice reached his ears.
He instinctively turned his head and saw a woman with waist-length light brown hair, wearing a luxurious long dress—a big sister?
No… she was a god.
"Goddess Astraea?"
Drawing on Renjiro's memories, Aether instantly recognized her—her appearance perfectly matched her character design, and her aura was serene.
The goddess was unsurprised by his reaction.
However…
"I didn't expect that even the Twin Stars would still know the name of this fallen god."
This goddess seemed slightly mischievous.
If she had been dressed in some modest garb like Hestia, it would be normal. But now? One might think she was a grand princess of some royal family.
Aether: "Do you need me for something?"
Like Renjiro, he only used polite forms of address to those he respected—gods.
This goddess, known for her justice, had certainly earned her reputation through deeds.
"Our meeting here is by chance," Astraea smiled.
"However… it's rare to meet one of the Twin Stars. If possible, I'd like to assign you a personal mission."
"Oh?"
Aether, about to resume his journey, tilted his head, intrigued: "What mission?"
"If it won't disturb you or delay your journey, I'd like you to escort me to Orario."
Astraea sighed.
"I must admit… before arriving in this city, I spent all my money."
"So, I may not be able to pay a deposit."
Aether's lips twitched.
Really, you gods… why are you all so allergic to money?
One by one, no money when traveling.