After a brief conversation, Aether finally understood what Astraea meant when she said she had "spent all her money."
Even as a former candidate for the strongest familia's chief deity, she had retained considerable savings. Over the years, since leaving Orario, she had spent part of it, but a significant portion remained untouched.
Not to mention, the Astraea Familia's exclusive emblem was still usable. If she needed to access funds, she could simply handle it at any of the guild branches in major cities.
It's worth noting that when the Astraea Familia had fallen, it was only due to Ryuu's rampage that the "Evilus" was fully crushed. The guild still remembered—or rather, respected—that contribution. Later, the bounty on Ryuu was more for show, and the assets of the Astraea Familia were never frozen.
However…
Before arriving in this city, the justice goddess had given most of her remaining money to the remote town she once stayed in, helping them build a stone bridge for pedestrians to cross the river.
She kept only the bare minimum for travel expenses.
A few days ago, upon encountering some starving refugees, her heart could not bear it, so she spent most of her remaining travel money to buy them food.
And now…
"Originally, I thought… since I finally get to meet my child (Ryuu) again, I should look nice. So just before leaving, I bought this long dress."
"Honestly, if I hadn't met you, I probably would have had to sell it to cover my travel costs."
At this moment, Astraea sat across from Aether, separated by a casual café table.
Hearing her story, Aether didn't quite know what to say.
Suddenly…
"Grr~"
Someone's stomach (a god's, no less) was protesting.
The blonde boy glanced teasingly at the older sister before him. Her cheeks flushed red, shyly avoiding his gaze. Such a moment was naturally embarrassing for her, especially since this was their first meeting.
"Tsk tsk tsk~ So this is the justice goddess who even Erebus considered unbeatable?"
Aether murmured in admiration.
"Well, I suppose… even Artemis, former head of the Heaven's Social Club, turned into a lovesick fool. What's impossible in this world?"
Thinking this, he glanced at the time.
"Looks like breakfast time is just right. Goddess Astraea, care to join me?"
"Hmm~"
The elder goddess pursed her lips and nodded slightly.
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
Aether shrugged.
"Besides, I've already accepted the private mission you assigned. And my sister, as well as a friend of mine, know Ryuu. When traveling, if I didn't help with a small favor like this, future meetings might get complicated."
"I see."
Astraea's attention shifted elsewhere.
"Seems like Ryuu has made more good friends."
"I'm truly glad…"
Her words faltered. The smile faded, replaced by a sudden stiffness in her expression.
As a deity corresponding to a familia, she could sense the life and growth of her "child" through her Falna. Even if the child had changed familias or joined another deity, this perception would remain.
At this moment…
"Alise…"
Astraea truly sensed that the only child she might see again was now the last remaining one.
"Why… now of all times?"
=======
A few minutes earlier…
"BOOM~ BOOM BOOM~"
Purple lightning flashed.
The red-haired woman, Revis, desperately parried the rapid strikes from the black-dressed girl.
The speed and precision of her attacks were astonishing. Accelerating her body with lightning, it was as if she launched assaults from every direction simultaneously—relentless, allowing no time to breathe.
"So this is one of the Twin Stars?"
Now, Revis could easily defeat most Lv.5 adventurers. But against this Lv.5 opponent, she felt increasingly trapped, with no chance to retaliate.
Even a newly promoted Lv.6 adventurer might not have this kind of skill.
"This is troublesome."
The sharp blade in her hands was cracked and chipped, clearly inferior to the purple-black demon sword wielded by her opponent.
Then…
"I see now."
Lumine suddenly halted her attack. Purple lightning still coiled around her, but she stopped five meters away from Revis.
"Essentially… you are not fully 'Alise.'"
"Two consciousnesses merged? No… that's not it."
"Is it that the 'new consciousness' has acquired the original owner's memories?"
"Or is it something deeper…"
"You talk too much."
Revis held her blade horizontally, eyeing Lumine warily.
"Does the truth matter?"
"It only doesn't matter to you."
Lumine replied coldly.
"But… regardless of its importance, I must make it irrelevant here… no, I must make this question cease to exist."
She had deduced that the current Revis was mostly a consciousness from the Demi Spirit spirit, which had entered Alise's body, creating an unpredictable anomaly.
The result: she was "Alise" but not truly herself.
This subtle difference was enough to cause immense pain to anyone connected to her, even Lumine felt uneasy witnessing it.
Therefore, she would not change her decision:
This person must never meet Ryuu. The fragile elf could not bear another blow like this.
"Alise, though we've never met before, if there is even the slightest chance you are still… alive…"
"Enough of this nonsense! How long are you going to keep saying—"
"Silence."
Lumine's voice cut cold, sharp.
"These words aren't for you. Show some awareness."
She slowly raised the sword, inhaling deeply.
"Listen carefully, 'hero.'"
"Ryuu is my friend. Even if she doesn't admit it herself, even if she stubbornly persists at times, she is still an elf worthy of respect, filled with a sense of justice."
"And she is not alone anymore. She has a new life. For years, she has been working at a tavern, under a kind, supportive mentor."
"And now…"
Lightning crackled across the blonde girl's body. She was gathering her final strike.
All for…
"May you rest in peace."
BOOM!
At that moment, Revis realized one thing:
Until now, the other had never truly attacked.
She raised her hand instinctively, holding her sword…
But…
CRACK~
The weapon shattered with a clean break. Simultaneously, inside her chest, the previously dormant heart and the eerie dark green magic stone maintaining her life were pierced by the lightning.
Like monsters, when the internal magic stone is destroyed, her body immediately began to disintegrate into ash.
Lumine appeared behind Revis without looking back.
"Thank you~"
A faint sense of release seemed to reach her.
The blonde girl's right hand, holding the sword, trembled slightly for the first time.
Instinctively, she clutched her right wrist with her left hand.
In an instant…
"Dionysus—"
The killing intent from the Abyss became tangible, almost solid.
"You will not even have a chance to resurrect."
…..
Completed version available on [P]atreon.[c]om/Veltoria [remove brackets]