For the stretch of time that followed, Qianshuo remained in recovery.
During that period, he didn't meet anyone else from Freya Familia. Only Heith came by each day to change his medicine—and, whenever she had a moment, tell him things about Orario.
Of course, that was because Qianshuo kept asking.
Heith was the only person he could really talk to, and learning more about his situation—and about Orario itself—could only help.
From Heith, he also learned that the "beasts" he had fought back then were not ordinary animals at all, but monsters that had escaped from the Dungeon.
Monsters born through reproduction.
That single fact unraveled the knot in his mind. No wonder he'd had to stake his life just to barely kill one.
Dungeon monsters were troublesome even for a Level 1 adventurer—let alone a normal swordsman like him who possessed no divine blessing.
The infirmary.
"You're recovering pretty well," Heith said, smiling in satisfaction as she removed the splints from both his arms and unwound the bandages around his chest. "It's only been half a month and you're already able to walk. Another week or so and you should be back to normal."
"Honestly, your constitution is weird," she added. "If it were any other adventurer, they'd still be pinned to a board."
A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.
She truly hadn't expected a mere ordinary human to heal this fast. No wonder Lady Freya had taken him so seriously—there really was something exceptional about him.
"If not for your careful treatment, Heith-miss, I couldn't have recovered this quickly," Qianshuo said with a smile, shaking his head. He stood, then bowed deeply and earnestly. "Thank you for everything these days."
He had nothing to offer, after all.
Words and attitude were the only way he could express his gratitude.
Seeing that polite, youthful face—still soft with childishness, yet carrying a stubborn kind of resolve—Heith couldn't help but smile.
She had to admit it: this kid was pleasant to listen to.
Compared to the crude idiots in the familia, the more she looked at Qianshuo, the more she liked him.
"Thank you for the compliment," Heith said, clearly pleased.
"But you should really be thanking Lady Freya. If she hadn't brought you back, you wouldn't be hopping around like this now."
Even as she smiled, she made sure to press the point into his memory: this was Lady Freya's mercy.
"That's only natural," Qianshuo replied.
"Since you've recovered, then get ready," Heith said, stretching lazily as she began organizing the discarded splints and bandages beside her. "You're coming with me to meet Lady Freya."
"…Huh? Heith-miss, isn't that a little sudden?" Qianshuo froze, visibly flustered.
"Eh?" Heith blinked at him. "Didn't I tell you earlier?"
"No," Qianshuo said, shaking his head.
"I'm pretty sure I did," Heith insisted without hesitation.
"Then it must be because you weren't listening properly, little Qianshuo."
Rather than admit her "mistake," she poked his forehead with an indignant finger, acting as if it were clearly his fault.
"Anyway—don't be nervous," Heith said with a light, lilting laugh as she soothed him. "Lady Freya is the most beautiful, most loving goddess in this world. And besides, you're the one she saved."
Qianshuo noticed it then: whenever Heith spoke of Freya, her expression changed—her eyes filling with unmistakable reverence and longing.
It wasn't forced.
It rose from deep within, a pure loyalty to that goddess without a single stray thought mixed in.
Which made Qianshuo even more curious.
Just what kind of "charm" did that peerlessly stunning beauty goddess possess… to inspire such devotion from her familia?
Heith didn't give him time to dwell on it. She tossed him a set of Freya Familia's standard clothing and waited outside the door.
"Lady Freya…" Qianshuo murmured to himself.
Nervousness and anticipation twisted together in his chest.
...
On the corridor leading toward the divine chamber, Qianshuo finally saw what Freya Familia looked like up close—along with the familia members themselves, fighting and killing in what looked like a savage training ground.
After Heith explained it, Qianshuo understood why.
Anyone honored to become part of Lady Freya's familia had to fight—really fight—inside the courtyard known as the Battle Wilds.
From morning to night.
Every single day.
Those who explored the Dungeon weren't strictly bound to it, but not many people actually left the Courtyard—because this place was the true battle wilds.
"Ahhh!! I have to treat those idiots every day!" Heith glared down at the ongoing slaughter below, her eyes seething with resentment so thick it felt more vicious than a ghost's. Standing beside her, Qianshuo couldn't help shivering.
No wonder Heith-miss's dark circles were so heavy.
Her workload was terrifying.
"It's probably because your healing magic and medical skill are so outstanding," Qianshuo said. He didn't know what else to say, so he tried to praise her from another angle. "Otherwise you wouldn't be the familia's chief healer."
He meant it sincerely.
With that amount of work every day, most people would break. The fact that Heith could carry it—and that Lady Freya trusted her with the entire familia's medical care—said everything.
"Of course," Heith said, the corners of her lips lifting. "And you really do speak sweeter than those brainless idiots."
Her smile brightened, warm and lovely.
She found herself liking this kid more and more—gentle personality, good with words… and most importantly…
He was genuinely handsome.
As if startled by the thought, Heith quietly stole a glance at him from the corner of her eye as they walked.
"Cute" was supposed to describe girls, but for some reason, she felt it fit him just fine.
Years of training gave him a sharp, almost blade-like presence—but his face looked like porcelain, the unmistakable making of a future heartthrob.
Those eyes, slightly upturned like peach blossoms, paired with the remnants of childish innocence—made his clean, youthful aura hit like a wave.
These days he'd been wearing sickroom clothes, so she hadn't noticed. Now, dressed in Freya Familia's standard outfit, hair tied neatly back, his best features stood out clearly.
Even so, Heith kept her tone serious when it came to what mattered. She warned him about the etiquette of meeting Lady Freya, so he wouldn't make a mistake.
"Remember this: you must show Lady Freya absolute respect. No matter what Lady Freya says, you agree. Lady Freya's words are the highest command."
She bent down and lightly rapped his head.
"I understand, Heith-miss," Qianshuo said, nodding solemnly.
It sounded "exaggerated," but Qianshuo felt it was only right.
His life had been saved by Freya. So whatever she asked of him was only natural—he had no objections.
At last, they arrived at the doors of the divine chamber. Heith patted his shoulder. A maid was already waiting, stepping forward to open the doors.
"Go on in," Heith said.
"I'll see you later, Heith-miss." Qianshuo smiled and nodded, then followed the maid inside.
Once inside, Qianshuo didn't look around. He remembered Heith's warning: don't stare, don't gawk—just face forward.
He took advice well. He didn't believe he had any special privilege that justified disrespect.
Besides, as an outsider, being allowed into Freya's divine chamber at all was already an enormous honor.
"Please, enter," the maid said, gesturing respectfully at a veil of gauze.
"Thank you," Qianshuo replied with a polite nod, then stepped through.
As he drew the curtain aside and walked in, a voice reached him—soft and serene.
"Qianshuo. This is our first meeting, child."
Her tone was gentle, and it gave Qianshuo a sensation like his soul was being washed clean.
If he had to describe it more honestly…
It was captivating—as if it carried some kind of magic.
It tugged at the strings of the heart. Even if it wasn't Freya's intention, it still made a person feel irresistibly drawn to her… made them want to step closer.
Qianshuo lifted his gaze instinctively toward the figure ahead.
And for the first time, he saw the beauty goddess's face.
-------
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