The blazing sun hung high in the sky, bathing the massive city walls of Orario in a layer of dazzling gold.
"Wow... is this Orario? It's spectacular!"
An energetic blue-haired girl, Cecil, held a hand to her forehead, looking up in awe at the impossibly grand city walls before her.
Atop the walls, members of the Ganesha Familia looked as small as ants as they maintained order.
"Yeah, it truly deserves to be called the 'Center of the World'. It's so much bigger than our City of Swords."
Beside her, a werewolf girl named Iselina also sighed in genuine admiration.
Their hometown was famous for its forging, but when it came to scale and grandeur, it paled in comparison to Orario.
At this moment, the group from the Astrea Familia was mixed into the long line of people entering the city, slowly inching forward.
In the center of their group, their patron deity, Astrea, had completely hidden herself beneath a loose, black hooded robe, preventing anyone from catching a glimpse of her face or figure.
Looking at this familiar yet foreign city before her, Astrea's eyes were filled with complex emotions.
She shouldn't have come back.
Ryuu had not yet completed her true metamorphosis and was still imprisoned by the shadows of her past.
And the "weapon" she was preparing for Ryuu was not yet finished.
But she had no choice; she had to return.
The line moved quickly, and soon it was the Astrea Familia's turn.
The Ganesha Familia member in charge of registration looked up and asked in a businesslike tone, "Affiliated Familia?"
Cecil and the others instinctively almost blurted out their name, but the name "Astrea Familia" was simply too renowned.
If they shouted it out here, the news of the "Familia of Justice's return" would spread across all of Orario in less than half a day.
When that happened, Ryuu would definitely catch wind of it.
And that was not what Astrea wanted.
Just as the atmosphere fell into a delicate stagnation, a calm, powerful voice intervened.
"Leave these people to me. You go busy yourself with something else."
Everyone turned to the source of the voice, only to see the captain of the Ganesha Familia, the "Ankusha" Shakti Varma, slowly walking over.
"Captain? What brings you here?" the member in charge of registration asked, puzzled.
Shakti didn't explain much, simply pointing at Cecil and the others.
Though full of questions, the captain's orders were absolute.
He immediately nodded and let them pass, allowing Astrea's group to follow Shakti into Orario.
After arriving in a secluded alleyway and confirming there was no one around, Shakti finally turned around. Facing the goddess who slowly pulled back her hood to reveal her signature walnut-colored hair, Shakti bowed respectfully.
"Lady Astrea, welcome back."
"Sorry for the trouble, Shakti. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have known how to get inside," Astrea said, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
"Lady Astrea, does this mean... the Familia is officially returning to Orario?"
Shakti's gaze swept over the energetic and curious new faces behind the goddess, a glint of anticipation flashing in her eyes. "If the citizens knew you had returned, they would be overjoyed."
For the Ganesha Familia, the return of an ally they had once fought alongside was undoubtedly fantastic news.
Is the Familia of Justice about to be revived?
However, Astrea shook her head, her expression growing serious once more.
"Shakti, I have to trouble you with one more thing. Do not spread the news of my return. Especially... to Ryuu. I don't want her to know I'm back."
"Yes, I understand, Lady Astrea."
Shakti didn't hesitate for a second, nodding immediately in agreement.
Although she didn't know Astrea's objective, both she and her patron deity trusted this Goddess of Justice unconditionally.
Ganesha's orders had been very direct: Help Astrea with everything you have. No matter what she intends to do, as long as it doesn't harm Orario, it is permitted.
This was the sheer extent of Astrea's connections and prestige. Even after being away for five years, she still held an unshakable position in the hearts of both gods and mortals.
"If you wish to hide your identity, the Stardust Garden is currently being managed by the Guild. Do you have a place to stay?" Shakti asked with concern. "If not, I can immediately arrange a safe residence for you."
"There's no need." Astrea's voice carried a soft, smiling tone from beneath the hood. "A god friend of mine also came to Orario. Since we haven't seen each other in a long time, imposing on her is the perfect excuse."
She politely declined Shakti's kind offer.
After parting ways with Shakti, Cecil and the others followed closely behind Astrea, weaving through the bustling streets of Orario.
"Lady Astrea, where are we going?"
As the current captain, Cecil ultimately couldn't suppress her curiosity and asked in a low voice.
"You'll know when we get there," Astrea blinked playfully, keeping them in suspense.
"Jeez~ Lady Astrea is so mean. You've really piqued our curiosity now."
The blue-haired girl puffed out her cheeks. Beside her, the werewolf girl Iselina and the other members were practically itching with anticipation.
They started making wild guesses in their heads.
"Could it be the Goddess Loki? I heard she and Lady Astrea have a great relationship, even if her personality is a bit nasty."
"It could also be Goddess Hephaestus."
"What if it's the legendary Goddess of Beauty, Freya?"
After joining the Familia, they had all frantically studied the glorious past history of the Astrea Familia. While worshiping their seniors, they had also learned about the Familia's powerful circle of friends in Orario.
Basically, all of the current major Familias in Orario had deep ties with the former Astrea Familia.
Soon, Astrea led Cecil and the others to the bustling, incredibly expensive real estate of the First District, stopping in front of an absurdly magnificent palace.
Palais Mermonia—the nameplate above the palace gates gleamed with golden brilliance.
Their jaws dropped so wide they could practically fit a fist inside.
This was their first time seeing such a massive, luxurious Familia headquarters. It was even grander than the lord's manor back in their hometown.
However, Astrea's gaze drifted past this palace, looking toward another equally elegant building not far away—the Stardust Garden.
That place was once a home filled with the laughter and joy of her and her children. But now, not a single person belonging to the Astrea Familia remained there.
An indescribable loneliness flashed through her eyes.
"Hello, who are you looking for?"
Just then, two girls carrying various bags and parcels caught sight of Astrea's group at the gates and hurriedly approached to ask.
It was Daphne and Cassandra. They had just gone out shopping and were returning home with their purchases.
"And you are...?"
Seeing the two girls carrying a pile of goods, Astrea instinctively pulled her hood down a bit more to hide her face, asking softly.
Noticing this deity who was deliberately hiding her identity but still faintly radiating a divine aura, Daphne stepped forward and answered politely, "I am Daphne of the Focalors Familia. Lady Goddess, may I ask what brings you to our headquarters?"
"Furina's children? Perfect timing."
The voice beneath Astrea's hood was calm and unrippled. "I am looking for Furina. Please help me inform her."
"Looking for Lady Furina? Understood."
Daphne instinctively nodded, but then she abruptly realized something was wrong.
She snapped her head around, looking at Astrea again, her eyes filled with unconcealable confusion.
Having joined the Focalors Familia for a while now, she had a good grasp of her patron deity's situation.
Their goddess was two sides of the same coin, possessing two personalities and two names.
But the vast majority of outsiders—even the gods she knew in Heaven—only knew the divine name "Focalors," completely unaware of the more private, "human" name, "Furina."
----
Support this fanfict by leaving Positive Review, Comments, and Power Stones.
For Advance Chapters:
> Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations