None of the members of Artemis' Familia voiced any objection to her decision to return to Orario.
After all, Artemis was their goddess, the one who had led them through hardship and despair, who had now brought them all back from death through Leon's divine miracle. Whatever she chose, they would follow.
Those within the Familia who were already familiar with Leon and his companions were the first to learn of their return to Orario. Word spread quickly.
Naturally, with Hestia and Leon having vanished for several days without notice, their sudden reappearance sparked a rush of urgent questions. And so, one by one, the gods began to converge.
Hephaestus brought Tsubaki. Loki came with Riveria. Miach brought Naaza, and even Takemikazuchi appeared with Chigusa in tow.
Soon enough, all of them had come from their residence or the Dungeon and were now approaching the familiar gates of the library.
— — —
"Goddess!!! Why did you leave Orario without saying a word?! I… I thought you didn't want me anymore."
Belle's voice cracked as she cried out and dropped to her knees. With tears streaming down her face, she clung tightly to Hestia the moment she spotted her, sobbing like a lost child who had finally found her way home.
No one could understand just how terrified she had been. When she returned from the Dungeon and found both Hestia and Leon missing without a trace, her heart had nearly stopped.
In those days that followed, Belle had no interest in adventuring. She abandoned the Dungeon and began scouring every corner of Orario with Lili and the others in tow.
It had gotten so bad that Fels himself had appeared, unable to ignore her despair. He had finally told her that Leon and Hestia had left to complete a commission outside the city.
Though she was relieved, Belle still couldn't rest. She had little appetite and spent her days anxiously watching the library. She even asked a local resident to inform her the moment either of them returned.
And the moment she got word of their arrival, she brought Lili, Haruhime, and Mikoto with her, rushing over like the wind.
"Seriously, you made us worry sick." Lili complained.
"Yes. That was irresponsible." Mikoto chimed in.
Haruhime looked down, clearly upset but too gentle to say much.
Watching the four of them unload their emotions all at once, Hestia looked embarrassed. She hurried to console them, softly apologizing and petting their heads one by one.
Eventually, Belle's tears dried, and she stood back up. Lili and the others no longer pressed the issue, though the worry in their eyes lingered.
"Hehe… this kid really was a mess." Hephaestus chuckled. "She's been running all over Orario like a headless chicken looking for you two."
Her tone turned stern as she crossed her arms. "Hestia. Leon. Next time, just say something before you vanish."
"Yeah." Tsubaki added, voice firm. "You were gone for days without a word. That's not cool."
She sighed deeply. "I was so busy lately forging weapons for the Loki and Astraea Familias, I didn't have time to visit. Then I hear you've vanished?"
"Sorry, sorry…" Hestia bowed her head sheepishly, repeating her apologies.
Seeing her genuine remorse, the two let it go and turned toward Leon. Their gazes sharpened.
Leon scratched the back of his head. With a guilty smile, he raised his hand with all five fingers spread wide.
"Alright. Five meals. My treat."
"…Hmph." Hephaestus and Tsubaki exchanged glances.
"Well, as long as it's delicious."
"This apology… is acceptable." Tsubaki agreed, grinning.
But just as the tension seemed to clear, Loki stepped in with her usual bark. "Hey! Leon, you can't just disappear like that. The expedition is in two days, and I couldn't find you anywhere. Do you know how much that set me back?!"
Her tone was loud and exasperated.
"And I needed to talk with you too." Riveria added with a serious look.
"Sorry, sorry." Leon said again, hands raised. "I'll come to your place this evening."
"Good." Riveria gave a firm nod. "I'll inform Alise and the others. We'll go over the expedition plans tonight."
As she spoke, Loki narrowed her eyes, her curiosity piqued once again. "By the way… You guys went off to deal with Antares, didn't you? C'mon, spill the details."
Before Leon could speak, Hestia jumped forward. "No comment."
"…I wasn't even asking you."
"Well, I'm answering for Leon. Still no comment."
Loki growled. "You little runt…!"
Hestia stood her ground, puffing out her chest. "You flat-chested monster."
In an instant, the two goddesses were locked in a heated bicker, yelling insults like it was their daily routine.
Everyone else stood awkwardly watching as the argument escalated.
"…Why do they always do this?" Naaza muttered.
Finally, Riveria lost her patience and grabbed Loki by the collar. "We're leaving."
As she dragged the goddess away, Loki thrashed like a wild cat.
"H-Hey! Put me down! I'm not finished with her!"
Hestia ran to the doorway like a triumphant child, sticking her tongue out and making faces at Loki, who tried to claw her way back but to no avail.
Riveria's grip was merciless.
"Enough, you maniac!"
Thankfully, Hephaestus couldn't stand the spectacle any longer either. She walked over, grabbed Hestia by the ear, and yanked her inside the library.
With the two goddesses finally calmed, the tension deflated. Hephaestus casually started chatting with the group, deliberately avoiding any mention of what Leon and Hestia had done outside the city.
Even Belle and the others joined the conversation, chatting with smiles as if the chaos moments earlier hadn't happened.
Leon, on the other hand, offered a polite goodbye and slipped quietly into the inner courtyard.
The library was still spotless, as if no time had passed. It hadn't been by chance. Leon had arranged for it to be cleaned regularly by hired hands. Maintaining such a vast space wouldn't be possible for him alone, not even with Hestia's help.
Back in his private room, Leon quietly sat down.
It was time. He pulled out the status paper and prepared to update his Falna. The growth this time shouldn't be drastic but there was something else he wanted to confirm.
Would defeating Antares grant him enough special excelia to trigger an upgrade?
Leon's magic stat had already risen above D rank. If his suspicion was correct…
It should be enough.
He closed his eyes, and moments later, the newly updated status emerged.
Leon Morningstar
Level: 6
Strength: H103 → H109
Endurance: H125 → H130
Dexterity: H113 → H119
Agility: H109 → H120
Magic: D523 → B739
[Level Up Available]
Optional Development Abilities: Divine Power, Godslayer, Divine Healing
Development Abilities: Mage C, Luck F, Spirit Healing G, Berserker G
[Magic]
Thought Projection
Son of Light
Son of Darkness
[Skills]
Tenseigan
Divine Protection of the War God
Sky Flame
As his eyes scanned the three newly unlocked development abilities, Leon went silent.
"…Divine Power. Godslayer. Divine Healing…"
He narrowed his gaze, falling into deep thought.
So Antares had indeed earned him a massive leap in achievements. Now, the real question was which of these development abilities he should choose.