Although the monster had already fallen, the people around them were unable to come back to their senses for a long time. They still seemed immersed in that battle that could hardly even be called a battle.
Elise had not used any techniques at all. Relying solely on her own pure strength, she casually raised her hand and eliminated a monster that their entire group had been unable to even scratch.
"So this is Orario's strongest?"
"The Saintess of Scales who once defeated a Level 7 at Level 4... is she really this terrifying...?"
"But she's so beautiful!"
Looking at Elise, bathed in light, the eyes of the crowd gradually lit up as well.
"Yeah, she's so beautiful!"
"As expected of the Astraea Familia! Dealing with those Evilus guys is effortless for them!"
"Thank goodness you were here, otherwise we would all have died."
No one dared to criticize the current number one Familia of Orario, and besides, the Astraea Familia had just saved them. If anything negative about them spread, it wouldn't benefit anyone here.
But praise was different. As long as you praised the Astraea Familia, then everyone was a friend. Quite a few Familias even used this opportunity to form alliances.
No matter what, this incident could be considered a complete success. Evilus' attack had failed, and the adventurers safely returned to Orario.
The Astraea Familia also captured several spies hidden among the crowd and handed them over to the Loki Familia.
It was likely that the Brave Finn was already searching for Evilus' hideout.
At the same time, the events on the twenty-fourth floor spread far and wide, carried by countless merchants and bards, eventually reaching every corner of the world.
The Astraea Familia had once again crushed the remnants of Evilus' schemes. Evilus had already become a relic of a bygone era, no longer capable of stirring up any major trouble.
...
Somewhere in the countryside.
The boy Bell looked at the storybook in his hands, his eyes filled with admiration.
"That's amazing! She can actually fight so many monsters all by herself!"
This was a newly purchased book from the town, recording the story of the Saintess his grandfather had mentioned.
When the adventurers were deceived by villains and brought to the twenty-fourth floor, what awaited them was an overwhelming swarm of monsters.
Although the adventurers resisted and fought back, they were still unable to withstand the monsters' assault. But at that moment, light descended from the sky, and the Astraea Familia arrived.
Each of them possessed tremendous strength. Monsters that ordinary adventurers could not handle were effortlessly defeated by them in just a few moves.
And their captain was the new strongest of Orario. Even seasoned veterans were no match for her, let alone these monsters.
Even when Evilus summoned even stronger monsters, they ultimately fell beneath her sword.
"Will I be able to become such an amazing adventurer in the future?"
Bell couldn't help but feel a yearning for Orario.
"That depends on how hard you're willing to work. If you can endure my training and Zald's, then you will certainly surpass them."
A slightly cool yet faintly warm voice came from beside him. Bell turned his head to see his mother, Alfia.
"I'll die, won't I? I'll definitely die, right?"
Having already experienced Alfia's training, Bell felt that it was no different from seeking death!
Even Uncle Zald had twitched at the corners of his mouth after witnessing what Alfia put him through.
However, despite how harsh Alfia's training was, Bell managed to complete it all—and even did better than she had expected. He hardly seemed like a child of only a few years old.
"Fool. If you don't surpass your limits, how can you become strong?"
As one of the only two adventurers in this world whose ability values had exceeded one thousand, Alfia knew far more than ordinary people.
She had reached the pinnacle of this world through both talent and hard work.
Yes, both talent and effort. Without either, she would never have achieved her current strength.
As for Bell...
His talent is no weaker than mine.
If trained properly, he might one day reach a realm even I have never stepped into. At that thought, a faint smile appeared on Alfia's lips.
But giving the child a bit of a reality check, letting him understand that there is always someone stronger, was also important.
People shouldn't aim too high without grounding themselves, so...
"You still have a long way to go!"
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock!
"Looks like our guest has arrived."
Alfia let out a sigh and stood up from the sofa.
"Bell, can you go call Zald and that old geezer back? We need to discuss something important."
"After you bring them back, go to your room and read for a while. It won't take long."
"Okay!"
Bell nodded with a smile, clutching his hero tale as he quickly ran off. Just as Alfia said, he needed to bring Zald and Zeus back.
There was something very important to discuss.
Alfia straightened her appearance before walking to the door and opening it.
"Yo, it's been a while since we last met!"
Standing outside was someone Alfia didn't particularly want to see... no, rather, a god.
He was a male god with black hair, though a single strand was gray. He was undeniably handsome.
Combined with the mysterious aura around him, he was indeed quite charming.
But Alfia showed no reaction to his appearance. Instead, her expression turned displeased.
"Do you need something?"
"Didn't Zald and I already refuse you last time?"
The male god before her was the same one who had once approached Alfia and Zald. He had intended to stir up great evil in Orario to provide a trial for the heroes of the next era.
Unfortunately, at that time, Alfia had already met Bell. She couldn't abandon her sister's child, so she refused Erebus' request.
Back then, Erebus had said it didn't matter—but now, he had suddenly returned...
Was he planning to force them this time?
Or did he have another purpose?
It was hard not to suspect something more.
If the situation turned unfavorable, Alfia was even prepared to make a move against this god.
"Relax. I've already abandoned the previous plan."
As if he had anticipated her reaction, Erebus raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. However, his expression quickly turned serious.
"This time, I've come with another request!"
"You gods really are troublesome..."
Though she said that, Alfia had already opened the door and let Erebus into the house.
"I've already sent Bell to call Zeus and Zald back. We'll talk about business once they arrive."
"Bell, huh? He's a good child. A kid trained by the two of you—no matter how weak he is, he won't be that weak, right?"
Erebus spoke as if joking, but Alfia's reaction was immediate and intense.
"I'm warning you—don't set your sights on Bell!"
"Of course not." Erebus spread his hands. "My purpose this time is still you and Zald. I won't drag a child into it."
"Good. You'd better remember that."
"..."
There wasn't much more for them to talk about. Alfia and Erebus had only met once or twice before, far from being familiar.
Thus, the atmosphere in the room gradually turned cold. Alfia clearly had no intention of speaking, while Erebus silently waited, seemingly organizing his thoughts.
Before long, the old man Zeus and the farmer Zald returned to the small house. But the moment they stepped inside, they saw that familiar figure.
"It really has been a long time, Erebus."
Zeus, unusually, had none of his usual lecherous demeanor. Though gods were often unserious, when it mattered, they could be very solemn.
"Indeed, it has been a long time, Zeus... and Zald."
"It's good to see you both doing well."
Two humans and two gods began their discussion inside the house. However...
The current arrangement was that Alfia alone occupied a sofa meant for two, while Zeus and Erebus each sat on separate single chairs.
As for Zald... he looked around, found no remaining seat, and could only stand behind Zeus.
The family hierarchy was crystal clear.
It's worth mentioning that a small white head was bobbing outside the window—like a startled rabbit.
"Um... shouldn't we deal with the one outside?"
Just as Erebus was about to get to the main topic, he paused. Not only him—everyone else had already noticed that little head.
"Give me a moment."
Alfia stood up from the sofa and quickly left the house, heading toward that little white rabbit.
And then...
"Gospel Punch!"
Thud!
It was Alfia's self-created technique, the Gospel Punch. Although she didn't use the full power capable of blowing away mountains, everyone present still heard an unusually heavy impact.
After quite some time, Alfia returned to the room. Though nothing showed on her face, that earlier sound was definitely no joke.
The three men silently mourned for Bell outside. If you provoked Alfia, even they might suffer the consequences.
Once everyone's attention returned to him, Erebus finally spoke.
"This time, I've come to ask for your strength."
"..."
There was no need to say more—Zeus had already roughly understood Erebus' intention.
"Don't tell me... you're planning to seek out... her?"
"Yes. At present, she is the only one qualified."
"Then what do you plan to do?"
"I've gathered a great deal of information about her."
Erebus recalled his recent experiences. If he hadn't earned a bit of money through odd jobs, his life might not have been much different from a beggar's.
How enviable—Astraea's Familia was probably the wealthiest in the world now.
Speaking of Astraea, one could not avoid mentioning her Familia member. Erebus had made plenty of preparations.
"Elise Holiness."
"After arriving in Orario, she took only about two years to rise from Level 1 to Level 5. That speed is unprecedented."
"Judging from her progression, she likely maxed out her ability values before each level-up."
"In terms of growth, she may not be inferior even compared to your era."
At this point, Erebus glanced at Alfia and Zald to observe their reactions.
"Indeed. Her potential is immeasurable. At her age, I could never have achieved what she has."
"She's just a little girl. Two years of combat experience doesn't mean much. However... if she had come to Orario a few years earlier, Hera would never have let her go. In our Familia, she would have been raised as the next captain."
After Zald and Alfia gave their evaluations, Zeus nodded repeatedly, and only then did Erebus continue.
"I would like to invite the two of you to go to Orario with me and give her a trial. If my guess is correct, she may urgently need a Great Feat right now."
"Consider it tempering the next generation. What do you think?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, both Alfia and Zald fell silent. They were thinking—calculating the pros and cons.
Zeus, sitting to the side, did not interrupt. He quietly waited, leaving the decision entirely to them.
"Alright." Zald spoke first. "I don't have much to do lately anyway. I'll treat it as stretching my limbs. Besides, I'd like to see the strength of the next generation."
That left only whether Alfia would agree...
The silver-haired woman showed a troubled expression, as if worrying about something. Just as she hesitated, Zeus, who had been silent, spoke up.
"You're worried about Bell, aren't you?"
"With me here, nothing will happen to him!"
But upon hearing that, a vein bulged on Alfia's forehead.
"You old bastard—that's exactly what I'm worried about!"
How could she not know who had been teaching Bell all those questionable things?
If Zeus was hoping she would leave, it definitely wasn't for anything good!
"Zald going alone should be enough, right? After all, she's only Level 5..."
"That won't be enough."
Before Alfia could finish, Erebus shook his head and interrupted her.
"I've obtained reliable information from the Guild and a certain god friend (Hermes). That Saintess of Scales is likely very close to your peak strength!"
"It's safest if both of you go."
"Exactly, exactly! Leave Bell to me!"
Zeus chimed in from the side, even showing an obvious teasing expression—unaware that Alfia had already clenched her fist.
"Gospel Punch!"
Boom—!
One side of the house was gone. Zeus was gone as well.
Silence once again filled the room...
"If I find out you've taught Bell anything strange while I'm gone, I will not let you off!"
Alfia agreed.
Then, she turned to look at the smiling Erebus.
"Let's make one thing clear beforehand..."
Her tone carried unmistakable irritation, the anger in her body already ignited.
"When the time comes, if we really fight, I won't hold back."
"Of course. At that point, you may do as you wish. After all, I am merely a small god without a Familia."