"Me! Me! Me!"
Facing Roy's question, the fastest response naturally came from Tione, who raised her hand the highest.
"Since Tione is going, I'm going too!" Tiona laughed, flashing a cute smile.
Roy nodded. "Then I'll take Tione and Tiona back with me. Ryu, Daphne, and Cassandra, pay attention to protecting Goddess Astrea."
In the past, Roy would have had to discuss this with the girls. But now that he was Captain, this was an order!
Obligations and power coexisted.
Roy fulfilled his obligations as Captain, so it was only right that he exercised his Captain's authority.
Even Ryu, whose level was higher, had to obey!
Daphne and Cassandra looked regretful; naturally, they wanted to be by Roy's side too.
Roy gave Ryu a deep look.
Ryu understood the meaning behind his eyes and nodded gently. having participated in the plot to ambush the Knossos (Man-Made Labyrinth), she knew what Roy was worried about: revenge from the Evils.
She would not make the same mistake again!
This time, she would place her Goddess and Familia companions first in her heart, not revenge.
Actually, Roy wasn't worried about the Evils seeking revenge; he was afraid Ryu would be blinded by hatred again. But it seemed that after the last incident, she had learned her lesson.
The Loki Familia owed them plenty of favors, and in a critical moment, they could also ask the Loki and Ganesha Familias for help. If the Evils dared to come, they would be seeking their own death!
Out of respect, Roy still consulted the Goddess. "Astrea-sama, what do you think?"
Goddess Astrea stepped forward, extending her jade-white hands to straighten Roy's clothes like a mother sending her child on a long journey. "I only have two requests for you: go and return quickly, and... you are forbidden from God-slaying!"
The last sentence was spoken calmly, yet it frightened everyone in the hall.
The girls looked at Roy nervously. Deities could vaguely sense the true nature of the children of the Lower World. This meant that if Roy went crazy, he might genuinely kill a god!
God Ares was in danger!
"Alright!"
Roy could feel Astrea's concern and agreed. But the premise was that Ares didn't do anything suicidal. Otherwise, even if Roy didn't do it personally, he had countless ways to send the god back to Tenkai—or to his death.
After arranging the Familia's affairs, Roy left the Starlight Garden and headed to the Guild Headquarters.
High-Level Adventurers needed to apply to leave Orario.
Roy entered the Guild Headquarters.
It was still overcrowded, but his appearance attracted quite a few stares.
"Mr. Roy!" A brown-haired half-elf in a slim-fitting Guild uniform ran over excitedly.
When Roy was heavily injured, Eina had visited him. Since then, she had been busy with work, and they hadn't seen each other for a long time. Eina was very happy to see him again.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Roy got straight to the point. "Miss Eina, I want to apply for permission to leave Orario."
Eina looked at Roy in surprise. After Roy explained the situation in his hometown in the Kingdom of Rakia, she empathized immediately.
"Rest assured, Mr. Roy. I'll help you get the permit right away!" Eina said seriously.
Eina immediately went to get the application form. Roy filled in the basic details, and that was it.
As for the lengthy review period, Eina would handle it for him. It helps to know people in high places.
It was very difficult for High-Level Adventurers to leave Orario. Previously, when Roy went treasure hunting, if Shakti hadn't helped him cheat the system, he definitely would have been fined millions of Valis. However, as long as the patron deity remained in Orario, High-Level Adventurers were allowed to leave.
No matter how far the distance, a patron deity could strip a dependent of their Falna (Blessing) with a single thought. If that happened, no one would care if you died in some obscure corner of the world.
While Roy was filling out the reason for leaving Orario, Eina murmured, "It's really strange."
Roy asked casually, "What's strange?"
"In my opinion, Mr. Roy doesn't seem like the type to honestly apply for an exit permit. You seem more like the type who would sneak out of Orario and then run back later." Eina smiled sweetly, like a girl in love picking out her boyfriend's little flaws.Then, realization dawned on her. She waved her hands frantically, explaining in a panic, "I was joking! Please don't misunderstand, Mr. Roy. I wasn't suspecting you."
"It's fine, it's fine. After all, I do look like the type of person who would do something like that," Roy chuckled nonchalantly, casting a subtle glance at Eina.
She really has a knack for reading people!
Roy had another objective for leaving Orario this time: creating an alibi.
Upon learning about the situation in his hometown, a plan to deal with the Ishtar Familia had also formed in his mind.
During his last forceful entry into the Knossos (Man-Made Labyrinth), his presence had been too overwhelming, and Ottar had clearly stepped in on his behalf.
This time was different. If the Evils found out he possessed the "Daedalus Eye," those lunatics would stop at nothing to wipe them out. For that reason, Roy needed to "leave Orario." The Guild's exit permit would serve as his protective talisman.
However, this plan would have to wait until the issues in the Kingdom of Rakia were resolved.
He handed the completed application form to Eina.
"Confirmed. I have received Mr. Roy's exit application." Eina organized the papers and nodded firmly.
Just then, her emerald eyes darted left and right. Seeing no one nearby, her expression remained neutral, but her voice dropped very low. "Mr. Roy, there is something I need to remind you of."
Roy perked up. Eina wouldn't be this cautious if it were just routine official business.
Eina whispered, "The Guild's higher-ups are in discussions. They might assign an Expedition Mission to the Astrea Familia in the near future. You need to be prepared."
Roy frowned. It's finally here.
It was expected, though.
He had revealed his promotion to Level 4 and recruited the Amazon sisters, Tione and Tiona. The Familia's strength had skyrocketed: a Level 5, a Level 4, two Level 3s, and two Level 2s! This lineup wasn't far off from the peak Astrea Familia of the past.
A single Level 5 adventurer was worth at least twenty Level 4s, and that was a conservative estimate.
The Guild would definitely assign an expedition.
This was the inevitable fate of exploration-type Familias—a constant stream of expedition missions. Unless, like the Hermes Familia, you deliberately hid your strength. Level 4 Asfi publicly claimed to be Level 2, and many Level 3 and Level 2 members disguised themselves, fooling the Guild and everyone else completely.
Having Eina as a little mole was fantastic. It allowed him to know about the Guild's missions in advance, so he wouldn't have to threaten that pig Royman for a bit of extra time like last time.
Roy pretended to point at the application form while asking about something else entirely. "Which floor is it?"
Eina leaned in close, their cheeks almost touching. "The 37th Floor. The Deep Floors!"
Roy cursed silently. They're ruthless.
"It's okay, Mr. Roy. I'll study the Dungeon data seriously and teach you everything about the Deep Floors!" Eina clenched her small fist determinedly.
Roy smiled. "That's truly reliable."
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Danmachi : Starting with an Elf (444 Chapter – Ongoing)
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