"You'll come back."
A gentle voice spoke beside Faen.
At some point, Robin had changed into a loose black hooded cloak, concealing her breathtaking beauty and cascade of pale violet hair. Beneath the shadow of the hood, her lake-green eyes remained as clear as ever—eyes that seemed capable of seeing straight through a person's heart.
She had noticed the complexity and reluctance in Faen's gaze.
Faen fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. A faint, relieved smile curved his lips.
"Thank you, Robin. But it's alright."
He gently closed the door. The soft click of the lock felt like a farewell to the past.
"I'll keep moving forward. I won't look back—until I've reached my goal."
"Of course you will!"
Furina's bright, energetic voice shattered the lingering heaviness.
Unlike Robin, she had no need to hide. Her identity as a goddess was protection enough.
She puffed out her chest, planted her hands on her hips, and declared with theatrical flair:
"We move forward without stopping! Focalors Familia—set out!"
Seeing her lively, youthful enthusiasm—so full of anticipation for the future, Faen and Robin exchanged a smile.
The gloom and bittersweet weight of departure vanished in an instant.
Yes.
He was no longer alone.
...
As the three of them walked toward the village entrance, familiar villagers stepped out of their homes one after another.
"Faen, heading out? Be careful on the road!"
"You've grown up, kid. Here, some dried meat I made. Take it with you."
"Take this too. It's a waterskin I used back in my adventuring days—sturdy and reliable."
The blacksmith. The shopkeeper. The old hunter.
Familiar faces. Simple words of concern. Small gifts—hardly valuable, yet filled with sincerity.
Faen had earned a good reputation in the village.
Over the past six years, he had been quiet and reserved, but whenever someone needed help, he was there.
Repairing roofs. Carrying heavy loads.
Driving off wild beasts.
He never asked for payment.
The villagers had watched this prematurely mature, resilient boy grow, and many held him dear.
Now, nearly half the village had come to see him off.
---
At the village gate, Faen finally met their escorts—the Artemis Familia.
Twenty female adventurers stood beside prepared wagons, clad in light leather armor suited for mobility. Bows and short swords rested across their backs. Their movements were crisp and coordinated, their auras sharp with the experience of many battles.
At the very front stood a goddess whose beauty stole the breath.
Long blue hair flowed like moonlight, and her green eyes were clear and unsullied.
Her posture was upright, her temperament cool and dignified.
Artemis, the moon goddess.
The moment she saw Furina, a faint ripple stirred within her otherwise tranquil green eyes. A slight smile touched her lips.
"So it was you, Focalors. The divine light descending to the Lower World a few days ago—that was yours, wasn't it? I didn't expect you to choose somewhere this remote."
Furina tilted her head, rummaging through vague memories of brief encounters in the Heaven World.
She quickly adopted the composed tone she imagined her "divine" counterpart would use, nodding gracefully.
"Artemis. It has been some time. I'll be relying on you for this journey."
"We accepted the commission and the payment. We will fulfill our duty."
Artemis inclined her head in response. Her manner was professional, though not unfriendly.
Her gaze then shifted toward Faen and Robin.
"They're your Familia members? You've only just descended, yet you've moved quickly."
"Hehe. Impressive, right? I am a goddess, after all."
The moment praise entered the conversation, Furina's composure collapsed.
She puffed up proudly, back to her easily-flattered self.
"You've changed as well."
Artemis regarded her with a complicated look.
The Lower World was like a vast dyeing vat.
Even the purest gods would change through daily life with their children.
Only Artemis herself seemed unchanged—steadfast as ever.
"Lady Artemis, it's time."
A red-haired young woman stepped forward respectfully.
She was Letessa, captain of the Artemis Familia—a Level 3 adventurer.
"I know. Letessa, prepare to depart."
Artemis nodded.
She invited Furina to share her carriage.
Faen and Robin were assigned a smaller wagon of their own.
Before their goddess, the members of the Artemis Familia instinctively kept their distance from Faen.
The rule forbidding contact with men had long been engraved into their bones.
And yet—
Curious glances flickered toward him like stray sparks.
After all, the white-haired, blue-eyed youth was strikingly handsome and carried a calm, steady aura. Compared to certain male gods famed for their looks, he was hardly inferior.
...
The convoy began to move, embarking on the long road to Orario.
Once they were safely beyond the village perimeter, Robin removed her black hood.
Her soft violet hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her flawless features illuminated the carriage interior. Several members of the Artemis Familia nearby couldn't help but stare.
With no "no contact with men" restriction applied to her, the girls' natural friendliness quickly surfaced.
Robin was gentle, warm, and elegant in speech. It didn't take long before she blended into their conversations seamlessly.
"You've found yourself a wonderful child, Focalors."
Even Artemis murmured her praise from the neighboring carriage.
Hearing her own child complimented, Furina nearly glowed with pride, humming cheerfully.
As conversation continued, a half-elf girl named Lanti shifted the topic toward Faen.
Robin smiled and introduced him.
"Faen is our captain. He's very reliable—and someone you can trust completely."
"Captain?"
Lanti blinked curiously.
"But your Familia only has the two of you, right? So… are you two a couple?"
The question was so direct that even Robin, accustomed to handling countless public interactions, felt her cheeks warm faintly.
"N-No. We're just companions."
"Ah, but it's only a matter of time, right?"
Lanti grinned knowingly.
"A Familia is like family. If you ever look for a partner in the future, it would have to be someone from your own Familia. And since he's the only male member, and the captain—Sir Faen is clearly the top candidate."
===================
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