"But honestly, this tally of five hundred and thirteen votes in favor... it really is a little scary, nya."
Chloe stared at the "513 votes" figure printed in the newspaper.
Then. "Ding-a-ling—"
The tavern's wooden door was pushed open from outside, and the brass bell hanging above the doorframe let out a crisp jingle. A gust of warm noon air poured through the gap, ruffling the newspaper on the bar counter and flipping up one of its corners.
Ryu stepped over the threshold and came inside, both hands clutching a bamboo basket brimming with potatoes and cabbages.
"Ryu! You're back just in time, nya!"
The instant Anya heard the bell, her cat ears shot straight up.
She snatched the newspaper back from Chloe's hands, braced herself against the back of the counter, and nimbly vaulted right over it, darting to Ryu's side in just a few strides.
"Have you read today's paper, nya? Kami-sama is Orario's Constable now, nya! And the kind with independent authority to pass judgment, nya!"
Anya gripped one corner of the newspaper, thrusting those bold headline letters practically up against the tip of Ryu's nose. Ryu's steps came to a halt where she stood. Her pale blue eyes lowered, her gaze following the direction Anya pointed, sweeping over those lines of type that were slightly blurred because the ink hadn't fully dried.
"I saw it out on the street just now."
Ryu answered in a low voice, bending down to set the bamboo basket gently on the floor.
"Ryu?" Lunor came around from behind the bar just then too.
Still holding a white towel she'd been using to wipe wine glasses, she frowned slightly, looking Ryu up and down.
Her gaze settled on Ryu's pale blue eyes, which were clearly a bit dazed, even somewhat unfocused. It was too abnormal.
"Why do you look like you've lost your soul?" Lunor asked.
"..."
Ryu opened her mouth, her pale pink lips trembling faintly. But no sound came out.
In her mind, the scene that had just unfolded at the street corner simply wouldn't fade away.
The resolve with which Onigawara Rin drew her blade, the decisiveness with which Hanasaka Warabi swung down the back of hers, the Holy Emperor crouching on the ground to help up that little girl. The way they stood without hesitation before the weak, drawing their blades against the aggressors. It was exactly like her comrades in her memories.
"I just remembered some things from the past."
As she thought of it, Ryu raised the back of her hand and brushed at the corner of her eye, the motion so light one might have thought it an illusion.
"The past?" Chloe leaned in, the ears atop her head twitching alertly, and lowered her voice.
"Is it about that... the [Astraea Familia], nya?"
As someone who had once moved through Orario's underworld as an assassin, Chloe understood all too well the weight of that name.
Back in the day, if she hadn't run fast, she'd have very nearly been thrown into the dungeons at the bottom of the Guild.
Ryu didn't answer, only quietly lowered her gaze, looking at that lone potato that had rolled into a corner on the floor.
The silence itself was the answer.
After all, everyone present knew it in their hearts.
Five years ago, the [Astraea Familia] was ambushed by Evilus in the Dungeon, triggering the irregular event known as the "Juggernaut." Of the entire Familia's eleven members, only Ryu escaped alive.
The [Astraea Familia]'s members—Captain Alise Lovell, Vice-Captain Kaguya, Lyra, and all the others—all died in that pitch-black labyrinth.
After that, Ryu, carrying a wooden sword all alone, spent two whole years hunting down the Evilus remnants who had taken part in that ambush, cutting off their heads one after another in the dark alleys.
If Syr hadn't picked her up that night—covered in blood, collapsed in the rain and barely breathing—and begged Mia to take her in at the tavern, she'd probably be dead in some back alley by now.
And today, those words were printed plainly in the newspaper.
Because the [Astraea Familia], who bore the name of justice, had been gone too long, Orario's public order had rotted right down to the bone.
As a former member of the [Astraea Familia], it was only natural that Ryu's feelings turned complicated upon seeing this newspaper.
"Where's Mama Mia?"
Just then, Ryu looked around the tavern but didn't see Mia anywhere.
"In the back kitchen—she's in there flying off the handle because the supplier delivered the vegetables late, nya."
Lunor pointed to the wooden door leading to the back kitchen, hung with a half-length cloth curtain. Ryu nodded and walked straight toward it.
The back kitchen was full of steam.
Mama Mia was carrying, in one hand, a bucket of freshly slaughtered, dressed meat. On that arm—thicker than an ordinary grown man's thigh—the bucket had to weigh at least several dozen catties, yet Mia hauled it with utter ease.
"Mama Mia."
Ryu stood in the doorway, both hands pressed to the sides of her apron.
Mia turned her head, her gaze lingering on Ryu's face for a few seconds, and noticing how weighed down with worry she looked, she set the bucket in her hand heavily down on the ground.
"You're back?" Mia patted the dust off her apron. "Did you get everything?" "Yes." "If you've got it all, put it over there."
Mia nodded, turned back around, and grabbed a bone cleaver off the cutting board. Silence for a few seconds.
"Tonight, I'd like to take some leave." Ryu drew a deep breath and stepped forward.
"To the Dungeon?" Mia didn't ask for a reason, only raised one of her eyebrows—twice as thick as an ordinary person's—as the bone cleaver embedded itself into the thick wooden board with a "thunk."
Ryu lowered her head, her gaze falling to the tips of her toes. "Mm." She answered softly.
"To go back to that place... and take a look."
Outside the door. Anya, Chloe, and Lunor, all three of them, were pressed against the cloth curtain, eavesdropping.
At these words, all three froze in unison and exchanged a glance.
In the back kitchen. Mama Mia turned around, her eyes fixed intently on Ryu for a long while. Long enough that Anya began to think she was going to refuse.
Anya lay pressed against the doorway, her claws having already gouged a small chunk off the doorframe, and glanced back at Chloe. Chloe just shook her head, signaling her to keep quiet.
"It's time you went to see it."
In the end, Mia nodded firmly, crossing her arms over her chest. That posture carried a wave of pressure—even the flames on the stove seemed to shrink half an inch lower before her aura.
"Go." Mia jerked her chin toward the door.
"Go change your clothes, clean yourself up first—don't go see those girls reeking of vegetable leaves."
Hearing this. Ryu's shoulders trembled faintly, and though her eyes grew a bit hot, she forced herself to hold it back.
"Thank you." Ryu bent down and bowed deeply.
"Hey, Ryu..." Looking at Ryu's somewhat slight retreating figure, Anya instinctively wanted to call out and stop her.
Her mouth had just opened. Before the words could come out, Lunor clapped a hand over it, smothering the whole of Anya's face.
"Let her go." Lunor watched Ryu's back disappear at the end of the corridor.
"It's probably those things mentioned in the newspaper, and what happened on the street just now..." Lunor sighed.
"Making Ryu realize that this Labyrinth City hasn't actually completely forgotten what the [Astraea Familia] once did—that's weighing on her heart. Today she must be hurting more than anyone."
"Nya..." Anya's ears drooped too as she crouched by the doorframe, her claws tracing circles on the floor.
"But Ryu never tells us anything at all, nya."
"If she were the type to talk, she wouldn't be Ryu."
"This one swallows everything down into her gut. If we don't ask, she'd probably never bring it up her whole life."
"Even the cenotaph for Alise Lovell and the others back then—Ryu goes to tend it every year, and never once invites us along." Chloe sighed.
Elsewhere. At the street corner on the other side of West Main Street.
The noon sunlight was cut by the towering buildings into bright, dazzling patches that scattered across the street paved with bluestone slabs. A breeze blew past, sweeping up a few fallen leaves from the base of the wall.
"Ooh, ooh, ooh! Found it, found it! Look, look!"
Aihara Enju bounced up excitedly, holding up the newspaper in her hand and pointing at the column that belonged to her.
"Crimson Lotus Moon Rabbit!"
"That's my title! Crimson Lotus Moon Rabbit! Isn't that name super cool!"
Enju grabbed the arm of Tendou Kisara, who was standing beside her, and shook it hard, her two red ponytails swishing back and forth behind her head.
"Kisara, look quick! From now on, whenever I walk down the street, everyone's definitely going to call me by this awesome name!"
Tendou Kisara, rocked back and forth by the shaking, helplessly extended a single finger and pressed it against Aihara Enju's forehead to push her back a little.
"I see it, I see it, stop shaking me—shake me any more and you'll make me dizzy."
"Ugh! Kisara isn't excited at all!" Aihara Enju puffed out her cheeks.
"Kami-sama." Just then, Onigawara Rin walked up to Haimer, also holding another copy of the newspaper.
Because the little girl's newspapers had all gotten dirty and would be hard to sell, the girls had taken the initiative to buy up all of the little girl's papers out of their own pockets—basically one copy per person.
Onigawara Rin's brow furrowed slightly, her finger gesturing gently over the line of bold headline letters that read "Specially Authorized Constable."
"Are we really going to take over public-order management for the whole of Orario?"
Seeing the grave expression on Onigawara Rin's face, Amou Kirukiru curved up the corner of her mouth.
"What? Scared?" "Scared isn't quite it."
Onigawara Rin paid no mind to Amou Kirukiru's words, shaking her head.
"If it's about cutting down all the scum who bully the weak in the streets, I'd of course be glad to. It's just..."
Onigawara Rin's gaze swept over the others standing nearby.
"If public order really is going to be handed over to us, with the [Ganesha Familia] fully stepping into the background..."
"Our entire Familia put together, even counting the two bears, is only a little over a dozen people."
"Orario is too big." A trace of obvious worry showed on Onigawara Rin's face.
"So many streets, so many dark alleys—and there are even places like Daedalus Street, with underground labyrinth entrances that not even the military police can reach."
"Relying on us alone, even if we never ate or slept, there's no way we could keep Orario's public order under control."
As Onigawara Rin's words fell, the girls around her all fell silent as well.
After all. What Onigawara Rin said was the truth.
Lili, walking off to one side, raised her head just then too, looking at Haimer, her voice a bit tight.
"Lady Rin is right, Kami-sama." Lili gritted her teeth and went on:
"You've only just come to Orario, so you might not realize it, but beneath Orario's surface prosperity, the waters run very deep."
"Back when I was in the [Soma Familia], I often went to the black market to buy and sell things."
"Those deals that can't stand the light of day, those killers who specialize in dirty work, and those adventurers driven mad under the control of the divine wine..."
Lili's body trembled slightly, as if recalling something terrifying.
"Even with as many people as the [Ganesha Familia] has, normally they can only handle the open conflicts on the main streets. Those messes down in the dark alleys—even they can't manage them all, and sometimes they can only turn a blind eye."
"If the [Ganesha Familia] really does let go of it entirely..." Lili swallowed.
"Relying on Lady Rin and the others alone, it would be very hard to handle those dark hands lurking in the shadows."
After hearing out Onigawara Rin and Lili, a hint of approval showed in Haimer's eyes as well, and he nodded.
"That's right." "If it were just you dozen or so people running all over the streets catching thieves and breaking up brawls, then forget expeditions into the Dungeon—you wouldn't even have time to sleep."
"So, for now, I don't intend to have you do any of that." Haimer paused.
"During this period, the one core task I'm giving you is only this: train desperately with the [Loki Familia], hone your experience, do everything you can to raise your ability values, and then work hard to raise your levels."
"As for Orario's public-order problem. The routine daytime patrols I'll continue to leave to Miss Shakti and the others."
"Just like the newspaper said, the [Ganesha Familia] isn't ceasing to serve as the city's military police—rather, they're stepping into the background."
"The only difference from before is that from now on, Miss Shakti and I will together drag out these rats hiding in the sewers, one by one."
So Kami-sama intends to handle this matter personally?
Hearing this, Onigawara Rin and the others all glanced at one another in unison.
Since their own god said he would take the field himself, they only needed to raise their levels as quickly as possible—which meant that, for the time being, their god didn't need them to shoulder this pressure.
Everyone quietly set their hearts at ease.
But Lili alone lowered her head, feeling utterly useless. After all, she wasn't even Lv.2.
No combat power, and none of the talent the others had. She didn't even have the qualifications to share the smallest part of the public-order management for Lord Haimer.
Thoughts surfaced—how Kami-sama had taken her in, yet apart from her transformation magic she couldn't help with anything at all; she was still too weak.
Lili thought bitterly to herself.
But in the next second. A warm hand gently pressed down atop Lili's head.
Lili's heart gave a start, and she looked up in some astonishment, meeting exactly the gaze Haimer had lowered toward her.
"By the way." "Once Miss Shakti and I have finished discussing the concrete plan. After that, I'll need your participation too, Lili."
"How about it? Confident you can do it well?"
Haimer's hand ruffled the top of Lili's head twice, gently.
"Mm. Lili will definitely do it well! I absolutely won't let Kami-sama down!"
Lili nodded firmly. After soothing Lili's mood, Haimer raised his head and looked around.
"Come to think of it." Haimer suddenly spoke up. "Where are Rei and the others?"
By rights, according to his instructions yesterday, they should have come along too.
"As for Miss Rei and the others. When they set out this morning, Miss Rei said they wouldn't go join the crowd over at the Loki Familia's."
"After all, it wasn't clear whether Kami-sama, after leaving the Denatus, would head to the Twilight Manor or return straight to the mansion."
"They were worried that if Kami-sama went back, there'd be no one at all at the mansion. So Miss Rei and the others all chose to stay behind there."
Kisara recalled the scene before setting out that morning. At this, Haimer nodded.
He turned his head and glanced at the sky. The noon sunlight had already begun to slant slightly.
"In that case. It's getting late, so let's just head straight back."
Hearing Haimer say he was returning to the mansion, Loki—who had been standing off to the side, bored out of her mind, kicking pebbles—waved a hand at him.
"Since you're all heading back. Then I'll go back to the Twilight Manor by myself and sleep—I'm dead tired."
With that, Loki rubbed her own waist.
At this point. Once Loki had left, Nomura Satori, off to the side, tilted her head and looked at Haimer.
"Come to think of it, Kami-sama." "Why don't we keep the celebration going today?"
As everyone's eyes turned to her in unison, Nomura Satori spoke while pointing at the newspaper in her hand.
"After all, not only has everyone leveled up to Lv.2, today our titles were officially established too—and on top of that, we've even secured the position of Constable now."
Satori clapped her hands. "Isn't this exactly the time to celebrate?"
"We did celebrate a few days back, but those times there were outsiders present. This time it'll be just us—so how about we put together a proper feast at the mansion?"
The moment Nomura Satori made this suggestion, the eyes of Onigawara Rin and the others changed too.
"I'm in favor!" Hestia was naturally the first to throw both hands up. "As long as Loki isn't around, I'm happy eating anything!"
Enju and Kohina bounced up excitedly too.
Everyone turned their gaze toward Haimer. Looking at the girls' expectant eyes.
"Fine." "Then let's celebrate." Haimer smiled faintly.
Hearing Haimer nod in agreement, the girls immediately broke into cheers.
"But there shouldn't be much fresh food left at home." "Then let's split up and go buy some!"
Onigawara Rin looked toward Lili, who had been weighed down with worry this whole time.
"Lili, are you familiar with Orario's food markets? Want to come with me to buy dry goods?"
"Um... Lili knows a place—there's a dry goods shop run by a dwarf at the free market in the Southeast District. I hear their dried mushrooms and dried scallops are both cheaper and tastier than anywhere else."
Lili hesitated a moment, thinking of that one shop she'd always kept in mind.
"In that case, then I'll leave it to Lili to lead the way in a bit."
With that, Onigawara Rin smiled and extended a hand toward Lili.
Lili looked at the hand reaching toward her and froze for a few seconds. Then she carefully placed her own hand on top of it, her small palm enclosed in Onigawara Rin's grasp.
"Let's go."
Looking at Onigawara Rin, Lili then glanced back at Haimer with flickering eyes, and after seeing her god nod, she pressed her lips together and nodded firmly.
"Mm!"
At this, Onigawara Rin smiled faintly, and after giving her god a nod, she pulled Lili along, taking the lead as she strode off toward the Southeast District.
Lili trotted to keep up, her chestnut short hair bouncing at her shoulders.
Aihara Enju, meanwhile, seemed to have already had a destination in mind, tugging Hiruko Kohina's sleeve and excitedly running off in another direction.
"Kohina is older than Enju, so Kohina should be the one leading Enju by the hand."
Hiruko Kohina, dragged along by Aihara Enju until she stumbled, couldn't help staring at the back of her head.
"All right, all right, quit fussing about it so much." Aihara Enju was already too excited to stop.
"Last time the lady who runs that butcher shop even said we were cute—maybe she'll throw in a few extra big bones for Kyoubou and Little Bear to gnaw on!"
Hearing this, Hiruko Kohina pursed her lips.
"Bones are for dogs. Bears don't eat bones. Enju has no common sense at all."
"Huh, really?" Aihara Enju dragged Hiruko Kohina along, their figures quickly rounding a corner.
Hanasaka Warabi patted Kyoubou's head too, signaling it to follow her. "Let's hurry off as well."
"Roar!" Kyoubou let out a low growl, and Little Bear, woken by that growl, slid down off Kyoubou's back.
However. Seeming to realize it was about to be put to work.
Little Bear rubbed its eyes too, then padded eagerly right over to Haimer's feet and tugged at the leg of his trousers.
"How on earth did this little guy even level up? It's living way too cushy a life!"
Watching Little Bear get scooped up into its own patron god's arms and drift right back to sleep, Hanasaka Warabi's eye twitched wildly, at a total loss for words. After putting a hand to her forehead, she pulled Kyoubou along and hurried off toward the market on the other side.
The Holy Emperor stood where she was, watching everyone scatter.
"Isn't the Holy Emperor going to go buy things with everyone?" Kikakujou Mary had somewhere she wanted to go, and after passing by the Holy Emperor, couldn't help stopping.
"I'm not very familiar with this place, so I'll just head back with Kami-sama for now." The Holy Emperor waved a hand, with a touch of embarrassment.
Kikakujou Mary nodded. "Then I'll hurry back as soon as I've bought the seasonings. Oh right—is there anything the Holy Emperor avoids eating? Last time it seemed like you didn't eat very much."
"As long as it isn't too spicy, that's fine—last time Enju was spiced to tears." The Holy Emperor laughed softly, covering the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Got it, I'll make it mildly spicy." With that, Kikakujou Mary strode off quickly.
Likewise. Over on Nomura Satori's side, she sidled up to Inaba Tsukuyo, who had stayed put.
Bending down, she rested her chin lightly on Inaba Tsukuyo's shoulder, her emerald-green long hair sliding down on both sides.
"Isn't Tsukuyo going to buy things either?" "Tsukuyo won't go—since there are no shops I'm familiar with, I'll just stay by Kami-sama's side."
"Then I'll stay by Kami-sama's side too—after all, everything we need at home is still fully stocked, and I've already thought of what dessert to make."
"Come to think of it, the flour the elf ladies bought is so white and fine—I really wonder how the Familia that grows these crops manages it."
"But the desserts Satori makes are always so sweet." Inaba Tsukuyo pointed out mildly.
The moment these words came out, Nomura Satori immediately protested.
"Desserts are called desserts precisely because they're sweet! How could they not be sweet! For instance, Satori can polish off a whole cake all by herself! Not the least bit cloying!"
"And besides, back in our school days, Tsukuyo only ate one slice of the cake Satori made and then stopped!"
"That was because Satori played a prank and deliberately put triple the sugar in the batter. Tsukuyo may not be able to see, but Tsukuyo's tongue works just fine."
"Triple the sugar—that's what makes it a dessert! Putting in even one gram less is a betrayal!" Nomura Satori grinned slyly.
____
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