"Would you be willing to join my Familia?"
Ever since that question left the goddess' lips, Alise had remained in a daze.
First of all, this goddess was her savior.
Moreover, she seemed incredibly powerful, having used some unknown method to deal with several adventurers.
If she could become a member of such a deity's Familia, that would surely be a fortunate thing, right?
But there was something even more important.
What was this goddess' divine authority?
As everyone knew, once a god established a Familia, its development was, in most cases, closely related to that god's domain.
For example, an agricultural deity would choose farming. A wine god would choose brewing. As for the Amazons from earlier—their Familia, if nothing unexpected had occurred, was probably under a goddess of beauty or some kind of lustful deity, right?
If she ended up joining that sort of Familia, wouldn't she have to dedicate herself to "art" every single day? The mere thought of it sent a chill down Alise's spine.
Thank goodness she had escaped from the Pleasure Quarter earlier. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"This isn't a convenient place to talk. Come with me first."
Ignoring Alise's hesitation, Astraea directly took her hand and prepared to bring her to her Familia's residence.
A place temporarily named the "Garden of the Stars."
Incidentally, in the original story, the Astraea Familia's residence had been called the "Garden of Constellations."
For now, it was only a temporary name. Elise had reinforced this place with far too much Power of the Stars. Even if Ottar were to break in, he would still die here.
Astraea felt a little embarrassed to change the name, so she decided to treat it as a small tribute to Elise for the time being.
"Lady Goddess... aren't you worried that... I might not be a good person?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Alise regretted it. She had asked a completely foolish question.
But Astraea still answered her seriously.
"I'm not worried. Your sense of justice shines very brightly. I believe you're a good child."
The goddess' gentle words made Alise freeze for a moment. Then, somewhat embarrassed, she replied, "Haha... then I'll thank you for the compliment first."
For some reason, that tense feeling had vanished...
This goddess didn't seem like a bad deity at all.
Maybe joining wouldn't be so bad?
And besides, she was her savior—her savior god. If she simply left like this, it wouldn't feel right.
On her way here, Alise had seen many people and gods. Aside from that elderly woman and this goddess, not a single one had extended a helping hand.
The fact that Astraea had stepped forward already spoke volumes about what kind of deity she was.
I believe you're a good child.
Just as Astraea had said those words to Alise, Alise now returned them to her.
"You must be a wonderful goddess!"
...
After rushing out of the Dungeon, Elise used her ability to fly and turn invisible. She expanded her senses outward, searching for Astraea and Granny Moen.
"They shouldn't be too far from here..."
With her exceptional perception, Elise quickly found Granny Moen standing by the roadside. Quite a few Amazons had collapsed around her.
Judging by their clothing, they were likely all from the Ishtar Familia of the Pleasure Quarter.
Were the alarms triggered around Granny Moen and Astraea both caused by the Ishtar Familia?
How dare they?
For a single instant, Elise had the urge to slaughter everyone in the Pleasure Quarter.
But it lasted only a moment.
"Haa..."
After taking a few deep breaths, Elise finally steadied her emotions.
"No. Being this irritable isn't good. A saintess wouldn't show such an expression, nor should she allow her emotions to be so easily swayed. There are many innocent people in the Pleasure Quarter who were captured and brought there against their will..."
In the original story, there had indeed been innocent individuals like Haruhime who were taken there from a young age.
She could not ignore the existence of good people just because most of them were wicked.
Indiscriminate slaughter was absolutely not justice. It also ran counter to the path of the saintess that Elise pursued.
"Lily, hurry and go take a look. A few Amazons chased after her just now. That red-haired girl is still being hunted!"
"Lily" was Granny Moen's nickname for Elise. One could say it was a pet name. Many elders used special nicknames for children, and Elise was no exception.
But Granny Moen's words made Elise pause.
"Being hunted by Amazons?"
"A red-haired girl?"
Why did that sound so familiar?
A familiar figure surfaced in Elise's mind.
Someone connected to Astraea. Red hair. Before the main storyline of Orario began...
Could it be her?
After reinforcing Granny Moen's barrier with a bit more Power of the Stars, Elise ran in the direction she had pointed.
If my guess is correct, will I really get to see her?
But right now, their safety was what mattered most. If something happened to them...
How could she think such a thing?
"Since I'm here, not a single one of them will come to harm!"
...
"And that's what happened. I am the Goddess of Justice—Astraea. Would you be willing to join my Familia?"
Inside the Garden of the Stars, Astraea and Alise sat facing one another. The atmosphere in the room was fairly harmonious.
The Goddess of Justice?
Alise's eyes immediately lit up.
"Yes, yes! Of course I'm willing!"
"It would be my honor to become a member of Lady Astraea's Familia!"
Her face was filled with delight. She didn't know why, but she just had this feeling...
She had to join here!
Perhaps this was belated good fortune?
"But Lady Astraea... where are the other members of your Familia? I don't see a single one. Have they gone on an expedition?"
Looking at the interior of the Familia residence, Alise didn't think this was a small Familia. What kind of small Familia could afford to invest so much in decoration?
Not to mention how exquisitely it was adorned. The ceiling in the living room even sparkled, as if it were a real starry sky.
"Mm, they have indeed gone on an expedition. But she should be back soon. After all, something like this happened on my side. She must have sensed it."
"Oh! A big, powerful Familia family, huh? I really want to meet them!"
Hearing that the Familia member would soon return, Alise revealed a delighted expression and continued, "About how many people are there, Lady Astraea?"
"In terms of people, there's only one."
Astraea revealed a mysterious smile, leaving Alise momentarily at a loss.
One...?
Immediately afterward, she glanced around at the surroundings again.
It didn't look like it.
A Familia with just one member living this lavishly?
Jingle—
Right at that moment, the bell by the door rang, indicating someone had returned.
"See? Isn't she back already?"
Astraea's voice rang out, prompting Alise—who had been facing away from the door—to turn around.
What entered her sight was a stunning golden figure.