Roy did not say any heartwarming words; they would be useless to Ryu, who was currently consumed by thoughts of revenge.
Ryu stood still, but Roy, unconcerned, pushed open the door and said, "It doesn't matter if you want to stay there, but if I'm alone, who knows what I might do to the noble and beautiful God."
Seeing this, Ryu's face turned cold. Ignoring everything else, she quickly chased after him, "If you dare to be disrespectful to Astrea, I'll cut you down!"
Roy chuckled, "Then you'll have to keep up."
Ryu felt a headache coming on. This person was full of mystery, sometimes as steady as an old dog, sometimes as cunning as a ghost, and often overly dramatic. She couldn't tell which side of him was real…
The two entered the mansion, and as expected, the empty hall was devoid of any figures, utterly silent.
Astrea Familia had a total of 11 members, all female: nine at Lv.4 and two at Lv.3. Besides Ryu, the others were killed by a newly born Zagnate in the Dense Forest Canyon on the 30th floor.
"Ryu?"
The softly calling voice was like a nightingale, clear, melodious, and pleasant to the ear.
Roy turned his head to look. The God before him was tall, with brown hair falling like a waterfall, exuding a faint fragrance. Her perfectly breathtaking features included a small, delicate nose, lips as thin and delicate as cherry blossoms, and blue eyes as dazzling as jewels.
She wore a blue and white evening gown that accentuated her excellent figure without appearing alluring or seductive. A calm and peaceful smile graced her beautiful face, and her demeanor was elegant and noble, truly a beauty capable of overthrowing kingdoms.
The most striking features were her two large thunderous assets.
Although Ryu's size was not small, it paled in comparison to Goddess Astrea.
Roy could stake his life that the God before him was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, in both his past and present lives, as if she was formed by the very essence of creation.
"Astrea!"
Ryu fought back her tears, kneeling on the ground, her smooth forehead pressed tightly against the floor.
Goddess Astrea's gaze lingered between Ryu and Roy, and she vaguely understood something.
There was a divine blood connection between a God and her Familia members; she was the first to know when her Familia was wiped out.
Goddess Astrea knelt down and simply stroked Ryu's little head gently.
Under Astrea's soothing touch, Ryu felt as if she had returned to her mother's embrace. A strong sense of fatigue washed over her, and she fell into a deep sleep.
Astrea carefully moved Ryu's head onto her lap.
Roy felt it was too dazzling; it was a lap pillow.
Astrea looked up at Roy.
Roy sat cross-legged, bringing his gaze to her level—a negotiation skill ingrained in his bones.
It was impossible to lie in front of a God!
Roy was very direct, "I am Roy. Ryu wants to abandon her justice and assassinate Darkness Familia members and related individuals. I want to help her get revenge."
Astrea sighed softly, her gaze towards Ryu filled with pity and tenderness. If Ryu had been awake, she would never have shown such an expression.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Do you have money?"
"How much?"
"The more, the better!"
Astrea and Roy exchanged questions and answers. It was impossible to be evasive with a God, so the negotiation was unexpectedly fast. Being free from the complexities of human relationships from his previous life made Roy feel very relaxed.
Astrea looked deeply at Roy, as if seeing through his heart, "Can you promise me that you will not harm Ryu in any way?"
"Of course!" Roy nodded heavily. This useful henchman was to be cherished.
The two looked at each other for a long time, and ultimately, Goddess Astrea conceded.
"Wait for me for an hour."
Astrea said softly, one hand passing under Ryu's fair, perfect neck, the other under Ryu's legs, lifting Ryu like a princess.
The petite Ryu curled up in Astrea's arms, sleeping soundly.
Roy watched this bold scene, which shattered his impression of Goddess Astrea as gentle and virtuous. A woman is fragile, but a mother is strong. With her Familia wiped out, only this divine mother could care for the Elf Girl.
Astrea brought Ryu back to her room, then left the mansion alone, leaving Roy in the living room, completely unafraid that Roy would harm the sleeping Ryu.
In other words, he couldn't do it.
Ryu would only fall asleep when Astrea was nearby.
Even a slight approach from Roy would startle Ryu awake; this was the alertness of a high-level Adventurer.
Roy had just enough time to take out his system rewards.
First were the Wind Chaser Boots, made of soft leather. Even the well-traveled Roy couldn't identify what animal's hide it was, yet it was surprisingly soft, adorned with a hurricane pattern, as if one were treading on a gale.
"Magic item!"
Roy recognized the true nature of these boots, his expression surprised. In the Orario world, weapons and armor forged by blacksmiths were not the same concept as magic items.
After Adventurers level up to LV.2, they might awaken a "Development Ability," which becomes their secondary profession.
Blacksmiths typically have "Forging."
To create magic items, the Development Ability must be "Mystery." In all of Orario, Adventurers with "Mystery" number no more than five.
The most famous is Asfi, the captain of Hermes Familia, titled "All-Purpose," and also a rare magic item creator in the world.
Incidentally, the Red-Eyed Rabbit's Development Ability is "Luck," which is very rare. Repeatedly in desperate situations, he seemingly coincidentally encounters turning points, relying on it endlessly.
And the Wind Chaser Boots in Roy's hand were also a magic item. He eagerly took off his own "Village Good Shoes." His size 40 feet went into the at least size 42 wide Wind Chaser Boots, and he clearly felt they didn't fit.
But the next moment, the Wind Chaser Boots suddenly contracted, clinging tightly to Roy's skin, perfectly comfortable.
Roy's eyes lit up. This was a true magic item. He stood up and stomped hard on the ground, gaining a speed boost, feeling as if he could fly.
Next were the mystic ice blade and a refined iron longsword.
The former was a magic sword, capable of casting spells without incantation, extremely convenient. Even a child holding it could cast spells, making countless Adventurers flock to it.
The latter was a genuine Village Good Sword, similar in quality to the longswords Roy had seen at the general store owner's, worth around 500,000 falis. The so-called value of one million falis was, of course, an exaggerated description by the merchant.
Roy played with his equipment with interest, while also adapting to his strengthened body.
Even now, the excitement of gaining superhuman strength had not faded from Roy's heart.
An hour passed quickly. Goddess Astrea returned to the mansion and placed a parchment scroll in front of Roy, "This is a receipt for eighty million falis."
Roy saw the Guild's seal on it and sighed, feeling the inhuman wealth!