The Adventurers' Guild, after learning the identity of the "culprit behind the destruction of the Soma Familia," issued no further directives—signifying the matter had come to an end.
As the captain of the Ganesha Familia, Shakti's feelings were undeniably complicated.
Standing at the other end of the compound, she looked at the killer—so close, yet beyond her reach—a young man with absurdly rare, unmatched talent as an adventurer.
"No wonder the Adventurers' Guild could turn a blind eye."
Through her own god, she had gotten some brief details: the so-called "miracle that broke Ais Wallenstein's record."
She could not imagine just what kind of speed it must have been…
Enough to make even Lord Ganesha himself display such a shocked expression!
Putting aside questions of sides and allegiances, Shakti was undeniably intrigued by "Liang Yue."
And besides, she had her own reasons for needing to seek him out.
"Why does it feel like all I deal with are troublesome matters?"
Shaking her head slightly, Shakti took the initiative and walked toward where Liang Yue was.
She simply wanted the truth behind the Soma Familia massacre—nothing more.
When Liang Yue noticed the short-haired, blue-haired, dignified, and strikingly beautiful mature woman approaching, he recognized her at a glance—Shakti, captain of the Ganesha Familia, known by the title Staff of the Elephant God.
It wasn't exactly arrogance, but toward this rather awkward woman, his attitude could only be called indifferent—no malice, but no warmth either.
Lili, on the other hand, stepped forward protectively:
"Captain Shakti, what business do you have with us?"
"You want answers, don't you?"
Sensing the wariness Lili held toward her, Shakti sighed softly, her gaze locking onto the delicate-featured Liang Yue.
Her face wasn't stern; she took a relatively relaxed tone as she spoke:
"As far as the Ganesha Familia is concerned, we will not pursue the matter of the Soma Familia's destruction—but we hope such things will not happen again.
"The talent you possess is not a license to do as you please!"
Here she paused slightly, before adding with a bitter smile:
"I am sorry, as the captain of the Ganesha Familia…
"I have not been able to ensure that adventurers who do not oppress Orario can receive true justice.
"But what I want to say is—"
Just as he remembered, the same awkward personality.
Liang Yue lifted his gaze toward the guilty-looking Shakti.
He had a rough idea why she had sought him out, but he had no patience for this awkward woman's roundabout speech.
He cut her off:
"You were going to say 'Justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent,' weren't you?"
"Of course."
Shakti could hardly believe that the man responsible for annihilating the Soma Familia could so precisely express her own inner thoughts.
"Justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent."
She didn't deny it, and was just about to explain that the Soma Familia's sins went far beyond abusing their own members—there were even more serious crimes involved—
—but she failed to notice the change in Liang Yue's expression.
"But if justice comes late, can it still be called justice?" Liang Yue wasn't pretending to have some lofty sense of morality, nor was he trying to shake off responsibility.
From an employer's perspective, he had simply fulfilled his client Lili's request.
He understood that maintaining law and order in Orario was difficult, and he himself might not do any better—but that was not something victims should have to consider.
It was also the last thing he wanted to say to Shakti.
Liang Yue's expression remained calm:
"When the law can't bring justice to the victim, from that moment on, private vengeance becomes not only justified—but even noble."
"…"
Shakti did not try to stop Liang Yue or Lili from leaving. She stood frozen, her face outwardly calm but inwardly shaken to the core.
She had her final answer now.
Watching their backs grow smaller, she was briefly dazed—because in Liang Yue, she seemed to glimpse an old acquaintance…
"Gale Wind."
"…They really are a bit alike."
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Shakti found that those simple words did not fade with Liang Yue's departure—if anything, they rang even louder in her ears.
As for Lili's future, Liang Yue honestly hadn't decided yet. Whether she could join the Familia depended on Hestia's approval.
Having a capable, trustworthy supporter could be very convenient in dungeon expeditions—and the best part was, Lili wouldn't even require payment.
Since she seemed determined to follow him to the abandoned church, Liang Yue didn't hide it from her:
"As you can see, this is my Familia. The Hestia Familia—and I'm its first adventurer."
"Then I'll be the second!"
Lili's answer was immediate. She had, of course, heard of "Hestia," a goddess who had only recently descended to the lower world and was in the early stages of building her Familia.
The poor conditions were understandable.
During the walk over, her initial nervousness had already faded; had it been one of the powerful Familias, she might not have even been able to join.
But whether she could join wasn't up to Liang Yue.
"That depends on Lady Hestia's approval," he replied.
"Got it."
She wasn't about to push her luck—especially since the Soma Familia incident had already brought Liang Yue more than enough trouble.
Quietly, she followed him down to the underground quarters of the church.
It wasn't as lavish as other Familia bases, but instead was neatly arranged, feeling more like a cozy little home.
"This is it?"
"Yeah."
Not seeing any sign of Hestia, Liang Yue figured she must still be at the Adventurers' Guild and hadn't yet returned.
Pointing toward the patched-up sofa, he said casually, "Find a spot to sit."
But just as he said that, footsteps in slippers came from the stairs. Turning around, he saw the familiar figure of Hestia hurrying down.
She had rushed back to the base, eager to share good news with Liang Yue. Rounding the corner, she called warmly,
"Liang Yue-kun!!
"The Adventurers' Guild isn't going to pursue the matter—the Ganesha Familia has already explained everything—"
About to hug him in her usual affectionate way (and give him a good scolding for worrying his goddess), her gaze caught the sight of Lili sitting on the sofa.
With a suspicious look, Hestia asked, "And who are you?"
Hearing the conversation just now, Lili's earlier relaxed mood tensed instantly—after all, in a way, she had been the catalyst for the incident.
She had caused Liang Yue trouble and even made his goddess worry.
Too embarrassed to keep sitting, she stood awkwardly and explained,
"Lady Hestia, I'm Liang Yue-kun's supporter."
"A supporter?"
Hestia looked to Liang Yue, and upon his confirmation, she relaxed. She had been worried that someone had learned of his talents and come to poach him.
Since it was just a supporter for dungeon exploration, there was no need for particular concern.
(A free supporter, at that.)
Although Lili wanted to speak up to earn some points in Hestia's eyes, reality gave her no chance—footsteps once again came from the entrance.
Visiting the base this time was a rather short, silver-haired male elf: Royman Mardil, the Adventurers' Guild's administrative officer.
Having failed to keep pace with Hestia earlier, he was panting by the time he arrived.
Leaning on the wall, he said between breaths:
"Lady Hestia…
"I have orders from Lord Ouranos. This time I came specifically to issue your Familia… a compulsory expedition order."
"???"