Leaving the abandoned church that served as the Hestia Familia's base, Hyacinthus no longer wore his earlier mask of elegance.
The delicate, beautiful youth's face was now twisted in frustration.
He couldn't imagine it—he had laid out every possible benefit before Liang Yue, and still that man had refused Apollo Familia's invitation.
Apollo-sama had entrusted him with full authority over this matter.
And as for what came next… Hyacinthus was more than familiar with the process.
In Orario, with the Ganesha Familia upholding law and order, they naturally couldn't act recklessly in the city.
"Assign some members to keep watch on that man. The moment he heads into the Dungeon, report back to me immediately."
Hyacinthus's eyes were cold. Since persuasion had failed, he would simply turn to extreme measures.
If Liang Yue could be prevented from adventuring in the Dungeon, then Orario would offer him no foothold at all.
And when he was crushed by that reality, only then would he reconsider Apollo Familia's "invitation."
Trailing behind Hyacinthus was a red-haired, short-haired woman in a white uniform skirt and gray boots—
Daphne Lauros, one of the Familia's commanders.
Her long legs were clad in black thigh-high stockings, the fabric tight enough to dig slightly into her skin. Her features were fresh and pretty, but her gaze betrayed the faintest flicker of resistance.
Her fists clenched imperceptibly. At last, she nodded in reluctant obedience.
This touched on memories she'd rather forget.
For Daphne herself had once refused Apollo Familia, only to be forced into submission by this very same method.
"…Again with these tactics."
She watched Hyacinthus's figure disappear into the distance, a trace of inner conflict flashing through her eyes.
From her brief contact with Liang Yue earlier, her impression of him wasn't bad at all.
But the problem lay in which Familia he belonged to.
If Liang Yue had been born under the banner of a stronger god, Apollo Familia would never have dared provoke them.
But the storm ahead…
Daphne could only shake her head and turn to her closest friend.
"Cassandra, let's go back."
"…Alright."
The timid girl with deep-blue hair that covered her eyes nodded softly. Her entire presence radiated a fragile, gloomy air.
And yet—for reasons she couldn't explain—
deep inside her heart, there pulsed a vague and ominous premonition.
The best solution was obvious: dig a trap for Apollo Familia, then wait for them to step into it.
At present, the plan was only in its infancy.
The idea was to lure Apollo Familia into declaring a War Game, and through a legitimate channel seize all of their resources.
To say it aloud would sound like utter fantasy.
Liang Yue, seeing Lili's hopeful expression, didn't explain in detail.
"You don't need to worry about this part. If everything goes smoothly, the matter of our Familia base will be resolved soon."
"…?"
Lili tilted her head up, her young face tinged with unease. Though she hadn't been with Liang Yue long, she couldn't shake a certain foreboding.
"Resolving the Familia's base problem"…
Could it mean another violation of Orario's laws?
She hesitated, then confessed:
"This morning, when I went to report our expedition's results, the Guild supervisor Royman asked me to deliver a message."
"He said he hopes you won't cause another disturbance like the Soma Familia incident. Something that disrupts Orario's stability."
"If that were to happen again… I don't even dare imagine the consequences."
Her eyes carefully searched Liang Yue's expression. Seeing no change, she finally let out a faint sigh of relief.
"…Don't worry. This time, I'll absolutely stay within Orario's rules."
At least in this matter, Liang Yue was confident.
After all, every step would be initiated by Apollo Familia themselves.
He was simply responding.
Of course, recalling the night of Soma Familia's downfall still stirred unpleasant memories—
the false charges, the tension, the danger.
The outcome had been good, yes, but the process had been nerve-wracking.
Seeing Lili's reproachful gaze, Liang Yue hesitated, then added:
"Anyway, tonight's victory feast is still on. After a few days' rest, once our weapons are repaired, we'll return to Dungeon exploration."
Only then did the girl truly relax. Even if the Dungeon was grueling and monotonous, it was far safer than letting Liang Yue entertain dangerous schemes.
His words also diverted her from her earlier thought of relocating their base.
"…Maybe he just wants to move us into a bigger house?"
For the moment, the crisis with Apollo Familia was at a lull. During their brief rest in Orario, they had little to worry about in terms of safety.
The only true variable might be Apollo Familia's Cassandra.
Her skill—Princess Who Sings of a Tragic World—granted her prophetic dreams. If she foresaw something, would it make Apollo Familia more cautious?
That was worth consideration. But once the chase in the Dungeon began, all uncertainty would eventually be buried under hard reality.
"…I really can't wait."
A short rest.
After soothing his weary spirit from the last Dungeon expedition, Liang Yue awoke to find the sun already dipping toward dusk.
On the sofa nearby lay Lili, curled up in her cloak, asleep.
Without the nerves of Dungeon danger, her slumber was deep and peaceful. As she stirred awake at his movements, her drowsy eyes fluttered open.
Meeting Liang Yue's gaze, her pale, delicate face flushed red in an instant. She stammered out:
"Um… I can explain! There's a reason, you believe me, right?"
Though she held some money from the expedition's exchange, none of it was truly hers to spend. More importantly, she dreaded returning to that dark alley where she had lived under the shadow of Soma Familia's abuse.
The sofa wasn't particularly soft, but it made her feel… safe.
And in her drowsiness, she remembered Liang Yue's earlier promise—
her lips curved mischievously as she teased:
"Besides, you did say… food and lodging were included, right?"
"I don't really mind, but shouldn't you ask Lady Hestia's opinion first?"
Her eyes flicked toward the staircase corner.
Liang Yue's mouth twitched, silent.
"…Normally speaking, this is where Lady Hestia sleeps at night."
That evening, Hestia returned from her part-time work at Hephaestus's weapon shop, her spirits high.
She looked forward to the victory banquet with Liang Yue.
There was much to celebrate, and even more she wanted to say to him.
But as she stepped into the Familia's home—before she could even greet him—
Her eyes landed on the sight of Liliruca dozing comfortably on the sofa.
And in that instant, Hestia felt as if the very sky was about to collapse on her.
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