The room fell into a dead silence.
For the people of this world, being unable to receive Grace was undoubtedly equivalent to having their future denied.
"What are you all sad about?! While Grace is convenient, as the rumors say, didn't the great heroes of ancient times achieve great feats in the past before the Gods descended?!"
The one who spoke, completely oblivious to the atmosphere, was none other than Alise!
Her bright and lively voice made the Familia members, who had unconsciously lowered their heads, look up.
She puffed out her slender chest, shaking her shiny red hair.
"I don't believe Rod will be defeated by something like this! Besides, didn't you see? There's no sign of him giving up hope on his face yet!"
The girls then realized with surprise that while Rod had shown a momentary shock upon hearing the news, he hadn't displayed any panic or helplessness at all!
They were all intelligent people and immediately connected this to the abnormal speed he had shown earlier.
Although everyone was very curious about this, no one spoke up to ask rashly. After realizing, they were simply happy for Rod.
Rod felt the change in everyone's emotions, and a warmth also rose in his heart.
In this era, the girls of Astrea Familia truly were uniquely noble and beautiful... even giving off a dreamlike feeling.
Astrea smiled as she watched their interaction, nodding slightly, then clapped her hands.
"Alright then, we'll still announce to the outside that Rod has joined us. I believe this will deter some people's prying for a short time. In the meantime, please keep this a secret, everyone!"
The Goddess didn't say the latter half of the sentence, but Rod understood.
Such a superficial concealment for a long time would inevitably be noticed by other Gods.
But by then, Rod would surely have grown, no longer to be manipulated at will.
After all, in Astrea's view, someone unable to receive Grace was definitely not an existence that could be easily defeated!
The girls present instantly snapped back to attention, all with solemn expressions, indicating that they would absolutely keep the secret.
"You, you said keep it a secret...!"
Only the stubborn, cleanly Elf, who had forgotten the complexity of Rod's situation, murmured, but was quickly distracted by Kaguya, who was verbally provoking her with sharp words nearby.
The two of them began to glare at each other and argue again.
The Elf seemed to have forgotten the unjust act of deceiving others because of this.
However, anyone could see through the elf's tsundere act of burying her head in the sand.
If he were to expose her at this moment, she would probably become so flustered, red-faced, and angry that she would run away from home.
Rod did not object, accepting Goddess Astrea's kindness with a shrug.
"Although I am not destined to be a hero of justice, it is my honor to journey with such noble girls."
Alise closed her eyes confidently upon hearing this, a smug expression on her face.
"Hmph, he actually called me a pure, beautiful, universally loved, innocent, and super cute girl! Rod, you're quite the flatterer!"
Rod finally couldn't help but retort along with Laila.
""I (he) never said that!""
"Hahahahaha—"
The girls couldn't help but burst into laughter, teasing their captain.
Alise, however, seemed completely oblivious, taking everyone's teasing as compliments, closing her eyes with a self-satisfied smile!
Unbeknownst to him, Rod gradually integrated into the Familia.
When he realized this, he secretly sighed to himself, marveling that Alise, who appeared to be a carefree airhead, was actually more perceptive than anyone.
At the same time, Rod also made a resolution.
He would absolutely not let these pure girls perish at the hands of the Dark Faction!
After chatting for a while longer, Maliu, the team's healer, urged everyone to leave, giving Rod time to rest.
Although his body was fine, his mental fatigue needed to be relieved, and the empathetic Star Mother judged that Rod needed some quiet time alone.
She was indeed the big sister figure of the team, the top existence in the entire Familia mountain, and the only one who could gently embrace Goddess Astrea's troubled twin peaks, constantly exuding gentle maternal warmth.
She was a different type of motherly figure than Riveria.