Within the cluster of towers known as [Long Residence], the leader's office was located in one of the spires.
There was a carpet like a flower crown, a white stone fireplace, and a tall, narrow grandfather clock.
The interior, furnished with elegant artisan furniture, was spacious enough, and on the wall hung a tapestry with a mural—a portrait of a goddess bearing a spear and armor.
That was Fianna, the goddess from the Pallum legend.
Finn took her as his idol, constantly inspiring himself.
He was currently seated in a chair, processing faction reports and documents at an ebony desk.
"Intelligence from Hermes Familia indicates that abnormal movements by the Dark Faction have become increasingly frequent in several cities outside the capital recently, but their purpose is unknown..."
"The last Dark Faction stronghold that was struck by chance was a failed siege by Ganesha Familia, with all three executives escaping..."
Finn pinched the bridge of his nose, a hint of worry in his emerald eyes.
His gaze swept over another document on the table, and Finn paused.
"The legendary newcomer Rod has joined Astrea Familia... So he's the person Riveria knows. I just feel there's something indescribably strange about him..."
Boom—
The door was violently smashed open. Finn was startled but sighed in relief when he saw it was Ais. He looked at the shattered door with a pained expression and spoke helplessly.
"Ais, I've told you multiple times, don't be so reckless."
Ais took a bite of her potato croquette and mumbled indistinctly.
"Rod... looking for..."
Upon hearing that name, Finn's emerald eyes narrowed slightly, then immediately broke into a smile.
"He's looking for Riveria, right? You don't need to specifically notify me. After all, he's from that Justice Familia, so he's trustworthy."
Ais shook her head, pointing her index finger at Finn.
Finn was slightly stunned, then put away his smile and slowly rose.
"Interesting, he's actually asking for me by name. It's good, I'm also very interested in this legendary reincarnation of an ancient great hero."
When Finn arrived at the reception room, quite a few people were already seated.
Riveria and Gareth, the team's right and left hands, presumably thought Rod had come to discuss important matters related to the Dark Faction, and naturally made a point to meet him.
Of course, Riveria herself might have been more concerned about Rod's recent well-being.
She sat opposite Rod, glaring at him with a hint of anger, gritting her teeth and saying each word clearly.
"I heard you rested for only one day before exploring the Dungeon with your Familia members. Do you really care so little about your own body?!"
Rod looked towards Gareth, signaling him for help.
But Gareth merely stroked his beard, pretending not to see Rod's plea.
While inwardly cursing the other's unprincipled behavior, Rod had no choice but to brace himself and accept Riveria's concern.
".....I can't help it, I also want to master power quickly in this era."
He just couldn't resist kindness...
As the first person to truly treat him well since he came to this world, Rod held profound respect for her.
Seeing Rod's feigned obedient look, Riveria couldn't help but sigh helplessly.
She couldn't deny Rod's answer either.
Riveria was not a doting pushover; interfering in others' lives often didn't lead to gratitude, a fact she had long understood.
If Rod had shown even the slightest hint of annoyance or impatience during this process, she would have probably kept her distance decisively.
However...
At that time, Rod, due to Loki Familia's current policy, showed a bewildered, panicked, and helpless expression after being rejected.
Riveria, returning from an outing, accidentally brushed past him in his dejected state. The moment their eyes met, she had an inexplicable intuition.
She absolutely couldn't let this child leave like this, otherwise unimaginable consequences would surely occur!
So, to the surprise of her companions, she somewhat abruptly stopped Rod and offered to introduce him to a job.
When Riveria saw a smile return to Rod's eyes, her heart imperceptibly relaxed.
This served as a catalyst, and two beings who would have otherwise had no intersection began to grow closer.
If at first Riveria couldn't let go of Rod merely due to that premonition, later, upon learning that Rod had been an orphan since childhood and could never return to his homeland, she unconsciously adopted the role of a guardian.
That's why when Rod suddenly went missing without a trace last time, she searched for a long time and even asked many friends she knew for help.
Perhaps it was a bit of PTSD, but whether it was Ais or Rod, Riveria always hoped to shelter them under her wings.
Yet, contradictorily, seeing them gradually grow, perhaps one day no longer needing her, Riveria felt both relieved for them and inevitably a little lost.
"Hmm, did I come at a bad time?"
Finn, who had just opened the door, broke the somewhat tense atmosphere.
Rod instantly showed a relieved expression. Laila noticed this and covered her mouth, chuckling. Riveria gave him an annoyed glance, but the previous topic was considered closed.
Finn's gaze swept over the still somewhat dejected Riveria, deep in thought. Then, he proactively walked towards Rod, extending his hand with a smile.
"Welcome, Rod. Your name has been quite the talk of the town recently."
Rod lightly shook Finn's hand and then released it, returning to his usual calm demeanor.
"Compared to the 'Hero,' my reputation is merely the idle chatter of busybodies."
"Let's skip the mutual flattery. I'm actually here for something important."
Finn seemed a bit unaccustomed to this pace of conversation and glanced at Laila, who was sitting beside Rod.
Laila shrugged, then gestured towards Rod with her mouth.
"Don't look at me like that, I have to obey this master too~"
Huh?!
A ripple stirred within Finn's heart.
Although they didn't socialize much, Laila was one of the few intelligent members of his race whom he acknowledged, serving as a strategist in Astrea Familia.
Gaining such a crucial position just two days after joining the Familia?
It seems this guy is even more mysterious than I imagined...
"Haha, I didn't expect Rod to have the same habit as me. Actually, I also hate dealing with those bureaucratic people at the Guild."
After a hearty laugh, Finn walked to the seat directly opposite Rod and sat down, resting his chin on his hands, his keen emerald eyes fixed on Rod.
"Then I'll be direct... Although Riveria and Gareth's rescue operation disrupted my plans, because the rescued party was 'Justice,' I acknowledge that it was worthwhile."
"We are partners who jointly maintain the order of the city and should support each other. Therefore, Astrea Familia owes us nothing, but..."
Finn's tone shifted, his calm voice revealing wisdom.
"While I personally admire Goddess Astrea, Loki Familia is not an appendage of Astrea Familia. We have our own plans."
"If your trip here does not yield the desired response, I hope it won't cause a rift between us."
Rod's eyes narrowed slightly.
Finn knew the temperament of Astrea Familia members well; it was impossible for a misunderstanding to arise over such a matter.
So, this sentence was specifically for him.
He probably noticed the special bond between him and Riveria; he truly was thoughtful.
However...
Rod showed a subtle smile.
"Even the resourceful Hero can be wrong sometimes. I'm not here for official business this time, only for personal matters."
Finn was momentarily stunned.
"Your personal matters?"
Rod shook his head, pointing at Finn, his words resounding clearly.
"It's your personal matter... and it's something you must bear."