"It's said that the Dark Faction strongholds Finn recently tracked down and destroyed were all in the second district."
Ryu's sharp gaze constantly swept over suspicious corners of the street.
"This area… the industrial zone that produces magic stone products is the heart of Orario."
"Currently, I hear no fatal damage has been caused, but if they continue to hide, it might affect the city's normal operation."
"C-Rank Wish has been issued."
"Content: Patrol the second district with Ryu, handling incidental events."
"Reward for success: A random ability from Ryu, and corresponding Wish Points."
The system's voice rang out as usual, but the update progress bar had not yet completed.
Rod stopped paying attention and, hearing this, also began to think about possible hiding spots for them.
He never forgot his experience of being trapped by the Dark Faction and had long since decided to do two things.
First, forcibly take Valletta away before she completely loses her way. This would require at least LV5 level ability.
Valletta's madness was not suitable for this world, but there were indeed some worlds among the myriad realms where even if she were to kill wantonly, righteous individuals would only applaud.
Second, kill Vitte.
A criminal who had tortured and murdered countless people, yet survived the Great Struggle, and might even end up being whitewashed.
With personal grudges preceding it, even if he were pitiful or had a good reason, Rod would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen.
Yes, he had recognized his own hypocrisy from the bottom of his heart long ago.
Thinking about it this way, even if he really joined the Astrea Familia, he would probably eventually have disputes due to conflicting ideals…
Their patrol trio.
The elf exuded a cold aura that kept people at a distance, while the man simply furrowed his brow and thought about his own matters.
Instead, it was Lili, who was temporarily pulled in to help, who inexplicably took on the job of communicating with people and gathering fragmented information.
Because she was with the Astrea Familia, even those who didn't know her dared not underestimate her.
The harmless appearance of the Pallum indeed led many passersby to offer some vague eyewitness information, though most of it was not very useful. However, some did mention having seemingly encountered two famous assassins and bounty hunters on the outskirts of the city.
As for the adventurers who recognized Lili, they wished they could turn and run.
Damn, that monster from the Astrea Familia had wiped out the entire Soma Familia for her, not even sparing the Main God. Who would dare provoke her again after that?!
Even with Finn's suggestion, the Guild had already issued a public announcement, clarifying that Soma's return was voluntary and not a murder.
But this only intensified Rod's terrifying image in the minds of those adventurers…
If the announcement was true, Rod could actually make a god willingly commit suicide—a chilling thought!
If the announcement was false, Rod could actually make the Guild and the Heroes unite to support him—terrifying to this extent!
This was a dead end in both directions…
But no matter the possibility, the old timers understood one truth.
—Absolutely, absolutely do not provoke that guy or anyone around him!
Without the classic taunting, Rod was happy for the peace and quiet.
"The town has become lifeless. Who would believe this is Orario, praised as the 'Center of the World'!"
Ryu suddenly spoke in a muffled tone, expressing her thoughts on the patrol so far.
"People walking on the streets have gloomy faces, and open shops have put down anti-theft grates… The deteriorating public order has caused widespread panic, severely affecting people's lives."
No one was soliciting business from passersby, and pedestrians would even suddenly look around, acting like they were neurotic.
Rod, on the other hand, only found it a bit dull, nothing particularly wrong with it.
"Ryu, after you left your hometown, have you been to other places?"
"Hmm… The only place I've truly experienced is Orario."
"Heh heh, that's precisely the problem. In another country not far from my hometown, even if theft and robbery happen daily on the streets, tourists lose all their money if they're not careful, and even bloodshed occurs frequently, it still doesn't stop some people from praising it as the center of world civilization~"
"Eh? What are you talking about! Are everyone who says that idiots?!"
Even with her face covered, Ryu's pretty face was visibly flushed with anger.
"How can those people talk such nonsense! Is there no one to stop such behavior?"
Rod's gaze stopped on a figure not far away. He subconsciously reached for his waist, only then realizing he had already returned the Higanbana to Hekate.
"Some call it freedom, and your kind of thinking is undoubtedly authoritarian tyranny, a symbol of backwardness and ignorance."
Ryu's eyes widened. She wanted to loudly retort, but was utterly confused by what he said, momentarily standing there dumbfounded.
"Ah~~~~~le~~~~~~~"
Just then, a shameful male voice came from a distance.
"Hahaha! I got it!"
"Wah, all my property, 444 Fali! Who will help me get it back—!"
Lili ran over anxiously to ask for help.
"Brother Rhode, Lyu… sister, someone snatched money from a God in the street! What should we do?"
A cold glint flashed in Rhode's eyes.
He finally appeared.
Erebus, the God who called himself the Necessary Evil, the mastermind behind the Great Contention!