In the past, Laila might have felt sad.
But now, they had long since signed a contract that could never be broken, even in eternity.
That connection transcended Familia, transcended blood, it was a bond on the soul level.
Therefore, at this moment, apart from a tiny bit of regret that Rhode was about to leave Astrea Familia, she didn't feel much reluctance.
What's more, the provisional base of Hestia Familia was right next door to the Court of the Stars.
As long as they knocked down the wall in between, they would still be one family!
Just then, Laila suddenly remembered the morning's events and looked at Rhode with a serious expression.
"Oh, Rhode, do you have any connection with the 'City of Sinners'? This morning, they suddenly sent someone to deliver a large sum of money."
Rhode was startled and equally bewildered. Just as he was about to shake his head, the system's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Special A-rank Wish has been issued.]
[Content: Go back 13 years and save the young Laila.]
[Reward: Special reward, and corresponding Wish Points.]
It could… even trigger a wish to change the past?
Was this going to make him… travel through time?!
However, the wish only asked him to save Laila, but why would the current City of Sinners suddenly send someone to deliver money?
After a moment of thought, Rhode vaguely pieced together some of the situation in his mind.
But everything would only be completely clear after he traveled back.
I'll complete this wish tomorrow, depending on the situation…
So, under Laila's questioning gaze, Rhode merely nodded slightly.
"Yes, there is some connection. I'll explain the specifics in detail later; the money they gave can be used."
Upon hearing this, Laila finally breathed a sigh of relief, but her expression remained complex.
"As long as you know what you're doing. That place… although I never went back after I left, and even my memories are a bit blurry, it's still… not a good place…."
City of Sinners · Bergen.
A massive facility located in the eastern part of the continent, a city in name only, but in reality, a colossal prison for cruel criminals.
The most heinous criminals from all over the world, even those from the Labyrinth City, after having their contracts with their chief gods dissolved and their Grace sealed, would all be sent there to endure an eternity of torment.
It was a place that even the gods called "warmer than hell," a gathering place where malevolent gods delighted in tormenting the residents of the Lower World.
And Laila was born and spent her childhood in such a city.
Rhode pondered the information about this city, his gaze lingering for a moment on the words "Unknown Reward" on the translucent panel, then temporarily set aside his curiosity and focused on enjoying the delicious food before him.
After dinner, Rhode privately sought out the still somewhat shy Hestia and stated his request.
To be honest, he also felt that this request was a bit excessive.
After all, it was akin to treating a god as a mascot, and he would understand if Hestia refused.
As it turned out, Hestia completely disregarded questions like "How can Rhode, a mortal, activate someone else's Grace?" or "Why form a Familia in her name?" Instead, she excitedly hugged Rhode's arm and happily shouted.
"There's actually such a good thing?!"
"Hahahaha, I was so worried before, but I knew Rhode was the best!"
Under Rhode's puzzled inquiry, Hestia triumphantly revealed her bet with Loki.
Upon learning this, Rhode shook his head with a helpless smile, but he also seriously considered the matter.
"The only way to make Loki admit defeat is to hold a War Game, and participants must have the corresponding chief god's Grace."
"In that case, I won't be able to participate. However, it's fine for Ke Luoyi and the others to temporarily switch Familia, and if we find more people, we might not be without a chance of winning."
Rhode's mind was already calculating.
There were still many promising individuals in this era who hadn't joined a Familia yet, so he could certainly poach some.
However, some of his important predetermined targets were still quite young… for example, Lefiya, whom he absolutely couldn't miss.
This useless elf-in-training was still attending school in the academic district.
At that time, no matter what, he would have to snatch this infinitely potential Thousand Elf before Loki Familia could.
In addition, he could also recruit some strong individuals from other worlds.
In short, even without his personal involvement, this game was not unwinnable.
Although it was called a "War Game," there was no deep-seated hatred, so it could just be treated as a grand sparring match.
If possible, it would be best to set a trap for Loki and "borrow" Riveria, Ais, and all those powerful and beautiful elves…
As for the return date, well, there wouldn't be one, of course.
Hestia was a little disappointed that Rhode couldn't participate, but after hearing Rhode's subsequent words, she thought for a moment, and her eyes suddenly lit up!
"Oh, right! Rhode, your system, can't it remotely activate Grace and update ability values for contractors?"
"That's right."
"Then… if other gods help activate Grace for your contractors, would there be any difference?"
Rhode thought for a moment and shook his head.
"The biggest impact might just be the connection of divine blood."
"But the contract's priority is the highest, and Grace itself just acts as a 'switch' to extract experience points, so there isn't much difference."
Hestia snapped her fingers triumphantly, like a little strategist who had found an ingenious plan.
"In that case! Then let me also become your contractor, and then when updating ability values, just use my Grace for some people, wouldn't that work?!"
"That way, there's no need for the hassle of specially switching Familia!"
The smile on Rhode's face faded. He looked at Hestia seriously and solemnly.
"…Hestia, do you know what it means to become my contractor?"
"This power, even if you release your divine power, cannot be undone."
Hestia's pretty face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, a little embarrassed.
"I, I know that, of course! Astrea told me everything! Isn't it just… becoming family for life?!"
She suddenly looked up, her clear blue eyes sparkling with unprecedented determination.
"Does Rhode think I'm one of those gods who act impulsively out of curiosity? I came down to the Lower World with a firm resolve!"
"Or rather, I… I came to Orario for Rhode! Does… does Rhode not want to be with me forever?"
Rhode chuckled, then gently took Hestia's hand.
"From the moment that flame gently cared for me, I had already decided that no matter what, I would be with Hestia."
"However, I just feel that this pace might be too fast. Hestia perhaps… needs to understand me more."
Hestia proudly tilted her small head, her eyes shining.
"Hmph hmph! Rhode, do you think I wasted all those days in the Celestial Realm?"
"Aside from the initial matters which I'm still trying to understand, I've been concerned and worried about everything that happened afterward! I understand you as well as Astrea does!"
"So! What she can do, I can do too!"
Hestia's competitive spirit burned brightly. She urged impatiently.
"Although I'm already late, I won't allow myself to remain in a disadvantaged state!"
"So, Rhode, quickly sign the contract with me!"
Feeling Hestia's pure emotions, free of any impurities, Rhode no longer hesitated. He smiled and activated the authority of the contract.
"Then, from now on, we are inseparable family."
The next morning.
Loki Familia's residence, Twilight Manor.
Ais, returning from her training, walked quickly along the simple skywalk overlooking the courtyard, a hint of confusion and doubt in her eyes.
"I need to tell… Loki… about this…"
Loki's private room was on the top floor of the central tower, surrounded by other towers.
Ais climbed the entire spiral staircase of the tower and, reaching the room, gently knocked on the door.
No one responded.
Ais knocked harder on the door.
Immediately, a chaotic clatter of sounds came from within the room.
Then, Loki's slightly slurred, clearly not-yet-awake voice rang out.
"Hic… Who is it? Disturbing my beauty sleep this early in the morning, how immoral!"
Ais thought for a moment, then, without waiting, pushed open the heavy wooden door and walked in.
The room was crammed with various items, as messy as a junkyard.
Most prominent were the alcoholic beverages piled up in small storage units in the corner of the room.
Bottles of wine of all shapes and colors were casually strewn in every corner of the room, along with many half-drunk bottles.
Beside a table lay what appeared to be an expensive quill pen, and white crystals with a faint, iridescent sheen.
Old shoes and hats hung on the walls, along with mountains of thick books and sharp short swords; even the large bed was almost submerged by clutter.
It wouldn't even be surprising if one or two rare items were mixed in.
Loki, who was trying to hide a bottle of wine, was startled. Seeing that it was Ais who had entered, she let out a long sigh of relief and drunkenly crawled back onto the long chair.
"Oh, it's just Ais."
Loki pulled out another bottle of wine and took a large, contented gulp.
"A bottle of wine every morning, a happy god with no worries~"
Her face flushed, she waved to Ais.
"Come, Ais, you should try some too. This is an out-of-print Soma wine, you know~"
"I'm a bit drunk, hehe, so let's…"
Clang—!
Ais silently drew her long sword halfway from its scabbard, and the crisp sound of metal scraping echoed in the room.
"Ah, I'm sober now, it's fine." Loki instantly sat up straight, her face serious.
The strong smell of alcohol made Ais wrinkle her nose uncomfortably.
"Loki, something big has happened in Orario, regarding Goddess Hestia, whom I met yesterday."
Loki took another small sip of wine nonchalantly, mumbling indistinctly.
"Huh? That little dwarf? Don't tell me she couldn't find a place to live and was kicked out by the Guild for wandering the streets?"
"No, she has already established her own Familia…"
"Uh, already? But it doesn't matter, no one would be interested in such a new, small Familia anyway…"
"Rod, along with three girls, announced their transfer to Hestia Familia."
"Pfft—!!!"
Loki spat out a mouthful of priceless divine wine like a high-pressure water gun.
Fortunately, Ais had anticipated this, and with a swift movement, dodged in time.
Loki looked at the divine wine splattered on the walls and floor with utter despair, immediately collapsing to her knees and weeping profusely.
"Ugh, ah, ah! That mouthful was worth a fortune! This is the most exquisite delicacy in the world, never to be found again!"
Loki even seemed eager to stick out her tongue and lick the wine stains clean.
Ais couldn't bear to watch any longer and drew her long sword out a few more inches.
Loki stiffened, instantly becoming docile.
She stood up, irritably scratching her vermillion red long hair, finally dropping her playful attitude and frowning.
"So, that little dwarf, she poached Astrea? How did she manage to do something even I wouldn't dare?"
Ais recalled the news she had "accidentally" overheard.
"No, it seems Rod actively applied for the transfer, and Goddess Astrea also supported his decision."
"Oh, right, I also saw the Gobniu Familia accepted a commission and is building Hestia Familia's base right next to the Court of the Stars."
Loki walked to the window, her vermillion red eyes gazing in the direction of the Court of the Stars, stroking her chin, and quickly assessing the situation.
"To say that little dwarf has some incredible personal charm, I wouldn't believe such nonsense. The most likely possibility… is that Rod wants to do something that wouldn't be convenient to do under the name of a 'justice' Familia."
"That kid… is he trying to stir up some big news again…"
Ais didn't quite understand these intricacies. She continued to state her observations in a calm tone.
"On my way back, I also saw that Hestia Familia had already started recruiting new members."
"Although many people were skeptical of the new goddess, even more adventurers were going to sign up, drawn by Rod's reputation."
Loki froze for a moment, then suddenly realized, slapping her palm with a shocked expression.
"That little dwarf! Is she actually serious with me?!"
She bit her nails, pacing anxiously around the room like an ant on a hot pan.
"Damn it, even though I have a lot of confidence in Finn and the others! But I can't figure out Rod at all… Am I really going to have to serve that little dwarf tea and water?"
"No! Absolutely not! I will not allow such a thing to happen!"
Loki burst out the door with a "bang," shouting at the top of her lungs into the empty corridor.
"Finn—!"
"Immediately issue a recruitment announcement! Our Loki Familia is also going to recruit new members!!!"
She powerfully waved her fist, her face ablaze with fighting spirit.
"Rod is one thing! I refuse to believe that in the realm of recruiting pure newcomers, I can't outperform a newly established Familia like yours!"
Seeing Loki had already run off with an aggressive demeanor to discuss with Finn and the others, Ais tilted her head and blinked, then descended the spire again.
As she left, she coincidentally ran into Alicia, who had just returned.
"Oh? Ais, aren't you done with your training by now? Why are you still going out?"
Ais responded with her pure, transparent golden eyes.
"I… am going to spar with a friend."
Alicia was full of doubt.
Ais… has friends outside of the Familia?
Just as she was about to ask further, Ais's figure had already transformed into a breeze, disappearing at the end of the street.
"…"
Ais walked quickly down the street, and later, simply started running.
As she passed the familiar fried potato ball stand, she remained expressionless, with great willpower, attempting to run past it directly.
However, a moment later, she ran back with a conflicted expression, buying several steaming hot bags of fried potato balls.
"…Hmm, this is etiquette Riveria taught. When visiting, one should bring a gift."
After convincing herself of this, Ais popped a fried potato ball into her mouth, her eyes slightly narrowing in happiness, then continued at full speed towards the Court of the Stars.
"Oh, you're here so soon?"
Noin, still sleepy-eyed, opened the door for Ais.
"Here, a gift." Ais solemnly handed over a bag of fried potato balls.
Noin blinked, looked at the fried potato balls Ais offered, and accepted them with a smile.
"Thank you, I'm hungry."
Ais's expression remained cool, but if one looked closely, one could barely discern a faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of her lips.
"I completed Rod's request. I am here to spar with them."
That's right, given Ais's personality, she would never have deliberately and formally relayed an accidental encounter to Loki.
The reason was that Rod, this morning, had accompanied Ryu and Che Huiyi to train their swordsmanship on the city walls, where they coincidentally met Ais, who was also training alone.