Ryu let out a mournful cry, while A Di responded with an innocent smile.
"Come, dance, beautiful lady. Please dance joyfully, and let me see your smile!"
"Ha, ha?!"
"These are lines from my favorite story! I want Ryu, Rhode, everyone, everyone to smile!"
She mentioned a passage from a heroic tale she had been obsessed with as a child and still loved dearly, and this declaration only intensified Ryu's confusion.
The poor elf suddenly let out a strange sound completely unlike herself, like a broken doll, helplessly swept into this joyous storm by the human girl.
Metria excitedly cast a look of finding a kindred spirit, her eyes sparkling.
"So you like heroic tales too!"
"Yes!" A Di immediately felt like she had found a soulmate.
"Hehehe, that's great, Al… sister always says I'm too childish!" Metria secretly glanced at her helpless sister beside her, sticking out her tongue.
"We who chase justice and heroes are inherently children who never grow up, so it's alright!"
Thus, Alfia, looking helpless, and the mortified Elf, dragged by two girls who wouldn't listen to reason, danced gracefully in the snow-filled plaza.
"Though I was just thinking… the Hestia Familia are a strange bunch…"
"Yeah… it feels good though! It's great, ladies—!"
"Adventurers are so beautiful!!"
The atmosphere around them also underwent a peculiar change.
The adults, who had initially been watching indifferently, seemed drawn in by the girls' heartfelt smiles, relaxing their tense faces and letting out good-natured cheers and whistles, or half-joking jeers.
Children frolicked and jumped, joining in as well.
Before anyone knew it, a huge, joyful circle of people had completely surrounded them.
Rhode thought for a moment, then smiled and turned to Riveria beside him.
He placed his right hand over his chest, his left hand behind his back, performing an impeccable noble's bow to her, then elegantly extended his right hand.
"While it might have been a bit awkward for my past self, it's just right for my current self."
He looked up, his deep eyes filled with a sincere smile, gazing at her.
"Beautiful and elegant Elf Princess, would you grant me the honor of a dance?"
Riveria was startled, and seeing Rhode's expectant gaze, a barely perceptible blush crept onto her exquisite face.
Then, she revealed a brilliant smile that dispelled her usual solemnity, leaving only captivating gentleness and beauty.
"I've danced alone enough in my homeland's royal city. But…" She paused slightly, her eyes sparkling, her voice as soft as a feather, "occasionally dancing with someone else (you) might not be bad either."
As she spoke, she gently placed her fair, cool right hand in Rhode's warm palm.
However, Rhode remained motionless for a long time, just standing there stunned.
"…"
"Wh-what's wrong?" Riveria tilted her head slightly in confusion, an unintentionally adorable gesture.
"…Uh, I just remembered," Rhode's expression became a bit strange, "I don't think… I know how to dance."
Pfft—
The noble Elf Princess could no longer hold back, letting out a clear and melodious giggle.
"Hahaha… Rhode usually gives off an omnipotent vibe, but I didn't expect him to have something he's not good at!"
Ais's golden eyes widened, her small mouth slightly agape, her face full of disbelief.
Riveria actually laughed…?!
That "old woman" who always had a stern face, scarier than a Dungeon monster, actually laughed so happily…?
Finally, just as Rhode was about to become exasperated, Riveria quickly composed herself and, like coaxing a child, soothed him with an incredibly gentle voice.
"It's alright, just follow my steps~"
And so, for some inexplicable reason, all the adventurers began to dance together.
Adventurers, regardless of race or Familia, sang, drank, and danced to their hearts' content in the plaza in front of Babel, celebrating the joy of having survived another day safely.
There was no sound of string instruments, no melodies played by wind instruments.
But at the same time, there would be no music in this world that could surpass the heartfelt joy of the people at this moment.
The dark period, which had lasted for an unknown duration, had not yet ended, but at this moment, a glimmer of dawn, named hope, seemed to appear.
The Dark Faction's henchmen resented this scene, deeming it a provocation. Just as they clutched their weapons, attempting to disrupt the festivities, a tall figure emerged from the shadows.
"Don't ruin his fun… you scumbags."
A cold voice rang out, accompanied by the muffled sound of bones shattering.
Those few henchmen didn't even see who the newcomer was before their heads exploded like watermelons from a fierce kick.
Red and white splattered like dazzling flowers on the snow, only to be instantly swallowed by the jubilant crowd, causing not a single ripple.
Afterward, the Demeter Familia, hearing the news, quickly brought barrels of ale and mountains of delicious food.
The Gods, who loved a good party, were even more eager to stir up trouble, urging their respective Familias to join this sudden feast.
"By the way, why are we celebrating anyway?"
"Who cares, let's drink first!"
"Ais-tan! Don't dance with that man, come dance with me!"
"You hateful Warren-something-or-other! Trying to steal my Rhode at such a young age!"
Just then, a peculiar young girl with a pair of deer antlers and a pair of goat horns on her head, and mismatched yellow and blue eyes, breathlessly slipped into the crowd, letting out a long sigh of relief.
"Phew… finally shook them off…"
Her curious gaze swept across the scene, and she was soon drawn to the central figure, enveloped by countless halos.
At this moment, Rhode was experiencing a "happy hell."
On his left shoulder sat the golden-haired Ais, looking intrigued, and on his right shoulder sat the somewhat shy silver-haired Amid. On his back, he carried A Di, who was excitedly waving her small hands.
His right hand was playfully held by Alfia, and his left hand was coquettishly pulled by Metria. A happy yet helpless wry smile hung on his face.
However, to the surrounding male adventurers, who were gritting their teeth and their eyes spitting fire, this smile was nothing short of blatant showing off!
Damn it! Hogging all the good stuff, are we?!
You've got all the best girls in Orario wrapped around your finger, haven't you?!
Oh, why was I born if you were to be born too?!
The heterochromatic girl rested her chin on her hand, tilted her head in thought, then clapped her hands with a "thwack."
"He seems very popular… Could he be the legendary hero of Orario?!"
Her eyes lit up, as if she had discovered a new continent. She suddenly leaped out of the crowd and rushed towards the center of the plaza.
"I, I want to dance with you too!"
The girl's action instantly ignited the passion of all the female adventurers watching.
"We want to too!"
"Damn it, don't monopolize Lord Rhode!"
"War, we must start a war!"
"Charge! Don't let the Loki Familia block our path to the heaven of happiness!"
"Sorry, Lady Riveria, but this time, I cannot back down!"
A group of unfamiliar girls, with excited smiles on their faces, issued a challenge named "Rhode Scramble" to the top-tier powerhouses they usually respected the most.
The male Gods, meanwhile, uttered heartbroken, jealous complaints while gleefully egging them on, watching Rhode struggle to cope with the endless stream of passionate girls.
Everyone continued to party boisterously until deep into the night, drinking themselves into a stupor, before being lectured and herded back to their respective Familias by their captains who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
By the fountain in the plaza, snowflakes fell silently.
A Di, sitting beside Ryu, who still felt a little embarrassed and whose cheeks were slightly flushed, suddenly spoke.
"…Ryu, you once asked me, what is [Justice], didn't you?"
Ryu was startled for a moment, then nodded slightly.
That had happened before Rhode arrived.
She had sought her friend's answer because she felt lost about the justice she had always believed in.
This seemingly carefree girl was actually more thoughtful than anyone else.
While she was still blindly adhering to rigid, conventional justice, A Di had already been searching for… the universal way for justice to exist.
"A Di, have you found the answer?"
A Di released her hand from under her delicate chin, closed her eyes, and continued.
"I'm not as smart as my sister, and with things like this, the more I think about it, the more I feel like I'm sinking into a quagmire."
"You can't force others, and you can't shoulder it alone."
"And if you only keep it in your heart, you also won't have the ability to change anything. I once thought that perhaps there is no true justice in the world."
Under the moonlight and snowlight, the girl's profile appeared more mature than her actual age.
Ryu had that fleeting illusion.
"Don't think about difficult things, don't hurt anyone… If everyone just smiled and became happy, that would be enough."
Her wish was childish, yet more precious than anything else.
An incredibly simple, yet incredibly difficult wish.
Ryu now had the desire to protect Rhode, and she was also supported by that gentle young man as she continued to pursue the path of justice, but could she truly reach the answer?
Just then, A Di suddenly spread her arms, opened her eyes, and a smile even brighter than before bloomed on her face.
"But just now, I confirmed it! Justice, it cycles!"
"Huh?"
"Just as smiles and happiness are passed on to others, even if it's not the true answer, even if it's wrong, even if its form changes, our justice will still cycle!"
This was A Di's conclusion at this moment.
"Maybe sometimes soft things will become stubborn, and once gentle things will become cold!"
"Even so, the justice we convey will surely bloom into different flowers! Maybe not flowers, but transform into starlight to illuminate everyone!"
Ryu's sky-blue eyes widened without her realizing it.
"The people we've helped will also help others! Today's kindness will bring smiles tomorrow!"
This might just be A Di's unfinished dream, a prayer.
Yet in Ryu's ears, it sounded incredibly precious, like wings embracing the hope of soaring high.
Perhaps the old Ryu would not have approved of these words.
What would Rhode think if he heard this?
The realistic him would most likely scoff, say "too naive," and then disdainfully complain!
As this thought arose, Ryu's peripheral vision caught sight of Rhode not far away, chatting with a strange girl with peculiar horns on her head. She immediately huffily rejected her own idea in her mind.
…No, since it came from a cute girl like A Di, he would definitely smile and express support, absolutely!
Ryu subtly clenched her fists, unconsciously puffing out her cheeks. Even the most oblivious Elf had already realized Rhode's overly "philanthropic" nature.
But…
It was Kaguya and Laila who had brought Rhode back, and although he was at times aggressive and ruthless like a Demon Lord in certain matters, he also saved many people in his own way.
Although… most of them were cute girls, of course…
But in this way, wouldn't it also count as a kind of [Cycle of Justice]?!
"Hmm, hmm, hmm… I still don't know what your name is, Hero?"
Rod was a little confused internally.
In the mobile game's story, there was indeed a girl named Taruvi. She possessed a complex bloodline of over thirty races, most of which were beastmen.
And she was a chosen sacrifice long ago.
But that was at least seven or eight years later.
However, on second thought, the timeline didn't seem to align with the main story, so her appearance at this point wasn't too surprising.
After not thinking for long, Rod smiled and answered the girl's question.
"My name is Rod. As for being a hero… I don't think I am."
Taruvi tilted her head, a little puzzled.
"But, everyone seems to like you a lot!"
Rod shook his head with a wry smile.
"Those male adventurers, it's more out of reverence for power."
Taruvi clasped her hands behind her back, leaned forward, and gave a sly smile, like a little fox.
"You're not denying that all the girls like you, are you?… You've probably already achieved every man's ultimate dream by now."
Rod shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't particularly want to be liked by all girls."
"Eh?"
"For example, the Ishtar Familia has a fat pig named Phryne. If you saw her, you wouldn't want her to like you either."
"Is, is that so?… I don't know, this is my first time in Orario!"
A Di curiously poked her head out from behind Rod, looking at their new friend.
"Miss Taruvi, where are you from?"
Taruvi put her hands on her hips, a proud expression on her face, as if introducing her treasure.
"I'm from Belden! It's a very small, but great country! It's just that we rarely communicate with others, so you might not have heard of it."
Its name was similar to Bergen, and it had a similar isolationist policy to the Far East.
"Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm actually a member of a Familia too!"
"It should be said that the entire country is a member of a Familia. The members know each other and help each other!"
Riveria's gaze lingered for a moment on the unique four horns on Taruvi's head, and she asked thoughtfully.
"A national Familia, like Rakia?"
Taruvi quickly waved her hands shyly.
"I read in books brought by merchants that Rakia is a super-large military nation!"
"Belden is just a small country like a village. However, we have a very long history. Our ancestors spent hundreds of years protecting that land!"
"Everyone believes that nothing is more important than that land, and they don't want to cause unnecessary disputes, so they have always avoided communication with other countries."
"We can only learn about other countries through travelers who occasionally pass by, or merchants we have a relationship with."