By the time the marble game ended, it was already twilight. After all the excitement, night fell, and a bright moon hung in the sky, casting a silver glow.
Adventurers possess stamina and spirits far beyond ordinary people. With new members joining, everyone was too hyped to sleep; they were ready to pull an all-nighter. Daphne and Cassandra took Tione and Tiona to pick their rooms and introduced them to the manor's facilities.
Ryu had already tidied and stored the belongings of the former members. Keeping them on display when the owners were gone would only invite sorrow. There were plenty of empty rooms in the Starry Court, and the twins quickly picked their bedrooms.
"Senior, senior! What's this?" "It's a Magic Stone Refrigerator!" "Senior, senior! And that?" "The Guild's latest product: a Magic Stone Air Conditioner. It regulates the temperature—warm in winter, cool in summer!"
Tiona was like a curious kitten, exploring every corner. Daphne and Cassandra answered every question, clearly enjoying their roles as seniors. Even if Tione and Tiona were higher level, seniority in the Familia still mattered. The simple-minded Tiona didn't care about such things, dragging the two seniors around in delight.
Tione, however, focused on the other side of the hall. A welcome banquet was being prepared, with Roy as the head chef and Astraea and Ryu acting as his assistants. The three worked in perfect harmony, often understanding each other without a single word. The kitchen was so quiet that only the crackle of the fire and the bubbling of water could be heard, making Tione intensely envious.
Seeing Roy command the Goddess and Ryu with such poise—equally capable in battle and in the kitchen—made Tione even more infatuated.
An hour later, a grand feast was ready. The table was filled with fragrant Chinese-style dishes. Tione and Tiona had never seen such food; they were used to black bread or simple roasted meats.
"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses.
Roy smiled. "Don't be shy. Please, eat."
Tiona didn't hold back, stuffing her face until her cheeks bulged. Tione wanted to kick her "embarrassing" sister into the distance; she was very sensitive to how the others perceived them and didn't want to look like a country bumpkin in front of Roy and the Goddess. But looking closely, she saw that Roy, Astraea, Ryu, Daphne, and Cassandra didn't show a hint of disdain.
There is a saying that a clean plate is the best compliment to a chef. Tiona's ravenous appetite made Roy and Ryu very satisfied. Astraea gently wiped Tiona's mouth, radiating maternal warmth.
"Th-thanksh! This is amazing!" Tiona mumbled through a mouthful of food before continuing her assault on the dishes.
Tione felt a wave of familial warmth. Her eyes felt a bit misty; she knew joining this Familia was the right choice. As the drinks flowed, the atmosphere became lively.
Tiona, having just finished a plate of poached chicken, asked casually, "By the way, who is the Captain of our Familia?"
The table went silent. Everyone looked at each other. Even Tiona sensed the shift. "Did I say something wrong?"
"It's not your fault," Roy shook his head. They simply didn't have a Captain!
After an explanation, the twins understood the complex history: the past tragedy, Roy joining, and then recruiting Daphne and Cassandra.
"Let's settle this today, then," Astraea mused. Since the Goddess had spoken, no one dared to be casual. With more members joining, they needed a leader; a group without a head is just a heap of loose sand.
Daphne and Cassandra were immediately ruled out—the two timid girls shook their heads vigorously. Tione and Tiona were new and lacked seniority. That left only Ryu and Roy.
Ryu was the sole survivor of the previous generation, a Level 5 First-Class adventurer. She had both seniority and strength. Roy, however, was a world-renowned genius who broke every record and was called a "Miracle of the Lower World" by the gods.
Roy laughed. "Let's vote. I choose Miss Ryu. She's bled for this Familia!" Ryu's eyes dimmed. "I am not suited for it."
The two went back and forth—Roy had no interest in the position, and Ryu truly felt she wasn't right for it. Finally, Astraea intervened. "A Captain needs wisdom and leadership more than raw power."
Ryu was speechless. Lady Goddess, I suspect you're calling me brainless, but I have no proof.
That sentence essentially decided it. Roy had manipulated the Soma Familia and secured massive funds; his wise choices had saved everyone multiple times. In terms of strategy and ruthlessness, Ryu couldn't even see Roy's tail-lights. She was better suited as a Vice-Captain—someone to pull Roy back if he became too extreme.
Furthermore, Roy had a massive advantage: Daphne, Cassandra, Tione, and Tiona were all recruited by him. Strictly speaking, they were his team. Even if Ryu became Captain, in a life-or-death moment, whose orders would they follow first? Astraea saw this clearly.
"Roy, can I entrust this to you?"
Astraea, Ryu, Tione, Tiona, Daphne, and Cassandra all looked at him. Roy stopped smiling and said seriously, "I shall obey the Goddess's will!"
Astraea smiled with satisfaction. On serious matters, this youth never faltered. New members joined, and a Captain was chosen! The atmosphere in the hall became electric again. Roy celebrated with the girls, but his heart was a mess. He felt like a criminal in a cell reflecting on his life—he just wanted Ryu as a bodyguard, but now he had framed himself into this.
He told himself he'd stay for three months. Then another three months, and another. Now, he'd gone and become the Boss!
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Danmachi : Starting with an Elf (405 Chapter – Ongoing)
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