Chapter 177: The Departure of Astraea Familia and the 'Gale' About to Sweep the City!
Luke and Ais walked down the streets of Orario.
They were heading towards the Astraea Familia's residence, the Stardust Garden.
The treatment of Alise and the others had now ended.
With the end of the treatment, the tragic condition of the girls was quickly spread by those with ulterior motives, and the news of Astraea Familia's decline had already spread widely throughout the city.
Therefore, to prevent any further complications, Astraea and Alise unanimously decided to leave Orario as soon as possible.
And Luke and Ais were going there this time to see the girls off.
…
"Sigh."
Luke rubbed his forehead helplessly.
This was a new habit he had developed in recent days.
After learning from Loki about the effect of goddess Astraea's kiss, Luke always felt like there was something on his forehead.
Without divine power, he couldn't actually see or feel the mark.
Luke knew it was just a psychological effect, and there wasn't really anything on his forehead…
But something doesn't seem quite right?
It seemed... there really was a mark in his forehead...?
???
So was it a psychological effect or not?
Hmm???
"Sigh."
After thinking for a while, Luke finally chose to give up thinking about this topic.
Although he couldn't see, touch, or feel the mark, Luke had indeed seen the skill "Goddess's Kiss" through his personal panel in the main god space.
The description of the skill's effect was vague, but no matter what, it was a blessing from an actual goddess, so it shouldn't have any negative effects.
So after confirming the existence of the skill, he didn't pay much attention to it.
This wasn't the only reason he was sighing.
Luke looked at Ais, who was holding his hand, and the blond girl also happened to look up at him.
Perhaps wondering why he suddenly sighed, Ais tilted her head and asked him, "Is something bothering you, Luke?"
"No, nothing."
"I'm just feeling a little emotional that we won't be seeing Alise and the others for a while."
Shaking his head at Ais, Luke didn't tell her the real reason.
He couldn't bring himself to say things like "Because your and Riveria's recent behavior has been making me feel a little tired."
Ever since the "two fists can't beat four hands" incident a few days ago, Luke's life had been quite helpless.
Perhaps because she was thin-skinned or shy, Riveria had obviously been avoiding him these past few days.
However, in contrast to Riveria, Ais was like she had discovered a new game, and whenever she had time, she would reach out and touch Luke.
Sometimes, she would even deliberately pull the embarrassed Riveria along, as if she wanted to recreate the scene from a few days ago.
The strange behavior of Ais and Riveria towards Luke was quickly discovered by the other members of Loki Familia.
You know, in Loki Familia, Luke, Ais, and Riveria were all famous and high-ranking figures.
The strange behavior between the three of them was instantly spread by interested members, and now there were countless versions of gossip.
All kinds of twists and turns of love stories were spread…
Thinking about this all the way, Luke quickly arrived at the Stardust Garden with Ais.
…
"Luke, I have something to ask of you before we leave."
Alise grabbed Ryuu's hand and dragged her in front of Luke.
"I hope Lion can join Loki Familia."
Alise's words surprised Luke.
But then, when he saw the unwilling expression on Ryuu's face, Luke understood what was going on.
"Loki Familia will definitely not refuse Ryuu's joining, I can assure you of that."
Luke did not refuse Alise.
He nodded at the red-haired girl.
As one of the current high-ranking members of Loki Familia, he still had the right to recommend the joining of a person with a clean background.
"However, are you really comfortable leaving Ryuu alone in Orario?"
"That's why I'm entrusting her to you."
Alise pulled the blond-haired elf towards Luke.
Then, she gently placed the elf girl's hand in Luke's.
"To be honest, I'm not at ease at all leaving Ryuu in Orario alone."
"But she has a bright future and shouldn't be held back by us. Her path of growth has just begun."
"So, I'm entrusting Lion to you."
Luke looked at Alise, who was serious, and Ryuu, who had a complicated expression but didn't shake off his hand.
Finally, he agreed.
"Okay, leave it to me."
…
The moment of parting was both long and short.
Luke, Ais, and Ryuu saw Astraea and the three remaining girls of her Familia all the way to Orario's city gate.
With Loki and Finn's approval, Luke, on behalf of Loki Familia, guaranteed the leave of Astraea Familia from Orario.
Just as Luke had said to goddess Astraea before, the Guild had no intention of making things difficult for them.
After promising not to disclose any important information about Orario to the outside world and not to do anything that would bring harm to the labyrinth city, goddess Astraea and her Familia were smoothly approved and given a "temporary leave permit".
At this final moment of parting, Astraea, as Ryuu's goddess, left one last sentence.
"Ryuu... throw away your 'justice'."
…
Watching goddess Astraea and her Familia leave, Luke didn't speak to Ryuu until they had long disappeared from sight:
"What are you going to do next?"
"I... I'm going to... join the Familia..."
"Really?"
Faced with Luke's two consecutive questions, the elf girl chose to remain silent.
"Ryuu... don't you want to come to our place?"
Ais, who was standing next to them, also noticed something was wrong with the blond-haired elf.
She moved closer to Ryuu, seemingly intending to comfort her friend.
Looking at the elf girl who remained silent and just bit her lip tightly in response to his and Ais's questions, Luke shook his head helplessly.
"It's best to say less about deceiving yourself."
"I know you have no intention of joining Loki Familia at all."
"You only chose to do so to reassure Alise, right?"
"Besides goddess Astraea, you wouldn't choose any other god."
Walking over to Ryuu, Luke reached out and touched the elf girl's head, then asked again:
"What are you going to do next, Ryuu?"
Ryuu stared blankly at Luke, feeling the warmth coming from her head.
For a moment, her previously chaotic thoughts suddenly calmed down.
No longer deceiving herself, what she truly wanted to do at the moment came to mind.
"I want... revenge!"
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