Chapter 165 – Demeter’s invitation

The Astraea Familia members were brought to the surface by Aston. Given that Alise and her companions had disappeared for over five years, suddenly emerging from the dungeon would surely cause some issues. So, Aston placed a spatial mark on Ryuu and quickly returned to the surface, then used spatial transfer to teleport them out of the dungeon.

Originally, Alise and the others were prepared to deal with various complications. They were aware of the potential issues Aston could foresee. That's why they mentioned needing to address Ryuu's status as a fugitive when answering Aston earlier.

Their return would inevitably involve dealing with the Guild since, despite their five-year absence, they were not nobodies; there were definitely people who still recognized them. Exiting from the Babel tower's entrance might lead to their discovery, and Guild members would surely come looking. When that time came, they could negotiate with the Guild to rescind Ryuu's fugitive status, even if it meant paying a price.

However, after learning about Aston's ability and being teleported by him, Alise and the others discussed and decided to change their plan. They asked Aston to teleport them directly outside Orario.

Alise and Ryuu planned to first get back their goddess, then have their deity announce the return of the Astraea Familia.

Aston did not refuse their request and, using his ability again, transported the eleven of them outside Orario.

"Thank you, Aston-san," Alise said, standing before Aston with a crisp salute. She wouldn't repeat what had already been said; Aston could seek the Astraea Familia's assistance anytime he needed, as long as it didn't contradict their principles or justice. They wouldn't refuse.

"Aston-san, I will definitely repay you," Ryuu said to Aston once more before leaving, her tone very serious and firm.

Aston simply smiled and nodded in response.

He watched Ryuu and the others slowly walk away, a smile creeping on his lips as he mused silently, "When Ryuu and her companions return to Orario, it's sure to cause quite the stir."

He had learned about the Astraea Familia's ordeal from Ryuu. Initially, after the Astraea Familia entered the dungeon and only Ryuu returned, there was a long period when Alise and the others were not seen. People in Orario speculated that something had happened to the Astraea Familia and that Alise and the others might have perished in the dungeon.

Especially after Ryuu sent their Familia's deity away from Orario and launched a suicidal attack on the Dark Faction alone, many Familias confirmed their speculation. Alise and the others were truly believed to have died in the dungeon, and the Astraea Familia was considered to have fallen.

But now, through Aston's intervention, the Astraea Familia has returned to this world. Once Alise and her companions openly appear in Orario, it will definitely have a huge impact on the entire city.

Not to mention the visible Familias, but those remnants of the Dark Faction that survived the purges of the dark era would surely be in turmoil. The Astraea Familia was a major force in combating them.

As guardians of Orario, even more committed than the Loki Familia, the Astraea Familia had zero tolerance for the Dark Faction's actions. They would launch destructive strikes against any discovered Dark Faction activities, causing heavy losses to them.

After the disappearance of the Astraea Familia, it was the Loki Familia that took over as the protectors of Orario. The return of the Astraea Familia spells bad news for the Dark Faction, which would certainly not welcome their resurgence.

Of course, these were all Aston's speculations.

He watched silently as the figures of Ryuu and the others disappeared from his view. Only after they vanished completely did Aston turn and use spatial transfer to return to Orario.

However, before Aston could use spatial transfer, a hurried calling voice reached his ears.

Normally, Aston wouldn't bother with just any call and would have teleported away. But this time, the call was using Aston's name, so naturally, he wouldn't just leave.

Aston had always been aware of other presences nearby, since his location was one of the main routes.

Meeting someone outside Orario who knew and called him by his name was unexpected for Aston. But when he saw the identity of the person calling him, he wasn't surprised anymore.

The caller was wearing the work uniform of the Demeter Familia, a member of the Demeter Familia. It wasn't surprising to encounter a member of the Demeter Familia here, as their main territory lies in the farms and estates outside Orario.

"Aston-san, it's really fortunate to meet you here," the caller, a young man who appeared to be a few years older than Aston, said while catching his breath, hands on his knees.

"What's the matter?" Aston didn't know the young man's name, so he didn't call him by it and directly asked why he was stopped.

"Demeter-sama sent me into Orario to invite Aston-san over for a chat," the young man explained his task.

"Demeter?" Aston queried, puzzled but nonetheless agreed to follow, "Lead the way."

"Please follow me, Aston-san!" The young man, upon hearing Aston's response, quickly nodded and started leading the way.

Soon, under the young man's guidance, Aston arrived at the Demeter manor.

"This way, Aston-san, Demeter-sama is inside," the young man said after bringing Aston to a room's door and then excused himself to leave.

Without hesitation, Aston pushed open the door and entered.

"Demeter, what did you want to see me about?"