Chapter 26: The Uninvited Guest

(Please add it to your Library! Please send Power Stones! Thank you!)

Alise arrived at Alfia's side in a flash, leaving a trail of sparks in her wake.

Clutching the sword's hilt with both hands, her expression grew more ferocious, her entire body straining with effort. Yet, even with this display of strength, her speed was still no match for Alfia.

Alfia could outpace even the Jagnat born on the 70th floor, so she was unperturbed. As the flaming sword came within an inch of her, Alfia anticipated the move and stepped effortlessly to the right.

Sidestepping with a smooth grace, she let Alise pass by her, then reached out. Her jade-white hands sliced through the flames, grasping Alise's wrist with precision. In a swift pivot, using Alise's own momentum, she flung her back toward her companions with even greater force.

Ryuu rushed to intercept her leader, but the force was more than expected. Unable to brace against it, Ryuu's stance gave way, sending their comrades tumbling like dominos. The impact left a trail of shattered buildings and a few unlucky souls buried under debris.

"If this is all you've got, you might as well prepare for silence," Alfia declared coolly.

"Heh... I've been ready to give everything from the start!" Alise retorted, leaning on Ryuu for support as she struggled to her feet.

This opponent was overwhelmingly powerful. No wonder people called her a monster—no surprise Kaguya had struggled so badly.

"Good. Let's see how far you can resist with just this level of power," Alfia said, a faint smile playing at the corner of her lips.

Oddly, Alise felt no hint of mockery in Alfia's tone—rather, it seemed as if she was genuinely anticipating a challenge. But why? They were enemies, after all.

"Then watch carefully!"

There was no time to dwell on it. Their mission was to hold her back, to buy enough time for their Goddess Astraea to send Erebus back to heaven. Even if it meant striking a stone with an egg, they would stand firm for justice!

---

Meanwhile, Astraea had located Erebus's hiding place.

"This day will end your evil deeds, Erebus!" she proclaimed as she strode into the dimly lit chamber, where Erebus lounged carelessly.

Her usual gentle demeanor was laced with a fiercer edge—the unmistakable authority of the goddess of justice.

"Underestimating me, Astraea? You think I have no recourse?" Erebus sneered. A shadowy figure stepped forward from the darkness—his faithful servant, Vito.

This LV4 adventurer, infamous as "the Faceless," was feared throughout Orario. Vito's presence posed a threat beyond Astraea's usual reckoning.

Astraea's instincts flared, and she quickly discerned Vito's intentions. Although bereft of her divine power, as the goddess of justice, she was far from defenseless.

Vito lunged, but Astraea intercepted his attack, deflecting him with firm resolve. However, his strength soon proved overwhelming. Shaking off her block, Vito maintained his composure, a smug grin on his unpleasant face.

"Vito, you're making too much noise—I'd hate for our dear Lady Justice to miss the fun," Erebus taunted, half-jesting.

It was a classic case of villainous overconfidence. Erebus was practically writing his own downfall.

"Fight all you want! Just like those poor children on their way to hell. Soon, you'll be back in the heavens, collecting their lost souls!"

As Astraea and Vito clashed, Erebus attempted another verbal assault, though its effect was negligible. Skill-wise, Astraea outclassed Vito, who relied solely on the level-based attributes that gave him an edge.

Still, with no divine blessing to aid her, Astraea's strength began to wane, her disadvantage growing with each exchanged blow. Her stamina was wearing thin.

Finally, Vito seized his chance. He twisted sharply, capturing Astraea's wrist in a vice-like grip and forcing her arms behind her.

Erebus had instructed him to simply restrain Astraea. The final blow was his to deliver.

"What's wrong, Astraea? Let me witness that confidence of yours!" Erebus jeered, basking in what he assumed was his impending victory.

Before he could gloat any further, the sound of footsteps echoed through the dark corridor.

"Erebus, how low you've fallen."

A deep, resonant voice rang out across the empty hall. Erebus couldn't immediately place the voice, but Astraea's expression shifted—she recognized it.

A trace of surprise crossed her face. Why was he here?

The figure soon emerged from the shadows: Sol, with his familiar handsome face, and three companions trailing behind him—Gnar, Poppy, and Vex. Sol held Gnar, the little creature, firmly in his arms to keep him from darting off.

"Sol? How did you get in here…?"

"Oh, I just walked right in. No one was guarding the door. The security here is truly appalling," he remarked dryly, glancing at Vito.

In that instant, a chill ran from Vito's spine to his scalp. Reflexively, he released Astraea and retreated, positioning himself between Erebus and Sol.