Chapter 34: Alfia, get!

Alfia's beauty was easily a match for Riveria's—perhaps even slightly surpassing it. With her striking white hair and a more impressive figure than Riveria's, her allure was undeniable.

However, Sol's bond with Riveria was deeper than mere appearances. Riveria had been by his side from the very beginning; theirs was a relationship beyond attraction. It wouldn't be wrong to describe Riveria as his irreplaceable, steadfast partner.

As the minutes ticked by, dawn approached, yet no one from the Familia had returned. Instead, it was Alfia who awoke first, looking surprisingly refreshed despite her short rest.

"How are you feeling? Any discomfort?" Sol asked.

"I've never felt better," Alfia replied, her tone sincere. "Thank you for granting me this rune."

She felt more restored than ever before, a sense of calm she hadn't known in years. Sitting up, Alfia inclined her head in a respectful bow—a gesture now tinged with genuine gratitude. Sol acknowledged it calmly.

"Sol-sama, I have a request," she said softly.

"Oh? Go ahead."

"Please inform the public that I died in the dungeon."

Alfia's request was understandable. She and Zald, had intended to sacrifice themselves for the next generation of adventurers. Regardless of success, they were branded as criminals and traitors—villains set on destroying Orario and dragging the city back into a hellish age before heroes emerged.

Now, Zald was dead, while Alfia had survived, a fact she hadn't fully processed the previous night. Lost in the joy of imagining a future with Bell, she had ignored the implications. But now, as she awoke clear-headed, she felt a faint pang of guilt toward Zald.

Though... just a small one.

In any case, she worried about Bell's future and the potential danger her presence might bring. She had to erase her old identity, for Bell's sake as much as her own.

"So, where do you intend to stage your 'death'?" Sol inquired.

"By leaping into the lava," Alfia replied matter-of-factly, as if discussing an ordinary burial.

"You're harsh on yourself," Sol remarked, surprised. "Such a beautiful person, yet you wouldn't even leave yourself a whole body?"

"It's unnecessary," she replied, her tone cool. "Better to burn all at once than to decay slowly."

Is there something wrong with her way of thinking? Sol wondered, sensing a streak of extremism in her.

'This has to be Erebus's influence,' he thought wryly. 'Blame Erebus.'

"Alright, understood. So, are you looking to take on a new identity?" he asked.

"Yes, that would be ideal," Alfia nodded.

"Then we'll discuss the details after Riveria returns. But let's get your new blessing updated for now."

"Of course." Alfia's smile held an unexpected obedience, something Sol wasn't sure he'd ever expected to see from her.

She hesitated briefly as she began to undress. Though she'd shown herself freely before her former goddess, Hera, undressing before Sol now felt different. Her hesitation reminded Sol that, despite everything, she was still a young woman.

---

"Level eight!"

Riveria, returning to the Familia's residence with a trove of spoils, hadn't even had the chance to share her news when she heard Sol's exclamation echo through the room.

'Level eight?' she thought, startled. 'What's Sol-sama been up to now?'

Curious, and seeing her Familia members just as puzzled, Riveria instructed them to inventory the haul and headed toward the lounge. 

There, she found Sol eagerly examining a parchment, his expression filled with joy. On the bed beside him sat Alfia, wrapped modestly in a bath towel, watching him with a calm smile. She only glanced at Riveria casually when she entered.

'Alfia!?' Riveria's mind reeled. 'Why is she here... and is that her blessing information on the parchment?'

'If Sol-sama's shout of "level eight" referred to Alfia's stats…'

Riveria struggled to process the scene. 

"Oh, Riveria-chan!" Sol called, turning to her with a grin. "Welcome back! You've been amazing as always."

"Thank you, but... would you mind explaining what's going on here?" Riveria replied, her gaze fixed on Alfia, suspicious.

Not long ago, they'd been fighting as enemies, and now Alfia was in their residence. As the Familia captain, she deserved an explanation.

Sol quickly recapped the events of the previous night, detailing Alfia and Zald's original plan and what had transpired since.

In short, Alfia would join their Familia—under a new identity.

"I see," Riveria said slowly, after absorbing his explanation. "Then let's get reacquainted. I am Riveria Ljos Alf, head of the Sol Familia. I look forward to working together."