Two days had passed since Freya Familia's attack on Ishtar Familia.
An uneasy fear still gripped the city in the aftermath. The utter destruction of
Ishtar Familia and the Pleasure Quarter had numerous far-reaching effects for
many residents of the Labyrinth City.
Adventurers, familias, merchants, the Guild, the gods and goddesses—too
many to name.
""""Why'd you have to go and do that, Lady Freyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…?!""""
The regular customers of the Pleasure Quarter, mortal and deity, were
particularly distraught after Ishtar Familia's downfall.
Seeing grown men and gods on their hands and knees, pounding the scorched
earth with their fists amid the ruins of the brothels, would remain in the
memories of many citizens for the rest of their lives. The gods harbored the first
traces of resentment for the silver-haired Goddess of Beauty as their ashamed
and irritated followers pulled them away.
The Pleasure Quarter bore an incredible amount of scars despite the lack of
casualties. With its overlord gone, no matter how many merchants opened their
own shops or the now-free prostitutes started their own brothels, it would take
years for Orario's third district to recover.
Freya Familia might have been the most powerful force in Orario, but even
they could not escape being called to account by the Guild. Freya herself was
summoned to the Pantheon and was forced to pay an incredibly large fine.
"I see."
Was all she said. The matter was settled.
However, deities and mortals alike grew more fearful of Freya Familia after
she sent Ishtar back to Tenkai, Freya's loyal followers overwhelming what was
considered to be an elite group literally overnight. This didn't seem to bother the
Goddess of Beauty. She returned to her room on the highest floor of the tallest
tower in the city. She was back on her throne atop Orario.
As for the former members of Ishtar Familia, they set off down different
paths to find their own way in this new world.
"Haruhime, are you sure?"
The air was clear, not a cloud in the sky on this day when the sun was warm
enough to bring a tear to anyone's eye.
Haruhime stood in front of Takemikazuchi and listened to the god speak.
"You can go back to the Far East, should you so choose. While returning to
the manor might not be possible…there are goddesses like Tsukuyomi who
would welcome you with open arms at our shrine."
The deity's eyes were filled with the same loving care he'd had for every
child all those years ago. They were just as she remembered them. Haruhime
could feel their warmth as Takemikazuchi stood with his arms folded across his
chest. There, too, was also the same three-cornered hairstyle along with the
unmistakable semblance of being dirt broke. Seeing him face-to-face again after
all this time made Haruhime so happy, she wanted to laugh out loud.
"Thank you very much, Lord Takemikazuchi. However, I am fine."
Smiling like a flower in bloom, Haruhime put her hands to her chest.
Takemikazuchi spent a moment and scratched behind his ear before returning her
smile and nodding.
"Understood. In that case, we are once again neighbors of sorts. Visit
anytime."
"I will," Haruhime said with a grin as Chigusa and Ouka led the rest of
Takemikazuchi Familia out from behind their god and approached her.
"Um, Haruhime. There are so, so many things we need to catch up on. Sso…"
"Yes, Miss Chigusa. We shall have time before long."
"…I'm sorry, Haruhime. If we had known you were suffering, we would
have—"
"Do not trouble yourself, Sir Ouka. I, Haruhime, am overjoyed to be able to
meet all of you again."
A small tear appeared from behind Chigusa's bangs, her eyes hidden. Ouka,
ever serious and to the point, shook his head.
She exchanged more happy words with the other three members of the
familia and promised to visit them. With that, she bowed and took off at a slow
run.
Turning around the corner and going through a gate, Haruhime arrived at the
front lawn of a newly remodeled manor. Several people were talking among
themselves on the lawn, including a young deity, her followers, and a dignified
Amazon.
"Bell Cranell, don't go lettin' me down. You went that far to show me what
you can do, what you're capable of, so just let me say this: I'll have your head if
anything happens to the li'l' tyke."
"Y-yes, ma'am…!"
"Well, truth be told…With you here, I was considering joining this familia
myself."
"A-anyone but you!!"
Aisha reached out as if to stroke Bell's chin but was interrupted by the young
goddess's cry. Raising both arms, she physically shielded the white-haired boy
from Aisha's touch.
"Bell will get eaten up!" she cried in despair.
"You're no fun," Aisha responded with a toothy grin. The group noticed
Haruhime walking up to them shortly after.
"All done?"
"Ah, Miss Haruhime!"
Still grinning, Aisha turned to face Haruhime as Bell greeted her with a smile
and wave. Haruhime smiled right back at them.
"Yes, I have finished talking everything over with Takemikazuchi Familia…
Lady Aisha, words cannot express…"
"Stop it with the sentimental stuff, I'm no good at it. Besides, I did only what
I wanted. No need to thank me."
Aisha cut short Haruhime's expression of gratitude with another grin and a
wave of her hand.
The renart didn't know what to do at that point. A serious look overtook her
face.
"I made sure the ol' commander and Berbera won't blab. We're the only ones
who know, so yer secret shouldn't get out. If you do use it…stay low, keep out of
sight."
"Lady Aisha…"
"U-um, that reminds me. In the end, what happened to Phryne…?"
"Ah, found that toad beaten to a pulp in the front garden. Looked like she'd
been through hell."
Bell worked up the courage to ask about the top-class adventurer after
hearing Aisha mention her. Aisha laughed to herself as she explained the extent
of the damage Phryne had received at the hands of Freya's warriors. Apparently,
it was to the point that she could no longer show her face in public; she was
currently shut up in the back room of some hotel, silently whimpering to herself.
"Well then, I'm off to find a new familia that'll take me in. The way I am
now, my Status sealed and all, no tellin' who might try to take advantage."
With Ishtar back in Tenkai, the effects of her Charm on Aisha had completely
vanished. A clean, pure aura emanated from the Amazonian warrior as she
turned to look at the blue sky overhead.
Haruhime didn't understand the feelings swelling within her.
She had always been terrified of Ishtar, always been under her thumb. On the
other hand, if the goddess hadn't taken her in, there was no telling what might've
become of her. Sure, the goddess had forced her into the life of a prisoner and
prevented her escape, but she had also protected her.
Relief, sadness, loneliness—there was no simple way to explain the emotions
swirling around in her heart. Haruhime cast her gaze to the sky as well.
"…Anyway, if something's up, come find me. I don't mind shellin' out some
advice if you need it."
"…Thank you, Lady Aisha! Thank you for everything!"
Aisha didn't respond to Haruhime as she walked toward the front gate. One
last wave of her hand and she disappeared from sight.
Haruhime stared at the gate for a moment before slowly turning to face Bell
and the others.
"Henceforth…I, Sanjyouno Haruhime, would like to officially ask to join
Hestia Familia as a fellow member…"
"Ehh, no need for the fancy words. Haven't been here all that long myself.
Nice to meet you. The name's Welf Crozzo, but don't bother yourself with my
family name."
"Lilly's glad to meet you, too, Miss Haruhime. My name is Lilliluka Erde."
The human with red hair and the prum with chestnut-colored locks stepped
forward and introduced themselves.
"The pleasure's mine!" responded Haruhime enthusiastically, thrilled to be
exchanging names with people she had never met before.
"Ahem…That makes me the last one. A lot happened yesterday so I'm sure
you already know, but I'm Hestia. Welcome to the family, officially."
Hestia, standing even shorter than Haruhime, puffed out her bulging chest
and echoed Haruhime's words in her own greeting.
Haruhime gave a deep bow and was surprised to discover upon raising her
head that Hestia had walked all the way up to her.
"But listen here, Haru-hi-me. It appears that you have some rather risky
emotions when it comes to Bell…I brought him up myself, and I won't allow
any hotheaded shenanigans!"
"Wha…umm, huh…?"
"Please don't say such ridiculous things! Just who exactly brought up Mr.
Bell? Isn't Lady Hestia just a goddess with a massive debt and living off Mr.
Bell's hard work?"
"H-hey! A goddess's dark secrets are not something to be talked about in
front of new recruits!"
"Yeah, you can ignore all that."
Hestia and Lilly's argument picked up speed, the two glaring at each other as
Welf laughed drily and shrugged at Haruhime. Bell watched the two of them
argue with a bead of cold sweat running down his neck.
Oh yes, this could be fun.
Haruhime thought to herself as she watched the interactions of her new allies
with a laugh threatening to burst from her cheeks.
—Creak. The front door of the manor opened without warning.
"M-Miss Mikoto!"
"Hey, now, you sure you're okay to be on your feet?"
"I-it's not a problem. Only the symptoms of Mind Down remain…I-I also
want to celebrate Lady Haruhime's inauguration…!"
Bell and Welf worriedly took a few steps toward their stumbling friend.
She had received considerable treatment from someone after the battle at the
palace. When they found her outside the main tower, there was an empty elixir
bottle next to her. Physically she looked fine, but she was having a difficult time
with drowsiness—in fact, she slept through the entire day after the battle. She
was up and moving around by sheer willpower.
Haruhime looked on with concern as the girl attempted to go down the stairs
to the front lawn. "Uwahh!" Tripping over her own foot, Mikoto tumbled down
the last few steps before falling into the renart's arms.
"M-my apologies, Lady Haruhime."
"N-no need for apologies…"
Bell and the others watched as their unexpected reunion became a hug.
A few moments passed before two girls broke apart enough to look into each
other's eyes. Haruhime broke the silence.
"It is I who should apologize to you, Miss Mikoto…I have caused you so
much trouble, so much pain…"
"L-Lady Haruhime…"
Pulling away from her childhood friend, Mikoto became flustered at
Haruhime's apology and fidgeted restlessly.
Haruhime kept her eyes closed for a little while.
Then, summoning all her courage and tensing up her tail, Haruhime looked at
Mikoto with determination in her eyes.
"Thank you for saving me…Mikoto."
Eyes moist and glistening, Haruhime expressed her gratitude in a soft voice.
Mikoto's lips quivered at the sight. Overcome with emotion, she had only one
request.
"Lady Haruhime, please smile."
"Eh…?"
"I…Just like long ago, when we were young. I want to see you smile from
the bottom of your heart."
Haruhime's surprise lasted for only a moment.
Meeting Mikoto's dark-purple eyes, which were on the verge of bursting,
with her own tearful green eyes, Haruhime beamed a great smile at her old
friend. Teardrops now freely falling from her face, Mikoto let her happiness
broaden across her entire face and smiled back.
It was just the same as back in their hometown, the two sharing grins like
little girls. It was the first time in far too long, but it was exactly how they
remembered.
"…Master Bell, you truly have my gratitude."
The two turned to face the white-haired human and Haruhime offered her
thanks.
The boy's shoulders shrank inwardly; he was almost embarrassed. He
scratched his blushing cheek for a moment before returning his usual carefree
grin.
"Starting today, we're family. Welcome home."
Haruhime closed her eyes and cried once more.
Carved in her back, Hestia's Blessing flooded her body with comforting
warmth, making Haruhime feel as if she was being plunged into a world of
kindness. She felt a flood of emotions rising to the surface and tried to hold it all
together.
"I am delighted to call you my family, Master Bell…May our relationship be
everlasting."
Haruhime's head lowered toward him in a deep bow. Her face was like cherry
blossoms in bloom when she finally stood up.
"Hold on there, Haruhime. Don't you think your choice of words was a little
weird?"
"I agree! Something is definitely strange."
"W-was it so?"
"T-take it easy on her, Lady Hestia, Lady Lilly."
"We have other things to talk about…like how we're gonna celebrate our
new recruit!"
"Oh! I like your thinking, Welf! All right, then, it's time for a welcome
party!"
"Stop. It. Right. There! Our familia doesn't have the funds to do that right
now…!"
"Don't be such a stick in the mud! Bell, you think we should have a party,
right?"
"We probably should, Goddess. It's for Miss Haruhime, after all."
"Mr. Bell—!"
"I-is this truly acceptable?"
"Of course it is, Lady Haruhime! We will have to invite Lord Takemikazuchi
and our other friends from home as well!"
Swirling happy voices surrounded a girl dressed in a red kimono.
The renart who had always kept her distance had at last opened up her heart
to the point where she could laugh along with everyone else.
The clear, azure sky seemed to watch over the young goddess and her
followers.
And the emblem above the front door seemed to sparkle in the sunlight as if
it were celebrating the addition to the family in its own way.