Days after the festival were quiet. I spent most of the time in the [Grand Library], and thanks to that, I was finally able to restore all the knowledge from Long and Yaoshi that I had to seal before.
I also started doing research on the forging techniques we received from Soul Society. My plan was to reforge Oath of Silence as my soul weapon later, as well as create an item that would satisfy Hapheastus, as she had been nagging me about it for some time already.
My avatar in Hold was fully focused on that matter. Meanwhile, outside, I went to Orario for the first time after the War Game. I was here to watch Monster Feria and help Artemis with the trouble she encountered.
To not have to be alone with those gods, I invited Shen Meng to accompany me, as she was interested in the world that birthed gods.
-"I'm truly thankful that you allowed us to tag along."
-"I don't mind, Soaring Feather. But please stop yourself and your disciple from killing and such. I'll make sure those guys won't do anything stupid."
-"We won't make trouble for you."
-"Thank you for understanding."
-"This world is truly fascinating. Our world is like see-through paper compared to here. Even if I were to strike with my full strength, I wouldn't be able to shatter space. I think that only your Hold possesses more solid Laws."
-"After all, this world isn't expanding like yours. If you were to condense all your universes into one realm of size similar to Hold now, Laws there would be more solid than here."
-"I wonder why worlds can be so different?"
-"Well, I believe it is because of the principle of Finality. Let's go. Somebody is already waiting for us."
We walked outside the Fortress of Hold, where two girls were waiting.
-"Ryuu, Adi, long time no see. How was your last expedition?"
-"Yue! Everything went well, and guess what?"
-"Hmm... Did you level up, Adi?"
-"Yes! Now, only one level is left for me to become a first-tier adventurer."
-"Congratulations."
-"Thanks!"
-"And how are you, Ryuu?"
-"Good. I only miss training with my master."
-"I'll let Jingliu know."
-"Thank you."
-"So, do you know what our plan is for today?"
-"Monster Feria will start in two hours."
-"Then, can you take us around? From what I know, Dedalus's street was entirely rebuilt."
-"Yes, It's now known as Hold Street. Let's go!"
Walking behind energetic Adi, we listened to some recent talks in town. As gods like to gossip, there were many different subjects we listened to, and some were even about me.
-"Sigh. That Aguara title will follow me for a long time here."
-"Well, you performed soul marriage with one of few virgin goddesses, and now two others are directly affiliated with you. Lady Artemis speaking about teaching you her bow techniques isn't helping your image."
-"..."
-"Adi, be more tactful."
-"Sorry..."
-"I don't mind. You are from Ganesha familia, after all."
-"Hey!"
We walked together around Hold Street, visiting all the interesting places. Because this street was under Hold jurisdiction, we could see Knights patrolling from time to time, and every time, they would salute us.
-"That level of discipline is truly impressive."
-"Yes, those toy soldiers that Good Fortune Saint Emperor trained are nothing but circus compared to your Knights."
-"Nobu, Jing Yuan, and Kenshin put great emphasis on that."
-"Now that I think about that, shouldn't your Guards be here with you?"
-"They are getting ready for our trip. As you two agreed to accompany me, they decided that they wouldn't be needed."
-"Well, us three could defeat everyone here."
-"I don't plan on fighting."
-"Guys, we have to hurry up! The main part of the Monster Feria is about to take place."
-"We are going."
We were able to arrive at the coliseum before the start of the festival. Because our seats were among gods, we became the center of attention instantly.
Because of the aura the girls had, everyone thought they were gods from the other world. This resulted in many gods approaching them, trying to 'become acquainted' with them, but were met with silence.
I had to step in when one of the more pushy gods tried to approach Blue Lotus.
-"Sorry for that."
-"Don't apologize for them, Empyrean Yue. They don't deserve it."
-"She is right, don't lower yourself for them."
-"This may be a difference in our worldviews, but I don't believe that apologizing or admitting mistakes is lowering oneself. In my eyes, those who value pride over truth are fools."
-"Well said! Haha!"
-"Ganesha? Shouldn't you start the festivities?"
-"Yes! But I want to invite you to host the opening with me."
-"Hmm... Why not. Let's go."
-"Hahaha!"
Ganesha walked to the speaking platform and, with arms wide open, spoke his famous words.
-"I am Ganesha!!!"
This earned him cheers from spectators.
-"Hahaha! I welcome you all to Monster Feria! And there is a special guest with me today! Let's welcome Yue!"
I came near to Ganesha and nodded slightly to the crowd.
-"Pleasure to be invited."
-"Hahaha!"
The crowd continued their cheering. My popularity was always high in the Orario, but aside from during the War Game, few had seen me, as I hide with Enigmata most of the time.
-"Any words before we start, Yue?"
-"Let's just wish all monster handlers luck. May they shine today."
-"Exactly! They shall shine brightly!"
As Ganesha's words echoed in the surroundings, the first participant entered the arena. Almost every show centered around monsters, their handlers and tamers, showing how to act around them.
Sadly, some acts failed, and adventures had to step in. Even I Saved one unlucky tamer from the claws of his monster. Ganesha thanked me for that, as it was a member of his familia.
-"What do you think of monsters, Yue?"
-"Hmm... They are part of the world, like plants or animals. Thinking that you can exterminate them is foolish. A better way is to learn how to live alongside them."
-"Hou? Then you believe monsters can live in peace?"
-"Who knows? Thinking that peaceful coexistence is the only way possible is a mistake. Humans themselves enter wars between countries nonstop."
-"Indeed. So, what role do monsters play in the world?"
-"Balance. While most of their actions lead to death, thanks to them, heroes sometimes emerge. Those heroes are needed when difficult times arrive. Just look back a year to the tragedy of Evilus. It ended thanks to countless adventures doing their best if they hadn't trained on the monsters in the dungeon."
-"But wouldn't the attack never happen if there were no monsters?"
-"No. It was gods who attacked. Monsters were just weapons and pawns in their hands."
-"That's true. Then, people of Orario! Don't think of those monsters as abominations deserving destruction! Think of them as a chance to achieve greater heights! I am Ganesha!!! Haha!"
After that, I returned to my seat. Shen Meng was able to stop deaths from occurring, but over ten gods were sleeping nearby.
-"They didn't stop?"
-"No."
-"Sigh."
-"But I found the bright side of this situation. I finally can feel young after being surrounded by them."
Shen Meng and Blue Lotus looked at Soaring Feather with astonishment.
-"What? Life lasting over 15 million years is not exactly short, but to their hundreds of millions, I'm still a teenager."
-"Age is meaningless to us. How about we go and eat something here?"
-"Is there something comparable to your cuisine here?"
-"I don't know. That's why I want to check. Maybe they have their own recipes from which I can learn."
-"Ryuu should still be nearby. Let's ask her about local specialties."
-"Lead the way."
Four of us exited the coliseum and went to where I perceived Ryuu was. A minute of waking later, we arrived near her, only to see a man flying from a nearby restaurant. A dwarf woman soon exited the same dor man flew from.
-"I better not see you again!"
Walking around the lying man, I entered after the Dwarf woman inside, where Ryuu was.
-"Ryuu."
-"Yue? What can I do for you?"
-"Why do you assume I came to you with something? Can't I simply come to visit you?"
-"Someone like me won't be able to enter the eyes of being like you."
-"Don't disparage yourself, Ryuu. In my eyes, you are a pure and straightforward person. Not tainted by darkness you often fight against."
-"It's all thanks to Lady Astraea."
-"No. It is because you are like what I said that Astraea took an interest in you."
-"..."
-"Ehem. Would you mind telling us about some nice place to eat in?"
-"There won't be better food than here! Are you a friend of Ryuu? Or maybe boyfriend?"
-"Anya, be polite he is..."
-"Just a friend of Ryuu. Nice to meet you, I'm Yue."
-"Yue..? I heard that name somewhere..."
-"Can you give us five of your specialties?"
-"On it!"
-"Come aet with us, Ryuu."
I grabbed Ryuu's hand and took her to the table, where the girls were already sitting. Leading her to sit on an empty seat, I sat next to her.
-"No matter where low lives still exist. Sigh."
-"You talk about this man?"
-"Yes. He sold his daughter to repay his gambling debts."
-"Sigh."
We ate our meal, talking about some minor things. Ryuu excused herself after finishing and left the restaurant. Four of us remained at the table.
-"She went to help the poor girl, right?"
-"Yes. I'll look over her."
-"You should stop taking care of every woman that you see in front of you."
-"She is someone important to Astraea."
-"But if you look after her like that, she will soon be closer to you than her."
-"So be it. I would rather bear their anger than see them sad because of loss."
I kept an eye on Ryuu while we continued to talk about Orario, gods, and other subjects.
Ryuu traced the whereabouts of the sold girl and decided to confront the buyer head-on. Her mistake was to agree to gamble rather than fight directly. The wager was to listen to the wish of a winner.
She lost, of course, as she did not understand that you have to help the luck if you want to be victorious in gambling. The man she was playing against demanded her as the prize and tried to grab her. Ryuu was frozen in shock. The idea of losing to that man was beyond her comprehension.
I teleported to Ryuu's side and blacked the hand that was about to touch her. Pushing him back, I stood before Ryuu, who looked at me surprised.
-"I'll give you a scolding later, but now."-I turned to the man who stood up after tripping from my push.-"I suggest you keep your hands to yourself."
-"Who are you?! That elf lost! She now is mine."
~"Shut up."
I opened my eyes and looked at everyone present in the room.
~"Kneel."
Everyone but me and Ryuu were forced to their knees. I walked to the table that they were just playing on and grabbed the cards they were using. Taking a closer look, I quickly noticed a difference in patterns, making it possible to know what card it was even before uncovering it.
-"Ryuu, can you see that?"
-"This?! He cheated!"
-"Yes. But you not only didn't notice but also fell into his trap."
-"I..."
-"If I hadn't been keeping an eye on you, what do you think would have happened to you?"
-"Sorry."
-"You better be. Know that Astraea will know what you did today. Be prepared for due punishment."
-"I will."
-"Good. Now, you lot. I will give you one chance. Speak the truth."
A lifted restriction on the speech from the man, but he started screaming and trying to run. Finding that it was impossible, his fear started turning into anger.
-"Kill him! I'll pay you more, even give you that elf girl to play later!"
Seeing that he had made his decision, I was about to kill him, but Ryuu stepped forward and struck him first, killing him instantly. She then was about to attack the rest of the aggressors present, but I stopped her.
-"Take care of the woman you came here to rescue. Leave rest to me."
-"But..."
-"I can act with impunity and cover my tracks, you don't. Leave and help those who were wronged by that man."
-"Yes."
Ryuu took the woman lying farther away and escaped from the room. Waiting until she was far enough, I manipulated the people present to make them fight each other. Destroying traces of my and Ryuu's presence, I left the room, where, now free to move people, had jumped at each other throats.
I manipulated some more people all over the city involved with the killed man, making them cause the scene that would lead to the discovery of their dirty deeds. Creating a believable play, I left the rest to the people of Orario to get the rest done.
In Hold, I spoke to Astraea about Ryuu's actions, and she was both worried and angry. After she left to tear the elf's ear out, I went to da Vinci, who completed the survey of new worlds. Arriving in World Compass, Ningguang and Nobu were already there.
-"How was the day in Orario?"
-"Nice. Only Ryuu has done something stupid, and Astraea just went to straighten her up."
-"Uff. My condolences, then. Few things are worse thing than Astraeas' anger."
-"Nobu, let's focus on the main subject. Have you read the data on new words?"
-"Yes. Five worlds, three small and two big. Every stable and possessing distinctive types of energy."
-"Well, I'll take my Guards to one of the larger ones."
-"We also thought so. Elysia sent us her first report about the world she is currently in, and from its contents, Nobu will take over there soon. Astraea will take control over Terra, as now our presence there is unshakable."
-"Ningguang is right. After eradicating Originum from three nations and reducing the number of total cases to just 20%, we are seen as saviors."
-"Just don't be careless. Many politicians thrive there."
-"We know, no need to worry about us."
-"So we have our plan of action. I will set off in two days after completing some minor tasks in Sect."
-"OK. Also, Kai'Sa had asked us to train her. What do you think?"
-"Agree under the condition of either joining us or being our guide when we go to her world later."
-"Same as I thought. I'll talk with her later."
-"Then I leave the rest in your hands."
-"Wait. We have one more job for you. We know that you have researched forging techniques lately, but we need to build a second Astral Express so that we are not limited to one expedition party. Is it feasible?"
-"Not in the short time. Recreating the core of the Astral Express is impossible for me. Only Aeon of Trailblaze can do it. Finding replacements and alternatives is underway, but no breakthrough was achieved in that field."
-"I see. Then, there is nothing we can do."
-"Sadly. Anything else?"
-"No, go and get everything ready."
-"Thanks."