CHAPTER 2
Eren
The blue sky overhead was completely gone, replaced with a layer of ash-colored cloud.
It was early morning, and the constant gray above was beginning to reflect in the people’s faces as they walked the streets.
However, one particularly noisy—or rather, energetic—young woman was determined not to let the melancholy weather keep her down.
“It’s time to keep our promise to Shakti and patrol the city!” the flame-haired maiden declared. “We’ll catch all the bad guys!”
Alize was accompanied on this occasion by Lyu, wearing her usual mask to hide her face.
“I doubt they’ll attack another factory so soon after the last,” she said, “but I suppose it couldn’t hurt to keep an eye out.”
“Absolutely!” Alize beamed.
The two began their patrol. Patrols were one of the many duties the members of Astrea Familia took upon themselves these days. In this age of darkness, crime and corruption were rife, and the Evils weren’t the only ones they had to look out for; even ordinary people could fall to dark temptations. It was important that strong enforcers, and in particular, adventurers, take to the streets and keep an eye out for any wrongdoing.
Of course, keeping the peace was primarily the role of Ganesha Familia, who acted as the self-appointed city watch. However, Lyu and the others often took part as well. After all, no one could deny that the girls of Astrea Familia had the city’s best interests at heart.
“There doesn’t seem to be any pattern to the attacks,” said Lyu, “but the first and second districts seem to have suffered the brunt of the damages.”
“This area is the heart of Orario’s magic item industry,” said Alize. “I heard they’re managing to hang in there for now, but it won’t be long before the remaining factories are completely overwhelmed.”
The two had teamed up to patrol the northeastern quarter of the city. The other girls were elsewhere, patrolling other districts in the hopes of warding off any further attacks.
In addition to making the rounds, Lyu and Alize also questioned civilians. Alize was terrifyingly adept at getting people to open up, so she was perfect for the job. The only problem was that she talked the ears off anyone willing to listen, regardless of whether it seemed relevant or not. While she focused on canvassing the populace, the relatively unsociable Lyu kept a vigilant eye out for anything or anyone that seemed out of place.
As their investigation proceeded apace, the clouds above grew thin, eventually giving way to the orange glow of evening. It was at this time, while the pair walked down an ordinary little side road, that Lyu mentioned what had been bugging her ever since that morning.
“…The city feels lifeless,” she said. “Orario is supposed to be the capital of the world, but who would believe that after taking a walk through these streets?”
“Everyone we meet looks sad, the shops have barred windows to deter thieves…” Alize agreed. “No one feels safe or like they can relax, and it’s affecting them inside and out.”
People walked the streets with their eyes cast downward, or they would leap at shadows, peering nervously over their shoulders. The usual clamor that filled the streets, of peddlers hawking their wares, was completely absent.
“The Evils have everyone spooked,” said Lyu, the frustration apparent in her voice. “They’re all on guard for whatever might happen next. Despite our best efforts, people don’t feel any better. What can we do?”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Alize’s brow. “If nothing else, this is definitely an improvement,” she said. “Remember how bad it was when we first met?”
It’s been three years already. Three years since Alize saved me and led me into Lady Astrea’s care…
It had happened not long after Lyu had first arrived in Orario. To an elf who grew up in the forests and didn’t know her streets from her avenues, the Labyrinth City was a maze that lived up to its name. However, for all its size, the place seemed like a ghost town, and the face of every passerby was dark and stormy. In those days, the Evils did as they pleased, and public order was essentially non-existent.
At the time, Lyu had not yet received her Falna and was accosted by dangerous kidnappers. A good-looking elf girl like her was bound to fetch a princely sum on the black market.
However, it was none other than Alize who had come dashing in to save the day like a fairy-tale prince.
“I couldn’t believe how unreasonable you were back then,” said Alize. “After I saved you, you still looked at me like you’d bite my hand off, like a stray cat!”
“I—I did not! I-it’s just, I’d only recently left my village, and I was a wreck…Anyway, I—I wasn’t behaving that way on purpose!”
“I still remember what you said to me, you know! After I chased off Jura, you said, ‘If you only saved me to satisfy your own ego, don’t expect a reward. Hmph.’”
“Aliiiiize…!”
Lyu could only whine in response to her captain’s unflattering imitation. It was obvious even through the mask how embarrassed she was to see her awkward past reenacted. Even the very tips of her long ears were beginning to turn red, and Lyu hoped the ground would just swallow her up so she wouldn’t have to hear any more.
“He-hem! Oh, I know all about your weaknesses, Little Miss Leon! But I think you’re wrong about one thing.”
“Hmm?”
Lyu was taken off guard by Alize’s sudden shift in tone. She lifted her gaze, but at that very moment, a girl on the street called out to them.
“Ah! It’s Astrea Familia!” she cried.
“That’s right, we’re Astrea Familia, champions of justice!” declared Alize, turning and striking a pose. “And you must be little Leah, that girl I helped the other day, no?”
“That’s right! You remember me!” The girl beamed, hugging the teddy bear in her arms.
Lyu recalled the girl as well. Alize had pulled her out of the way of a horde of stampeding civilians after one of the Evils’ attacks had caused a panic in the streets.
Just then, the girl’s mother came over. “Oh, you don’t know how grateful we are to you, Miss Adventurer,” she said, bowing her head respectfully. “How can we ever repay you…?”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Alize. “I was only doing what’s right! We’re always happy to help!”
“Thank you for saving me, nice ladies! Bye-bye!”
The girl waved one of her teddy bear’s arms as she and her mother departed. Lyu watched, astonished, as they left.
“…I don’t believe it…”
“Those are the smiles we’re fighting for, Leon. There may not be many of them, but they’re out there. We shouldn’t forget that just because not everyone has the strength to smile all the time. That’d be an insult to the work we do every day.”
“.….…. ”
“We’ve seen what change justice can bring. All we have to do is keep fighting the good fight, don’t you think?”
“…You’re right, Alize. Of course you are. There’s no time to be standing around feeling sorry for myself when we have a job to do.”
Looking at her leader’s gentle smile, Lyu couldn’t help but feel heartened herself. It was as if all the fear and doubt was banished from her mind at once. She lifted her head and, in a proud voice, declared, “We need to do all we can for the sake of peace in—”
“Ohhhh noooo!”
It was at that very moment that a melodramatic male voice called out, and the two girls turned to see a low-life hoodlum running away.
“Ha-ha! Yoink!”
“My 444 valis! But that’s my entire life savings!” the man squealed. “Somebody, stop that thieeef!!”
“Huh, is that a god?” observed Alize. “What’s the world coming to when even the divine have to worry about getting their purse snatched?! Also, how is 444 valis your entire life savings? You’re a god!”
“Now’s not the time, Alize! Let’s go!”
Keeping her partner from uttering any more tactless remarks, Lyu leaped into action. The street was busy, despite the city’s languor, and the hoodlum wove his way through the crowd with practiced ease. However, he hadn’t counted on Alize and Lyu. Without hesitation, they cut through the sea of people, sometimes leaping up onto buildings and running along walls to gain on their quarry. The man very quickly found the pair closing in on him.
“You can’t escape us!” Alize yelled. “Prepare to be cuffed!”
“That girl in the red hair…That’s Scarlett Harnell?! Dammit, why did I have to run into Astrea Familia?”
The opportunistic mugger cursed his rotten luck. He had skimmed a truly pathetic sum off his witless mark only to be spotted by perhaps the most famous pair of vigilantes in the entire city. When the alternative was confronting the physical prowess of a couple of upper-class adventurers, the hoodlum had no choice but to disappear down a side road in an attempt to get away.
“Gweh?!”
However, he wasn’t prepared for someone to be standing right there, which explained why he ran straight into them before falling to the ground.
“Come on, stealing isn’t right. We have to work for our money, don’t we?”
The girl who cut off the thief was just a little too young and adorable to be called a beauty like her sister. If Alize was a bouncing bundle of sunshine, then this girl was the calm spring breeze. Even her soft, sonorous voice exuded a natural gentle quality.
“Ardee!” said Lyu with surprise.
“That’s right!” said the girl the pair had met the night before. “Who’s your fellow Level Three adventurer and the kind and upstanding Shakti Varma’s younger sister? It’s me, Ardee!”
“Who exactly needed that exposition…?” said Lyu with a fed-up look.
Displaying a sunny disposition that seemed a little strange coming from a member of the city watch, Ardee bounded over to Lyu like an excited puppy.
“Hey, Leon. You’re looking pretty as ever. Sniff…and you smell nice as well. Mind if I hug you?”
“Listen to me when I’m talking.”
“He-hem!” Came Alize’s proud, boastful voice. “I got to hug her yesterday when I slept in her bed! You should have seen her blush, it was adorable!”
“Both of you, focus on the job!” yelled Lyu, but she was hopelessly outnumbered, with the triumphant red on the one side and the touchy-feely blue on the other. Tears formed in her eyes as she was reminded of the embarrassment of the previous night while Ardee grabbed her with both arms.
She heard the voice of the little girl, Leah, who had apparently run after them to watch the chase. “You’re all such good friends!” she cried. That only made it hurt even more.
“Ah-ha-ha. Well, enough playing around,” said Ardee, releasing Lyu and spinning to face the mugger. “Let’s see that wallet you stole, mister.”
“Guuuh…”
The hoodlum had taken a big fall and was only just now scrambling to his feet.
“Argh, dammit!” he cursed, beating his fists against the earth. “I’m screwed! My life’s over! Just throw me in a cell and leave me to rot already!”
“Wow! What a refreshing change of pace!” said Alize, awestruck. “I’ve never met a criminal who volunteered to be arrested before!”
“Please don’t make this worse than it already is,” Lyu muttered at her. The hoodlum, meanwhile, continued his rant.
“The strong could never understand what we gotta go through just to put food on the table! We can’t work, we can’t sell shit, and we can barely breathe without someone blowin’ up a buildin’ halfway across town!”
The human man’s clothes were nearly as ragged as his outlook on life. He was fairly old, with a stubbly beard, and while he clearly wasn’t an adventurer, he wore armor across his shoulder and stomach, presumably to defend against a stray knife on the street. It was a wise choice during times like these.
“It’s all right for you lot, who’ve got work comin’ outta your ears! Why don’t you go after the real villains instead of pickin’ on little guys like me?!”
Lyu cast an embarrassed eye downward at the man’s words.
We haven’t done anything wrong…but he has a point. As long as there’s a lack of public order, upstanding citizens will keep falling through the cracks.
It was neither right nor wrong. It was simply the reality of the situation. There was much Lyu could say, but none of it would console the man, so she simply ground her teeth in frustration.
The petty thief, meanwhile, staggered to his feet. “That’s right,” he said, empowered by their failure to respond. “You made us like this! This is all your fault! I’m the victim here!”
At this, the girl who had been standing quietly beside Lyu took a step forward.
“That’s your excuse?” she demanded.
“Uh…”
“Bad things are still bad. If stealing is okay as long as someone else stole from you first, what’s stopping your victim from turning around and robbing you, hmm?”
It was Ardee. There was no blame in her voice. It was as if she was simply explaining the way things were.
“Your crime just now would have put somebody in the exact same situation if we hadn’t stopped it.”
“W-well…”
Though the man was not being pressed to explain himself, he flustered with his words anyway. Ardee gave him a gentle smile.
“So I want you to promise me something.”
“What?!”
“Promise you’ll never resort to crime again. Promise me that, and we can forget all this nastiness ever happened.”
The man looked dumbfounded, but it was Lyu who cried out in surprise first.
“What?!” she shrieked. “Ardee, you can’t do that!”
“Why not?” the girl replied.
“Because he committed a crime, and he needs to be punished! If you let him off the hook, what’s to stop others like him? How would we ever uphold public order if everyone was as lenient as you?!”
But Ardee wouldn’t change her tune so easily. “Hmm, I think I have the right to take extenuating circumstances into account,” she insisted. “This man isn’t lying, and I know stealing is wrong, but…” She smiled. “…We got the money back, so no harm, no foul, right? And nobody got hurt except our friend here.”
“Still, a crime’s a crime!” Lyu bellowed. “Ardee, you call yourself a member of Ganesha Familia?!”
That furious accusation wiped the smile off Ardee’s face. She closed her eyes in contemplation.
“The carrot…and the stick. Isn’t that what they say?”
“Hmm? What’s that got to do with anything?”
“I’m just trying to be the carrot to your stick. After all, too much of the stick wears everyone out.”
“…!”
Ardee opened her aqua-colored eyes and stared straight at Lyu. The city watch girl had struck upon something Lyu had not expected to hear.
“Y-you mean…”
It was something Lyu had never even taken the time to consider. Her brutal crackdown on crime was only making the problem worse.
Perhaps she could have blamed the age of darkness they lived in. Because of it, she didn’t have the luxury of turning a blind eye even if she wanted to. But the fact was, she didn’t want to. She’d been content to impose her own ideas of justice upon the entire population.
This revelation had shaken Lyu. She couldn’t find the words to respond. Suddenly Alize, who had been intently listening to the debate, stepped in.
“You know, I think I agree with little Miss Ardee here!”
“Alize?! Not you as well?!”
Alize walked right over to the confused gentleman and pointed a finger at him.
“But you won’t get a third chance, understood? You can bet your life as a free man on that!”
“Y-you’re really letting me go?”
“Yep,” said Ardee. “Although I’m probably going to get in trouble for it later…Oh, and take this.”
Saying this, Adree offered something she had been holding in her hand the entire time. It was a baked yam, steaming and wrapped in paper.
“I can’t give you money, but I can let you have my Jyaga Maru Kun,” she explained. “Don’t worry, I haven’t taken a bite yet.”
With that, the girl flashed her usual, sunny smile.
“Eat it while it’s still warm!” she said.
The man was flabbergasted. He stood stock-still, grinding his teeth in frustration. And then…
“…You think you’re so bloody good…Well, screw you!”
Then he grabbed the food out of Ardee’s hand, turned, and fled, unwilling—or perhaps ashamed—to spend a second longer in her presence. The trio watched him go in silence.
“I think what he meant to say was ‘Don’t get the wrong idea! I’m not grateful to you or anything!’” said Alize. “I mean, he wasn’t shy about taking the Jyaga Maru Kun, right? Let’s see if he changes his tune once he gets some decent food inside him!”
“I don’t see why he would,” said a dejected Lyu, her emotion showing on her face. “And I don’t think there’s much chance he talks like that, either. Is this really going to help make things better?”
“…Leon,” said Ardee, turning around. “I think you’re in a very privileged position to be able to speak like that.”
“…Huh?”
“He was right. The only reason we can afford to be worried about justice is because we’re the ones with all the power.”
“…!”
Lyu was petrified with shock.
“I’ve been thinking, Leon,” Ardee went on. “Do you think forgiveness can be a part of justice?”
Framed against the sunset, the girl wore an unsure smile. The other two, and even the little girl’s mother, gazed at her in wonder. Leah also tipped her head in curiosity as she considered Ardee’s words.
“I…I…”
Lyu struggled to piece together a coherent response. Her lips flapped open and shut wordlessly. It was at that moment that a hollow series of claps rang through the street.
“Bravo! Oh, I say, bravo!”
“It’s you…!”
“The god who was robbed…?”
Lyu and Alize both turned to look at the newcomer. It was the very man the purse snatcher had accosted mere minutes ago.
“What an excellent display from the champions of this city’s justice!” he said.
“Sorry to have caused all this fuss. He came at me from behind; I never saw it coming!”
The light of the sun drew long shadows across the cobblestones. The owner of the voice, it had to be said, did not strike the trio as a particularly powerful god. He had a blithe grin on his face and his dark hair was long for a man, and noticeably unkempt, with stray hairs poking up this way and that. There was even a gray streak. Overall, he had a somewhat sloppy look about him.
“Are you hurt, sir?” asked Ardee.
“Not a scratch, cutie,” the man replied. “Thanks for getting my wallet back.”
It wasn’t really what you would call a wallet. It was more like a small cloth drawstring bag. In any case, Ardee handed it back to the man, after which he introduced himself.
“My name is Eren,” he said. “And what are your names? I overheard this young lady was from Ganesha Familia, but what about the rest of you?”
“I’m Alize Lovell!” Alize declared. “Captain of Astrea Familia!”
“…And you may call me Leon. I’m also part of Astrea Familia.”
As was evident from the way she always wore a mask when out and about, Lyu did not want people finding out about her heritage. There were many reasons for this, but for the most part, it was simply an elvish custom. Even though Lyu despised her own race, by and large, she still followed tradition in the act of keeping her real name hidden from all but her closest confidantes.
The Guild also knew her name, of course, as Lyu had submitted it when becoming an adventurer. But with times being what they were, the Guild took the security of identifying information very seriously, as it was impossible to know when an innocent slipup could inadvertently aid the forces of evil.
The point was, whenever Lyu had to introduce herself, she did so using her family name only. Alize and the others also upheld this custom when they were out in public, so it was quite unlikely that anybody else knew her first name at all.
“Astrea Familia,” the man called Eren mused. “The followers of the goddess of justice…”
He had paused after Alize and Lyu had introduced themselves and began to ponder something under his breath. He appraised the two girls for a moment, then a smile appeared on his lips.
“…I see, I see! Real, live emissaries of justice, then! It’s a good thing we met, I tell you!”
“…Hmm? What are you talking about?”
Lyu furrowed her brow, while Eren raised his arms playfully.
“I’m saying, it’s a good thing you two saved me. I know I already said this, but bravo, really. Bravo.”
Ignoring the look of mild concern on the girls’ faces, the god went on.
“As for what I’m impressed by, it was that discussion on justice the two of you had. The morality of gray, beyond good and evil…I couldn’t stop listening! Especially to you, elf girl.”
“Me…?”
“Yes, you. Noble and uncompromising, yet unable to come to a clean solution. Like a baby bird, struggling to make sense of the world. Your heart is the purest here by far.”
Eren was a strange god. Unlike others, he almost seemed to revel in uncertainty. However, his divine charisma was the real deal, and it was impossible to stop listening to him. He continued his speech as the streets turned redder and redder with evening’s light.
“I want to see what you make of this age—and what this age makes of you. Ahhh, I just can’t wait to see what answers you reach.”
Lyu saw a tiny spark in the eccentric god’s eyes as he stared deep into hers.
It’s not hostility, it’s not hate, and it’s not disdain. But whatever it is, I don’t like it. Just who is this man?
Even Lyu was unable to put the feeling into words before Alize quickly leaped over.
“I don’t like the way this guy talks!” she said, stepping in front of Leon and stretching out her arms. “Get back! I bet he’s a freak whose laugh sounds all Bwuh-huh-huh!”
“Oh, don’t say that! I’ll really be offended! I’m not like those other two-bit gods, I tell you!”
“Yeah, that’s what they all say!” yelled Ardee.
“Oof! What a blow!” said Eren, doubling over as though he’d been punched in the gut. “I had you pegged for a peppy tomboy, but to think you’re an airhead to boot…”
Even Lyu was somewhat disappointed by the husking, raspy voice that came out of the god now, a stark contrast to his earlier theatrics.
“…In any case,” he said, dropping the act and returning upright. “I’d love to stay and have some more fun with you girls, but it’s getting late, and I have things to do.”
“Will you be all right by yourself?” Lyu asked. “I don’t see any of your followers around. Perhaps we could escort you back to your home.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” the man replied with a grin. “I’ll see you around.”
He gave a light wave and walked off, disappearing down shadowy streets.
“The Guild is always telling gods not to wander round by themselves,” Alize sighed, “But he isn’t the first to break the rules, I guess.”
“Many gods aren’t willing to listen to rules set by mortals,” Lyu agreed, “but even for a deity, he was an odd one, don’t you think?”
Ardee nodded, her light blue hair bouncing. “Yes, he reminded me a bit of Lord Hermes,” she said. “Oh, Leon, I almost forgot. It looks like branches from the holy tree in your village really are here in Orario. We didn’t manage to get our hands on any, but we did pick up a few smugglers who spilled the beans.”
“…!! Really?”
“Yeah. Apparently, the Evils have been going around to other elf villages, too, pillaging branches and sneaking them into the city.”
This wasn’t the first time Orario had seen this kind of shadowy trade. Each elven village possessed its own sacred tree, and their branches were extremely valuable. They could be used to make weapons and staffs, but most of these were gifted to elves leaving the village and rarely sold to outsiders at all. The elves were a very protective race, especially when it concerned the objects of their worship.
“Black market trade,” mused Alize. “I can’t believe we’re seeing that sort of thing right here in Orario.”
“Well, Orario is the crossroads of the world, so it makes sense,” reasoned Ardee, her expression grave. “All sorts of dubious items end up here. There’s a lot of dealers involved, and squashing them all is like pulling weeds. There has to be somewhere they’re keeping the goods when they’re not being sold, though. Some kind of warehouse or something…”
As Ardee suggested, smuggling activity was rife in Orario these days, yet another consequence of the Age of Darkness.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t find your village’s treasures, Leon…” she said apologetically.
“…It’s okay,” Lyu replied. “It’s not my village anymore. I don’t care what happens…”
“There you go again,” said Alize, noticing how much the elf girl struggled to keep a straight face. “You care about them still, don’t you?”
Ardee stared at Lyu’s face for a while, before clasping her hands in front of her. “Just you wait, Leon!” she said, with twinkling eyes. “We’ll catch those rotten Evils and take back everything they stole!”
Lyu wasn’t sure what to say.
“I know I shouldn’t play favorites,” Ardee went on, “But still, I want to help those I care about first! I’ll see you around!”
Then, with a wave, she left, bounding off down the street without a care in the world.
“Ardee! You’ve got it all wrong! I really don’t mind what—she’s gone…”
Lyu let her arm limply drop, and Alize gave a smile.
“She’s trying to be nice, so just let her do you a favor,” she said. “After all, you’re just as deserving of kindness as everyone else!”
“…Right.”
There was no greater symbol of the innate goodness of mortals than the bright and sunny Ardee Varma. Lyu already felt as though a tiny part of her burden had been lifted, and a warm smile worked its way onto her face.
“Right, back to the patrol!” Alize declared. “It’s time to clean up these streets and bring peace to—”
“Alize,” came a voice from overhead, and a small figure dropped from the rooftops. It was Lyra, apparently in some rush.
“What are you doing here?” asked Alize. “Have you finished your rounds already?”
“Sure have,” the prum replied. “And now we’ve got our next job. Keepin’ an eye out for any suspicious behavior.”
Lyra must have come all this way to spread the message, Lyu reasoned, but she still had one question.
“Who did these orders come from?”
“Who else? My hero!”
“Captain, I’ve just returned from our scheduled meeting with Ganesha Familia. The details are all here in this scroll.”
The voice of a young man rang throughout the office of the Twilight Manor, Loki Familia headquarters, located in the north of Orario. Finn took the report and ran his eyes over it.
“Thank you, Raul,” said the prum man. “Good work.”
“Not at all, sir!” said the young adventurer with a youthful smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, sir, I’m off to join Noir and the others on patrol!”
But just before he reached the door, Finn called out. “Raul,” he said. “Remind me how old you are this year?”
“Hmm? Fourteen. Why…?”
Finn smiled, his azure eyes as deep and blue as a pool at night. “I see. No reason. Sorry to stop you. Go on and join your patrol.”
“O-okay. Thank you.”
Raul turned and left the room. It was then that a tall elf who had been standing in the room spoke up.
“Finn, why did you ask Raul his age?”
“I just felt like we’ve grown a little too complacent lately,” answered Finn, leaning back in his seat, which let out a splendid creak. “We don’t even hesitate sending out youths like him onto the lawless streets where danger lurks around every corner and death comes as easily as your next breath.”
“True, it’s not a problem we can simply brush aside,” replied the green-haired high elf, Riveria. “But Raul, like Aki and the others, are just supporters. It’s not like we send them to fight on the front lines.”
Finn was a seasoned adventurer and spoke from bitter experience. Riveria challenged his assertion not because she doubted the truth of his words but to offer an alternate perspective.
However, as if spotting an opening in his vice-captain’s words, Finn grinned.
“You know, the girls from Astrea Familia are much the same age, Riveria.”
“…That is different. They are highly skilled and have convictions strong enough to match. I have no doubt that great things will come of them in the future.”
Riveria was a Level 5 adventurer, one of the strongest in Orario, so hearing this from her was high praise indeed. Astrea Familia’s efforts in preventing the arson attack in the industrial quarter the other day had inspired the populace to believe in hope again, and the high elf princess was sure they would go on to do much more.
It was then that the other person in the room, the old dwarf Gareth Landrock, shared his thoughts on the matter while stroking his magnificent beard.
“Agreed. Those girls might be some of the last few beacons of hope this city can count on. It’s not for us dusty old heroes to deny the future generation their chance to change the world, and in times like these, we can ill afford to.”
The first-tier adventurer, a man known as the Peerless Wall, cracked an aged smile. Noticing the sadness in Finn’s expression, he attempted to cheer him up with some more pleasant memories.
“Raul came to this city to be an adventurer, just like the rest of them. Though I daresay he bit off a fair bit more than he could chew at the time.”
“So he did. I remember it well,” said Finn, cracking a smile.
“And don’t forget,” Gareth continued. “You were not much older than him when you established Loki Familia. Age is just a number on the battlefield.”
“Things were different then, Gareth,” Finn objected. “…But I suppose you’re right. That kind of sentiment won’t do us any good in times like these. Perhaps I should rely on a warrior’s wisdom and bury my sentimentality for now.”
With the help of the other leaders of the familia, Finn rooted out the seeds of sorrow from his heart. The three of them shared a smile before turning to more serious matters.
“Now,” said Finn. “As for our regular meetings with Ganesha Familia…”
He lifted the sheet of parchment on his desk and scanned it. After he absorbed every last letter of the Koine script scrawled across its surface, Gareth raised a query.
“We’ve been meeting with Shakti quite often recently. Is something the matter?”
“Grief and terror still plague the city,” added Riveria, “but things are far better compared to eight years ago when this age of darkness began. There have been marked improvements in public order, and it seems that the Evils are on the back foot for the moment thanks to the efforts of the peacekeepers working with the Guild like us.”
Without looking up from his parchment, Finn answered her. “I’m concerned about their recent activities. At first glance, it doesn’t look like there’s any pattern behind the attacks, but that’s just because the Evils are hiding their true intentions. They’re taunting us, daring us to find out what they’re up to.”
“…You think Valletta’s behind this?”
“Most likely. Either she’s confident we’ll never figure it out, or she’s confident that even if we do, it won’t matter.”
The name Gareth brought up was that of one of the Evils’ most senior, most dangerous individuals. Blacklisted by the Guild, she was even said to be responsible for the highest number of adventurer deaths in history. Finn shuddered as the old dwarf’s words caused him to recall her unsettling grin.
“…According to Shakti’s report, the Evils made off with a shipment of ignition pieces before burning down that factory the other day,” Finn continued.
“Now, what would they need with those?” pondered Gareth with a frown. “Switches and buttons alone do not a magic item make.”
Riveria narrowed her jade-green eyes. “Any news on smuggling activity?” she asked, changing the subject. “I accept I have a personal interest in the matter, but I still think the circulation of holy tree branches in the city is cause for concern.”
“Plus, it seems we’ve caught wind of some shady dealings outside the city as well,” added Finn, reading the parchment in his hand. “We don’t yet know if it’s directly related, but another organization working with the Evils is probably responsible.”
“So, what’s our angle?” asked Riveria. “We don’t have the numbers to follow up on every lead.”
Finn thought for a moment. “We’ll let Hermes Familia handle the investigation outside the city. As for us…” He paused. At that moment, the door swung open, and their goddess walked in.
“Sorry to disturb ya while you’re talkin’,” Loki said, “but it’s an emergency. We’re gettin’ reports of someone attackin’ adventurers in the Dungeon.”
“Again?” growled Gareth at the contemptible acts of their foe. “Overground, underground…they just won’t let up. Is this all part of a plan to wear us down?”
Riveria walked over to the wall where her staff was leaning and picked it up.
“Shall we head out, Finn?” she asked. But the familia leader held out his hand to stop her.
“Ah, that won’t be necessary,” he said, a flicker of foresight flashing in his astute eyes. “I figured this would happen. Those girls are already on the job.”
Droplets of bright crimson filled the air.
“Waaaaagh?!”
An adventurer screamed. The underground paradise’s clear blue sky was marred by the scent and sounds of death.
“I-it’s the Evils!”
“Dammit! Can’t they just let us explore the Dungeon in peace?!”
“R-run for it!”
Blood pooled on the ground, and the Level 2 adventurers scrambled to escape.
This was the eighteenth floor of the Dungeon, the level known as Under Resort, where no monsters spawned. Amid the crystals and greenery of this floor, one man’s bloodred hair stood out like a severed thumb.
“Oh, don’t tell me you’re going already? Leaving your friend to die? That’s not very nice, is it?”
Flanked by an army of servants, the figure cried out after the fleeing adventurers. In his right hand, he clasped an ordinary dagger. Ordinary, that is, save for the fact it had drunk so much blood that was stained a deep scarlet.
Walking over to his fallen victim, he first checked the unfortunate soul was still breathing…then stepped on their neck with a sickening crack. As he did so, a sadistic grin crept across his face.
“Stand and fight, you cowards! You don’t have to be heroes, but at least show you’re worthy of being called adventurers!”
The man was twisted, demented, insane. He reveled in a sea of blood. He lamented the disappointing sight before him even as he snuffed out more lives. He was an avatar of purest evil.
His name—Vito.
“And if you can’t do that,” he wailed, “then at least cheer me up! Let me see the color of your blood!!”
“W-waaaagh?!”
Like an opera dancer or a bloodthirsty demon, Vito lunged for his next victim. The hunted adventurers let out a scream of despair.
“Hands off, stupid.”
“…!”
A flash of steel deflected his bloodred blade. Vito leaped back as two women leaped into the clearing.
“Can’t believe Finn was right on the money!” cried the first. “What’s goin’ on in that head of his?! Makes me think about marryin’ the hero of our people for real!”
“It’s not going to happen! Finn’s a respectable prum; he won’t go for a sleazy, cunning little brat like you! Also, shut up when we’re fighting!”
Kaguya, the one who had parried the blow, spat a surprising amount of vitriol considering she was still in her polite persona. Of course, rather than look at Lyra, she had fixed her eyes on their foe.
“Leave this to us,” said Alize, the last to appear on the scene, pointing westward. “You and your friends, get out of here!”
“Th-thank you!”
After the last straggler scrambled away, Vito cast an appraising eye over the newcomers.
“Who are you?” he mused, almost to himself. But Alize didn’t pass on a chance to give her introduction.
“We’re champions of justice!” she declared. “No evil goes unpunished under our watch!”
“Justice…? Ah, you must be Astrea Familia,” said the man, managing to fit an impressive amount of scorn into his gentle voice. “I see, I see. What a foolish, simplistic, and pretentious group.”
“Better a pretentious fool than a miserable worm,” came Kaguya’s scathing retort, delivered with such force it was like she had spat on him. “These foolish boots shall be the last thing you see.”
“Hah! What a savage thing for a champion of justice to say! You girls are far less boring than I was led to believe.”
Kaguya kept her guard up as she studied the man. However, there was little to work with, as he was almost completely unremarkable. His eyes were as narrow as a fox’s and they betrayed nothing. His lips were turned up in a fixed smile. The dagger in his hand appeared to be his only weapon, and even his black clothes looked more like a priest’s robe than anything made for combat.
It all struck Kaguya as some twisted joke. After all, the only salvation this man had to offer was found at the business end of a knife.
“…Why are you hunting adventurers?” asked Alize, looking down at the corpse by her feet. “Money? Magic stones?”
But Vito seemed puzzled by the very question. “Why?” he repeated. “I’m not sure I follow. Do you need a reason to gaze upon beauty?”
“Huh?”
Lyra raised a dubious eyebrow. In response, Vito made a grand, sweeping gesture, indicating first the sky, and then the ground.
“Why do you turn your head to the blue heavens above? Why do you admire the flowers at your feet? What I do is no different. Only…in this imperfect world, it is bloodshed that I wish to behold.”
The man’s creepy grin was beginning to unnerve Kaguya.
“…You’re defective,” she spat.
“Defective. Ohhh, yes, I like the sound of that. Of the many monikers my acts have earned me, I think I like that one the best!”
He laughed and laughed, as though there were no funnier joke on this earth. Then his right eyelid lifted almost imperceptibly, allowing a terrifying glimpse of his scarlet iris, as if he were searching for a drop of blood as he scanned a blank canvas.
“Hmm. Yeah, you need to be in a cell for the rest of your life. No doubt about it,” said Alize, giving a calm-headed nod. She drew her sword and pointed it at Vito.
Vito deftly flipped the dagger in his hand as though it were an extension of his arm. “I’d rather not.”
“Then we’ll have to take you there…”
Alize, Kaguya, and Lyra all readied their weapons, poised to attack. The tension in the air grew like a bowstring, ready to snap, until…
“…by force!!”
The three girls shot toward their foe in unison. Vito’s lips crept up into a smile as he rushed to meet them.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
The man’s wild laughter was a prelude to the fierce clash of blades and the ensuing shower of sparks. First came Kaguya’s gently curved blade; then came Alize’s sword. And finally, Lyra’s boomerangs sliced through the air. However, the man wielded his single dagger like a beast’s fang, parrying all three strikes with ease while still managing to launch his own attacks in response. Their quick feet and the man’s bloodstained boots moved faster than the eye could follow as they danced around one another in a deadly rondo.
“Lord Vito!”
Then the man’s allies joined the battle, calling their leader’s name. The skirmish was quickly evolving into a pitched battle.
“Krrh!”
The three girls held their own even against this overwhelming force. Vito continued to cross blades with them even as the Evils soldiers were cut down to the left and right of him. He welcomed their hostility and seemed especially happy to embrace Kaguya’s desire to kill him.
This was a battle between good and evil, between order and chaos, and neither side seemed to have the edge, until…
“I see. You are strong. Perhaps there’s more to you than I thought, Astrea Familia,” said Vito with admiration after encountering these delicate young girls on the field of battle for the first time.
“Big talk,” scoffed Lyra, calmly surveying the battle from the rear a short distance away while tossing boomerangs and bombs into the enemy ranks. “But I guess you’re clearly not some mook if you can take on Alize and Kaguya without breakin’ a sweat.”
She spat with disdain for the man’s despicable tactics. While the battle still raged, Alize spoke up.
“Are you one of the leaders of the Evils, by any chance? I’ve never heard of them having someone like you!”
“As much as it pains me to admit, I’ve often been told I have a forgettable face,” said Vito with a melodramatic shrug. “Because of that, my friends all call me Faceless.”
Indeed, apart from the man’s bloodred hair, there was very little that could be used to pick him out from a lineup. His permanent smile and narrow eyes almost seemed like a mask. His nickname fit him perfectly: He was a faceless shadow, a man in the crowd whose features would be all but forgotten by the next day.
He cracked opened his scarlet eyes ever so slightly and spoke again.
“…Of course, the other reason is that very few who see my face live to tell the tale.”
“““Rgh…!”””
His barbaric smile drew a look of disgust from the three girls, and they once again realized just what kind of monster they were dealing with.
Just then, someone called out to them.
“Alize! Lyra! Kaguya!”
It was Lyu. She and the rest of the familia had just finished assisting the fleeing adventurers.
“Ah, your companions have arrived,” said Vito without a hint of worry as he watched the girls dash down the hillside like a gale. “I’m afraid I don’t much fancy my chances against the lot of you.”
“We must retreat, Lord Vito. Remember our objective.”
“Yes, yes, I know. Well then, to you girls who dance to the tune of justice, I bid you farewell.”
Vito turned and led his troops to the east, into the forest. Alize called after them and made to follow.
“You’re not going anywhere!”
“Wait, Captain. They want us to go after them. We won’t be able to defend against an ambush in those trees.”
It was Kaguya who offered those words of advice. She watched as Vito’s band unhurriedly left the clearing. Alize and Lyra both saw the sense in her words. In recent years, the three of them had become painfully familiar with how low the Evils were willing stoop, and when it was best to let sleeping dogs lie.
“Are you three all right?” said Lyu as she arrived beside them. She peered out at the forest edge for any sign of the retreating enemy, while Lyra cracked her neck loudly.
“All good here, not even a scratch,” she replied. “Lost our chance to capture one of their chiefs, though. How about you?”
“We took the adventurers to Rivira and came back to find you,” answered Neze. “All of them are safe, except the ones who got attacked before we arrived…”
The girls cast a glance around at the bodies of fallen adventurers that littered the grassy plains. Their blood painted the green blades crimson.
“Curses!” said Lyu with righteous fury. “If only we’d been here a few minutes sooner…!”
“Know your place, you cocky elf. You fancy yourself a hero of myth and legend? Nobody could have possibly saved them all, and you know it.”
Kaguya brought her harsh, yet sobering words down on Lyu’s misplaced self-pity. But Lyu could take no more of her fatalist attitude.
“Just because my standard isn’t attainable doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive to be better, Kaguya!” she roared. “How can you possibly save the people who need saving if you write them off before you’ve even begun?!”
“Save it, Leon! Now’s not the time!” cried Neze in an attempt to dissuade the pair from their pointless argument.
“Come on, haven’t we heard enough?” added Lyra, fiddling with a finger in her ear without even bothering to look over. “I know you two are such good friends, but can’t you have this debate somewhere else? C’mon, Captain, say something.”
But Alize was kneeling over by the bodies of the fallen adventurers.
“…First, we need to carry the bodies back to town,” she said in a solemn voice. “We’ll return them to their parties and let their comrades decide what should happen next.”
She closed her eyes, her heart a flutter of emotion. Once it had settled, she stood up.
“And after that,” she said, “there’s someplace we need to go. Somewhere that’s just the thing for times like these!”
Alize and company made their way through the forest, keeping a watchful eye out for any members of the Evils, of course, but also any far roaming monsters that might get the drop on them. Soon, they reached the eastern part of the forest on the eighteenth floor. The sound of a babbling brook reached their ears. As they crossed it, their faces were reflected in large blue and white crystals that looked like swords discarded by giants.
Despite their captain’s propensity for wandering off track, the members of Astrea Familia soon arrived at their destination.
“Mm! This place is always so pretty!” exclaimed Alize.
It was a decent-sized clearing, nestled among trees and otherworldly crystals, while overhead the branches framed an opening in the canopy, offering a splendid view of the chrysanthemum-shaped crystals that beamed in place of the sun, radiating a warm glow.
A forest of crystals bathed in light. We stumbled upon this one time while we were exploring the eighteenth floor…
Lyu thought back to the last time she had been here. It hadn’t changed a bit since then. The group had found the place by chance, and it had soon become one of their favorite spots. However, thanks to the constant threat of the Evils, they hadn’t had much cause or opportunity to make use of it, and Neze and the others seemed overjoyed to be back at last.
“Now,” said Alize. “Leon, Kaguya! Take a deep breath! That’ll calm the two of you down!”
She stretched out her arms and, almost proudly, took several deep breaths. As she did, her face immediately mellowed.
“There’s nothing wrong with pragmatism,” she said, “and there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious, either. Now that we’ve settled that, do you think the two of you can relax a little?”
““.….…. ””
Lyu and Kaguya glanced at each other. The fire that drove them had started to wane, and they regarded each other not with disdain, but with acceptance.
“…I suppose, for the sake of our captain and this beautiful place, I can forgive you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Lyu, pouting. But already their quarrel was behind them. The other girls grinned as they watched the two of them make up, while Lyra gave a tired shrug.
All was well. It was easy to forget, surrounded by lush forest, that they were in the Dungeon. The glittering crystals and the not-quite-sunlight streaming through the branches combined to create a calm and healing ambience. Even the distant cries of monsters in place of birdsong sounded peaceful.
“Nicest place in the whole damn Dungeon by far,” said Lyra, sitting on a tree branch and clasping her hands behind her head. “If only the monsters didn’t come here, I’d build a house.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea!” Noin chimed in. The human girl, a little older than Lyu at sixteen, had short dark brown hair and a sunny smile. She was answered by another human girl, Lyana, whose hair was tied up in twin braids. She was one of the older girls in the group and a mage.
“That would be nice, this place is paradise…If I die, make sure to bury me here, okay?”
“Wha—?”
Lyu didn’t know how to respond to the girl’s unusual suggestion. It was clear Lyana wasn’t planning to go any time soon, but her words didn’t sound like a joke, either.
“Oh, so a grave instead of a house,” Lyra responded, a morbid smile on her lips. “Not bad, not bad. Who cares about monsters when you’re dead? Count me in.”
“Me too!” came the quiet voice of Maryu, another of the older girls. Then came Iska, the Amazon, and Celty, the elf.
“Make it a cool-lookin’ grave, okay?”
“I have no complaints if it means we can stay together…”
Lyu could barely keep up with the madness. “Lyra! Noin! Lyana! Maryu! What’s gotten into you all?”
“Don’t get so upset, Lyu, we’re just jokin’ around. Well, half jokin’.”
It was Lyra. She hopped down from her tree branch and shrugged.
“Besides, we’re adventurers,” said Lyana, wearing a deprecatory smile. “It could happen to any one of us.”
“That…that’s true, but…”
Lyu didn’t want to hear her friends talk that way. She didn’t want to even think about it.
“So you’re not prepared to die like the rest of us, greenhorn?” came Kaguya’s condemning remark.
“Of course I am! Of course I am, it’s just…”
“We’re only saying what-if, Leon,” said Neze. “It may not be the Dungeon or the Evils that get us, but we all gotta go someday.”
“Yep!” agreed Iska. “We’re just saying where we’d like to be buried when it happens. You don’t have to worry, Leon.”
But despite her companions’ attempts at reassuring her, the barbs around Lyu’s heart refused to go away.
They should want to see the age of darkness come to an end. They should be thinking of the bright future that lay beyond, not acting like it was only a matter of time before the inevitable.
“…It’s not right…”
She didn’t want it to end. She didn’t want to see this moment erased. That was Lyu’s deepest wish.
“I don’t want that,” she said, her voice weak. Then, in a stronger tone, she declared, “And I will do everything in my power to prevent it—to protect what we have now.”
All her comrades’ eyes were on her. Alize gave a big smile.
“Is that your wish, Leon?”
“Yes. You’re my only friends. Is it strange to want to be with you all forever?”
Alize beamed. But before she could answer her, the other girls all began tittering, especially the pink-haired prum.
“…Lyra? What’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothin’. I wasn’t thinkin’ about how sappy this elf was soundin’, that’s for sure.”
“I’m quite certain there is no other elf in this world as stubborn and troublesome as you,” said Kaguya. “Is there no cure for that thickheadedness of yours?”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Kaguya?! Are you mocking me? You’re mocking me for caring about my friends?!”
Without realizing the warmth in Kaguya’s words, Lyu flew into another rage. It was then that the other girls reached their breaking point and erupted in laughter.
“They were being nice!” said Alize. “Your sense of justice is beautiful, Leon. Hold on to that.”
“Well, it sure didn’t sound like it…” muttered Lyu, unusually sullen. Letting out another laugh at her reaction, Alize smiled like she was gazing at the most brilliant stars.
“Oh, Leon,” she said quietly. “Promise me you’ll stay like that forever…”
“Hmm? Alize?”
Hearing her oddly subdued words, Lyu turned to Alize, but she was already her usual sunny self again, smiling like a scarlet flower.
“It’s nothing,” she said. “Break time’s over, everyone! Let’s head back to the surface through the Dungeon and make the next day even brighter than this one!”
Roused by her voice, the members of Astrea Familia all stood up and followed her away, leaving only a promise burning inside each and every one of them.
Eight days until the Great Conflict…
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