A week later.
During that time, Charlie took Kei to the Dungeon every day without pause. That routine became their new habit.
With a firearm beyond the times—Flare-chan which Kei increasingly mastered—and the protection of a Level 6 High Class Adventurer, the deepest floor Kei successfully descended to was Floor 13!
An extraordinary achievement for a novice adventurer who had only set foot in the Dungeon for a week.
Kei was always forced to fight enemies statistically stronger than her. Combined with the existence of the protagonist's buff skill, Liaris Freese, the Excelia she accumulated was very abundant.
So, it was not surprising when all her parameters were now at C rank—some even approaching B. In just one week, Kei had surpassed veteran adventurers stuck for years at Level 1, whose Status stagnated due to lack of challenge or talent.
That morning, Charlie and Kei walked toward the Dungeon as usual. Orario's morning air was still fresh, and the Main Street began filling with adventurers starting their activities.
On the way to Babel Tower, Charlie passed a white-haired youth walking alone.
"Bell."
That brief call made the youth turn quickly. His still young face immediately brightened.
"Ah, Charlie-san! Good morning!"
Bell greeted warmly as usual, his characteristic youthful enthusiasm clearly radiating. Then his eyes shifted to the figure beside Charlie, and he was slightly surprised.
"She..."
The three of them—Charlie, Bell, and Kei—all had white hair that was rare in Orario. For someone who didn't know the truth behind it, they looked like siblings.
Kei looked at Bell for a moment, then smiled slightly and extended her hand politely.
"My name is Shirogane Kei. I'm a member of Astraea Familia."
Bell was somewhat surprised by the girl's attitude, but immediately smiled broadly and shook the extended hand.
"A-ah, I'm Bell Cranel from Hestia Familia. Nice to meet you, Kei-san!"
After that brief introduction, Charlie's attention focused on Bell's physical condition. He narrowed his eyes, observing details on the youth's face.
"Who injured you, Bell?"
On Bell's face, right at the right temple and left jaw, cotton and medical plaster could be seen covering swelling that hadn't completely subsided. Faint bluish bruises were still visible at the edges of the bandaging.
"Ah, this..." Bell raised his hand touching his plaster, smiling awkwardly. "This is just a minor wound from a monster yesterday. I was a bit careless—"
"Lies. That's the mark of a blunt object impact and fist. That's an injury from a fight." Charlie interrupted flatly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"..."
Bell fell silent. His awkward smile turned into a bitter smile. He lowered his head for a moment, then sighed resignedly.
"...Charlie-san's guess is always accurate. Actually... last night we held a small party at a bar, celebrating Welf who just leveled up to Level 2. The atmosphere was very lively, and we were all happy."
"But suddenly, a Pallum from Apollo Familia approached our table. At first he just mocked, saying Hestia Familia was just trash not worthy of being called a Familia. Welf tried to ignore him, but that Pallum kept provoking. He said leveling up with others' help wasn't an achievement, and it would be better to quit being an adventurer before dying stupidly in the Dungeon."
Kei listened with raised eyebrows, while Charlie remained silent, his face unreadable.
"Before I could react, Welf had already moved first." Bell smiled bitterly. "He knocked that Pallum down with his beer mug. And that's when... the problem started. Turns out that Pallum wasn't alone. Almost a dozen Apollo Familia members in the bar immediately stood up. We fought, Welf and I managed to take down most of them. But then... one of them, a Level 3 adventurer, intervened."
Bell bit his lower lip. "He was too strong. With just one hand, he knocked Welf back, then faced me. I didn't even have time to draw my knife. He punched my face twice—I fell, got up, was punched again. If Bete-san from Loki Familia hadn't happened to be at that bar and defended me..."
Bell didn't continue, but everyone understood his meaning.
"Apollo Familia, huh... I see." There was a cold and dangerous flash that passed briefly in Charlie's eyes before he suppressed his emotions again.
"Anyway, if you have more problems or they start bothering you further, don't hesitate to ask for my help. I'm serious, Bell."
Without waiting for Bell's answer, Charlie patted the youth's shoulder once firmly, then turned and continued his steps.
Kei, who had only been observing all this time, followed behind Charlie without much talking, leaving Bell still standing in place.
"Charlie-san... is very kind..." Bell murmured softly, touched. His hand clenched slightly at his side, his heart determined not to continuously be the weak party always protected.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
On the other side.
When their distance was far enough from Bell, Kei finally spoke up.
"Charlie-san, why do you care so much about him? Is he actually your father's illegitimate child or something?"
Charlie stopped his steps. He rolled his eyeballs very clearly, a gesture he rarely showed.
"Is that all that comes to your mind?"
He roughly ruffled Kei's hair, making the girl's long white mane messy here and there.
"J-just say it without messing up my hair!" Kei protested, swatting away Charlie's hand.
"Your guess is too wild." Charlie kept ruffling for a moment before finally stopping. "Bell's mother and aunt were members of Hera Familia in the past. So, technically, he can be considered a distant relative. Of course I have to help him if he's in trouble."
"Is that the only reason?" Kei asked while tidying her messy hair with her fingers.
"..."
Charlie didn't answer.
Before they knew it, their steps had brought them to Babel Tower's courtyard. Without wasting more time, they entered the large gaping hole in the tower's lower floor—the entrance to the darkness of the Dungeon that was always thirsty for blood.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Night.
Empyrean Citadel.
Charlie sat on the soft sofa in a relaxed posture. His hand moved gently, stroking Est's long hair as she lay calmly on his lap.
That silver hair flowed beautifully, and the sword spirit girl closed her eyes, enjoying her master's warm caress. Her cute face that was usually expressionless now appeared slightly relaxed, there was even a thin curve at the corner of her lips—something that could only be seen by someone very close to her.
Beside him, Aishia sat gracefully, her slender body leaning lightly on Charlie's shoulder. Her beautiful eyes were closed, her breathing regular and calm. Her gentle warm breath touched Charlie's neck occasionally, like a gentle breeze in the afternoon.
That harmonious scene was so perfect like a small family consisting of a father, mother, and daughter enjoying the evening together.
Of course, the actual fact wasn't that simple. Both girls were spirits who had formed contracts with Charlie.
*TAP-TAP-TAP!*
The sound of soft footsteps came from the corridor direction. Charlie shifted his gaze.
Astraea stepped into the living room, followed by Kei behind her. And for a moment, even someone like Charlie who was known not to be easily impressed had to admit—They were stunning.
The Goddess of Justice tonight wore a soft sky-blue long gown, with sparkling silver accents around the waist and flowing dress edges like water. Her beautiful long chestnut brown hair was left loose, but several strands were pinned with small sparkling star-shaped clips. Her dark blue eyes that reminded one of starry oceans, framed by curled eyelashes that made her look more mature yet still radiated the kindness that was her characteristic.
Beside her, Kei appeared in a bright deep red dress, a bold and passionate color. The dress was designed simply yet elegantly—sleeveless, with a neckline not too low but still highlighting her body curves. Her white hair flowed to her waist with soft waves that were deliberately styled.
A thin necklace with a garnet stone pendant adorned her slender neck, giving a fitting touch of luxury. Light makeup on her face made her beautiful features more prominent—lips with a slightly glossy pink, and thin eyeliner that made her sharp eyes appear deeper.
Charlie stopped stroking Est's hair. Even Aishia slightly opened her eyes.
"You both look very beautiful."
The compliment was brief.
No poetic words or flowery sentences.
Just Charlie's straightforward statement.
However, for Astraea, that simple compliment felt different.
"Thank you, Charlie."
The Goddess of Justice's cheeks flushed slightly. As a goddess, she had received countless compliments from humans and other gods. But why did this compliment from Charlie make her heart flutter?
Unlike Astraea who blushed, Kei instead pursed her lips, showing clear disappointment on her beautiful face.
"Still, I feel something's missing because Charlie-san isn't coming." Kei complained. "This Banquet of the Gods will surely be boring without your presence."
Charlie chuckled softly seeing his girlfriend's spoiled behavior. "The Banquet of the Gods rules are very strict, Kei. Each god is only allowed to bring one person as a companion."
The Banquet of the Gods was a high-class social event held periodically by the gods in Orario to show off the strength, wealth, and beauty of their adventurers.
For the gods, their adventurers were a reflection of their own greatness. Bringing one best adventurer to the banquet was a way for gods to show off.
Charlie himself had attended the Banquet of the Gods held by Ganesha, and the one who brought him at that time was Aphrodite.
"I've experienced it before, and honestly, it's not a place I really like." Charlie said frankly. "Tonight is your opportunity, Kei. Get to know Orario's social world, observe how the gods interact, and befriend people you think are worthy."
"Haaah..."
Kei sighed, but finally nodded in understanding. She knew Charlie wanted her to grow independently.
"We're leaving now, Charlie." Astraea bid farewell gently.
With one nod from Charlie, Astraea and Kei stepped out of the Citadel toward the banquet location hosted by Apollo—an event that, without them realizing, would become the beginning of a great storm that would sweep Orario.
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