The leader of the bandits was the last to fall.
It was precisely because he lost consciousness that the surrounding villagers erupted into thunderous cheers.
"That's wonderful!"
"As expected of Lady Goddess!"
"This is what happens when you show disrespect to a deity! Let's see if you dare offend Lady Goddess again!"
The villagers spoke over one another, launching a barrage of verbal abuse at the bandits lying on the ground.
"So, Lady Goddess, how should these people be dealt with?"
The village chief, having regained his freedom, walked over to Astraea's side. However, Astraea raised a hand in a gesture for pause.
"Could you please show yourself and meet us?"
Facing the empty plain, Astraea spoke those words.
What is she doing?
Is there still an enemy?
"I'm very sorry, Village Chief. The ones who knocked those people unconscious just now weren't me. Someone was helping from the shadows."
Astraea explained, "I am Astraea, the goddess who governs justice and order. Stealing the credit of a child of the lower world is not my style."
"So, would you please come out? Everyone in the village is very grateful to you!"
After hearing Astraea's explanation, the villagers followed her gaze toward the plain. But with the strength of ordinary people, there was naturally nothing they could perceive.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a faint phantom gradually appeared not far in front of Astraea.
The translucent figure slowly solidified, finally taking the form of a beautiful blonde girl.
The moment they saw Elise, the villagers froze in shock. They had never expected that the one who had just dealt with the bandits would be such a fair maiden.
Elise wore the Sword Maiden outfit, light fabric resting against her body and outlining her full curves beneath the cloth. The design left parts of her hips and waist bare, smooth skin visible between the layered garments, while the high slits along the sides left her legs fully displayed.
The contrast between the sacred style and the revealing cut of the attire gave her a strangely enchanting presence.
"My, what a beautiful child!"
Even the well-traveled goddess Astraea could not help but sigh in admiration at her beauty. And as a deity, she could clearly perceive far more than mortals could.
Though her eyes were covered, it did nothing to diminish the girl's delicate features. Astraea could still see how exceptional her appearance was. In a certain sense, her beauty was already comparable to that of a goddess.
Astraea guessed that the girl might possess some sort of charm similar to that of a goddess of beauty. While it could not compare to true divine allure, in the eyes of humans, it would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
She could even sense a trace of sanctity emanating from her.
Sacred Demonic Charm.
It granted Elise remarkable beauty and temperament. As long as she did not reveal her true nature, in the eyes of others, she was a holy saintess.
"Nice to meet you, Lady Goddess."
Elise curtsied politely to the goddess before her. Yet before she could fully straighten, she noticed the goddess walking toward her.
What is she doing?
Did she notice something strange?
Elise remained highly vigilant toward deities, even if the other party was the Goddess of Justice.
Driven by instinct, her right foot stepped back slightly, as though she feared the goddess might do something to her.
In Astraea's eyes, however, that small movement was obvious.
So she's such a cautious child...
"Don't worry. I won't do anything to you. Gods cannot use divine power in the lower world," Astraea reminded her gently before continuing. "I only wish to properly thank you."
Astraea took Elise's small hand and bowed her head solemnly in gratitude. That made Elise feel somewhat embarrassed...
"However, this matter isn't over yet."
Elise spoke, "These people clearly aren't simple bandits. On my way here, I discovered that behind the nearby forest, troops are gathering."
Her words left the villagers in disbelief.
"We're just a small village. Why would they mobilize so many people against us?"
Kate Village was located between two nations and possessed fertile land. Though both countries coveted it, the distance was considerable. Sending a large force to invade would clearly be excessive.
"If they can't have it, then they'll destroy it. That's probably the idea," Elise said.
The village chief fell silent. After a long while, he finally spoke in a trembling voice, "Then... what should we do?"
"This is the land our families have lived on for generations. If we simply abandon it..."
"..."
Astraea sighed softly.
All gods possessed their own divine authority.
Astraea was the goddess who governed justice and order, the guardian deity of Virgo, the goddess of purity.
Her authority over justice and order made her dislike war. She wished to prevent it.
But...
Gods were not fools.
She understood better than anyone that walking the path of justice required strength to support it.
Justice without matching strength would be easily broken by the outside world.
And now, as a goddess who had only recently descended to the lower world, Astraea did not even have her own familia. Where would she find such strength?
Unless...
The goddess cast a subtle glance at Elise.
If someone were willing to become my child...
But Astraea only entertained the thought for a moment.
From the way Elise had handled the bandits earlier, Astraea judged that she was likely already an adventurer belonging to another familia, and probably not a low level one. Otherwise, she would not possess such skills or magic.
What a pity. She had encountered such a promising child, yet she already belonged to another god.
Astraea felt regret, but to snatch away another deity's child for no reason?
She could not do that.
"I'll help you."
Elise spoke to the villagers. "Although we've only just met, since they've done something so excessive, I absolutely cannot stand by and do nothing!"
What a good child.
Astraea felt regret once more.
Gods could tell whether mortals were lying. This was something any deity could do.
However, due to differences in divine authority, some gods possessed unique abilities beyond that.
For example, Loki, as the god of lies and trickery, could perceive deception far more keenly than ordinary gods.
The goddess of beauty Freya, aside from seeing through ordinary lies, could also perceive the beauty of a person's soul.
The god of travel Hermes, even after sealing his divine power and becoming mortal, still possessed swiftness unmatched by most deities.
There were countless such examples, and Astraea was no exception.
As the goddess who governed justice and order, and the guardian deity of Virgo, Astraea could naturally discern whether someone was a virgin...
Cough.
That was getting off track.
She could perceive the sense of justice within a person's heart.
And in Astraea's eyes, Elise...
Since Elise was not her child, she could only glimpse it vaguely.
But...
"As I thought... she truly is a good child."