"In the name of Astraea, may you never be troubled by sin in this life!"
The goddess's kiss lingered on Elise's forehead. For a moment, Elise did not know how to react.
She was usually the one who, as a saintess, bestowed such gestures upon others. She had never expected to be on the receiving end.
"However, Elise, there is one thing I hope you will promise me."
"What is it?"
"I hope you will use your talent with caution," Astraea said. "Precisely because it is so powerful, using it recklessly will certainly bring disaster."
"Of course, this is only my request. I merely hope that before you use those eyes, you will think it over carefully."
"I will. Thank you, Lady Astraea."
Elise had never intended to use that ability frequently anyway. It caused far too much trouble in daily life.
"Mm. That is good."
Just as she finished speaking, Astraea seemed to remember something and casually asked, "By the way, does the god of your familia know about this?"
Elise's situation was of great importance. If her patron deity was unaware, that would be troublesome.
Moreover, Astraea had just given Elise a divine kiss... It might be necessary to offer an apology, lest it appear she was trying to snatch someone else's child.
"Familia? What familia?"
"I have not joined any familia. This time, I was planning to head to Orario, join one, and become an adventurer."
Upon hearing Elise's reply, Astraea was momentarily stunned.
Thinking back on what Elise had said earlier, it seemed she truly had never mentioned belonging to a familia.
"But if you are not part of a familia, why do you possess those abilities? Or did you once join one and later retire for special reasons?"
Astraea could not understand. Elise's strength clearly indicated she was powerful—far beyond ordinary standards. Yet her statement that she had never joined a familia rang true.
"No. I have truly never joined a familia, nor have I ever received a god's blessing."
"These abilities are my own."
That answer made something click for Astraea. It seemed the anomaly surrounding Elise extended far beyond just her eyes.
"It appears I was biased from the start..."
A human who had never even received a divine blessing, yet possessed such extraordinary abilities...
Could this be...
A hero?
And a female hero at that?
In the distant past, before the gods descended to the lower world, there had been countless heroes here—individuals who, even without divine blessings, could repel the monsters of the depths.
"It seems I've truly found a treasure!" Astraea's eyes sparkled, her face lighting up with delight.
"Since you have not joined a familia, would you be willing to join mine, Elise?"
The goddess extended her invitation.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself once more. I am the goddess who presides over justice and order—Astraea."
"I descended from Heaven to the lower world not long ago. I have yet to establish a familia and currently have no members."
"Would you be willing to become the very first member of my familia, Elise?"
Faced with Astraea's invitation, Elise felt an unexpected confusion.
As a saintess, she helped others and cultivated a good reputation. In that role, she was supremely confident.
But was her original self truly a good person?
No.
At least, she did not think so.
She felt she had little to do with justice.
And yet, Astraea was still inviting her to join a familia of justice.
Why?
Was she truly that righteous?
Wasn't it all just an act?
"Justice... it feels so far removed from me."
Astraea could naturally sense Elise's confusion. She gently touched her forehead—the very place she had kissed earlier.
"You need not feel confused. I am the goddess of justice. I can see the justice within a person."
"Elise, have more confidence in your own righteousness."
"As one who has received the blessing of the goddess of justice, you are undoubtedly among those who best represent justice in this world."
Elise fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.
This doesn't mean I believe I am righteous. It simply means that within a familia of justice, I can earn a better reputation.
That is all.
"Thank you for your recognition, Lady Astraea."
"I am willing to join your familia!"
Elise bowed. As a long-serving religious saintess, this gesture had become second nature. Before a true god—especially a benevolent one—she maintained the respect due.
"That is wonderful, Elise!"
Upon receiving her answer, Astraea abandoned all concern for her image and pulled Elise into an embrace.
"Then without further delay, let us engrave the divine blessing and my crest upon you!"
"Remove your clothes and let me see!"
Astraea's tone carried a trace of excitement and anticipation, leaving Elise rather helpless.
"I know the general procedure for engraving a divine crest, but phrasing it like that really invites misunderstanding, Lady Astraea!"
"Perhaps that is exactly what I mean, Elise?"
"If that is the case, then please take your time looking, Lady Astraea!"
Would Elise be embarrassed?
What a joke. She had once bathed together with Laetitia and Sylvia.
If she did not fear complete honesty before them, why would she worry about merely revealing her back?
And her counterpart was the goddess of purity. Elise had nothing to be concerned about.
She conjured a veil of starlight around them, forming a barrier that concealed the scene from outside view. There was no one standing nearby, but just in case, it was better to be cautious.
"What astonishing power!"
Astraea once again marveled at Elise's potential.
If she did not die prematurely, she would undoubtedly become a renowned powerhouse in the world.
Elise reached for her garment and lifted it over her head. The single piece of light fabric slipped away in one motion, leaving only her undergarments against her skin. Without the outer layer, her body appeared fully revealed in the gentle glow, smooth skin and flawless curves outlined by soft starlight.
Astraea's attention lingered on her form for a brief moment, appreciating the beauty before her. Then she stepped closer, lightly cutting her own fingertip with a small blade and using divine blood to engrave her crest upon Elise's back.
It resembled a sword shaped like a pair of scales, with outspread wings extending from either side of the blade. This was the divine crest of Astraea, goddess of justice.
As the crest manifested, Elise's personal status values also appeared upon her back. In that moment, she successfully received the divine blessing. In Orario's terms, she had become a Level 1 adventurer.
"The crest has been engraved, Elise!"
"From now on, I am yours. Once we reach Orario, you will have to support me."
"It feels just like a newlywed wife," Astraea teased.
And in that very moment, the Astraea Familia was born.