One day.
Monsters surged up from the underground world, slaughtering people indiscriminately.
They brought endless disaster and terror, nearly plunging the world into profound darkness.
But at that very moment, a hero appeared like the sun, that radiant light dispersing all shadows.
In the end, under the hero's leadership, humanity repelled the monsters and drove them back into the depths of the earth.
The hero's tale was passed down among the people, becoming a story familiar to all.
Some were even written into books and spread throughout the world.
These were their heroic legends.
But now, were there still heroes in this world?
Ever since the gods descended to the lower world, it seemed that heroes had vanished from sight.
That was what everyone believed.
When the monsters once again emerged from beneath the earth, who could possibly stand against them?
They did not know before.
But now, perhaps they already had an answer.
When that golden sun descended from the heavens, everyone began to cheer.
The monsters from the underground world had been eradicated once more.
Just like in the old heroic legends.
That night, countless people lay awake.
...
"That is the situation. So regarding what I mentioned earlier, can you accomplish it?"
The goddess Astraea smiled at the trembling king and god before her.
This was the royal palace in the kingdom's capital. After Elise cleared the ancient ruins and eliminated all the monsters on the surface, she had brought Goddess Astraea here.
If left unattended, the aftermath would certainly become troublesome.
Not only was the king present, but also an unknown god who served in a role similar to a "royal advisor."
The two sat upright in their chairs, listening to the guidance of the Goddess of Justice.
"Yes, yes! We absolutely guarantee we will not repeat those mistakes! Right?" The unknown minor god nudged the king beside him nervously, urging him to respond.
He himself was merely an obscure deity—yet now he had to face Astraea, a renowned goddess.
Who was Astraea?
A famous Goddess of Justice in Heaven.
One could imagine the pressure he was under.
"Y-Yes, of course!"
The king, caught in sheer terror, could only nod frantically.
Though they ruled a nation, facing such a powerful Familia left both king and god utterly lacking in confidence.
The most likely outcome, if they angered her, was total annihilation.
"Since you have agreed to my request, you must keep your word, alright?"
Astraea's smile did not change, yet for some reason, both the king and the god felt a chill crawl up their spines.
This was definitely dangerous.
If they failed to follow her instructions, the Familia member standing behind her would likely launch a devastating assault upon the entire nation in an instant.
Do not assume a single opponent is weak.
With each level gained, the gap in combat strength rose dramatically.
It was said that in Orario, a first-tier adventurer—namely a Level 5—could stand against an army alone.
The female Familia member behind her was certainly not low-level.
"Yes. I... am the king of this nation!"
"Since I have given my word to Your Goddess, I will never break it!"
"If I defy it, I am willing to accept divine punishment!"
After the king finished speaking, he immediately felt the atmosphere lighten.
Clearly, the goddess before him had acknowledged his oath.
"Very well. Then do your best!"
Astraea raised her small fist in a cheerful gesture of encouragement.
The king and the minor god could only stare blankly. Even if they desperately wanted to complain, they dared not voice it and could only swallow their thoughts.
"Elise, let us go!"
The delighted goddess linked arms with Elise. Wrapped in a swirl of starlight, the two vanished completely from the palace.
Only after they left did the people inside finally breathe a true sigh of relief.
"What overwhelming pressure... Is this what it means to be the Goddess of Justice?"
The minor god shook his head with lingering fear, as though trying to rid himself of the sensation.
The king was no better, drenched in sweat.
"It seems we truly must carry out those matters."
At the thought of the goddess' Familia possessing such terrifying strength, the king felt a shiver of dread.
"Besides fulfilling what we promised her, we should also spread word of her Familia member's glorious deeds."
"If it is justice, then reputation should be important, right?"
"Why?"
"Why are you asking why? Do you want that terrifying woman to wipe us all out? I have no desire to be sent back to Heaven!"
"Y-Yes, yes! I will see to it immediately!"
Though he was king, before a god he was nothing.
If we do this, she should not trouble me anymore... right?
The minor god worried inwardly. Justice ought to require reputation, did it not?
He remained deeply anxious, unaware that his actions might not lead to the outcome he expected.
...
"Lady Astraea, shall we head straight to Orario now?"
High in the sky, Elise carried Astraea in a princess hold. The goddess naturally wrapped her arms around Elise's neck.
"Yes, let us proceed to Orario. There is nothing else for us to do outside."
"Oh, Elise."
As if recalling something, Astraea added, "When we arrive in Orario, we should keep a low profile."
"So let us land somewhere nearby where no one is present, and then enter the city normally."
"Mm. I was thinking the same, Lady Astraea. If we attract too much attention from the start, other Familia will take notice." Elise nodded.
"I am not afraid of them, but constant trouble would not benefit us."
"Then let us depart at once!"
Holding the goddess tightly and feeling the softness of her body, Elise could not help but marvel inwardly.
As expected of a goddess.
Even without being a goddess of beauty, her appearance and charm far surpass ordinary people. If I did not possess that charm-related talent, I might not compare to her at all.
But...
Elise also believed that one day she would reach the same level as them—perhaps even surpass them.
But for now...
I should focus on improving myself.
If she were to fall for some unknown reason, what she would lose would not be merely her life.
With that thought, Elise no longer hesitated and flew straight toward Orario.
During their time in the kingdom, she had gained quite a lot.
Reputation, achievements, maps—and most importantly, this world's currency: valis.
That king had been rather generous, giving her so much valis.
At least when she reached Orario, she would not end up sleeping on the streets for lack of money.
My life as an adventurer officially begins now!