One month later.
The black-haired girl staggered forward on unsteady steps and finally left this place of turmoil behind.
"Lady Astraea, sorry to trouble you."
Elise stepped out from behind Kaguya and approached her own goddess, preparing to update Kaguya's status.
Kaguya's ability values had already been quite high. Only her Endurance and Strength had been somewhat lacking.
But after Elise's special training, those would no longer be an issue.
The divine blood traced gently across Kaguya's back. Before long, her updated status appeared.
"Just as you expected, Elise. Kaguya's previous weak points have all improved significantly. She could even Level up now without a problem!"
Astraea's cheerful tone nearly made Kaguya lose her composure.
"Isn't that only natural?"
"If I couldn't successfully Level up after going through something like that, I'd find a place where no one could see me and commit seppuku!"
"By the way, couldn't you have gone a little easier on me, Captain Monster? Even though there aren't any wounds, I'm still aching all over!"
Kaguya had never been sparing with her complaints.
"There was no other choice..."
"If we want to raise your ability values, this is the only method."
"And besides, it's better for you to get beaten by me now than get killed by monsters in the Dungeon later, isn't it?"
Elise stated the harsh truth without hesitation.
"I understand the logic!"
"But I still feel strangely dissatisfied deep down!"
"Then... how about another match with Alise?" Elise suggested.
"Oh, right, Elise." Astraea spoke up at that moment.
"While you were busy with Kaguya and hadn't come out for a while, Alise already reached Level 2."
Alise leveled up? Looks like she really worked hard.
Elise felt happy. If Alise continued striving like this, perhaps she would not die beneath a monster's claws in the future.
"Huh?" Kaguya was equally shocked. "That girl leveled up? Can't I Level up right away too?"
"Kaguya, you certainly can Level up, but..." Astraea explained, "Alise did so with all attributes at S-999. You're still just a tiny bit short of that..."
"Tch, fine. Then I'll hold off on leveling. I still need to head into the Dungeon to test out my improved strength. I have to master it as soon as possible..."
"You're all getting stronger. I can't fall behind."
...
"Aaahhh—!"
As usual, the burly boar-man launched a full-force attack at the person before him.
The golden-haired girl across from him swung her weapon as well. Sword met sword, and dazzling sparks burst from the clash.
Yet astonishingly, the one being suppressed was Ottar, the wielder of the greatsword. If this scene were witnessed outside, it would undoubtedly cause an enormous uproar. That was why it was being conducted here in secret.
"It has been some time since we last held a tea party, Astraea." Freya personally poured a cup of tea for the goddess beside her. "You've seemed quite busy lately. You haven't brought Elise to see me at all..."
"I've been waiting so very patiently."
"Yes, we've had some new members join the Familia recently. To be a proper senior, Elise has been working very hard guiding them," Astraea replied.
"Besides... isn't a reunion after a long separation all the more delightful?"
"That's true..." Freya nodded in agreement.
"In that case, I'll take this chance to properly admire her fighting figure."
In the arena, the battle between the two was nearing its end.
Ottar had not yet reached Level 7. As things stood, he was no match for Elise. He could only be continuously suppressed before ultimately being beaten down.
Elise actually held Ottar in high regard.
If Ottar were to reach Level 7, the impact of such a title would undoubtedly influence the balance of power throughout Orario.
Especially those factions secretly colluding with darkness would become even more reluctant to show themselves.
Previously, at Freya's request, Hedin had led members of the Familia to deal with Evilus. The winds of the city had already begun to shift for the better. If Ottar leveled up as well...
It could be said that half of this dark era would already be over.
Therefore, Elise did not hold back in attacking Ottar. As a Level 6 boar-man specialized in defense, he was, above all else, truly durable.
Even after suffering such heavy injuries, Ottar could stand back up again before long. He was practically the perfect human punching bag.
"In that case, I'll be using even greater power next. Can you endure it?"
"..."
Ottar did not answer. But the determination in his eyes said everything.
He would fight.
"Very well!"
Elise raised the Sacred Demon Sword in her hand. A white radiance gradually began to flicker.
Watching the scene before him, Ottar smiled. It was just like that time—just like in the era of Zeus and Hera.
"Aaahhh—!"
Ottar charged forward, greatsword in hand.
Then, beneath that holy white light, he was defeated.
The white radiance effortlessly crushed all of Ottar's attacks. The terrifying heat nearly turned him into roasted pork before he collapsed to the ground, powerless.
"Let's end today's training here. Ottar looks like he's reached his limit..."
Freya rose from her chair, glanced at Ottar—still giving off steam on the ground—then shifted her gaze to Astraea beside her.
"Yes, this time Ottar will likely gain tremendous growth. Allow me to congratulate you in advance, Freya."
"Won't you stay a little longer? I'd like to hear more about the new members of your Familia."
"Perhaps next time, Freya. We've been rather busy ourselves lately. There are still many Familia matters left unfinished. This time is merely to make up for what we owed before. It may very well continue to be like this in the future."
This training session with Ottar had lasted nearly five days. Since Elise had not visited Freya for an entire month, it counted as breaking their agreement. So this time, she compensated him with an extra day.
As expected, Ottar endured it.
It would not be long before he leveled up.
Freya Familia residence, rear gate.
Watching Astraea and Elise gradually depart—or rather, watching only Elise—Freya's infatuation became increasingly impossible to conceal.
"I still want her so badly..."
Hm...?
Suddenly, Freya sensed something appear at her side.
Lowering her head, she saw a sheet of parchment floating beside her hand, as though waiting for her to read it.
"How interesting..."
After reading the contents on the parchment, Freya smiled. She looked once more toward the direction Elise had left, then turned and walked back inside without hesitation.
"Prepare a room. Shortly, I will receive a distinguished guest. Bring out the finest things the Familia has."
Even if they were both women, a candlelit dinner was not limited to a man and a woman, was it?