"Alise, Kaguya, can you accompany me out for a stroll today? It feels like we've never properly gone out together!"
Early in the morning, not long after the two had woken up, Astraea pulled them outside, clearly intending to take a walk.
"Ohh, shopping together with Lady Astraea? Of course we can! Beautiful girls like us—just walking down the street together is enough to attract everyone's attention!"
Cheerful as ever, Alise naturally had no intention of refusing Astraea's suggestion. The other, however, was less enthusiastic.
"My Lady Goddess, our time is very tight. If that monster of a captain finds out, the next few days won't be pleasant at all."
Elise's training had left far too deep an impression on Kaguya. At this point, she was wholeheartedly focused on improving her abilities.
Kaguya did not deny that her ability values had risen effectively with Elise's help, but when she thought about the process of that improvement... better not.
"It's fine. I'll explain it to Elise. You've both been training very hard lately. A little relaxation isn't a bad thing."
"Just accompany me for a bit, alright, Kaguya?"
"Then I'll... reluctantly agree..."
Watching her goddess plead so persistently, Kaguya ultimately could not hold out and gave in.
"Then it's settled! We're running low on ingredients in the Familia anyway. Let's go buy some fruit!"
"By the way, Lady Astraea, I have a question. I'm not sure whether I should ask..."
"It's fine. If you have a question, just ask."
Seeing her goddess' calm expression, Alise finally voiced the doubt in her heart.
"Captain... where has she gone?"
"Now that I think about it, we haven't seen her for half a month, right? Nothing's happened to her, has it?"
Elise had leveled up.
Other than Astraea and Elise herself, no one else knew. Otherwise, even more eyes would be drawn toward this newly risen Familia of justice.
Elise herself was not afraid of the trouble such attention might bring—but Alise and Kaguya were different. They were only Level 2.
Alise looked worried, but before Astraea could answer, Kaguya cut in.
"Hah? You're worried about that monster captain?" Kaguya looked impatient. "Instead of worrying about her safety, you should worry about whether she'll punch you a few extra times in the next training session!"
"Well, you do make a good point, but I still want to know."
"Tch. Lady Astraea, I won't deny I've been quite happy not seeing her for so long, but she is our captain. It's not right for her to disappear for this long. Shouldn't you explain?"
Though Kaguya's tone remained sharp, she still agreed with Alise.
"You're right. It's about time I told you."
After a moment of thought, Astraea decided to reveal a little about what Elise had been doing.
"Elise recently obtained a new ability. She's been researching how to use it..."
"It seems to involve engraving exquisite patterns onto the body, allowing the person to gain special abilities?"
"That's roughly it. We shouldn't disturb Elise for now. She seems to have encountered a bottleneck and is seeking a breakthrough."
"She actually ran into a bottleneck?"
In Alise and Kaguya's eyes, Elise had always been synonymous with strength—almost omnipotent. They had never seen anyone as overwhelmingly powerful as her.
Now that even Elise had encountered a bottleneck, how could they not be shocked?
"How rare. Should I be celebrating?" Kaguya covered her mouth with her sleeve.
"Is there anything we can do to help the captain?" Alise, on the other hand, looked concerned.
"Judging from the facts, if helping that monster captain break through this bottleneck means she might beat us a few fewer times in the future—that's what you're thinking, right, Alise?" Kaguya glanced at her. "It's a nice idea, but I doubt she'll let us off that easily."
Alise stiffened, her gaze drifting slightly.
"What are you saying, Kaguya? I'm just genuinely concerned about the captain..."
"Heh."
Seeing that reaction, Kaguya gave a disdainful laugh.
"Lady Astraea!"
The goddess was right there. If anyone lied, she would see through it immediately.
"Ahh! Fine, I admit it, alright, Kaguya!"
The farce ended there. Astraea clearly told them that this problem could only be solved by Elise herself. No one else could help.
However, if Elise succeeded in breaking through, it might very well cause a great upheaval in Orario. Their Familia's strength would also take a significant leap.
...
On the main street, Astraea walked happily with one arm linked through each of her two Familia members.
Alise did not mind at all. Being linked arm-in-arm with her goddess actually made her rather happy. But Kaguya, usually so outspoken and bold, seemed unusually uncomfortable.
The people along the street nearly bulged their eyes out at the sight.
A gentle and beautiful goddess walking arm-in-arm with two stunning young women.
Their looks were absolutely top-tier even in Orario.
And as they walked, the goddess' ample chest swayed slightly. Occasionally, when they turned, it would brush against the other two...
It was simply a breathtaking spectacle.
Even some passing male gods found themselves unable to stop staring in Astraea's direction.
It was only when they arrived at their destination that Astraea released their arms.
"This is the place!"
Elise had always bought food from this market—fruit, vegetables, meat. The prices were excellent. Bringing Alise and Kaguya here now also helped familiarize them with the place. They could not always rely on Elise to do the shopping.
"Found it!"
"I've tasted them before—the apples here are delicious. We don't have much fruit left in the Familia, so let's restock."
Fortunately, when Astraea arrived, there were not many customers at the fruit stall—only three or four asking about prices. Off to the side stood a pink-haired Pallum.
"You two stay here. I'll go buy a few apples..."
But when Astraea finished speaking and turned around again, she saw something unexpected.
The pink-haired Pallum had taken advantage of the customers' distraction and the fruit seller's inattention...
And slipped an apple into their possession.