Lyra joined the Astraea Familia and received a star-shaped necklace from Astraea.
She did not know what it meant, but she obediently accepted it anyway.
Under the persuasion of the Goddess of Justice, the Pallum who had escaped from the Prison City made her choice.
Elise also learned that Lyra had joined. She could not help but sigh—fate truly was a terrifying thing.
Up to this point, anyone paying attention might have noticed that whether it was Alise, Kaguya, or Lyra, their joining the Familia had little to do with Elise herself.
It was almost as if... even without Elise, they would still have joined the Astraea Familia.
If that were the case, would the Astraea Familia still be completely wiped out in the future?
Better safe than sorry.
What if something happened at a moment when she could not make it in time?
That was what worried Elise the most. That intangible, invisible thing known as the "world's corrective force"—she was not even sure whether it truly existed.
So Elise had to accelerate the progress of her research.
Strangely enough, the development ability Mystery had brought her quite a few surprises. She was now able to recreate something from a game.
That alone would certainly bring about a massive increase in her Familia's overall strength.
However, there was one thing that concerned her. When she last updated her status, the development ability Ego had risen from Rank I to Rank H...
It actually leveled up? What did that mean?
No matter how she thought about it, she could not figure it out. In the end, she stopped dwelling on it and focused wholeheartedly on drawing those intricate, mysterious patterns.
Originally, Elise had even planned to split one set into three parts and sell them separately. That would definitely make a fortune!
But thinking about it that way... was that a bit too shameless?
In the end, she decided to package them together.
Of course, that would greatly increase the price.
Ordinary adventurers certainly would not be able to afford such items, so Elise even made downgraded versions—what one might call...
Hanna loves you!
As for the name of this research project... needless to say, some people have probably already guessed it!
...
"Hey, Alise, Kaguya—what kind of person is our captain?"
Having only recently joined the Familia, Lyra was still somewhat reserved. She was not used to others treating her kindly.
Even when speaking to her seniors, she appeared timid and lacking confidence, with a faint trace of inferiority.
"Ever since I joined, I don't think I've ever seen her?"
Lyra had asked around about the Familia's captain and managed to piece together some information.
Astraea: "Elise? She's a child who cares deeply about her companions and is very capable. I just wish she would care a little more about herself..."
Alise: "The captain? She's incredibly strong and a very good person. It's just that her methods are... memorable. You'll experience it yourself eventually."
"That monster captain? Even though she helped me, when she beats someone up, she really means it! Even after I reached Level 2, I can't feel the gap between us shrinking at all. She's just like a real monster—no! Worse than a monster!"
Lyra: ?
Wait—what?
Now I'm completely confused.
What kind of person is she exactly?
In the end, Lyra turned her gaze toward a certain white-haired little girl who was dozing nearby...
Subconsciously, Lyra touched her own hair.
Her hair had once been white as well. But because the people in the Prison City constantly mocked her as a "little old man," she had dyed it pink.
Seeing Est the same way now stirred memories of her former self.
"Your hair is white... is that really okay?"
"I used to be the same. People always laughed at me..."
Looking at the girl called Est, Lyra could not help but ask. It was as if she was searching for an answer.
Est understood her thoughts. She merely glanced at Lyra before closing her eyes again, resting calmly.
"Not long after I first came to this city, someone called me a little old man..."
Lyra's whole body trembled. She hugged herself and began to shake.
"But Sister found a secluded place and taught them a lesson. She warned them that if they dared mock me again, she would directly declare a Familia War."
Est continued, "And Sister also said that my hair is as white as snow—very beautiful. She likes me just the way I am. If anyone dares insult it, they will pay the price."
Elise: (They actually dared to insult white hair? It's already merciful that I didn't smash their heads open! They should be grateful I'm the captain of a justice Familia—otherwise dying wouldn't be so easy for them!)
"You're a member of Sister's Familia. Sister will definitely protect you."
Est pointed at the star-shaped necklace hanging around Lyra's neck. It was a creation of Elise's Power of the Stars and could block certain attacks.
In the past, Elise would directly apply her power to others. But now she was at a critical stage in her research and could not spare the effort, so she had shaped a few in advance to ensure Lyra's safety for the time being.
Once Elise finished her research, she would install a Barrier of the Stars for Lyra.
So the captain... is that kind of person?
Touching the necklace at her chest, Lyra's lips curved into a smile.
In that instant, her favorability toward the existence known as Elise skyrocketed!
I really want to meet her...
As it turned out, patience paid off. After waiting two more days, Lyra finally met the captain she had been longing to see.
At that moment, everyone in the Familia stood at the entrance to welcome Elise—like awaiting the triumphant return of a great hero...
It was a strange atmosphere. Yet when Lyra saw Elise, she was genuinely stunned.
Golden hair as warm as sunlight, an aura of gentle elegance, and a figure blessed with full curves... so beautiful.
Is she a goddess?
No—Astraea is the goddess, right?
Lyra glanced at Elise, then at Astraea beside her... for some reason, they felt oddly similar.
"You must be Lyra, right? Welcome to our big family!"
Even the way Elise spoke carried an air of grace. Lyra's impression of her only grew better and better.
"So, over the next month, let's make up for everything you've been missing!"
"What does that mean?"
Noticing the expressions on Alise and Kaguya's faces behind Elise, Lyra sensed something was wrong. But before she could react, Elise had already dragged her into the Astraea Familia's training room.
Only then did she understand why Kaguya had said those things.
There were only two words she could use to describe her feelings.
"What the hell?!"
At that very moment, Elise's image in her heart underwent a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree reversal.