Elise's status had always been rather peculiar.
Each time she leveled up, her status cap increased by one thousand. At Level 1, the cap was 1999. Now that she had reached Level 4, the cap had become 4999.
Including all the hidden status points she had accumulated before, her total status had reached a staggering 13,996!
From the perspective of this world, calling Elise a Level 13 wouldn't be an exaggeration—if such a level even existed...
If Ottar didn't have those powerful pieces of equipment, along with the fivefold amplification from potions, he wouldn't even be qualified to touch Elise, let alone fight her on equal footing.
In the end, this was also Elise's own doing.
Because of the special items she had created, quite a number of adventurers in Orario had gained the ability to fight beyond their level. While they couldn't cross too large a gap, it had already begun to affect the traditional adventurer system.
Ottar and the others were proof of that.
This had also led Elise—who had always been obsessed with research—to place restrictions on the items she created. Otherwise, it would definitely cause major problems in the future.
If one day she were defeated by something she herself had made, that would be truly humiliating.
But now, Astraea felt that Elise might not need to worry about that anymore. Having absorbed a portion of Freya, she now possessed power that humans could never possibly overcome.
"Just like before, your status hasn't changed, but it's already in a state where you can level up. However..."
Astraea couldn't hide the shock on her face. Elise hadn't just leveled up—she had also gained many astonishing abilities.
"There was only one option for development abilities, no other choices, so I picked it for you."
"I'll print it out for you to take a look in a moment..."
After saying that, Astraea didn't speak further. In just a few swift movements, she completed Elise's level-up.
At that very moment, Elise felt as though something inside her body had changed...
What was this power?
Though countless questions filled her mind, Elise chose to remain silent and wait.
Once Astraea moved away from her back, Elise sat up from the bed and straightened her clothes.
"...Sigh."
The goddess before her seemed to let out a soft sigh as she handed the parchment to Elise.
"The changes this time are really huge. I don't even know what to say anymore. Just take a look yourself."
On the parchment was Elise's status.
[Name: Elise Holiness]
[Affiliation: Astraea Familia]
[Race: Human?]
[Level: Level 4→Level 5]
—Status—
[Power: Max-4999→I-0]
[Endurance: Max-4999→I-0]
[Dexterity: Max-4999→I-0]
[Agility: Max-4999→I-0]
[Magic: Max-4999→I-0]
—Development Abilities—
[Ego G] [Mystery E] [Creation F] [Deification I]
—Magic—
[Scales of Judgment]
-Short-chant magic. Buff/Debuff type.
-Select a target and conduct a good-or-evil judgment.
-After the judgment, you may choose whether to activate the following effects.
-Good/Evil targets receive a minor increase/decrease to all abilities.
[World Purifier]
-State-type magic. The user enters a purification state, while bearing mental strain.
-While in purification state, all abilities are greatly enhanced. If evil entities are nearby, abilities increase even further. The more evil entities present, the greater the boost.
Chant:
The judgment of the scales has been passed, and primordial beauty shall descend.
In the name of the divine—
I offer this body!
Let all evil and corruption in this world be dispelled within this light of purification!
[None]
—Skills—
[Power of the Stars]
-Can generate and use star power independently.
-Can use the unique star power skill: purification.
[Contract: Est?]
-When fighting alongside the contracted target, all abilities are greatly increased.
-When growing alongside the contracted target, growth speed is greatly increased.
[Saintess of Scales]
-When gaining status points, they are evenly distributed across all attributes.
-When walking the path of a saintess, all abilities are greatly increased and growth speed is greatly increased.
[Limit Break]
-Status cap is specially increased.
-When status exceeds the cap, the excess accumulates into Great Feats.
[Manifestation of the Goddess of Beauty]
-Enhances the user's charm and allows the use of a special skill: charm.
-User ???
"..."
Elise stared at her status for a long time without speaking. Just like Astraea, she didn't know what to say.
This level-up had granted Elise three things.
One development ability, one skill, and one magic.
It might seem like a lot, but this was a jump from Level 4 to Level 5!
Why were Level 5 and above called first-class adventurers?
Because the gap between Level 5 and the lower levels was enormous. Crossing it wasn't something that could be done easily.
Reaching first-class was a special kind of sublimation.
Many adventurers would gain unique skills or magic when they reached Level 5.
Without exception, what they obtained at Level 5 were extremely powerful abilities, though some might be more specialized.
But what Elise had obtained couldn't be explained so simply.
The development ability [Deification I].
Anything that carried the word "god" was definitely not ordinary.
Deification... deification...
Could it be that upon reaching its peak, one would become a god?
Of course, this was only Elise's literal interpretation. The actual effect had yet to manifest, so she couldn't be certain.
The skill [Manifestation of the Goddess of Beauty].
Its description wasn't long. It simply enhanced charm and allowed Elise to use charm.
However, one thing worth noting was that the final line of this skill was filled with question marks.
Now that was interesting.
Her previous status had already contained question marks, and now another had appeared...
But Elise wasn't surprised.
After all, she had devoured a portion of Freya.
Just from the name of the skill, it was obvious—this power had undoubtedly come from Freya.
Who else could it be, when it even carries the title "Goddess of Beauty"?
Ishtar had already returned to Heaven. In Orario, Freya was now the only remaining goddess of beauty.
"Now that I have this skill, could I also be called a Goddess of Beauty?" Elise murmured to herself while looking at the parchment.
Smack!
"What are you thinking?"
Astraea's voice came from the side. The goddess of justice had clearly heard what Elise just said.
"Your eyes being able to devour a god's soul is indeed unexpected, but a god is still a god. It's not as simple as you imagine, Elise."
"We gods descended to the lower world with our divine power sealed. In other words, the versions of us here are not our true selves."
"Even if both body and soul are completely destroyed, we can still be reborn in Heaven."
"Of course, once we are reborn, everything in the lower world no longer concerns us."
"Although you have the special development ability Deification, and..." Astraea narrowed her eyes, sounding slightly displeased as she continued, "and that Manifestation of the Goddess of Beauty—both related to divinity—this only proves one thing."
"That is, you have the potential to become a god. It does not mean that you are one right now."
After hearing Astraea's explanation, Elise finally understood her current situation.
"Just the potential to become a god?"
"Yes."
"That's more than enough!"
The topic ended quickly. What they had just discussed was the most unusual aspect of all.
The magic Elise had obtained: [World Purifier].
At first glance, it was merely a state-type magic, lacking the overwhelming destructive power of offensive spells.
However, the reason both Astraea and Elise had been so shocked earlier was precisely because of it!
Because this magic was undoubtedly worthy of being called a divine technique.
Upon activation, the user enters a purification state, but at the cost of mental strain. Right from the start, it comes with a negative effect. Yet, continuing further, its extraordinary nature becomes clear.
All abilities are greatly enhanced, and the more evil entities present nearby, the greater the increase.
Some might think this magic isn't particularly useful, since opportunities to face "evil" in this world aren't that common.
Moreover, what defines good and evil?
That's not something easily explained.
This world isn't simply black and white—it's a vast gray. The boundary between good and evil isn't so easily defined.
If this point isn't clarified, then this magic would ultimately just be another enhancement spell, similar to the beastification of demi-human races.
What truly elevates this magic to its peak is Elise's first spell.
Scales of Judgment—the boundary between good and evil is determined by Elise herself. When understood this way, doesn't everything become much simpler?
If I say you are evil, then you are evil!
Not only that, once you are deemed evil, my abilities will increase even further!
Then doesn't that mean that in battle, I could simply designate everyone around me as evil...
"Mm. I'll do that from now on."
At this point, Elise had officially become a Level 5 adventurer. The Astraea Familia had also become the strongest Familia in Orario.
Thinking about it carefully, the reason was obvious.
In Orario, only three Familias had the strength to compete for the title of strongest. It was well known that the Loki Familia was slightly weaker than the Freya Familia—and Elise had single-handedly defeated all of the Freya Familia's top executives!
That even included the Level 7 Ottar!
Many Familias in Orario—whether they had already chosen sides, were fence-sitters, or were still observing—had all now shifted toward the Astraea Familia.
Orario... could now perhaps be described as having a single dominant voice.
...
Freya Familia's base.
"Lady Freya, is this really alright?"
Though much of his body was wrapped in bandages, making him look like a severely injured patient, Ottar was still able to continue serving Freya.
Because after that battle, his condition had actually been the best among them.
The others had to endure the side effects of the potions, but Ottar had been spared that punishment thanks to Elise's purification. The only price he paid was having his heart pierced.
For others, having their heart pierced would likely be fatal—but for Ottar, it wasn't that serious.
In just two or three days, he was already able to walk again.
Although he couldn't participate in battle for a while due to the injury, taking care of Freya was no problem.
And as for Freya now...
How should he put it?
Ottar glanced slightly at the goddess seated before him, a hint of confusion appearing on his face.
Lady Freya... felt somewhat different than before?
As someone who had served her for many years, even if he didn't speak much, Ottar understood her far better than most.
"What exactly are you referring to, Ottar? You can say it directly."
The silver-haired goddess gently swirled the wine in her glass, quietly watching the red liquid inside.
"Regarding the compensation..." Ottar hesitated, but ultimately chose to speak.
"Forgive my bluntness, but the amount this time is far too large. Even if every member of our Familia risked their lives to earn valis, it would still take at least twenty years..."
The battle damages, the Guild's fines, and Elise's equipment...
Every single one of them was an enormous expense!
"I see..."
The goddess didn't seem concerned about the compensation at all. She appeared to be thinking about something else. Though Ottar didn't know what it was, he still had to emphasize the matter.
"Lady Freya!"
In the past, whenever Freya caused trouble, it was the upper members of the Familia who had to clean it up... and now she had caused yet another problem—this time, an enormous one!
If only Mia were still here...
(Mia: Good thing I retired early! Even if it was only a partial retirement, at least I don't have to pay such a huge amount of valis.)
"Alright, alright. I understand what you mean, Ottar."
Freya sighed as she stood up from her seat.
"During the time we're repaying this debt, we'll cut off all unnecessary expenses within the Familia. We'll also temporarily stop renting the top of Babel, as well as a few other places..."
"From here on out, you'll all have to work hard to earn money!"
After saying that, Freya returned to her usual demeanor. Even if someone noticed something different, they likely wouldn't dare ask.
Lady Freya must have her own reasons for doing this!
Ottar, however, found this version of Freya quite surprising.
For some reason, she felt... more like a traditional, orthodox goddess?
"I'll do the same. I need to find a place to work. I just hope she's still willing to take me in."
"...Huh?"
...
Elise's eyes could devour the soul of anyone she gazed upon, replacing them with an obedient puppet.
Freya had, as expected, lost a quarter of her soul to Elise. But as for replacing her with a compliant puppet...
Had it really worked?
Perhaps only Freya herself knew the answer.