"Who is it?"
Upon hearing that someone was targeting them, Ryu's voice carried a trace of frigid killing intent. She was no longer the naive girl who debated the meaning of "Justice" with Kaguya; her hands were stained with blood, and her mindset had shifted. While her heart still held onto justice, she felt no mercy for her enemies. In a sense, she had been influenced by Roy—once an enemy was identified, you uproot them and eliminate their entire line.
Seeing Ryu looking so murderous, ready to wipe out entire families at a moment's notice, Roy desperately wanted to prove to others that he hadn't corrupted the Familia's atmosphere! But his defense felt incredibly weak...
"I don't know yet, but the timing is likely during the Monsterphilia two days from now," Roy said, shaking his head.
He observed Ryu's reaction. If Cassandra had told her this, Ryu likely wouldn't have believed it. It seemed that having a different person relay the information bypassed the "curse" of the prophetic dream. Of course, personality played a part too; Cassandra's lack of confidence and her constant crying about dreams made her hard to take seriously. If she carried herself with more authority and presented evidence, people might at least consider her words as a reference.
Ryu's lips parted slightly. "What can I do?"
"Fight and protect," Roy answered.
Ryu nodded firmly. She had lost her Familia once; she would never let history repeat itself. During the encounter with Amphisbaena, she had been willing to sacrifice herself to protect Roy and the others.
Knowing trouble was brewing, the group reduced their outings. Daphne and Cassandra, who were supposed to be training in the Dungeon, stayed in the courtyard to hone their skills. Lady Astraea did the same. Everyone could feel the tension of a gathering storm.
Why not just run? The logic was simple: if someone was plotting against them, they would strike eventually. Could they stay away from Orario forever? You can't guard against a thief for a thousand days. Moreover, knowing a disaster was coming, Astraea—the Goddess of Justice—would never sit idly by. During the Great Feud of the past, the Astraea Familia never fled. They weren't about to be scared off by unconfirmed intel now.
Roy searched his memories but couldn't find a corresponding event from the original timeline. If it were a simple Dungeon riot, there would be signs. He was certain this was a targeted strike. A grim smile touched his lips. If that was the case, he would make sure those people died during the Monsterphilia, clearing out every monster and ghost in the city.
With his mind made up, Roy left the Stardust Garden and headed for the Loki Familia's headquarters—Twilight Manor. Their bases were quite close, both in the northern district of Orario, separated only by a main street.
As Roy crossed the North Avenue, the Twilight Manor came into view. As one of the two strongest Familias in Orario, the Loki Familia was massive, with at least a thousand members. They had purchased a vast area and built luxury residences circling the main mansion, all enclosed by high walls.
Roy remembered coming here once before. Unfortunately, the sign "No Loiterers or Dogs Allowed" had kept him out. Back then, the guard had looked at him with disdain and tapped the sign... Now, the entrance was clear; that sign had presumably been tossed.
"Sprout of Justice?!"
As Roy approached the gate, the two guards jumped, staring at him warily. The "friction" between Roy and their Familia was common knowledge; they instinctively thought he was there to pick a fight. Against Roy, the "Strongest Level 3," they didn't dare lower their guard.
Seeing that even the gatekeepers were Level 2—backbones in any other Familia—Roy could only admire Loki's depth of power. He offered a friendly smile. "I'm here to see Captain Finn. Could you let him know?"
The guards exchanged glances. Had it been a nobody, they would have chased him off. "Please wait while we announce you!" One guard jogged into the main residence. Roy wasn't surprised; respect is earned through strength.
Two minutes later, the guard returned, his tone respectful. "Sprout of Justice, please follow me!"
Roy followed the guard, keeping his eyes forward and not wandering. While a base isn't entirely secret, wandering around would cause offense. The guard was clearly tasked with monitoring him.
Entering the main parlor, Roy finally met the legendary Captain of the Loki Familia.
"The Braver," Finn Deimne!
The most legendary Pallum of the age was a handsome, blonde youth with blue eyes. Standing only 119 cm tall, he gave off the aura of a giant. Though he looked like a boy, Finn was actually 38 years old. The Falna wasn't just a boost; it was an evolution that slowly pushed the body toward godhood, extending one's lifespan. As a Level 6, Finn could easily live two or three hundred years.
"Captain Finn, I've heard much of you," Roy said.
Finn sat on the sofa and nodded. "Lately, I've been hearing your name quite often as well."
Then, Finn did something that surprised Roy—he stood up and bowed. "I must apologize for one thing. That sign at the gate was a whim of our primary god. There was no true malice intended."
Roy looked at Finn in surprise. It was rare for the Captain of the strongest Familia to lower his head, as it concerned the pride of their entire house. If Nalan Yanran had possessed this attitude, things wouldn't have ended so poorly. The world isn't just about fighting; it's about social grace.
"It's in the past," Roy said, dismissing it. He hadn't been that angry; he'd seen worse from other Familias. Besides, that sign blocked high-level adventurers just as well. With Finn being so upfront, the matter was settled.
"Please, take a seat." Finn looked at Roy with interest. He had been tracking Roy's rise since he defeated Hyakinthos at Level 2. Meeting him in person allowed Finn to understand Roy even better.
Roy sat opposite him. Finn smiled. "Sprout of Justice, what brings you here?"
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Danmachi : Starting with an Elf (378 Chapter – Ongoing)
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