After dinner, everyone went about their own tasks.
With the expedition over, there was still plenty to handle. Although the magic stone fragments had been sold, there were still monster materials and various resources obtained from the Dungeon to process.
To repay Roy, the adventurers had gifted them nearly half of the gemstones found beneath the Jewel Tree.
Ryuu needed to sort through the materials—those that looked good but were practically useless would be sold for money, while anything suitable for forging weapons or armor would be kept.
For example, the dragon liver of the Floor Boss, Amphisbaena.
As long as its vitality was preserved, it could continuously produce a special fuel—an invaluable material coveted by blacksmiths.
It could fetch at least ten million valis.
Adventurers would need to defeat Amphisbaena over a dozen times just for a chance to obtain a dragon liver.
Thanks to the Development Ability Adventure, Roy's Luck had greatly increased. He managed to obtain one on his first attempt—one could say it was a kind of beginner's protection period.
Daphne and Cassandra stayed by Ryuu's side, learning foundational knowledge. Opportunities like this were rare. Orario had no formal schools—knowledge was passed down from senior adventurers generation by generation.
Roy handed the dragon liver and dragon scales to Ryuu for handling, then went to Goddess Astraea's room and knocked on her door.
"Lady Astraea, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
At the sound of his voice, Astraea opened the door.
She had just finished bathing and was dressed casually, revealing skin as smooth as polished jade, faintly glistening. Her soft and delicate beauty carried a subtle charm. Her features were exquisite, like something carved from marble; her slender neck elegant and graceful. Her deep blue eyes were clear and pure, without the slightest impurity.
A pleasant fragrance drifted toward him. For a brief moment, Roy was stunned.
Astraea smiled. "What is it?"
"Cough! Cough!" Roy cleared his throat and regained his composure before following her inside.
It wasn't his first time there. The goddess's room leaned toward a mature style, with a hint of soft pink girlish charm.
"About this expedition—"
Roy took a deep breath and recounted everything that had happened: the damaged wall, the enhanced mermaids created by Freya Familia, and the concealment of the information that the Floor Boss, Amphisbaena, had not yet been defeated.
As she listened, the smile gradually faded from Astraea's face. A faint, icy killing intent surfaced beneath her gentle expression.
There was not a single lie in Roy's words.
To think her own familia member had been so thoroughly schemed against—Astraea's mood plummeted.
Did they think she was some powerless, fragile goddess? To carry out "justice" required force.
In the heavens, she had been one of the few goddesses who personally took up a sword and cut down other gods.
The oath of Astraea Familia was: "We swear upon the Sword and Wings of Justice!"
The Sword of Justice came before the Angelic Wings—punishment before salvation.
When she looked at Roy again, her gaze softened. Even in such peril, he had brought everyone back alive and even defeated the Floor Boss—far exceeding her expectations.
Moreover, he had not acted first and reported later, like when dealing with Apollo Familia in the past.
Instead, he had opened his heart to her. That alone filled Astraea with quiet delight.
It felt as though she was witnessing Roy's growth firsthand, and her eyes grew increasingly gentle.
"What do you intend to do?"
"I want to deal with Goddess Freya."
Roy answered without hesitation.
A trace of helplessness appeared on Astraea's beautiful face. As expected of someone who had awakened the skill Blood for Blood—he could not tolerate the slightest loss.
If struck once, he would strike back.
Even if the opponent was the patron deity of Orario's strongest familia, the gap between them immeasurable.
Even when Alise and the others were still alive, they would have had no chance against Freya Familia.
Roy added meaningfully, "Lady Astraea, I want to deal with Goddess Freya—not Freya Familia."
Astraea's heart trembled.
To most people, the two seemed inseparable. In truth, they were not.
"It seems you already have a plan. You're not blinded by anger," she said with quiet admiration. No matter the situation, Roy could remain calm—that was one of his finest qualities.
"Then what do you need from me?"
"If Goddess Freya wishes to see me, please stop her. I cannot meet her directly."
Roy's expression turned wary. Once Freya activated her divine charm of beauty, no secrets, conspiracies, or schemes could be hidden from her.
Astraea shot him a look.
So that was why he hadn't acted first and reported later—he needed her to block Freya.
That would not be easy.
Though Freya's divine power was sealed in the lower world, she could still use her Authority.
Her Authority of Beauty was among the highest in the heavens. And Freya stood apart even among the many goddesses of beauty. Any child of the lower world who so much as glanced at her—or even merely caught her scent—would be charmed.
Her "beauty" transcended vision itself. Even the blind would fall under her spell.
If Freya were to fully unleash her Authority, even the great god Uranus would be unable to resist.
When the gods still resided in heaven, they feared the chaos a beauty goddess might cause. They would usually assign an uncharmed virgin goddess to remain by her side as a monitor.
Freya's Authority of Beauty was even more potent. Only three great virgin goddesses could restrain her.
Athena and Artemis were not in Orario, and Hestia had not yet descended.
If Freya chose to overturn the table and seize control of all Orario, no one could stop her.
Should matters escalate to that point, everything would lose meaning. Any scheme would be crushed beneath the chariot named "Authority of Beauty."
But that did not mean Astraea was afraid.
As a goddess in the lower world, she might indulge herself, might act freely—but she would never know fear.
"Do as you intend. That is your justice," Astraea said with a smile, her deep blue eyes seeming to see straight through Roy.
"Thank you, Lady Astraea."
He did not reveal the details of his plan. If she knew too much, Freya might detect deception. Ignorance made it easier to act.
Besides, without knowing any specifics, she still supported him unconditionally in such a reckless endeavor.
In all of Orario, which god possessed such resolve?
When night fell—
Roy put on the Phantom Mask.
It resembled the transformation glasses used by Ultraman Zero, but its color was a deep iron-black, spreading outward like wings.
The moment he wore it, he looked into the mirror.
His figure became distorted and blurred, as though covered by mosaic.
Even his voice changed.
And when he cast magic—when lightning surged from his hand—it too became warped, perceived instead as flames, flowing water, raging wind, or other phenomena entirely.