On the surface, the Astraea familia was unusually absent from patrolling the city streets. Instead, they could be seen at their home getting in some much needed rest & relaxation. There was the occasional group that left the house with their goddess, but it was just a few members at a time. The optics looked as if the children were guarding Astraea, but in reality, this was Astraea's way of showing affection… one of the many ways, a date of sorts, in the city.
"Hey you guys think something happened in the dungeon this time?" An adventurer asked with a worried expression.
"I don't know man, but it is the dungeon after all." Another adventurer sighed, slamming back a mug of ale.
"True… I wonder if our waitress has heard any rumors about it?" The first man sighed. "It is the dungeon, you think someone died?"
"It's possible. Astraea familia's members are all powerful adventurers who fought off Alfia the Silence. They can't be compared to normal people like us… Even so, the dungeon is no picnic, that's for sure."
"Don't be like that Mord, you're not normal, you leveled up, remember that. It is not the norm… At least, not anymore. Ever since those two familias left, remaining level 1 is the norm. So take pride in the fact you leveled up, doing so without the aid of constantly being tested by their members."
"Tsk, you're right, but… It just doesn't feel right." Mord grumbled, growing a little less annoyed once the waitress brought another ale. "Ah, you always know exactly what a man wants, thanks Syr!"
"Awe, thank you." Syr smiled. I wonder what happened in the dungeon… "You were saying something about Lady Astraea right?" Her smile somehow seemed to get brighter.
"Oh, uh, not her. I wouldn't dare talk about a goddess behind their back." Mord blushed from Syr's infectious smile.
"Miss, Mord's drunk now. Could you stop teasing him?"
"Oh no! I'm sorry, I thought you were talking about something interesting."
"Well, yeah, Astraea familia's been acting weird ever since they returned. They have never done this, not even during the Great Feud." The man said, then shut his mouth with his ale.
"That's right, they were quite a bit bolder back then. Now they're staying inside as if they'd suffered something crazy in the dungeon. Maybe they saw a new floor boss? Or something else. I almost want to ask them, but their vice captain is terrifying." Mord said, knocking back his replacement ale.
"Oh my! That must have been scary. I've heard those are huge monsters." Syr gasped, covering her mouth with a hand.
"Yeah, I've seen Goliath up close and personal… The thing's legs are taller than this tavern. It has a roar that rattles the bones, and shakes your soul."
"Eek!" Syr feigned a shriek, bringing her serving tray to cover her face, then peeked over top. "They sound super scary, you must be strong to fight it."
"Strong? Why yes, I guess I am." Mord started laughing, not noticing the death glares from the few other waitresses, and especially the owner.
"Oh shut it Mord, you took one hit and were thrown across the room, into a wall." The other man's verbal jab stuck right into Mord like a dagger.
"GET BACK TO WORK!" Mia shouted, Syr shrieked, and went right back to working.
…
"Ottar, have Hedin go to the guild, tell them I demand the full report on what happened to the Astraea familia."
"As you wish my lady…"
…
A few days later, Alise and the rest of the Astraea familia were back to their usual routine, however, they had a different air surrounding them. It was as if they'd become harder than before, more focused, and serious. Thankfully, this change didn't completely remove their unique personalities, rather those were enhanced quite a bit.
…
In Freya familia's home, Folkvangr, Freya sat upon her throne, reading the report Hedin managed to wrangle out from the guild's hands. She crossed her left leg over her right. Slowly sipping wine. All of her executives, and captain were standing on either side of a red carpet leading up to her throne. Then she finished.
"Ottar, I did say to get the full report, correct?" Freya asked, in a tone ever so slightly different from her normal easy going tone.
"Yes, you did, my lady."
"Hedin, did Ottar relay my order properly to you?"
"Yes, he did, Lady Freya. This is what the guild claims is the full report. I pressed them more than usual to make sure."
"Hmm, then it seems Royman has grown a pair. About time, don't you think?"
"A little late. Tsk." Allen clicked.
""Agreed!"" Everyone said with a narrow expression at the displeasure of Royman's past inaction, and indecisiveness.
"Well, there's quite a lot missing from this report. If this is really what happened, Astraea's girls wouldn't have changed this much. Maybe I should charm one of them?"
"If I may, perhaps Lord Ganesha has the answer? He and his captain were with Lady Astraea the day her familia returned."
"Hogni, go and see if you can get along with Ganesha, see if he has some answers for us."
"On my knight's honor, my lady! I shall follow through on your order, crossing through flames, and torrents…"
"Right, good boy." Freya smiled, shutting Hogni up instantly. "Allen, go see if there's anything going on down on this floor."
"Yes Milady!"
"Wait…" Freya's senses were firing off with terrible speed. "Hedin, go with Allen, and just in case, take Heith along with you."
Everyone looked shocked by such an order.
"Milady, may I ask you, what exactly do you expect us to find down there?" Hedin asked, fixing his glasses.
"I don't expect anything, only suspect, there's not enough information. But I know if it is there, it's not something either of you can handle alone."
"I see, we will be careful."
"Everyone else, look for opportunities to get a bit of information."
…
The next day, Twilight Manor…
"Damn it, what the hell is this report supposed to be?!" Loki exclaimed.
"I had the same thoughts." Finn said, crossing his fingers.
"You've got an idea?"
"Yeah, it's a cover up, something that the guild doesn't want us to be aware of." Finn explained.
"Whatever it is, it's enough to get Freya all up in arms about it." Loki scratched her hair in quick fashion.
"Loki, would you mind writing an invitation for Lady Astraea?"
"Huh? You want to ask her directly?"
"The best source of information is the source, is it not? She'll come with one of her members, and you can see if she's hiding things that way."
"Got it."
…