Finn approached with a smile, his voice ringing out at just the right moment.
"An eye-opening battle indeed."
He reached the center of the field, his gaze sweeping over Solon and Ais before finally settling on the core members of the Astrea Familia.
"Captain Alise, Miss Ryuu, Miss Kaguya, and all members of the Astrea Familia," Finn said, his tone sincere and formal. "Today's exchange has shown us the caliber of your members, especially Mr. Solon."
He wore a meaningful expression, a look of calculation in his blue eyes. "If I may be so bold, I have a proposal..."
Finn's gaze sharpened slightly. "In light of recent signs of activity from the Evilus..."
"We hope to establish a cooperative relationship with the Astrea Familia. Not a formal alliance, but rather information sharing and emergency support," Finn continued. "Your Familia's ideals of justice align with our mission to protect Orario's safety. Furthermore, Mr. Solon's diverse abilities might prove unexpectedly useful in responding to sudden crises."
Beside him, Riveria added her support to Finn's words, expressing her clear affirmation of Solon's capabilities.
The proposal caused Alise's expression to turn serious. She looked toward the Goddess Astrea, who offered her a smile of encouragement. Partnering with a top-tier Familia was a rare and valuable opportunity.
"Captain Finn's proposal... well, we accept." Alise straightened her back, responding solemnly in her capacity as Captain. "We can discuss the specific details after the banquet. The Astrea Familia has always valued reliable allies, and the Loki Familia's reputation is one we trust."
"Much appreciated." Finn nodded with a smile, then his tone shifted to one of serious warning. "Additionally, there is one matter I must remind you all of. Recent reports from both the Guild and our own scouts show that the frequency of Evilus activity is on the rise. Those scum who worship evil gods seem to be plotting something again."
He lowered his voice slightly. "Valletta the Slaughterer, as well as the 'White-haired Ghost' Olivas—there have been sightings of them on the outskirts of Orario and in certain parts of the Dungeon."
"These individuals are insidious and unscrupulous. They particularly enjoy targeting groups like yours. Please, be absolutely vigilant. Exercise extra caution during your daily explorations and patrols. Avoid wandering alone or falling into traps."
At the mention of those two dangerous names, Ryuu's eyes instantly turned cold, and her hand moved instinctively toward the hilt of her blade. Alise's expression grew even more solemn.
"Thank you for the intelligence, Captain Finn," Ryuu responded on behalf of her Captain, her voice steady but carrying a distinct chill. "We will be careful. The Sword of Justice never fears the poisonous fangs in the shadows."
Finn gave a nod of respect and said no more. He knew the warning had been delivered; the rest was up to their own vigilance and response.
The banquet continued, though the atmosphere became somewhat nuanced under the impact of the exciting spar followed by such a grim topic.
An hour later, the Astrea Familia politely took their leave. Although Loki wanted to play a bit longer, she simply waved them off with a grin after a meaningful look from Finn and Riveria.
It was only after the figures of the Justice Familia vanished beyond the gates of the Twilight Manor that the seemingly relaxed atmosphere in the hall truly slackened.
Loki slumped back into her high-backed chair, legs crossed and one hand supporting her chin. Her cynical mask faded slightly, replaced by a look of contemplation.
"Finn, what do you think?" she asked lazily.
Finn walked to her side, his gentle smile replaced by the cold analytical gaze he used when breaking down a battlefield. "Massive potential. And... that wasn't his full strength," Finn said slowly. "Solon's magic and his growth rate both point toward a Skill we don't fully understand yet."
Riveria walked over as well, her beautiful face marked with doubt. "And those spells—effects so strange they are difficult to categorize. To be honest, I've never seen anything like them."
Gareth downed a gulp of ale, not thinking much of the mystery. Instead, he said in his booming voice, "I think he's a good lad. Smart enough, and his character seems solid. The Astrea Familia picked up a treasure, but they might have also picked up a hot potato."
Loki narrowed her scarlet eyes, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. "The Evilus have been making small moves constantly. If those bastards Valletta and Olivas are popping their heads out, it definitely means no good. Those 'Justice Idiots' are bound to be one of the primary targets. And that Solon kid, with how famous he is now, he'll probably be targeted too."
She looked at Finn. "Handle the cooperation as you see fit. Observe more and gather intel when the opportunity arises, but don't be too obvious about it. As for Astrea... she looks gentle, but she's not one to be messed with when she's protecting her fledglings. And regarding the Evilus..."
The corners of Loki's mouth curled into a cold smile. "Tell the members to be sharp. If they find any suspicious traces, report directly to the Guild and to us. The trash that needs clearing will be swept away sooner or later."
Ais stood quietly to the side, her amber eyes staring toward the training ground, still clutching the wooden sword. In her mind, she replayed every detail of the battle—the annoying webs, the flashes, the greasy floor, and the sudden strange sounds...
Faster... sharper...
She lowered her head quietly, the flame burning in her eyes named "Strength."
Court of Stars, late at night.
Soft moonlight filtered through the windows, spilling into the quiet hall. The returning members of the Familia sat together, enjoying a simple midnight snack prepared by Noin. The atmosphere was far more relaxed and comfortable than it had been at the Twilight Manor.
Goddess Astrea sat at the head of the table, holding a cup of clear tea, her gentle gaze sweeping over her children.
"Solon, what are your thoughts on today's exchange with the Loki Familia?" the Goddess asked softly.
Solon set down his cup and thought seriously for a moment. "The Loki Familia... is strong, and very shrewd," he said, choosing his words carefully. "Captain Finn is sharp and visionary. Miss Riveria has deep attainments and a thirst for knowledge regarding magic. Mr. Gareth gives me the impression of being honest and reliable. They are an efficient and powerful Iron Triangle. As for Ais... her talent and obsession are impressive."
He added, "As for the Goddess Loki, every word she speaks seems to have a deeper meaning. She definitely saw something, but she chose not to press for answers for now."
"Hmph, that squinty-eyed Goddess is definitely plotting something," Kaguya said, crossing her arms with a cold snort. "However, the Braver's proposal is practical enough. Limited cooperation with the Loki Familia offers more benefits than drawbacks. Their intelligence network and Dungeon exploration experience will be very useful to us."
Ryuu nodded, agreeing with Kaguya's assessment. "The Braver mentioned Evilus activity; we must take this seriously. Valletta and Olivas are extremely dangerous individuals with despicable methods. We must be extra cautious with our patrol routes and daily activities."
"Ugh, just thinking about those cockroaches hiding in the shadows is so annoying!" Alise tugged at her fiery red ponytail, though her eyes were serious. "I agree with the cooperation. It'll help us grow stronger and deal with the Evilus better!"
Lyra nibbled on a snack and gave her own evaluation of the Loki Familia. "Everyone in the Loki Familia seems pretty amazing. Master Finn is as handsome as ever—I'd almost want to marry him! But if we cooperate, we might learn a lot of things!"
Niz, Noin, Astrea, and the others all nodded, expressing an open attitude toward the cooperation while also worrying about the threat of the Evilus.
Astrea listened quietly to her children's discussion, her eyes filled with gratification. "You all make valid points," the Goddess said slowly, her voice warm. Then her tone grew solemn. "As for the Evilus... Finn's warning was very timely. Evil has never stayed far away. The appearance of Valletta and Olivas may herald a brewing storm."
The Goddess's gaze turned distant, seeing the dark undercurrents surging beneath Orario's night.
After everyone returned to their rooms, Solon lay in bed. He had reached Level 2, which meant he could now use third-tier spells.
The Evilus... Valletta... Olivas...
The "Seven Days of Death"—the terrorist attack initiated by the Evilus in the original story that caused nearly 30,000 deaths—hung in Solon's mind like the Sword of Damocles. Although the timeline seemed early—the Great Feud was still two years away—Finn's warning and the increasingly frequent activity of the Evilus made alarm bells ring in Solon's head.
He couldn't rely solely on his current spells. He needed enough items. Was there a way?
If he could permanently fix Shield onto Ryuu's light armor, attach Freedom of Movement to the soles of Alise's boots, or carve Protection from Evil and Good into amulets that Kaguya and the others could carry...
Once this thought appeared, it took root and spread quickly.
Perhaps... I really can try.
He would begin preparations tomorrow, starting by observing the magic swords and enchanted equipment on the market. He needed to understand the crafting logic of this world and then combine it with his own system. Materials, tools, experimental space—all of these required a plan.
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Danmachi: My Magic Style is Different from Yours (79 Chapters – Ongoing)
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