After a great deal of hardship, we finally reached Orario.
"We finally made it."
"So that's Orario?"
"Yeah. It should be."
The Babel Tower, which seemed to pierce the very heavens, was a landmark found only in Orario.
"Now that we've arrived, what do you plan to do, Aiz?"
"I want to get stronger."
"Then joining a Familia would be your best bet..."
A Familia is a group formed by a god who has descended to the lower world and the followers who receive Falna from them. In Orario, most are adventurer groups that delve into the Dungeon, but there are many others: merchant guilds, artisan circles of blacksmiths and potion makers, medical associations, and agricultural or fishing cooperatives.
However, most gods are eccentric.
"Let's head inside first."
"Okay."
After handing the gatekeeper the pass I had prepared in advance, we entered the city. Once inside, the Babel Tower, the symbol of Orario, asserted its presence even more overwhelmingly.
"..."
"..."
"Should I... help you find a Familia?"
"Yes."
Unlike me, who at least had some basic knowledge, Aiz seemed to have no information about Orario at all.
"For now... should we try the Loki Familia first?"
According to the information I'd obtained by offering Ares a few magic swords, the presiding deity of the Loki Familia, Loki, was apparently a perverted old man—or rather, a perverted personality—who loved women.
Still, they said he cherished his children deeply, so... could I really trust that?
"Aiz. Could you put off joining a Familia for a little while?"
"...Why?"
"I can't just send you off to some strange place."
"...All right."
"I'd like to join your Familia."
I visited the Hephaistos Familia, located within the Babel Tower, accompanied by Aiz.
I went straight to the counter and made my request, but—
"Go home. A brat like you isn't allowed in here."
I was rejected immediately.
But that was exactly what I expected.
"Could you take a look at this for a moment?"
I produced a mangauche I had crafted in Lacia, engraved with a motif of blazing flames, and showed it to the clerk.
"...I'll go get the Goddess. I'll borrow this for a second."
"Perfect."
Looking completely flustered, the employee hurried off.
About two minutes later, a red-haired goddess appeared, holding the mangauche I had created.
"Did you make this?"
"I did. Is there a problem?"
"No problem at all. Other than the fact that it's remarkably well-made for a child."
For the record, that wasn't a magic sword.
"So, may I join?"
"...Fine. I'll allow it."
"Thank you, Goddess."
"Is the girl beside you your sister?"
Aiz was hiding behind me, peering cautiously at Hephaistos.
"Well... something like that. Could you help me find a suitable Familia for her to join?"
"...Wait here a moment."
"Thank you for granting my request."
"It's nothing. She's the sister of someone who will become my child; it's only right that I look after her."