Just then, Ryu, who had stayed quiet all along, offered her thoughts.
“The best approach is to schedule shifts.”
“Starting tomorrow, we will arrange for at least two members each day to personally escort them into the dungeon.”
“We will handle any dangerous monsters, while they engage in real combat with opponents suited to their strength under our watch.”
Ryu looked toward Alise and Kaguya.
“Those of us at level three can take turns leading the team.”
“This guarantees their safety while providing them with the most effective practical experience.”
“Sounds great to me!” Iska agreed right away, but her tone shifted as a teasing grin spread across her face, turning her gaze on Kaguya.
“Though if we are talking about personal bodyguards, one person clearly fits the role best.”
“Kaguya should just drop everything else and focus solely on protecting Mizuki!”
Neze chimed in, shouting in amusement, “Exactly! A fiancée protecting her fiancé, it is completely natural and entirely justified!”
“What kind of nonsense are you idiots spewing?” Kaguya’s face turned beet red, and she pushed herself up from her seat.
“Who wants to protect him? Doesn’t he have his own two hands and feet?”
“Come on, Kaguya, don’t be shy,” Alise chimed in with a bright smile.
“This is for the future of our familia, so consider it early practice for married life!”
Before Kaguya could snap back, Celty spoke up with genuine concern.
“What about our patrols and watch duties?”
“Evilus has been making a lot of suspicious moves lately, and several workshops have already been targeted.”
“We are already short on hands. If we split our team like this, our numbers on the streets will drop even lower.”
A heavy quiet settled over the room.
Everyone had simply been carried away by the sheer potential of the new skill.
They were a familia upholding justice in Orario, and they could never let evilus gain ground just for personal convenience.
Alise pondered for a moment, then offered a warm smile.
“It is fine. I will just push a little harder, cut back on sleep, and help Mizuki and Haruhime without falling behind on investigations.”
“I can cut back on sleep too.”
“Same here. We will just find a way to manage both.”
For the familia, helping Mizuki and Haruhime grow meant a massive boost to their future fighting power.
Yet, none of them could afford to neglect their current duties.
They refused to compromise on the present or the future.
After listening quietly from the sidelines, Mizuki finally spoke.
“Everyone, please wait a moment.”
He met the eyes of every girl in the room, his expression full of heartfelt gratitude.
“I know all of you are doing this for Haruhime and me, and we truly appreciate it.”
“I am more than willing to accept help, and I know I will need your guidance and support.”
“However, I refuse to be coddled like a helpless infant.”
“Orario is in the middle of a crisis. Even if Haruhime and I reach level three with everyone babysitting us along the way…”
“What happens when we finally have to face evilus on our own?”
“A flower raised in a greenhouse cannot survive the violent storms of the real world.”
Mizuki spoke with quiet resolve.
He appreciated their care, but excessive pampering would only ruin him. Find the original chapter at g.com.
In times this dangerous, asking Alise and the others to sacrifice their rest just to babysit him was completely unacceptable.
Besides, he had his own system to rely on.
He was never going to be a burden in the first place.
“My skill offers strong support to my allies, but have you already forgotten my swordplay?”
Mizuki raised two fingers like a blade, executing a clean, sharp motion through the air.
Ryu’s calm voice cut in.
“He is right.”
She looked around the room before settling her gaze on Mizuki.
“Mizuki is no ordinary novice adventurer.”
“Have you forgotten?”
“Earlier today, before he even received his falna, he bested Kaguya in a contest of pure sword technique.”
Ryu turned to Kaguya, her tone cool and collected.
“Do you truly believe he needs to be looked after like a child?”
Every pair of eyes shifted toward Kaguya.
Kaguya felt words choke in her throat, unable to find a single counterargument.
What was left to say?
Argue back?
She was utterly exhausted from arguing.
Taking a deep breath, she threw up her hands in defeat.
“Fine, do whatever you want!”
“I am done dealing with you terrible friends.”
Alise clapped her hands together, pulling everyone’s focus back to her.
“All right! Since we are all on the same page, here is the plan!”
“Today is an exception. Ryu, Neze, and I need to head out immediately for investigation and patrol duties.”
“So, Mizuki and Haruhime, your task for today is to visit the Guild and finish your adventurer registration.”
“If you decide to enter the dungeon afterward, you must stay strictly on the first floor. Understood?”
Mizuki gave a firm nod.
“Understood.”
“Excellent.”
Alise nodded with satisfaction, then locked her eyes onto Kaguya with a mischievous grin.
“Which means, Kaguya…”
The corners of Alise’s mouth curved upward playfully.
“You will escort Mizuki and Haruhime to the Guild. On the way, make sure to give them a proper briefing on Guild procedures, dungeon basics, and everything they need to watch out for on each floor.”
Kaguya blurted out instinctively, “Why me?”
All she received in return was Alise’s knowing smirk, accompanied by cheeky winks from Iska and Neze.
Kaguya immediately caught on.
“Save your breath.”
“I get it.”
Alise snapped her fingers cheerfully.
“Bingo! You got it!”
Spinning around to face the entire group, Alise spread her arms wide and projected her voice so every corner of the manor could hear.
“All right, everyone!”
“A brand-new day full of justice and hope begins now for the Astraea Familia! Let us do our routine and get moving!”
“Do we really have to do that every single time?” Iska grumbled under her breath, scratching her cheek in embarrassment.
“It is so awkward, I can never get used to it.”
Ryu’s composed voice came from beside her, tinged with mild resignation.
“Rest assured, I feel the same way.”
Despite their mild protests, Alise’s enthusiasm remained unshakeable, determined to carry out the familia’s signature ritual.
She dashed forward, grabbing Mizuki and Haruhime, who were still trying to process what was happening, and pulled them into the formation.
All twelve girls gathered alongside Mizuki under Alise’s lead.
Standing front and center, Alise let her brilliant red ponytail sway through the air.
She raised one hand toward the sky with utter conviction.
She began to recite the anthem of justice, the sacred pledge and proof of their bond under Astraea.
“Fulfill our duty, guide the scales of balance, until the day we become the stars!”
“Cut through the sky, leave the footprints of the stars upon the earth!”
“We swear upon the sword and wings of justice!”
“We swear upon the sword and wings of justice!”
Following Alise’s lead, Mizuki and Haruhime joined in the chorus.
At the top of the stairs, Astraea, the goddess of justice, watched over her children with gentle affection.
On this day, two more voices had joined their sacred oath.
The members quickly scattered to begin their respective patrols and investigations.
Soon, only Mizuki, Haruhime, and a deeply reluctant Kaguya remained in the main hall.
Arms crossed, her expression cold and distant, Kaguya gave Mizuki a sidelong glance.
“Let us go.”
Without waiting, she turned and marched toward the manor’s entrance.
The hem of her kimono swayed gracefully with each stride, full of elegance.
Haruhime looked up at Mizuki with an anxious expression, whispering softly, “Lord Mizuki, is Lady Kaguya angry with us?”
“She is not angry, just stubborn.”
Mizuki chuckled, gently taking Haruhime’s hand as they hurried after her.
“Hey, wait up!”
Ahead of them, Kaguya’s posture stiffened noticeably, yet rather than slowing down, she picked up her pace.
Mizuki brought Haruhime along in a quick jog, closing the distance until he leaned close to Kaguya’s ear.
“Why are you walking so fast? Are you worried I might bite?”
“Who… who is worried about you?”
Feeling the warmth of his breath, Kaguya took a wide side step to put distance between them, quickly trying to change the subject.