“You were looking for me?” “Yes, Fujimaru Ritsuka-san.” The moment Ritsuka stepped out of the magic elevator on the Tower of Babel’s upper commercial floors, he was approached by a member of the Ganesha Familia who had been waiting for him.
The person sent to find him was Niel Varma, the same woman who had questioned him when he first arrived in Orario.
“What do you need?” “Ganesha-sama has asked you to visit the upper floors.” The gods held their meetings above the Tower of Babel’s Thirtieth Floor.
Those levels also contained the halls they used for banquets and celebrations.
The floors below Thirty housed shops operated by various Familias.
Ritsuka was currently on the Thirtieth Floor, the highest level outside the gods’ domain and an ideal place to overlook every district in Orario.
Before Ritsuka could answer Niel’s invitation, Ryuu stepped in front of him and extended an arm between them.
“Why does Ganesha-sama want to see Ritsuka?” “Please don’t worry.
Ganesha-sama isn’t trying to cause trouble.” Understanding Ryuu’s concern, Niel hurriedly waved both hands.
“He wants to invite Fujimaru Ritsuka-san to join our military police.” “What?!” Ryuu’s eyes widened the moment she heard that.
“What does Ganesha-sama mean by that?
Is he trying to steal him?!” Ritsuka was a precious junior of the Astraea Familia.
Was Ganesha trying to take advantage of Astraea-sama’s absence and steal her Familia member?
Ryuu would never allow it!
Niel flinched beneath her glare and desperately shook her hands.
“No!
That isn’t what Ganesha-sama intends!” Ritsuka placed a hand on Ryuu’s shoulder.
“Calm down, Noel.
I’m not leaving the Astraea Familia.” He gently pulled Ryuu behind him before facing Niel himself.
“Explain exactly what kind of invitation this is.” “Your criticism of the military police yesterday reached Ganesha-sama.” “After considering your words, he deeply reflected upon our failures and decided that the military police needed reform.” “However, Ganesha-sama doesn’t know how we should change.” “Since you belong to the Astraea Familia, he would like you to join the military police as an adviser and help us carry out those reforms.” “Ganesha-sama didn’t blame me and wants to invite me instead?” Ritsuka looked somewhat surprised.
“I severed all eight robbers’ thumbs yesterday, ensuring they could never properly hold swords again.” Without thumbs on either hand, a person could no longer firmly grip anything.
For an adventurer, that was nearly the same as being permanently crippled.
What use was an adventurer who could not hold a weapon?
It was an extremely cruel punishment.
Ritsuka did not consider it excessive.
The moment those adventurers preyed upon newcomers to satisfy their greed, he had already stopped considering them worthy of being adventurers.
“According to military police regulations, what you did would normally count as administering punishment without authorization.” “However, those eight men attempted to rob you first.” “Ganesha-sama believes we have no right to criticize your response.” “Rather than condemning you, he considers improving Orario’s current situation far more important.” Ritsuka could not help admiring him.
The gods of Orario were notoriously selfish and temperamental, yet Ganesha had sincerely reflected on himself because of a rookie’s criticism.
That proved he genuinely wanted to accomplish something.
“Ganesha-sama is far more broad-minded than I expected.” “He has always wanted to serve the people.
That’s why he listened seriously to your criticism.” “The Astraea Familia was once Orario’s most beloved Familia among ordinary citizens.” “They continuously protected fairness and order throughout the city.” “Ganesha-sama believes that you, as a member of that Familia, must know how our military police should be reformed.” “So you only want me to serve as an adviser and help reorganize the military police.” “You’re not asking me to join the Ganesha Familia, correct?” “That’s correct.” “In that case, I accept the invitation.” “Thank you very much!” Niel immediately bowed deeply.
“Ganesha-sama is still presiding over the Denatus.
Today is one of the gods’ regular meeting days, so they should be in the middle of a lively discussion.” “You’ll need to wait until the Denatus ends.” “Then I’ll explore this floor with my friend for now.” “Understood.
I’ll find you once the meeting is nearly finished.” After saying goodbye to Niel, Ritsuka began touring the Tower of Babel’s Thirtieth Floor with Ryuu.
As they walked, Ryuu explained the tower’s layout, including which floors held particular stores and what products they sold.
However, her attention clearly was not on the explanation.
Ritsuka noticed the unease in her voice and questioned her.
“Noel, you seem distracted.” Having been seen through, Ryuu did not attempt to hide it.
“Ritsuka, why did you accept Ganesha-sama’s invitation?
What happens with the military police shouldn’t have anything to do with you.” “The military police themselves have nothing to do with me.” Ritsuka rubbed his chin.
“However, if I want to bring Astraea-sama’s justice to Orario, I’ll need people to help me.” “Since my senior isn’t here, I’ll have to rely on outsiders.” “The Ganesha Familia is the largest Familia in Orario, which makes it perfectly suited for that role.” “I never considered asking them before, but now they’ve approached me first.
I have no reason to reject them.” “That’s true.” Ryuu wore a bitter expression.
She understood that his reasoning was sound, yet she could not stop worrying.
“What exactly are you afraid of?” “I’m worried that if you spend too much time with the military police, you might forget that you belong to the Astraea Familia.” Her concern made Ritsuka laugh.
“Noel, I’m the actual member of the Astraea Familia.” “Why are you more anxious than I am?
You almost sound as though you belong to the Astraea Familia yourself.” “I’m only worried about you!” Ryuu hurriedly searched for an excuse.
“If you join the military police, you might become too busy to spend any time with me at the Familia residence!” Ritsuka froze briefly before smiling.
“So that’s what this is about.
Noel wants me to stay with her.” “Ah…
That…” Ryuu suddenly remembered that her public identity was merely an outsider.
Saying something like that could easily create a misunderstanding, so she hurriedly tried to explain.
“No!
That’s not what I meant!” “It isn’t?
Do you dislike me, Noel?” “No!
Of course I don’t dislike you!” “Then you enjoy having me around.” “Of course I—wait, no…
That isn’t…
Um…
Ah…
Well…” Ryuu’s face visibly turned crimson.
She looked as though she had been completely steamed, and Ritsuka could almost imagine heat rising from her head.
Seeing her panic, Ritsuka placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry.
I’ll never leave the Astraea Familia.” “I’m only going to advise the military police and supervise some of their future actions.” “As for the rest of my time…” Ritsuka leaned close to Ryuu’s long elven ear and whispered softly.
“I’ll make sure to spend plenty of it beside you.” …