“Have you heard?” “Heard what?” “The Astraea Familia is back!” “Huh?
What’s that?” “You’ve never heard of the Astraea Familia?” “Oh, I only came to Orario two years ago.” “No wonder.
I’ve been here for seven years.
Let me tell you, the Astraea Familia used to be a huge deal in Orario.” Inside the Hostess of Fertility, adventurers exchanged the latest information they had gathered.
With no internet or television, news could only spread through letters and face-to-face conversations.
Taverns naturally became one of the most popular places to exchange information.
Today’s news was far more exciting than usual.
“Excuse me!” A pale-green-haired elven waitress suddenly appeared beside the table.
She stared seriously at the customers who had been discussing the rumor.
“D-Did you need something?” The two customers were startled by her sudden appearance and looked at her nervously.
Realizing she had been somewhat rude, the elven girl suppressed her anxiety and asked in a serious tone.
“You mentioned the Astraea Familia just now.
Has something happened to them?” Once they realized she only wanted information, the two men relaxed.
The Chienthrope adventurer who had been telling the story smiled.
“Well, the Astraea Familia disappeared from Orario five years ago.
Goddess Astraea also left the city, and no one knew where she went.” “But today, a young man claiming to belong to the reborn Astraea Familia arrived in Orario!” “The reborn Astraea Familia?” “That’s right.” The Chienthrope wore a mysterious smile.
“Can you guess what he did?” “What did he do?” Anticipation filled the elf’s eyes.
“You know about the bandits who’ve been robbing newcomers outside Orario for the past two years, right?” “The Ganesha Familia’s military police even posted a notice at the Guild, asking anyone with information to report it.
But they could never find the gang.” “Today, the Ganesha Familia issued a new announcement.
The entire gang was wiped out—all eleven members, with no survivors!” The Chienthrope spread his arms and gestured dramatically as he spoke.
“And the one who eliminated all eleven was a newcomer claiming to be a member of the reborn Astraea Familia!” “Seriously?
Was he a powerful Level Three or Level Four adventurer?” Customers at the nearby tables turned toward the Chienthrope, eager to hear more.
“No, no, no!” The Chienthrope raised a finger and waved it at the crowd.
“I already said he was a newcomer.
Of course he’s Level One!” “You’ve got to be joking!
A Level One defeated eleven people alone?” “Wasn’t that bandit gang made up of adventurers?
That was why the Ganesha Familia’s military police could never catch them.” “That’s right!
He isn’t Level Two or anything higher.
He’s just a Level One!” “Is that guy some kind of monster?” The adventurers were shocked by this mysterious newcomer, but their curiosity quickly grew alongside that amazement.
“This is incredible.” “Wasn’t the last monster newcomer the Sword Princess from the Loki Familia?” “Right.
She became Level Five faster than anyone else and is Loki’s most treasured child.” “Now things are getting interesting.
I wonder whether this new Level One monster can surpass the Sword Princess and set another record.” “Hahaha!
Orario is about to become lively again!” The adventurers laughed while discussing the monstrous rookie who had just arrived in Orario.
While they talked, the elven waitress quietly slipped into the tavern’s kitchen.
“Manager.” “What is it?” A muscular, middle-aged woman nearly six feet tall looked curiously at the elf.
“I’d like to take some time off and go out.” “Go ahead.
We aren’t too busy right now.
Just be careful, and stay away from any dangerous areas!” “Thank you.” After receiving permission, the elf hurried back to her room.
She changed into an outfit that concealed her identity, took a wooden sword, and left the Hostess of Fertility.
This elven girl was Ryuu Lion, the only survivor of the Astraea Familia’s massacre.
She was a Level Four adventurer bearing the alias Gale—and the senior of Fujimaru Ritsuka, the Astraea Familia’s newest member.
After years of silence, Ryuu had finally heard news of a new member of her former Familia.
As his senior, she could no longer remain still.
She had to meet this newcomer.
Goddess Astraea had never shown any intention of returning to Orario over the years.
Ryuu had mistakenly believed that Astraea despised and abandoned her.
Burdened by guilt and self-loathing, she had never dared to seek out the goddess herself.
Now, a member of the reborn Astraea Familia had finally appeared in Orario.
Ryuu desperately wanted to meet him and learn how Astraea and the new Familia felt about her.
After asking around, she discovered where Fujimaru Ritsuka had gone.
The Dungeon!
Immediately after arriving in Orario, the newcomer had been taken to the Ganesha Familia’s military police office for eliminating an eleven-member bandit gang composed of adventurers.
After questioning him, the military police found him innocent and released him.
Ritsuka then rushed straight to the Guild, registered as an adventurer, grabbed his identification, and charged into the Dungeon as though he could not wait another second.
When Ryuu learned that he had entered the Dungeon alone, she hurried after him.
She had seen far too many newcomers underestimate the Dungeon, venture inside alone, and end up gravely wounded—or dead.
A precious new member of the Astraea Familia had finally come to Orario.
As his senior, she had to ensure his safety!
After entering the Dungeon, Ryuu immediately began searching floor by floor.
First Floor.
Nothing!
Second Floor.
Nothing!
Third Floor.
Nothing!
Fourth Floor.
Still nothing!
After searching four floors without finding Ritsuka, Ryuu became increasingly anxious.
She never expected her Familia’s newcomer to enter the rookie-killer zone during his first trip into the Dungeon!
The first four floors could generally be explored alone by beginners.
From the Fifth Floor onward, however, the monsters became too dangerous for most new adventurers to handle alone.
Exploring solo could easily lead to death, earning the area its grim nickname.
Ryuu rushed into the Fifth Floor but still found no trace of him.
When she reached the Sixth Floor, she finally spotted her Familia’s newcomer.
Messy black hair, a white knight’s uniform, and the Astraea Familia’s standard short white cape draped over his left shoulder.
There was no mistake.
It was him.
Joy appeared on Ryuu’s face when she finally found him.
That joy lasted less than a second.
A swarm of large Killer Ants was chasing Fujimaru Ritsuka, forcing him farther down a passage until he became trapped in a dead end.
Seeing the unarmed Ritsuka surrounded and in danger, Ryuu hurriedly reached for her wooden sword and prepared to charge forward.
Before she could move, her Familia’s newcomer suddenly gritted his teeth and rushed directly at the Killer Ants.
The moment he reached them, he exploded!
He!
Exploded!
Ryuu stood completely frozen, one hand still gripping her wooden sword.