I'm in a mess, starting with a meteor shower!

"As long as I remain firm in my stance, we can continue to engage in this entanglement for a while longer."

"Because dragging it out for a while won't do any good. Those who want to challenge will still challenge. The conflicts between us and other clans can't be resolved in a short time. In the end, they'll all apply to the guild for war games. Since they'll apply for war games sooner or later, let's just let them start challenging us. Besides, dragging it out for too long can cause things to change, especially since Apollo is much weaker than Ishtar. Since we're going to accept the challenge, let's pick a weak one first."

"So, that's why you immediately accepted Apollo's challenge, to prevent Ishtar from getting there first?"

Astrea understood what Fujimaru Ritsuka meant.

“That’s right, and I agreed readily. I can also set some conditions, such as the one-time challenge per month as Ganesha said.”

"Isn't a one-month interval too short?"

"A month's interval is enough. By the time they come later, they won't dare to issue any more challenges."

In just one month, Fujimaru Ritsuka had made another significant improvement.

Fujimaru Ritsuka's system reacted when Apollo launched a war game against him.

[Special Achievement: War Game - Apollo]

This is a great opportunity delivered right to her doorstep; Fujimaru Ritsuka has no choice but to agree.

I originally thought that after leveling up, I would continue to train in the dungeon and then run the next system dungeon, but Apollo delivered the dungeon to me by himself.

The previous achievement rewarded 30 stones. The Apollo achievement should also reward 30 stones, right?

With the stones from the dungeon, I should be able to do a few 10-pulls in a short time, right?

Since we're both going to be doing dungeons, I'll definitely go after you, Apollo, you noob!

Compared to other Familias, the Apollo Familia is not considered strong. In Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes, among the Familias she was more familiar with, the Apollo Familia ranked last.

The Soma Familia, whose members are all just coasting along, is at the very bottom of the hierarchy. And even the leader of the Apollo Familia is only LV3.

In Orario, LV3 is considered the second-tier adventurer among advanced adventurers, representing the backbone of Orario.

But in Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes, this was far from enough.

Moreover, war games also require preparation time; the venue preparation alone will take up to three days.

Therefore, during this preparation period.

"Come on, Astrea, let's go see my lovely senior now."

Book 1: 81. Oh, this is the goddess Astrea.

The generous mistress, Ryu, was standing by the sink in the back kitchen, expressionless as she continuously washed dishes.

Not long ago, she heard news that Fujimaru Ritsuka and the goddess Astrea had returned to Orario and held a divine meeting at the Tower of Horrors to decide on matters concerning Fujimaru Ritsuka.

Ever since she heard the news, Ryu has been very worried.

On the day the curtain of heaven fell, Seele told her that when Fujimaru Ritsuka returned to Orario, she would definitely be punished by the Grim Reaper.

Right now, on the Tower of Babel, Lady Astrea should be arguing with the juvenile M.

Ryu's heart was filled with worry about Ritsuka's fate and the potential friction between her and other clans.

She wanted to do something, but as a wanted criminal, she couldn't do anything.

As a member of Astrea's family, she was powerless to help, and as a senior member of Ritsuka's family, she was equally helpless.

She felt like she couldn't do anything.

This plunged me into deep guilt once again.

"You should be about done by now."

Aunt Mia, who had agreed to work in the back kitchen, couldn't stand it anymore and yelled at us.

"How long have you been scrubbing that plate? If you keep scrubbing like that, you'll scrub it to pieces."

Aunt Mia's yelling snapped Ryu out of her guilt. Looking at Mia standing beside her with her arms crossed and a speechless expression, she quickly apologized.

"Manager... I'm so sorry, I'll go pack the rest right away."

"You don't need to clean up. What can you clean up in the state you are in? Don't end up damaging my tables and chairs."

Mia immediately stopped Ryu; she figured it was better to leave her there and let her daze on her own.

Just as the two were at an impasse, Seele walked in from outside.

"What's wrong, manager?"

"She's spacing out again."

Mia nodded her chin at Liu, who was looking down, and gave a simple explanation to Seele.

Seele immediately understood what was wrong with Ryu when she saw her condition. After all, Ryu was usually very capable, but she was different when it came to the Astrea Familia.

Seeing Liu's withdrawn state, Xi'er also spoke up to comfort her.

"Ryu, don't worry. Goddess Astrea has returned with you. With Goddess Astrea here, there won't be any problems."

Although she wanted Fujimaru Ritsuka and Ryu to join the Freya Familia together, now was not the time to speak ill of them. It was just the Apollo Familia; she didn't think Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't handle it, so she wanted to give Ryu hope.

"I know, but I'm still worried."

"Since you're worried, then help them secretly."

"Secret assistance?"

Liu looked at Xi'er with curiosity.

"How can I help?"

Ah...."

"This is it! This is it!"

Just as Seele was about to say something, her words were drowned out by the sounds outside; Fujimaru Ritsuka had arrived.

"It's this lavish lady of the house."

"Ritsuka, you don't need to be so excited about this shop. After all, I knew about it before you did."

Behind Fujimaru Ritsuka was Astrea.

After leaving the Tower of Babel, the two of them went together to the land of the wealthy mistress.

Ryu was anxious when she heard Fujimaru Ritsuka's voice. She wanted to check if Fujimaru Ritsuka was alright, but when she heard Astrea's voice behind her, she was completely stunned.

Lady Astrea has come to pamper the mistress? Then... what am I supposed to do!?

Ryu didn't know what to do at first and instinctively wanted to run away, but Fujimaru Ritsuka had already walked into the store and greeted Ryu directly.

"Oh! It's perfect that you're here. My lady Astrea is here. Let me introduce you to her."

As Fujimaru Ritsuka spoke, she walked over to Ryu, put her hand on Ryu's shoulder, and pushed Ryu away.

Liu, who was originally planning to run away, was dumbfounded and quickly tried to dissuade him.

"No... Ritsuka... wait a minute."

However, Fujimaru Ritsuka remained silent, simply pushing Ryu forward.

"Come, come, Lady Astrea, this is the good friend I made after I came to Orario that I told you about."

As soon as Fujimaru Ritsuka finished speaking, Ryu froze, because she had been pushed in front of Astrea.

Astrea stared at Ryu. Although her hair color had changed and her hair was shorter, Astrea recognized Ryu at a glance, since Ryu's face hadn't changed at all.

"So this is the good friend you were talking about."

"Yes, she's very, very good to me."

Astraea's gaze was incredibly gentle as she smiled and looked at Ryu, waiting for her to speak. Ryu looked at Astraea, who was gazing at her with such tenderness, and her eyes began to well up with tears.

"what...."

"By the way, she's from the Artemis Familia, and she's a newcomer like me."

Fujimaru Ritsuka's timely reminder caused Ryu, who was about to speak, to freeze in mid-air. She stiffened completely, as if a tape had jammed, and kept repeating what she was saying while looking at Astrea.

"Ah...ah..."

Astrea glanced helplessly at Fujimaru Ritsuka, who was smirking, finding her mischievousness amusing.

But on the surface, she chose to go along with what Fujimaru Ritsuka said.

"I see. You are from the Artemis Familia."

The originally gentle tone turned into a resentful one.

"Such a good child, I wish he were my family."

The expression on her face changed from gentle to disappointed, making her look so pitiful.

Ryu, who was still holding the cassette tape, immediately panicked when she saw the expression on Astrea's face.

"Uh...no...I'm not..."

She desperately wanted to say no, but Fujimaru Ritsuka was there, and there were other outsiders in the shop nearby. If she revealed her true identity, it would quickly spread through these customers, causing unnecessary trouble.

She wanted to speak but couldn't, and she was so anxious that she almost cried.

"OK OK."

Seeing Ryusei's anxious expression, Astrea finally couldn't help but speak up to comfort her.

"Let's go back to our family settlement first and then talk about it."

Liu, who was in a hurry, immediately lit up and nodded frantically.

Returning to the base is good. After returning to the base, I don't have to worry about being seen by others, so I can speak properly.

Astrea turned to look at Mia, who had followed her out of the kitchen.

"Manager Mia, may I borrow one of your employees for a while?"

Mia waved her hand casually.

"Go ahead, I'm not busy here anyway."

"Let's go."

Astrea took Ryu's hand and pulled her outside, while Fujimaru Ritsuka patted her shoulder and leaned close to her ear.

"After we return to our base, we should have a good chat."

"Senior~~"

click -

Ryu stood at attention again.

Volume 1: Chapter 82. Senior, why did you hide your identity from me!

Southwest region.

Astrea and her two companions, who had come from the Mistress of Plenty, stood outside the gates of the Garden of Stardust, looking at the former residence of their kin. Astrea was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

This place holds her most cherished memories with the original members of the Astrea Familia, but sadly, those family members have left her forever.

After a period of self-harm, Astrea pushed open the courtyard gate and went inside, with Fujimaru Ritsuka and Ryu following behind her.

However, compared to the free-moving Fujimaru Ritsuka, Ryu's gait appeared quite stiff.

During the few days that Fujimaru Ritsuka was away, Ryuya continued to clean as usual. Because of Fujimaru Ritsuka, even when Fujimaru Ritsuka wasn't there, she didn't have to sneak around. It felt strange to be alone with the sea monster in one place.

The three of them walked into the courtyard together. The sea monsters guarding the courtyard immediately waved to Fujimaru Ritsuka, and Fujimaru Ritsuka waved back. After all, they were working hard, taking turns guarding the place according to Fujimaru Ritsuka's orders.

After greeting the sea monster, Fujimaru Ritsuka and the other two entered the main house.

Upon entering the living room, Fujimaru Ritsuka immediately slammed her hand on the table, taking the initiative.

"Senior Ryu! Why did you hide your identity from me?!"

Ryu was taken aback by Fujimaru Ritsuka's sudden question, but quickly tried to explain after she realized what was happening.

"Ritsuka, I didn't mean to."

"You knew I was looking for you, you knew who I was, yet you hid it from me, and you still dare to say it wasn't intentional!"

“I am wanted by the authorities. If I were to reveal my identity rashly, it would cause trouble for you and your clan.”