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

Magic [Asteria's Memoirs]

Volume 1: 96. The First Expedition

The clearing up of the misunderstanding with Astrea filled Ryu with joy, and she secretly vowed to carry on the will of her former kin after returning to her clan, so that the justice of the goddess Astrea could be carried forward once again.

With this belief, Ryu awakened the special magic [Astraea's Memories] when she leveled up to LV5.

Once this magic is activated, she can inherit and activate the magic of all the original members of the Astrea Familia.

She alone was equivalent to the entire first generation of the Astrea Familia.

In addition to this magic, she also awakened an aura skill.

Inheritance of Justice

It can amplify the effects of all skills of all companions within a certain range, increase magic power and mental power, and increase resistance to mental pollution and charm. Moreover, this is a permanent effect; as long as you are near a member of your companion, the aura effect will be activated!

As the saying goes, the output is like flowing water, while the crook remains as solid as iron.

Therefore, whether from a theoretical or practical perspective, she is the true "ace" of the Asteria Familia, because no matter how strong Fujimaru Ritsuka is, as an output Servant, she still has to obediently act as a henchman for the support.

And Liu is that turn!

If this were in a game, the two points of increasing magic power and skill effects alone would be enough to make Fujimaru Ritsuka call out "Mom".

While Asteria was earning the title of "Ace," Ace herself, along with Fujimaru Ritsuka and two new members of the Familia, were embarking on their first expedition into the dungeon!

According to Orario's rules, once a certain rating is reached within a clan, the guild will require you to send members to conduct expeditions deep into the dungeons.

During this process, the player's clan will be required to reach a certain floor within a specified timeframe to collect the required materials or confirm the terrain. If the requirements are not met or the quest cannot be completed, the guild will impose corresponding penalties and lower the player's rating.

This is mandatory. Even if your guild doesn't have enough members, as long as you meet the standards set by the guild, you must participate in the expedition. Of course, if you don't have enough members, you can cooperate with other clans that also don't have enough members to form an expedition team and act together.

The guild's intention in forcing expeditions was to compel the weaker clans to grow stronger and not to think about just loafing around in Orario.

However, compared to the guild's other performance, he appears to be very hypocritical. When he is needed to take charge and ensure fairness, he will turn a blind eye and ignore it. But when he is no longer needed, he will suddenly jump out and force you to do the work.

Due to Fujimaru Ritsuka's strong performance and the addition of three new members, the Astrea Familia has clearly met the standards required for the expedition, so the guild has issued an expedition mission to the Astrea Familia.

The four members of the clan decided to team up and embark on this expedition.

While the religious ceremony was still in progress, they had already rushed up to the 18th floor, panting heavily.

“Senior Liu, let’s rest here for a while. It’s fine for the two of us, but the two of them can’t take it.”

Fujimaru Ritsuka wasn't out of breath, and Ryu was fine too. It was Cassandra and Daphne who were the ones who were out of breath.

When the two of them reached the 18th floor, they were so exhausted that one of them was leaning on her knees while the other collapsed onto the ground.

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice your situation."

Seeing the state of the two, Liu quickly apologized.

"It's okay...it's our problem."

Daphne quickly supported her knees with one hand and waved her hand with the other.

"We're both LV2, but the gap between us and Ritsuka is so big. That's our problem."

Ryu is LV5, so she can't be compared to her. Therefore, she can only be compared to Fujimaru Ritsuka, who is also LV2.

"Don't compare yourself to me; it's unfair to you."

Fujimaru Ritsuka immediately spoke up to explain.

"Of course I know you are different from us, but you have been fighting the whole way. You and Ryu have dealt with most of the monsters you encountered. We didn't do much; we were just responsible for picking up magic stones."

"Even so, we're still this exhausted."

Daphne pointed to the backpack behind her, her face full of helplessness as she explained.

She, who was in charge of commanding the Apollo Familia, has not yet demonstrated any command ability during this expedition. This is because the monsters they encountered were all instantly killed by Fujimaru Ritsuka and Ryu, and none of them could withstand a second hit. Therefore, there was no need for her to command. As a result, she, who was originally in charge of command, took on the role of a supporter, responsible for picking up magic stones along the way and carrying them on her back.

As for why Cassandra wasn't in charge, aside from everything else, Cassandra, as a healer, is really bad at physical exertion. If she were to do this job, she would probably be exhausted to death.

“Normally it wouldn’t get to this point, but our speed far exceeds normal, which is why you are so tired.”

Fujimaru Ritsuka explained again, and Ryu, who was next to her, apologized again.

"I'm so sorry, I was too hasty."

Daphne quickly waved her hand again.

"It's alright, it's alright. This is the first time we've all gone on an expedition together, so we're not very good at coordinating yet. We'll rest here on the 18th floor for a while, and then we'll go down. Our teamwork will be much better then."

"Then let's find a place to rest for a while."

Fujimaru Ritsuka pointed to the forest to the east.

"Let's go. The small town to the west is crowded and chaotic, so we won't go in. Let's rest for a while on the east side and then continue on our way."

"Okay! We'll do it your way."

After catching their breath, Daphne and Cassandra stood up and followed behind Fujimaru Ritsuka and Ryu, heading towards the eastern edge of the forest on the 18th floor.

Upon arriving at their resting place, Fujimaru Ritsuka told Daphne and Cassandra to rest where they were, while he himself followed Ryu into the forest.

Of course, they didn't go into the forest to whisper secrets, but to visit the cemetery of the first Astrea Familia.

Compared to the first time when Fujimaru Ritsuka wandered aimlessly looking for her destination, this time with Ryu leading the way, they arrived quickly.

"It's still the same here."

Looking at the graveyard of sword and staff, Ryu couldn't help but sigh.

This cemetery was exactly the same as the one she had seen last time. No one came to pick up the broken equipment or to vandalize it.

However, compared to the sadness she felt when she came here last time, Ryu's heart was filled with hope this time.

“Alissie, I thought I would never see you again, so every time I came here, I would come to complain to you. After a while, you probably got annoyed too. But this time is different. This time, Ritsuka came with me. He told me that I might be able to see you again.”

"So this time, I've really come to see you all!"

Volume 1: 97. The Possibility of Reviving the Original Members

Generally, when a clan is assigned to an expedition, they are given a long period of preparation time. However, the Asterian clan is given a very short preparation time when they are assigned to an expedition.

Besides the fact that the Asteria Familia itself was small and the target building for their first expedition was not very deep, so they didn't need to prepare too many supplies, there was another important reason: Ryu was in a great hurry!

The guild's mandatory requirement for the Asteria Familia is to bring back materials gathered from floor 29, meaning the target is floor 29.

But the Asteria Familia's actual expedition goal this time is 30 floors!

That is, the floor where the first Asteria Familia perished in a massacre!

The reason why the goal is 30 floors is because Fujimaru Ritsuka has discovered a new ability of hers.

The last time Fujimaru Ritsuka came to the 18th floor, when he stopped at the First Generation Astrea Familia Cemetery, he happened to encounter his clone breaking through to the 19th floor, and the system gave him the reward for clearing the 19th floor.

As he opened the system to check his rewards, he noticed a card in his BOX that was faintly glowing.

Alice Phil (Heaven's Garment)

Alice Phil, who has transformed into the White Cup, is seen by Fujimaru Ritsuka as a moving spring of water and a super nanny.

Why is this supermom shining at this moment?

Confused, Fujimaru Ritsuka placed Alice Phil in the character slot that was vacated after Achilles was unloaded.

Then he discovered, in his perception, that there were some fragments of souls floating on the grave of the sword and staff.

These soul fragments are not enough to make up a complete person, but they are indeed fragments of the soul, and these fragments are basically attached to these weapons and equipment.

Fujimaru Ritsuka immediately understood that these were fragments of the souls of the first members of the Astrea Familia.

In the world of the underworld, both humans and elves possess souls. When people die in battle in the dungeons, their souls generally return to the underworld. After all, this world has gods, and naturally, there are also gods of the underworld.

These souls may remain in the underworld or be reincarnated.

Yes, reincarnation exists in this world, but ordinary people are not qualified to enjoy this service. Only a very, very few individuals are able to enjoy it, and it is very difficult to guess who they are.

Some souls, however, do not reincarnate nor return to the underworld. Instead, they wander in reality with resentment or lingering wishes. Even if they are not complete souls, fragments of their souls may remain in reality.

The fragments of souls on these devices are remnants of the first generation of the Astrea Familia.

As long as someone possesses a soul fragment, the White Cup can replenish their soul through magic, allowing them to be reborn as a soul. This is the third magic inherent in the White Cup: Soul Materialization!

However, the soul fragments on weapons and equipment are too scarce. Even if the souls are replenished, it will only be an empty shell. Therefore, Fujimaru Ritsuka needs more fragments. At least the fragments should contain memory information!

So where can we find more soul fragments?

The place where they died in battle, the 30th floor of the dungeon!

After confirming the matter, Fujimaru Ritsuka went back and told Ryu about it. After all, for Ryu, her former companions and the goddess Astrea were things she could never let go of. Now that the goddess Astrea had returned, her only regrets were with Alexie and the others.

Just then, the guild's notice for a forced expedition arrived.

The guild requires the expedition to reach floor 29, while Ryu and Fujimaru Ritsuka's goal is floor 30, so they can do both at the same time.

This explains why the first phase involved traveling at super-fast speed. Even Daphne, a veteran at level 2, was overwhelmed by Ryu's speed.

After saying a few more words to the broken equipment, Ryu turned to look at Fujimaru Ritsuka.

"Ritsuka, let's go back."

"Have you said enough?"

"Of course not."

Ryu smiled as she looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka.

"But, as long as you succeed, Ritsuka, I'll have so much to say, won't I? I'll tell them everything that's happened over the years!"

"Yes, as long as you succeed, you'll have endless things to talk about in the future. I hope the seniors won't find you annoying then."

Ryu blushed immediately after being told off by Fujimaru Ritsuka.

"I...I won't say anything that will annoy them, okay?"

"Okay, okay, I misspoke."

Fujimaru Ritsuka waved to Ryu.

"Let's go see how Daphne and the others are resting."

"Ok!"

The human and the elf walked out of the forest and found Daphne and Cassandra lying side by side on the grass outside the forest, chatting.

"It looks like you've had enough rest."

Fujimaru Ritsuka called out to the two of them.

“You’re back.”

Daphne quickly stood up.

"Yes, we've rested enough."

"Then, Daphne, you can arrange our itinerary from now on."

Fujimaru Ritsuka's words startled Daphne.

"After all, Daphne, your greatest strength is command, isn't it? By bringing you into our familia, we will naturally allow you to unleash your talents. Senior Ryu and I will only be responsible for the battle; the decision of how to proceed and the route of action will be up to you."

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony."

Daphne's face immediately lit up with a confident smile.

Finally, she can get things done! Before, she was just picking up magic stones on the road. Command? Command my ass! She had already mentally prepared herself to be in charge of logistics in the Astrea Familia.

Now I'm being told that I can command Fujimaru Ritsuka and Ryu to do things, which is fantastic!

Before, in the Apollo Familia, she commanded nothing but lousy fish and shrimp. Now, she commands a Level 5 and another Level 2 on the surface, but whose actual combat power is beyond the comprehension of Level 5 members. Although the team consists of only four people, she feels richer than ever before!

"So, according to our combat strength allocation, Ryu, who is the fastest, will walk in front and act as the vanguard while also going forward to conduct reconnaissance, but we must ensure a safe distance. Ritsuka, you will walk in second place and act as a ranged attacker while covering me and Cassandra. Cassandra, as the healer, will walk in the middle, and I will be at the back to ensure safety from behind."

"Based on your combined strength and our speed, we should be able to traverse the Great Tree Maze to the 25th floor this afternoon."

"But considering that the 25th floor is in the Water City area, it is not suitable for resting, so our target is the safest floor, the 28th floor, which requires us to continue for a while after nightfall."

"However..."

"But what?"