The Fukaros Familia, starting from DanMachi.

Chapter 181 A Theory of Justice

"We've set up camp over there, want to come and sit down? It'll be very late if we go back to the surface from here at this hour."

Fenyu extended an invitation to Liu.

Liu hesitated for a moment, a hint of struggle flashing in her sky-blue eyes. Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she said in a deep voice, "Before I go anywhere, I want to go somewhere first. Can you—come with me?"

"Of course, no problem."

Fen Yu agreed almost without hesitation.

The robin, understandingly, shook his head: "I won't go. I need to go back and tell Tifa and the others so they won't worry."

After saying that, she gave Fenyu a deep look, then turned and left.

Thus, only Fenyu and Liu remained in the forest.

Ryu was quite familiar with the terrain of this crystal forest. Her steps were steady and quick as she moved through the intertwined trees and crystals without encountering any foolish monsters.

After walking for about twenty minutes, she stopped in a quiet place.

The two passed through a narrow tunnel formed by trees and arrived at a cemetery.

This is a small clearing surrounded by slender bushes and azure crystals. A soft ray of light shines down from the skylight-like gap in the forest above, landing precisely on several cross-shaped tombstones made of wood bound together with ropes.

"—Sometimes I ask Mia's mother for leave to come over so I can present them with flowers."

Liu's voice was very soft as she carefully placed a bunch of white wildflowers, one by one, in front of more than ten graves.

Then she reached into her small bag, took out a bottle of aged elven wine, and sprinkled it on the graves in order, whispering their names.

Looking at the dozen or so simple tombstones, Fen Yu's expression became extremely complicated.

This is the [Astria Spring Clan] — these are the future heroes that Alphia once placed her hopes on.

Now, they all lie here quietly, leaving only Ryu, carrying the burden of everyone else, living a lonely life.

"These are the graves of my former clan members and comrades."

After doing all this, Liu slowly raised her head. At this moment, her sky-blue eyes were so clear that they seemed to reflect a person's soul. She quietly gazed at Fen Yu.

"I have something I'd like to ask you, so there's no need to hide it from you anymore."

Her voice carried a hint of melancholy, yet also a touch of determination.

"Although this is just my whim—would you be willing to listen?"

"I'm all ears."

Fen Yu's answer was simple yet solemn.

He knew what Ryu was going to say and what she wanted to ask, but he didn't reveal it. He just waited quietly, waiting for this strong spirit to tell him about that heavy past.

"My name is on the guild's list of dangerous individuals."

Liu's voice was calm, as if she were recounting a past event that had nothing to do with her.

"My status as an adventurer has long been stripped away—and for a time, I was a wanted criminal."

"It doesn't matter," Fen Yu shook his head, his gaze unwavering. "I only believe what I see. In my opinion, you are not a dangerous person."

"

..Thanks."

Liu was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting him to answer so readily.

She lowered her head and continued, "The faction I used to belong to was called the [Astraea Familia] — under the command of Astraea, the goddess who governs justice and order, I was quite well-known back then."

"My title is 'Swift Wind,' you should have heard of me."

"I have indeed heard of it," Fenyu's gaze passed over her and landed on the dozen or so tombstones, especially lingering for a moment on the grave with the broken sword stuck in it. "In the great struggle six years ago, you were one of the most prominent clans, the most popular clan in the entire city. You were recognized by Alphia and burdened with the vision of becoming future heroes."

"So you do know Alphia!"

Liu suddenly raised her head, her sky-blue eyes fixed on Fenyu, her expression more serious than ever before. "I saw it in the War Game. The spells you used in the battle against the Apollo Familia were exactly the same as Alphia's spells. What exactly is your relationship with her?"

"What does it matter?" Fen Yu twitched the corner of his mouth, revealing a self-deprecating smile. "Maybe he's an adopted son, or maybe—it's just a trivial noise."

"I'm sorry—" Upon hearing this reply, Ryu's expression instantly darkened. "It was us—who let her down."

She began to recount that long-buried, bloody memory.

How her clan was trapped by a rival faction and ultimately wiped out deep within the dungeon.

She couldn't even retrieve the bodies of her companions; all she could do was bring their broken belongings to this eighteenth floor and build cenotaphs for them.

After that, she pleaded with the goddess Astrea to leave the city.

She embarked on a frenzied revenge all by herself.

She uses any means necessary—ambush, surprise attack, trap—to kill anyone connected to the dark faction, regardless of their status, whether they are guild employees or nobles from other kingdoms.

"As long as there is a connection, even if it is just a suspicion, I will not let it go and will eliminate them all."

Her voice trembled, a hideous expression of being driven by hatred and abandoning all former justice.

That's why she asked Astrea to leave, because she didn't want the goddess of justice to see her fall into the mire.

This is why her name appeared on the guild's list of dangerous individuals.

Her excessive act of revenge aroused the resentment of adventurers, organizations, merchants, and other figures, who even offered an exorbitant bounty for her capture.

The price of acting recklessly and blatantly—even considering her past achievements, the guild had no choice but to punish Ryu, not to mention that she had implicated and even killed members of the guild, making it even more impossible for them to ignore.

After taking her revenge, she was already despondent and ready to die, but was saved by Hill and was eventually able to live in anonymity with her wealthy mistress.

"In short," Ryu lowered her head in despair, "I am an ugly spirit who has tarnished the name of justice. Does this disgust you?"

"I don't think so. You're belittling yourself too much!"

Fen Yu retorted without even thinking.

Before Liu could react, he stepped forward, placed his hands on Liu's slender shoulders, and said in a somewhat excited tone.

"Is there really only one right answer to justice? Everyone's sense of justice is different. As long as you follow your heart, there's no problem. Revenge is also a kind of justice, at least for you and for those comrades who lie buried here."

"So-called justice is about your heart and how much you have sacrificed for it. As long as you feel that you must do something, no matter what it is, it has its meaning."

"At least for ourselves, that is justice."

Ryu was completely stunned.

It wasn't just Fenyu's words, but also his self-centered, purely "theory of justice" that shocked her.

Furthermore, it was because—Fen Yu's hands were on her shoulders, and she didn't instinctively respond with an over-the-shoulder throw.

"Sorry, I got a little excited."

Fenyu also realized instantly that Liu was not Lefia, but a standard, fastidious elf who could not be touched easily.

He always forgot that elves were a very troublesome race.

In his opinion, it was all Lefia's fault, that carefree elf girl, who made him subconsciously forget about "elf germaphobia".

"Achoo!"

Far away in the Loki Familia's camp, Lefia, who was distributing fruit to everyone, suddenly sneezed loudly.

"Hmm? Have you caught a cold?"

She rubbed her nose, somewhat puzzled, considering she was an adventurer at level Iv3.

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