The Fukaros Familia, starting from DanMachi.

Chapter 192 Astrea

"Ugh... what should I do?"

Under a large tree next to the building, a girl with long, sea-blue hair, tied in a pretty ponytail on the left side of her head, was holding her head in her hands, lost in thought.

She was wearing a white outfit that combined elegance and combat style—the uniform of the Astrea Familia.

On the left shoulder of the cape, the emblem of justice gleamed in the sunlight.

This young woman is none other than Cersei Braclissa, the new leader of the Astrea Familia.

"That person's custom-made weapon—it's still not finished, and it's been overdue countless times—"

Cersei scratched her hair in frustration, like a child who had done something wrong and was afraid of being discovered by her parents. "No wonder Dad and the others still treat me like a newbie."

""

"However, it's an undeniable fact that I simply can't muster the energy to make it myself. After all—why would I forge a weapon for someone who has betrayed the Lord God?"

""

The girl's voice was filled with grievance and confusion. She sighed deeply, feeling that her life was like scrap iron that had been burned in a forge for a long time but could never be shaped.

Suddenly, she heard a sharp sound of breaking glass coming from the two-story wooden house, which startled her.

"What's wrong? What's wrong? Oh no, the goddess is still inside!"

She sprang to her feet instantly, all her worries and complaints replaced by panic, and scrambled into the cabin.

"Lady Astraea, what happened?!"

Cersei pushed open the door in a panic, but the sight before her stunned her.

Her goddess, the stunningly beautiful deity with long walnut-colored hair, as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, was standing there in a daze.

At her feet lay shards of a broken teapot and cup, hot water and tea spilled all over the floor.

Her delicate, flawless hands were now scalded red by boiling water, but the goddess herself seemed oblivious, her beautiful eyes gazing absently toward the distant west—in the direction of Orario.

"Lady Astraea, are you alright?"

Seeing the goddess's reddened fingers, Cersei felt extremely distressed and rushed forward.

She looked a little flustered, wanting to touch the goddess's hand but afraid of hurting her, wanting to find the medicine but not knowing where to put it, appearing slightly clumsy, but her heartfelt concern was overflowing.

"Why—what happened?"

Astraea did not respond to Cersei, but instead muttered to herself in a daze, her voice filled with shock and disbelief.

"Alicie—your kindness—for—what—"

Just moments ago, she was leisurely pouring tea, enjoying the rare tranquility of Zoringen.

But in an instant without warning, a connection deep within her divinity, long dormant and frozen, suddenly rekindled, as if rekindled from the ashes, and re-established a faint connection with her.

That incredibly familiar feeling allowed her to instantly recognize to whom the favor belonged.

It belonged to her first child, who had been gone for almost five years and was as radiant as the sun.

It was this shock, enough to overturn common sense about gods, that caused her to knock over the teapot in her hand in her astonishment.

Hearing Cersei's panicked voice, Astraea finally snapped out of her shock, which was enough to defy the common sense of the gods.

"Ah—I'm sorry, Cersei, I made you worry."

She gave the bewildered girl a reassuring smile, "I'm fine, I just got distracted for a moment."

"But your hands—"

Cersei looked at the goddess's hand, which was scalded red, with heartache, and was on the verge of tears. "It's all my fault. If only I had come in sooner—"

Astraea shook her head gently, ignoring the burn on her hand. Her smile faded, and her expression became more serious than ever before.

"Cersei, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."

Seeing the goddess's solemn expression, Cersei immediately put all her self-blame aside, puffed out her developing, slightly immature chest, and patted it hard.

"Leave it to me. Lady Astria's affairs are my affairs. I'll go through fire and water for her."

"It's not that exaggerated," Astraea chuckled at her expression, but then said seriously, "Please tell Xiangwen..."

"Ulanda and Iserina, call them back. I have something very important to announce."

Soon, thanks to Cersei's efficient gathering, all members of the new generation of the Astrea Familia assembled in the lobby on the first floor of the Star Lodge.

"Everyone, sorry, we may have to go back to Orario."

Astraea looked at the girls before her, some innocent, some silent, some lively, with deep regret in her eyes.

"What happened, Lady Astrea?"

Xiangwen, a little girl with short green hair, tilted her head and looked puzzled.

She knew very well that the goddess had stayed in this sword-making city to help the elf lady in Orario create a weapon that could accompany her on her journey to rebirth. But now that the weapon was not yet finished, why did she suddenly have to go back?

"Because something happened that forced me to go back."

Astraea shook her head slightly, her tone carrying a complex emotion that even she herself couldn't fully comprehend. "I'm sorry, I'm not entirely clear on the specifics either, so I can't explain it to you in detail right now."

She wasn't lying.

The sudden and unexpected return of Alexandra's grace was so bizarre that she had no way of explaining it.

However, considering the recent letters she received from Orario regarding the frequent anomalies in the dungeons, Astraea was certain that some earth-shattering change was taking place.

She could no longer remain indifferent.

She must go back and find out the truth.

"It's alright, wherever the goddess goes, we'll go."

The werewolf girl, Iserina, with her healthy, tanned skin, was the first to speak, her fluffy tail wagging excitedly behind her.

The sorceress girl, Ulanda, who had always covered her eyes with her black hair, nodded silently, indicating her unconditional obedience.

For them, the will of the goddess is everything.

However, Cersei, as the leader of the group, looked conflicted.

Back to Orario? That legendary adventurer's paradise?

She instinctively gripped the hem of her clothes, her mind in turmoil.

Do I really deserve to go to Orario? I'm so immature, I haven't even finished the weapon I requested yet—

She hadn't even gained the approval of her father and brothers, nor had she fulfilled her commission.

Astraea watched Cersei quietly; she knew what this strong-willed child was struggling with.

But this is a hurdle that she, as the leader of the group, must overcome herself.

Finally, after a fierce internal struggle, Cersei suddenly raised her head, and the flames in her red eyes reignited.

Although they think I'm completely unreliable, and although I haven't yet gained my father's and brothers' approval, but—

She looked at the goddess who was gazing at her tenderly.

For Lady Astria, I'd gladly go to Orario ahead of schedule.

"I agree, Lady Astria. We shall depart immediately for Orario."

Thank you everyone.

Seeing that everyone had agreed to her request, Astraea gave a gentle smile, as warm as a spring breeze. The smile seemed to possess a certain magic, instantly dispelling all the girls' unease and doubts, and its healing power was at its peak.

Cersei and the others blushed slightly as they looked at the goddess's beautiful smile, their hearts filled with enthusiasm.

boom-!

In the nineteenth level of the dungeon, two figures enveloped in crimson flames collided back and forth in a huge void.

The sound of swords clashing was crisp and dense, each collision bursting with dazzling sparks. The red sword light brought out by the slashes tore through the air, and the high temperature released even distorted the surrounding space.