Finn and the others exchanged surprised glances, unsure of what Astraea was about to do.
But in the next moment, understanding dawned.
"Thank you very much, Leon-san." Astraea, putting aside all the dignity befitting a goddess, gave a deep half-bow, one hand pressed respectfully to her chest.
The members of her familia behind her followed suit, bowing fully to Leon as they spoke in unison, "Thank you very much, Leon-san."
"Hey, hey, didn't you agree not to expose me?" Leon blinked, caught off guard by the sudden display.
"Sorry, Loki is just too sensitive. She guessed it on the way here." Astraea said with a slight blush, her tone apologetic.
"Besides, with your current strength, there's no reason to fear other familias, so I didn't see the need to hide it." She explained.
Leon's eyes involuntarily flicked to Loki, who lounged on the sofa, arms draped over the backrest, eyes half-closed in a smug expression.
"Leon boy, you really know how to keep secrets." Loki teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, whatever. I'll find out when I find out."
"No big deal." Leon shook his head indifferently.
He had once worried about the risks if his resurrection ability was discovered. But now, as Astraea had said, he wasn't afraid anymore, not with his current strength. Still, it was clear Astraea cared deeply for him.
"So, Leon, did you really resurrect the members of the Astraea Familia?" Finn and the others finally caught on, and Finn's voice carried a hint of excitement.
"Yes, it was me." Leon replied plainly.
"Ryuu came to me earlier, and I agreed. There's no need to hide it anymore." Leon nodded in confirmation.
At this, Leon noticed Riveria's breathing quicken noticeably. He glanced her way, searching for any hint of her thoughts, but her expression remained calm, revealing nothing. He quickly suppressed his curiosity.
"By the way, where are Alise, Kaguya, and Ryuu?"
"Why didn't they come along?" Leon asked, eyes narrowing slightly as he looked toward the Astraea Familia members.
"They went to your library to see you, but unexpectedly, you are here." Lyra replied with a smile.
"After not seeing you at the library, they'll probably come here soon." She added.
Leon nodded in understanding but then his gaze sharpened.
"Alise and the others seem to have gotten into a fight."
"???"
The room fell silent, puzzled expressions spreading across their faces.
"I have a special way to contact Hestia. She told me. It seems Alise and the others are fighting two Amazonesses."
"I need to go check it out." Leon's voice was calm but firm as he turned and quickly left.
Everyone exchanged looks, then Loki grinned. "Let's go over and take a look."
When Leon rushed back, a fierce battle was raging right at the entrance of the library.
Ryuu, Alise, and Kaguya were locked in combat against Argana and Bache, the intensity of the fight palpable.
Both Argana and Bache were Lv. 6 adventurers, yet Ryuu and Alise's strength was hardly inferior. With Kaguya assisting, the clash was evenly matched—no side gaining the upper hand.
The battleground within a radius of dozens of meters had turned into a vacuum zone, no one dared to get closer. Bystanders could only watch from a safe distance.
At the library's doorway, Hestia leaned casually against the frame, her gaze fixed on the scene with keen interest.
"Are you the little one Loki mentioned?" A figure approached from afar, noticeably shorter than Hestia, her stature unable to compare to Hestia's towering presence. It was Kali.
"Who are you?" Hestia immediately raised an eyebrow, turning her head with an unhappy expression as she demanded.
Kali wore an arrogant smile, her voice dripping with pride. "Kali. I just moved into Orario today. I expect your guidance."
"So, you're the little guy Leon mentioned. No wonder you're so arrogant right from the start."
She glanced over the battle. "And these two? The trump cards of your familia, both Lv. 6?"
Hestia's surprise was genuine as she blurted this out.
Earlier, when Argana and Bache arrived, Argana had spoken arrogantly about Leon. She had just crossed paths with Ryuu, who was also searching for Leon, and without exchanging words, the two sides immediately clashed.
Hestia had been wondering what had brought Argana and Bache here, whether they intended to cause trouble on purpose. If they did, were they really that foolish as to come to Leon's library uninvited? Did they not know Leon's strength?
But since they were from Kali's familia, it made more sense.
When Leon had returned, he'd told her about the Kali familia's presence and how the Amazons, especially the two Lv. 6s, were targeting him. Now it seemed these two had come specifically to harass Leon.
"Aren't you little yourself?!" Kali's face darkened at Hestia's words, and she snapped fiercely.
'Ryuu can hold her own against them now. Has she leveled up?' Hestia ignored Kali's outburst and watched the battle with growing surprise.
She had thought Argana and Bache were Lv. 5, but now it was clear they were Lv. 6.
Judging by Ryuu's performance, she had definitely leveled up. Otherwise, she couldn't have fought so evenly with Lv. 6 adventurers. And it seemed she wasn't even showing her full combat power since the level up was recent.
A flicker of curiosity sparked in Hestia's heart.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Don't ignore me!" Kali gritted her teeth, frustrated.
"I don't know you, and you look like you're here to pick a fight. I don't want to talk to you." Hestia said coldly.
This was a hard woman to get along with, and with the Amazons under her command coveting Leon, Hestia was not about to give Kali any leeway.
"It's infuriating." Kali muttered, veins throbbing on her forehead.
But she quickly set aside her irritation and turned back to watch the fight.
"Orario really is full of unknown powerhouses. I didn't expect the few people I met earlier to have such strength, and to be so well hidden."
Argana and Bache were extremely sensitive to strong opponents. When they had met Ryuu and the others earlier, they hadn't sensed their true strength. They hadn't expected them to be such formidable fighters, matching the two sisters.
Hestia, standing nearby, wore a puzzled expression.
'By the way, who exactly are these people around Ryuu?' She wondered.
She knew Ryuu's identity, of course. She had disappeared for a while and returned stronger. But who were the other two, following Ryuu?
Hestia hadn't thought much of it before, but now curiosity gnawed at her. She knew Argana and Bache had fought them without hesitation.
No one answered her questions. Luckily, Leon and the others arrived swiftly.
"Astraea?"
Hestia's eyes caught Leon first, but then immediately locked on Astraea, who accompanied him.
Back in heaven, she and Astraea had been friends. When Astraea's familia had fallen, Hestia had felt deep sorrow. But when Hestia descended to the world, Astraea was gone from Orario. Unexpectedly, Astraea had returned.
"Long time no see, Hestia." Astraea greeted with a gentle wave and a smile.
"Hey, little number two, see you again." Loki greeted Kali with a grin.
"Flat-chested Loki." Kali shot back lightly.
"Ha!" Loki clenched her teeth.
The four goddesses exchanged greetings while Leon stepped forward to separate the battling sides.
Goodness, fighting in front of his library and giving it their all. If they continued, the library would be destroyed.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Five slaps rained down on the heads of the fighters. One by one, the five combatants stopped, rubbing their sore foreheads and ceasing hostilities.
"Oh, Leon, my husband, we finally meet again."
Argana had been angry when hit, but her mood changed instantly when she saw it was Leon. She excitedly rushed toward him, only to be stopped by Leon's firm hand pressing on her head.
"Hey, what are you yelling, Amazoness?" Hestia's sharp hearing caught the outburst instantly.
She abandoned Astraea mid-conversation and appeared before Leon like a flash, pushing Argana aside and standing protectively in front of him like a fierce guardian.
"Haha, Hestia really likes Leon, it seems." Astraea laughed softly.
"The relationship between her and Leon is no secret. But I'm poaching him now, digging to bring Leon to my side." Loki nodded knowingly.
Astraea and the others: …
The ridiculous scene came to a halt.