"Mom!"
Huh?
The golden-haired little girl suddenly shouted that shocking word, startling Elise.
Mom? What mom?
Was she calling her?
Not only was Elise shocked, but even Freya, standing nearby, wore an expression that was three parts surprise and seven parts amusement. Est, on the other hand, immediately revealed hostility, forcing Elise to gently pat her little head to calm her down.
Elise still remembered that when she first met Est, Est had once considered calling her "Mom" while deciding how to address her.
Because Est felt that Elise gave her the same feeling as a human mother...
Elise hadn't agreed to it back then, and there was even less chance she would agree now.
"Little one, did you mistake me for someone else?"
Elise turned back to look at the little girl clutching her clothes, about to explain, only to notice a trace of tears at the corners of the girl's eyes.
What was going on?
Had she gotten separated from her family?
The girl seemed to realize she had lost control and immediately wiped away her tears with her small hands.
"I'm sorry. I just feel... you look a lot like my mom."
There was a hint of sadness in her voice when she said that, and Elise could hear it clearly.
So... her mother was already gone?
"I see..."
Elise slightly bent down and gently pulled the golden-haired girl into her arms.
"We may not know each other, but... if I do this, it might feel a little like having a mom, right?"
At that moment, the little girl widened her eyes as she felt the warmth of the embrace. After a long while, she finally trembled as she raised her arms and hugged Elise back.
"Mom..."
The girl softly called out again, but this time Elise did not say anything about her mistaking her for someone else.
"Don't cry. Mom is right here."
It was just comforting a child—nothing special. Elise did it naturally, as she had done many times before.
"Mm!"
Though her voice was choked with emotion, it was clear the girl was trying her best to hold back her tears.
Freya, who had been watching them hug for quite a while, finally reminded her,
"It's about time."
"Let's go, Elise."
Let's go, Aria.
No... don't go!
The golden figure in her memories gradually drifted farther away.
And the golden figure before her now likewise loosened her embrace... exactly the same as before.
"It's about time for us to say goodbye..."
Gently touching the girl's cheek, Elise stood up, preparing to leave with Freya and Est.
"No!"
Unexpectedly, the little girl grabbed the hem of Elise's clothes again.
"Don't leave again!"
The tears she had just managed to stop now flowed like rain once more, making even Elise sigh softly.
She really is just a child...
"What's your name?"
You couldn't treat a child the same way you treated an adult. Elise could only choose to comfort her first and then send her back to her family.
Sorry, Freya—you might have to head back on your own.
Elise gave Freya a slight signal and placed a powerful Barrier of the Stars on her.
With Elise's current strength, unless it was a Level 9, no one could possibly harm Freya.
The goddess of beauty nodded reluctantly before ultimately choosing to leave alone.
"Ais..."
Huh?
"My name is Ais Wallenstein!"
...
Time returned to the morning.
"Have you decided which familia you want to join?"
The golden-haired girl shook her head. She was still very young and had little understanding of familias. After all, she was from a long time ago and had only arrived in this era by accident.
Although the person taking care of her had been constantly explaining the knowledge of this era, Ais hadn't listened to a single word.
She was still immersed in the sorrow and hatred from years ago.
"You can join the Astraea Familia, the Freya Familia, or the Loki Familia."
"But I still recommend the Astraea Familia—they're the strongest familia in Orario!"
The person continued recommending familias, but Ais had no interest in any of it. Taking advantage of their endless chatter, she quietly slipped out of the temporary house on her own.
Maybe seeing the world now would be better?
With that thought, the girl stepped alone onto the streets of Orario.
So this is the future world?
Looking at the bustling commercial district, little Ais' eyes sparkled. Everything here was something she had never seen before, and her curiosity was finally stirred.
At that moment, however, strange voices came from the other side of the street.
"Hahaha! Getting to see that lovestruck side of her was totally worth it!"
"Too bad I couldn't record it. Otherwise, I'd definitely use it to tease that lovestruck fool every day!"
Ais looked over and saw a red-haired goddess. Although she had been taught about gods and goddesses, she hadn't listened seriously, so she couldn't identify who this goddess was.
"But since I'm in such a good mood now, hehe!"
With a mischievous grin, the goddess looked toward a woman beside her, her hands already starting to wander.
"Let me hug you for a bit!"
Before the woman could refuse, the red-haired goddess lunged forward, wrapping around her like an octopus.
"No, Lady Loki!"
"There aren't many people nearby, but we're still on the street!"
Loki!
That pervert-looking person... was Goddess Loki?
Even though Ais didn't understand many things, she did know the three strongest familias in Orario and their goddesses.
Like any ordinary child, she was only interested in the strongest.
As for the smaller familias... who cared?
She hadn't expected the Loki Familia to be like this...
Ais silently made up her mind.
No matter what, she would absolutely not join such a familia.
Otherwise, she would surely be attacked by that perverted goddess sooner or later!
Thinking of this, Ais even took two steps back in the opposite direction of Loki. Only after confirming that Loki hadn't noticed her did she quietly slip away.
Little did she know, all of her actions had already been seen by that goddess.
"That child from back then?"
Loki's narrowed eyes slowly opened a bit more as she looked in the direction Ais had left.
"Sigh! No matter how you look at it, she's going to be a huge headache..."
Ais was a very special child. She carried secrets from a thousand years ago.
Loki could say with certainty that no matter which familia took her in, the road ahead would be filled with hardships. Trouble of every kind would inevitably find that child.
Although Loki herself wasn't afraid of trouble, less of it was always better. And besides...
It still depended on the child's own choice. Loki wouldn't force anyone to join her familia like Freya would. But if that child truly chose her, then Loki would genuinely treat her as one of her own.
However... that child didn't seem to have any intention of joining her familia, so there was nothing she could do about it.
"Whatever, it's none of my business anyway."
The smile returned to Loki's face as she once again pounced on her familia.
"Come on, let me touch you!"
"No!"
Smack!
A loud slap rang out, and Loki was sent flying—quite literally.
Better go take a look... what are the three strongest goddesses in Orario really like?
Before she knew it, little Ais had been running through the streets for quite some time. With her small body, she was able to weave through the crowd with ease.
But...
"Where am I?"
She was lost!
Ais Wallenstein was lost in Orario!
Fortunately, no one saw her like this. Otherwise, people in the future would definitely laugh at her.
If she had known, she would have paid more attention when learning all that information...
With no other choice, little Ais stood on her tiptoes, trying to see farther. Everyone around her was much taller, making it impossible for her to clearly see even the nearby buildings.
Grrr—
Her stomach growled at that moment, announcing that it was time to eat.
But Ais couldn't find her way back. She could only wander the streets aimlessly.
Sniff, sniff!
What was that smell?
All of a sudden, a strange yet enticing aroma drifted over from afar, immediately capturing Ais' attention.
"Come take a look! Fresh, hot Croquette Balls! Just out of the fryer! Guaranteed delicious!"
Croquette Balls?
Ais' mouth slowly watered, but...
Since ancient times, trade required payment. In the past it was the same, and now it was too—only the currency had changed to valis.
Ais reached into her pocket...
Unfortunately, she had snuck out and hadn't brought any valis with her. So she could only squat beside the food stall, silently watching passersby buy one after another...
If it were anyone else, seeing such a cute little girl, they'd probably buy one for her, right? After all, Croquette Balls weren't expensive.
Even Hestia in the future, despite being utterly broke, could still afford them. That alone showed they were a cheap and affordable snack.
However...
Because the girl was standing so close to the stall and was so small, many people mistook her for the shopkeeper's daughter—someone helping out at the stall.
And why would the shopkeeper's daughter lack food? Better not meddle in other people's business.
At that moment, however, Ais noticed a golden figure...
Even though the person wore an eyepatch and their face couldn't be clearly seen, there was an indescribable sense of familiarity!
Could it be...
Ais' eyes widened. Although she usually appeared expressionless and rarely showed her emotions, rarely did not mean never.
At times like this, when her emotions fluctuated greatly, everything she was thinking was written plainly across her face.
Everyone knew that reincarnation existed in this world. After death, people would meet a god of death and be granted rebirth of the soul.
Those suicide soldiers of Evilus once worshipped such gods, believing they would reunite with their loved ones in the next life.
Little did they know, those gods had no such intentions. Turning fathers and daughters into lovers, or lovers into siblings—such things were all too common, though unknown to the world.
The moment Ais saw that golden figure, she thought of reincarnation.
Could it really be...
She didn't dare to believe it, yet she couldn't stop herself from thinking that way.
To her, the loss of her parents felt like it had happened only yesterday.
But in truth, more than a thousand years had already passed since the era she once lived in.
After so long... they should have been reincarnated, right?
Ais decided to go take a closer look... no, she had to meet that person face to face. Only then could she be certain.
Just as she was about to move, a commotion rose from the nearby crowd...
"Help! A robbery!"
"Can someone help me?!"
A robbery?
Of course, little Ais couldn't tolerate such a thing—but with a body that was only about six years old, there wasn't much she could actually do.
What she didn't expect, however, was that the person also took action!
In an instant, the robber was knocked to the ground. Ais couldn't even see what had happened—but her expression changed.
Even if she couldn't see the fight, she could feel that something around her had changed.
It was the wind.
Though she hadn't seen the battle, after it ended, Ais saw traces of wind surrounding that golden figure.
A gentle green wind.
A warm wind.
Even though it possessed immense power, it did not destroy the enemy, choosing instead to forgive.
Warm and soft... just like her mother's embrace.
There was no mistake!
No matter how her appearance had changed, no matter how her personality might differ, she would never mistake this wind!
It had to be her!
With that thought, Ais no longer hesitated and ran toward that golden figure wrapped in wind.
Don't go...
Wait for me!
Last time, I couldn't hold onto you.
This time... I won't let go again!
"Alright, it's getting late. I'll take you back now..."
"Then I'll leave her to you, Elise."
That figure was speaking with a silver-haired goddess—perhaps they were in the same familia?
Ais wasn't sure, but it didn't matter anymore.
Because she had found her.
It's been over a thousand years since we last met... have you been well?
I've come to find you.
Ais recalled fragments of the past. Though they had all turned to dust, she had met her again in the present.
And so, Ais reached out toward that golden figure—and called out that name.
"Mom!"