Astraea looked at Genichi, a hint of hesitation in her eyes, but even more resolve.
"I have one request."
Astraea slowly spoke. "Of course, whether you agree or not, I will still give you my divine blood."
She did not use her divine blood to threaten Genichi.
That was her principle, and also her pride.
Genichi paused slightly, then nodded.
"Go ahead."
Astraea took a deep breath and asked the question she had buried in her heart for a long time.
"I want to know. Do you have resurrection magic?"
The moment she asked, her voice trembled slightly.
Resurrection.
It was a taboo all gods longed for, yet could never touch.
In Orario's history, no one had ever truly mastered the power to resurrect the dead.
Those who died were dead forever, beyond all recovery.
But she knew Genichi was different.
This boy from another world possessed countless extraordinary and rare spells.
Maybe, just maybe, he really could do it.
Genichi fell silent for a moment.
Of course he knew resurrection magic.
That magic came from Deedlit El In De Lain Dora of the Overlord world: a fifth-tier resurrection spell capable of bringing the dead back to life.
The cost was that the resurrected person's level would drop.
If their level was not high enough, they would be unable to withstand the cost of resurrection and would turn to ash.
"I do."
Genichi slowly nodded. "But resurrection has risks. I need to explain them clearly first."
He told Astraea the principles, costs, and risks of resurrection magic in full detail.
Level loss.
Those whose level was too low would turn to ash.
Those costs were cruel and real.
Astraea listened quietly, her expression shifting from hope to gravity, then from gravity to resolve.
She nodded.
"I understand."
The deceased members of the Astraea Familia had been at least Level 3.
Even if their levels dropped after resurrection, they should at least be strong enough to bear the cost.
"That is acceptable."
She said seriously, "No matter the result, I will accept it."
Genichi looked at her, a complicated look flashing through his eyes.
He understood how Astraea felt.
He had seen the pain of losing all one's followers.
In Demeter, he had seen that despair of losing everything.
In Ryuu Lion, he had seen hatred that could never truly be released.
And now, Astraea had a chance to regain her children.
Even if there was a price.
"Then I will make this transaction with you."
Genichi said seriously, "I will resurrect your dead Familia members for you, and you will give me divine blood. Do you accept?"
Astraea shook her head.
"Even if you refused, I would still give you my divine blood."
That was her honest feeling.
She was giving Genichi her divine blood because she recognized him and trusted him, not because it was a transaction.
But Genichi shook his head as well.
"I don't want to owe favors."
His voice was calm, but it carried a firm insistence that allowed no doubt.
He did not want to owe anyone favors.
He did not want to be indebted to anyone.
He did not want that debt to make him weak.
When Astraea heard that answer, helplessness filled her face.
She remembered what Demeter had once told her: Genichi was like a hedgehog, rejecting all goodwill and all malice alike.
He protected himself with hard spines, refusing to let anyone come close.
Astraea looked at Genichi. Those eyes were calm and deep, yet they hid a profound loneliness.
Suddenly, she felt a little sorry for him.
This boy clearly possessed such immense power. He could act however he pleased, yet he had chosen to protect himself in this way.
Reject everything, and you would not be hurt.
Such simple logic.
Such a sad way to live.
Astraea said nothing more.
She simply stepped forward.
Before Genichi could react, she reached out and wrapped both arms around his neck.
Then she stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
Genichi's pupils contracted sharply.
It was a kiss carrying the taste of blood.
Astraea had bitten her own lip. Divine blood seeped from the wound and passed into Genichi's mouth.
The blood contained the authority of the goddess of justice, slowly flowing into Genichi's body.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze.
Genichi could feel that warm, sacred power spreading through him.
It was Astraea's power. The authority of justice. The belief in protection.
A moment later, Astraea released him.
Her face was slightly flushed, but she quickly regained her calm and resolve.
"Is that enough?"
Her voice was very soft, carrying a faint tremor that was almost too subtle to catch.
Genichi looked at her and, for a moment, did not know what to say.
After a brief silence, he slowly spoke.
"There was no need to give me divine blood that way. A single drop would have been enough."
His tone carried a trace of helplessness, along with a complexity even he himself did not notice.
Astraea's expression instantly stiffened.
She slowly turned her head and looked at Demeter.
Demeter had turned her face away, looking as though she knew nothing at all.
But the slight shaking of her shoulders exposed the fact that she was holding back laughter.
Astraea's face flushed all at once.
"De-me-ter."
Her voice squeezed out between her teeth, full of gritted fury.
Demeter finally could not hold it in anymore and laughed aloud.
"Oh, come on. I only told you the way I gave Genichi divine blood. I never said exactly how you had to do it. You're the one who misunderstood. How is that my fault?"
Astraea trembled with anger.
She finally understood that Demeter had tricked her.
That goddess who seemed so gentle and virtuous on the surface was actually black-hearted to the core.
Genichi watched the scene, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
He understood as well.
Astraea had been misled by Demeter.
Demeter must have said it in some vague, suggestive way that made Astraea think divine blood had to be given through some intimate method.
And Astraea, that goddess who was far too upright for her own good, had actually believed it.
"Ahem."
Genichi coughed dryly twice. "Actually, you only need to drip the blood into wine and drink it. It doesn't have to be mouth-to-mouth."
He did not finish the sentence, but his meaning was already clear.
Astraea's face turned even redder.
She glared fiercely at Demeter, her eyes seeming to say: just you wait.
Demeter shrugged, looking utterly innocent.
"I'll help update your status."
She coughed dryly and changed the topic. "Now that you've absorbed the divine blood, your status should have changed."
Genichi nodded, turned around, and took off his shirt.
Demeter stepped forward, pricked her finger, and dripped divine blood onto Genichi's back.
As light rose, the Falna began to update.
New text slowly emerged. Beneath the original skill, one new line appeared.
Goddess's Love
· Demeter's Love: obtains Development Ability Spirit Healing S
· Astraea's Love: obtains Development Ability Justice S
Genichi looked at the newly appeared text, and complicated emotions welled up in his heart.
Justice S.
That was Astraea's authority, the symbol of her existence as the goddess of justice.
And now, a portion of that authority belonged to him.
Demeter withdrew her hand and nodded in satisfaction.
"All done. Congratulations, you've grown stronger again."
Genichi put his shirt back on, turned around, and looked at Astraea.
Astraea had already regained her calm by then, though a faint blush still remained on her cheeks.
"Thank you."
Genichi said it seriously.
Astraea shook her head.
"There's no need to thank me. I did this willingly."
She paused, then looked at Genichi, her gaze softening.
"Genichi, I know you don't want to owe favors. But sometimes, accepting another person's goodwill is not weakness."
Genichi remained silent and did not answer.
Astraea continued.
"Demeter loves you, so she is willing to give everything for you. I do not feel the same kind of affection, but I recognize you, and I trust you. That is why I am willing to share my power with you."
"This is not a transaction. It is not a favor. It is sincerity."
Her voice was soft, but every word was genuine.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]