Faced with the half-elf girl Lante's suggestive glances, Faen felt a trace of helpless amusement.
Of course he knew what was going on in that romance-obsessed little head of hers. She was clearly trying to nudge him into making a move on her socially oblivious goddess once again.
Considering the long separation that was about to begin, Faen decided to humor her expectations.
Under Lante's approving "Good, you're teachable" expression, he walked toward Artemis, who was saying her farewells to Furina.
"Lady Artemis."
At the sound of his voice, Artemis turned around. Her blue eyes were as clear as a tranquil lake.
Faen carefully chose his words so that his warning would sound reasonable and natural.
"I recently read some ancient records in the library. They mentioned that while the outside world doesn't teem with monsters like the Dungeon does, many ancient ruins still seal extremely dangerous creatures. As time passes, those seals appear to be weakening. Your Familia often travels beyond Orario, please be cautious."
He knew that the Artemis Familia frequently accepted Guild commissions to inspect and monitor monster seals across the world.
So his concern sounded perfectly like a friendly reminder.
"Thank you for your concern, Faen."
Artemis listened attentively and accepted his goodwill.
"We'll be careful."
Then her serious expression softened, and she smiled faintly.
"I also look forward to the day you fulfill your wish. When that time comes, be sure to tell me, love… is it sweet, or bitter?"
After saying that, she gave Furina one last embrace before boarding her Familia's carriage.
With a long, resounding horn call, the Artemis Familia slowly departed through the city gates, merging into the road that led toward distant horizons.
Faen stood still, watching the convoy grow smaller and smaller.
He wanted—desperately wanted, to rush forward and tell Artemis not to accept any mission related to the Great Forest Sea.
In his memories of the original story, the Artemis Familia had met their end during an expedition there, when an ancient monster broke free from its seal.
They had been annihilated.
But he didn't know how to say it.
Mortals could not lie before gods.
That was an ironclad rule of this world.
Was he supposed to claim he could see the future?
It would sound absurd. No god would believe him—and worse, it would invite suspicion and scrutiny.
In the end, he swallowed the words that had risen to his throat.
There should still be time before that tragedy unfolded.
He still had time.
As long as the Focalors Familia grew stronger quickly enough, there would surely be another way in the future to save Artemis and her Familia.
Faen did not consider himself a self-sacrificing hero.
For the sake of the obsession buried in his heart, he could discard many things—everything except his companions.
But Artemis's Familia was different.
They were a group of girls who longed for beautiful romance—innocent, idealistic, and now friends.
He did not wish to see such a cruel ending repeat itself.
Nor did he want to see the innocent moon goddess fall upon the cold soil of the Lower World as she had in his memories.
He admitted—yes, there was some element of male impulse in it.
To claim he felt nothing for such a beautiful and pure goddess would be a lie.
But more than that, it was simply because he wanted to act.
He wanted to meddle.
If Furina's justice was "continuance"—the determination to ensure her Familia's survival at any cost—
Then Faen's justice could be summed up in a single line:
My heart and decision is crystal clear, there's no room for regrets and hesitation. What I choose to do—is my own Justice.
A completely self-centered justice.
If he believed it was right, if the mirror in his heart remained clear, then he would act without hesitation.
It doesn't matter,
Even if others deemed it selfish, ignoble, or unreasonable.
...
After seeing the Artemis Familia off, they did not linger in sorrow for long.
The growth of their Familia could not wait.
Faen took the newly joined Tifa straight to the Guild Headquarters.
The same counter. The familiar face.
The one receiving them was once again the half-elf advisor, Eina Tulle.
"Welcome back, Mr. Faen. Miss Robin."
Eina smiled professionally yet warmly. When her gaze fell upon Tifa, a flicker of amazement passed through her eyes.
"This must be your new companion?"
"Yes. Her name is Tifa Lockhart. We're here to register her as an adventurer."
Eina worked efficiently. Since she was already familiar with Faen and Robin, many unnecessary procedures were skipped.
After carefully explaining Guild regulations and adventurer precautions to Tifa, the registration was completed swiftly.
The Focalors Familia officially welcomed its fourth member.
---
After leaving the Guild, the next step was purchasing equipment.
Tifa was a martial artist. Her hands were her deadliest weapons.
Faen selected a fitted set of lightweight leather armor for her—providing protection without hindering her mobility.
Finally, he chose a pair of reinforced gauntlets inlaid with hardened metal plates.
When Tifa slipped them on and gently clenched her fists, a steady and restrained aura naturally emanated from her.
Everything prepared, the three of them headed straight for the Dungeon.
Today's objective: allow Tifa to adapt to Dungeon combat.
They started from the First Floor and descended step by step.
Against the lowest-tier Fire Slimes and club-wielding Hilichurls, Faen and Robin barely intervened, standing by only to cover her flanks while leaving the battlefield entirely to Tifa.
Tifa's combat resembled a beautiful dance.
There was not a single unnecessary motion.
Her footwork was light and swift, as though she danced along the edge of a blade.
When several Fire Slimes rolled toward her, she sidestepped and slid smoothly, her body bending with astonishing flexibility to evade the attack. Then, with a crisp whip-like kick, she struck directly at the magic stone core within a slime.
"Boom!"
The gelatinous body burst apart instantly.
"Shine."
She murmured the chant for her only magic, [Meteor Feathers].
Faint, nearly invisible motes of magic wrapped around her gauntlets and boots like drifting stardust.
From that moment on, every strike carried crushing force.
A straight punch sent a Hilichurl flying into the wall, dissolving into black smoke.
A spinning kick knocked multiple monsters away at once.
Her fighting style carried rhythm.
As combat continued, her skill [Combat Rhythm] activated, her movements growing faster and smoother.
Fists, legs, elbows, knees—every part of her body became a weapon. Her continuous attacks flowed seamlessly, leaving enemies no time to breathe.
From ordinary slimes to armed Hilichurls, even to heavily armored Rockshield Hilichurls, Tifa handled them all with ease.
Faen and Robin only stepped in occasionally to eliminate threats from blind spots when she was surrounded, creating better openings for her offense.
====================
Support by Dropping Powerstones, Comments, and Reviews:>
300 Powerstones – Bonus Chap
600 Powerstones – Bonus Chap