Kind of delayed with this one, but I was slightly busy and I also had to write down spoilers for the Astraea Record Light Novels down in Reddit, since Im actively following those to keep up with the lore and see what additions I could make. Well enough of my part here, let's just get on with the actual part, y'all came for.
"…It's warm."
Those were the first words that came out of Alfia's mouth as she entered the large spring, filled with a soft light.
The water was cool and just entering it, brought a relief to her aching body. The usual bursts of pain that attacked her body had calmed down, bringing a sense of relief.
Behind her, was a blue haired woman, a Spirit, smiling softly.
"I am glad it is to your liking. If there is anything else you need, do not hesitate to ask."
"You're being quite hospitable, to allow a stranger like me to your forest."
"I cannot treat someone who has helped us poorly, can I?"
While Alfia stared quietly, the expression on the woman did not change. But it was clear that the Spirit meant no ill will, so she slowly turned back.
"Then I will be waiting outside. Please call if you require anything."
"Fine."
The woman walked away, leaving Alfia to her thoughts.
….5 months, huh?
It had been around that long since she had left the village and Bell to seek better treatment for her disease.
The symptoms started turning for the worse around a year ago, and even the branch of the Holy Tree in the abandoned elf forest was losing it's effectiveness. So she had decided to head towards the power hidden in the Spirit's forest, to see if they had a way to suppress her disease.
Back then, Bell had begged to go with her, but she had refused. He was already set on heading to Orario soon, so she didn't wish to disrupt his journey with her affairs. So she had convinced him, and left on ahead.
But there was just one thing,
"...it's quiet."
Normally this is something that she enjoyed. A beautiful silence, filled with no unnecessary noise.
But while she would never admit it to anyone, she had grown somewhat lonely.
Before she knew it, she had gotten used to the days they spent in that little house. Zard's cooking, Bell's smile and…
Enough.
She shook her head. It wasn't like that would be the last time to see them. If she properly managed to get better, they would eventually meet again.
As she took a deep breath, the pain in her body began to recede even further.
It really is the spring of a Great Spirit. At this rate, I might be able to keep my body in a good state for a while.
Just recently, Alfia had arrived at this hidden Spirit forest. She had gone in expecting some difficulty to ask the Spirits for assistance, but was greeted with a blazing fire that threatened to burn down the very ground she was standing on. .
Green monsters, shaped like flowers, along with many different types of monsters had attacked the forest.
Black figures, wearing odd clothing, howling in sheer delight as their black swords cut apart the soft flesh of the people in the forest.
The Spirits, crying out in pain and blood, their pride and lives being trampled upon mercilessly.
"..."
Alfia might have been considered a hero to many, but she was far from a proper or just person.
She was tyrannical, whimsy and normally did as she pleased.
She wasn't the type to usually care about people dying, after all from where she had grown up, people dying was a common occurrence.
But this here…
Disgusting.
That was the only thing she thought of as she saw the scene of chaos and destruction.
Even in all her years in the Dungeon, it was very rare to see a scene so repulsive. Adventurers dying to the Dungeon looked more humane than what these people were doing right now to the fallen spirits.
So, there was only one answer she had given them in response.
"Gospel."
She did not hesitate to let loose the noise inside of herself, to destroy every trace of those scum. Beings who defiled the honor of others to that extent deserved nothing but death.
The sound of the holy bell echoed.
Waves of sound exploded, ripping, shredding, and slicing the green monsters into pieces.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
"Stop chirping, you worthless trash. If you're going to die, then do it quietly."
Alfia's frown grew deeper. She raised her arm, determined to silence the ugly noises that surrounded her. After around a quarter of them had been killed, a new voice echoed.
"This is quite a surprise. A mage, all the way out here?"
A man with red hair and black long coat appeared behind the monsters. His eyes were closed, like Alfia's but he almost seemed to be appraising her as he turned to her direction.
"..."
For the first time, Alfia paused.
Not because of a hesitation with herself for killing a person.
It was clear enough, this man was in control of the monsters, since they did not try to harm him. He deserved death all the same, as they had.
Rather, she was having a hard time judging the person or rather thing in front of her. He made no noise like a normal person would make.
His very presence felt wrong
It was almost like…
"Ah, where are my manners? I am a member of Evilus. My name is Vito. Some of my comrades would call me "Faceless." Nice to meet you."
As he bowed, the smile on his face grew ever-so slightly wider.
Alfia's eyebrows slightly rose. She knew the name Evilus.
A group of criminals who aimed to bring the downfall of Orario and by extension the entire Lower World, entering a new age of chaos and destruction.
They had existed even back when she was active as an adventurer in Orario, but they had not made any large moves, because of the threat of Zeus and Hera Familia. Back then, Evilus was nothing in front of them, but they excelled at hiding their tracks, making it hard to find and eradicate them.
That had all changed, when Zeus and Hera fell. Alfia had not personally seen it, but they had apparently caused quite a bit of chaos for many years after they had left, enough for the entire world to hear about it. It was said they had been defeated around four years ago but seeing the man in front of her, smiling so triumphantly, it was clear that it was false.
"...Those fools in Orario. Can't they even do a simple clean-up job right?"
Alfia clicked her tongue softly.
"You seem to be aware of the situation, it seems." Vito shrugged. "Now what should I do? We've already gotten the necessary magical energy. And if my prediction about your identity is right, fighting someone of your caliber might be a bit much for me. Do you mind if I could escape from here?"
She did not even consider the man's proposal for a second.
"Just die here."
"Hehe, what a shame. Then, I'll leave it to you, Violas. Hold off this woman as long as you can."
Instead of the man, the army of flowers covered themselves to take the brunt of Satanas Verion.
"You're in the way."
One blast, quickly became two. Then four. Then eight.
No matter how many she fired and defeated, more seemed to pop up and take over the fallen monster's place. Some of the black robed figures also jumped in, with their cursed weapons.
"Die! For our Lord's sake!"
"Lord Tha- Gaaa!"
However, many did not get to finish their prayers, before their throats were sliced through by the silent woman's magic.
"I couldn't care less about your worthless god. Get lost, you annoying noises."
"Take this, witch!"
A few of the figures drew magic swords of all sorts of elements. Fire, electricity, wind, all aimed at the gray-haired mage.
But they had failed to realize something.
Silence, Alfia was both the strongest mage, and the strongest enemy of all mages.
"Ataraxia."
With a simple wave of her hand, all of the magic aimed to destroy her had dispersed harmlessly into thin air. Neither flame, lightning, or wind touched her skin.
"What?!"
"Impossible?! All that magic power, gone in an instant?!"
"What kind of power was that?!"
As everyone looked, in disbelief, only one man, Vito, held his smile with a look of understanding. But even he was not completely unperturbed, as a small line of sweat ran down his cheek.
"I see. So this is Silence."
Only one mage in the entire history of Orario, held this sort of power. She was a living legend, with such superb talent, that she was able to achieve one of the Grand Quests with her power.
"Disappear."
Alfia did not care about their panic, and simply mowed anyone in her sight. The unmoving members had become easy targets in their shock.
"Aaarrgh!"
"Imp-"
"For my lo-!"
This could hardly even be called a fight.
To Evilus, continuing to get slaughtered with every wave of the mage's hand, this was nothing more than just walking towards their own deaths. And yet even then, they did not hesitate to run towards the guillotine, determined to stop her.
Vito seemed to realize this as well, as he began to walk off.
"Well, well, I must really be going now. Hopefully, we will never get to meet again, Silence, Alfia."
"Tch!"
She fired one last blast of Satanas, at the back of the man. But even then it did not reach. Instead of ripping him into pieces, the group of believers jumped in the path of the sound wave.
"Go! Lord Vito!"
"We will protect you!"
The followers and monsters, despite not being suitable to hurt Alfia, could still manage to slow her down, by using themselves as shields for her magic. Even after ending so many of them, there was still plenty left to be used as the man's protection. Seeing the dying loyalty of his comrades, Vito laughed darkly, giving the followers one last look.
"Thank you, my fellows. Your sacrifice will not be in vain, I shall inform your master and Lord Enyo of this matter.
"Ah!"
"What a joy!"
"We will wait however long, in Heaven!"
The dark believers smiled as if meeting death here was truly the greatest honor of their lives.
Vito slowly disappeared into the shadows of the forest, leaving them behind. Alfia's annoyance had reached a new level, but something else had bugged her.
Enyo?
She hadn't heard of a god of that name before.
At the same time, she found it hard to believe that anyone other than a god could inspire loyalty to the point of madness into a group.
"Go!"
"Stop this woman, even if it means death!"
"Our wishes shall be granted in the other world!"
As the roars of ugly passion began to grow louder and louder, drowning out the serene silence in her heart, the last bits of Alfia's patience snapped.
"Fine."
Alfia's eyes opened, revealing a heterochromatic, faded green and gray, looking at the group of mad believers and beasts with cold eyes.
"If you are that desperate to prove yourself in death, then you can go first."
Her voice was icy and ruthless, as if a prelude to the eventual oncoming silence that would envelop them forever.
And just as she had promised, she had destroyed all of them, without a shred of mercy.
Afterwards, the leader of the Spirits in the forest, had thanked her for her assistance. Even though she had expected their help to be troubled, they had allowed her access to the spring to recover her body.
Now, everything was at peace, but there were things that still bothered the silent mage,
Even though they attacked a Spirit forest, Evilus is a group who primarily focuses on destroying Orario. Otherwise, no matter how much damage they do outside of it, the Lower World will not fall.
Yet despite that, they attacked here instead. And Alfia had a good idea on why.
Vito's words replayed themselves.
"Now what should I do? We've already gotten the necessary magical energy."
If the Spirits are being attacked and captured for their power, what would they do once they've obtained the power they need?
That question had different answers, but there was one very obvious answer from among those.
Alfia looked towards the south, where the Labyrinth City lied and the place of that boy's dream."
"...Bell."
"And that's the report so far."
In a hidden alley, away from prying eyes. Zard cleared his throat as he finished giving out the information he needed to. The person next to him nodded.
"I see. Thank you for your hard work."
A strange, unknown voice echoed. The figure wore all black robes, covering nearly all of their features, making it impossible to tell if they were even a man or a woman.
"No problem. This is something my old man, and your god decided on right, Fels."
Zard's tone was lighter than usual, showing the two had been acquainted for some time. Fels, echoed a small laugh of his own in return.
"Ouranos has no immediate plans to ask Lord Zeus right now. What do you plan to do in the meantime? If you would like to stay for a while…"
"Hmm, yeah, I think I can stay for a few days. I'll probably head out afterwards though."
"That's very soon. Did something happen?"
"No, nothing like that." Zard hesitated for a few moments. "Part of it is because I need to head to Dedaine soon. And the other part…no, it's nothing. My old age must be getting to me."
After he waved it off, Fels fixed a stare at him for a few seconds, before sighing.
"That child I saw over 30 years ago. To think he's worrying about age now, I've lived a long life."
"Hahaha, I guess that's true!"
Zard chuckled.
The Guild along with Zeus and Hera Familias had been partners since the gods first descended. And among them, they shared a special relationship with their head god, Ouranos.
That was why, even as they were exiled from Orario, Ouranos and Fels had pulled some strings to allow them some mercy, of retiring peacefully in the world and still kept a private connection with him.
After Bell decided to move forward with his journey Zard, Alfia and Zeus had all decided to move forward themselves and reestablish the connections they had in Orario, in order to continue what they had given up long ago.
"Any interesting news in Orario these days?"
"Interesting news, huh? Well the only major thing that has happened is Loki Familia recently coming back from their expedition. The goal was the 59th Floor but they sadly couldn't make it that far."
"Really?"
Zard couldn't help but let out a sigh.
"If we still have the top adventurers struggling in the fifties, the future doesn't look too bright."
"But we must go on to achieve it regardless of what hand we are dealt with."
While Zard didn't like to admit it, it was true. This was all the result of their own failure 15 years ago, so he shouldn't have complained. He knew that logically and still, some level of impatience remained in his heart.
Should I try and give them some motivation...
"Also, there was a small uproar, a few days ago. Something about a mercenary from the outside, becoming an adventurer."
At that moment, Zard eyes snapped open.
"What's his name?"
"I believe it was, Bell Cranell…Zard why are you smiling?"
Lifting his hands to his face, he finally realized, that he had a full blown smile on his face. "Ah, my bad. Do you know what faction he belongs to?"
"According to the records, he joined a faction called Hestia Familia. It has just started up in Orario."
"A new Familia... Well, Bell wouldn't make the normal choice so it's not that weird. At least it wasn't someone like Freya."
Zard murmured those words under his breath.
Had Bell decided to go to say Loki or even worse, Freya, Zard could only imagine the look on Alfia's face. He shuddered slowly.
"If you plan to stay around for a few days, then feel free to see the Monsterphilia Festival in two days."
Zard gave Fels a confused look at the new word.
"Monsterphilia? Did we have that before?"
"Ouranos gave his approval to start the Festival six years ago. Well, if you want to enjoy the show, it'll be at the usual Coliseum."
Apparently, Fels had finished talking as, he began heading down to the dark entrance, that also served as a secret path to the Guild's Chamber of Prayers. But he stopped for one last thing and turned.
"Zard. If you plan to only be here for a few days, then please keep your head low."
"Well, I'll try."
"….As long as you're aware."
A hint of tiredness seemed to come from the robed figure, as if he knew, things wouldn't be that simple.
Opening the door, Fels quickly passed through it, leaving Zard alone.
"Now, then…"
Zard stared at the scenery in front of him. "I'm finally home again after a long time. Time to look around."
Contrary to what he had expected, Orario had not changed so much over the last fifteen years. Many of the streets, along with the chaotic yet bright crowds of people were as he remembered it.
After grabbing a small snack from a stall, he began heading down the north end of Main Street after hearing the rumors on the street of a certain place.
Here it is.
In front of him was a large restaurant, called the Hostess of Fertility. It was a place Zard had never heard of in the old days, and the rumor had it the food here was one of the best in Orario.
As he walked inside, people gave him looks of awe and surprise while some whispered to each other. He had long gotten used to the fearful looks of others for his appearance but he couldn't help but let out a little sigh from time to time.
No, wait. Two of these are different.
He moved his head lightly, to not cause too much alarm, and found the source of the odd gazes.
Two men sat on a table, wearing a black cloak and white cloak respectively. Their faces were mostly covered by their hoods, but there was an opening in the hoods that allowed their long ears to stretch out sharply. Unlike with the fear and surprise, many had, the two men, stared at him with a look that almost bordered hostility.
A white elf and dark elf. And this feeling…
"Hey, you've got to be kidding me…What the hell are you doing here?"
A voice interrupted the rest of his thoughts. When he turned back, a large dwarf woman stared at him, anger and annoyance, blending in her tone. Zard let out a big smile.
"Mia! It's been a long time! How are you doing?"
Before anyone could react, Zard had moved over and given the owner a big hug, further causing the customers to gape in sheer disbelief.
"No way…"
"He's holding that Mama…?!"
"Hey, let go!"
Putting some force, Mia managed to push the warrior away before huffing.
"It's been sixteen years, and this is the first thing you do, idiot?"
Zard shrugged "Sorry. Got a bit out of there seeing an old friend doing well."
Mia Grand, was one of the few adventurers outside the Zeus and Hera Familias that Zard considered a friend. Despite being a part of Freya Familia, she didn't follow the whims of her god, Freya, and mainly did what she pleased, something that had earned her enemies from her own faction. But Mia managed to defeat them all and eventually stand above them as the Freya Familia Captain. She was stubborn, a good cook, and strong. All things that Zard respected about her.
"Hmph! I'm doing more than well, obviously. So are you here for a meal or to chat things up. If you aren't here for the food, then save it for later."
"Came for both. You don't want to talk?"
"Course I do. I've got my fair questions to ask, like how the hell are you still alive now." For a moment, the color in Mia's eyes darkened. "But for now, you're a customer, so I gotta treat you like one."
"Thanks."
"But." Mia glared. "Whatever you do, don't stir any trouble at my store. I know how you messed around with Loki's people in the old days at the bars. We won't be having any of that shit here, got it?"
"Hey, c'mon just a b-"
"Got it?"
"...Alright."
He had no choice but to bow his head, in front of that death glare.
"Oh, a new customer? Are you a friend of Mama's?"
A silver haired girl, wearing a waitress uniform, had noticed them and offered a smile at Zard.
What? Where have I…
Zard furrowed his eyes, while Mia let out a sigh.
"Right now, he's nothing more than a customer. Don't give this idiot any special treatment."
Zard, however, didn't react to the owner's words. He continued staring at the girl, eyes not faltering in the slightest.
"Is there something wrong?" The girl offered him an abashed smile."I have to say, this is a little too much for our first meeting."
"...Is that you?"
Zard half-whispered the words, as if he himself couldn't believe it. Mia's shoulders tensed, and the two elves at the tables, slightly moved their hands.
But the girl being questioned was unmoved. She simply tilted her head, and favored him with a confused smile. "Um, I'm not sure what that means. My name is Syr Flover. Have we met by any chance?"
Zard met her gaze head on, eyes cleared of doubt.
"I see. Those two on the tables over there, those are the rumored Hidlrslief and Dainslief, huh?"
"Oh, you know about them?" Syr nodded. "They come by our store a lot,"
"I'm sure. To guard you, right? That side of your kids never changes over the years. " smirked Zard.
"Guard me?" Her eyes widened. "I'm just a waitress here, hired by Mama Mia. I don't know what you think I am, Mr. Adventurer, but its a bit awkward to be in this position."
Zard spared Mia a look. She was completely expressionless, not looking at Zard or Syr.. That look only furthered his conviction about the silver-haired girl.
"So, how did you do it? You guys are banned from using your powers, so was it some sort of magic item? Or did one of your kids put some magic on you?"
"Like I said before-
"Your scent."
"...Huh?"
Finally, the smile on Syr's face seemed to freeze.
"It hasn't changed since back then. I don't know how you're hiding your form, but your scent is the same. Along with that scent of expensive perfume that you always liked to use." Compared to the girl's smile slowly fading, Zards' smile grew. "You're the type to spare nothing for beauty products. I can't imagine a regular waitress's salary being enough to afford that."
"..."
"And if I ask a friend of mine to look it up on it, I wonder how many times Freya Familia executives like those two come by this store, and when they come. If I find that they only come on days where you work, then…"
"Alright. I get it."
She slowly raised her hands up, her eyes growing more relaxed as she gave him her first true smile of the day.
"Long time, no see, Zard. That sense of yours hasn't changed much over the years has it?"
"...heh."
"Heh?"
"Heh….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
He finally couldn't hold it in any longer.
As Mia and Syr looked at him dumbfounded, he burst out in a booming laugh, holding his sides on one arm. The customers looked, with a mix of horror, and surprise, some even letting out small, frightened laughs of their own.
Trying to catch himself, Zard spoke. "I can't believe this! You, who's always acting like the queen and above it all, actually became a waitress?! Mia, this is a joke, right?!"
"Zard, you have no idea. I thought the same, when she told me years ago."
Unlike the laughing man, though, Mia's eyes revealed the burden of exhaustion, watching over the silver-haired girl's whims for the years.
"Zard. How long do you plan on laughing?"
Syr's eyes narrowed slightly. That alone was enough for Zard to get the message, his laughter suddenly fading.
He was not afraid of the Freya Familia in the slightest, but he knew the Freya Familia and the girl standing in front of him were different, and she would find a way to make him pay, in ways he'd never expect if he kept going.
"Well, you can't blame me right? No one would've believed in fifteen years ago. Back then you were just stubbornly aiming to knock Hera off from her seat and playing queen."
She had always put a cool facade even in the past, in front of everybody but the only ones who were fooled by it were the people in Freya Familia except for Mia. Her drive to defeat Hera, had almost become a maddening passion after the humiliation of having her entire Familia defeated with just one of Hera's members, The Empress, Eris.
In a way, she was the one who most wanted something from their downfall 15 years ago, but he never imagined this was the result she ended up with after getting everything she had wanted.
Syr pouted. "Hmph, like I'd be obsessed with your Familias forever. I got over Hera even before what happened with the Black Dragon."
"Uh-huh." Zard didn't even bother keeping his voice believable.
Syr shot him a sullen look. "It's true. But after a few years, the boredom came by again. Thanks to that stupid deal I made with Hera, I can't leave Orario for too long at a time, until the world's wish is granted. I did want to travel for as much as I could anyway but Ottar stopped me."
"I'm sure he did." Zard easily imagined the look on the boaz's face, and snickered.
"Around then, is where I met a certain girl, and took her in. At the same time, Mia was going to retire, so a great idea came to me."
"You mean a terrible idea. Hell, your worst idea yet." grumbled Mia.
"You wanted to work at the store, Mia was opening up, for a change of pace?" said Zard, guessing the rest.
"Yes! I really was desperate for something to do by then. I figured anything could kill my boredom for a bit…but I was surprised."
Syr's voice had wavered. A sense of happiness and joy covered it, something Zard never quite felt, when he had seen her before.
"There were so many people. So many glows. So many potentials close by. It's like I hadn't truly experienced the world until now. Every day felt like a new journey."
Zard almost couldn't believe it. What he saw wasn't a beautiful and refined smile that could win over any man. What he saw was something even more priceless from the girl: a child-like grin as if she was really nothing more than a little girl.
"I see."
For a wish it was too simple. But maybe because she had always been in a cage, she had never experienced that sort of small joy for herself. For a brief moment, Zard felt a bit of pity for Syr.
"If that's how you prefer to live your life now, then that's great. Don't tell Hera I said this, but I'll be rooting for you."
"Hehe, thanks."
The two laughed for a few moments, before Mia let out a cough.
"So, when are you going to order? In my store, customers get grub first before talking."
"Oh, that's right! Sorry, Mama Mia! So then, Mr. Zard."
Holding herself up as a proper waitress of the prided Hostess of Fertility, Syr gave him her most professional smile.
"What would you like to order? Your favorite meal and dwarven liquor, I'm sure?"
"Hahaha, you know me well! Ah, but one more thing."
"What is it?"
Zard smirked. "Do you guys have favors from Freya as an option here?"
The girl gave a roguish smirk to match his. "It'll cost you."
Bonus Part: Q/A Section.
Bell: Welcome to the Q/A section of IF Route. I'm the protagonist, and a adventurer of Hestia Familia, Bell Cranell.
Emma: I'm Emma, also from Hestia Familia. Hey, Bell?"
Bell: What is it?
Emma: What is this whole section for?
Bell: "Well, it's really like what'd you'd expect. A place to answer possible questions about the setting of the world, and events that could be different than what our readers know about Danmachi. Ah but, we can't give any spoilers on these, ok Emma?"
Emma: "Got it. So I can't say things like how what happens during the Mo-!"
Bell: "Please stop!"
Q. What is a mercenary and how does it differ from an adventurer?
Bell: "Ahh, It is a little confusing to get. In the stories I read as a child, mercenaries and adventurers were the same thing. But in the current Age of Gods, adventurers are mainly the people in Orario who fight in the Dungeon, while mercenaries are the people who work outside of it. I guess that's the easiest way of saying it. There are some small differences aside from that though."
Emma, "So basically, anyone who fights outside the Orario is a mercenary?"
Bell: "No. There are plenty of mercenaries who don't really focus on fighting, unlike adventurers, and find other sorts of quests to make a living. It's more of a job where you can do anything, as long as you are paid for it."
Emma: "I remember hearing something about a "rank" or something for some mercenaries?"
Bell: "Oh, that. It's kind of like how Orario's level up announcements and titles to adventurers that have advanced. A mercenary rank is however determined by the amount of official quests he has completed. Once a quest is done, and approved by either a Guild branch, or a qualified place to give out quests, it's recorded and kept as a record for evaluation. The ranks go by I to S like a Status, S being the strongest.".
Emma "Huh…What rank are you Bell?"
Bell: "D-rank."
Emma "Hey, you've made it pretty far! Do you think you could make it to S soon?"
Bell: "No way."
Emma: Eh?!"
Bell: "To reach S-rank, you need a total of 10,000 official quests completed. Only 3 people in the entire world are at that rank. It would take me years to reach that point."
Emma: "Whoa…"
Q. Are there any other places aside from Orario that are well known.
Emma: "Oh, I know this one! The Imperial Empire at the west, is a huge country! They have a strong army too and I hear about them in the newspapers a lot.
Bell: "The Empire is one of the few world powers after all."
Emma: "World powers?"
Bell: "Countries that have strength,wealth, or knowledge to set them apart from everyone else. Decisions made by them can literally affect the entire world. Orario is an easy one to name."
Emma: "That makes sense. So the Empire is one of them too."
Bell: "Theyre the second strongest country, after Orario. Another one is Altena, the Country of Magic. Though their influence is more on the developing side, not the fighting side. Telesykura is also one, but I don't want to talk about them too much."
Emma "Why?"
Bell: "The stories that come out from there…No, please forget it. Just remember the 3 main powers in the Lower World are Orario, The Empire, and Altena."
Q. What are the Six Spirit Queens?
Aurora: "I will explain this."
Bell: "When did you wake up?!"
Emma: "Is something wrong, Bell?"
Bell: "It's nothing!"
Aurora: "Firstly, it's not six but seven. The last one, Sylph is…currently not with us, but there are normally seven spirits who hold the title "Spirit Queen" There are many different types of spirits, but the seven most known tribes all have a Great Spirit that they consider, their queen, for they are the first spirit of their tribe.
Bell: "They're also really strong, right?"
Emma: "Bell, you've been talking to yourself for a while now…"
Bell: "Sorry, I'll be done soon!"
Aurora:"Of course, they stand at the pinnacle of Great Spirits. The Fire Spirit Queen, Salamander. The Water Spirit Queen, Undine. The Earth Spirit Queen, Gnome. The Thunder Spirit Queen, Tonitrus. The Light Spirit Queen, Lux. The Dark Spirit Queen, Shade. And the Wind Spirit Queen, Sylph. Their names became so renowned during the Ancient Times, that their tribes were collectively named after them.
Bell: "Oh, that I remember. Fire Spirits are called Salamanders, after their queen, and the same goes for other Spirits in the seven tribes."
Aurora: "Exactly. Though most of the Queens, in the current era, simply do as they please, using different names to wander around the Lower World."
Emma: "Hey, Bell, what's really going on? Are you sick? Do you need some help?"
Q. What had happened during the Dark Ages?
Bell: "Um, this is a hard one for me to answer. I've heard a few things, but I don't know what really happened."
Emma: "Me, too. I didn't really know that much about Orario before I came."
Lili: "I'll explain this part then.…"
Bell: "Lili! You came!"
Lili: "I had no choice! We can't leave the readers without an answer!"
Emma: "Miss Lili, your face is red."
Lili: "Oh, let's just get this over with! The Dark Ages started when the Zeus and Hera Familias fell from power and collapsed around 15 years ago
Bell "..."
Lili: "Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?"
Bell: "Oh…haha, sorry. I just didn't want to disturb you."
Lili: "Whatever. Anyway, after they fell from power, a group called Evilus began to take power and fight with the new top powers in Orario, Loki and Freya along with other Familias like Ganesha and Astraea. For nine years, chaos was all around the city. Honestly it might've been even more dangerous than the Dungeon at that time."
Emma: "You can't be serious…"
Lili: "Dead serious. It was a nightmare to be in. Well, it was because of that, people also got way stronger in that time, to combat Evilus. The point where the Dark Ages began to fall was around six years ago, where an evil god named Erebus planned a massive attack against the city that was later called the Great Feud."
Bell: "Great Feud?"
Lili: It's also known as the Seven Worst Days. We had a massive amount of both innocents and adventurers die because of the planning of that evil god. 30,000 people died on the first day."
Emma: "30,000 on just the first day…"
Lili: "But, later all the people in Orario rose up and managed to defeat Evilus on the seventh was the moment, where Evilus's grip on the city got weaker, and the adventurers didn't miss this chance. Evilus, who had lost many of their own forces on that attack, eventually was defeated two years later. Now the city has been at peace since."
Q. What is the current state of Orario today?
Alise: "Hmph, it's finally my time! Let the beautiful first tier adventurer of justice, Alise Lovell-!"
Lyra: "Lion, take her."
Ryuu: "I understand."
Alise: "Noooooo!"
Bell: "Miss Lyra…
Lyra: "Now, the nuisance is gone, so let's start."
Emma: "We're just going to ignore that part?!"
Lyra: "Compared to before, Orario's developed a lot. Item making, the strength of the city, number of adventurers has overall improved ever since the Dark Ages ended up. Nowadays it isn't as rare to see a Level 2 or 3 as it was before."
Bell:"Oh…"
Lyra: "Still, we've got a long way to go before we can reach the heights of Zeus and Hera who were the previous bosses. Even after all this time, those groups of freaks and monsters are still insane."
Emma: "Ahaha, Miss Lyra isn't that going a bit too far?"
Bell: It's 100% true though…
Emma:"Bell, why do you look like you're about to cry?"
Q. Who is the strongest among the family, Zard or Alfia?
Bell:"….."
Emma: "Bell?"
Bell:"…"
Emma: "B-bell? Bell! We have a question to answer!"
Bell: "I'm sorry, but I'll be leaving for this one."
Emma: "Huh?! No, wait, how can you?!-"
Zard: "Can't be helped! I'll answer in my young disciple's place. Obviously the strongest one in our family is-!"
Zard/Alfia: "Me!"
Emma:"…."
Zard:"Hey, what kind of joke is this, Alfia? You've barely moved in these last few years?"
Alfia: "The same goes for you, Haven't your skills dulled by killing the same weak monsters every time."
Zard:"…."
Alfia:"…."
Emma:"…Umm I think I'll be leaving now too."
Zard:"OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!"
Alfia: "Gospel!"
Emma:"Nooooooooooo!"
This is the last and yet most important question. Please answer seriously.
Bell:"I-I see."
Emma: "It's the first time I've heard a question sound so serious..."
Q. How many girls will be in the harem?
Alfia: "Do you want to die?"
I'm sorry!
And with that is the end of this Omake. The Q/A thing was mainly an experimental thing I wanted to try out and slapped on at the end of my draft of the first two parts. I used my own questions as a sort of template but if there is a question about a possible event or setting in the IF world you would like to know for and would like to see this section again sometime, then write it down in the reviews and I will try to answer them( of course with no spoilers).
And I'd like to know if you just prefer me saying saying the answers to questions here on the foreword or afterword, or prefer character speech to show the answer. First time trying this so I would like to know what you guys like.
See you next time, whenever that might be.
-Gold.