"Wuuuuuah! Lady Astrea you look so pretty in that dress!" Alise´s eyes shone when she looked at her goddess.

"I can only agree, you are so pretty, lady Astrea."

"Really pretty!"

"You will easily be the most beautiful woman in the Hostess tonight!"

Astrea giggled. "Ehehehe, you flatter me so much. I´m jut wearing my usual, white dress."

"But you are the only one that lets such a dress look elegant and pure!"

"Huh?" The goddess looked down on herself. "Do you mean it isn´t elegant and pure to begin with?"

"Not with such a cleavage."

"Do you mean it is inappropriate? Ganesha really likes my dress."

Kaguya smirked. "I wonder why."

Alise shook her head enthusiastic. "No, no, no! What I mean is it looks perfect because you are wearing it! No mortal woman could hope to let this dress look good! Not even the beautiful me! I bet even goddess Freya wouldn´t look as amazing as you do in it!"

"I think her children would say something else to that."

"They can, I bet even Rethusa will claim that lady Artemis is more beautiful than you! Hah! They don´t know the real you, lady Astrea! If they did, they would know why you are the best, most noble, kind and beautiful!"

"Alise, you never get tired of praising me, right?"

"Nope!" Alise emphasized the P with a distinct pop.

Then, for once, Alise got surprisingly serious. "Not after all you´ve done for us, before the dark times, during and afterwards. Without you, we all wouldn´t be who we are today."

Lyra slammed against the doorframe. "I can only agree with Alise on that!"

Kaguya nodded. "Me too."

Neze raised her hand. "Me three."

Some of the others giggled due to Neze´s joke.

"They are right, lady Astrea." Ryu smiled.

"Hehe, then I will do my best to live up to your praises. But now let us go, before Mia gets mad."

""""""Yeeees!""""""""

"Oh and Lefiya?"

"Yes?"

"I would like you to sit to my right today."

"Oh? Okay?"

"You are our VIP today, you are one of the main reasons why the wargame was won."

"I didn´t do that much..." Lefiya blushed slightly.

"I guess Bell and his friends would say you did."

Alise grinned. "And the former members of the Apollo familia too."

Filvis patted her shoulder. "You earned it, Lefiya."

"Mh, okay."

The goddess stopped before they left the house. "Girls, I have to ask you something."

"We´re listening, lady Astrea."

"I can´t demand this of you, but I would like that we pay for this evening. I will make it up to you of course. But it was my fault that this all happened, I should´ve done a better job after the dark times."

Ryu shook her head. "It wasn´t your fault alone, lady Astrea. We also made mistakes. You don´t need to make it u-Mmmmf!"

She got interrupted when Alise pressed her hands onto Ryu´s mouth, smiling bright. "N-No problem lady Astrea! We will be fine when you make it up to us a little."

"*Puah!* Alise! What are you doing?! What are you saying?! Lady Astrea doesn´t need t-"

Alise leaned close and whispered softly. "Don´t you want to see lady Astrea in a maid outfit?"

"*Gasp*!"

Even Ryu went quiet after this, most of the others had heard what Alise said, their eyes shone. Even that of the elves of the familia.

"So, lady Astrea. How about you will use a maid outfit for one day? You doesn´t have to do all the work of course."

The goddess smiled gently. "Being the familia´s maid? Ehehe, it sounds fun. If that´s what you all want, sure."

"M-Maybe one with a short skirt?!"

Astrea continued to smile. "Whatever you want me to wear, I trust you that you won´t go too far."

"A-And what about being a clumsy maid?!"

"Alise, your nose is bleeding."

"Woops."

The whole Astrea familia cheered loud while they left their home.

.

.
"Woah, it really is already evening."

"Welf, didn´t you notice that it was getting dark?"

"I had trouble to pack my stuff at home and clean up my personal forge. Tsubaki wants to have it for some reason. And lady Hephaistos just wouldn´t let me alone. She said she is so happy that I found friends and move in with them."

"Didn´t she threat to kick you out so that you have to do it?"

Welf shrugged his shoulders. "Guess that´s what you call tough love."

"Won´t you be lonely when you don´t see her so often anymore?"

"I will see lady Hephaistos plenty of times. And like this I have more chances to improve myself, until I can present her something that is worthy."

"You really do love her."

Welf grinned. "I do. Heh, and it looks like someone else is also deeply in love."

"Mhhh!" They saw Nahza´s tail wagging while she clung to Miach´s right arm, smiling happy.

Miach smiled. "Nahza, my dear, it is a bit hard to walk like this."

"I´m not letting you go. We were separated for too long..."

She looked at him with a longing gaze, now that they had become a couple, she showed her affection openly.

"I never want to get separated of you again..."

"And we will stay together forever, my love."

Nahza´s tail went suddenly stiff when Miach leaned in to kiss her, they all heard the happy sigh that escaped her.

Haruhime really wished she could do something like that too so openly. Soon...she was sure she would do it soon. She had declared war on Alfia, Haruhime wouldn´t back down. Mikoto noticed how Haruhime´s eyes followed Bell.

The samurai leaned towards Haruhime and whispered. "I´m rooting for you, Haruhime. You can do it."

As an answer, Haruhime´s tails moved in a complex rythm along and among each other. When Haruhime got too excited, it sometimes happened that her tails entangled and she needed help to separate them again.

Haruhime whispered in return. "What about you and lord Takemikazuchi?"

She saw that Mikoto blushed heavily and glanced to Nahza. "Now that Ms. Nahza managed to do that, I will prepare my heart. I realize that I can´t wait forever, but maybe have to do it myself... Which is easier said than done."

Haruhime crossed her fingers. "You can do it, Mikoto! I want to see you happy too. One day you surely will become a beautiful bride!"

"B-B-B-B-Bride?!"

That was a bit too early for Mikoto to think about, steam rose up from her head.

While they continued to walk to the pub, more than a few people noticed them.

"Hey, it´s the Miach familia and their friends!"

"That was awesome, Miach familia!"

"You showed the Apollo familia who´s boss!"

"Well done, Miach familia!"

"Curse you all, Miach familia! Do you know how much money I lost because of you?!"

And then there were a few people that noticed especially one member of the familia. A very small girl stopped in front of the familia, which led them to stop in their movement too.

It was a prum child. The small girl looked up to Lily with shining eyes.

"Woah...it is really you!"

Lily blinked perplexed and pointed at herself. "Huh?"

The prum girl nodded and smiled bright. "Yes! I saw you in the wargame, how you fought against all these mean big men! You were so pretty and awesome!"

"Eh?!" Lily got even more surprised.

From the side came a few shouts.

"You were awesome!"

"Finally someone who teaches the big people some respect!"

"Her hair flows so pretty!"

"What a beauty!"

"How you used the spear was cool!"

"A living saint!"

It were prums. Every single prum that saw the group...saw Lily, started to cheer and shout. Lily blushed heavily, she wasn´t used to such attention.

The prum girl beamed up to Lily. "What is your name?"

"L-Liliruca. Liliruca Arde."

"Can I become pretty and strong like you one day?!"

Lily didnt know what to say, she looked up to Miach, her god smiled and nodded.

"O-Of course you can! But you have to be careful, Lily knows very well how dangerous the dungeon can be. First you have to grow bigger and listen to your parents."

"I will! Thank you lady Arde!"

"Lady?!"

The prum girl waved happily, but before she ran back to her parents, she noticed Bell. Then she suddenly giggled.

"Lady Arde, is he your husband?"

"Husband?!"

The girl giggled again. "You kissed him in the wargame."

"Th-Th-That wasn´t a kiss!"

"Not?"

Bell smiled and crouched down, so that the girl didn´t have to look up to him.

"We aren´t married and that wasn´t a kiss. I got hurt in the fight and she did that to give me some of a healing potion. Without her I wouldn´t be here, she saved my life."

"Waaah!" The shine in the prum girl´s eyes put the sun to shame when she beamed at Lily.

"She saved his life!"

"At first she protected him and then she saved his life!"

"She really is a saint!"

"Lady Arde!"

"We love you, lady Arde!"

The girl smiled. "You are as brave as the Braver!"

"Lily isn´t that strong or brave..."

"So humble!"

"Like a true saint!"

More prums cheered for her, Lily tried to hide her face between the legs of her familia members. She was deep red all the way up to her ears.

Miach chuckled. "It looks like Lily got pretty famous. No wonder after that visit today."

Bell looked at Miach. "Visit?"

"While you were in the city with your mother, a visitor came to the house."

"And who?"

"It´s better when Lily tells you about this. But first we should get inside."

They had arrived at the pub.

.

.

"Now seating eight!"

The always cheerful, beautiful waitress with the gray hair showed them their seats. For Bell it was pretty obvious where they would sit, they had pushed more than one table together and the entire Astrea familia was already there, having arrived just minutes before them.

The tables were arranged in such a way that Miach and Astrea would each sit at one end of the table. There was no fixed seating arrangement that would keep the Familias separate, so they just mingled with each other. Kaguya waved a commanding grin, pointing at Mikoto and then at the seat next to her. It was clear that she wanted to have her "little sister" next to her. Lyra patted the seat between her and Neze, grinning, while staring at Lily.

They didn´t leave the two a choice. The others also sat down in various places. Nahza of course sat down next to Miach. Bell got pulled down by a hand to sit next to Alise, due to that opposite of Lefiya and Filvis. Haruhime sat down next to Bell, while Ryu sat on the other side of Alise, between her and Astrea. For once Alise had given up her private spot next to her goddess. Despite how she acted, Alise had a good understanding of people, so she made sure that Lefiya, Bell and Haruhime would sit close together. Due to spending a lot of her time with Ryu, Alise understood the behaviour of elves pretty well.
In her opinion, due to the behaviour of Lefiya towards Bell and Haruhime, Alise guessed that Lefiya was what the gods called a "Tsundere", in a light version.

And just like with Ryu, it would be so much fun to see Lefiya get flustered and blush.

"Good evening, Astrea."

"Good evening, Miach."

Then Miach nodded to the rest of the table. "And good evening to you too, daughters of Astrea."

Filvis got a bit red. "D-Daughters?"

Astrea chuckled. "Of course, you are all my beloved daughters."

"Mmmh."

Lefiya giggled. "Come on, Filvis. Don´t be so shy, I can see that you are really happy."

"M-Mouh...Lefi..."

Lefi?! What a cute nickname.

Bell was really happy to see Lefiya again so soon.

"Munyu!" Haruhime suddenly flinched when something touched one of her tails.

"Oh, I am so sorry dear customer, it wasn´t on purpose."

Syr bowed down to apologize to Haruhime. Actually she had touched the tail on purpose, they were just so fluffy that she couldn´t resist. And there were four of them...how would it feel to cuddle with all of them at once?

"N-No problem."

"Hm, but that won´t do."

Syr quickly walked to the counter where Mia currently worked and talked to her. Then she returned with Ahnya and both moved the table behind Haruhime a bit back.

"So, now you have enough room for your tails, without the risk of someone getting too close."

"Thank you, this is very kind of you."

"Hehe, no problem."

In truth...Syr just wanted to enjoy the sight of Haruhime´s tails moving freely. She secretely had a thing for fluffy things and even used flannel pajamas now and then.

"Oh that reminds me, Ryu?"

"Syr?"

"Would you like to come over tonight for a sleepover? Freya isn´t at home so we could even look over Orario from her room."

Instead of Ryu, it was Alise that answered. She slammed her hands on the table and got up with a shocked expression.

"What?! Are you cheating on me, Leon?!"

Every single person at the table heard that shout, as did all of Ryu´s friends among the waitresses. She saw Ahnya´s and Chloe´s ears perk up and even Lunor looked into their direction with a slightly shocked face.

"Alise! What are you saying?!" Ryu got flustered right away...as usual.

And Syr couldnt resist to join the fun.

"What? R-Ryu...you are two timing me?!"

"Syyyr!"

Astrea almost choked on her drink. "What? My little Ryu has two lovers which I didn´t know about? Why didn´t you say something?"

"Lady Astrea, not you too!"

"So I was right with my guess back then...when you, Alise and..."

"It wasn´t and isn´t like thaaaat!"

Kaguya made a "shocked" face. "Leon really is an Enchantress?!"

Lyra smirked. "I always knew that, her innocent behaviour is just a play."

Syr wiped a fake tear away from her cheek. "Ryu...how could you. So you just played around with me...*Sniff*"

But then the fun got interrupted. "Oy Syr, stop making fun of Ryu and go back to work!"

"Yes, Mama Mia!"

Ryu sniffed. "Uhu...it´s just like back then and always will be..."

"Mooouh! Leon, cheer up! You know we do that because we all really love you! Me especially! Hah, to be expected of me, I have just so much love in my heart to give!" Alise put her arm around Ryu, pulled her close and pushed her cheek against Ryu´s.

Syr pouted from afar. "Alise! This is my privilege!"

Alise just winked and stuck out her tongue.

Ryu panicked. "Alise! People will get the wrong idea!"

And then, Alise whispered in a really soft voice, without any joke in her voice.

"Why the wrong idea?"

"Eh?...Alise?..."

Alise winked slightly, then she let go of the really confused Ryu. "Let´s talk about this later...Ryu."

"A-Alise?.."

Ryu felt that Alise squeezed her hand gently for a short moment, she was really confused and surprised now.

.

.

"So then, everyone has their drinks...Cheers!"

""""""""Cheers!""""""""""

All people at the table raised their mugs and clinked them together as good as possible. The elves as usual with more dignity.

"Ms. Lefiya?"

"Bell Cra-...yes?"

"What is this what you are drinking? The smell is interesting."

"Moonberry Juice."

"I never heard about that."

"An elven drink, it contains very little alcohol. Just enough to make someone at most slightly tipsy."

"It smells really good, is it tasty?"

Lefiya raised her mug with both hands and hid her face halfway behind it before she mumbled into her drink.

"I won´t let you taste it from my mug..."

While she talked to Bell, her eyes sometimes glanced to Haruhime...and her tails.

Eventually Lefiya´s goddess couldn´t resist her curiosity anymore.

"Haruhime?"

"Yes, lady Astrea?"

"Say, I really want to know, how does it feel to have four tails? I asked Neze once how one feels, but how do more of them feel?"

Haruhime glanced over her shoulder and raised all four tails. "It was unfamiliar and confusing at first, but I'm getting used to it more and more. Sometimes it's a bit tough in the back and hips though, Ms. Amid said my muscles are taking some getting used to."

The fox girl could see that the goddess would really like to touch her tails a bit. But she wasn´t the only one that looked curious at these tails, Lefiya did that too...often.

"Lady Astrea, if you want to...you can touch them one day."

"Really?! Ah no, I mean...no, I wouldn´t dare to ask something like that."

The goddess smiled gently, but it was obvious what she wanted.

Alise whispered to Haruhime. "Lady Astrea loves fluffy stuff."

"Aliise! Mouh!"

"Hah, my heart! The pouting lady Astrea is too precious!"

Ryu frowned. "Alise, you shouldn´t mock lady Astrea."

"I would never do that! Every other person yes, but not our lady! Lady Astrea knows I just want the best for her."

The goddess smiled. "I know that, Alise."

While they chatted, all of them read the menu to decide what they would eat.

"Hmm, I don´t really have something in mind." Bell looked into the menu without something catching his eye.

Haruhime turned her menu. "How about this? They have grilled salmon here."

"Ooh! Then I will take this! Hmmm, but the chicken cordon bleu also looks so good..."

"Ehe, then I will take it, we can share it if you want."

"Oh, gladly!"

Lefiya watched them. "You two share your food?"

Haruhime smiled. "Yes, we did that quite often when it was just the two of us in the dungeon."

"Oh." Lefiya also looked into her menu. "Hmm, grilled salmon...chicken cordon bleu...it looks so good...but so does the venison roast..."

"We can share with you two if you want."

"Really? Hmm I really want to taste everything...but as an elf..."

Haruhime smiled gently. "I think it is okay."

Filvis looked a bit shocked and was about to say something, then she made a face when Alise kicked slightly against her foot under the table and shook her head. The black haired elf still wanted to say something, but then she saw that Astrea too shook her head. Most members of the Astrea familia noticed how Lefiya talked with Bell and Haruhime, more than one of them was really surprised.

Despite how Lefiya acted towards Bell from time to time, Astrea had enough experience with the behaviour of mortals...and Lefiya´s...to see that she actually was really friendly towards Bell and Haruhime.

I´m rooting for you, Lefiya.

When the next round of drinks came, Astrea raised her mug and got up to her feet.

"My dear children, Miach, children of Miach and your dear friends. I hope we can really enjoy this evening together. Please eat and drink to your heart´s content, I will pay for everything."

It looked like Miach wanted to decline.

"No Miach, this is just a part of my apology that it came to that. I should´ve done a better job and something like that won´t happen in the future. So please accept this small apology. And when it is about the money, don´t be worried. Alise will work for every single Vals extra shifts here."

"Of course I w-...Haaaaaa?! Why me, lady Astrea?!"

The Astrea familia burst into laughing, the elves only chuckled.

The goddess giggled, her cheeks were slightly flushed, maybe she was already a bit tipsy. "I´m joking. But we still will pay for the evening. As far as I know, you have no savings left, Miach?"

"You are right, everything is gone now. Even with Apollo´s belongings and the new Mansion, we don´t have much money in the moment. But we will work on that. Since so much equipment has to get repaired."

"Then let us worry about the next days tomorrow, tonight we will eat and drink and have fun."

"I agree to that."

Miach raised his mug, followed by everyone else, they cheered again and their party started for real. It would become a bit wild, but as long as they didn´t bother the other guests, continued to order food and drinks, Mia was okay with that. It would go so far that at some point, a slightly drunk Miach would pull Nahza close to him, raise her face by putting his hand on her chin and then kiss the happy Chientrope in front of everyone.

.

.
"Carefully...carefully...here you go." Bell placed with great care a piece of his grilled salmon on Lefiya´s plate, in return he got some of her meat. Haruhime did the same, then Haruhime and Bell exchanged something.

"Bon appetit."

"Hehe, enjoy your meal."

Just to be able to do something like this with his crush made Bell very happy. But then he was granted a sight that was more than just precious.

Lefiya wriggled her ears.

"Mmmmh~~~~!"

When she started to eat her meal, Lefiya actually started to wriggle her ears, because it was so good.

Haruhime held a hand in front of her mouth while she ate herself and watched Lefiya.

How cute.

Bell was enchanted once again how cute and beautiful Lefiya was. He noticed that Filvis slightly glared at him, so he focussed on his plate, out of the corner of his eyes he still noticed how happily Lefiya ate. While Filvis now knew that Bell hadn´t done the thing in the wargame on purpose, she still wanted to protect her little sister.

"Mmmh. This fish is really good. Hah, I love grilled salmon." Bell smiled pleased.

"Did you eat salmon before?" Lefiya looked curious.

"Yes, in the village where I lived before I came to Orario. There was a river nearby so when the season came, we caught salmon. But never too much."

"My home forest was close to the sea, with a few rivers running through it. We also had often salmon, which is really nice when you live in a forest."

Haruhime´s eyes shone when she heard that. "An elven forest, hah...I always wanted to see one myself. I read so many books where they were mentioned or described. It must be wonderful there."

Lefiya smiled. "Yes, our homeforest is really pretty."

""Our?""

Lefiya looked to Filvis. "It is the home of both of us."

"Oh, right. You said you are sisters."

Lefiya smiled. "Yes, Filvis is my big sister."

Bell smiled to Filvis, as did Haruhime.

"Nice to meet you, again."

"Hmpf."

Lefiya giggled. "Filvis is a bit shy."

"Lefiya!"

"Mmmh, don´t be like that, Filvi."

"F-Filvi?!"

"*Hiccu*" It looked like Lefiya was a bit tipsy, but not drunk.

Haruhime and Bell shared a thought.

That was the cutest hiccup I ever heard.

The conversations continued and Bell heard snippets of conversation. Apparently Welf was in a bit of a bind.

Ryana, Maryu and Neze leaned closer to Welf.

"Heee...so you made this awesome shield for Bell, huh?" Ryana smiled.

"Ahm, yes I did."

"Now that was quite some work, your´re pretty good, huh?" Neze winked.

"I guess..."

Maryu chuckled. "You know, I have a thing for handsome smiths."

"Maryu, that´s unfair!"

"I agree."

"A-Ahm...I already have someone I like."

"""Meh..."""

All three lost interest in Welf and just chatted normally with him.

Lily grinned. "Problems, Welf?"

"Be quiet, lil´ Lily."

Bell waved to Lily.

"Bell?"

"Lily now I remember, you said something about a visitor, right?"

"Oh, yeah. When you were in the city today, a visitor came to the house."

"And who?"

Lily smiled wryly. "The captain of the Loki familia, Finn Deimne, the Braver."

"What?! Why?"

Lyra turned to Lily when she heard that. "Finn? Why?"

"He asked Lily to talk a bit. Mr. Braver saw the wargame too and he said he was quite impressed by Lily."

"How did he know where we live?"

"He asked around in the city, the people saw us, he said it was quite easy to find us."

Bell gulped in his mind, that was not good. His familia and friends already knew to keep quiet about Alfia in front of the Astrea familia, but he had to be careful about the Loki and the Freya familias. So far he only met one nice member of one of the familias, Tiona.

"Lily went out of the house and walked a bit around with him, to hear what he wanted to say. Mr. Braver said that he was really impressed by Lily, that it is rare to see a prum fight like Lily did."

Lyra rolled her eyes and sighed. "Hah...there Finn goes again, flirting with a young prum girl."

"Flirt?! Do you know Mr. Braver?"

Lyra grinned. "Finn and I dated for about a year."

"What?!"

Bell looked impressed. "You and the captain of the Loki familia?"

The pink haired prum nodded. "Yup. I had a crush on him for a long time, during the dark times I dreamed to become his wife. To live a life without having to work. *Hah* Then the "dark day" happened."

The "dark day" was something that the Astrea familia didn´t like to talk about. But they had explained Bell and his friends that they fought against an enemy familia and a really strong monster showed up. Three of them died, but they wouldn´t tell them more. Bell actually knew the other half of the story, that it was Alfia who saved the Astrea familia and fought against that crazy monster. Compared to her it was weak, even when she wasn´t in her prime. But Bell knew that the Astrea familia would´ve probably been wiped out otherwise.

Lyra continued while she looked into her drink, which she whirled around a bit.

"After the "dark day", many of us had a yearning for life. To do something that screamed out we were alive. Kaguya got her silver arm and decorated it. We often went out to drink something, party a bit and have fun. I decided to not wait any longer and talked to Finn. I told him directly into his face that I loved him. And you can guess how surprised I was when he told me he also liked me very much. I was really happy back then. Then we started to go out with each other. This isn´t really easy for people of two different familias, it only worked because the dark times ended and we had a really good relationship with the Loki, Freya and Ganesha familias."

Not only Lily and Bell listened to Lyra, a few of her familia members knew the story but still listened with compassionate smiles.

"I was really in love with Finn, heads over heels how some people would call it. Often we couldn´t see each other due to familias duties."

Lily looked a bit uneasy. "But it...didn´t work out?"

Lyra shook her head. "No, it didn´t. You know the thing is, having a crush on someone and want to become a couple with this person is a nice feeling, but it doesn´t mean that it will work out. Finn and I were just too different. I mean look at me, I´m probably the most beautiful prum girl in the world! And yes, Finn is very, very handsome. I really thought about marrying him and even about children. Can you believe that? I as a Mommy with a bunch of kids around me? Hah! But we slowly noticed that it just wasn´t...perfect. Finn wants to be a hero of our race, to give our people courage and show them that we are not weak. I never really cared about that, what I care about are my goddess, my dear friends, our little one.."

Lyra winked to Ryu and continued. "And our new friends now, especially my cute little sister."

"Lily isn´t your little sister!"

"I adopted you now, live with that. Kaguya gets a little sister with Mikoto, Filvis has Lefiya as her little sister, so I want one too! Anyway, to get back to the point. I thought we would make the next step and he would ask me to marry him. Heck I was really ready to give him a bunch of kids, but then...he asked me to leave my familia. Goddess Loki would only allow that we marry when I would become part of the Loki familia. You have to know that I am the strongest female prum in the whole world. Only Finn and the Gulliver brothers of the Freya familia are stronger than I am. So while Finn is the strongest male prum, I am the strongest female prum. Can you guess what we as husband and wife could be for the prums in the world? A symbol. A beacon. Together we would stand at the front of the Loki familia and show all the prums in the world that our race isn´t weak!"

Bell was in thoughts for a moment. "A noble goal, you two could become heroes together."

Lyra smirked. "I guess you are right. But I never wanted this. And ask me to leave my familia is the one thing I would never allow and forgive. Lady Astrea is nice and kind enough to allow us to leave the familia in case we found love and want to marry. All of the others told me they would surely miss me but if that´s what my heart wished for, I should do it. It really touched my heart. But you know, there is one thing I could never, would never and will never do. And that is leaving my familia. I had to choose between this handsome man...and his surprisingly poor familia...and my own familia, with all these girls that I love so much. The decision was easy."

Bell and Lily looked a bit sad.

"Hehe, don´t look so sad. It proubly wouldn´t have worked out anyway."

"And it wouldn´t have worked when you two stayed in your familias?"

"Oh for me and my familia absolutely. But not for him and goddess Loki, she would never allow something like that."

Lyra shrugged her shoulders. "To get back to the main topic. I guess since you made such a brilliant figure in the wargame, you could be the next "beacon" for the prums."

"Mr. Braver would ask Lily out just for something like that?"

"Finn isn´t the man to fall in love at first sight with a girl that isn´t even half his age."

"Irgh...Lily doesn´t know what to do..."

"Did he ask you out?"

"He just congratulated Lily for fighting so well in the wargame and that he would hope she would do something like that in the future again."

Lyra smirked without saying something.

"A-Anyway, Lily won´t leave her familia! Lily loves the Miach familia! Also, Lily carries our familia´s banner into battle!"

"And you really made a great figure doing that, little sister."

"Lily isn´t your little sister!"

"Hah, you will soon give in. Oh and by the way, you owe us for all the stuff we gave you for the wargame. It is quite the debt I have to say..."

"Irgh..."

"But since I am the one who manages our familia´s money...I could drop a large amount of it...in exchange for a little sister."

"You devil!"

Lyra emptied her drink and winked, before ordering more.

.

.
People came to the pub, others went away, the party continued. The mood was pretty good and at some point, the members of the Astrea familia got curious about something. But at first, Bell wanted to thank Lefiya in a special way.

He ordered something that he paid on his own, he insisted on that. Even when it was expensive.

"Ms. Lefiya?"

"Yes? *Hiccu*"

"Ahm, I would like to give you this as my thanks for all your help. That you healed me and saved me again."

"Hm? Ooooh!"

Lefiya´s eyes sparkled when another plate was placed in front of her. On it were strung on small wooden skewers, several strawberries and grapes over which chocolate had been drizzled. Of course, the chocolate was immediately cooled afterwards. It was a luxury dessert here in the pub.

Then Bell looked to his right. "And I want to thank you, Haruhime. For all you´ve done."

A similar plate was placed in front of Haruhime. Her tails moved out of happiness.

Lefiya´s smile was so beautiful, that it let Bell´s heart ache.

"Thank you, Bell Cranel."

For the first time, hearing his name like this from her sounded in a way more personal.

"Mhm, thank you, Bell."

Being a bit tipsy led Lefiya to be a bit more honest than she normally was. She picked up one of the skewers, brought it to her lips, put her lips around the first grape and pulled it off, soon the grape vanished in her mouth.

"Mmmmmh~~~~!"

She put a hand on her cheek and smiled, it was obvious that she really liked this stuff.

"So sweet, so tasty~~~." Haruhime smiled too and her tails moved more.

Bell caught a glimpse of Astrea, who smiled proud and winked slightly.

The hours went by and some of them got slightly drunk, but thankfully not too much. Even Bell and Haruhime got a bit more than just being tipsy at some point, as did Lefiya.

.

.

Hours later.

.

.

So, that was the last one I think.

Astrea looked around in the living room, people were sprawled out on every couch, armchair and even the carpet, all of them sleeping, a few snoring slightly. When the pub closed, the party went on in the Stardust Garden, Astrea invited them all. Only two had politely refused Mikoto and Welf, since she promised her god to be back shortly after midnight. Kaguya was so kind to walk her home, since Takemikazuchi was still up, she used the chance to introduce herself to him before she came back to the Stardust Garden. And Welf said he wanted to sleep a last night in his familia´s home. Also, he wouldn´t risk to do something dumb just because he was slightly drunk.

Astrea had seen how a few of her children had tried to flirt a bit with Welf. Of course she wouldn´t allow them to do somthing spontaneous and foolish, that´s why the goddess remained mostly sober.

The goddess gave one couch a special look and smiled while her heart warmed. Filvis was curled up and asleep on the armchair next to the couch, she was one of those who snored softly. Hearing an elf snoring lightly was something very special, but Astrea wasn't going to tease her beloved child with that. And then on the couch next to the armchair lay Lefiya, Bell and Haruhime.

The couch in general was a wonderful piece of craftsmanship. You could pull the seat forward, push the backrest down slightly and get a kind of bed. And the three lay on it and slept. They had had a great time that evening, Astrea noticing how light-hearted Lefiya was getting after drinking a little alcohol. Or rather... how honest she became with herself. Lefiya was the type who got completely honest when she drank, with others and with herself. It seemed to Astrea that her child liked them a lot more than she wanted to openly show or even admit to herself. And now Bell was lying in the middle of the bed, his jacket rolled up and used as a pillow. Both Lefiya and Haruhime...slept cuddled up to him. Both had small pillows but slept with half their face on his chest. The slight up and down, his quiet breathing and the beating of his heart lulled both of them into deep sleep. Each had an arm around Bell, who were touching. Also, Haruhime had curled her four tails and placed them on top of the three, a fact that made Lefiya smile in her sleep.

They are so cute together. Hah, I hope the morning won´t be too awkward for them. Just be honest with yourself, Lefiya. You actually really, really like these two.

After making sure everyone had pillows and blankets, Astrea went to her personal bedroom, there was no room for her in the living room. Only two members of her familia were missing from the living room. Both were outside on the terrace and Astrea had the decency not to bother them. She had noticed that Alise wanted to talk to Ryu about something and she had a faint idea what it was.

In her bedroom, Astrea carefully removed her dress and underwear, hanging them up neatly before slipping into her fluffy nightgown. The last thing she did before closing her eyes on her bed was to lean over and kiss the cheek of a small figure on her bedside table. Somehow this caused a certain male god to smile in his sleep.

.

.

"Alise...what did you want to tell me in the pub?"

Alise leaned on the porch with her forearms, both stood outside on the terrace and looked up at the starry sky. As luck would have it, there was a beautiful moon in the sky, almost full.

The red haired human smiled. "Can´t you guess it, Ryu?"

There it was again, Alise called her Ryu instead of Leon.

"Alise?..."

The way Ryu said her name sounded a little weak and unsure. The vibe felt strange, unfamiliar. She felt that Alise wasn't joking at the moment, that everything she would say was really meant. In fact, Ryu had felt something like this before in the past, she just didn't remember it. Back then, Ryu had exactly one friend outside of her familia, it was before she met Syr and the others. Ardee was one of the few able to touch Ryu, in fact Ardee had tried to do so many times. If she had paid more attention to such things back then, or noticed, Ryu would remember certain situations differently. Maybe fate was kind to her that she never found out how Ardee really felt for her.

And Alise...was the same now.

Alise´s red hair waved slightly in the gentle night breeze when she turned her face to Ryu and smiled in a special way.

.

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"I love you, Ryu."

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Ryu blinked way too many times before she found her voice again. "H-Huh?"

.

Alise smiled and repeated her words, leaving no doubt as to what she meant.

"I love you, Ryu."

"Alise...I..."

Alise smiled gently...lovingly. "You don´t have to answer me right away. Take all the time you need."

Never before in her life had Ryu´s ears been so red.

.

.

.

Astrea was the first one to be awake in the morning, which wasn´t unusual. After taking a shower, getting dressed and kissing the head of the Ganesha figure good morning, the goddess made her way to the kitchen. Soon the individual members of her familia would start waking up, so she made some tea. Since she knew her familia very well, Astrea took particular pity on one of her daughters. As quietly as possible, Astrea walked into the living room, smiling again at the sight of Bell, Haruhime, and Lefiya. Then she leaned over the backrest, gently touched Lefiya's shoulder and moved her very gently.

The goddess whispered. "Lefiya..."

"Mmmhl...lady...Ashtrea...?"

She leaned down and whispered in Lefiya´s ear. "You may want to get up before others do and see you."

"Huh?..."

The goddess put a finger against her own lips, so that Lefiya wouldn´t make a loud noise. Lefiya looked down at herself when she felt a fluffy tail gently move along her hand. Slowly, the elf started to notice how she had slept...and snuggled up to whom. All too soon, Lefiya´s face started to become red, all the way up to her ears.

"Mmmmh!"

When Lefiya started to move, Haruhime woke up due to that. The Renard reacted in the same way as the elf. Both looked at each other, then at Bell, then at each other again. They were really careful when they got up from the bed.

"Lefiya, can you show Haruhime where the bathroom is? The others will get up soon, so it´s best to take a shower now."

"Okay."

Lefiya waved slightly, Haruhime followed her while Astrea tried to gently wake up Filvis.

"Mmmmh!"

Filvis wasn´t what you could call a morning elf. She curled away from the hand, pulled the blanket over her head and tried to remain asleep.

Ehehe, so cute.

Waking up like that was pretty embarrassing for Haruhime and Lefiya, maybe a shower would help them to cool their heads. Lefiya was actually really curious how Haruhime showered with so many tails. But there was something that really confused Lefiya as they both headed for the showers. Lefiya grew up for a large part of her life in this familia, where there were only women. Unlike the other elves in her family, Lefiya didn't have as much trouble with being seen naked by the others. After all, they were all women, so what did it matter? However, as she looked at Haruhime while removing the last piece of clothing, Lefiya suddenly turned bright red. She didn't understand a bit what was suddenly happening to her, but her heart started racing when she saw Haruhime's naked body. Since Lefiya was also a woman, Haruhime didn't reflexively move her tails to cover herself. But when she looked at Lefiya, her cheeks also turned slightly red.

What was going on?

Both never before got embarrassed to be seen by another woman or see one without clothes. Why did they react like this now? Haruhime even curled one of her tails to cover her crotch, while she used her arms to hide her chest. Lefiya also covered her chest with one arm, the crotch with her other hand. They would´ve understand this reaction when they would´ve seen Bell or another man without clothes, but not why they got embarrassed now.

They both used different shower stalls, but in the end Lefiya helped comb and dry Haruhime's tails. Alone, this would take a very long time. Haruhime really hoped she wouldn't get any more tails...

Astrea even allowed Bell and Miach to shower, but only after all the women had showered. The thought of men using their showers was still a little too much for most members of their family who simply lacked regular contact with men. However, Astrea strictly forbade Nahza and Miach to take a shower together, there would be no such thing in their house. Not that they intended it. Sleeping together was one thing, showering together was a completely different thing.

The following breakfast wasn´t that long, a few members of the familia had a slight hangover. Astrea noticed that Lefiya and Haruhime looked a bit flustered at each other and at Bell from time to time. As did Ryu with Alise.

What really gave her hope and good spirits was the way Lefiya acted. She was a little shy and reserved...but she wasn't disgusted. She wasn't disgusted by the fact of sleeping snuggled up to a man like that. And touching this adorable fox woman. Astrea crossed her fingers for Lefiya.

Judging by Ryu´s behaviour, Astrea had a really good guess what Alise said to her. The goddess guessed for a while now that Alise really liked Ryu. Which wasn´t really surprising, Alise had adored her ever since she joined the familia and both knew each other now for over ten years.

With Iska having a boyfriend, Lefiya growing closer to Haruhime and Bell, Alise confessing to Ryu...it looked like love was on the march in her familia.

A fact that made the goddess very happy.

.

.
After the breakfast, they thanked the Astrea familia again for the wonderful evening and left the Stardust Garden to return home. Alfia already waited for them, she was finished with packing all her stuff.

Miach smiled gently and clapped his hands. "So then, let us start moving. I think Take and his followers will also start now, Welf is probably already on the way.

Since they didn´t have that much stuff anymore...due to the destruction of their old home, they could manage the whole action without having to go back to the house. Alfia still kept the key to the house, she didn´t intend to sell it for now. In contrast to her day in the city with Bell, Alfia wore her veil again.

During the day she spent with Bell in the city, Alfia had always listened to their surroundings and scanned the area with her eyes. She couldn´t risk that a member of the Loki, Freya or Astrea familia saw her. When they ran into Lefiya and Filvis again, they coulnd´t do anything about it. Alfia had to trust that elves weren't prone to gossip, about the fact that they met Bell´s mother. And that they wouldn´t describe to their familia how she looked like... Alfia didn´t like to trust in someone that wasn´t Bell like this, but what other choice did she have?

They had to walk for a while, crossing the West Main and getting close to the South West Main.

There waited their new home.

.

.

"This goes here, this goes there, aaaaand...halfway done."

Bell wiped his forehead with the back of his right hand. He was alone in the room that would be his now. It was a pretty big room, about four times his old room.

He was a bit overwhelmed by their new home. This wasn´t a Mansion, this was a small palace! Each of them had reacted in the same way, well except Alfia of course. When the Takemikazuchi familia arrived, Bell had noticed that Miko was actually crying. Her god told her that he and Miach talked about changing one of the big bathrooms into a far eastern style bath. Ouka and Chigusa were equally touched, as were the rest of the familia.

Even Haruhime looked very happy about this information. Bell had never seen a far eastern style bath, maybe it would be interesting to use.

Alfia only said she wouldn´t allow mixed bathing, it was her job to keep all these young people with all their hormones under control after all. Bell chuckled when he heard that the Takemikazuchi familia would take the eastern part of the Mansion. That was somehow very funny for him.

"So, let´s keep g-"

"Bell!"

"Huh?"

He turned to the door, Lily stood there and waved to him.

"Lily?"

"Come, hurry!"

"Eh? What´s wrong?"

.

.

"Wow...so many people."

"What a crowd."

"Why are they all here?"

Except for Nahza, all of Miach´s followers stood at the door of their new Mansion. Outside of the fence waited a very large crowd. All kinds of people, humans, prums, dwarves, beastkin and even one or two elves.

"They all want to join us."

Lily looked to her god that just came out of the Mansion. "Join us, lord Miach? That many?!"

"After we won the wargame, this isn´t a surprise."

"But still..."

"Just wait a moment, Liliruca."

"Yes, lord Miach."

They watched how their god walked towards the gate that led their grounds.

"I thank you all for coming here today. I am aware that you wish to join my familia, so I will be honest with your, since lying isn´t in my nature."

The crowd was all ears.

"My familia is one hundred million Vals in debt."

And the crowd was gone.

Only three people remained, from over one hundred.

Bell and the others were very surprised when they saw who still remained there. Soon the Miach familia gathered in the living room and waited for their god to come in, Nahza was with him as the captain of the familia.

Eventually his sighing captain returned.

"Nahza?"

"It´s okay, Bell... It looks like we got three new members. Miach want to introduce them to you now."

"""""Oooooh!"""""""

Miach came in about two minutes later.

"So, I guess Nahza already told you, but not only did we move into our new home today, we also have three new members for our familia. They still want to join us even when they know about our debt."

The god looked at Bell.

"Bell, Nahza already gave her okay, but you are the dungeon captain and the vice captain. So I hope you can get along with our new members and lead them well in the dungeon."

"I will do my best, lord Miach!"

Miach smiled, then he turned to the door.

"Please come in."

Three people came in, three people that they all knew. Two of the three they knew actually quite well.

"These will be our new members as of today."

First was a woman with short, red hair. "Daphne Lauros."

After her a woman with long, black hair. "Cassandra Ilion."

And then...a prum. A male prum. "And this is, Luan Espel."

Surprisingly, it was Haruhime that reacted first. "Eh, you two?"

And suddenly, Daphne and Cassandra started to smile and clasped their hands in front of their hearts. ""Mistress Haruhime!""

"M-M-Mistress?!" Haruhime´s ears and tails went stiff when she heard that.

Miach scratched his cheek while he smiled a bit flustered. "They really wanted to join the same familia as you, they said they couldn´t imagine to join any other familia."

It really looked like Haruhime had successfully tamed them...

But then the eyes of the others wandered to the prum that came in with Miach.

Bell was in thoughts for a moment. "You were part of the Apollo familia, right?"

Luan nodded. "Yes, I was."

"Is there a special reason why you want to join us?"

Instead of answering, Luan´s eyes wandered to Lily, then his whole expression changed.

"Ah, mylady, it really is you!"

Luan stretched his left arm towards Lily, while he put his right hand over his heart.

"The starlight in the darkest night! The bright sunshine after a rainy day! A living saint!"

"Haaah?! What are you talking about?!"

Luan smiled. "When that human kicked me from the wall, I landed in the courtyard. My vision got dark, but when I came to my senses again, I saw you! A living saint fighting so bravely against many opponents, bigger and probably stronger than her! Yet she didn´t flinch or backed away! Truly magnificent!"

"Ergh..." Lily backed away a bit.

"Please, mylady Arde. Please allow me to walk at your side...no...allow me to follow you! To walk behind you!"

Lily clapped her hands to her behind. "Are you a pervert?!"

"No, Mylady. It is simply my deepest heart´s desire! To be of use to you! As a supporter!"

The kick to the head hadn´t completely changed Luan Espel, but just like the prums in Orario saw Lily fighting through the magical mirrors, Luan saw her in person, so he was even more fascinated than them.

"Rejecteeeed!"

"Then please allow this humble me to prove myself worthy of being in your presence!"

"Irgh...lord Miach..."

The god smiled. "Liliruca, he may seem a bit...excited. But as a god I can tell you, his heart´s desire is honest and there is no lie in him."

"Mmmh...fine..."

.

.
Cassandra smiled. "I have a really good feeling about this. My vision showed me we should be here and nowhere else."

"Argh, Cassandra...not again..."

Bell blinked interested. "Vision?"

Daphne pointed with her thumb to Cassandra. "She claims to have visions sometimes..."

"I really have them, Daphne!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."

But Bell looked amazed at Cassandra. "You have visions? Wow!"

"Eh, you believe me?"

"Why wouldn´t I? I mean why would you lie?"

And with these two simple questions, Bell earned Cassandra´s eternal gratitude.

.

.
Moving in such a big Mansion and getting three new members to the familia meant a lot of work. So for a week, no one went into the dungeon, it took some time to settle in.

.

.
But destiny or fate weren´t that kind to wait forever. And so after one week, someone came to the Mansion.

"Oy, Miach! Where are you?!"

It was an old man with gray hear and a beard. He was accompanied by the healer Amid. As soon as he heard the voice, Miach stepped out of the front door, holding his fists clenched while he walked forward with a sinister face.

"Dian!"

Dian Cecht smirked and walked forward, his right hand at his hip.

"Hoh? You are coming straight at me? Instead of running away you are actually coming to me?"

"I can´t tell you to your face what I think of you without coming closer!" It was as if a flip was switched inside of Miach, he acted completely different from normal when it came to Dian Cecht.

The two gods stepped in front of each other before they stopped. Amid followed her god with a stiff face, it wasn´t unusual that both gods acted like that towards each other.

"G-Good morning, lord Miach."

Miach smiled slightly when he turned his face to Amid. "Good morning, Amid."

The faintest shade of red appeared on Amid´s cheeks when Miach greeted her.

"So, what do you want, Dian?"

"You are behind on your payment."

"I told you all my money is gone because of the wargame. My children didn´t have time to go into the dungeon so far."

The old god smirked. "Then give me your Mansion."

"This is our home, besides a part of it belongs to Takemikazuchi."

"You have to pay me one way or the other, I´m fine with selling equipment of your children."

"Don´t you dare!"

Maybe Amid felt the growing sinister presence in the Mansion, that was really annoyed that the old god made so much noise or maybe she just tried to be kind.

"Lord Dian Cecht, how about they can solve "this quest" for us?"

"Hah, you are always too kind and nice when it comes to Miach, Amid. Why is that so, I wonder."

"I-If we take their equipment, they won´t be able to earn the rest of the money they owe you."

"Fair point." Dian shrugged his shoulders.

Amid turned her face away when Miach smiled to her thankful, she got a bit more red.

"So, Miach. In my infinite goodness and thanks to Amid's wonderful idea. Your familia will do a quest for me. A quest that even the Loki familia couldn´t do."

"What kind of quest?"

Dian Cecht started to grin...a sight that Miach didn´t like.

Only two people had time on this day, Bell and Haruhime, everyone else was busy. But would they be able to do a quest that was that hard? Whatever this quest was?

As luck, fate or perhaps a deity of love would have it, at that moment an adventurer from the Astrea familia was preparing to go to the guild in search of a suitable quest for the day,

.

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A fearsome trial awaited Bell, Lefiya and Haruhime.

.

.

And somewhere in the darkness, screamed a young girl for help.

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A young girl that was crying.

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