"Bell! Haruhime! I will go ahead in case they need me!"

"Go!"

"Stay safe, we will follow close behind!"

Even when Bell leaned more into the speed type, Lefiya was faster than him due to her level, so she ran ahead. Also, Bell didn´t have his weapons with him, so he couldn´t do much, Lefiya on the other hand could.

Haruhime was much slower than Bell and Lefiya, so Bell had no other choice.

"Haruhime, wait."

"Hm?"

Bell stepped beside her and suddenly lifted her up in a princess carry.

"Eep!~~"

Her squeal was a bit happy, despite the situation.

"Hold on tight!"

"Yes!"

Bell ran as fast as he now could, but Lefiya still got ahead of them.

.

.
"Alfia!.." Alise gritted her teeth, her eyes flared.

"Ungh..." Alfia had no strength to answer, she could just kneel there and stare at Alise.

She had waited for this to happen, no matter how careful she was, at some point someone had to spot her. Alfia got even more careful after she met Lefiya and Filvis, it was probably more than just luck that they never mentioned her name towards their familia.

Kaguya hissed between clenched teeth. "Why are you still alive?!"

Alfia felt the cold sting of a sharp blade at the back of her neck, it was one of Lyra´s weapons.

"Why are you here?!"

A drop of blood fell from Alfia´s chin down to the ground. What should she say? What could she say?

When Astrea moved closer, Ryu stepped out of the circle and moved in front of her goddess. Whatever Alfia might try, Ryu was ready to protect her goddess. Not that Alfia could try anything, her immense speed was gone. If she would be able to gather all of her strength, she could beat the Astrea familia. But not in her current state, right now she wouldn´t stand a chance against even one of their strongest members.

Neze shouted. "Answer!"

Alfia just stared wordless up to the goddess that moved closer to her, she fought against the urge to cough again. She wouldn´t show this sign of weakness in front of them, even when her current state was obvious.

Astrea was about to open her mouth when they heard hasty steps. Not one of them turned around, they knew it was one of them, the others would´ve stopped every other person.

"Lady Astrea! Everyone!"

Lefiya saw that Ryu shielded their goddess, but she couldn´t see the person that was surrounded by her fellow familia members.

"Lefiya, step back!"

"Ms. Ryu?"

"Step back, this is dangerous!"

"Eh?"

Lefiya slowed down, not sure what to do. A gentle wind blew along the market place, a gentle wind that played with long, ash colored hair. Long, ash colored hair that caught Lefiya´s attention. When Ryu had moved out of the circle, it left a small gap. The gap was right between Kaguya and Alise, so they didn´t move closer together. And now Lefiya saw the ash colored hair and the black dress.

And then she saw who it was that knelt there.

Her, hopefully, future mother-in-law.

Lefiya´s face went pale. "Ms. Alfia! Captain, what are you doing?!"

The other´s turned their shocked faces to Lefiya when she heard her cry out. Alise and Kaguya couldn´t move in time when Lefiya dashed between them and towards the kneeling Alfia.

"Ms. Alfia! What´s wrong?! Captain, everyone, what are you doing?!"

"Lefiya, get away from her!"

"She needs help!"

Alfia gritted her teeth and looked at Lefiya out of the corner of her eyes.

Why does she look so worried about me? Why did she have to come now?

Astrea had a grim expression. "Lefiya, get away from her."

"Lady Astrea?"

"Now."

Lefiya saw that all of her familia members had a grim expression, but her heart forbid her to move away.

She kept crouching next to Alfia. "Why did you capture Bell´s mother?!"

.

Everyone went quiet.

.

Argh...now she said it...

.

Even Astrea´s expression slipped.

"What...did you just say?..."

"Lady Alfia is Bell´s mother! How can you not know this? I talked so often about her!"

The others didn´t know what to do, that caught them completely off guard.

"Ms. Alfia, is it your heart?!"

Alfia hissed in pain. "How do you know about that?"

"Bell told me, told us both."

"Irgh..."

Lefiya looked with pleading eyes to Astrea. "Please, lady Astrea, let me heal her! She is very sick!"

"Stop babbling, girl..." Alfia´s arms were shaking.

Astrea didn´t know what to do, the whole situation was shocking enough, but now that they heard this...

And before things got easier, they got more complicated.

Bell, with Haruhime still in his arms, came from the direction in which Viana, the dark elf, stood on guard. She knew both and since Lefiya already went past her, she saw no reason to stop them.

"Lady Astrea!"

"Bell?! Haruhime?!"

Bell´s eyes instantly shot to the kneeling person, there was no way he could mistake her for someone else.

"MOM!"

He let Haruhime down to her feet and ran forward, followed by his girlfriend.

"Mom!"

Alise and the others didn´t know what to do, they let Bell ran past them. He fell to his knees in front of Alfia, horrified to see her in such a state.

"Mom, what´s wrong?"

"Why did you have to come..."

"Mom?!"

Alfia coughed again and clenched her chest in pain.

He looked up with tears in his eyes. "What did you do to her?!"

Alise shook her head, her blade was still pointed at Alfia. "We did nothing to her. Not yet."

His head turned left and right, he had never seen the Astrea familia like this before.

Alfia groaned when Lefiya put her right palm onto Alfia´s chest, right above her heart.

Lefiya started mumbling to chant her healing magic, Alfia didn´t have any strength to fight back. Haruhime knelt down behind Alfia and gently put her hands on Alfia´s shoulders to hold her. For the first time Alfia noticed how soft and fluffy Haruhime´s tails were as they slowly wrapped around the sick woman to give her comfort.

"Alise, step aside please."

"Lady Astrea?"

"Please, do me the favor."

"Nngh..." Alise was not happy to let Astrea close to Alfia, but she did as her goddess asked of her. Ryu and Alsie stood left and right of Astrea, if Alfia would dare anything, they would show no mercy, they would protect their goddess at all cost.

To see how Alfia leaned against the crying Bell, how Lefiya healed her and Haruhime held her, made the situation not so easy. If they had just caught a member of Evilus, things would´ve been different.

Thankfully Astrea had raised her children in the way she did it, otherwise the situation would´ve surely escalated.

"Bell Cranel."

He turned his face to Astrea, surprised by her tone.

"You will answer my questions."

"Huh?"

Bell saw Astrea´s other side for the first time, the "Lady of Justice".

She didn´t wait for an answer, but instead looked into Alfia´s eyes. "And you too, Alfia, the Silence."

Alfia could only nod weakly.

"Alise, your sword."

"Yes, Mylady."

Astrea held her hand towards Alise, who obeyed right away. The goddess of Justice put the tip of the sword between her feet, her hands rested on the crossguard. It had to be Alise´s sword, since it was a replica of the Sword of Justice.

She would use it for Justice or for Judgement.

"Bell Cranel, are you a secret member of Evilus?"

"What?!"

"Answer the question."

"No! I´m not! I could never be!"

Astrea looked into his eyes, then she nodded.

"Alfia, the Silence. Are you still a member of Evilus?"

"No..."

The goddess looked into Alfia´s eyes for a while.

"Did you return to Orario to bring chaos, destruction and death again?"

"No."

"Did you return to atone for your sins?"

"No."

The members of the Astrea familia tightened the grip around their weapons.

.
"Noa Heal." Lefiya whispered softly.

.
Alfia groaned when the healing magic slowly poured into her body.

Astrea´s eyes wandered to Bell again.

"Does he know what you did back then?"

"Not everything."

"Is he really your flesh and blood son?"

"No and Yes."

"Explain."

Aflia´s body shook for a moment as if she tried to supress a hiccup.

"Bell is the son of my sister...yet he is my beloved son."

Astrea was surprised, the first statement was true. The second was true and false at the same time, she had never seen something like this before. Alfia wasn´t lying, yet her statement would imply that it wasn´t true what she said.

She has to believe that it is true, she sees Bell as her son.

Astrea looked at Bell again. "Who is Alfia to you?"

"My Mom."

"Your mother?"

Bell shook his head. "My mother died when I was very small, she is my Mom."

"So Alfia raised you?"

"Yes."

Astrea heard a few of her children mumbling to each other surprsied, but she ignored them.

"So you followed her to Orario when she came back?"

"No, it was the other way around. Mom came with me when I wanted to come to Orario."

"And why did you come to Orario?"

"To fulfill my dream."

"And that is?"

Bell noticed how Alfia got stiff.

"Must I answer this question?"

"Yes."

He looked a bit flustered, but before he could open his mouth, Astrea spoke again.

"Everyone except Alise, please block your ears with your hands."

Her children looked confused at her.

"Alise will keep me safe, everyone else, I don´t want you to listen what Bell will say next."

They saw that Astrea felt bad enough for exposing so many informations of Bell.

Eventualls everyone in the circle had blocked their ears, only Alise, Astrea, Lefiya and Haruhime listened. Alfia´s eyes burned in anger, she started to feel better.

"My dream was to have a fateful encounter in the dungeon and to become a hero in the future."

Astrea saw no lie in him.

"What do you mean with a fateful encounter?"

"Like the one I had when Ms. Ryu and Lefiya saved me."

Bell noticed that Lefiya´s cheeks turned a bit pink, but she kept channeling her magic.

"Or the one when I met Haruhime, even when that wasn´t in the dungeon."

Haruhime also looked a bit happy.

"I understand, you can stop."

Astrea showed her children that they could take their hands away again.

"Alfia, can you move?"

"Yes..."

"Good, will you try to resist if I take you into custody?"

"Ngh..No.."

"What?!" Bell tried to build himself up in front of Alfia, to protect her.

"Please don´t, lady Astrea! Ms. Alfia didn´t do anything!" Haruhime tightened her hug to give Alfia comfort.

Lefiya looked up to her goddess with pleading eyes, but didn´t stop her magic.

Alfia pushed herself up, so that she could stand with the help of Haruhime and Lefiya, while Bell stood in front of her to protect his Mom.

"Just leave Bell out of it, you can do with me what you want."

"Mom, no!"

"Bell...please.."

Astrea looked from one to the next. The situation was extremely complicated. She saw that Lefiya wanted to help Alfia, but she was extremely afraid that this could mean fighting against her familia...her family... She could never do that. While Alfia probably didn´t mean that much to Lefiya, there was the fact that she was Bell´s Mom. Lefiya, Bell and Haruhime just became a couple...facing such a situation now was cruel.

Then there was Bell, the goddess saw that he would do anything to protect his Mom, but he also didn´t want to fight the Astrea familia. They were his friends, Lefiya his beloved...he could never fight them. For Haruhime it was the same, Alfia would also be her mother-in-law at some point.

The goddess looked at her children, they were also torn.

Alfia shook slightly from a cough. "Promise me that and I will do what you want...Goddess of Justice."

"You are aware of your many, many sins and crimes?"

"I am."

"You are not here to atone for them or search for forgiveness? For redemption?"

"No. I don´t have the right."

Astrea´s children got confused when Alfia said that.

"You have done many evil things, Alfia. These things can´t be forgiven."

"I am aware, I never wanted them to be forgiven."

"Then why did you do it? Why...so many people? Why become evil?"

"Because we had to."

"Go on."

"I don´t want to explain every reason that we had."

"You misunderstand me, Alfia. It´s not like I´m giving you a choice."

"Ugh..."

The expression in Astrea´s eyes was merciless.

"Erebus told me a little before he went back to heaven, but I want answers for two questions. First: Why did you do it?"

I have to protect Bell, curse them.

And so Alfia started to explain why she and Zard decided to work with Erebus. Why they worked with Evilus and why they did all these horrible and cruel things. Yet Alfia never mentioned what exactly she did. She couldn´t bring herself to hurt Bell so much...and she couldn´t bear with the thought that he might stop loving her and maybe hate her... That was the one thing she feared.

Astrea already had a guess why Alfia did all that, but she wanted to confirm it and that her children would hear it.

And of course her children couldn´t stay quiet when they heard that.

"For such a reason?!"

"So that Orario would wake up?!"

"Are you crazy?!"

"So that I understand you right, you decided to become evil, so that Orario´s adventurers could use you as a stepping stone to become stronger? That you had to become the true evil because of that?"

"Yes..."

"But...why?"

Alfia looked to Bell for a moment, then to the goddess again. "For him."

All eyes were instantly on Bell.

"For Bell?"

"Yes. Everything I do is for Bell and Bell alone."

"Would you explain it to me?"

"The One Eyed Black Dragon."

Everyone went quiet again.

Astrea just listened.

"After we defeated Behemoth and Leviathan, the dragon wiped our two familias nearly out. What remained in Orario was weak."

"And that was your reason for doing these horrible things? It wouldn´t have been enough to train with the other adventurers and fight together in the dungeon?"

"Justice goddess, remember the time when our familias got banished and then ask me that question again."

"Oy! Don´t you dare talk like that to lady Astrea!" Kaguya moved her blade a bit closer, but Haruhime threw herself in the way and shielded Alfia with her arms stretched out to both sides...Haruhime had tears in her eyes.

"Kaguya, stop."

"Nh."

Kaguya took her normal stance again.

"As you can see, Goddess of Justice, I´m dying. Zard also was slowly dying from defeating the Behemoth. That I´m still alive at this point is a miracle. Whe decided to became the next great, true evil, so that your children and the other adventurers could overcome us and strive forward. That they can get an idea, if we were this strong and failed, how strong would the dragon be? That they get they were way too weak and had to strife forward like never before."

"That was your plan?"

Alfia looked deep into Astrea´s eyes, then towards Alise, Ryu and Kaguya. "You have no idea how it was to face the black dragon. Whatever you encountered in the dungeon or during the attack time, it is nothing compared to it. I faced the Leviathan, Zard the Behemoth and we were scared of that black dragon. It slaughtered all our familia members in front of our eyes. Zeus´ captain Maxim, a level eight! The Empress at level nine! And they didn´t stood even the slightest chance. Try to imagine it, the Empress at level nine screamed in terror and fear, cried and begged her mother to save her as the black dragon started to swallow her. And that while the dragon crushed Maxim to a bloody pulp under his paw."

The members of the Astrea familia looked shocked, not only because of the story, but because they saw in Astrea´s expression that Alfia spoke nothing but the truth. They never expected the battle to be that horrible.

Alfia slowly got more of her strength back, she had to thank Lefiya for that. "If you ask me if I look for redemption, I do not. What I did can´t be forgiven and shouldn´t be forgiven."

"You said you did it for Bell, explain that."

"I never wanted him to pick up a sword. That he never had the need to fight, that he could live in peace if he wanted to do that. I know when the day comes and the black dragon returns, it can end the world. For that new heroes were necessary to defeat it."

Alfia looked at Bell and her expression was filled with the love that only a mother could feel. "So that he would be safe, I became a sinner."

Astrea said nothing, Alfia didn´t lie. From a certain point of view she could understand Alfia, the love of a mother was incredibly strong.

.

.
Alise looked between Alfia and her goddess back and forth, she trusted her goddess and would wait for her judgement. The captain of the familia was aware how delicate the situation was. If she would call her judgement upon Alfia, imprison or execute her, it would destroy Bell. And whatever she did, it could also poison the young love of Lefiya, Bell and Haruhime.

Argh! Why does she have to be his mother?! How did she of all people manage to raise such a ball of cuteness?!

Astrea´s eyes wandered to Ryu, who´s eyes flickered slightly. Ryu was extremely torn, all the emotions in her boiled up again, from the time when Erebus, Zard and Alfia held her as a prisoner for a short time. Erebus nearly broke Ryu during that time with his logic, was close to destroy her picture and sense of Justice. She couldn´t forgive Alfia for what she had done, not even after hearing this story. But...but...it wasn´t that she could understand her. But...

"Alfia, I want you to do something."

"What do you want?"

The Astrea familia members clenched their teeth again when they heard how Alfia talked with their goddess.

"Speak the word "Verion", loud, as if you were yelling it."

Ryu´s heart started to race when she heard what Astrea said.

"Why should I do that?"

"Just do me the favor."

Alfia sighed. "Verion! So, happy now?"

Astrea looked at Ryu. "My dear?"

"It´s...the same...the same voice."

"Thank you, Ryu."

Alfia looked confused. "What is this about?"

"Alfia I have a last question to you."

"Mh."

.

"Why did you save my children in the dungeon when that strange monster was about to kill them?"

.

"What?!"

"What are you saying, lady Astrea?!"

"Her?!"

"Never!"

"What brings you to that idea?!"

Astrea stomped one time with her foot on the ground. "Girls!"

They flinched, it was clear that Astrea was agitated, but not because of them.

"Tell me the truth, Alfia! It was you that exploded the ceiling and the trees when that black monster was about to kill my children! Why did you do it?"

"Why do you think it was me?"

"What race do you think Ryu belongs to? She heard someone yell that word that you just used and then the ceiling and trees around them exploded, creating a wall that separated them from the monster. While she was about to pass out and they ran away, Ryu heard faintly the same voice mumble "You are so noisy...", then the start of a fight."

"Remaining quiet is not an answer, Alfia."

"Mom! Just answer her! I know it was you! You told me about that!"

"Bell..."

The members of the Astrea familia looked shocked after Bell´s outburst.

"So it was you, Alfia."

Alfia sighed. "Yes, I did it."

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why did you save my children? After all you told us just now, after all the people you killed! AFTER ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SUFFERED BECAUSE OF YOU! WHY?! WHY DID YOU SAVE MY CHILDREN?!"

Not one of Astrea´s children ever heard her scream like this. And...they only saw her crying like this once, when she heard that three of her children got slaughtered.

"I couldn´t let our sacrifices go to waste. If they would´ve been killed, all that we did would be for nothing."

Tears streamed over Astrea´s cheeks. "Is that your only reason? Please be honest with me."

Bell looked into Alfia´s eyes, took one of her hands and squeezed it gently. "Mom...please tell her. Please..."

My baby...

Alfia sighed. "Because I didn´t want them to die, they didn´t deserve it."

No one spoke a word.

Astrea sobbed and put her hands on her face, tears ran down between her fingers, Alise catched the sword that Astrea let go.

"Thank you...Thank you! You saved my girls! My beloved children!"

It was the first time in Alfia´s life that she saw a goddess cry because she made her happy. Even when it was only for a moment until Astrea caught herself and took her hands down again, looking at her with a wet face and eyes.

"I can´t thank you enough for doing that one thing, Alfia. Whatever sin you commited, for this one thing I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Alise handed her the sword back, Ryu gave her a handkerchief to wipe away the tears.

Bell noticed that Ryu slowly lowered her sword, as did Lyra with her weapons behind them. One by one, the Astrea familia members lowered their weapons, but still held them ready.

.

.

"Alfia, the things you done can´t be forgiven and won´t be forgiven. As the Goddess of Justice and on behalf of the many people that suffered during the dark times, I will now pass my judgment on you."

Alfia noticed that Bell went stiff. "Bell, don´t interfere."

"Mom, I..."

"No."

Lefiya leaned slightly to Bell and whispered. "Please trust lady Astrea..."

Astrea rammed the tip of Alise´s sword into the stone between her feet. "Alfia, you will come with me, now. Your life will be spared. Alise, Bell, you two will also come with me."

Alise noticed how Bell relaxed slightly, she didn´t want to imagine what would´ve happened if Astrea made another decision. But to think that it was Alfia who saved them and not just luck...

"All of you, go back to our home and wait for me, I will explain everything else when I arrive."

Astrea´s children obeyed their goddess, Haruhime went with them.

After thinking about it for a moment, Alise sheathed her sword.

Since Alfia had no choice, the followed the goddess, with Bell at her side and Alise behind them.

Even she didn´t know the passage that Astrea took, but it led them underground. When they arrived in the passage, Bell thought he saw a figure in a black robe in the distance.

"I want to talk to "him", Cat."

"As you wish, goddess Astrea. The way is open for you."

"You have my thanks."

The figure vanished and they followed the long underground passage.

"Lady Astrea, any orders?"

"No, I just want you to be here as a witness and that you trust me."

"With my life and my soul."

Bell remained close to Alfia. "Lady Astrea, what...ahm..."

"Bell, trust me that I will do neither Alfia nor you any harm."

Alfia remained quiet, even when she was careful and on high alert, there was nothing she could do, she could walk but that was all, she was still extremely weak.

Eventually after five minutes, they arrived at an enormous door.

Astrea turned around before she opened the door.

"Whatever you do, don´t cause a ruckus in there, remain as quiet as possible."

After the three nodded, the goddess opened the door.

.

.

Neither Bell nor Alise could say a word when they entered the giant room and saw the person sitting on the throne. It was an old man with long, white hair, covered by a black robe. He had a aura of divinity around him, but much stronger than Astrea, Miach or any other god that Bell met before. A glare from his stern eyes alone would be enough to make Bell flinch.

Alfia wasn´t so easily intimidated, but she also didn´t say anything, why would she?

"Ouranos."

"Astrea."

"I hope I don´t disturb you."

"Fels would´ve told you then."

Astrea nodded. "Then I thank you for your time, do you know why I´m here?"

"My mind and prayers are focussed on the dungeon, but I felt that you´re on the way...with her."

There wasn´t much that happened in Orario that Ouranos didn´t noticed in some kind of way. For everything else he had Fels.

"I can only give you a few minutes, Astrea. What is it that you want?"

"Then I will make it short. You know who she is and what she´s done. I heard the full story from her and I know why she did it. She will not be forgiven, but I want to ask for your permission to let her stay in Orario. I will take her into my familia, if she wants to or not. I will keep her in check and in case she does something evil, I will seal her falna."

Ouranos didn´t say anything for a few moments.

"I entrust her to you, Astrea. And I will trust your judgement to use her power in case "that" happens."

"I understand, Ouranos."

Before they left, the eyes of the old deity wandered to Bell, who remained close to his Mom as if he wanted to protect her at all cost. It felt like an eternity that the god glared at him and then...the faintest of all smiles appeared on Ouranos´ lips, then the old god closed his eyes again.

They left the room and closed the door behind them.

"What kind of game do you play here, Goddess of Justice?"

"As I said, you will fall under my jurisdiction. Your falna isn´t locked, correct?"

"No, I never allowed Hera to do that."

"I thought as much."

"Why would I agree to join your familia? Why would you do such a thing?!"

Astrea stopped and looked at Alfia with a very serious expression. "Alfia, don´t understand me wrong. I stopped my children from striking you down out of one reason at first, I wanted to know the truth. Then Lefiya appeared and we learned that you are Bell´s Mom. That and the fact that you saved all of my daughters stopped me from executing you or locking you away forever. You may have a kind of noble reason for your actions, that doesn´t change the fact that they were horrible."

"I won´t deny that."

"So your sentence will be life long service, until the day you die."

Alfia got stiff when she heard that, Bell looked frightened.

Astrea turned to him. "Bell."

"Y-Yes?..."

Eventually, Astrea smiled in her usual way. "I don´t intend to take your Mom away from you."

"Mh."

"What I mean with life long service, you have knowledge about floors that even the Loki familia didn´t see, so you will write down everything, so that my children can use these informations. I know that you are still strong, so when my children are in the dungeon, you will guard our home. You will do the household chores, make dinner and such things. But you will not be our slave or something like that."

Alise looked concerned. "Lady Astrea, are you sure about that?"

"I am."

"Not that I don´t trust your judgement, but...how can we be sure that she will do all that?"

Astrea smiled. "Because of Bell."

Alfia´s eyes became dangerously small. "Don´t you dare threaten Bell to make me obey."

Astrea looked angry at Alfia. "Who do you think I am? But you said you will everything for Bell."

"So?"

"Lefiya is in my familia. This is a good chance to grow closer to your future daughter-in-law."

"Ngh!"

"Alfia, I will be honest with you. It is in my nature to give people a second chance. But what you did brings me in a conflict with myself. So many people died because of your actions, were killed by you. Yet a part of me understands that when the dragon comes, everyone will die. You saw yourself as a necessary evil. So prove that you actually did it for the world and help us. But know that what you did can never be forgiven."

"Then I will be honest with you, Goddess Astrea. I don´t care if other people forgive me for what I did. I don´t care what other people think of me. All that matters to me is Bell and Bell alone. Also, the things I´ve done shouldn´t be forgiven. We were evil because we had to be, what we´ve done was necessary, but not good, never good and shouldn´t be forgiven."

Then Alfia carefully put her left arm around Bell´s shoulder and pulled him closer to her. "But I will do it for Bell. If that is what I have to do, work with your familia while you keep an eye on me, I will do it. Even if you force me into your familia, I will never be a part of it."

Alise stopped in front of Alfia.

"What?"

Alise took a deep breath, then exhaled and put her hands onto her hips. "On behalf of my familia, it is my duty as the captain and the just me, thank you for saving our lives from that monster."

"You don´t need to thank me."

"I do. Even if it means nothing to you, even if you don´t care. I thank you. Not for saving my life, but that of my familia. I could´ve lived with giving my life to protect the others, but not seeing them die. We still lost three dear friends before you came, but thanks to your actions, the others could live. I was not the only one that had nightmares because of what happened. You told us why you did it and I can understand you a little. There is only one thing that I have to do."

"And wh-"

Alise slapped Alfia one time with nearly her full strength.

"This is for what you three did to Ryu when you kidnapped her. Now that this is off my chest and you´re punished for that deed. I forgive you for what you did."

"You...what?!" Alfia held her red cheek.

Alise smiled in a pure, just...mean...way. "I said I´ll forgive you, because I understand what you did."

"I said I d-"

"Up-bup-bup!" Alise waved her index finger in front of Alfia´s nose. "I´m your captain now, you don´t talk back to me. You may only care about Bell, which I can understand because he is cute as hell and can be very manly. You may ignore every other person in the city and live with their hate. But there is one thing you can´t run away from. I, Alise Lovell, the most beautiful, just, innocent, pure a-"

"Alise..."

"Sorry, Lady Astrea.-Ahem! What was I saying? Yes. I´ll forgive you and you have to live with that. What you´ve done was horrible in every aspect, but it may be the thing that saves the world in the end. The fact that you also saved our lives proves that you´re not evil and rotten to the core. I can sense a form of Justice inside you and I will spend the rest of your life to tickle that out of you. We may never become friends, but so be it. So hear me and live with it, I understand what you did. You said you didn´t do it to be praised and acknowledged. Well bad luck for you, because a part of me does exactly that. So this will be your punishment from me."

"Ukh..." Alfia couldn´t stand Alise´s nature.

To have Alise say these things was harder for Alfia than being despised or hated. It was a form of...merciless forgiveness.

Bell looked carefully at Astrea. "So...there will be no further punishment?"

"Oh, Alfia will be punished every day of her life. A life that she has to spend with you and by helping my darling daughters. She fought them, forced them to try to kill her, she saved my children, so she has to take responsibility for that."

Bell was too young an inexperienced to understand what Astrea did.

On one side, Alfia was in custody now and had to help the Astrea familia. On the other her life got spared. Alfia understood why Astrea did it. Not for her, not even for saving her children. She did it for Bell and Lefiya. Because killing Alfia would destroy Bell and with that the young love of her child. Astrea also really liked Bell, he was someone worthy of Justice.

And even when she didn´t say it out loud, Astrea saw that Alfia was slowly dying, so executing her wouldn´t bring much. Especially since Alfia didn´t care about her own life, only about Bell. That was why Astrea would forbid her children to ever mention to Lefiya, Haruhime and Bell what Alfia did during the dark times. Because showing what a monster she was wouldn´t hurt Alfia...it would hurt Bell instead. And Astrea would never punish a child in any way for the things that the parent did.

.

.

Before they left the tunnel, there was a last question.

"Goddess Astrea, you said you also want to use me for "that", what is "that"?"

"I am working closely with Ganesha and Ouranos. Not the guild, but Ouranos. My familia, even when I made mistakes on my own in the past, acts as Orario´s police force together with Ganesha´s children. But not only that, we formed a secret pact with Ouranos to keep Loki and Freya in check. In case one of them would overpower the other or let´s say one familia would get destroyed in the dungeon, we will stop the other from ruling over Orario supreme. You, Alfia, will be our hidden weapon. It disgusts me to have such a plan, but it is only meant for safety. We hope we never have to use it."

"You want me to unleash my magic and destroy them in case this happens?"

"Exactly."

Alfia sighed and rolled her eyes. "Didn´t they learn anything from that time? Do they fight each other or strife for the absolute rules as soon as the danger is over?"

"Who says that the danger is over? Evilus is still active, not as strong as in the past, but they are still in Orario. In five days, we will attack them to destroy them."

"That is the reason why you reacted to fast when you saw me, right?"

"Of course it was."

"Ahm...Lady Astrea? Is Orario in danger?"

"No, Bell. Evilus will face the full power of Orario´s current top adventurers. We will send the elite to deal with them, burn them out at the root."

The way that Alise smiled, Bell guessed she meant literally burning them out.

"So, does Mom have to move out of our home?"

"Yes, she will move into the Stardust Garden."

"And...can I..."

"You can visit her of course. Even when she gets punished, I don´t intend to separate mother and child."

Astrea´s intention after all was to punish Alfia, not Bell.

"Thank you..."

The goddess gently put a hand on Bell´s shoulder. "Bell, the situation isn´t easy for anyone. But we won´t mistreat her, my children aren´t like that."

"At max I will force her to wear the maid outfit!" Alise grinned.

Alfia´s eyes went small again, it looked like Alise still intended to "punish" Alfia in her very unique way.

"Oh-Oh-Oh! And when I return home, I want you to call me that far eastern thing, like "Welcome back, Ojou-Sama!"

"No way in hell..."

"Yeah...I thought as much..."

They eventually left the hidden tunnel and stepped into the side alley again.

"Alise."

"Yes?"

"Can you get Ganesha and Shakti for me and bring him to our home?"

"Jup!"

Alise ran off.

"Ryu, you can come out now."

"Huh?!" Bell looked surprised when someone jumped down from the rooftop.

"So you heard me, Lady Astrea."

"I didn´t, but I know you, my child."

Ryu´s eyes wandered to Alfia, but she didn´t say anything.

"I will explain everything when we get home."

"Okay."

"Elf." Alfia stopped.

"Nn." Ryu turned her face to Alfia.

"If you want to slap me, do it, I won´t resist."

"I wouldn´t hit a mother in front of her son. Also, judging by the state of your cheek, Alise already did that. It is not my style to hit or torture someone so weak. I´m just here to be sure that Lady Astrea get´s home safely."

Ryu looked at Bell, then she showed him a short, gentle smile. She didn´t like Alfia one bit, but that didn´t mean she started to dislike Bell.

Bell helped Alfia to put her veil on again, staying close to her all the time in case she would get weak again. Before they went on their way to the Stardust Garden, Alfia hugged Bell.

"I´m sorry, Sweety...I hoped you would never get intro trouble because of me."

"He is not in trouble, Alfia."

"It is not nice to eavesdrop, Goddess Astrea."

"Still the fact remains. Whatever we have against you, it will not affect Bell in any way. He is innocent and a friend of my children."

Ryu nodded. "I agree."

.

.

The mood in the home of the Astrea familia was a bit cold. The younger members didn´t know who Alfia was, but it got explained to them a bit. For Lefiya´s sake, the older members didn´t go into detail.

When Astrea arrived, the started to explain everything to her familia. There were a few members that would´ve rather seen Alfia dead in the beginning. But saving all of their lives meant that without Alfia, the Astrea familia would´ve been destroyed.

Despite all the evil things that Alfia did, this fact was hard to ignore.

"Alfia, come with me please."

Astrea left the room and Alfia looked at Bell before she followed the goddess. Haruhime and Lefiya sat on both sides of Bell, all of them still looked worried.

The Astrea familia members also were worried about their goddess, most of them didn´t trust Alfia at all.

Alise cleared her throat. "Ahem. I for my part hope that this won´t stand between us. Bell, Haruhime, you two are friends of our familia and I hope we remain friends. As the captain I will tell you, no one will do Alfia any harm. And I personally will acknowledge the courage that you two have shown to immediatelly help and heal Alfia. Lefi, don´t be worried that we will think bad of you, okay?"

"Mhm..."

"Aw, come on, don´t let your ears hang down like that. What you did was just."

"Hm?"

Alise smiled and winked.

Kaguya sighed. "To think that she of all people managed to raise someone like Bell. Hard to believe to be honest."

Ryu shook her head. "Kaguya, we shouldn´t judge the time she spent away from Orario. I can only think that she has her good sides too."

They tried their best to cheer Bell, Haruhime and Lefiya up. If Bell was honest, the Astrea familia was the best to find and capture Alfia, all the other familias would be way worse.

.

.

"So, Alfia."

"You don´t need to say anything."

Alfia opened her dress and let it slip down from her upper body, she didn´t care if Astrea saw her naked or not.

"May I ask, how long has it been that you had your status updated?"

"Why are you trying to be friendly with me?"

"This is my nature. And even when we will maybe have our problems, you will become one of my children."

"Tsk, don´t try to act motherly with m-Ouch!"

Alfia flinched when Astrea pinched her cheek. "I´m older than you, young Lady. You should really learn how to talk to your elders."

"Argh, you gods are all the same."

"Is that so?" Astrea tilted her head slightly and smiled gently.

It was really hard not to like Astrea, but Alfia would do her best. She didn´t trust Astrea and her familia, it wasn´t in her nature to do that.

Alfia twitched when Astrea touched her back with gentle fingers.

"Unlike Hera, I will lock your Falna so that you can´t change your familia without my permission. And I will probably never give you the permission. Be aware of that."

"I am."

"Do you know by chance where Hera is?"

"No and I don´t care."

They continued without saying something.

In the end, Astrea gave Alfia a sheet of paper. Alfia looked without interest onto it, wanted to throw it away...then she grabbed it with both hands and stared onto it.

"What?!"

Astrea didn´t say anything...no matter what she would say, it would be wrong.

.

.

Alfia

Belongs to: Astrea Familia

Level: 7

Strength:D 548 (-548)

Endurance:G 202 (-202)

Dexterity:S 999 (-999)

Agility:S 999 (-999)

Magic:SS 1001

Development Abilities:

Mage:A

Abnormal Resistance:E

Magic Resistance:E

Spirit Pleasure:E

Supreme Light:I

Abilities:

Monstrous Talent

Immense Strength

Extreme Speed

Immense Endurance

Copying

Concurrent Chanting

Limit Off

Magic:

Satanas Verion

Silentium Eden

Genos Angelus

Skills:

Gift Blessing

Alme

Vel Ardore

New Skills: Motherly love

Motherly love: Counter to illness, slowing down process. Will always have a general feeling in which direction "Son" is. Immunity to Charm. Will always notice when a woman stares at "Son". When close by, increases status and mind regeneration of "Son". Technique "Motherly Lap Pillow" will increase regeneration further.

.

.

Astrea thought that Alfia would probably be embarrassed about her new skill. But to her surprise, Alfia smiled.

But when Astrea thought about all the other things that were on this paper.

She really is a monster of talent. Dear heavens, Alise and the others were lucky that they didn´t fight her in her prime...

.

.

When Astrea returned to the living room with Alfia behind her, two guests had arrived.

"Astrea."

"Ganesha, thank you for coming."

"I heard something happened."

"It did, I will explain it to you and Shakti. As your captain she should know it."

Ganesha nodded with a serious face, he and Shakti listened.

It took a few minutes, then Ganesha slowly stepped in front of Alfia.

"If you do Astrea, her children or someone that isn´t evil in Orario any harm, I will come for you. And if you do something truly evil, I will go back to heaven, wait for your soul and then take care of it myself. Do we understand each other?"

Alfia nodded slowly.

Shakti said nothing.

"Shakti, Ganesha, there is something else I want to tell you."

"What is it, my love?"

"Yes, lady Astrea?"

Astrea took a deep breath. "Riveria visited me the other day and told me a few things. I will go into detail later, but there is one thing I have to tell you first. A member of the Loki familia, Bete Loga the Vanagandr, killed a high ranking member of Evilus a few days ago."

"Hm."

"That´s good."

"It was Valletta Grede."

Ganesha went pale under his mask, Shakti´s eyes got immediatelly filled with tears.

"Valetta..."

"She..."

Astrea nodded slowly. "The one responsible for Ardee´s death."

Even Ryu didn´t hear this before. While Astrea wanted to tell her that, it should´ve been at the same time that Ganesha and Shakti learned about it. Shakti was a grown woman of thirty-eight years of age...but now she started to sob and cry.

"Shakti, come here."

Ganesha put his arms around his follower and let her cry at his chest. They saw that tears ran out under Ganesha´s mask.

Ryu too started to sob and cry.

"Thank you, Astrea. Thank you for telling us. And I will go to Loki´s familia and thank this young man personally."

"Me too, Ganesha." Shakti sobbed.

Ryu raised her hand. "Can I come with you?"

Some people said that taking revenge and killing the murderer of a loved one wouldn´t help and bring the dead back. But for these three, it meant a lot. Finally, finally Ardee got avenged.

And even when they were of a different nature normally, it also meant a lot that Bete Loga gave Valetta pain...lots of pain.

.

.
After Ganesha and Shakti left, everyone just sat down for a moment. Alfia felt pretty awkward sitting there.

Astrea leaned back in her armchair and closed her eyes for a moment. "I think it is the best when we take a short break. Lefiya, Haruhime, Bell, I´m sorry for destroying your date like that."

It was Alfia that answered. "You don´t need to apologize, goddess Astrea. It is my fault alone."

"Ryu, Lefiya, could you two accompany them on their way home, so that Alfia can get her stuff?"

""Yes.""

"Lefiya, if you want to stay the night, I will allow it."

Alfia growled. "But I won´t."

Astrea raised an eyebrow. "I can allow my child what I want."

"Yes you can, but I won´t allow my son that."

"Lefiya, Bell and Haruhime are a couple, what harm is there to a sleepover? Haruhime and Bell sleep in the same house anyway."

"In the same house but not in the same room ."

"Hoh...are you defying me?"

"When it comes to my son, yes! I am not ready to become a grandmother!"

"M-Mom!"

"Lady Astrea!"

"Meep!"

The three young people were all equally flustered.

It looked like Astrea and Alfia would have a "great" chemistry.

.

.
When they walked home, Ryu walked behind the others. Not to keep an eye on Alfia, but to not disturb them. As a sign of good will, Ryu let her weapons at home.

"Mh, Mom...will you be okay?"

"I will, Bell. Please don´t think bad of the goddess or her familia. What she does is the right thing."

He looked surprised. "Really?"

"Yes, I am a sinner, it is her job to punish me. I don´t hold a grudge against her."

"Mh.."

Alfia stopped and put her hands on Bell´s cheeks. "Bell, this is because of my actions. My problems with someone aren´t your problems. They said it won´t affect you, okay?"

"Okay.."

"Sweety, I won´t be gone. You can see me every day."

"Okay."

She smiled and patted his back. Then she looked at Lefiya and Haruhime.

"I thank you two for helping me when I collapsed."

Both nodded.

"But don´t think now that I´m out of the house, you can do something."

""We won´t!""

"And Bell."

"Yes?"

"I still expect you to come every day before you go into the dungeon."

"Yes!"

Alfia tried her best so that Bell wouldn´t get depressed.

It would take a bit of time until they got used to the situation.

Lefiya still decided to stay for a while that day. Their first date was ruined, but she wanted to spend much time with Bell and Haruhime.

Which would turn out very awkward the next morning, since they fell asleep together on Bell´s bed. They sat next to each other and Lefiya told them about a hero story of her home forest, the famous poet Wishe.

Since Bell and Haruhime really loved this stories, Lefiya also got interested in them.

It got pretty late, Lefiya had much fun telling them all the stories about Wishe. But at some point, they slowly fell asleep. When they woke only a bit up and were mostly half asleep, they moved on instinct, snuggled up to each other and pulled Bell´s blanket over them.

In the morning, Lefiya found herself in the middle, Bell hugged her from behind, Haruhime from the front. She woke up because Bell was gently nibbling at the tip of her right ear, while Haruhime had moved her face closer and did the same at Lefiya´s neck.

It was a nice way to wake up, a really nice way, for all three.

But now they were scared to face Alfia...and Lefiya´s familia...they would probably tease them a lot.