About one week has passed since a single male god was returned to the heavens.

The city that had been in a festival-like uproar was gradually extinguishing its flames, slowly regaining its everyday life.

During that time, there’s something I’ve had done at a rapid pace over this past week.

Using the large amount of gold coins I received from Alfia and the money I earned in the Dungeon, I had them prioritize rebuilding the church that ‘Alfia and her younger sister loved.’

Even working at full capacity for a week, only the framework has been completed so far.

I’m having them recreate as much as I can remember, and above the front entrance, I plan to restore the ‘statue of the goddess’ that stood there before it was destroyed.

Directly beneath this church, built with stone-like materials, Alfia’s corpse is buried, and I plan to make this place our base and also build her grave.

Even today, as our new base is being constructed, I look over the cityscape destroyed by the Dark Faction.

The removal of rubble still isn’t finished, and everywhere requires manpower like adventurers and carpenters, making it clear that no matter how many people there are, it’s still not enough.

Amidst that, a voice rings out as if bestowing blessings upon the working men.

"Everyone! Food distribution!"

A familiar voice stimulates my eardrums.

The location is the Central Plaza.

The girls standing before me are members of the Astraea Familia.

In this city where people have even lost the food to eat individually, these girls are serving meals.

The working men immediately form lines as if to say ‘We’ve been waiting!’, receiving warm soup and bread.

The Guild Headquarters, the Ganesha Familia base, and the Loki Familia base have become shelters for people with nowhere to return to, and every day they diligently work toward Reconstruction.

It was while I was walking around the Central Plaza, looking at that cityscape.

Turning a corner of the street, a single girl appeared before me.

"You are…"

"Gale, huh."

Ryuu Lion. [TL: Gale is Ryuu’s alias.]

Looking down at me, smaller than her, she sends a sharp gaze.

Most likely, ‘Gale’ sees me as an enemy—no, more like she has a sense of discomfort toward me.

During the Great Feud, we crossed swords several times, and I once questioned her about ‘justice’.

It’s obvious she doesn’t view me favorably because of that.

Since we’re not the kind of people who particularly converse, I gave a light nod and tried to leave—but.

"Please wait."

—I was stopped.

Even if I have nothing to say, if the other party does, I have no choice but to stop.

So I listlessly looked up at Gale’s face.

"What is it?"

"Um… it’s been a while, hasn’t it?"

She greets me awkwardly, and I reply "Yeah, it has," but I can’t read her intent.

"...Ahead, at the Central Plaza, we of the Astraea Familia are distributing food. Please, you should also…"

Clumsily, she conveys only her business.

She’s probably trying to face me in her own way.

Even if she’s not good with me, it wouldn’t be right to avoid it. Because she’s a serious and cautious elf, she’s trying to confront it.

That attitude of facing what you’re ‘bad with’ is something I should learn from too.

"I’m not particularly troubled when it comes to food. I’ll accept the sentiment. Thanks."

That’s the truth, so I state it clearly.

For now, our Artemis Familia isn’t lacking in money or food.

When I tell her that, she shows a slightly relieved yet somewhat complicated expression.

"I see, that’s good. Astraea-sama was concerned about your Familia."

"Astraea?"

"Yes, since your Familia has few members. She was worried you might be lacking supplies."

I see.

Back when they were in the heavens, Artemis and Astraea were close to being friends. Considering that connection, it’s not strange that she’d be concerned about us.

Rather, I’m grateful for that feeling.

"We’re not having any problems at the moment. If something comes up, we’ll ask for help then."

"Understood, when that time comes, certainly."

Did she really stop me just for this light conversation?

Judging by Gale, it feels like there’s still something more. Like there’s another main topic.

As proof, she keeps looking slightly away while continuing the conversation, not letting me go.

"—Hey."

Since this is going nowhere, I decide to start speaking myself.

When I call out, the elf looks back into my emotionless eyes.

"Um, what is it?"

"Isn’t there something else you actually wanted to talk about?"

Gale’s eyebrow twitched.

Her eyes opened slightly, showing a bit of shock at being seen through.

"...Yes, that’s right. It’s true I have something to talk to you about."

As if resigning herself, she closed her eyes and shrugged.

"What kind of talk?"

"I’ll tell you tonight, when you come to our Astraea Familia base."

I haven’t heard anything about that…

I’ve never heard about going to the Astraea Familia base, nor do I remember Artemis telling me.

"Um, what do you mean?"

"...What do you mean?"

The conversation, which had been proceeding on the premise that I knew, came to a halt.

"I haven’t heard anything about going to your base…"

"Is that so? Astraea-sama said she had already informed Artemis-sama…"

Most likely, Artemis forgot to tell me.

Without even consulting me.

But there’s no point complaining about something already decided, so I endure it.

Besides, Artemis and Astraea probably didn’t have time to properly greet each other after the Great Feud.

It can’t be helped.

"I’ll confirm with Artemis. When that time comes, I’ll be in your care."

"Yes, understood."

With nothing else to talk about, we parted ways.

Still, it’s a bit awkward.

Because I said various things to Astraea’s followers before, it’s hard to face them.

Maybe I should try to build some friendship, but since I was the one who provoked things, there’s not much I can do.

Well, they’re far older than me.

I’ll just hope they accept it with tolerance.

* * *

"Artemis, there’s something I want to ask."

After returning to the inn, I call out to Artemis, who’s maintaining her bow in the room.

This inn suffered some damage due to Orario’s shaking, but there was almost no direct damage from the Dark Faction.

As long as you weren’t caught in an explosion, it wasn’t attacked.

Seems like we picked a lucky inn.

"What is it, Kiyo?"

Artemis, wiping her bow with a cloth, shifts her gaze toward me, her innocent eyes piercing me.

I sit on the bed and return her gaze.

"Are we going to the Astraea Familia base tonight? I heard it from Gale earlier."

"Didn’t I tell you?"

Seems like it’s true.

Seeing Artemis tilt her head in confusion, I continue while slightly exasperated.

"You didn’t. If we were going, I wanted you to tell me beforehand."

"That’s my fault. But I haven’t seen Astraea in a while. It’s been a long time."

That doesn’t make it acceptable, but I can understand how she feels, so I let it go.

She seems reliable, but this goddess has surprisingly careless moments.

"I see, so it was true."

"It’s not like anything’s lost, right? You’ll just end up being looked after by Astraea’s children anyway."

"Honestly, it might not be that simple…"

I sigh internally, but the decision won’t change, so I give up cleanly.

After some silence, Artemis suddenly speaks.

"By the way… that ‘earring’ of yours, you didn’t mention it, but why did you receive it from Erebus?"

Since the Seven Days of Death ended, Artemis hadn’t brought it up even once.

I thought she was just being considerate, but apparently not.

"It’s fine, isn’t it? Think of it as proof that ‘Absolute Evil’ existed."

"..."

To the confused Artemis, I explain simply.

"Erebus’s wished ‘future’. You could say it’s proof I’ve inherited that."

"I see. Honestly, I don’t really get it, but it means there’s something poetic about that earring."

Nodding twice, Artemis reaches her own conclusion and looks satisfied.

"Yeah, that interpretation works… Anyway, there’s actually something I forgot, is that okay?"

"Hm?"

There really was something I forgot.

Why didn’t I notice for a whole week?

Updating my Status.

"Can you update my Status?"

I’m looking forward to seeing how I’ve grown after the war.

My current level is 7. I don’t think it’ll go up that much, but part of me still hopes.

As if remembering, Artemis props her bow against the wall and comes over to the bed.

I lie face down, and Artemis climbs on top, dropping divine blood onto my back.

As I feel her fingers tracing my back, I wait for it to finish.

"...This is—!"

Suddenly, Artemis raises her voice.

When I turn my head back, her eyes are wide, pupils dilated, staring at my back.

"What’s wrong?"

As if breaking her trance, I call out.

She snaps back and begins speaking the ‘truth’.

"Kiyo, congratulations. You can Sublimate to level 8."