The morning sun began to illuminate Orario, sweeping away the remnants of the night's darkness.
A low hum of activity filled the air as adventurers from various races—Humans, Pallums, Elves, Dwarves, Beastmen, and Amazonesses—headed toward Babel Tower.
Clad in gleaming armor and carrying an array of weapons, they prepared to enter the Dungeon once more.
Such a scene was commonplace in Orario, a daily ritual marking the start of a new day in the pursuit of wealth, power, and glory.
"…"
Far from the bustling crowds, the tranquil courtyard of Empyrean Citadel presented a starkly different atmosphere.
Small birds perched on the dew-dampened ground, pecking for insects or worms. Others chirped cheerfully while drinking and splashing in a small, clear pond, creating tiny ripples.
Morning sunlight filtered through the tree leaves, casting dancing patterns of light and shadow on the green grass.
Inside the warm living room, a beautiful goddess sat. The Goddess of Justice, Astraea.
Her long, chestnut hair cascading down, she sat on a sofa with a cup of warm tea. Her wise eyes occasionally glanced toward the door, filled with anticipation. She was waiting for the return of the residence's owner.
*CREAK…!*
Suddenly, the door opened. A white-haired young man with a handsome yet resolute androgynous face stepped inside.
"Welcome back, Charlie." Astraea stood immediately and approached him, her face radiating relief.
She carefully examined Charlie from head to toe, as if checking for something. Her greatest fear—seeing the mark of a God Slayer on Charlie's soul—was unfounded.
"I'm back, Goddess Astraea." Charlie said.
He paused for a moment.
There was something in Astraea's greeting that felt like a wife welcoming her husband home from work. He quickly banished the odd thought from his mind.
"Look at you. You're filthy, and your clothes are ruined."
Astraea's gentle hands touched Charlie's arms and shoulders, checking for hidden wounds beneath his tattered, blood-stained clothing.
"I'm fine, Goddess Astraea. Thank you for your concern. The Whiro Familia was no match for me." Charlie said, stepping back slightly, amused by the sudden inspection.
Astraea sighed, accepting his explanation.
"Alright. Now, go take a bath and clean yourself up before Aishia and Est wake up. Leave breakfast to me. I'll show you the cooking skills I've honed over the past two years."
"Goddess Astraea can cook?" Charlie asked.
"Goodness! You don't believe me, do you? Well, we gods have plenty of time to learn new things." Astraea said, puffing out her cheeks in mock offense. With a confident gesture, she nudged Charlie toward the bathroom.
Still, Charlie hesitated. Before leaving, he offered some advice, "Before serving food to others, taste it first."
"Just you wait, I'll make you regret doubting me!"
Astraea turned and strode purposefully toward the kitchen. There, she grabbed a clean apron from the wall and put it on.
With practiced movements, she tied her shimmering long hair into a neat ponytail, revealing her captivating nape.
"Now, what should I cook~" she murmured, opening the refrigerator door.
"This thing called a refrigerator is amazing. Just put food inside, and you don't have to worry about it spoiling quickly."
"If Charlie mass-produced these, the profits would be enormous. He wouldn't need to make a living by entering the Dungeon anymore."
But Astraea knew that was just wishful thinking. She understood that Charlie's aspirations weren't about wealth but true power. He wouldn't waste time becoming an industrialist.
"…"
As she pulled out eggs, fresh vegetables, smoked meat, and bread from the refrigerator, a thought crossed Astraea's mind, making her blush slightly.
"By the way, this is the first time I'm cooking for a man."
She recalled her former Familia members—Alise, Kaguya, Lyra, and the others—who had faithfully (and sometimes fearfully) been the test subjects for her cooking, from the early days when her dishes could be considered poison to the point where they became edible.
"If Alise knew about this, she'd tease me relentlessly." Astraea said with a soft smile, a warm wave of nostalgia washing over her.
Then, she focused. With a sharp knife in hand, she began chopping vegetables with surprising precision. She heated a pan, melted butter, and confidently cracked eggs to make a scramble.
A delightful aroma filled the kitchen. She seasoned her dish carefully, tasting it occasionally to ensure the flavor was just right.
A satisfied smile spread across her face. This wasn't just about cooking breakfast; it was about creating a sense of home and "return" for someone who had just been through a bloody battle.
Astraea was determined to make a perfect breakfast, to prove to Charlie that she could be relied upon, even in small things like this.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Men's showers are exponentially faster than women's—a basic common sense that holds true across nearly the entire multiverse, with few exceptions.
Thus, Charlie finished his bath in no time.
With only a towel loosely wrapped around his waist, Charlie walked out of the bathroom, his white hair still wet and dripping onto his broad shoulders. Warm steam still clung to his lean yet muscular frame.
"This smell…"
He paused, his nose catching something that impressed him.
The savory aroma of butter, eggs, and spices filled the air, far more promising than he had expected.
"W-Why are you just standing there dazed? Hurry up and put some clothes on!"
Astraea's startled, high-pitched voice broke his focus. Charlie turned and saw her in the kitchen, her face as red as a tomato.
She quickly covered her eyes with both hands, but Charlie could see her peeking through the gaps between her fingers.
As a goddess who rarely interacted directly with men—especially in such a state—this was Astraea's first time seeing a man's body so… exposed.
Though embarrassed, she had to admit to herself that Charlie had an impressive physique.
Not a bulky, mountainous build, but proportional and athletic. Every muscle was clearly defined, showcasing the strength and density within.
Her attention was particularly drawn to Charlie's chiseled abs, perfectly arranged like neatly stacked bricks.
"So even Goddess Astraea can get embarrassed." Charlie teased lightly, chuckling at her usually calm and dignified reaction.
"Ugh, how dare you tease me!" Astraea protested, her face growing redder. "Watch out, or you'll face Divine Punishment!"
"Oh, how terrifying~"
In a playful tone, Charlie raised his hands as if surrendering.
Realizing his teasing had gone far enough—and not wanting to genuinely upset Astraea—Charlie ended the conversation.
With a small smile still lingering on his lips, he turned and headed to his room.
"Huuuh…"
Once Charlie left, Astraea let out a long breath, releasing the air she hadn't realized she was holding.
She placed a hand on her ample chest, feeling her heart still racing as if she'd just run a marathon.
"What's wrong with me?" she muttered to herself, slightly confused by her own reaction.
Shaking her head, Astraea decided not to dwell on it. Maybe it was just the surprise. She refocused on her task.
"Now, where was I… Oh, right, the scrambled eggs are almost done."
She turned back to the stove, trying to push the image of Charlie's athletic body from her mind.
Astraea stirred the eggs in the pan with renewed vigor, determined to complete the perfect breakfast and forget the awkward moment. But her still-flushed cheeks proved that moment wasn't so easily forgotten.