Elsewhere—
In a private room of the Hostess of Fertility.
This was Ryuu's room.
She had changed into travel gear and carefully placed some broken wooden fragments into her pack.
These were pieces of her wooden practice sword, Elven Streamlight, shattered into splinters by the Destroyer, the Juggernaut.
Some time ago—
Shakti had taken time out of her busy schedule to personally check on the whereabouts of the elusive "Gale" to ensure her safety.
And then…
She returned the broken wooden fragments to Ryuu.
These damaged pieces were essential material for forging her new weapon—
Her personal blade from now on:
Starfall Sword of the Elven Goddess of Justice.
Just yesterday—
Ryuu had visited the captain of the Hermes Familia, seeking information on the city of swordsmiths.
The [All-Knowing] Asfi had handed her a map of Zollingen.
…
After packing everything up—
Ryuu had just stepped out of the tavern when a gentle voice called out, stopping her in her tracks.
"Ryuu!"
A sudden appearance—Syr smiled softly at her as Ryuu turned around.
"S-Syr…?"
Ryuu blinked in surprise.
Her sky-blue eyes widened slightly.
It was the first time she'd seen Syr arrive this early at the tavern.
Normally, Syr was either late by hours or didn't show up at all.
Worth noting…
Syr, unlike Ryuu and Anya, did not live at the tavern.
None of them knew exactly where Syr lived, and her private life remained a mystery.
Ryuu had once asked Syr where her home was, but Syr had only giggled and dodged the question.
"Are you going to see Mr. Raven?"
Syr smiled gently, her voice calm and smooth.
Ryuu's gaze flickered, but in the end, she gave a small nod:
"…Yes."
"Do you like Mr. Raven?"
Syr's question caused Ryuu's eyes to fly open in shock.
"W-Wh-What kind of question is that…?!"
"I-I-I could never fall for someone you have feelings for!"
Her stammering voice cracked completely, shattering her calm persona.
She did have feelings for him—and had even gone beyond that.
But now…
There was no way she could admit that cruel truth to her close friend.
"Ryuu~~"
Just as Ryuu struggled to explain, Syr cut her off mid-sentence.
She smiled once more.
"I like Mr. Raven."
Ryuu fell silent.
Her gaze dropped toward the ground.
Syr had already seen through her inner turmoil.
Seeing Ryuu's reaction didn't surprise her in the slightest.
"When you come back… may I ask Raven out on a date?"
"…Why would you ask me that?"
Ryuu forced the question out.
Syr's brows lowered slightly as she carefully chose her words:
"Because… I might end up doing something cruel to you."
Ryuu took a deep breath.
Memories of her precious bond with the girl in front of her resurfaced.
"…I once told you that it was thanks to you I found salvation."
"So I will repay that kindness."
"Syr… no matter who you fall for, I'll support you."
"…Thank you, Ryuu."
Syr smiled quietly.
At the Hearth Mansion, residence of the Hestia Familia.
In the spacious dining hall…
"Ryuu, is something wrong?"
"Something on your mind?"
Raven, who was halfway through Hime's well-balanced breakfast, put down his chopsticks and looked at her.
"…No."
Ryuu shook her head absentmindedly, but she had no appetite at all.
At the moment, there were only the two of them at the table.
It was still early in the morning—
Lady Hestia was still fast asleep in bed.
Hime was out in the courtyard, training with Anna Claes on the wide grass lawn.
Liliruca had already left at dawn, carrying a backpack to gather her things from her old home in the northwest district.
As for Daphne and Cassandra, neither had been seen this morning.
"You've been sulking all morning. There's clearly something on your mind."
"Why not talk about it?"
Could it be…
She doesn't want to meet Goddess Astraea?
Raven glanced at Ryuu's travel outfit and quickly ruled out the idea.
"…Syr."
Ryuu finally muttered the name.
Syr?
Raven blinked in surprise.
He silently sorted through his thoughts.
He was just wondering whether or not to tell Ryuu that Syr's true identity was Freya when—
Ryuu suddenly focused, her sky-blue eyes locking onto him.
Then she spoke clearly:
"Raven… I like you."
Her tone was soft, but her voice crystal clear and sincere.
"…"
Raven was stunned by the sudden confession.
Refuse?
Out of the question.
Accept?
Also impossible—how else would he build his harem?
"I know you can't give me an answer," Ryuu continued,
"But I'll keep liking you anyway."
She didn't expect anything in return.
"…Alright."
Raven shook off his surprise and stood up with a smile.
"Then, shall we be off?"
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