Leon led everyone to the reception room nestled in the inner courtyard of the library.
"Hey, what brings you here?"
After pouring a cup of black tea for everyone, Leon settled beside Hestia. His eyes flicked over to Kali lounging on the sofa to the left, with Argana standing just behind her. Curiosity laced his tone as he asked.
"By the way, I'm curious too, loli No. 2, what exactly brings you to Orario?" Before Leon could finish, Loki chid in.
Leon had already asked Kali earlier, but she had dodged the question. Then Astraea's familia arrived, and the mont slipped away.
Kali gave a wanton smile and said, "We've settled in Orario. From now on, we'll be a familia here."
Loki's surprise was obvious. "You settled in Orario? I hadn't heard a thing."
"Argana and Bache wanted to surprise you." Kali explained with a casual wave. "They asked the guild to keep it quiet."
She then turned her gaze to Leon. "So, Leon, where's your god, Lucifer? I'm coming to visit."
Leon was speechless. "You still haven't given up, huh?"
"After all, Argana and Bache are both hopelessly smitten with you." Kali's words were careless, her intentions completely bare.
Behind her, Argana and Bache's eyes burned with desire.
"You're ugly, but your thoughts are beautiful." Hestia sneered, curling her lips.
"Leon is quite popular." Astraea said with a soft smile.
Finn, standing by Loki's side, nodded in strong agreent. "Leon's exceptional. It's only natural he attracts admirers."
Orario had plenty of female adventurers enamored with Leon, many vying for his attention. And now another Telskyura had appeared.
"Give up, I won't leave the Lucifer familia."
"Even if I wanted to switch, it would be to Hestia's side only." Leon sighed, then firmly rejected Kali's advances.
"Damn it." Kali didn't respond, but Loki let out an unwilling grunt.
"Hmph, the bond between Leon and ? No one can compare." Hestia said proudly, puffing out her chest.
Leon raised a hand. "Alright, if there's nothing else, you can leave."
"Fair enough. The Kali familia just moved into Orario today, and there's much to arrange. We'll stop here for now. I'll visit again soon." Kali nodded, rose, and gestured to Argana and Bache.
Before leaving, Argana fixed her burning eyes on Leon and declared, "I won't give up, Leon. No matter what, I'll make you my husband."
Tione, who had been silent, ground her teeth in frustration. "Really infuriating."
Hestia glanced at her, puzzled, but didn't question further. She already knew from Leon's stories that Tione and Argana were like fire and water.
"Okay, that's enough drama. Let's get back to discussing the expedition."
"Alise, is the Astraea familia going with us?"
Only three familias had the closest ties with Leon: Hestia's, Loki's, and Astraea's.
The first two were well-known allies, but Astraea's familia held a special place. Except for Ryuu, all mbers had been resurrected by Leon himself. Those resurrected by Leon's use of Sephiroth Graal naturally felt loyal to him.
As long as it didn't involve Astraea herself, no matter the situation, they stood firmly by Leon's side, much like the Angel Reincarnation Pool's reincarnates.
So, when Leon learned Astraea's familia had returned, he imdiately thought of taking them on an expedition—to strengthen them.
"Wait, you're going on another expedition?" Alise exclaid at Leon's words.
"The situation on the ground's settled. The next plan centers on expeditions."
"Since you've been resurrected, it makes sense to go together." Finn said thoughtfully, accepting Leon's invitation.
Judging by how Alise and the others had fought Argana and Bache earlier, it was clear they were all at least Lv. 6. Even if so were Lv. 5, that was enough for this expedition.
And since Leon had spoken, it was settled, they would go together.
"That's great."
"Alise and the others lost five years and fell behind, you can't leave them behind. They need high-intensity adventures."
"Having you along makes feel more at ease." Astraea smiled approvingly.
"It's a pity Belle and the others are still too low level. Otherwise, they could go too," Hestia said regretfully.
"Next ti. Or the ti after." Leon consoled.
"Yeah." Hestia nodded.
On the other side, after hearing Astraea's approval, Alise discussed with her companions.
"As Astraea-sama said, we lost five years and have lagged behind too much. Since Leon and Loki's familia have invited us, let's join."
"But we need to leave so people behind to guide the new mbers on the surface."
"Who's willing?"
"I will." Neze smiled confidently.
"I'll stay as well." Asta said.
Their discussion was simple and quickly settled.
"It's decided. We'll join this joint expedition."
"In that case, the expedition starts in a few days."
"During this ti, everyone should prepare the necessary supplies."
Finn nodded with a smile, then added thoughtfully, "We don't know much about the situation in the deep floors, so we need you to communicate with us seriously."
Kaguya spoke up with a gentle smile, "That's absolutely fine. Since it's a joint expedition, exchanging information between us is only natural."
The three of them then quietly discussed the details from the earlier conversation between Leon and Finn.
"Let's not disturb them here. How about we go have a drink together?"
Seeing Leon and the others start their expedition discussion, Hestia looked to Astraea and Loki and whispered the suggestion.
"Well, let's go then. A drink and so reminiscing sounds nice." Astraea nodded with a smile.
Loki had no objections. The three rose and left the reception room and the library behind.
Outside the library, Hestia suggested they visit Hephaestus and others. Neither Astraea nor Loki objected.
Soon, led by Hestia, the trio visited the Hephaestus familia residence, then stopped by the Blue Pharmacy, and finally made their way to the Takemikazuchi familia's residence, calling out to Hephaestus, Miach, and Takemikazuchi.
The six of them gathered at a Tavern to drink and reminisce.
"It's truly surprising. I didn't expect your children to be resurrected." Hephaestus said, holding a glass of wine with genuine surprise.
"Credit all goes to Leon." Astraea replied with a grateful smile.
"Hehe, my Leon is amazing." Hestia couldn't help but beam proudly when Leon was ntioned.
"No matter how strong Leon is, he belongs to Lucifer's familia. What does that have to do with you?" Loki scoffed contemptuously from beside her.
"Leon and I are partners." Hestia fired back sharply.
"Hmph. My Ais-tan, Tione, and Tiona have a close relationship with that kid Leon, they'll snatch him away sooner or later." Loki said, unconvinced.
"Haha, co if you dare." Hestia challenged with a grin.
"Leon sure is popular." Miach smiled and sighed watching Hestia and Loki bicker.
"Indeed, Mikoto often ntions Leon's na when she cos to for guidance on combat skills." Takemikazuchi nodded, echoing Miach's sentint.
"Speaking of which, isn't the Moon God Festival in two days? I wonder if Artemis will co back." Hephaestus suddenly said, catching everyone off guard.
"Oh yes, the Moon God Festival, Artemis should be back." Hestia instantly abandoned her quarrel with Loki, excitent lighting up her face.
"That's perfect. I haven't seen Artemis in a long ti. If she cos back, we can catch up." Astraea smiled, her eyes shining with expectation.
What none of them knew was that Artemis had already entered Orario alongside Hers at the city gate.
News of Astraea familia mber's resurrection spread quickly through Orario's many familias. The gods and adventurers were shocked, and the city buzzed with uproar.
Yet neither Astraea familia nor Loki familia revealed that Leon was behind the resurrection. Leon stayed clear of causing unnecessary trouble.
In the library's inner courtyard, Leon sat cross-legged, ditating when Hestia's voice suddenly ca through.
"Leon, today's the Moon God Festival, let's go out for a walk."
Slowly opening his eyes, Leon saw Hestia running towards him.
"Moon God Festival?" He asked, puzzled.
"Yes, Moon God Festival, a tradition passed down by Artemis. It starts today. Co with ." Hestia said with a smile.
Leon was a bit surprised but nodded in agreent. He never refused Hestia's proposals. Even with other tasks pending, unless it was life or death, he would put them aside temporarily.
"Okay, give half an hour to dress." Leon said.
Seeing his agreent, Hestia nodded excitedly, waved, and happily went inside.
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