Meeting up

As they all equipped their respective armor, the Hestia Familia's members saluted their goddess and received her blessing for their expedition.

"Go forth, my children," Hestia said so with a small smile on her face. She was worried about any abnormality occurring, but she also trusted Ryuu and the rest of her members to retreat if the situation escalated.

They also had layers upon layers of assurances, such as the presence of many high-level adventurers. This meant she did not have to tell them anything, only encouraging them as that was what she felt was best for them…

With that, the trio turned and made their way out of the Familia's manor, their armor clinking with each step. They walked with purpose as even Haruhime didn't appear like her previous timid self at all.

———

The combination of three beautiful people walking steadily towards the Dungeon entrance made many adventurers look their way with gazes holding different meanings.

No one didn't know who the man acting as the 'leader' of the trio was. Many reacted with fear since they didn't want to provoke him carelessly, though some idiots still looked at Luna and Haruhime in a way they shouldn't have.

As they walked, Ryuu reached out and tapped his foot on the ground. In an instant, a chill swept through the area, and a blue light emanated from his foot, accompanied by a radiant magic circle. The light grew in intensity, and soon, a large circle of ice spread out from where he stood.

As the circle of ice expanded, it engulfed the guilty adventurers in a thick layer of ice, trapping them in place. They were frozen solid, unable to move or even speak, their muscles paralyzed by the intense cold. The ice was so cold it caused them immense pain. Their screams of agony could be heard throughout the area.

The adventurers, who were not trapped in the ice looked on in horror as their comrades were frozen in place. They knew that Ryuu was not someone to be trifled with and that the punishment he was meting out was deserved.

The ice continued to spread, engulfing everything within a few meters of where Ryuu stood. The area was now a frozen wasteland, though he didn't pay his surroundings any attention.

As the ice dissipated, Ryuu stood tall, his armor now glistening in the sunlight. He looked around, his gaze cold and emotionless. He had made it clear that he would not tolerate such behavior, and that anyone who dared to disrespect Luna or Haruhime would be dealt with severely.

All the high-level adventurers raised their brows in surprise. They all looked at each other with the same confused gaze, only one question in their mind.

'When did he obtain such powerful Magic?'

Information about Ryuu wasn't too rare, but each time they saw him, they always felt what they knew did not match his current level of strength. The possibility of someone derailing their information, maybe even Ryuu himself, was not low. However, it was still strange in their eyes that it could happen since the source of the available information was the Guild itself...

Though no one said anything much.

As long as Ryuu didn't openly kill anyone in broad daylight for no reason, his actions would not cause any big deal. No one would bother 'denouncing' him, even the Familia's God of these adventurers.

Reputation, Strength and Fame were powerful weapons…

'I could've taken care of them, Master…'

She talked with him telepathically, though he shook his head in refusal.

'You shouldn't dirty your hands with such trash. Let me do that for you.'

While a short conversation unfolded between the two Dragons, Haruhime only sighed, wishing she could communicate with her mind too…

After spending some time with the duo, she could not boast to say she 'knew' them well, but she could still guess when they were talking telepathically, since the gazes they directed at each other were really obvious to her.

———

Finally, at their destination, they could see several adventurers gathered there. Not all of them were familiar faces since the adventurers of the Demeter Familia were also there, but most of them still were recruited personally by Ryuu. In fact, apart from the few he needed, other unexpected faces were there, such as the Hermes Familia's captain, Asfi.

Though he ignored it since he expected Hermes to pull this one on him, since she had strength, he did not mind her presence at all.

Though the first he greeted was, of course, Tiona.

As he was now much stronger, their conversation passed the 'pleasantries' easily.

"We will soon have our final sparring session. Prepare your heart for me to harvest it, Tiona."

His words were spoken with a confident and determined tone, and as he locked eyes with Tiona, she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter a little.

"I'll be ready for you. And I'll make sure to give you a good fight."

As they locked eyes, it was clear to everyone around them that there was something special between them. The air between them was thick with tension and anticipation. Even Luna and Haruhime, who had grown close to Ryuu, couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the chemistry between them.

Though the situation was dispelled as he talked loudly for everyone else.

"First of all, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming. I believe, more or less, everyone here knows the purpose of the Hestia Familia this time. It's a dangerous expedition request for a new Familia like ours, meaning each helping hand would allow for a smoother outcome…"

He of course, had exaggerated strength, enough to directly skip the floors his Familia should be at and head deeper, but this didn't mean much from an objective point of view. He still had no experience leading an expedition like many seasoned warriors present. Although Ryuu could pull it off if he tried, then he would always have to do everything alone.

Ryuu wished Luna and Haruhime could grow stronger, this meaning they also needed to experience some danger properly. If he were always there for them to lead, then they would never have the opportunity to shine…

"You've changed, Haruhime."

Ouka said so while glancing at the man holding a speech for everyone else to hear. One glance was enough for the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia to guess that since they had known each other for years, yet the extremely different demeanor she showed off was a bit..hard for them to follow.

"To follow my dreams and walk alongside him, this is the least I should do."

Haruhime's heart raced. She couldn't help the flush that spread across her cheeks as she thought about him, his unwavering determination and his belief in her strength.

"I once believed in dreams as well," Ryuu had told her during one of their training sessions. "Though we are much different. While I failed miserably and my dreams shattered to the coldness of our reality, you can still hold them dear to your heart. I believe that is a great quality of yours you should hold dear. You're strong, Haruhime, even stronger than me."

She had never been told she was strong before, and it was a feeling she couldn't help but relish, though her face was a crimson mess. "I...I...t-thank you," she stuttered in response…

Remembering that made her face still heat up a bit, though she avoided showing it to the Takemikazuchi Familia members as she didn't want to embarrass herself further.