"Good evening, Aunt Mia. We're here to visit." Akira said politely, poking his head out from the group and stepping forward.

Mia raised an eyebrow, eyes scanning the group.

"Oh? You came alone this time? That warrior who was with you last time didn't come?"

Before Akira could reply, Ais stepped forward from the crowd. "I'm here."

Earlier that evening, the others had asked Akira to invite Ais to the celebration. So he'd gone to the Loki Familia's base to extend a personal invitation.

Of course, Loki had thrown a fit, wailing and clinging to Ais like a child. But under the iron gaze and silent authority of Riveria, the goddess was "convinced" to let Ais go.

Mia nodded in satisfaction, then leaned over the counter, squinting down at Akira. After a few moments of scrutiny, a broad, maternal smile formed on her face.

"Oh my, little guy's growing up so fast. That's what I like to see. A man should eat well, get taller, and bulk up."

She reached out and affectionately patted his head. "Tonight, I'll make sure you eat till you burst. Get ready!"

Her cheerfully ominous tone made Akira a little nervous. He gulped and raised his hand timidly.

"Umm… Aunt Mia, can I… maybe get a smaller portion…?"

Mia ignored him entirely and turned to look at Astraea standing beside Akira.

"You must be Astraea, huh? The goddess of justice."

Astraea responded with a graceful smile and a slight bow, "Yes, a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for always looking after my children."

Mia nodded and crossed her arms again, her expression relaxed. "Much prettier than my stupid goddess."

She didn't even bother hiding the disrespect in her tone.

Astraea giggled behind her hand. "Oh, no. I could never compare to Freya, the goddess of beauty."

As the two women chatted, Alise and the others began searching for an empty table, careful not to disturb the other guests.

Soon after, Anya and several other waitresses appeared, expertly balancing trays piled high with steaming, fragrant dishes.

Alise raised her mug high, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"To celebrate the success of our expedition—cheers!"

"CHEERS!!" Voices echoed in harmony as the Astraea Familia clinked their glasses together.

Ais lifted her juice-filled glass and joined the toast, a soft smile on her lips.

Akira dug into a massive portion of fried rice while sipping on a mug of beer. Despite the earlier threat of overfeeding, the food was too good to resist.

As the celebration carried on, Akira quietly scanned the tavern, looking for a certain familiar face—the beautiful goddess who sometimes worked as a server. But after several glances, he couldn't spot her anywhere.

With a shrug, he gave up on the thought and focused on enjoying the moment.

After a few rounds of drinks, Alise leaned back in her chair, visibly satisfied.

Alise slammed her mug on the table and stood up again, flushed and brimming with passion.

"This expedition wasn't just a victory—we all grew a lot too!"

She pointed around the room at her comrades. "That's thanks to everyone's effort and dedication! A toast—to our growth!"

Everyone raised their glasses again with another cheer.

Ais glanced around at the lively scene, watching everyone laughing and talking animatedly. The corners of her lips curved upward.

She leaned close to Akira and tugged on his sleeve. "I'm really glad I got to fight with everyone this time… Thank you."

Akira gently placed a hand on her head, a soft look in his eyes. "I'm happy you accepted my invitation, Ais."

As the evening wore on, the warmth in the tavern only grew stronger.

Laughter and chatter echoed off the walls. Drinks continued to flow. Food was devoured with enthusiasm. In this cozy corner of Orario, the warriors of justice celebrated a hard-won triumph and the bonds that made it possible.

The night was filled with joy, and the memories forged would become the strength they carried into their next adventure.

After the lively celebration came to an end, the members of the Astraea Familia returned to their residence, slightly tipsy, their hearts full of joy and laughter still echoing in their minds.

In the quiet of the night, only Akira and Astraea remained in the goddess's elegantly decorated bedroom. The soft glow of the magic-stone lamp cast a warm orange hue, blanketing the room in a dreamlike atmosphere.

Both of them had drunk a fair amount of fruit wine prepared by Mia during the festivities. Now, Astraea's porcelain-like cheeks were tinged with red, her expression slightly dazed, her celestial eyes glazed with the haze of alcohol.

She lied on the plush sofa, her posture relaxed and her gaze softly fixed on the boy before her.

Akira, feeling a little restless inside, couldn't help but glance at Astraea. Despite knowing her divinity, he was reminded once again—once gods descended to the Lower World, they sealed their divine powers. No longer omnipotent, they experienced hunger, fatigue, and the emotions of mortals.

In this moment, Astraea wasn't the aloof and noble goddess of justice, but a woman—drunk, relaxed, and charmingly vulnerable.

Seeing her like this, Akira's chest tightened slightly. He walked over to a nearby table, picked up a kettle, and poured a cup of warm water with careful movements.

He tested the temperature against the back of his hand. Just right.

Carrying the cup, he returned to her side and gently wrapped his arm around Astraea's slender waist, supporting her upright against his shoulder.

The warmth of her body pressed into his side, sending a flush of heat through him. But he calmed his breath and brought the cup to her lips.

He said in a soft voice, "Astraea-sama, drink a little water. You'll feel better."

Astraea blinked slowly, her expression dazed but trusting. Her delicate lips curved into a faint smile as she took a sip from the cup. The warm water slid down her throat, and the flush on her face deepened, not just from the wine, but from something else.

The usually elegant goddess looked… adorable.

Astraea tilted her head slightly and reached out with one hand, gently caressing Akira's cheek. Her touch was cool and smooth, like jade.

She asked, "Why are you staring like that? Is there something on my face?"

Akira shook his head slightly and replied with a small smile, "No… it's just that Astraea-sama, you're too cute. It's making my heart race."

Astraea blinked, then chuckled, letting out a light, crystalline sound that carried a hint of mischief. Her fingers playfully tapped Akira's lips. "Then… Akira won't do anything to me?"

She leaned in, voice soft and teasing. "Right now, I won't reject anything you ask for~"

Though her tone was gentle, her gaze was filled with complex emotions—longing, loneliness, and a fragile desire she could no longer suppress.

Akira looked at her quietly, his chest rising and falling slightly faster. Her lips parted unconsciously, her starry eyes misty and unfocused. She seemed to be waiting for something—no, inviting it.

Unable to resist any longer, Akira leaned forward. His left arm wrapped tightly around her waist, while his right hand slid behind her head, fingers threading through her soft, silken hair. Though his touch was gentle, there was an undeniable assertiveness in his movements.

Their lips met.

Perhaps it was because of the alcohol, but Astraea didn't resist—she leaned into him, passive yet trusting, letting him lead.

Minutes passed.

When their lips finally parted, Astraea was breathless. Her chest rose and fell, gasping for air. Her cheeks were flushed crimson, her gaze hazy and dazed. The usual calm and composed goddess was gone—what remained was a woman, vulnerable and tender.

"Akira…" She murmured, her voice like a sigh, sweet and tinged with a hint of seduction.

Akira stared at her, his dark eyes reflecting her entire being—her flushed cheeks, her moist lips, her trembling eyelashes.

His smile was faint, but his gaze burned with something far deeper.

"You still want more?" He asked softly. "Astraea-sama … didn't you say you needed to update our Falna next?"

Astraea's ears twitched slightly. She turned her head toward the door instinctively but didn't hear any footsteps or voices outside. The house was silent.