NOVEL WEB Chapter 167: Hurry Up and Put My Clothes Back On!
Chapter 167: Hurry Up and Put My Clothes Back On!
(PS: Sorry for the delay. There was a blackout.)
"I believe you have the ability to restore Astraea Familia to its former glory," Luke said, genuinely impressed by Alise's talent.
Currently, Orario has three S-rank Familias: Freya, Loki, and Ganesha Familia.
However, adventurers and residents alike often referred to the "Four Great Familias."
The additional one was of course the Astraea Familia, led by Alise Lovell.
As a top-tier A-rank Familia, Astraea Familia lacked only one thing: a first-class adventurer.
If Alise, Kaguya, or Ryuu, any one of them, managed to reach level 5, then Astraea Familia would rightfully become a S-rank Familia.
And this step was already within their reach.
Alise and Kaguya, who had been stuck at the limit of Lv4 for some time, were bound to reach Lv5 after this ordeal.
Even Ryuu, whose growth had accelerated due to teaming up with Luke and Ais and exploring the dungeon, might level up upon their return.
A top-tier Familia with only eleven members – this groundbreaking feat alone hinted at Alise's talent.
Her talent was something that rivaled Finn and Riveria's.
Moreover, Alise had personally recruited most of Astraea Familia members, including Ryuu.
It could be said that Astraea Familia's achievements were almost entirely due to Alise's efforts.
"If you were given time, in five years... no, even three years, you could bring Astraea Familia back to the 'top,'" Luke said, feeling a pang of sympathy as he looked at the silent red-haired girl.
He knew how cruel these words might sound to a girl who had just experienced such a tragedy, but he had to say them.
He didn't want Alise to embark on a path destined for destruction.
"But that's under normal circumstances," He paused for a while before continuing.
"Over the years, as a 'symbol of justice,' you've made many enemies. You should know this better than I do. Once you return to the surface and others see Astraea Familia's miserable situation, what do you think awaits you?"
As Luke spoke, he applied potions from the main god space to Alise's wounds.
The potions caused intense pain, but Alise remained silent in his arms, listening quietly as Luke shattered her illusions of a happy future.
"Ordinary citizens might pity you, and those who have benefited from your actions might sympathize with your plight."
"But what about the others?"
"Almost every bad group out there will make fun of you, and most adventurers will just ignore you or, even worse,try to take advantage of Astraea Familia's weakness."
"Your words won't mean much because you don't have the strength to back them up, and any rules you try to set will just be ignored."
"The merchants you offended can openly refuse to trade with you, and the adventurers you reprimanded can retaliate without fear."
"Even if you recruit new members, can you protect them from harm in the dark in your current state?"
Alise's injuries were severe.
The piercing wound in her right abdomen had caused her to lose her liver and gallbladder, and her kidneys and stomach were also affected.
The organ damage had severely impacted her immune system, digestive system, excretory system, and metabolism.
It was only thanks to the numerous potions from the main god space that Luke had managed to stabilize her condition.
Otherwise, the red-haired girl with failing bodily functions would have died long ago.
Even if she returned to Orario and received treatment from specialized healers, Alise would need to rest for several years at the very least.
Exploring the dungeon would be out of the question.
And frankly, whether such severe injuries could be fully healed was another matter entirely.
After all, Alise wasn't a first-class adventurer.
If she were Lv5 or above, even a pierced heart might be recoverable.
But having suffered such severe injuries before reaching the first-class, even if she ranked up and received proper treatment, she would most likely be left with serious side effects.
"Too many people don't want to see the banner of 'justice' rise again after it has fallen," Luke said.
"They will do everything in their power to destroy you before you can stand up again."
"They will demean you, trample on your dignity, and insult your soul until you are completely gone."
"This is the path you are about to embark on."
Luke shook his head. He truly didn't want Alise to walk down such a path of no return.
Because…
"I acknowledge your talent and abilities, but you have lost your strength," He said, looking at the silent red-haired girl, feeling helpless.
He knew about Alise's thoughts and the confusion in her heart, but to be honest, he couldn't truly empathize.
Without being in her shoes, without sharing the same experiences, it was impossible for him to fully comprehend her feelings.
The word "empathy" is not that simple.
"Unless you rely on me, on Loki Familia, or even Ganesha Familia," He continued.
"As friends, and as allies, neither we nor Ganesha Familia will stand idly by."
Although he didn't want Alise to take this path, Luke wouldn't impose his opinion on her.
He had shattered her unrealistic fantasies, allowing her to decide her future path based on 'reality.'
"But then, the reborn Astraea Familia would become a vassal of Loki Familia or Ganesha Familia," He said.
"If that's what you ultimately desire, I won't stop you."
"But please understand this: once you try to 'revive' your Familia in Orario, you will walk a path ten times more difficult than when you started from scratch, and you are far 'weaker' now than you were then."
Luke's words pierced Alise's heart, shattering her 'expectations' for the future.
"T-Then, do you... do you want me to give up?" Alise finally spoke, tears streaming down her face.
The red-haired girl questioned Luke in a tearful voice.
"How can you ask me to abandon the banner of Astraea Familia, to throw away the justice in my heart?"
Facing Alise's questions, Luke smiled.
He put away the empty potion bottle and gently stroked the red-haired girl's head.
"I'm not asking you to give up," He said.
"On the contrary, I support you in rebuilding the Astraea Familia. But not now!"
Luke looked at Alise earnestly, wanting her to understand what she should focus on at the moment.
"Right now, you shouldn't be dwelling on guilt towards your fallen comrades or desperately trying to revive Astraea Familia," He said.
"Instead, you should focus on how to restore yourself, Kaguya, and Lyra to your prime."
"Recovery... how can we possibly recover from this state..." Alise said dejectedly.
She understands her situation better than anyone.
Recovering from such injuries was no easy feat.
"You don't need to worry about that. I have a way," Luke said with a smile.
He didn't have a solution at the moment, but body repair is not a problem in the main god space.
With so many worlds available, surely there was a way to heal their bodies.
"What do you mean you have a way? Don't comfort me, the healers in Orario... mmph..."
Alise's words were cut short as Luke covered her mouth with his hand.
"For the sake of being your savior, can you trust me a little?" He asked, successfully interrupting her retort.
Upon hearing the word 'savior,' Alise nodded instinctively.
But then she came to her senses and retorted, "But then, wouldn't I be doing nothing?"
"In that case, the least you can do is make the people who care about you stop worrying, right?"
The change in Alise's mentality made Luke greatly relieved.
As long as she didn't return to the surface and start acting recklessly, his efforts to comfort her wouldn't be in vain.
Alise stared at Luke blankly for a moment, then blushed and muttered shyly, "Now that the treatment is over, hurry up and put my clothes back on, you pervert..."
"Huh? Ah! Oh... Sorry..."
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