Shakti said, "We'll handle things from here. Tie up the remaining Evilus members, and be thorough with your search."
"Clear!" The Ganesha familia adventurers replied in unison.
Given the Ganesha Familia's superior numbers and efficiency, Akira and his group stepped aside and settled in a quiet corner of the factory to rest.
Time passed.
Ryuu crossed her arms, frowning. "This is the third time... the magic stone factory has been hit again."
Kaguya nodded. "No matter how many times we eliminate them, Evilus just keeps coming back. It's as if they have a deeper objective."
Akira leaned against the soot-stained wall, eyes closed, deep in thought. 'I should have asked Zald earlier... I rushed off too quickly.'
They had captured a few grunts, but none knew anything useful. The true purpose of the attack remained hidden in darkness.
"No leads at all..." Lyra muttered, resting her head back against the wall.
Just then, Shakti, having received reports from her team, approached them.
Alise rose to her feet and asked, "Shakti, what's the situation?"
Akira also opened his eyes.
Shakti responded with her usual calm, "Just like the previous incidents, this appears to be a targeted attack on the city's core industry, magic stone."
She glanced at her report and added, "Thankfully, due to your swift response, the factory wasn't completely destroyed. And this time, we know what they took."
Alise and Akira leaned in.
"What was it?"
"The trigger from the magic stone products." Shakti said, handing over the document.
Akira raised an eyebrow. "Trigger...?"
Even Alise looked puzzled.
Shakti calmly explained. "It's the mechanism that activates the magic stone, essentially, the ignition. In most products like magic stone lamps, it's the part responsible for starting the function. Without it, the rest of the product is inert."
Akira's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He remembered reading about such mechanisms while studying magic tool crafting. These devices, although varied in shape and design, were all engineered to trigger magical energy, like striking flint to start a fire.
After listening to Akira's explanation, everyone wore expressions of sudden realization.
But the most pressing question remained, why had all the triggers, integral to magic stone products, been taken?
"What are those guys planning to build by stealing something so mundane?" Kaguya asked, her brow furrowed.
"I don't know." Shakti replied honestly.
"Maybe some kind of trap or weapon?"
"Still unknown." Shakti sighed, narrowing her eyes.
Lyra clicked her tongue. "Ugh, this is frustrating. The city police and even our familias are constantly playing catch-up. It's irritating to be on the defensive."
Her contempt was a warning, a push for everyone present to act.
Tension swept over the group as Shakti, Akira, and the others fell into thought.
Akira raised his hand slightly and asked, "Alise, everyone, do you remember the items I confiscated before? And the incident during that one expedition?"
Alise blinked in confusion. "Confiscated? Oh, you mean the Kaensekis? But what does that have to do with this?"
Kaguya folded her arms, eyes narrowing in contemplation. "The Kaenseki... and the expedition... Are you suggesting Evilus plan to use them again as weapons?"
Lyra groaned, recalling the chaos from before. "Don't tell me they're going to blow themselves up again. Then again, they probably don't care."
Shakti turned to Akira and asked, "So? What do you mean?"
With all eyes on him, Akira began explaining, "It's just a theory, but I think they plan to combine the Kaenseki with these triggers to create bombs that anyone can use."
Gasps rose from the group.
"Kaenseki is powerful, but hard to activate. Add a simple trigger mechanism, and you could mass-produce deadly explosives."
His voice grew serious. "Even a low-level adventurer could cause lethal damage. This isn't just about cuts and burns. We're talking broken limbs, even death."
Shakti's expression turned grim. Arms crossed, she nodded. "If that's true, this is a crisis. I'll report it to the Guild and request heightened security. I'll also share the intel with Finn and the others."
Alise chimed in with a nod, "We should increase city patrols too. Even if we don't know when they'll strike, we can at least be ready."
Just then, a new voice cut in. "Sister, all the Evilus members have been tied up."
A soft chime echoed in Akira's heart. The girl who appeared was bright, almost glowing. She had short, light blue hair and a lean but feminine figure. Her combat uniform matched Shakti's, tight, blue, and suited for agility.
"Adi." Shakti said, frowning. "I told you not to call me sister in front of others."
"Ah, sorry, sister." Adi clasped her hands in faux apology and stuck out her tongue.
Shakti sighed, long-suffering.
Ryuu smiled warmly and stepped forward, about to greet her, when—
"Ah! Akira-chan!" Adi suddenly beamed, running over and grabbing Akira's hands.
Ryuu's entire body stiffened.
"What the hell?!" Ryuu stared, stunned.
Thankfully, Adi seemed to notice the reaction and quickly let go, running to hug Ryuu. "Good evening, Ryuu."
Ryuu blinked, then sighed in relief. So they were just old friends. Nothing more.
Meanwhile, Akira was sweating bullets under the intense gaze of two certain girls behind him.
"Long time no see, Adi." Akira said with a forced smile.
Adi tilted her head, smiled, and nodded brightly.
Shakti, noticing the awkward tension, cleared her throat. "Ahem. You guys, leave the report and scene to us. You all should rest."
Alise immediately perked up. "Great! Neze! Tell Ryana we're pulling out!"
"Understood!" Neze's cheerful voice rang out.
The group began preparing to leave.
Adi waved. "Ryuu, Akira, goodbye."
"Goodbye, Adi." Ryuu responded kindly.
Akira, however, merely nodded stiffly. He was still under assault, from waist-level attacks.
With farewells exchanged, Alise raised her hand.
"Let's go, everyone! Triumph of justice! Let's go see Astraea-sama."
By the time they left the ruined factory, it was almost midnight. The sky had darkened completely, thick clouds covering the stars. But here and there, twinkling specks still pierced through.
Akira and the others walked home under that faint starlight.
People they passed cheered or thanked them. Ryuu, shy and socially awkward, ducked behind the others and Akira joined her.
Neze and the more outgoing members waved and smiled in their place.
Several blocks and alleys later, they finally arrived in the southwestern region of Orario. There, nestled in quiet serenity, stood the residence of the Astraea Familia—
Stardust Garden.
"Everyone, welcome back."
Opening the door of the not-so-big but still elegant white mansion, Akira and his group were greeted by Astraea.
Her feminine figure, curvy and graceful, was draped in a flowing white dress that radiated purity. Every movement, every gentle word she spoke, carried an aura of chastity and nobility.
Yet, despite the divine air about her, the soft curves beneath her dress were undeniably alluring, a breathtaking reminder that the word "goddess" was not just a title but a truth. Akira could only nod silently in admiration.
As soon as she saw Astraea coming to greet them personally, Alise broke into a smile filled with joy.
"Astraea-sama!"
"We are back, Astraea-sama!"
"Lined up like school kids, reporting for duty."
"To think Astraea-sama herself came out to meet us... we're practically celebrities."
Voices rang out one after another from the girls behind Alise. Ryuu, Lyra, Kaguya. Though their words differed, the warmth in their tone was the same.
"That's not it, Kaguya." Astraea replied, her gentle smile never wavering. "I'm simply happy that everyone returned safely. God or child, the joy of a safe return is the same."
Then, with a teasing sparkle in her eyes, she added, "Besides, in times like these, wouldn't you forgive me for acting a little like a doting wife?"
Neze gasped dramatically. "My dear wife! Astraea-sama, the guilt is too much."
"Calm down, Neze." Ryuu muttered, exasperated.
Astraea simply chuckled, letting her gaze sweep over the group until her eyes stopped at Akira.
(End of Chapter)
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