The road home was paved with tranquility. The monotonous hum of the wheels lulled dreams into being. Hestia leaned against Artemis, her lips weaving whispers of sleep.
"Mmm... Bell... That place won't do... My Bell..."
"Hestia-sama is dreaming again—just like someone else."
Daphne murmured softly.
"Mmm..."
Cassandra knew the remark was directed at her, and she tugged at her waist-length hair with a sullen expression. Ever since she was young, she had often spoken in her sleep to others. Daphne had long complained about this habit.
"You two seem very close. When did you meet?"
Bell asked curiously. To him, their dynamic felt profoundly peculiar. Daphne dismissed Cassandra's sleep-talking yet persistently encouraged and cared for her. Cassandra knew she wasn't believed, yet she tirelessly offered advice from a friend's perspective. That peculiar [prophecy] erected a barrier between them, yet it did nothing to affect the distance between their hearts. This strange bond of friendship was something Bell had never encountered before.
Daphne glanced out the window and replied:
"We're really lucky we arrived right as our break started. Captain, come take a walk with us."
As night deepened and the group prepared to camp, the three walked together down a narrow path. Trees and thickets blocked Bell's view, but the moment they emerged from the deep, shadowy lane, everything opened up before them. Countless Magic Stone lanterns shimmered in the distance. Against the backdrop of that bustling cityscape, even the starry sky paled in comparison.
"Amusement City Santorio Vega."
Bell gazed at the dazzling nightscape, rivaling that of Orario, and recited the city's name from the map.
"You really are the captain. You haven't looked at the map once on our journey, yet you know exactly where we are now."
Daphne smiled in admiration. Ever since joining the Hestia familia, the phrase "You really are the captain" had become her catchphrase. From dungeon runs to their travels, Daphne had been astonished countless times by the young man's peculiarities.
"Amusement City... This is where we met..."
Cassandra seemed lost in memory, her expression darkening.
Glancing at her trembling friend, Daphne spoke calmly:
"Truthfully, I don't hold fond memories of this city either. After all, it was here we were forced to join Apollo's familia."
A faint sadness slipped into her composed voice as the recollection surfaced. Once, Daphne had her own familia. Though not a prodigy, her adventurer career progressed smoothly. She commanded a small familia, traveling the world with her companions. That tranquility ended when she met Apollo.
"Captain, you've already experienced that god's "Passionate Love"."
Once Apollo set his sights on someone, he pursued relentlessly, willing to sacrifice anything to recruit them into his familia. Unfortunately, Daphne, with her heroic features, became one of his targets. A small familia had no means to resist. For her companions' safety, Daphne chose to flee.
"I can no longer recall those days of wandering."
How many hills had she crossed? How many cities had she passed through? Whenever Daphne found a sliver of peace and began rebuilding her life, Apollo Familia would suddenly appear. Time and again, like an unrelenting specter, they pursued her relentlessly. Such is the nature of the "Phallus - Tragic Love". No matter how fiercely one struggles, that scorching sun will inevitably rise to burn the heart already teetering on the brink of collapse.
"My final destination was the Amusement City."
This place teemed with people and bustled with activity. Daphne understood the principle of the truly great hiding in plain sight. She pinned her last hope on the Amusement City.
Yet in the end, whether in the seedy casinos or the crowded downtown streets, Apollo Familia could always find her. Not through technique, but sheer financial power. They hired adventurers to search, paid for information, and offered massive bounties for leads. In this matter, the god Apollo spared no expense. Daphne tried every possible method to evade them, but ultimately, she chose to compromise.
"It was then that I met Cassandra. Her situation mirrored mine—she had just given up the fight."
Daphne gave a bitter smile, recounting their somewhat painful encounter. As kindred spirits, Daphne felt deep sympathy for Cassandra. She tenderly offered food, insisting that only with a full stomach could one muster the energy to devise a plan. When Cassandra trembled, Daphne reassured her that Apollo Familia had pledged not to demand anything beyond joining their ranks.
Their bond should have deepened swiftly. Yet Cassandra's first words ignited Daphne's fury.
"Wherever I go, the sun of despair rises... If you could see this prophetic dream, you wouldn't keep struggling..."
To give up because of a dream. To despair because of a dream. Cassandra's words negated all their persistence and struggle.
"What a joke!"
Daphne seized Cassandra by the collar, her red eyes blazing with fury. For her comrades, for her own integrity, Daphne had held on until the very end. And now this woman dismissed it all with a single prophecy? Only this cowardice—she refused to admit it.
"The prophecy is absolute... Had the dream come a day sooner, I would have given up long ago..."
Cassandra trembled, averting her gaze as she voiced her despair.
"Stop spouting nonsense! What are you struggling for?! Open your eyes and look at me!"
Daphne pressed into the other's soul, heedless of their recent acquaintance. Their circumstances mirrored each other's. Unconsciously, Daphne saw Cassandra as a reflection of her own cowardice. Even in compromise, her inner strength still seethed with regret. Perhaps there was a solution she hadn't considered. Perhaps if she held on just a little longer, a miracle might appear.
"I'm sorry..."
Cassandra apologized repeatedly.
"..."
Daphne released her grip on the other's collar. She knew she shouldn't have lashed out at a girl in the same predicament. Cassandra's elegant features suggested she came from a wealthy family—perhaps that was why she'd developed such timid and superstitious habits.
Thus, their first meeting ended on an unpleasant note. Later, after both joined Apollo Familia and found themselves at the same level, their relationship gradually improved.
But when it came to dreams, Cassandra never wavered—her timidity remained steadfast. Daphne couldn't stand this. Whenever Cassandra spoke of dreams with a sigh, Daphne would grab her by the collar and pat her back.
"Before I knew it, we became inseparable friends. Looking back now, it truly was a fateful bond..."
Daphne smiled softly, her bold features radiating serenity and acceptance.
"A fateful bond? But Daphne-san, you seem quite happy."
Bell interjected.
"..."
Daphne paused, momentarily stunned. To her, Cassandra was like a mirror—constantly urging her forward, granting her courage. Had she never met her, the ever-resilient Daphne would surely have found no outlet, sinking into endless self-loathing.
"I didn't expect you to see through me. Truly worthy of being the captain."
Daphne began, "About the War Game..."
"No need for thanks or apologies. I've heard it countless times."
Bell interrupted her.
Daphne resented the god Apollo, yet as one favored by him, she had sworn allegiance. It was Bell who rescued her from this endless conflict. Whenever this topic arose, Daphne felt both guilt and gratitude.
"I truly admire your loyalty and spirit, Daphne-san. If you had betrayed the Familia God back then, it would have been the sadder outcome."
Bell added.
"..."
Daphne widened her almond eyes, falling silent for a brief moment. She gave a soft smile and turned away.
"For the captain pursuing a harem, I have one more thing to say."
"Truthfully, the god Apollo's inclinations lie toward men. Cassandra and I both received gentlemanly treatment within the familia."
"Whether in physical matters or combat, there was never any impropriety."
"Well then, I'll be off. You two continue your conversation."
Daphne waved her hand. In the night's embrace, the spirited maiden seemed to flee something, leaving only a graceful silhouette behind.