The next morning, the large group began their return journey at dawn.
Upon returning to Orario, Leon and Loki headed straight for the Guild to handle the aftermath regarding Ishtar.
After all, it was their actions—Leon's and Loki's—that had ultimately forced Ishtar back to the heavens. Officially, they needed to go through the necessary procedures and clear things with the Guild.
Though the Guild had long harbored dissatisfaction toward the Ishtar Familia, they had tolerated her presence because she paid enormous taxes. As long as the money flowed, the Guild had looked the other way.
But this time was different. The Guild didn't bother launching an investigation into Leon and Loki's involvement.
Instead, it simply issued a symbolic fine of 10 million Valis and announced publicly that both the Lucifer and Loki Familias had been "heavily punished" for their involvement.
That was the end of it, at least on the surface.
However, Royman personally relayed the will of Ouranos to both Leon and Loki.
For the time being, they were to keep a low profile. No more forcing deities to ascend, no more open conflict with other Familias. The recent chaos had unsettled the other gods.
Many deities had already submitted complaints to the Guild and to Ouranos directly. None of them wanted to be the next one dragged back to heaven.
If Leon or Loki made a move again too soon, and if it caused collateral damage among the divine community, the gods warned they would retaliate. Openly.
No one wanted to live in fear of being forcibly returned to the heavens. The source of this content ɪs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝗂𝗋𝖾⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
Leon didn't respond to Ouranos's warning. He simply kept the message in mind.
Unless another god acted with the same level of arrogance as Ishtar, he had no reason to act.
After finishing the necessary procedures, Leon and Loki walked together through the streets of Orario. Eventually, they parted ways—Loki returned to the Twilight Manor, and Leon headed back to the library.
As soon as he entered the building, someone shot toward him like a bolt of energy.
"Leon! You're finally back!!!" Hestia cried out, her voice filled with joy.
"I'm back." Leon replied with a smile, stretching out his hand to ruffle her hair gently.
"Leon..." came a softer voice from nearby.
Leon turned to see a familiar figure approaching.
"Haruhime. Looks like Hestia already engraved a Falna for you." Leon observed, noting the glimmer of magic lingering on her form.
"Yes, Leon-sama." Haruhime replied respectfully. "I am now officially a member of the Hestia Familia."
"Hehe~ Leon, thank you so much for sending Haruhime to me. She's amazing!" Hestia beamed, burying herself in Leon's embrace as she looked up with sparkling eyes.
When Hestia had seen Haruhime's unique magic during her conversion, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest. The magic could increase a person's stats by an entire level—a strategic ability with game-changing potential.
Leon had given her such an invaluable companion without a second thought.
"You don't have to thank me. There's no need for that between us."
"By the way, didn't those Amazonesses say they wanted to join your Familia? Did you end up accepting them?"
"There were a lot of them… but I turned them down." Hestia said with a troubled smile, scratching her cheek.
"You know how my divine authority works... they just didn't suit me."
Leon nodded in understanding.
As a virgin goddess, Hestia's divine right rejected those who embodied lust or promiscuity. Even if she herself didn't mind, her divine nature instinctively resisted such presences. Accepting too many such people would have been overwhelming.
"Well, I figured you wouldn't take them in.'m" Leon said casually.
Then his gaze turned to Haruhime as he said, "By the way, where are Belle and the others? I expected them to be with you."
Haruhime said, "Ah, they went to visit Welf. He said he'd make new equipment for them."
Later that day, Hephaestus and Tsubaki dropped by to "check in," but really, it was just an excuse to eat for free again.
Leon took the opportunity to form a world contract with Tsubaki, ensuring secrecy. Then, he explained everything about the Angel Reincarnation Pool.
Using the world contract wasn't about mistrust—it was a safeguard. In the lower world, mortals couldn't lie in front of gods.
A stray comment could trigger unintended consequences. The world contract ensured that Tsubaki, Tione, and the others would be subtly influenced to keep things confidential.
Tsubaki, upon learning the details, was instantly fascinated.
Especially once she heard that the reincarnation would enhance potential and unlock powerful strength—her eyes gleamed with excitement, and she practically demanded to be reincarnated on the spot.
When Leon explained the cost in magic stones, Tsubaki slapped her chest proudly.
"Leave it to me!" She declared.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Leon handed her his passbook on the spot and entrusted the task to her.
For the next two days, Leon spent his time training with Ais and the others.
The chance to spar with him wasn't something they would let slip. Except for Riveria and Lefiya, every first-class adventurer in the Loki Familia joined in.
Even Alicia got involved.
In the mornings, they practiced close combat. In the afternoons, Leon exchanged magic knowledge with Riveria and Lefiya.
It was during one of these sessions that Lefiya finally gathered her courage. Blushing and fidgeting, she approached Leon and requested to learn his magic.
Leon had always had a soft spot for Lefiya. He could sense her feelings toward him. And really, there was no escape from her devotion at this point.
So after a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement.
Lefiya was so overjoyed she leapt forward, cupped Leon's cheeks, and planted a kiss on him.
The moment her brain caught up with what her body had done, she turned beet red and bolted—forgetting all about the lesson.
In the end, Riveria had to physically drag her back.
With her face still flushed, she managed to learn two magica from Leon.
Light Barrier, a defensive magic to ward off piercing attacks, and Rain of Light, a wide-area homing magic.
Two were enough. Any more and she'd be overwhelmed.
The following morning, Leon spent the entire day shopping with Hestia.
From sunrise to sunset, they wandered the streets of Orario, visiting stalls, browsing shops, and enjoying their time together.
But when they finally returned to the library in the evening, a troubling sight awaited them.
"Belle! What happened to you?! Why are you all beat up?!" Hestia gasped, rushing forward the moment she saw Belle sitting in a chair, her face covered in bruises.