Chapter 819: New Arrivals at the Hearth Manor

"Aid the weak, punish the strong, occasionally chastise both sides, refuse differential treatment, pursue freedom and equality; all is measured by the Justice Scale, the wish is for order, the thought is for smiles; the pattern on that back is the Justice Sword and its wings————"

On Daedalus Street, before the Artificial Labyrinth entrance where a wide avenue had been cleared, a red-haired girl who had drawn her long sword and made a loud declaration attracted the attention of the adventurers hired by the Guild and preparing to enter the Artificial Labyrinth to eliminate the Dark Faction remnants inside.

"This familiar declaration, that is————"

A veteran adventurer heard the familiar line and instantly recalled those Justice Girls who were still active in Orario five years ago; a guess formed in his heart, and the red-haired girl's next words proved their guess.

"We are the revived Astraea Familia; the darkness lurking in the depths of the Evil Artificial Labyrinth shall be purged by our Justice Sword!"

"No matter how many times, Alicia's declaration in front of a crowd always makes my face flush."

The team members behind her felt some embarrassment at their own leader's high-profile antics.

However, Ryu was deeply moved.

Five years — she had not heard her own leader give such a stirring self-introduction declaration for five years.

"Everyone, what is your response?"

"Aid the weak, punish the strong, eliminate evil!"

Seeing Ryu's moved appearance, the girls of the Astraea Familia still responded loudly to their own leader.

"Astraea's little lass, do your best~"

And besides the Astraea Familia members, those responding to Alicia also included the residents watching on Daedalus Street.

Five years — in the five years since the Justice Familia vanished from Orario, these people at the bottom deeply felt just how important an existence a group of girls willing to uphold justice for them truly was.

Suddenly hearing of the Astraea Familia's revival, this crowd who knew the former Astraea Familia all grew excited, just like the populace of a county learning a Heavenly Magistrate had arrived.

"But, aren't they already dead? Not even corpses were left behind."

Naturally, some felt doubt and couldn't help asking.

"We did indeed die, but we were resurrected by Mr. Broly of the Hestia Familia."

Alicia is a social butterfly girl; she directly answered the questioner's question.

"Ah, it's actually that Demon King!"

An exclamation rose from the crowd.

Clearly, after the War Game of the past few days, Broly's title had begun to upgrade again.

He is now called 【Monster King】, 【Demon King】, and such titles by the Orario populace.

【King】 follows from the 【Tyrant】 title; 【Monster】 and 【Demon】 are his clear stance, standing on the side of those intelligent magic beasts, the Heretics.

"That's right; Mr. Broly's side developed no-remains resurrection technology, and we are one of the results of that research technology.

Of course, we are no longer pure humans now, but existences more similar to intelligent magic beasts, Heretics.

Look, this is the magic stone inside my body————"

A fire-red magic stone emerged on Alicia's forehead, and she openly displayed it to the surrounding curious adventurers and masses.

"That idiot, what is she doing?"

"Don't rush, Leila, I know what Alicia is doing.

, Five Conditions Wild. Kaguya grabbed the anxious little Pallum girl beside her.

"Our leader may be a bit dense, but she has clear love and hate; these days getting along with the Heretics clearly made her decide — she intends to use her own situation to make a positive publicity against the rejection of Heretics still in people's hearts————"

Broly won the War Game, making open discrimination against Heretics impossible in Orario now, but making people truly accept Heretics is hard; this is inherently forcing a cow's head down to drink.

However, Alicia now directly revealing her magic-beast-like life form is explaining to the world another possibility of being resurrected after death.

Even with resurrection magic now, adventurers can still lose their lives — and their bodies — during adventures.

And in that situation, if there is another method to resurrect people into existences like Heretics, then would a group of people who might become Heretics in the future continue to discriminate against and reject Heretics?

Obviously not; plus the good reputation the Astraea Familia accumulated among Orario's bottom-dwellers in the past, it made Orario's residents genuinely change their view of Heretics.

Of course, this change is by no means achieved overnight; during this period, the Justice Girls like Alicia who stepped out to do publicity must bear the pressure of being treated as freaks.

But would Justice Girls who dared fight all darkness before dying be afraid just because they are viewed as freaks?

They would not, because their acts of upholding justice are, in most cases, also difficult for others to understand.

In other words, they were freaks to begin with.

Just that before, when alive, they were only psychological freaks.

And now, resurrected, they have become freaks in both body and mind.

Over the next several days, the Justice Girls of the Astraea Familia fought the Artificial Labyrinth alongside a large group of adventurers.

The Dark Faction remnants hiding in the Artificial Labyrinth, knowing their strength insufficient to oppose the large number of outside adventurers, chose to open the entrance/exit connecting the Artificial Labyrinth to the Dungeon.

Using monster lure bait, they attracted a pile of monsters into the Artificial Labyrinth, turning it into an environment like a true Labyrinth — that is, with a continuous stream of monsters — causing the progress of conquering the Artificial Labyrinth to fall into a stalemate.

000.

"Because Dark Faction remnants lurk in the dark, the danger of exploring the Artificial Labyrinth is roughly equivalent to the middle-lower floors of a normal Labyrinth; the Guild will need to spend a period of time to take it down."

Finn had just finished speaking when his left and right hands were grabbed by Tione and Leila on either side.

"You philandering Amazon brat!"

"Hah, I should be the one saying that; the dead should lie quietly in their graves, not run out to steal a man who already has a master!"

"You two, can you let go of my hands?"

A helpless expression appeared on Finn's face; ever since Broly brought news of Leila from the Underworld, and Tione learned of it, she entered a somewhat jealous state.

And when Leila was resurrected, came to see him, and discovered an Amazon girl pursuing him by his side, she also entered a protective state.

The two are now at loggerheads; he, sandwiched in the middle, can only suffer the pain of being fought over.

"Miss Tione, Miss Leila, Captain Finn looks very troubled; can't you two each yield a step and both be his wives?"

"No!" *2

"Broly, you're a lecher who accepts all women who throw themselves at you, but I cannot accept Finn having another woman besides me!"

"I completely agree with that, but Finn is mine — I was the one who came first!"

Broly: "——

He gave the Hero Finn a helpless expression, feeling that if he spoke up to help any further, he'd get sprayed with another two sentences by his sister-in-law Tione.

"Never mind Tione's business. Come, Broly-sama, I'll feed you grapes."

The voluptuous Algana pressed close, holding a peeled grape to his mouth.

"Broly-sama, have a piece of apple too."

After Broly ate the grape brought to his mouth, Bache pressed in from the other side and likewise fed him a piece of peeled apple flesh.

After the War Game, Algana once again launched her pursuit offensive toward the Saiyan youth. After Broly asked Tiona's thoughts and confirmed Tiona did not reject Algana joining the Crystal Palace, he agreed to Algana's reverse pursuit; she is now one of his external wives.

As for Bache, Tiona said: "Teacher Bache and her older sister are always inseparable; if only her sister were taken away, she would certainly feel lonely. Hmm, when my own sister turns into a love-brain, I feel the same way, so————"

Because of those words, Broly also tried inviting the Kali Familia Vice Captain, who is the younger twin sister; Bache did not refuse, and things became as they are now.

This pair of Amazoness sisters both became his external wives, and no harem fire has broken out.

"Captain Finn, you carry on with your work; I'll take my leave first."

Broly stood up and prepared to leave, not intending to stay here any longer and watch the awkward scene of others falling into a predicament over emotional issues.

"Broly, can you tell me how you make the women who like you get along so harmoniously together?"

Seeing the Saiyan youth about to leave, and himself about to face the two-person scramble alone, Finn hurriedly asked for guidance.

From what Finn knew, Broly was an open harem king; Hearth Manor housed a bunch of women, yet no major mess had erupted — his capability was simply astonishing.

"Captain Finn, is it possible that women who mind my having many encounter targets generally wouldn't join my Crystal Palace, while those who don't mind basically all become friends?"

"Ah, so it's pre-screening?"

The bittersweet smile on Finn's face deepened; his own situation didn't match up.

This open harem king Broly's experience was of no help to him.

Leaving Finn's office, Broly was intercepted by the Nine Magic Princesses.

"I have something to say to you; can we talk privately?"

Faced with Riveria's private chat invitation, Broly did not refuse.

"Broly, I know your Wings Skill — having more wives makes it even more powerful — but you haven't neglected that child Ais just because you gained more wives, have you?"

This Elf Mom-san was clearly uneasy about the girl she had watched grow up from childhood, so she came to question the youth with a mother-in-law posture.

"Ais is a clumsy child; she's bad at expressing her emotions. Sometimes when she's sulking, she just keeps it bottled up alone————"

Riveria rambled on; Broly listened seriously.

After she finished, he gave a serious reply: "Riveria-sama, although my wife count has increased, I've never neglected anyone.

As for Ais, I practice swordsmanship with her every morning, and often help massage her body at night.

Of course, she occasionally gets unhappy because I'm intimate with others, but I always properly coax her mood back.

Hmm, if you don't believe me, you can go stay at Hearth Manor for a while and see Ais's condition for yourself."

Riveria looked at the Saiyan youth who answered her questions candidly, thought for a moment, then nodded: "Fine. Since I have nothing going on this period, I'll go impose on Hearth Manor for a bit."

", Riveria-sama, you're also going to stay at Hearth Manor?"

Tiona came out of Loki's room — Broly had accompanied her to update her ability values — and the Amazoness girl looked very surprised upon learning the Vice Captain would also be staying at Hearth Manor temporarily.

"Cough, I'm just worried about Ais's situation; going over there to check on Ais."

The Nine Magic Princesses explained with a sentence.

"Ais is doing great; at Hearth Manor, every day there's a whole ticket of powerful guys who can be her sparring partners.

But if Riveria-sama also goes to stay at Hearth Manor, I imagine Ais would be even happier."

Tiona laughed with both hands behind her head.

"Are you Broly-sama's new partner? I'm your senior; you have to call me Big Sister-sama."

Algana looked the Nine Magic Princesses up and down and suddenly said just that.

"Ah?!"

Tiona's footsteps stumbled; she stared at her former Familia Captain in shock — what kind of thing dares to be said?

"Riveria-sama————"

The Amazoness girl turned to look at the Nine Magic Princesses, only to see her current Familia Vice Captain's face darken O

"Your words are quite interesting, but whether in age or time joined the Crystal Palace, I seem to be your senior, right?"

Riveria is not one to fear trouble; as an Elf princess, her temper is also quite large. She hugged her chest and approached Algana, pressing her own chest against the other's chest, and said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Algana's eyebrows twitched; just as she narrowed her eyes preparing to retaliate, Broly slapped her butt with one palm.

"Riveria-sama is not my partner; she is Ais's guardian, a role similar to mother, stepmother. Don't deliberately provoke her."

"Ah, sorry, Broly-sama."

"Don't apologize to me; apologize to Riveria-sama."

"Sorry, Riveria-sama."

The sword-drawn bow-taut atmosphere vanished directly; Algana, her butt slapped, instantly turned from a delinquent gal into an obedient good girl.

Riveria: "————"

After Algana apologized, her anger dissipated, but a sense of crisis emerged.

Can that child Ais, with her somewhat clumsy emotions, really compete in the Crystal Palace against this woman before her who obeys Broly's every whim?

【No good, as that child Ais's Mom-san———— ptooey, guardian, I must do something for that child!】

Originally she only wanted to go impose on Hearth Manor for a few days to see if Ais was living well, but now Riveria has produced a mother-becomes-strong resolve.

She turned around, went back to her room, and packed a pile of luggage out.

"Lady Riveria, are you going on a long journey?"

"Alicia, no, I'm not preparing for a long journey, but preparing to go live at Hearth Manor for a period of time."

"?!"

Hearing this, the golden-haired, giant-breasted elf who was full of intellectual aura froze for a moment.

Hearth Manor is now the famous Demon King's back garden in Orario.

"I'm worried about Ais's situation there; that child might not be able to compete with the other women in Broly's harem, I must go over to help her strategize. Hmm, you tell Loki and Finn for me later, just say I'm going to live there for a while."

After giving instructions, Riveria picked up her suitcase and walked aggressively toward Broly's direction.

"Broly, I have a lot of luggage, help me carry it."

The Nine Magic Princesses righteously made the Saiyan boy carry the luggage.

", Lady Riveria, isn't there the Crystal Palace————"

"So, you're unwilling to help me carry my luggage?"

"Uh, that's not it either————"

Alicia watched, clearly there was the convenient Crystal Palace Space that could be used, yet she deliberately made the boy use both hands to carry her luggage, just like she didn't want to see him embracing other women on left and right; the elf princess with a cold face who seemed to be eating flying vinegar, her heart subconsciously produced a doubt: 【Lady Riveria, are you really just going to Hearth Manor to give Miss Ais advice?】

"Lady Riveria, wait for me, I'm coming with you too."

The unease in her heart made Alicia subconsciously decide to follow; she couldn't let Lady Riveria fall into Hearth Manor, that demon's den which in rumors seemed to be holding an unobstructed conference.

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