"Hehe! I told you, this stuff tastes amazing. If the Captain made it, it would definitely be even better!"
On the street, Alise walked along with Ryana and Ryuu, happily eating the snacks in their hands.
This was a newly popular food in Orario, known as "Fried Potato Balls-kun." Both its flavor and appearance ranked among the best in all of Orario.
Even though everyone in the Astraea Familia had developed refined tastes thanks to Elise, they still had to admit that this so-called "Fried Potato Balls-kun" was indeed a rare delicacy in the city.
"Is it really okay for us to be sneaking snacks out here?" Compared to the lively and cheerful Alise, Ryuu still felt a bit uneasy. "Shouldn't we bring some back for everyone in the Familia?"
"Ah! We got so caught up chatting earlier that I completely forgot about that!" Alise excitedly grabbed Ryuu's hand. "Ryuu really is such a kind and good girl!"
Although Ryuu instinctively stepped back in surprise at Alise's sudden move, she ultimately managed to hold herself together.
All of this was thanks to the ultimate social death Elise had once inflicted on her. At this point, there was almost nothing left that she still felt embarrassed about.
Even when going out, she no longer wore a face covering, and she didn't resist physical contact with others as much as before.
Men were still out of the question for now, but when it came to women, as long as they weren't too excessive, Ryuu's cleanliness obsession had eased significantly.
Nowadays, Ryuu was often teased by everyone in the Familia. The one thing she absolutely couldn't handle was the phrase "ying ying ying"—just hearing those words would make her face turn bright red.
Such a pure-hearted girl was rare in the Astraea Familia, so naturally, Ryuu had become the group's go-to source of amusement.
"In that case, let's head back the way we came. When everyone tastes these Fried Potato Balls-kun, they're definitely going to be surprised!"
Ryana nodded. "Then we can have the Captain make a version too. Everyone in the Familia is in for a treat!"
Just as Alise turned around, she noticed something was off about the scene behind her.
This was supposed to be a fairly busy street, yet now there wasn't a single person in sight. That shouldn't be possible.
"Alise, did something happen?"
Seeing Alise's expression, Ryuu asked with concern.
At that moment, however, Ryana grabbed Ryuu's arm.
"Ryuu, look at our surroundings. It seems we've fallen into some kind of trap..."
Only after hearing Ryana's words did Ryuu realize the situation, quickly glancing around.
"What is this?"
Although her vision could still pass through to the distance ahead, when she reached out to touch it, she was clearly blocked by an invisible wall.
"It's a barrier spell!"
Ryana, who was skilled in magic, immediately recognized it. In Orario, it wasn't exactly common, but it wasn't rare either.
There were plenty of people from magical nations capable of using it, and even in Orario, Evilus had once used this kind of magic to ambush adventurers.
"But hasn't Evilus already been wiped out? Then why—"
Thud!
Before Ryuu could finish speaking, an unnatural sound came from around the corner ahead, like something heavy slamming onto the ground.
As the sound drew closer, the three of them became increasingly alert.
"Ryana, see if you can break the barrier. If anything happens, I'll hold them off."
"Ryuu, stay with Ryana!"
Alise fixed her gaze on the corner ahead and issued her commands.
"Got it!"
Soon, the source of the sound appeared before them. That massive physique was unmistakable—there was no one else in Orario like it.
The Boaz warrior, Ottar!
"Why?"
"Why is it Ottar?"
In an instant, countless questions flooded Alise's mind, but there was no time to dwell on them.
"Warrior of the Freya Familia, are you trapped here as well?"
Uncertain whether he was friend or foe, Alise decided to confirm the situation first. However, Ottar seemed not to hear her at all and continued approaching them.
This is bad...
Cold sweat appeared on Alise's face. The closer Ottar got, the more something felt terribly wrong.
Alise possessed an extremely sharp intuition, something everyone in the Familia knew. It was a sense comparable to Finn's instincts.
Once Alise felt that something was off, it meant danger was approaching—and right now, that sense of danger was coming from Ottar himself.
Could it be... that the one attacking us this time is Ottar?
At that moment, this absurd thought suddenly surfaced in her mind.
How could that be?
The Freya Familia was one of the main forces that had defeated Evilus. How could they possibly be cooperating with them? But then... what reason would he have to attack us?
Alise tried desperately to make sense of the situation, but Ottar's approach was already imminent. If he made a move, the three of them stood no chance against him.
"Ryana! Not done yet?!"
Alise was clearly growing anxious. How could she possibly win against a Level 7?
"Almost done, Alise—we just—"
Thud!
Before Ryana could finish, she collapsed to the ground. Ryuu fell beside her as well.
That left only Alise standing.
"This is... poison?"
Alise quickly realized something was wrong and tried to cover her mouth and nose, but Ottar gave her no such opportunity.
With just a single grip on her hand, she completely lost the ability to resist.
In the end, she could only fall unconscious like Ryana and Ryuu.
Before losing consciousness, however, Alise looked toward Ottar.
"Why... are you doing this..."
Looking at the unconscious Alise, Ottar simply replied quietly, "I am merely following Lady Freya's orders."
"If I used my own techniques against you, Elise would surely notice, wouldn't she?"
"Sorry for resorting to such dishonorable means..."
As his words fell, several black-clad figures appeared within the barrier, their faces completely obscured.
"Take them back. Be careful not to use too much force, or you might trigger whatever they have on them."
"This is Lady Freya's command."
Upon hearing Ottar's words, the black-clad figures began to act. Using tools made of special materials, they bound the three of them and stuffed them into sacks.
Ottar took a deep breath. His task here was complete—now it depended on Allen and Hegni.
"The Goddess' Chariot" and "Black Demon Sword" had also been deployed. The upper echelon of the Freya Familia had mobilized in full force!
Meanwhile, after returning to the Familia, Ottar began adjusting his condition.
Because before long, this place would become a battlefield!