My front door leads to a comic strip

Chapter 123, Section 122: Conditions for Joining, My Heart of Justice, Unbearably Hungry

In the northern part of Orario, a small white mansion stands quietly, known as the "Garden of Stars".

Gu Yuan said its name, holding the job posting he had obtained from Mia, and stopped outside the carved iron gate.

This is the headquarters of the "Astraea Familia". Although it looks simple, it is famous throughout the entire labyrinth city.

As one of the few B-rank Familias in Orario, they are only two steps away from the top Freya Familia, and their mission is far more than just exploring dungeons.

Astrea is in charge of justice and order, and therefore her followers also bear the responsibility of patrolling, guarding, and arresting people in the city.

He tilted his head slightly, surveying the Western-style mansion that symbolized "justice," and understood:

"Sure enough, they're still here at this time."

In my memory, the Astrea Familia will all suffer a tragedy five years before the start of the main story.

Seven years ago, the "Seven Days of Death" event that led to the fall of nine gods had not yet begun, and there was still plenty of time.

"Become an unofficial member." Gu Yuan reconciled his plan in his mind. "Join, but don't reside there."

"This is the best option to leverage its identity for action and advancement while maintaining maximum independence."

"As long as justice is upheld, and according to the original character design, Goddess Astraea should not refuse."

"After all, everything I've done is ultimately to fight the Demon King, who is a deeper form of 'evil.'"

The concept of "non-staff members" or "nominal dependents" is not unprecedented in this world.

He thought of "Lunova Fast" and "Koro Lolo," who would work for "The Fertile Mistress" in the future.

They were once nominal members of the "Demeter" and "Nyod" families, respectively.

Although the "Ganesha Familia" is also responsible for maintaining order, it is a large and complicated organization, with the application process alone taking half a month.

In comparison, this elite family, composed of only eleven women and with an excellent reputation, is undoubtedly a more suitable choice.

The jumble of thoughts quickly subsided. Gu Yuan took a deep breath, raised his hand, and solemnly rang the doorbell.

"Ding-a-ling"

The crisp sound of a bell broke the morning's tranquility.

Meanwhile, a few streets away.

"Ah~ I'm so tired. I've been busy all night, but I've finally managed to temporarily repel those dark faction henchmen."

An elven girl with long, light golden hair and slender, pointed ears was gently rubbing her slightly sore shoulders, her voice tinged with barely concealed fatigue.

A faint shadow fell across her deep blue eyes, revealing the signs of a sleepless night.

Despite being only fourteen years old and having a small and slender body, she is already a rising star in Orario.

He joined the group at the age of eleven and climbed to LV.3 in just three years, a level that would normally take ten years for most people. He was only one step away from the threshold of LV.4.

She is "Liu Liang".

Beside Liu, a girl with fiery red hair and a fit figure appeared full of energy, as if the fatigue from fighting all night had never existed.

She skipped two lively steps and caught up with Liu.

"Haha, really? I feel incredibly energetic!"

She bent her arm and patted her well-defined biceps with a show of bravado, "If I didn't have to come back on time every day to report to the goddess, I think I could fight for another three days and three nights!"

The girl's name is Alyssa Rofer, the leader of the Astrea Familia, a vibrant LV.4 powerhouse.

Liu gave her a helpless look, and was about to complain that even a first-level adventurer would find it difficult to endure "three days and three nights" when the two of them turned the last street corner.

The familiar white mansion—the Garden of Stars—came into view.

Just then, they both saw a strange male figure standing quietly in front of the iron gate outside the building.

Then, the door, which was usually strictly forbidden to any men, opened from the inside.

What made Liu's pupils shrink even more was that standing inside the door, greeting the man, was none other than their beloved and supreme goddess Astraea herself!

The goddess wore a peaceful smile on her beautiful face. She seemed to exchange a few words with the man briefly, then nodded in satisfaction and personally led him through the sacred door that was sacred to the members of her clan.

Liu Liang swallowed back the retort that was already on the tip of his tongue, a hint of surprise and strong vigilance flashing in his azure eyes.

She instinctively grabbed Alexandra's arm, who was still somewhat dazed: "Hey, Alexandra! Did you see that?!"

"Ah? I saw it!"

Alexie blinked her crimson eyes, slightly surprised, but her naturally optimistic nature allowed her to immediately find a reasonable explanation, "Perhaps one of the goddess's divine friends is visiting? Don't worry!"

In her mind, apart from male gods of high status who were on par with goddesses, the Court of Stars was absolutely off-limits to any member of the opposite sex.

"Friend of Gods. —?"

Liu Wei raised her eyebrows slightly. In the three years since she joined the clan, she had never seen any male gods visit her.

After all, the goddess's social interactions are extremely simple.

But with so little information available, she could only suppress her doubts for the time being and subconsciously quickened her pace toward the mansion.

"Don't worry, Leon!"

Sensing her companion's tension, Alexie patted her back forcefully and reassured her energetically, "Don't forget, the Goddess has eyes that see through everything! Her perception of malice is far more acute than any of ours."

"If that person has any problems, the goddess will never let him step inside!"

The gods who descended from the heavens voluntarily sealed away their omnipotent divine power in order to experience the joys of life in the mortal realm, but some of their essential abilities did not disappear.

The god of forging remains skilled in forging, the god of wine can still brew divine wine, and Astraea, the goddess of justice, has never been blinded in her ability to distinguish between "justice" and "evil".

Liu nodded silently, agreeing with what Alisha said, but the slight unease in her heart had not completely dissipated.

Three minutes later, the two pushed open the gate of the mansion and stepped into the familiar courtyard.

As soon as she stepped inside, Noin, the human girl who had stayed behind as part of the clan, rushed out of the main house, her face filled with surprise, helplessness, and even a little panic:

"Ryu! Boss! You're finally back! Something terrible has happened!"

"What's wrong, Noin? Why are you so flustered?" Alexie's smile faded, sensing it might be related to the man from earlier. "Y-it's that man! The Goddess herself brought him in; he's in the drawing room now!"

Noin lowered her voice and quickly pointed towards the main living room, her tone urgent, "I was just ordered to bring in tea and snacks, and I overheard a bit of their conversation—it sounded like, it sounded like he wanted to join our clan?!"

"Join us?!" Alexie's smile vanished completely, replaced by deep surprise.

Without asking any further questions, she straightened her expression, grabbed Liu's hand, and quickly walked towards the reception room. Noin hurriedly followed.

Ryu's heart raced involuntarily, and an indescribable sense of tension sent goosebumps up her arms.

A male? Joining? This completely overturns the rules of the clan!

The door to the reception room wasn't completely closed. Alexie pushed the door open first, and the scene inside instantly drew the attention of the three of them.

The goddess Astraea sat opposite the black-haired youth. The atmosphere was not tense, but rather peaceful and solemn.

The young man appeared calm and composed, as if he were having an equal and serious conversation with the goddess.

His unique Eastern appearance and short black hair instantly reminded Ryu of his formidable swordsmanship rival, Gojou Kaguya.

"People from the Far East?" Ryu thought to himself, his vigilance rising to its peak.

The sudden intrusion of the three clearly interrupted the conversation. Goddess Astraea raised her head and smiled at them:

"Ah, you're back."

Gu Yuan turned his head, his gaze calm and indifferent, sweeping over the three who had rushed in. The conversation was clearly nearing its end. Then, the goddess Astraea spoke to Gu Yuan in her melodious, clear voice:

"—Then, the conditions are as stated earlier."

"If you can defeat any one of my demonic subordinates in a direct confrontation, proving that you possess the power to uphold 'justice,' I will accept you into my familia."

"At the same time, given the special circumstances of the clan, as you wish, you can remain as an unofficial member and do not need to reside in the Star Garden."

"But I hope you can come regularly to report on your actions and observations. This is essential for maintaining family ties and trust."

"That's only right." Gu Yuan nodded in understanding.

After speaking, his gaze returned to Liu Liang, Alicie Rofer, and Noin, as if he were scrutinizing the opponents they might face.

Upon hearing this brief exchange, the three girls instantly understood the situation before them, and expressions of surprise and disbelief appeared on their faces.

Defeating—one of yourself?!

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.