Chapter 657 Unusual Amazoness Sisters
On the following night, Fenia was overlooking the town of Septal that the Astarte Familia created for themselves, from the castle that housed the executives of the Familia. Magic lamps illuminated the streets of the mostly residential town. Despite that strange trait of the city, people were still moving actively around, ranging from preparing for the Dungeon to everyday chores.
Even though the Astarte Familia was a purely female faction, there were still some men roaming the streets. Although none of them had a permanent residence within this town and their entry was controlled, they were still free to roam and interact with their members.
Whilst most of them were peddlers who were looking for business and some business partners from other Familias stationed within Pandemonium, some of them were here trying their luck in courting their members.
Fenia didn't like this scene at all, but Astarte had explicitly cleared that even if relationships between men and women were not allowed within her Familia, she wouldn't stop her children if they decided to get into one, albeit, they'd have to leave the Familia for this.
Fenia only didn't say anything about it because Astarte also told the executives that in case of something unfortunate happening to their former members, they'd still help out and save them if the need arises.
"Big sis, are you in?" Suddenly, Fenia heard a knock on her door, "The door's unlocked," she replied.
The door opened and a cute bespectacled Amazoness entered the room, "Big sis, are you alright? I heard that you're not feeling well."
Contrary to Fenia's long hair, graceful face and voluptuous body, her younger sister, Tenestra, had short hair, a cute face and a petite figure.
"I'm fine...", Fenia went back to overviewing the small town, "Did you just come back from your studies?"
Tenestra sat down on the sofa while sighing, "Yep, but no progress... I was able to make a chantless version of my first two magics, but I'm having a hard time with my third one. It seems that copying the Magic Circle which appears when chanting isn't enough anymore. The only way forward now is to understand what the lines in the Magic Circles actually mean, but even after scouring for books and records with related subjects, I'm barely able to piece some clues together."
Fenia turned towards her with a wry smile, "Even if you tell me that, I don't really understand what you're trying to say. Why don't you try asking Astarte-sama?"
"I did and she indeed knew what the problem with the Magic and understood the Magic Circle. However, she can't impart that knowledge to me as she'd be breaking the Law of Heaven, and being sent back would be the least of the problems that everyone would incur."
Fenia became interested and asked, "What problems?"
Tenestra shook her head, "I don't know. She wouldn't tell..." She thought for a bit before adding, "I guess except for the 'Promised Day' she accidentally spoke about? But that phrase isn't familiar at all and not in any records."
"It's a Deity-related secret."
"I already guessed as much, so I didn't bother Astarte-sama about it." Tenestra then turned her head towards Fenia and changed the subject, "I heard you came across Yoruichi and Kuroka in your outing. How did it go?"
Instead of answering her, Fenia sat beside her and asked, "What do you think of them?"
Tenestra went silent for a moment before replying, "I don't know them enough to give a satisfying answer to that question, but I think they're strong and hide their real abilities." She then looked straight into Fenia's eyes and asked, "What about you, big sis? What do you think of them? And if you don't mind, please tell me what happened earlier? They're the reason you're not feeling well, aren't they?"
Fenia sighed and said, "I agree with you that they're hiding their real abilities... In fact, I think they're too dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"Yes... I can't point out what it was, but something is telling me that they are too dangerous... Much more than the Captain."
Tenestra's eyes widened. Their Captain, after all, was considered as the second strongest after the Captain of the Poseidon Familia, "What made you say that?"
Fenia then told Tenestra about what had happened in Keely's tavern from her perspective without missing a single detail.
If it was any other person, Tenestra would think that they' were just imagining things but she trusted her sister's instinct that had already saved them countless times in the past. It was just really too hard to believe that a roaming person would be that strong.
After thinking for a while, Tenestra finally spoke her mind, "That only makes it more attractive to invite them over..."
"W-what!? What are you saying!? We can't let such timebombs enter our Familia! On top of that, they are in a relationship with a man! Just that already disqualifies them!"
"I know... Our Familia's goal, in addition to the Dungeon exploration, is to help unfortunate women out of their situation. However, the rule of no relationship with a man was just imposed by Astarte-sama because she resented one of the Gods who didn't return her feelings, so she can also easily revoke it the moment she changes her mind."
Fenia grimaced at her words but didn't say anything.
"And it may become the case in the new future with us calling the former members to return, regardless of their marital status."
"...What do you mean?"
Tenestra hesitated for a moment before answering, "Only Astarte-sama and the Captain know this, but there are some very concerning and suspicious movements from the Aruna Familia and the three of us concluded that it would be of paramount importance to expand our strength... To the point of calling back former members."
"Even if you think that Yoruichi Shihouin and Kuroka Toujou are dangerous, we still don't know their personalities fully, so we can't say for sure if they'll become a detriment to the Familia. In fact, their very hostile stance towards the Aruna Familia makes them trustworthy enough. Besides, Astarte-sama only needed to talk to them to figure out a lot of things."
"What about the Coalition and the Poseidon and Amphitrite Familias?"
Tenestra shook her head, "Astarte-sama has already confirmed that even though there aren't many interactions between them, they have each other's back. Meaning, they are technically in an alliance. And as long as the Captain of the Poseidon Familia, a Level 8, is still around, they will never fall. In my opinion, their secret alliance is actually good for the region's overall stability."
"In that case, wouldn't they do something regarding the Aruna Familia if they went out of line?"
Tenestra shook her head again, "The reason why I think they're safe even if they became the strongest force by far within the region, is that they'll remain neutral no matter what. It means that if the Aruna Familia moves against us, they'll only secure their own people and won't take anyone's side, regardless of the moral value... That's how it has always been in this place where a person with the biggest fist makes the law."
Fenia clenched her fist and recalled the image of their peaceful town. Just because of some greedy maniacs, they might get embroiled in a conflict they'd never wanted.
Tenestra reached out for her hand and sighed, "As such, if Yoruichi and Kuroka are really that strong, we'd want them in our ranks in preparation for the incoming war. If inviting them to join our Familia isn't possible, we could also hire them."
Fenia, after some contemplation, sighed, "Haahh... I guess you're right. I should set aside my biased views for a bit, for the sake of the Familia."
Tenestra's smile became sad, "I see that you're aware that your view is biased."
But Fenia just chuckled, "Of course. After all, it's impossible not to hear about those successful relationships... But even then, my emotions still get the better of me, and I can't think otherwise in regards to this."
To this, Tenestra just silently hugged her sister.
Because of Tenestra's warmth, Fenia was able to calm down significantly.
After a few minutes of solace, Tenestra separated and suddenly asked with sparkling eyes, "And by the way, big sis. What's this about a strange barrier? Care to tell me more?"
'Ah, crap... This magic maniac...', thought Fenia as she tried to escape from her grasp.
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