Danmachi: Strongest Familia

(Please add it to your Library! Please send Power Stones! Thank you!)

Sol felt elated at having gained three exceptional family members all at once. The lingering gloom from last night's attack by the dark faction on the family residence lifted considerably. All the challenges, he mused, had been worth it for the recruits he'd summoned.

As for chastising the parallel consciousness for using up all his summons initially? Well, with new additions as promising as Poppy and the others, he'd graciously overlook that misstep.

"Given Orario's current situation, have them register with the guild once things settle down," Sol told Riveria while eyeing Poppy with a sense of ease. Poppy, he figured, wouldn't venture out willingly, so there was plenty of time for her to refine her forging skills. Gnar, on the other hand, seemed to be the one in need of the most discipline. Riveria, he thought, could start by teaching him to communicate better—no more nonsensical babbling that no one could understand.

Handing the two yordles off to Lulu for a tour, Sol felt reassured; Lulu, after all, was well-acquainted with both the family's residence and her fellow yordles. As Sol and Riveria remained in the courtyard, she seized the chance to satisfy a curiosity that had been on her mind for some time.

"So, can you finally explain what she mean by 'God of Creation?'" she asked, a hint of wonder in her voice.

Sol, unfazed, casually began explaining, "Quite literally, I created a new world..."

As he shared details of Valoran's origins, he kept things simple, knowing Riveria wouldn't be left in the dark about his plans. After all, with more heroes bound to be summoned, it was only natural for the head of the family to understand his intentions. Besides, he wasn't just any ordinary time traveler; he was Aurelion Sol—the Star Forger Dragon King, born to reign supreme.

Riveria's eyes widened as she processed his words. "Create a world? Are you serious?" she asked, startled. She'd seen Sol lounging at home enough to know his relaxed demeanor. But to think he'd been creating an entire realm behind her back?

"Isn't my god supposed to be the Dragon God?"

"Ah, well," he replied with a chuckle, "being the Dragon God doesn't exactly prevent me from also being the Creator God, now does it?"

Riveria shook her head in disbelief. "But creating a whole world? That's... that's unprecedented."

"It's not as hard as it sounds," Sol replied casually. "I just opened up an alternate space—it took some time, yes, but it'll be thousands of years before it reaches Orario's level of civilization."

Sol's nonchalant explanation didn't quell her astonishment. To open up even an alternate space was an awe-inspiring feat.

"So, the yordles come from that new world of yours?" she asked, now piecing things together.

"Exactly. The whole reason I created the new world was to train exceptional talents like them to strengthen our family."

She nodded, a spark of admiration shining in her eyes. "That's… truly remarkable."

Riveria realized with a flush of embarrassment that she had entirely misjudged her God, Sol. Initially, she'd thought of him as a kind of mascot—a decorative god, more fluff than function. She had no idea he'd been working in secret on something so monumental. How wrong she'd been to consider him unreliable!

"But, Sol-sama, aren't you worried about using your divine power? If the guild finds out, you'd be penalized," she cautioned.

"Not to worry, I didn't use divine power. Even if they discovered anything, it wouldn't trace back to me."

Riveria couldn't help but think his explanation was as evasive as something out of a cryptic novel. Thank goodness she had enough sense to confirm things privately and hadn't let this revelation slip.

"This secret stays between us, then!"

"Of course, Riveria. You're the first person in this world to know my secret, so remember to keep it close," Sol said, reaching out to gently lift her chin. Riveria's cheeks flushed immediately as her heart raced. He'd somehow managed to turn this conversation into a subtle advance. How daring!

The moment between them began to warm, but Riveria, still composed under the midday sun, kept her guard up. Despite Sol's attempts to take things a step further, was kicked out of the bed, and the prey that was almost at hand fled away.

Disappointed, he returned to the hall. And Sol noticed Riveria, who had run out earlier, standing confidently among her companions, discussing matters with them. Her serious demeanor was captivating, a stark contrast to her recent blush. Curious, Sol joined them and settled in beside her.

"Ah, you're just in time. You should hear this too," Riveria said, glancing at him without missing a beat.

"What's happening outside?" Sol asked, setting aside his playfulness.

"Not good," one of the elven scouts replied grimly. "The dark faction launched their assault without warning. While the guild and some forces retaliated in the night, several main gods were already forced back to the heavens."

Though Sol's residence had stayed relatively undisturbed—only a few stragglers had been caught by the guards—the attacks had dealt a harsher blow to smaller and mid-sized families, leaving them far more vulnerable in the chaos.