Paladin of Shadows Chapter 25

"So how have you been settling in here on Genkai?" Astraea spoke gently as she sat across from Hestia who smiled at the question.

"Oh, it's going so well! Better than I could have hoped for, hehe. So there is Jake, who is already the captain, but he also brought a bunch of friends who are also super talented and nice to me!" Hestia spoke excitedly.

Astraea giggled and then said gently. "Oh? It is good to see that Jake was worthy to be made your captain. But how many other familia members do you have? Can you tell me anything about them?

Hestia happily nodded and spoke. "Well he brought seven ladies with him from his homeland apparently. Most of them are elves, but there are two beastmen in the seven he brought."

And thus Hestia started counting with her fingers. "First, there is Alpha of course. She is a blond elf who although kind, is super responsible and tries to act like the sister of the Familia and Jake's right hand. It's just so adorable, honestly!"

"Second is Beta, she is also an elf but she also prefers to remain in the backline of things. She adores books, and has a talent for cooking but is somewhat shy at times."

Hestia paused for a moment in thought before continuing. "Next is uhm... Yeah Epislon, she is a haughty little elf. So much alike her other kind but she is much more forward than most other elves. Hmm, she does have major breast envy though. So we can't flaunt them in front of her!" Hestia spoke more firmly.

Astreae giggled and then said seriously. "Of course, Hestia. I would never insult one of your familia members like that. Please continue then, I wish to hear more."

Hestia who took a drink while Astraea was speaking then got back into things.

"Next is Gamma! She is super nice, honestly one of the nicest girls in the Familila altogether, but she is... Painfully clumsy, like comically clumsy to the point that she even got a skill out of it!" Hestia said helplessly.

For a moment, Astraea looked at her in surprise before shaking her head and saying faintly. "You aren't supposed to share that information, Hestia. I will keep it secret though, don't worry."

Still Hestia looked almost helpless as she continued. "I know Astraea but it's just such a crazy skill, honestly. It's half curse, and half skil,l truly. As any bad luck or clumsy actions she takes will be reflected as bad luck towards any enemies around her." 

Hestia then cleared her throat and said. "Anyway! Next is Eta... She is asleep all the time. I did spend some time with her, but she is more of a magic researcher. She has all of zero interest in becoming an adventurer truly."

Then Hestia's face became a grin as she said. "Finally, the two beastmen... Delta and Zeta, they are a dog-girl and cat-girl with all that is involved. It is often that it is just soooo funny to watch the cat and dog in them interact and fight all the time!" 

Their conversation continued with Hestia then asking Astraea about her own familia members, with her happily talking about her own captain Alise, and the other executives in the familia.

After another long conversation about Astreae's own familia, she took a drink of her tea before exhaling softly and then asking gently. "So Hestia... Why are you squirming so much? Did you not want to just see me? Or did you come to see me with a motive?" 

Hestia gave a wry smile while squirming a for a moment before she sighed and said helplessly. "Don't just call me out like that. It makes me feel even worse!"

To which the goddess of justice just chuckled and said in amusement. "Don't spin yourself as the victim in this Hestia... Well, go ahead, spit it out then." 

And so Hestia explained Jake's skill in detail with Astreae's expression turning into a smooth mask but still a thoughtful fire was in her eyes.

Finally, Hestia finished and she wrung her hands together as she said quietly. "That's it, Astreae. I hope that you can help give your blessing to my captain, even if you want to tie his ability to follow your domain of justice and such." 

There was a heavy silence before Astreae stared at Hestia, before her mask crumbled, and she sniffed and said with a roll of her eyes. "Such a skill is... Complete nonsense, frankly. But I know you woudn't lie about this."

She took a breath before she said firmly. "But I agree, I will offer a contract for my blessing, and in doing so. I will take your captain's mettle. Should he meet my allowances for Justic,e then I will bless him."

Hesita then threw her hands up with a cheer escaping her with and her large breasts bounced boobily as she hopped off her chair and jumped in the air with sheer joy!

"Yes! Then let's go get him then!" Hestia cheered happily.

Astreae sighed at Hestia excitment, but she didn't say anything. Merely shook her head with amusement before she said. "Come on then. Let us see your captain, and what will be my champion I suppose."

The two made their way from the goddess's office and made their way to the library where they found Jake was relaxed on a long couch with a book her was reading.

Astreae took in Jake's form again more thoughtfully this time and as Hestia spoke, she laid a hand on Hestia's shoulder to make her pause and look up to her.

And with a moment of silence, Astreae looked at Jake and asked with the most serious tone, with an edge of her Arcanuem tinged in her voice.

"Jake Bariss, answer this from your heart right now. What is Justice to you?"

Jake paused at the question, and then as her eyes pressured him for the answer straight from his heart, he finally said thoughtfully. "Justice is doing right by others. Every action has consequences, and that applies to me as well as others."

Astreae gave Jake a look before she looked down at Hestia and said simply. "You have a good captain. His Justice is worthy of my blessing... I would like to see the skill or spell he gets from me if possible." 

To which Jake nodded and said firmly. "That is perfectly fair. Thank you Lady Astreae."

But Astreae just chuckled and said softly. "I will not accept your thanks, Jake... As one day you may curse my power, as the domain of justice is not a kind Authority."