The lights in the main hall of the Butterfly Estate flickered gently.
Phaethon sat quietly on a wooden chair, his eyes closed as if resting, his posture serene and composed.
Across from him, Yotsuya Miko sat somewhat nervously, her gaze filled with curiosity as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.
Besides the two of them, there was a small figure standing silently in the corner of the hall.
It was a little girl who looked to be only a few years old, dressed simply, with her hair tied into a side ponytail.
Her large eyes were beautiful but always timidly cast downward, her tiny hands clutching at the hem of her dress nervously.
She stood there so quietly that she seemed almost invisible.
This small, unassuming figure was Kanao Tsuyuri, the adopted sister of the Kocho sisters.
Since it was still several years before the main storyline would begin, Kanao was just a tiny, delicate little girl.
Her past experiences had molded her into someone quiet and reticent, always with her head lowered, avoiding eye contact, and never daring to observe the two strangers—Phaethon and Miko.
All she did was wait patiently, waiting for Shinobu to come out of the room.
When Kanae and Shinobu finally emerged, Kanao's eyes lit up with a faint glimmer of light, and her small body moved almost imperceptibly.
Kanae was the first to notice Kanao standing in the corner.
Without hesitation, she released Shinobu's hand, hurried over, and gently scooped the small, fragile child into her arms.
"Kanao, I'm so sorry to have made you worry these past days."
Kanae's voice was soft and filled with tenderness as she gently stroked Kanao's silky hair.
Her embrace was warm and familiar, bringing with it a sense of comfort and safety.
Kanao's small frame relaxed in Kanae's arms. She didn't speak, only nodding her head obediently, then resting her little face against Kanae's shoulder, cherishing this long-awaited embrace.
At the same time, Shinobu approached Phaethon.
She had already heard from her sister about everything that had happened during her disappearance.
The fierce battle against Upper Moon Two, Doma.
The moment her sister was at death's door, it was this divine being, Phaethon, who had saved her.
He had taken her to a place called Orario, an otherworldly city where adventurers thrived in a massive labyrinth.
There, Kanae had undergone training and growth at an astonishing speed.
Not only did she survive, but she also gained a new class—Sword Saint, becoming stronger than ever before.
With that newfound strength, she returned to her original world and successfully exacted revenge on Doma, putting an end to that long-standing grudge.
It all sounded like something out of a fairy tale.
Even hearing it firsthand from her sister's mouth, Shinobu couldn't help but feel that it was surreal.
Other worlds? Gods? Dungeons? Class changes?
Those words were so far beyond her usual understanding that they seemed more like fiction than reality.
However, when she finally looked into Phaethon's eyes, the sense of disbelief began to melt away.
The young man before her, though seemingly ordinary in appearance, radiated a presence that was anything but.
An aura of warmth and serenity emanated from him, like sunlight piercing through the clouds, gentle yet all-encompassing.
Just standing near him seemed to calm her heart, dispelling her anxieties and fears, leaving only peace.
That light—pure, tranquil, divine—was something no mere mortal could possess.
At that moment, Shinobu finally understood.
She understood why her sister revered and trusted this "Lord Phaethon" so profoundly.
She understood why her sister had undergone such a transformation—why she had grown stronger, more resolute, and more serene.
"You must be... the Phaethon-sama my sister spoke of?"
Shinobu steadied her breath, approached Phaethon, and spoke softly.
Kanae, still holding Kanao, came forward, her face full of warmth and gratitude.
"Shinobu... This is Phaethon-sama, the one who granted me a second chance at life."
Her voice was tender, eyes filled with deep respect as she looked at Phaethon.
"If not for Phaethon-sama, I would not be standing here right now."
Hearing this, Shinobu took a deep breath, suppressing her surprise and confusion.
She stepped forward, straightened her back, and bowed deeply before Phaethon.
It was a gesture filled with genuine sincerity and profound respect.
"My lord, thank you for saving my sister! This kindness... I will never forget it!"
Her voice was clear and resolute, each word brimming with heartfelt gratitude.
To Shinobu, her sister was everything—her only family, her reason for fighting.
Phaethon saving Kanae was equivalent to saving her entire world.
Seeing Shinobu bow so earnestly, the little Kanao, still in Kanae's arms, blinked in confusion.
Although she did not fully understand what was happening, she mimicked Shinobu's movements.
She wiggled out of Kanae's embrace, stepped forward, and with a bit of clumsiness, performed her own little bow.
Her tiny body bent at an adorable angle, silently expressing her gratitude in her own way.
Watching the three of them bow so sincerely, Phaethon's face lit up with a gentle smile.
He raised his hand slightly, gesturing for them to stand up.
"No need to be so formal," he said, his voice as calm and warm as a summer breeze.
"Kanae is the captain of my familia. Her family... is also my family."
His gaze swept over Shinobu and Kanao, his eyes filled with kindness and appreciation.
"You both are wonderful children, with bright souls and resilient hearts," he added, his tone softening.
After a brief pause, his expression grew even gentler.
"Kanae is already the captain of my familia. As her sisters, would you both be interested in joining my familia as well?"
From the very first moment he saw Shinobu and Kanao, Phaethon had sensed the latent potential within them.
Both of them possessed the qualities and the light necessary to receive the grace of the Primordial Light.
To accept his divine blessing, to carve the sacred runes of the gods upon their souls, and to embark on a path of unyielding strength...
Join the familia? Become family?
Shinobu and Kanao both froze, clearly stunned by the unexpected offer.
They looked up, meeting Phaethon's eyes—eyes that seemed to reflect the stars and hold the entire cosmos.
Then, they glanced at Kanae, who stood beside them with a warm smile, nodding encouragingly.
A moment later, the two sisters turned back towards Phaethon.
Their voices, though soft, were resolute and unwavering.
"Phaethon-sama, we are willing!"