The first place she went was not the Hestia Familia home but to the Hostess of Fertility.

"Why did you call me out here?" Ryuu asked as both she and Malion are in the back of the pub.

"Ryuu Lion. As I see you as a sort of rival for Cirrus’ affections,"

"U-um… okay? Did you call me here to remind me? You have told me that on different occasions." Ryuu was a bit flustered by her.

"No, I came here to inform you that I got approval."

"… What? Y-you got approval?"

"Yes. Just today."

Ryuu didn’t really know what to do or feel.

"I wish you well. I have faith that you will have the courage to make your move. I hope me telling you will light a fire in you."

"I… lady Malion, do you not need to get Cirrus’ affections?"

Ryuu gained some composure.

"Hm. That is true. But I assure you, I will succeed." She turns and walks away.

"… Haa." Ryuu bends down and covers her face.

"So~" Syr/Freya said, overhearing the conversation. "Are you finally gonna try and go for Cirrus?"

"… I… I will see on Malion’s result."

"And if she succeeds?"

"… I don’t wanna think about it."

"Well, I told you to go and get Lady Artemis and Ai’s approval."

"I know, but both of them are very busy—"

"Don’t give me excuses, Ryuu!" Syr/Freya said sternly. "You could go and—"

"Oi!!" Lunoire shouted. "Get back to work, or else Mia is going to come and get you!"

Ryuu gets up and quickly gets past Syr.

"Hey! Don’t run away from this conversation!"

 

Malion then returned to the Hestia Familia home.

"Lady Hestia!!" Malion said, springing from the door.

"Uwah!?" Hestia jumped up in surprise. "M-Malion! Why are—"

"I have succeeded!"

"… Congratulations!!" Hestia said coming up to her happy. "We should celebrate!"

"I would love to, but I need to prepare my gear."

"Your gear? I thought you were already wearing it?"

"This?" She looked at her clothes. "No. This is just my travel clothes. They are light and durable, and given my level, I do not need armor until the Deep Floors."

"How far are you planning on going?"

"The 62nd floor."

"Geh!? Y-you can’t be serious!? Only the Artemis, Loki, and Freya made that far!"

"There is plenty of time for us to learn of one another. Now I will be off to place my orders and gather money!" She then took off again.

 

One week after Malion gained Artemis and Ai’s blessing and preparation, Malion stood before Cirrus.

Scribble! Scribble! Scribble!

"I love you," Malion said to Cirrus while he was in his office working.

Scribble! Scribble! Scribble!

"I know this; you have confessed your love several times to me, Malion," Cirrus said while looking at and signing documents.

Scribble! Scribble! Scribble!

"I know that very well, but this is different!"

Scribble! Scribble! Scribble!

"Oh? How so?"

Scribble! Scribble! Scribble!

"I have gained their blessings!"

Scribble—Clack!

His pen drops in the dead quiet room.

He slowly looks up to find her smiling ear to ear, something very rare in the time he has known her.

"… Fafnir go ask Ai and Art if it’s true."

His shadow shifted before quickly traveling through the shadows out of the room.

"Do you not believe me?" Malion raised an eyebrow.

"Would you?"

"That is fair. I have failed several times before, but if one were to punch a wall long enough, it would eventually break."

"I won’t argue with you that you would statistically eventually win against them, just... I didn’t think it would be after 2 years."

"You forgot a couple of months to add up to 3 years."

"Master." Said Fafnir, emerging from the shadows. "They said yes."

"Well then… I don’t really know what to say."

"I do. My love, I propose we go on a Dungeon Date."

"A Dungeon Date? Why did you choose that?"

"What better way to learn one another more better than in battle, where our truths are laid bare with our weapons."

"…Fine. I’ll give you that much after fighting to get their blessings." He stands up. "I assume you've already got everything ready?"

"I do. Shall we meet at Babel?"

"That’s fine by me."

 

Malion returned to the Hestia Familia home.

"So are you all ready?" Asked Hestia.

"Yes. I will do what I can to find a place in his heart."

"Then good luck! You have my blessing!" Hestia gives her a thumbs up.

"Hm!" said Bell. "Good luck, Malion!"

"Armor and weapons are all ready?" Welf asked.

"They are. You did a fine job maintaining them." Malion nodded.

"You have the route all planned out?" Lili said.

"I do. I still remember the old routes I used to take, which are still trackable, albeit mostly on the 19th to 24th floors. They said it was all burned down?"

"Ah, the Guild reported that Evilus burned it down."

"Hm, well, thank you, Lady Hestia! I shall make sure I get a place in his heart!"

"But uh, are you gonna convert or…" Hestia spoke a bit shyly.

"Not immediately." Malion looked to Bell and Lili. "You two still need a bit more to stand on your own with the other more established Familia’s."

Malion got ready and left the home.