Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

The clown (trickster) badges and flags that even children wouldn't dare cry at, along with the various members of the city's largest faction, attracted the attention and discussion of the surrounding crowd, but Ais and the others were simply waiting for the order to set off.

"Oh, Fiora! It's been a long time. How are you?"

"Miss Tsubaki..."

As Ais was gazing up at the Tower of Babel that pointed straight to the sky, a voice called to her from the side.

Upon closer inspection, she saw the blacksmith, Chun Kobrand, whose left eye was covered by an eyeband, walking towards her with an approachable smile.

Like Ais, who was fully armed with a sword and armor, she also donned the labyrinthine gear. Her bright red hakama, typical of island nations, covered her calves, while a continental combat suit hugged her ample breasts, topped with gauntlets and shoulder pads.

The lower body and upper body are respectively composed of so-called Far East-made Japanese clothing and mainland-made Western clothing.

The sword tucked into his waistband was a katana sheathed in a black scabbard.

Besides her, there were several other high-ranking blacksmiths—members of the Hephaestus Familia—who joined the Loki Familia.

"From today onwards, I look forward to your guidance."

"Yes, no problem. But you don't need to be so polite. I and the others only went because we wanted to."

Ais had heard from Riveria beforehand that several blacksmiths would be traveling with them, and she greeted them. Tsubaki readily gave her simple and straightforward reason.

Seeing her laughing heartily, Ais was about to give a wry smile when she said "Oh" and looked away from Ais.

"I've found you, Bert Roca. You forced me to do the silver boots (Frosvelt) with that unreasonable schedule. If you dare to break them again, I won't let you off the hook."

"I wouldn't break things so easily, okay? Never mind that for now. Hey! Don't come near me!?"

As soon as Chun found Bert, she wanted to walk over, but seeing Bert's malicious smile and unnecessarily approaching, the werewolf youth gruffly complained.

Her fearless demeanor aroused fear in those around her, and Ais looked at them in disbelief. Just then, a figure quietly approached her.

"Hey, Fiora, how have you been lately?"

"...Lulu, Miss?"

Someone called his name, and when he turned around, he saw the dog-woman standing in front of him.

The appearance of Lulune, a member of the Hermes Familia, surprised Ais.

"How did you end up here...?"

"Consider this a farewell to the 'Expedition,' since you've helped me several times."

It seems that, just as she said, she took advantage of this free time before her departure to see Ais off.

She said she wasn't a participant in the "expedition" and would be glared at if she stayed too long, so she was in a hurry to get things done.

"This is a gift for you. It's my go-to ration when I'm exploring ruins and the like. One of these will last me a whole day. Oh, there's nothing weird in it."

"……Thanks."

Lulu handed Ais a small bag containing cube-shaped personal rations, and Ais smiled slightly.

As Bert and Tsubaki's conversation drew the attention of the group members, Ais took the small bag—with a "clang".

Luluni secretly slipped a crystal into Ais's hand through a small bag.

"This was given to you by the man in black."

"!"

Hearing her murmur in a volume only she could hear, Ais's eyes widened.

The man in the black robe—that's the one who had several encounters with Ais and Lulu.

Upon hearing that the blue crystal was commissioned by the mysterious magician (mage), Ais couldn't hide her surprise.

"I had the Almighty (Asphi) examine it, and it doesn't seem to be anything strange. ... He said he hopes you can wear it when you go to the 59th floor."

Without being discovered by anyone, the thief girl delivered the message from the man in black and the crystal to Ais.

She whispered to Ais, "You can throw it away if you want, it's up to you to decide," and then took a step back.

Seeing Ais speechless after receiving the small bag and the crystal, Lulu smiled with her eyebrows lowered.

"...Although I forced you to take that job, I meant it when I said I'd see you off. We didn't get a drink last time, so let's go grab a drink this time when you get back?"

The dog-woman, her skin lightly flushed with brown, scratched her cheek with her fingers.

"Then I'm off." With that, she turned around and wagged the tail on her waist.

Ais watched the figure disappear into the crowd, then glanced down at the small bag and the crystal.

She looked down at the small blue crystal attached to the chain for a moment, then tied it to the waist guard of her armor.

Ais didn't completely trust the man in black, but Luluni's last words were a kind of talisman for her.

Blue light shimmered on the silver lumbar support.

"Was that Miss Lulune? What did she want with Miss Ais...?"

—Only Lefia witnessed the conversation between Ais and Lulune.

Tiona and Tione chattered away like the other members of the group, and she tilted her head slightly to their side.

"Miss Rafia."

"Ah... Miss Amed?"

Hearing someone call her name, Lefia turned around and saw a beautiful silver-haired girl (human) standing there, looking like an exquisite doll.

Amid, the healer from the Deankat Clan who was walking from the direction of Northwest Street, bowed in greeting.

"I've been busy dealing with Mihe and the others... uh, no, a new product contract from a certain faction, so I haven't had time to visit you all before. Luckily, I made it in time. Please accept these items."

"Is this... a potion?"

"Yes, this is our faction's high magic potion."

What Amed gave to Lefia was a set of test tubes in her pouch.

She was startled. Amid said, "Consider it a farewell to the 'expedition'."

"Amid, you came to see us off! But why is only Lefia here!? What about us!?"

"Miss Tiona probably doesn't need that, does she?"

Tiona noticed that Lefia and the others were talking, so she joined in. Amid chuckled.

Hearing her yell, "How could this happen?!", Amid said, "Just kidding," and took out a bag that was even bigger than Lefia's.

"This is a high potion, and a small amount of elixir. Please share it with everyone."

"Thank you, Amid. So much... I'm so grateful."

Tiony took the bag and thanked him, while Amid shook her head.

The kind-hearted young healer looked at Lefia and the others' faces in turn, and then bowed deeply.

"May you all have great success in your military endeavors."

After saying just that, Amid left Tiona and the others.

Lefia's gaze fell on the healing tools she had given to everyone, and she thanked them loudly along with Tiona and Tione.

Around them, there were several similar scenes.

Adventurers who had personal ties with members of the Loki Familia called out to them, some even offering encouragement with smiles.

Numerous humans and demi-humans cheered on the adventurers who were challenging uncharted territories.

"—All personnel, the 'Expedition' now begins!"

Not long after, Finn stood in front of the troops and shouted loudly.

Everyone around turned to face the leader of the [Family], who was flanked by Riveria and Grace, with his back to the Tower of Babel.

"This time is no different. As we advance through the floors, we'll split the troops into two groups! The first group will be led by Riveria and me, and the second group by Grace! After meeting up on the 18th floor, we'll head straight for the 50th floor! We have only one goal: the floor we haven't reached yet—the 59th floor!!"

The leader's declaration shocked Bert, Tiona and Tione, Lefia, Tsubaki, and all the other members present.

Like many others, Ais watched Finn and his companions while imagining the white walls and towering structures behind him—the monster's lair beneath.

Imagine the dark depths of the earth, the deepest parts of the labyrinth.

"You are brave warriors, adventurers, no less than the heroes of 'ancient times'! You will challenge the immense 'unknown' and bring back wealth and fame!!"

From the main road, from the corner of the square, from the windows of the buildings.

Residents, adventurers, everyone in the city is watching the departure of the Loki Familia and their future.

"We don't need false honors built on sacrifice!! You must swear to the light of this earth—you will return alive!!"

As the team members clenched their fists, Finn seemed to bid a temporary farewell to the sky above, took a breath, and then gave the order.

"Expeditionary force, set off!!"

The battle cry resounded throughout the sky.

Surrounded by the shouts of her bandmates, Ais looked up at the clear sky.

The Loki Familia begins its expedition.

◆

"Let's see how it turns out—"

The top of the central tower of the mansion.

After watching Finn and his group leave from headquarters, Loki climbed onto the roof and stared intently at the city center where the shouts were deafening.

"What awaits us is calamity, or perhaps..."

Guild Headquarters Underground Temple.

Surrounded by the light of the torches, Uranus turned his azure eyes toward the darkness blocking his head.

"Alright, let me see it for myself?"

And on the top floor of the white-walled giant tower.

The beautiful goddess smiled knowingly.

Under the watchful eyes of the gods, the dungeon is about to write a new adventure tale.

◆

During an "expedition," a faction's main fighting force is often concentrated in the first unit that moves forward—the vanguard.

This is because anything could happen in the underground city, and they must handle any unexpected situations that might occur along the route. In order for the follow-up troops responsible for transporting supplies and spare weapons—the lifeline of the "expedition"—to advance safely, they must fulfill their duties as the advance team.

The first wave of the invading force was led by Finn and Riveria, and included seven Level 1 adventurers: Ais, Bert, Tiona, and Tione, forming a formidable lineup. In addition to them, the support team also included many Level 2 adventurers such as Raul.

The second unit consists of one remaining first-level adventurer, Grace, as well as mages such as Lefia.

This unit has more personnel than the vanguard.

"Hey, Tione. Why are there other members of the [Family] mixed in with the party? Those people aren't hired supporters, are they?"

In the narrow passage of the "upper level," as the troops split into two groups to avoid crowding, Tiona turned around and asked.

Only now did she realize that the blacksmiths of the Hephaestus Familia were following behind her.

"Tiona, you're so silly. Have you already forgotten the reason for retreating from the last expedition?"

"?"

"They are blacksmiths, Tiona."

"Ah!"

Hearing Dione's surprised words and listening to Riveria's detailed explanation, Diona finally showed a look of sudden understanding. Diona seemed to be completely clueless about somewhat difficult tasks and hadn't been paying attention to the preparations for the "expedition." Only now did she realize that the major blacksmithing faction (Hephaestus Familia) was traveling with them.

Fifteen adventurers from the Loki Familia, plus ten blacksmiths from the Hephaestus Familia. When the party split into two groups, they also asked the blacksmiths to divide into two teams, and asked the leader, Tsubaki, to go to the main team—that is, the follow-up force.

"But it's really amazing that a high-ranking blacksmith from a major forging faction (the Hephaestus Familia) would agree to come with us—!?"

"I practically begged the goddess Hephaestus to agree, so don't be rude, Diona?"

Upon hearing the detailed explanation of the renowned blacksmiths in the city, Tiona was overjoyed. Finn, who had directly negotiated with the God of Forging (Hephaestus), smiled half-jokingly at her. "I know!" Tiona replied with a smile, then took off running and hugged Ais, who was walking ahead of her, from behind.

"Ais, Ais, did you hear that! The top blacksmiths of the Hephaestus Familia have come with us!"

"Hmm... I heard that. That's amazing."

Like everyone else, Ais already knew the blacksmiths had followed, but she still smiled at Tiona's excited voice. She carried the innocent Amazonian girl on her back, the two laughing and chatting.