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

"Since the capture of the town (Rivera), no acts of aggression have been detected. This is the testimony of adventurers who returned from the 'Middle Layer,' and it is highly credible."

Fels looked down at the blue crystal in the hand that wasn't holding the magic lamp.

"The town (Rivera) may very well have the motivation to prompt the 'heretics' to act."

"...What could it be?"

"We can guess, but it's just speculation for now. First, we need to go to the scene and see for ourselves what happened."

After saying that, Fels stopped and turned to Bell.

"We intend to include you in the advance team of the Ganesha Familia."

"...!"

"Although we haven't known each other for long... I still hope you can help us."

Fels pleaded from beneath the dark, clogged hood.

Even though "The Fool" had lost his flesh and eyeballs and become a living skeleton, Bell could still feel his gaze; Bell nodded.

"I would also like to ask you to grant my request. Please let me go."

"...Thank you, Bell Craney."

Bell wanted to see for himself, whatever awaited him.

Hearing Fells' words of thanks, Bell clenched his fist to calm the turmoil in his heart.

*

"It finally happened..."

Hermes sighed, stroking his wide-brimmed hat adorned with feathers.

The location was the main hall of the Hermes Familia's headquarters. From behind the tightly closed doors came the sounds of the members' heated argument, and the guild leader, Asphie, stood before him with a tense expression.

"How badly are Falgar and the others injured?"

"He's already received treatment and barely survived, but... he's still unconscious."

Like the residents of the town (Rivera), the Hermes Familia who escaped from the 18th floor were also seriously injured. The members who were sent to the safe floors to monitor the "middle floors" left only the information that "Members of the Ikeros faction appeared in the town, and then the monsters..." before they passed out.

Hermes sighed again, ordered his retinue to be carefully cared for, and then slowly narrowed his orange-yellow eyes.

"But I never expected him to drag Bell into this... You've got a lot to do, Uranus."

The letter sent by Fels's familiar contained details of the mandatory mission and the personnel organization of the extermination team, all for the purpose of sharing information.

Hermes laughed sourly, even resentfully.

For a handsome, carefree god like him, this was an extremely rare expression.

"...That's unexpected. I thought you were going to say it was a trial or something and actively encourage Bell Craney to take action."

"I don't want Bell to get involved in this matter."

"My position is not the same as that of the old god (Uranus)," he said.

Ignoring Asphie's doubts, Hermes continued, as if in a monologue:

"No pain, no gain... Is that what the God of War (Takemikazuchi) said?"

"..."

"It is true that one must overcome suffering to become a hero, but... this turmoil is far removed from the path that God (I) envisioned in my heart."

Hermes told Asphie that this was not in accordance with his divine will.

Then, as if troubled, he clearly stated:

"One wrong step and you'll be doomed."

He pulled the brim of his hat down low and asserted this.

He soon stood up from his chair and gave instructions to Asphie:

"Asphi, you and Ganesha will split up and head to the 18th floor. I want you to gather as much firsthand intelligence as possible. Avoid unnecessary battles."

"Where is Hermes...?"

"I also have somewhere to go. I need to meet someone and confirm something."

After Hermes finished speaking, perhaps sensing the time was right, the dog-girl waiting outside opened the door. The handsome god pointed to the group member who had returned with the long-awaited information and said with a half-joking smile, "I'll go do something too."

"I'll leave the rest to you... Oh, right."

Just as he was about to leave.

Hermes seemed to have forgotten what he was saying and turned around.

"I'm worried about little Bell. — Call Aisha too."

*

"Ryu, someone is looking for you."

Called by her human colleague (Runova), the elf Ryu turned around.

The tavern "The Abundant Mistress" built on West Street.

"Something's wrong, meow—!?" "What's going on, meow—!?" The cat-people Anya and the others were meowing and making a fuss at the store entrance when a beautiful, long-legged Amazonian shrew appeared there.

Ryu looked surprised when Aisha Belleka came to visit the tavern.

"Is there a problem?"

Are you free now?

"The city is so noisy, no customers are coming..."

"Then please do me the honor."

Seeing the serious look in the other person's eyes, Liu was silent for a moment, then glanced at the store behind her.

The staff, having nothing better to do, were busy making noise. Ryu figured leaving wouldn't be a problem, so she and Aisha, whose chin was almost the same size, went around to the back of the tavern.

Thinking about the private conversation that was about to take place, she glanced at the small window on the wall of the tavern, but decided to ignore it and turn her gaze back to the front.

In a shady back alley, the elves and Amazons faced each other.

"This disturbance was caused by a group of out-of-control monsters. It is said that after those monsters wiped out the town (Rivera), they stopped on the 18th floor. The guild plans to send a subjugation team centered around the [Ganesha Familia]."

"...?"

As Aisha began to recount the detailed situation, Ryu's expression grew increasingly suspicious.

She looked back at the welder who was leaning against the wall of the house, her arms wrapped around her ample breasts.

Why are you telling me all this?

"I'm being nosy... but I wanted to tell you because you seem to really admire Bell Craney."

After a pause, Aisha kicked the wall with her foot and leaned her upper body towards Ryu.

"That little brother will be placed in this expeditionary force, and he will be forced to take risks... This is what my ancestral god says."

"!"

"You want to know so much? Well, that's because I converted to the Hermes Familia."

Simply by mentioning the name of the "Family," which is both a neutral faction and a well-informed group, it is convincing enough to convince people.

At the same time, this unexpected conversion faction also left Ryu staring in astonishment as he asked:

"Why choose this faction...?"

"It's a complicated matter. They want combat power, while I want to keep track of whether a certain Killing Stone (item) has entered this city."

The Hermes Familia, whose business revolves around "cargo transport" within and outside Orario, are naturally well-versed in the existence of smuggled goods in urban logistics and can easily obtain the information Aisha wants.

The wanderers of the old faction (Ishtar clan) said that this was the result of the shared interests of both sides.

"Although I already knew, that god is really cunning. He only let me register with the [Family] that owes him a favor, and he didn't forget to put a collar on me. He's keeping it from the guild and is still pretending to be neutral."

"..."

"However... he can give me anything I want. So I'll respond to his request. That is, to go and check on the situation on the 18th floor and take good care of Bell Crane."

Aisha finished recounting her experience of joining the group and her current situation.

"...A few days ago, I helped you take Mr. Crannie to the 18th floor, but he's been acting strangely ever since. Is this personnel reshuffle related to what happened that day?"

"Who knows? After all, I just converted to a new religion and am still just a low-ranking officer... just being used as a useful fighting force. I only just found out about the current situation, including the problems that happened around Bell Craney. There are a lot of things that people didn't tell me."

Aisha shrugged in annoyance.

Liu remained silent for a moment. Ever since she watched the boy's back disappear into the distance this morning, the worry that had been brewing in her heart had added a few more gears to her thoughts.

Seeing her remain silent, Aisha spoke up and said to her:

"You're [Swift Wind], right? You participated in the War Games."

“…What do you want to say?”

"I don't intend to ask any more questions."

"But I want you to listen," Aisha continued.

"This incident seems to be related to the Ikeros Familia. I think you've probably heard... that some people suspect those people are colluding with the dark factions."

In an instant, Liu's entire demeanor changed.

Though his face was expressionless, it seemed as if a fierce, flickering fire was burning within him—his sky-blue eyes revealed a long-suppressed excitement.

thread.

"The Dark Faction..."

This name is a word that Ryū cannot ignore.

This organization has a deep-seated grudge against her, who used to call herself "Hayabusa (Rion)" and belonged to the now-defunct "Familia" that governs justice and order.

Liu's slender hands clenched so tightly that her skin turned white.

"Bell Craney may have been caught up in that group's mess."

"..."

"So, what are your plans?"

After a moment of silence.

Ryu spoke up.

"I understand. Let me go with you."

This answer made Aisha's lips curl into a smile.

"That's more like it."

Ryu's gaze followed the female hero who simply wanted to fight alongside the strong, while through the waitress's uniform, she lightly touched her chest, as if trying to suppress various emotions.

The former adventurer decided to intervene.

"I've heard that the Tower of Babel has been completely sealed off. Do you have a way to infiltrate the dungeon?"

"Do you know the 'All-Powerful One'? I just became her colleague recently. Oh, she has so many weird and wonderful gadgets."

Instead of answering, she named a famous magical item maker.

Ryu sighed in front of Aisha, who wasn't taking the question seriously, realizing she had asked a stupid question.

"Alright, let's get going early."

Urged on by her, Ryu decided to make preparations.

Just then, she called out "Amazon Heroine".

"Antianeira".

"What's up?"

"You too, why do you do so much for Mr. Craney?"

"Because I owe Bell Craney a favor."

"Is that really all there is to it?"