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

Shakti Bama, a blue-haired beauty propped up on her bed, responded to the strange behavior of the deity with a habitual attitude. She accepted the fruit basket that the deity offered while posing and placed it on the bedside table.

"Are you feeling better, Shakti? I've come to visit you!"

"I've already fully recovered, Ganesha, you know that too."

Shakti has been spending all her time in this room since that series of events. The main reason is that she was seriously injured during the mandatory mission on the 18th floor and needs to recuperate.

That's how it appears on the surface.

"I can move now, tell me why you've kept me locked up in this place for so many days."

"Because you've been working too hard lately! In order to prevent outsiders from mistakenly thinking that my [familia] is exploiting its workers, since we have this opportunity, I want you to have a thorough rest and recuperation until you are full of energy—"

"Ganesha".

Shakti interrupted the chief god's strange words and actions.

Her faction leader's calm remark made Ganesha put away his mocking attitude.

"...I think you need time to sort out your thoughts. Especially since you've heard about the 'heretics' from me."

Shakti was one of the few members of the family who knew of the existence of the "heretics".

When she received a secret message (from the guild) ordering her to tame a monster during a mandatory mission, she obeyed only because she considered the will of the main god.

Ganesha sat down on a chair placed to the side and met Shakti's eyes.

"I'm sorry."

He placed his hands on his knees and bowed deeply.

"I've assigned you a difficult task, which has become a burden for you."

"Don't apologize, Ganesha. It was our incompetence that prevented the monster from going out of control."

Upon hearing the God's apology, Shakti shook his head.

Ganesha looked up and gazed at her face from beneath the elephant mask.

"How did you feel after confronting 'heretics'?"

"...intense anger, and 'empathy'."

Shakti also gazed at Ganesha and poured out his inner feelings.

"After hearing that the Ikelos Familia had hunted monsters and sold them as commodities, I completely understood. I understood that inexplicable 'empathy' I felt when I tried to tame monsters."

"..."

"Just like humans (us)... those monsters (beasts) can also get angry for their fellow humans."

Perhaps it is because she is also a highly skilled tamer that she is able to sense the emotions of monsters and "empathize" with them.

Shakti avoided Ganesha's gaze and looked out the window at the rain.

"Ganesha, you're right that I need to sort out my thoughts. I'm still completely bewildered by the existence of such monsters. And when the rest of the party (Ilta) learned of their existence, I worried they'd become confused... I feared that a moment's hesitation could cost a comrade's life..."

The chief god (Ganesha) approves of living in harmony with the "heretics," and even Shakti agrees, but says she is afraid.

Her confusion was justified.

Should we abandon or save the "heretics"?

When forced to choose, Shakti would naturally choose the former. Because she is not a fool.

Seeing the hazy reflection of his family's downcast expressions on the window, Ganesha, who had been silent, spoke up:

"The path to becoming the Lord of the Masses and Monsters (New Ganesha) is arduous."

"...Where have you taken this?"

Hearing Ganesha say something inexplicable out of the blue, Shakti, who had been speaking seriously, turned to him with a disappointed look.

Ignoring her reaction, Ganesha told her in a heavy tone:

"I'm still just a [group owner (Ganesha)]."

Shakti opened her eyes wide.

"Although I feel bad for Uranus and the others, my biggest concern right now is the safety of the children."

"Ganesha..."

"We will not participate in the search for 'heretics.' Instead, in the event of an impending conflict between them and adventurers, we will protect ordinary citizens. Our mission is to protect the smiles of children."

Ganesha stood up from her chair, looked down at Shakti, as if to ask: Can you?

She nodded firmly in response and got out of bed and stood up.

"We need to increase the number of guards to protect every corner of the city. And I'm going to go out on the streets!! I'm going to show off my hilarious antics to ease the citizens' anxiety!"

"No, you don't need to. Ilta and the others are still on standby at headquarters, right?"

"Yes, because if we let them roam freely, I'm afraid they'll get furious and go after the 'heretics'! So I told them that the captain (Shakti) is resting, and they should rest too! I also said that if anyone dares to break the agreement, I'll give the headquarters further magical modifications!"

"No wonder they're so well-behaved..."

The two left the room and moved around the bizarre giant elephant base camp (headquarters). Shakti, along with her stepsister (Ilta), a first-class adventurer, confirmed that the main force of the faction was at headquarters while discussing future strategies with Ganesha.

Ganesha was walking down the corridor when he suddenly looked up and gazed out the window at the continuous rain.

"What concerns me is how the other gods will view this situation."

"Do you think the other gods have noticed the existence of the 'heretic'?"

With his back to the rainy scene outside the window, Mih asked Hephaestus and Takemikazuchi.

This is the weapon shop of the Hephaestus Familia, located on the Northwest Main Street. Mih and Takemikazuchi, having entrusted the intelligence gathering to their family members, visited Hephaestus's office on the third floor.

"I think they haven't figured out a definitive answer yet... that is, some monsters possess rationality. But they also realize that they are not ordinary monsters..."

"You'd say they were expecting 'there must be some inside story'..."

Not only the dragon girl introduced to them by their divine friend (Hestia), but the three gods also heard the general outline of a series of events, each frowning and letting out a distressed groan, though to varying degrees.

"What would happen if they knew about the existence of the 'heretics'?"

"Judging from the gods currently residing in Orario..."

"While most of them aren't as stubborn as Ares, the god of war, they're not as moderate as Hestia, the goddess of the hearth. About 20% of the gods would completely reject them, 10% would agree to protect them, and the remaining 70% would deliberately cause trouble."

When Michal asked the question, Takemikazuchi and Hephaestus answered with stern faces.

"Those guys will do anything for 'entertainment,' and there's a high chance things will get out of control. I think it's best to keep information about 'the heretics' as secret as possible..."

"Hmm...it might only cause unnecessary chaos."

They wouldn't dare say "like us," but there are very few people in Orario who can be considered truly divine. Takemikazuchi looked annoyed, Mih sighed, and Hephaestus, standing beside them, muttered "really," while touching her eyepatch with her fingertips.

"Now there's also the worrying issue of Bell. He did something so big... the gods will surely suspect that the child knows something."

"I think so..."

"This is terrible..."

Mih was worried about the boy (Bell), and Hephaestus and Takemikazuchi's expressions became serious.

At this moment, the red-haired, red-eyed goddess lifted her bangs, instantly changing her appearance.

"Let me be frank, I cannot decide whether or not to save the 'heretics'."

Why would you say that?

"Isn't that right? Given Hestia's personality, I can understand why she can't bear to part with that orphan (Vivel). But the existence of 'heretics' only brings 'poison' to the surface. What else do they bring besides chaos now?"

"this……"

"Takemikazuchi, didn't you also not tell your family (children) about the 'heretic'?"

Takemikazuchi initially cried out in surprise, but Hephaestus hit a nerve, so he fell silent.

Accepting "monsters" can ignite friction, especially among children. It was precisely because Takemikazuchi was well aware of this that he didn't tell Sakura or Chigusa.

It would be more accurate to say that the Hestia Familia, which generously accepts dragon girls and "heretics," is the one who is seen as heretic by the masses, and thus they find themselves in a predicament.

"Honestly, I don't even know if 'heretics' are beings that should be saved."

Those monsters are "unknowns" that even the gods cannot predict. Hephaestus speaks his true feelings about these dungeon "abnormalities" without any pretense.

"...Well, let's draw this conclusion for now."

Mihel, who had been listening with his eyes closed, slightly opened his arms, and he and Hephaestus exchanged glances at each other's expressions.

The handsome man swayed his waist-length ultramarine hair, letting his voice melt into the sound of the rain.

Our choice is—

"—So, you're leaving it to the Loki Familia to handle, is that it?"

The solemn voice of the old god echoed from the altar.

Upon hearing this voice, the obese body kneeling before the emperor shrank back like a little pig.

"Exactly! I believe no one is more suitable than them to guard the current 'Daedalus Road'!"

The sound of rain outside couldn't penetrate the underground temple built directly beneath the guild headquarters. In the "prayer hall" illuminated by four torches, Uranus stood motionless, looking down at Guild Master Loyman's sweat dripping onto the paving stones.

"Regarding the 'artificial labyrinth,' I have instructed them not to spread the word and to provide any relevant information! The [Hero] will keep his promise! They are essentially under our control!"

"What have you been hiding from me, Lloyd?"

"!"

The elf's shoulder swayed as his inner secrets were easily seen through by the guild's true master.

Is it a 'key'?

"...I forgot to report to you. I ordered him to hand over the 'key' to the guild as soon as he found it..."

Uranus, in a calm tone, told the sweating Leuman:

"The Loki Familia must fully share information about the 'Artificial Labyrinth' with us. Once we obtain the 'Key,' we must find an appropriate time to form an investigation team. The legacy of Daedalus is not managed by an individual or a faction, but by our guild."

“Yes, yes!”

"I won't blame you for the Loki Familia incident."

Upon hearing the chief god say "Go down," Loiman trembled and obeyed.

He staggered out, as if taking his place—patting him on the shoulder as he passed—the orange-haired god descended the stairs leading to the ground.

"Lloydman is really shrewd."

"His desires are deeper than others, but he is excellent, and his willingness to do his best for the development of the city is genuine."

Hermes couldn't help but laugh as he stepped into the "Hall of Prayer," to which Uranus calmly replied.

"But as expected, the Loki Familia really stayed on Daedalus Road and refused to leave. Well, since Miss Freya is guarding the Central Tower (Tower of Babel), from the perspective of the Hero and the others, they will naturally wait for the Heretic to appear on the only remaining escape route."

"Indeed... things have come to this point, and Ganesha will probably prioritize the lives of the residents."

Uranus's implication was that he admitted it was impossible to change the personnel deployment from his perspective.

He also had his reasons; excessive orders for the Loki Familia to evacuate would arouse suspicion among the masses. For Uranus, whose city must forever remain a symbol of peace and rule over the land, this was something that had to be avoided.

Furthermore, if it comes to eliminating the monsters that have set foot on the earth, no one is more suitable than the Loki Familia.

"Well then, as the one who took on the task of quelling the unrest, let me first report on the current situation."

Hermes approached the guild's chief god, who sat firmly on the central throne of the altar, and removed the travel hat from his head.

"The 'heretics' are moving through the city's underground sewers. Sightings are piling up, but... thankfully there are bounties, the adventurers are like a scattered pile of sand—perhaps that's a stroke of luck amidst misfortune?"

Where are the "heretics" who got separated from Fels and the others?

"We haven't got any information on that yet, and we haven't figured out how many people have gone missing. Some of them may have already fallen into the hands of adventurers or wicked gods."

Hermes replied to Uranus that since no adventurer has come forward to say they have captured the bounty target (monster), it is impossible to determine the truth.

"Well, a few adventurers did manage to find the black bull (Minotaur), but they were driven back instead... However, I heard that even though they have recovered from their injuries, they are trembling all over as if they had a nightmare, and they are unable to ask them any questions properly."

Hermes sighed and held up two fingers.

"The actions of the 'heretics' are restricted."

In the current situation, the "heretics" have two purposes.

One purpose is to reunite with the lost compatriots, and the other is to reach the entrance and exit of the underground city.