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

Reed looked up at the vast sky.

The sky, which was originally obscured by clouds, has now become a vast sea of ​​stars.

"Although we finally got to see the sky... I never imagined we'd have to do it so sneakily. Maybe we're just meant to live a life that can't be seen by others."

Crooked feet covered in scales stood on the bank of the dimly lit sewer.

A self-deprecating glint appeared between the gaps in his sharp fangs as the lizardman warrior kept his head tilted back, gazing at the sky.

It was as if they were trying to find some tiny, more illusory wish than a star in the boundless sky.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Welf, it's life!"

"Although it hasn't been that long... I'm just glad you're safe and sound, Lady Winnie."

Hearing Winnie's joyful cry, they turned around and saw Welf and Ming had just joined the others. They were carrying a large bag filled with sachets containing the scent of monsters (Reed) and others.

Reed and his fellow citizens stepped forward, surrounding the scene of the dragon girl and the human laughing together. That carefree smile was irreplaceable, and it was also the hope of the "heretics".

Whenever I see the smiles of those girls, my unrestrained desires begin to surge uncontrollably. I can't help but defy the voices that tell me to accept my fate and be content, and I want to reach out and pursue them.

Reed couldn't help but pray that one day he could join hands with them.

"...Reed, it's time. Please."

"it is good."

Fels glanced down at his pocket watch and urged Reed to act, then left the sewers alone.

Reed used his unusually agile movements to climb the building and leap onto the rooftop platform.

Looking around at the maze-like street that had sunk into darkness, he apologized to the strangers while preparing himself for the worst.

Reed inhaled air to fill his chest, then released it all in one breath.

Roar oh ...

The monster's distant howl shook the night.

The deep, lingering cries echoed through every corner of the maze-like street, reaching all the way to the edge of the city.

The adventurers all looked up, while the residents were all terrified. Everyone stopped moving, knowing that the moment had finally arrived.

The roars of the resurrected monsters once again brought turmoil to Orario.

Ahh ...

"There has been a response."

Next, a sharp tone, somewhat like a young girl's voice, rose into the sky.

Upon hearing the distant bark in response, Fels turned his head as if struck by lightning.

"It's the half-human, half-bird (Fei'er), and the red-hatted one (Rett). I didn't hear the unicorn rabbit (Aruru) or the others..."

"It's impossible that they didn't hear it; either they're too afraid to speak, or they can't even call out..."

The singing bird and the gargoyle squinted one eye, and their distant barks echoed repeatedly.

The roars echoing in the air were the "voices" of the monsters, a "call" that only they could understand. Neither humans nor gods could grasp the true meaning hidden within those distant howls.

That is the "command" that is agreed upon in advance regarding one's location, destination, and everything else.

"We have no choice but to leave. Let's trust them."

Led by Fels, the "heretics" seemed to melt into the darkness, setting off from the sewers.

"Lord Lloyd!?"

"What's wrong! What's wrong! Is something going to happen!?"

The guild leader, his face ashen, went up to the top floor of the Pantheon and leaned over the railing.

"It's coming, it's coming!? The real show is about to begin!?"

"It's a festival! It's a banquet!"

"I really want to go to Daedalus Road!!!"

The gods, consumed by excitement, danced and shouted around the children who were cowering in fear.

"Captain!"

"..."

A brave warrior, leading the city's elite, gazes silently at the labyrinthine streets.

"..."

The dark beast looked up at the sky and headed toward the place indicated by the stars.

"Alright, let the game begin."

Then the male god narrowed his orange-yellow eyes and announced in the darkness.

The prelude to war was quietly raised.

Book 11, Chapter 4: The Outpost of Daedalus

The operation was initiated by Lily.

"What are those monsters howling about?!"

"Where are they making those noises? Quick, find them!"

Hearing the monster's distant howl, the adventurers of Daedalus Road were in an uproar, except for one young dwarf who quietly slipped into a back alley. Once he was out of sight of others, he leaned against a dirty wall, one hand on his forehead.

"【The Voice of Apocalypse at 12 o'clock】."

A gray light enveloped his entire body and then melted away. After that, Lily, having dispelled the transformation spell "Cave Ashes," let out a sigh of relief.

"Ugh, how awful! How terrifying! If the adventurers catch me, I'll definitely be killed on the spot. Why does Lily have to do something like this..."

After muttering to herself for a long time, Lily finally made up her mind.

She raised her chestnut eyebrows and closed her eyelids.

"Your mark (scar) belongs to me. My mark (scar) still belongs to me."

With her cherry-like lips, she chanted the incantation, and the transformation magic was activated once again.

In an instant, it materialized into a loose battle jacket, a broken pocket watch around its neck, and a fluffy tail and long ears. It was a rabbit monster with big, bright red eyes that darted around—a unicorn rabbit.

【The Ash Girl】As long as the condition of "someone with a similar physique" is met, even monsters can be imitated. Lily chose the unicorn rabbit Aluru, who was reasonably good-looking, from among the short "heretics", and with a determined heart, she jumped out from the shadows.

"Let's go all out! (kiss)!"

Lily's voice even became inhuman; she ran while shouting, and was immediately spotted by the adventurers.

"It's...it's appeared!?"

"It's a monster! In the back alley—!"

The adventurers roared and charged from the main street into the back alley.

Upon seeing the high bounty offered, the adventurers' eyes changed drastically. Their eyes bloodshot, they brandished their swords or axes, chasing after their hopping, fleeing prey. "They're so greedy! That's what makes adventurers so annoying!" Lily, surprised to find herself almost the same, uttered a whine-like complaint.

However, the adventurers are both ferocious and agile. The [Cookware Woman] can only mimic the appearance; her abilities remain her own (Lily's), and she cannot replicate higher [ability values] or the potential abilities of monsters. Among the pursuers are high-ranking adventurers, and Lily, merely a supporter, will likely fall into their hands in no time. In fact, Lily has already narrowly escaped capture several times.

Therefore, whenever Lily encounters danger, she runs into a blind spot...

"The Voice of Apocalypse at Midnight!"

Then immediately cancel the transformation spell (Cinderella).

So the monster reverted to Lily's original form and nonchalantly evaded the fierce-looking adventurers.

Transformation followed by deactivation, transformation followed by deactivation. Each time they thought they had caught up with the unicorn rabbit, it would vanish again, fueling the adventurers' growing frustration. Shoulders bumped against each other in the narrow, crisscrossing network of paths, and soon a chorus of curses erupted.

Listening to the increasingly chaotic situation of the adventurers, Lily repeatedly used "magic" and ran around the labyrinthine streets, panting heavily.

"Waaah, Lord Fels, Lily hates you!"

While grumbling about the fool who devised the battle plan, she did her best to fulfill her duties.

"The 'Unicorn Rabbit' has appeared!"

"Over there, chase it into a dead end!"

The adventurers' excited shouts also reached Bell's ears, who was also staying on the south side of the labyrinth street with Lily.

"...!"

Taking advantage of Eina's momentary surprise at Reid's distant barking, Bell managed to break free from her grasp.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Eina!"

"Ah, Bell!!"

By the time Eina noticed, Bell had already dashed off, looking back at her as she grew further and further away.

"You can yell at me for as long as you want after that!"

"Really!"

Seeing Bell run away, Eina pretended to be angry.

To be honest, Eina wanted to chase after him and stop him. The thought of him potentially facing danger and harm filled her with worry and fear. But Bell was an adventurer, and Eina was a member of the guild. Although she had acted impulsively and come to find the boy out of personal feelings, she still had to fulfill her duties as a member of the guild.

"...I forgot to give the lost item that God Hermes gave me to him."

Eina glanced down at the bracelet on her right hand, her anger completely gone, and looked at the boy with concern. Bell turned his back to her and ran away along the road.

"Bell, among the lost 'heretics,' it seems there are two on the east side of Daedalus Road."

"The east side... is quite far from our south side, so..."

"Yes, according to the plan, you just need to focus on attracting attention."

From the gauntlets hidden beneath the cloak came Hestia's muffled voice. She must have heard from Fels which of her brethren had responded to Reed's call before relaying it to Bell.

Bell whispered a reply to the eye crystal and nodded in acceptance of Hestia's instructions.

(Miss Ais... as expected, she caught up. It was also expected that other adventurers would come, but...)

Ais ran parallel to the boy on the roof of the house. Bell glanced at her and then looked behind him.

Some chased after Bell from behind, while others, like hunters, kept a safe distance—he could feel their gazes. Perhaps it was the will of the gods, but these adventurers weren't chasing the unicorn rabbit (Lily), focusing instead on tracking the truly important boy (Bell). If you included those who were hiding, the number was quite large. So many people were chasing him, as if following Bell would lead them to the treasure's location.

(The Loki Familia's feint attack failed because they weren't focusing on me. I must temporarily avoid Miss Ais and these people!)

Bell made a decision and sped up.

He turned off the road and ran into one of the countless branching paths.

"!"

"Hurry, don't lose them!"

Bell brushed past the adventurers who were being completely outwitted by the unicorn rabbit and headed towards the nearby southeastern district.

The adventurers are hot on Bell's heels. They've been lured here, and so far, all is well. Next, Bell will have to do "something" to keep them here. If possible, it would be best if they could lose track of Bell and stay in the southeastern district for "something."

(Miss Nazha, Miss Liu, I'm counting on you from now on!)

Using the cover to escape his pursuers' sight, Bell immediately poured the contents of the odor-eliminating sachet over his head. Then he turned his black cloak inside out, covering his entire body.

In an instant, Bell's figure vanished without a trace.

「!?」

"Where did the rising star go!?"

Bell, who was still at the scene, heard the chaotic shouts of the crowd and also sensed Ais's astonishment.

This is Fels' magical artifact, the "Double-Sided Invisibility Cloak".

The effect is the same as the "Hades Helmet" of the All-Powerful (Asphie), making the wearer "invisible." Unlike the Black Helmet (Hades Helmet), which forces the wearer to become invisible, this veil is reversible and can be used for different purposes. Simply flip it over, and an ordinary cloak instantly becomes equipment for covert operations.

Bell successfully surprised Ais and the adventurers, leaving the scene while remaining "transparent".

"Where has that bastard gone...!"

The adventurers, having lost track of Bell and frantically searching for him, were getting increasingly frustrated by the complicated roads and numerous obstacles... when they noticed "that."

"It smells sweet...?"